Cheap handheld HAM

gary in ohio

Explorer
Also, as long as I follow FCC's MURS and FRS guidelines for use on following frequencies, I wont need a license to operate right?

Im not sure some of these will be tuneable with the UV-5R?

MURS



FRS

Yes, but if you follow the rules your radio is not legal on ANY MURS freq. MURS radio must be manufactured specifically for MURS use. So Murs is out.
You cant use it on FRS for a number of reason, Power output and FRS radio must have a non detachable antenna. Technical you cant use it on GMRS either since the radio is not part 95 compliant.

So you can use the uv5 or uv3 or any of the radio's coming out of china on part 90 business band or ham radio.

The
 

HenryJ

Expedition Leader
Just because it can be done, does not mean it should be done. You can see such operation in the CB bands where over amplified radios walk over the rest. The rules are there so that the frequency will work well for as many as possible. If we play by the rules it will function better and have room for everyone to use it. Band plans are not designed to limit use. They are there to maximize the availability and limit interference.
Setting up your radio to monitor / listen (RX) all frequencies is fine. Just don't TX.
FRS and GMRS radios are cheap. I keep several around. They work much better than a radio not specifically designed for use in those bands.

Are there radios cops? The FCC has allowed amateur radio operators great freedom in their bands. They are a dedicated bunch and police the system aggressively. That is part of the reason it remains in their control.
 

cdnabn49

Observer
I too bought one. Compared to my Kenwood TH-F6 the reception is less sensitive and noisier. And programming the memory is THE WORST bit of engineering/logic EVER! I am pretty sure it is a dirty Chinese commie plot to confound the capitalist pig Americans and they are laughing there @$$es off at us that bought one right now.

I know it's apples and oranges but if you are going to invest in "One" handie-talkie look at the TH-F6 true dual receive tri-bander. It is one awesome radio!

+1 on that programming crap! good little radio... not the best bet definitely fun and inexpensive!
 

crawler#976

Expedition Leader
It's not really difficult at all. Try this method from: http://www.wp4aoh.blogspot.com/
SIMPLEX PROGRAMMING EXAMPLE

TO PROGRAM 146.520 SIMPLEX TO MEMORY CHANNEL 001 :

STEP 1 : ENTER 146520 (while in frequency mode to VFO/A)

STEP 2 : PRESS [MENU] [27] ("mem channel" appears on display)

STEP 3 : PRESS [MENU] (radio announces " memory channel")

STEP 4 : ENTER [001] (use the keypad or scroll to it with arrow keys)

STEP 5 : PRESS [MENU] (radio announces "receiving memory")

STEP 6 : PRESS [EXIT]

Memory number 001 is now programmed to 146.520 simplex (no split)


REPEATER PROGRAMMING EXAMPLE - NO PL Tone

TO PROGRAM REPEATER 145.370 / 144.770 TO MEMORY CHANNEL 002 :

STEP 1 : ENTER 145370 (while in frequency mode to VFO-A)

STEP 2 : PRESS [MENU] [27] ("mem channel" appears on display)

STEP 3 : PRESS [MENU] ( radio announces " memory channel")

STEP 4 : ENTER [002] (use the keypad or scroll to it with arrow keys)

STEP 5 : PRESS [MENU] (radio announces "receiving memory")

STEP 6 : PRESS [EXIT]

STEP 7 : ENTER 144770

STEP 8 : PRESS [MENU] [27] (memory channel 002 still on display)

STEP 9 : PRESS [MENU] (radio announces " transmitting memory")

STEP 10 : PRESS [EXIT]


REPEATER PROGRAMMING EXAMPLE W/ PL TONE

TO PROGRAM REPEATER 147.210 / 147.810 WITH A T-CTCS OF 127.3 TO MEMORY CHANNEL 003 :

STEP 1 : PRESS [MENU] [13] ( T-CTCS appears on the display)

STEP 2 : PRESS [MENU] ( radio announces "TCTCS")

STEP 3 : ENTER 1273 ( use the keypad or scroll to it with arrow keys)

STEP 4 : PRESS [MENU] ( radio announces "confirmed")

STEP 5 : PRESS [EXIT]

STEP 6 : ENTER 147210 (while in frequency mode and in VFO-A)

STEP 7 : PRESS [MENU] [27] ( "mem channel" appears on the display)

STEP 8 : PRESS [MENU] ( radio announces " memory channel")

STEP 9 : ENTER [003] ( use keypad or scroll to it with arrow keys)

STEP 10 : PRESS [MENU] ( radio announces " receiving memory")

STEP 11 : PRESS [EXIT]

STEP 12 : ENTER 147810

STEP 13 : PRESS [MENU] [27] ( memory channel 003 still on display)

STEP 14 : PRESS [MENU] ( radio announces " transmitting memory")

STEP 15 : PRESS [EXIT]

Memory number 003 is now programmed to 147.210 / 147.810 with a transmit tone ( T-CTCS) of 127.3
If the tone required is a DCS tone. In STEP 1 : PRESS [MENU] [12] and complete the remaining steps to set the T-DCS needed. If receive tones are needed use menu [10] to set R-DCS or menu [11] for R-CTCS. Do not use R-DCS or R-CTCS for ham radio repeater operation unless necessary.
When you transmit on this memory channel "CT" will appear to the left of the display indicating a tone is being used and the frequency will change to 147.810 * ( the repeater input frequency) . The plus and minus signs will appear on top of the display indicating that it is a repeater memory channel. Any other menu items ( 2, 5 , 10, 11, 12, 17, 19, 23 or 33 ) must be configured before programming with [MENU] [27] the first time.

* Assuming the display mode ( MENU [21] or MENU [22] ) for the selected display is set to " FREQ "
 

seanz0rz

Adventurer
I got mine, have used it to listen to the repeater here and for some simplex comm on the trail. It's great! especially for $50! I will be ordering the programming cable soon, and then a second radio when my wife gets her license!
 

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