Newb question; any handheld/rig-mounted 2M/70cm/FRS radios?

[HenryJ]

After doing even more reading and research...could I get some feedback on this type of setup?;

-I get my HAM license
-Purchase the handheld(HT) Wouxun KG-UV6D dual band VHF/UHF commercial radio (can be "unlocked" to TX/RX on GMRS/FRS when needed)

Not a bad choice of radio, but there is no current software available to unlock them. For the older KG-UV2D, KG Commander software can be used to open the frequencies for use in countries where they are legal.
I'd suggest giving up on TX FRS/GMRS using a VHF/UHF radio. The FRS/GMRS radios are cheap , small and work better than an illegally modded radio. Just buy a pair to carry if you need them. I think you will find that if you have VHF you will not need FRS/GMRS on your SAR team. We just hand those out to the community volunteers. All our members use VHF.

Get a small handheld. The Wouxun is an excellent bang for the buck. Use the savings to purchase the Yaesu FT8800R. That mobile can be set to cross band repeat. Using the UHF Wouxun you can transmit to your mobile and then it will broadcast VHF at the higher power. Works great to extend range when hiking canyons.
That set up has served me well. The option to have my truck as a mobile repeater has been helpful more than a couple times.

 

[mk216v]

Ok, thanks guys. I had read the unlock software was available from Wouxun, but wasn't aware it was illegal in the USA to make the mod.

I'll stick with the KG-UV6D(even though I prefer European-built components) for HT and then the FT8800R for mobile. I doubt I'll use GMRS/FRS much, I was just trying to add it if I easily could.

I'll have to do more research on antenna's but if anyone wants to suggest something for a newbie(has to be black in color, will be gutter-mounted most likely), I'd appreciate it.

Thanks again all!

 

[HenryJ]

Tons of options for antenna. You will have to decide what works for you and the areas you frequent. Theft can be an issue in the Portland area. I use cheap 1/4 wave whips for their durability. Plenty repeaters in range and big sky in the high desert make them a workable solution.

The stock whip on the Wouxun is very good. I finally found a nice dualband shorty for mine. Makes it easier to carry on a call.

Start studying and practice , practice, practice:
http://www.eham.net/exams/
http://www.qrz.com/testing.html
http://aa9pw.com/

 

[mk216v]

Any thoughts on a fold-over vs spring antennas (I do more forest overlanding than desert)?

 

[gary in ohio]

FRS/GMRS, correct.
Just returned from another SAR training; most are using ICOM radios (VHF). Some also use handheld FRS/GMRS as secondaries, but not that often.

So if they are using Icom on VHF and NOT using ham radio's then they must (or at least should ) have a license to operate. Why not go that route?

 

[gary in ohio]

After doing even more reading and research...could I get some feedback on this type of setup?;

-I get my HAM license
-Purchase the handheld(HT) Wouxun KG-UV6D dual band VHF/UHF commercial radio (can be "unlocked" to TX/RX on GMRS/FRS when needed)

Wouldn't this allow me;
-handheld(HT) VHF in field with SAR
-GMRS/FRS if ever needed
-mobile 2mVHF/70cmUHF setup when in my rig after I connect the SMA->SO239/PL259 cable jumper->PL259(or NMO) mount/antenna (I could use the Wouxun battery eliminator to save battery life when in mobile arrangement; http://www.powerwerx.com/wouxun-radios/wouxun-battery-eliminator.html)


Thoughts??

The Wouxun will allow you on UHF and VHF. It doesnt need to be unlocked. Its pretty wideband out of the box.

What freq/license is you SAR group using will determine if the radio is legal for SAR. You will need to talk to you communications manager as to what needs to be done to be added to the groups license. Being part of the SAR group and having a radio on the freq doesnt give you the right to use it on the freq. You need something in writing.

The radio would never be legal on FRS, but could be used as a GMRS radio if you get the proper license.

The radio is usable on the ham bands.


A couple of things to keep in mind. My comments apply to Wouxun KG-UV6D only. You can just switch to another dual bander. The Wouxun KG-UV6D is really a commercial (although a low end one) radio and can be used on the ham bands. If you change radio's you need to look at certifications of that radio and if going with some of the lower cost chineese radio you need to make sure the radio you get actually has the fcc sticker. Two radio, same model number, same everything are different from a legal standpoint if one has an FCC sticker and one doesnt.

 

[mk216v]

Thank you Gary.