BajaNomad - Handheld Radios

Handheld Radios

TMW - 1-27-2014 at 10:41 AM

Amazon has a low cost VHF/UHF handheld radio that I'm hearing good things about. Cheaper than a CB or GMRS with better quality reception. I got one a couple of days ago and will do some testing soon. Check it out. Also there are a couple of antennas that provide up to 3db gain.

http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV5RA-136-174-Dual-Band-Transc...

Antennas

http://www.amazon.com/ExpertPower%C2%AE-430Mhz-Antenna-BAOFE...

http://www.amazon.com/NAGOYA-NA-701-Antenna-BAOFENG-KG-UVD1P...

http://www.amazon.com/NAGOYA-NA-771-Antenna-BAOFENG-KG-UVD1P...

PaulW - 1-31-2014 at 08:46 AM

Great bargain. I just paid twice as much for my hand held lion batt for my vintage VX-5R
PW
ps, the whip antenna or mag mount for your car roof should greatly extend your range.

Ateo - 1-31-2014 at 09:08 AM

Was looking into good radios and antenna's for the 1000 recently until the pro bikes bailed from the event. Glad I didn't pull the trigger. Keep us posted on your testing.

woody with a view - 1-31-2014 at 11:50 AM

i have vhf handhelds that work great line of site both on the road or water. the link say HAM and programmable. vhf isn't programmable that i know of. i'm learning....

TMW - 1-31-2014 at 12:32 PM

I was in a local hospital today and when one of the security people went by I swear the radio she had looked like one of these.

Neal Johns - 1-31-2014 at 12:45 PM

Here is some more dope on this radio:
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/10755
Neal AG6HR

TMW - 1-31-2014 at 01:34 PM

A friend sent this to me.

Here's a little guide to programming Baofeng handhelds.

What you need.

Radio:
http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-Dual-Band-Improved-Stronger-En...

Cable:
http://www.amazon.com/Programming-Cable-Baofeng-UV-5R-Driver...

Software, I suggest CHIRP, its a 3rd party ham radio geek free software.
http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download

Load a freq list. Attached is a good one to start from, you can add, remove or change channels.

Program to Radio by choosing Upload to Radio

mcnut - 2-14-2014 at 01:04 AM

I have 3 of these and I find they perform very well and are durable. Accessories are very cheap so I got an extra battery and speaker/mic for each.

The programing can be a little rough but not impossible to work through. Once setup they will broadcast on FRS, Gmrs, Murs, marine VHF and ham UHF + Ham VHF frequencies. Note that to be legal all But the FRS freq. require a license.

As to range it's fairly typical VHF/UHF, a long way line of sight but can be as little as 1/2 mile in hilly terrain. Use of repeaters greatly expand the useful range.

Bruce

[Edited on 2-14-2014 by mcnut]

rts551 - 2-14-2014 at 07:14 AM

Have used 1 for a couple of years for races. works great.

Hook - 2-14-2014 at 08:37 AM

Do racers bring down radio repeaters for big races? Or something like a dual band radio that has cross-band repeating capabilities, like a Yaesu 8800? Or do they just rely on direct radio-to-radio communication?

DENNIS - 2-14-2014 at 08:56 AM

Sounds as though cell phones would work as well...or better.

Hook - 2-14-2014 at 09:50 AM

I would imagine there are some areas where there is no cell service, especially if the phones arent ATT.

Of course, no single repeater is likely cover an entire course, either. But the thing about radios is it communicates with multiple people at the same time, instead of making individual calls to individual persons on a cell phone. That's handy when you're dealing with individual crews and multitudes of crews. Much faster and cheaper, too.

TMW - 2-14-2014 at 01:48 PM

Hook I'm not aware of any repeaters used by race crews, but if you got the $$$ anything is possible. BFG has a relay repeater. More and more are using satellite phones to compiment their two-way radios. Using a spot would tell your crew if you need help and where you are at but not the type of help.

monoloco - 2-24-2014 at 05:02 PM

It's amazing that they can produce and sell a radio like this for so little money, and that it actually works.

StuckSucks - 2-24-2014 at 05:24 PM

Looking at the freq list above, it appears I can use the radio as a hand-held race radio. How do I get the frequencies set to what I need? Do I set it up?

DENNIS - 2-24-2014 at 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
It's amazing that they can produce and sell a radio like this for so little money, and that it actually works.

Don't they require a HAM license to use? How does that work down here?

weebray - 2-24-2014 at 05:40 PM

I think that on the ham bands you're pretty much reduced to being a voyeur unless you have a license. I just read about 20 reviews on a "ham" site. 99% positive and these guys are really picky and not inclined to buy something made by a ferener. The price is staggeringly low, like, a few tacos for a week. I ordered one, will report back.

rts551 - 2-24-2014 at 06:08 PM

Frequencies can be put in individually (frequency mode) or programmed in (channel mode) using something like "Chirp" or the software Baofeng provides.

Ham license is required if you "use " it. I guess just listening is OK. In Mexico it is 500 pesos a year, no test. In the US a test is required.

woody with a view - 2-24-2014 at 08:47 PM

TEST? uh, breaker breaker - we got us a CONVOY!

rts551 - 2-24-2014 at 09:08 PM

Have not taken thetest, soWoody, that may getyou a passiing grade :lol:

DENNIS - 2-24-2014 at 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Have not taken thetest, soWoody, that may getyou a passiing grade :lol:

Late Happy Hour, eh Ralph? :lol:

Gulliver - 2-24-2014 at 10:28 PM

The flash memories on these are failing. Something about not using a quality chip. The U.S. importer has stopped selling them. They wouldn't honor the warranty.

I'll stick with something i can get fixed.

rts551 - 2-25-2014 at 07:34 AM

Yes Dennis....late for me anyhow.....plus fat fingers.

Gulliver...I just bought 4, for friends. Did read though where the Manufacturer is having trouble keeping up with demand. Where did you read about the flash memeroies...mine has been operating fine now for 3 years.

weebray - 2-25-2014 at 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gulliver
The flash memories on these are failing. Something about not using a quality chip. The U.S. importer has stopped selling them. They wouldn't honor the warranty.

Not one mention in two ham forums about ANY problems with these radios or the manufactures warranty. Their has been some b-tching about how difficult they are to program. Some people can find a problem with a free lunch.

weebray - 2-25-2014 at 08:57 AM

I just googled "baofeng uv5r microchip problems" and was unable to find any links to failed chips. I strongly suspect a rumor started by a disgruntled "made in America" miscreant. There well may be one or even a number of bad radios out there but if it truly were a problem google would sus it out.

willardguy - 2-25-2014 at 10:15 AM

seems like most of the guys on the ham boards agree although they have their share of problems, for the price, how can you miss!

mcnut - 2-25-2014 at 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Frequencies can be put in individually (frequency mode) or programmed in (channel mode) using something like "Chirp" or the software Baofeng provides.

Ham license is required if you "use " it. I guess just listening is OK. In Mexico it is 500 pesos a year, no test. In the US a test is required.

Somewhat correct as this radio can be programed to operate on many frequencies (see my post above), several ham bands included. A ham license is required to transmit on ham frequencies in the US, the test is not that hard.

The UV-5R is capable of operating on a wide range of frequencies (see my post above), all of which have their own licensing/equipment requirements. Being an FM radio the Baofang UV-5R can not do CB or aircraft both being AM.

Most hams got their start listening without a license before passing the test in order to earn transmit privileges. This type of radio has been both a huge boost and problem for hams. While it has brought new licensed users to what was a declining hobby, it has also brought users who remain unlicensed for the frequencies they are transmitting on and at times show little courtesy.

There has never been a requirement to be licensed to by the equipment, the pricing of this radio just opened the door to a large group of hobbyists.

Bruce

[Edited on 2-25-2014 by mcnut]

Radio license

bajaguy - 2-25-2014 at 09:50 PM

How does one go about obtaining a "Ham" license in Mexico, and is it reciprocal in the states???

DENNIS - 2-25-2014 at 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
How does one go about obtaining a "Ham" license in Mexico, and is it reciprocal in the states???

Probably from SCT.....Secratariat of Communication and Transportation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretariat_of_Communications_and_Transportation_(Mexico)

.

[Edited on 2-26-2014 by DENNIS]

wessongroup - 2-26-2014 at 12:22 AM

They aren't to bad in an "emergency"

Hurricane Sandy disrupts wireless and Internet services

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57542500-94/hurricane-sandy...

Some lost it all .... HAM radio is a decent back for com ...

A listener only ... bought a couple of these and a "base station"

All good hear (sorry for the pun) .... Great reviews on Amazon, all most 5 stars, biggest complaint ... programing and/or instructions

Pretty good walk through for us really slow folks on this stuff

http://www.wp4aoh.blogspot.com/2013/01/uv-5re-photo-1-baofen...

[Edited on 2-26-2014 by wessongroup]

Gulliver - 2-26-2014 at 08:29 AM

http://www.wouxun.us/Good-Bye-Wouxun/Good-Bye-Wouxun.html

Still a hell of a deal but I'd try to see if the seller has any kind of warranty program.

Mike

mcnut - 2-26-2014 at 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gulliver
http://www.wouxun.us/Good-Bye-Wouxun/Good-Bye-Wouxun.html

Still a hell of a deal but I'd try to see if the seller has any kind of warranty program.

Mike

Mike, I have to admit I don't get your reposting this again. The subject throughout this thread is the Baofeng radio, specifically the UV-5R. Wouxun is a different manufacturer, a little like calling into question the quality of a Toyota because of problems reported about a Nissan, not really fair do you think?

I tried to make this point in the other thread where you posted the same link, and if that wasn't enough another poster who owns a fleet (50 radios) of both as well as Motorolas (200radios) and reported few problems.

A number of different people import these radios (or you have the option to buy from overseas), both Baofeng and Wouxun so it's not surprising that 1 or 2 have dropped out.

Bruce

[Edited on 2-26-2014 by mcnut]

[Edited on 2-26-2014 by mcnut]

Hook - 2-26-2014 at 02:09 PM

Nice link on the radio, wessongroup.

It pointed out that it is only four watts instead of the typical five watts of a marine radio.

Its certainly worth it as a more powerful FRS radio, although it's illegal to use on those frequencies.

Gulliver - 2-26-2014 at 02:18 PM

Believe it or not, I thought they were the same company. Ignore me!
Mike