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Congrats
Congrats!Quote:
Originally Posted by esizer
I have a radio with your name on it :)
Again, very much appreciated. I'll send you a private message to coordinate logistics. I also got my call sign assigned today (that was quick).Quote:
Originally Posted by thedave1164
Congrats on the ticket!
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I've gone through the thread over a few days, but is there a FAQ post?
I saw a lot of posts and videos about legality and Baefong radios, is that all settled??
I'm looking to be able to use radios for general use and even use on the range. My thought is to learn how to use them and get certified along with my son. The idea is maybe over a school break watch some of the training videos and use some of the training tools to get ready for the test. Thought about over Thanksgiving since we don't have plans, but the boy might have school work. If not then over Christmas.
With no radio or electronics experience, how much time (I know it will be variable) to study for the test? Best training videos/tools?
Where to take the test? I saw these links:
http://ppraa.org/ve-testing
http://w0eno.org/
Live in Denver, is there online testing?
Gear (It's all about the gear ;) ) With Christmas coming up, I thought I could tie this into some Xmas presents for the boy.
Don't need to go cheap, but don't need the 'Knights' version.
Looking for the radios and accessories (cables?) to make it all work.
Looking to use them as standard radios, but also as headsets. Getting tired of yelling at the range, on-line and also when setting up steel. Even noise cancelling can only help on-line so much.
How do you set up headphones? Son has a set of Peltor MT15H68FB-02 headphones, I don't have any that are comm ready.
I guess this is a pretty big question. Cables, headphones, switches and inter-options.
Also, I'd like to support local radio shop stores if possible.
Thanks.
Looking for some input on mini mobile radios. Less than $120 25w-50w. I have been looking at the QYT KT-8900D, Radioddity DB25,Btech UV-50X2 or UV-25X2. Want radio to be chirp compatible. I found Chirp to be very easy to use on the baofeng ht radio when programming. I mounted a Ed fong antenna on the house and want a little more power out put then the Ht.
Also interested in much of the same info. I'd like to get licensed, but want to get the right "stuff" in advance of that and it's a bit difficult to figure out what's the best to buy in advance, being mostly clueless about the best bands to be using, etc. I do understand the programming end at least, and expanding some of the options from that. Looking for waterproof, reasonable, 8w or better radios, that can use earpieces with a decent battery life. I'm assuming nothing can bluetooth, but even wired earpieces+mic would be nice if the connections can tolerate being wet. Mostly for SHTF coordination/comms if other networks go down, I want to be able to communicate reasonably quietly, but also keep an ear free. Do these have the same kind of audio input/output as for instance, a cell, or do you have to buy specific equipment?Quote:
Originally Posted by FromMyColdDeadHand
You are a thousand times better off with a decent antenna and 2 watts than getting an 8 watt radio using the stock antenna. Every doubling of the power output only gives you a 3 decibel boost in the received power which is barely detectable. Testing the actual output of the 8w handhelds basically say: Not worth looking at.Quote:
Originally Posted by FoxtArt
Baofengs are the radio equivalent of Kel-Tec, Taurus, or even Jimenez. They work of course, though quality control on them isn't the best, the design is kind of questionable, and it can cause problems for it's users. But just like those brands, it's hard to beat the price. So as long as you realize what you're buying, that's fine. They're not the easiest to use or program compared to Icom or Yaesu. Long term reliability? Remains to be seen. But you can buy 4-5 of these for the price of a Yaesu.
Hey fellas, I just broke all my radio crap back out after several years of disuse and also ordered several of the new 8w Baofengs. Is there any consensus on best whip and car antennas? I'm already using 15" whips, but I have no idea how good or bad they might be.
A guy up here local to me is suggesting these three, but I don't know how much testing he's done.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ...v_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086YSGWBP...v_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016SIJX28...v_ov_lig_dp_it
BTW, I'm monitoring the MARC and Colorado Connection at my desk if anyone wants to call. I could use the practice. KD0ZFB
My connection to CC is shaky. MARC is solid.
Which MARC repeater? Several are listed on website. I'm guessing woodland park?
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Correct. If I understand correctly, the MARC repeaters are interconnected. Maybe I’m confusing that with Colorado Connection. It’s been six years since I turned a radio on, I’m fuzzy on the details.
I've been watching this thread for awhile now and thinking of jumping into this radio hobby as we approach winter.
I'm considering the Baofeng UV-82HP as I've seen it in action on quite a few you tube channels. Any feedback on this model ?
I only need one and I'll probably set it up as a scanner until I decide if I want to proceed into the whole ham radio arena.
Thanks for any feedback.
Tim, I just gave you call on Colorado Connection, no luck so I'll mention here that I've had that Nagoya HT whip antenna for >10 years, awesome antenna. Generally speaking, Nagoya is well regarded and is considered great bang for the buck.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim K
On the 'tape' antennas, I suggest you get the longest one you can find and add a gooseneck. Look on Amazon for 'HYS Gooseneck' and you'll find them reasonably priced.
Baofeng's use "SMA female" as the antenna connector.
Sorry I missed your call. I thought I heard it, but I had two people going in my ear at the time. Try again if you like or let me know your call sign. I'll look into the antenna.
What do you think of this one? 31" long.
https://www.amazon.com/HYS-Gooseneck...5200320&sr=8-2
Keep in mind it's 31" with the gooseneck. I have the 31" and it's a little deaf when folded, but from a practical point of view, it's an easy fix when you're "out of comms" to just unfurl the antenna.
So I got two Uv-82hp radios. If I just wanted to use them as walk-talkies around the hood, how would I do that? Just looking for a quick win before delving into ham radio classes.
While not technically legal, you could use them on one of the FRS frequencies.. I say not technically legal because the baofengs are not certified for use on FRS/GMRS frequencies.
The FRS freqs are unlicensed and used mostly for playing around, so I doubt anyone would notice. Even then, I wouldn't use it for commercial purposes, as I've seen descriptions of FCC tracking down and taking legal action against businesses using unlicensed frequencies.
Shocked there isn’t more chatter after the Nashville bombing knocking out a lot of comms over the weekend
Amazon may require a license to purchase Baofeng radios starting second quarter 2021.
Unsure if this is aimed at the seller, who is NOT required to have a license to sell the radios - so that makes no sense - or the final purchaser.
https://sellercentral.amazon.com/for...zon-com/781188
O2
The seller will have to provide the FCC certification information before being able to list the item on amazonQuote:
Originally Posted by O2HeN2
Funny thing is, the Baofengs do have an FCC certification number for Part 90 (commercial use). They are not Part 95 certified, so they are not legal to operate on the FMRS / GMRS. So the Baofengs will not disappear off amazon due to this.
From the amazon link:
Quote:
in order to create new listings or update existing listings of radio frequency devices you will need to fill in the FCC Radio Frequency Emission Compliance attribute. In the attribute, you must do one of the following:
Provide evidence of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorization – either an FCC certification number or contact information for the Responsible Party, as defined by the FCC.
or certify that the product is exempt from FCC requirements.
Where do you get that Amazon would possibly require a license to purchase a radio from that link?Quote:
Originally Posted by O2HeN2
In all honesty, I don't see the text that implied that anymore...Quote:
Originally Posted by funkymonkey1111
Took me a couple weeks to re-find the link to the announcement and I didn't re-read it.
O2
Zombie post
It has come to my attention that the baofeng radios coming out now (at least the uv5r) are locked out from transmitting on GMRS and MURS frequencies. While it is illegal to transmit on these without an approved radio during normal times, it is nice to be able to transmit on whatever you need to in an emergency.
To fix it, turn the radio off, press and hold the PTT, monitor, and VFO/MR buttons, then power on while holding them.If you were locked, you should see "factory" on the boot screen.
FYI the gmrs license fee is supposedly dropping to $35 this year (from $70).
Still illegal to use a baofeng on itQuote:
Originally Posted by battlemidget
Not that I'm snitchin
Why would it be illegal to use a particular brand if you're licensed?Quote:
Originally Posted by 00tec
The radio hardware isn't licensed/certified for use on those bands.Quote:
Originally Posted by hollohas
Not only do you the operator have to have a license for operations, but the radio has to be tested/certified/licensed for use on those bands in the US.
As an example, you have LOTS of devices that are known to broadcast RF that have a label that says something along the lines of "this device complies with part 15 (insert other part as necessary for device, band, etc) of the FCC reg's". Your wifi router operates in the ISM band, which does NOT require YOU to have a license, but it has to "licensed"/tested/registered with the FCC before it can be sold in the US.
Wasn't it approved for reduction 2 years ago and has been "supposed to go into effect" for about that long now? I guess the FCC is lacking manpower or a contractor to update the website and payment processor.Quote:
Originally Posted by battlemidget
Same reason you can't pipe 100w over FRS bands.Quote:
Originally Posted by hollohas
Because the government says so.
Yes. Also, FCC approved F3E (FM as it’s commonly known) for use on CB.Quote:
Originally Posted by brutal
https://cbradiomagazine.com/fcc-appr...usa-cb-radios/
Someone going to have to explain this a bit more to me, because I'm slow. You're telling me, that an entire BRAND is not FCC Certified?Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant H.
And if you're not talking about the entire brand but just one device, which one are you referencing as not being FCC Certified to operate on GMRS frequencies?
For example, the UV-5R which is typically what people are talking about when referring to Baofeng and the subject of this thread, is FCC certified as a portable transceiver on 136-174MHZ/400-480MHZ, FCC Identifier ZP5BF-5R. Last I checked, 462MHz and 467MHz were in that range. And you can absolutely set the wattage to operate within the FCC permitted power range for GMRS.
Did they revoke that authorization or am I misunderstanding?
I just this minute downloaded this from the FCC OET website...
Attachment 89418
Who fucking cares?Quote:
Originally Posted by hollohas
Power output isn't restricted on this radio for certain bands. 5 watts for the radio but that isn't limited in the radio for gmrs or frs.
Also narrow or wide signal I beleive too.
Technicalities of it.
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Ah, for FRS CH 8-14 you mean? I can see that since the low power on a UV-5R is 1W and those are limited to 0.5W. But wouldn't that make all GMRS radios illegal? Because every one that I have used allows those channels to be programmed to transmit at higher wattage. All of them depend on the operator using them properly. (Same thing as the legal operation of these particular radios depending on unlicensed users only transmitting on low power even though the radio can transmit on high.)
So is it then only illegal transmit on those particular channels with this radio? All other GMRS frequencies are 5W or 50W which this radio falls within.
So I'm still curious if someone can explain exactly why it would be illegal to use a baofeng on GMRS altogether. Someone said it's because it's not FCC certified and that's not it. What else is it then?
Gmrs wide band and frs narrow it seems. Uv5r can do either but most likely the user isn't going to bother with it. Or maybe because it is programmable, the fcc won't type accept them for it? vs the gmrs or frs radios are not programmable for such settings. Fixed to narrow or wide etc.
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Ok, so I had to do some digging to get some more specific information.
The ARRL said this about the revised Part 95 rules.
That makes it seem the UV-5R would simply be reclassified. But still a bit vague. So I pulled up the specific rulesQuote:
existing GMRS/FRS radios that operate above that power level (2W) will be reclassified as GMRS devices, requiring an individual license.
FCC Part 95, Subpart E ? 95.1761
So, there it is. They will "no longer" issue authorization for radios like the UV-5R.Quote:
(c) No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in ? 95.1763 [462MHz and 476MHz] unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.
(d) Effective December 27, 2017, the Commission will no longer issue a grant of equipment authorization for hand-held portable unit transmitter types under both this subpart (GMRS) and subpart B of this part (FRS).
But I can't find anywhere that says they revoked it from existing units and the ARRL says the existing device would just be reclassified.
So, as usual, the government rules are clear as mud.
Not a total loss, at least I learned something today.
Is this all it takes to “unlock” a UV-5r?Quote:
Originally Posted by 00tec
If I put my way back hat on; some of the limitations of which radio could be allowed to support GMRS/MURS was that the radio must have a non-removable antenna....
If I was to play with the GMRS/MURS community I would pick up a dedicated radio for such support...mostly because those radios are cheap...cheap I tell ya. I remember seeing some prices at 60 dollars for a 2 pack of what looked to be an all weather radio.
If I needed an all-in-one radio - I would look hard at maybe the digital / analog style radio that would let me setup groups that make accessing those areas with the appropriate settings match the standards. While the radio would not be approved of such use for transmitting; it would allow the one device to be used in an emergency.
YesQuote:
Originally Posted by kpp80202