Quote Originally Posted by FromMyColdDeadHand View Post
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.
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?