Dual band ham handheld for $37

Captains Cat · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:02 pm Post subject: Dual band ham handheld for $37

http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV5RA-136-174-Dual-Band-Transceiver/dp/B009MAKWC0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1395521889&sr=1-1&keywords=Baofeng

Probably not worth much but for the hams out there that don't have one, might be. Ordered one, I'll let you know.

Charlie

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:01 pm Post subject:

Charlie, are you sure you want one.

"More Stubborn Case, More Rich and Enhanced Features"

That 'stubborn case' would worry me... Laughing

potter water · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:53 pm Post subject:

Clearly from some darker part of the Asian continent. But who knows? Never heard of the brand, but their seem to be some positive reviews on the internet. The seller on Amazon isn't mentioned. Amazon shows as THE seller. Also note that it is a SELLER 12 month guarantee. I can imagine a bunch of these radios coming on the market really really cheap and they my even be decent. I'll probably stick with icom for three or four times the price and lose out, but I'll be interested in hearing what the deal turns out to be and how well the thing works. For 37 bucks if it works, it is a real steal.

journey on · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 10:05 pm Post subject:

Here's a review of the Baofeng UV5RA. It looks like the "A" is the key to the price. And "More Stubborn Case" is mentioned as a two layer piece of plastic. And if you buy one of these units, you should read the review to get the most out of the radio.

Apparently the Baofeng without the A is a decent cheap radio. And this may be true of the R model, also. I didn't read the whole review, because my Yaesu is doing fine and I don't need 2 radios. The Baofeng UV5R is $34 on Amazon.

Boris

redbaronace · Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2014 11:20 pm Post subject:

I was thinking about ordering a few till I read that there is quite a bit of learning curve here.

Also, apparently it requires some knowledge of HAM or programming on the computer to get it tweeked.

I need something to work right out of the box, so this will not be for me.

Bummer.

journey on · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 2:29 pm Post subject:

redbaronace

I have a Yaesu FT-60 handheld, which is the cheapest of the name brands. The model number is now FT-60R and they're ~$140. Both it and the BaeoFeng are Ham radios and you have to have some knowledge to operate either. The Yaesu needs a handbook for constant reference. I've had it for a couple of years and still can't remember all the settings.

So what I'm saying it that there's no simple handheld Ham radio and for the price, the BaeoFung is a cheap way to learn. If you're still interested after getting one, you would have enough knowledge to upgrade to something else. Or you may even be happy with that radio. After all, they're all made in China with varying levels of quality.

In addition, there's a lot of Hams on this site who can give you more precise information.

Boris

Captains Cat · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 5:23 pm Post subject:

You also need a license... Wink

thataway · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 6:35 pm Post subject:

redbaronace, what is your need for radios. We use two TriSquare eXRA for communication between the RV and the car when we travel. The range is about 5 miles, a full battery charge lasts all day, and they also use AAA batteries, as a back up. They are 900 mhz, and basically scramble the frequencies--called frequency hopping, similar to what truncated police radios, so no one can ease drop, unless you sync the two radios at the first of the day or session. (Or know the code). No programing--we have 8 of the radios for our neighborhood watch during hurricane or other emergency events.

There are some of the older hand held ham radios 2 meters (and I have an Icom IC-2TA) which are very simple to use. I also have one of the fancy Yaesu 8-R (same company as Standard Horizon), which does 2 meter, 220, 440 on up, and 6 meter as a transceiver, as well as all band (some blocks) and AM/FM receiver, plus with MARS, and other hacks, can transmit on some of the public service/ military frequencies (If you have the legal license and permission) Amazing radio about the size of a deck of cards. But with all of the accessories, chargers, extra batteries, GPS module, etc can come close to $1,000. It is my "go to" radio for an emerngency--and I have an amp for it, so I can kick the 2 meters up to 150 watts. (Legally one can go to 1500 watts for moon bounce etc)--however normally the 5 watts from the little set works great. Up in AK when driving on the Al Can, We came on a wreck and were able to hit a repeater about 100 miles away, and had RCMP/wrecker on the way shortly. I suspect that today there are cell towers which you can get along the way….

However, as Boris says, you have to have the manual handy for many of the functions, unless you are using them daily. On the other hand, the Yaesu manual is good, and not that hard to figure out.

As Charlie says, if you want to go to Ham you need a license--not that hard to get these days (no code). It opens up a whole new option for communication.

potter water · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:38 pm Post subject:

And, the fines for using ham radio equipment without a license are very steep and a person who does use them illegally has an entire ham radio community who will make it their business to catch that illegal user very quickly.

Pat Anderson

I own this radio (Baofeng UV5R), it was only $29 when I bought it. I use it every day, sometimes on 146 mhz, sometimes on 440 mhz. It works like a champ. I got an extra battery and a programming cable for $8 each. I use Chirp on my MacBook Pro to program it. Amazing what the Chinese can do with slave labor! You do need a no-code tech license, but the test is pretty simple. I have had my ticket since 2001, and probably will start on my general since I have a bit more time since I retired, but it isn't pressing. I do a 2 meter ham net at 6:45 a.m. most days.

C-Hawk · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:04 pm Post subject:

I have 2 handhelds- Yeasu FT-60R (2 meter & 70 centimeter) and Wouxon UV3D (2 meter & 1.25 Meter). Both are great radios--- but as was noted in previous posts, they need a learning curve to operate.
I use Chirp to program them.
I use them to check in with our local net when I'm home-- and use the computer to check in when I'm not home (Echolink)

Pat Anderson · Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:23 pm Post subject:

I also have a single band 2m Wouxon, which I thought was a terrific buy for about $70, until the dual band Baofengs came out for about half that price! The Wouxon is considerably more substantial physically but the Baofeng blows the Wouxon away for value and performance. I also have a very expensive Yaesu VX7R ($350 or so) with a failed LCD screen gathering dust in the drawer! The Baofeng UV5R with a cheap 18" whip is all I really need!

David on Anna Leigh and I used our 2m radios on simplex on our trip to Ketchikan to avoid chats unrelated to navigation on the marine VHF channels, and they worked great. Of course, you could also do boat-to-boat communications on cheap FRS (Family Radio Service) radios. I really thing the FRS radios are way under-used for C-Brat communications!

KD7OAC

redbaronace · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:12 am Post subject:

I really wanted these as a fancy set of inexpensive smallish walkie talkies for private communications between 2 boats or cars traveling to a same destination. Sometimes we have no cell service and it would be nice to be able to stay in touch for longer ranges than our cheap Costco purchased (toylike) motorolas can do.

It would also be nice to be able to hand one to a person headed to shore excursion and be able to call the boat. Or have the truck/trailer operator have one to communicate with the folks on the boat.

I really do not want to have to learn how to use this or apply for a license or reference a manual. Maybe I'm lazy, but really, I have enough on my plate and plenty of hobbies besides trying to learn a new technology.

Any suggestions for such a walkie talkie which does not require special skills on either user.

potter water · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:19 am Post subject:

All of the non-ham radios that don't require licenses are going to require you to learn how to use soft keys. There are better family radio service radios on the internet. You will get what you pay for. If it has motorola on it, that is a good place to start. Don't forget good old citizen band radios. They are commonly used car to car, are cheap, easy to use, and good boat to boat line of sight. I like CB better than family radio service radios if you aren't willing to go to the trouble of learning a new skill and licensing. Far better than costco and wallyworld two way toy radios. But, again, CB's ... you get what you pay for.

Captains Cat · Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:54 am Post subject:

Well, the little radio came yesterday and it's pretty well made. Came complete with a charged LiOn battery, desk charger, belt clip, etc. Worked well right out of the box.

The instructions, as many Chinese ones are, leave a lot to be desired but I managed to get it on the local repeater with the correct offset, and CTSS tone. Have yet to figure out to program the channels so I can save the ones I like but that will come with time. It's worth the $$ IMHO.

Charlie