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Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Radio Dual Band 144-148/420-450Mhz Walkie Talkie 1800mAh Li-ion Battery(Black)?
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Get a cheap dual band radio and tune to the blue dot frequency (154.570).
Take it with you inside the store and listen to the workers.
Maybe stand behind one while they're broadcasting.
It is analog. If you can't find a cheap scanner you can grab one of these for about 30 bucks. Keep in mind it is illegal to use this to transmit unless your have a license from the FCC.
Ok I'm not actually familiar with this one, but it looks like FRS (legal unlicensed walkie talkie) because of the lack of a number pad. I hadn't seen Baofeng FRS models with an LCD, but I guess they exist now. So you should be fine. The ham radios look like this.
> Just throw it away bud, FDA made it illegal more than a year ago. Ownership by civilian is prohibited and if you take it to repair shops you risk 3 years in jail.
Literally everything you said is wrong. Also the FDA? It's the FCC that determines if communication devices are legal or not.
Baofengs are legal, you can own them. You can even receive on "illegal" frequencies. If they were illegal, I couldn't buy one on amazon.
You just can't transmit on those "illegal" freqs unless you have a license to do so.
that's gonna be the same standard applied to any handheld. radio waves propagate the same regardless of how much was spent on the handheld.
also, n_p_4etc, it's $22. baofeng uv-5r is $22 on amazon
No, that's going to be in the 2m band, and technically you need a HAM license (or you need to be piggybacking on someone else's license) to operate on it.
Here's a cheap 2m band handheld.
The ridge i predominantly hunt has great service, but I wouldn’t count on it. Service is pretty spotty up there. I’d definitely recommend radios. I use these and they are far superior to any other radio I’ve tried. I’ve talked to my hunting party 10+ miles away before.
Not all Baofengs are equally bad, and "cheap" is not the same as "bad". (Ask anyone who has made intercontinental contacts with a homemade wire dipole.) Still, it only takes a small percentage of people with them to give the rest a bad name.
I think the biggest issue was that, prior to Baofeng, there was no cheap and readily available way to get a radio that transmitted on the Amateur bands. With the low-end prices being over $150+, or needing a complicated DIY radio kit, unlicensed operations were either limited to people who happened upon a radio for free or people doing it deliberately but typically in very small numbers. Enter a $25 radio that is listed by multiple sellers as a walkie-talkie or VHF radio, with little or no reminder that it is illegal to operate without a proper license, and where those same radios can transmit on bands that they should be blocked on, like FRS/GMRS. Some fault lies with the people misusing them, but someone who does not know what they are looking for could easily misunderstand (or ignore) the one bit of text saying "license required" hidden in the paragraphs about how this $25 radio is superior to the $25+ FRS-only radios and $50+ CB handhelds. (I just checked, and the first Amazon link for the Baofeng UV-5R says NOTHING about requiring a license. There are some reviews/comments that mention a license, but the seller still does not indicate anything at all!)
I wonder, if buying those same radios had required even as little as entering a valid callsign, or were provided free by the ARRL to anyone who passed or renewed their license, if the Baofengs would have had a better reputation. They still would have had their single-chip limitations, spurious emissions, harmonics, and be able to transmit outside their bands, but they would have been in hands that would be (somewhat) less likely to misuse them, and would have a better understanding of the limitations.
Shitty baofeng uv5r radios they are great for dicking around my property with but if you want good encryption abled comms I would get the AnyTone AT-D878UV PLUS. I have those on my actual kits with the Disco32 PTT and opscore AMPs
The Baofeng UV-5R with an extended battery is generally accepted as the starting point for civilian comms these days.
https://amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313/
https://amazon.com/gp/product/B013WPA6YO
They're cheap, reliable, and support multiple bands with encryption.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074XPB313/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1. BaoFeng is a cheap but respected starter radio.
https://theprepared.com/survival-skills/guides/beginners-guide-amateur-ham-radio-preppers/.
Before you spend $150 on a radio, try a Baofeng.
A Baofeng is a perfectly decent 1st radio for $21.00.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074XPB313/
You can always use it as a backup for when you drop your $150 radio.
It gets even better reception with this $8 antenna. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GYKN6ZD/
$30 and you're on the air. I love mine.
There's always the ubiquitous cheapo pick: Baofeng and a 19" folding antenna. I get great reports from our local repeater net on mine (though I'm fairly near it). The whole setup is like $35. Good to have it as a backup should you upgrade.
You could get that instead of a RTL-SDR and just start listening around w/ it. That said, SDR w/ a program like SDR# is really fun. I got this one w/ a metal enclosure and a halfway decent antenna. Fun for listening to LAX air traffic.
You need a VHF UHF ham radio, a cheap Baofeng will get you started. If you want to transmit you’ll also need to get your amateur radio license (in US at least) and a better antenna.
There are apps to find when the ISS will pass over or you can go to website like HeavensAbove. Make sure to update your location in top right corner. After sunset you can sometimes watch the ISS fly over your location too, select Visible Passes to filter only those. Negative magnitude are brighter
Baofeng UV-5R Mobile Ham Rig Setup complete with optional SWR & Power Meter ... Total Cost ... $188.32
Here are the components ...
Radio ($23.00) Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Radio Dual Band 144-148/420-450Mhz Walkie Talkie ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Antenna ($48.00) Tram Browning 1191 Amateur Dual Band Glass Mount Antenna UHF 440-450 MHz and VHF 144-148 MHz PL-259 for Icom HYT Vertex Mobiles two way radio antenna (2.5 dBd Gain VHF / 4.5 dBd gain UHF, 28.5" whip, 50 watt power rating, includes 17 ft RG-58U coax with PL-259) ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AIOHPUA?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Coax Adapter ($6.50) DHT Electronics Handheld Antenna Cable for Wouxun Baofeng Quasheng Linton - Adapter for UHF Base and Mobile Antennas - SMA Female to UHF SO-239 Female Connectors 6'' (Sold as Pack of 2 ... But only need one) ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COKNKS8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Seat Bolt Mount With Mic Holder ($39.95) Lido Store Seat Bolt Mount with Mic Holder for Baofeng Icom Kenwood Motorola Yaesu ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09KP2ZBL5?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Speaker Microphone ($7.98) Baofeng BF-S112 Two Way Radio Speaker, Black ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RZ0EQ0?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Power Connector ($18.49) BTECH, Baofeng BL-5 Battery Eliminator for for BF-F8HP, UV-5X3, and UV-5R Radios ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZ6VGUW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Power & SWR Meter ($44.49) ... Optional Gam3Gear SURECOM SW-33 Mark II 100 W 125-525 MHz Mini Digital VHF UHF Two-Way Radio Handheld Power & SWR Meter ... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075H8FDDR?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
PERFORMANCE NOTES
This rig may not be enough for everyone, but it seems to work well for me. I'm new to this hobby and am learning something new everyday. So, please, correct me if I am wrong. In my area of operation (Alabama Gulf Coast), this rig reliably hits VHF repeaters around 10 miles away and UHF repeaters around 20 miles away. This seems to be related to the differences in antenna gain (2.5 dBd Gain VHF / 4.5 dBd gain UHF). This also seems to be more than reasonable when compared to the information in the following link.
https://quality2wayradios.com/store/radio-range-distance
The antenna is indicating SWR of 1:1.01 at both UHF and VHF with the aid of the SWR Meter and the adjustable tuning screw on the window mount. Also, according to the Power Meter, the Baofeng unit is only putting out around 4.5 watts with this setup. But when connected to the original rubber duck antenna, the Baofeng, out of the box, was putting out just over 5 watts according to the Power Meter.
I'm having a lot of fun learning how this hobby works. I'm interested in learning from the more experienced hams. Also, I'm interested to see how long this rig will hold up to daily use. To be continued ...
73 KQ4AWC
Hard to beat the UV-5R. Program them into the FRS freqs with CHRIP.
Not 1000% legal, but so close it might as well be.
For the price buy some spares. Get the basic ones $25 now days.
https://smile.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313
Give it a try, and if you like it, go get your HAM Tech license.
The good stuff: https://www.flexradio.com/products/categories/radios/
An entry level shack in a box sdr (best sdr value): https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/ico-ic-7300
“Cheap” sdr transceiver that requires an amp, filters, and quite a bit of knowledge to use as a ham radio: https://www.adafruit.com/product/3583
Vs.
$25 dual band radio that isn’t an sdr and one people love to hate (for good reason). But it’s probably the one that more hams start out with today than any other: https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313/ref=pd_lpo_1
Put comms on the packlist. A Baofeng costs $30 and is much more useful than a lot of stuff on that list.
Even the Russians are using open comms but pretty much anyone can buy AES-256 encrypted radios if they want to pay $100-$300.
You have a link? I found these
Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Radio Dual Band 144-148/420-450Mhz Walkie Talkie 1800mAh Li-ion Battery(Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_69HH19H1TSBZ62F1Q2WQ
Solved this issue by getting a cheap beofeng one off amazon. Recomend this and the programming cable for it, this way you can set it up on your pc:
https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313/ref=sr_1_3?crid=PXTW5BU2J8MX&keywords=bofeng+5r+radio&qid=1645989309&sprefix=befeng%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-3
Side note if they do threaten you with a write up for taking it, you can counter with a theft of personal property claim.
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well, if you connect this to a dual band ht like the and a duplexer you're in business
If you want everything, he will need for working satellite number one is the radio (unless he already has a radio??)
if you want to spend more..
and that will need a...
He will need a couple of adapters to hook everything together but I'm sure he can figure it out.
​
If you want to spend less just get him the radio, if he already has the radio just get the antenna! I assume he already has a license to operate. As for your concern this antenna is handheld so you can use it anywhere, he just needs a satellite tracking app on his phone (it's free), so he knows where to point it! good luck talking to the crew, they are pretty busy however you can use the ISS as a repeater to talk to other people many miles away so it's still fun.
You’re asking $65 for a $25 radio, $9 antenna, and $18 battery? 25.5+9+18.5 = 53…and that’s shipped from Amazon.
Come on man, this is $53 on Amazon with warranties and a return policies! UV-5R ($25), extended battery ($19), and Antenna ($9)
Um.. yeah... no... That radio is not going to allow you to hear anything on the 2 Meter band related to the ISS.
Here is info on How to hear the ISS (AMSAT)
You'll need a ham radio rig to do this. You can get a very inexpensive setup - e.g. something like this.
Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Radio Dual Band 144-148/420-450Mhz Walkie Talkie
Note: Those radios are capable of transmitting - although you must have a ham radio license to do that. So... don't do that.
Then there is the question of what you expect to hear from the ISS.
Please check out the link above to AMSAT on what kinds of things you can hear.
They weren't discontinued, they had their firmware modified. This is from the official Baofeng Amazon store...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_TBWGXTM1K00AXMHQXWED
No, this is a good radio for an amateur: Baofeng UV-5R https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313/ Quality isn't amazing, but it's ~$25 and will get you started.
After that, head over to http://hamstudy.org and get a license
Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Radio Dual Band 144-148/420-450Mhz Walkie Talkie 1800mAh Li-ion Battery(Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_JVMBE82K1PG6F4SY6W32
You can pick up a Baofeng UV-5R for as little as $30 on Amazon. They're a decent little handheld to get you started on 2m and 440.
SDRs (Software Defined Radios) are also an option. A 3D printer and a couple hundred and you can build a neat, self-contained Cyberdeck.
Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Radio Dual Band 144-148/420-450Mhz Walkie Talkie 1800mAh Li-ion Battery(Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_K55C19QGXV4FKG158WQD
The range of radios that use UHF and VHF frequencies are limited by line of sight. So you will get several miles of range using a 5 Watt radio, in most terrain and weather conditions. It's reasonably tolerant of small hills and that kind of thing. Ultimately, if there's some question about the range you just have to test it yourself.
The Radio: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074XPB313/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_P6GS57ZNZW20VE7EB42G
The USB charging station: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MV1U03N/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_3KVXG8NK7W19CC8JYN7X?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
actually, it seems like there are different skus - they have same model number, same firmware revisions, look the same to chirp, etc., but if you buy the wrong one you're SoL on anything but ham bands.
ham only:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074XPB313/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o09_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
full dual bander:
​
so I think it was just a matter of not reading the description carefully - I think back in the day they were only selling the full band ones, because why would they do otherwise?
It's $25 on Amazon... it's illegal?
​
https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313
The radio on his left side is a cheap BaoFeng Chinese radio.
Yep, totally legit. You can buy one, you just can't use it without the license.
It's a first radio for lots and lots of us. Once we figure out what we like and what we don't like we upgrade.
$35 is a bunch cuz they're about $25 elsewhere. However $50 gets you the bundle with the extra battery, whip antenna, mic, and most importantly the programming cable.
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**edit: also, please don't buy one in green camo. just... don't
Those are a little expensive. For just getting into the hobby you can get one of these: https://smile.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313 You don't need a license as long as your don't broadcast and while it doesn't scan as fast as a scanner, it's 3x less expensive.
Handheld? I love my basic UV-5R Baefeng. They are super cheap and fun to use with TONS of accessories.
https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313/
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BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery
