Author Topic: Evaluate This Equipment (Read 24780 times)

Nemo · « **on:** June 01, 2024, 09:45:51 AM »

Thoughts Gents?

Nemo

https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/reviews/best-walkie-talkie

JohnyMac · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2024, 02:23:25 PM »

I would want a HT (Walkie Talkie for you Biden supporters) with a removable duck antenna. You can add range and performance with a larger antenna. None of these have a removal antenna.

Also, none offer a broad frequency range, e.g. 136 Mhz to 162 Mhz. BaoFeng or its equivalent (QuanSheng, AnyTone. etc) ) with open frequencies and removable antenna is best for my applications.

Nemo · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2024, 03:12:47 PM »

So effectively junk?

Nemo

Jackalope · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2024, 07:04:29 PM »

They're not junk, but they have limited usefulness due to the permanently mounted antenna, and the constraints of the frequencies. As Johny suggested, a better option would be a radio with frequency agility. The Chevy or Ford of radios is the Baofeng, with the UV-5R the most common due to its inexpensive price. Baofeng does manufacture some better models, like the UV-9R Pro, which is waterproof, or the AR-152, which is very robust and has a extremely large battery. Both models can be found in the $45-60 range. Both radios cover FRS/GMRS bands, MURS, NOAA weather channels, and of course, some amateur radio bands.

pkveazey · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2024, 07:23:13 PM »

Nemo: That UV5R that you have is the most radio for the lowest price that you'll ever see. If you want more Handi-talkies, just buy a bunch more UV 5R's. If they show up with the Transmit locked onto only the Ham Frequencies, you can Unlock them using the 3 button trick. The 3 button trick is to hold the VFO, MONITOR, and PUSH TO TALK buttons all at the same time and then turn the radio ON. BAM!! If the screen then says FACTORY, you have just unlocked the radio to transmit on any frequency that it is set on. All of my Handi-talkies are UV5R's because that makes all the parts interchangeable. Batteries, Chargers, Earpiece, Programing cable, etc. Mine are all 5 watt and 8 watt models and most of them have the extra long antennas. Just for fun, I went out on the front porch and checked into our local Ham Net with one of them running 8 watts and the long antenna. The repeater is located 16 air miles away and I hit it almost full quieting. Full quieting means no static on my signal.

Searchboss · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2024, 08:22:43 AM »

Quote from: pkveazey on June 01, 2024, 07:23:13 PM

That UV5R that you have is the most radio for the lowest price that you'll ever see. If you want more Handi-talkies, just buy a bunch more UV 5R's.

As much as I hate to buy Chinese stuff, I agree! Ignoring the legalities of using the UV-5R on non-amateur frequencies such as FRS/GMRS, etc., I have to agree that it is the most radio for the lowest price point. I have several in the 5 and 8 watt versions. They are not the easiest radios for beginners to use, but they have many excellent features that make up for this. The best part is that, by comparison, they are very inexpensive for the capabilities that you get.

I have used FRS radios for 15+ years in a wilderness and suburban setting, etc., for search teams and family members. It is a great way to keep in touch with others that are not licensed amateurs who are not going to be over a mile or so away from each other. Yes, they have limitations, but they are quick and easy to use in a pinch. I just bought a package of 6 radios should I need them for friends at some point.

Last month, at their request, I programmed several UV-5R and similar radios using CHIRP for a group of non-licensed people so they would all have the same frequencies/channels in their radios. Amateur simplex and local repeaters, FRS, GMRS, MRS, weather, etc. I was told that they later tested them, mainly on FRS frequencies, to ensure that they knew how to find the different features in the radios and to see what range they had. The report I got was they were extremely happy with the results.

pkveazey · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2024, 04:29:22 AM »

Searchboss: I loaded up on a ton of UV5R's for passing out to those that I feel might be of use to me and my MAG. I'm totally Rural and will be going MURS exclusively with non-Hams unless I have to operate in a City with lots of Concrete and Steel buildings. Then, I suppose I'll have to go FRS because the 450 MHz frequencies will bounce off building better than 2 meter MURS. I won't disclose the exact number of UV5R's I have but let's just say it's more than a dozen. My wife and I are both Hams and we both carry a UV5R at all times and operate HAM simplex. The one's we carry have the oversize battery packs, are CAMO, and have been in daily use for over 10 years. We use the 7" antennas on them and are 5 watter's. The one's on our Bugout Backpacks are 8 watter's and have the large batteries and the 14" antennas. Lots of extra battery packs in the Bugout Backpacks. Each Backpack also has a Charger and other UV5R accessories like the earphone, USB programming cable, and battery pack eliminators that plug into a car's cigarette lighter plug. I find it funny that the UV5R is the radio that every Ham hates but every Ham has at least one.

Searchboss · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2024, 08:05:41 AM »

I have a very similar setup!

Nemo · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2024, 10:17:18 PM »

So, this one? Good "other end" of the conversation as to the one I have?

Nemo

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-Tri-Power-136-174-400-520MHz-Portable/dp/B07VCKZR3R/ref=sr_1_4

Jackalope · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2024, 10:29:47 PM »

Yup, that's one of PK's favorite radios. It'll do what you want.

pkveazey · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2024, 10:51:07 PM »

Yes, Nemo, that's the 8 watter and it comes with the good 14" antenna. According to the add, it's not locked to just the Ham Bands. One of the commenters said that it did not come with the programming cable and there isn't one shown in the picture. You'll either have to spend hours programming it manually or you'll have to find somebody who has the cable and get them to program it for you. If you get one and it only transmits on the Ham Bands, then you'll have to unlock it with the 3 button trick. Its 1000 times better than those Walmart FRS radios.

Searchboss · « **Reply #11 on:** June 04, 2024, 11:13:40 AM »

I recently bought a 2 pack of 8 watt UV-5R radios for $47.39 which is only about $1 more per radios. They have a larger battery than the one in the previous link, plus the cable to charge the battery via USB if needed.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CWWZ5YT5/?coliid=I2K7N1ENX1I9KR&colid=3UQFFFIJRPP1V&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Besides price, the main things I look for are the battery size, the output power of the radio itself, and what antennas and accessories are included in the package. There are a variety of bundles available and they seem to change randomly.

Here is another bundle with two radios plus the programing cable for $50.

https://www.amazon.com/UV-5R-Rechargeable-Handheld-Earpiece-Programing/dp/B0CT5F12BY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=9281X700I38H&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.viPsqqCiG7ocrQwBdXQls9i_T0P8A8FPzlz4_S_fF6s5jDUiwaktpZNCbEhq5YIR6TbC94cuVk_UfHcc7LEt-lFDQggt72J-LJD9pUEuLHY7NjsAd8pVx6SrqB8YHjEvYmH7xcEJRod9Jir79RPifTi7HMCaiPeRxzjXUylX4MREj0C7s4wwuO992hX8PdriiEbZHaUK1Zj9cvVbW-tgh8aQ0nFcnUhxZZM1jnDQ8q9tCbD2DsMe_2sF1Pp9jMQ5l9fhzkMyFwBDt1-HykbB9YRBPMckSV24KqYrm7JU87M.08fMVTv4zK0yeysdNpN0JBuTwI6NB1pGajpsIjDt3Q8&dib_tag=se&keywords=BAOFENG%2BUV-5R%2B8W%2BHam%2BRadio%2Bwith%2Bprograming%2Bcable&qid=1717513390&s=electronics&sprefix=baofeng%2Buv-5r%2B8w%2Bham%2Bradio%2Bwith%2Bprograming%2Bcable%2Celectronics%2C99&sr=1-3&th=1

I got my UV-5R programing cable with some radios I bought a couple of years ago, but if you need to buy just the programming cable it is available below for $8.69. I have always used CHIRP to program radios, so I cannot advise about using the programing software provided with the cable.

https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-Programming-GM-15PRO-TIDRADIO-Quansheng/dp/B08H5DS4Y3/ref=pd_day0fbt_hardlines_d_sccl_2/134-3359930-9515032?pd_rd_w=MrOqB&content-id=amzn1.sym.387425e1-3487-47d8-8dd1-c040b810dfbd&pf_rd_p=387425e1-3487-47d8-8dd1-c040b810dfbd&pf_rd_r=7BHBHQS52M5BY7GAYJ3E&pd_rd_wg=psQOn&pd_rd_r=11e23d8a-9d1f-4b5f-9a49-150c9ad56ec4&pd_rd_i=B08H5DS4Y3&th=1

pkveazey · « **Reply #12 on:** June 05, 2024, 12:37:54 PM »

Stop it, stop it, stop it..... All this talk about UV5R';s has made get completely stupid and even though I have a lot of extra small and large UV 5R batteries, I just had to have more, so I just ordered 2 more of the big UV5R batteries. Well, I might need them, you never know.

Searchboss · « **Reply #13 on:** June 06, 2024, 09:22:42 AM »

LOL, you are hilarious! But, you are not alone. I too just ordered two batteries myself. Like you said, "I might need them, you never know."

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M9NXWCJ/?coliid=I2I31Y10Y1UPMA&colid=3UQFFFIJRPP1V&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Felix · « **Reply #14 on:** June 06, 2024, 12:03:02 PM »

Congrats, to all you hams...
...you've left me to deal with a raging case of battery envy.

Felix · « **Reply #15 on:** June 06, 2024, 12:05:55 PM »

...and if batteries aren't enough, this one comes with a serious radio tower!
(some relocation to Arkansas may be required)

https://portal.onehome.com/en-US/property/aotf~1038075845~ARKMLS?token=eyJPU04iOiJBUktNTFMiLCJ0eXBlIjoiMSIsImNvbnRhY3RpZCI6NTY1Mjc5LCJzZXRpZCI6IjIxMzY0MSIsInNldGtleSI6Ijk5OCIsImVtYWlsIjoiamNhcnBlbjMyM0BnbWFpbC5jb20iLCJyZXNvdXJjZWlkIjowLCJhZ2VudGlkIjoxMDQxNCwiaXNkZWx0YSI6ZmFsc2UsImxpc3RpbmdpZCI6IjI0NzY0Nzc3IiwiVmlld01vZGUiOiIxIn0%3D&searchId=5f7f6d09-83bb-3c9e-9b0b-e4bfb9fa206e

JohnyMac · « **Reply #16 on:** June 06, 2024, 12:21:23 PM »

That property still for sale. You shared it with the group at the end of last year. Looks like a good piece of land with a house and tower. Have you gone out to check it out? I would give a low ball offer. Maybe around $200k.

Searchboss · « **Reply #17 on:** June 06, 2024, 02:23:11 PM »

That is an expensive tower! I did not see the height of the tower in the add. I guess that is not a selling point to them. Too bad it is so far from here or it might be worth a look. Let us know when you make that low ball offer. Perhaps you will get lucky.

Felix · « **Reply #18 on:** June 06, 2024, 07:34:41 PM »

Yes, I did point it out earlier and yes, it is STILL on the market.
Would guess a "low ball" offer has already been made, more than once but could be mistaken there.
Problem I see it, is that such equipment would be known, targeted, _precisely_ because of its location and capabilities.
So, in reality, it would be more of a hazard than a haven should the EOTWAWKI come to pass.

Nope. Am only looking at Ozarks with carrying capacity at low tech level. Gardening, fishing, hunting onsite or very nearby.
And writing this, my heart is heavy. Just read a story of "Woody" Williams, last recipient of WWII Medal of Honor, now deceased. It is on this 80th observation of D-Day that our pResident dishonors America and leaves me to weep at the dearth of folks like those who faced adversity after a Great Depression and made good things come to pass.

https://www.breitbart.com/pre-viral/2024/06/06/wwii-veteran-dies-at-102-while-traveling-to-80th-d-day-anniversary-in-france/

(while video suggests Biden may have pooped himself at the ceremonies)

JohnyMac · « **Reply #19 on:** June 07, 2024, 10:10:48 AM »

Yes Biden is a disgrace for sure Felix, however, I blame Jill and his puppeteers for purposely putting him into these situations. "Their" desire for power is greater than the needs of the country.

It is time that the 25th Amendment is executed upon if the powers to be can not convince Biden to not run for President or better yet, step down. Then pull the pin on Kamala and have her run for President and/or run the country as President today.

The Democrat party has to go with Kamala, a black women, or the female black community will boycott the 2024 Presidential election all together.

Nemo · « **Reply #20 on:** June 08, 2024, 11:34:10 AM »

Quote from: JohnyMac on June 07, 2024, 10:10:48 AM

The Democrat party has to go with Kamala, a black women, or the female black community will boycott the 2024 Presidential election all together.

I had not given much thought to that aspect. Black women make up about 55% (best guesstimate) of the voting eligible black population. I suspect those would be the primary supporters of Harris, compared to Black men. But if a fair percentage says no vote rather than any vote it would definitely hurt her too. I also suspect a fair percentage of Black men would say no to Harris.

Joe is already in a rut as I have seen numbers with Trump getting in the 20-25% range of the black vote. If Trump gets that he probably near 350 on the electoral vote.

Let Newsome come in as Prez keeping Harris as VP and watch out. If that were tried I suspect Trump would outdo Clinton v Bush back in 92, 370 to 168. Might get to the Trump/Mondale range.

Imagine the freak out were Trump get in the 400 range of the 535 electoral votes. Dayum it would be fun. Likely a bit scare, but fun for sure.

Nemo

Felix · « **Reply #21 on:** June 08, 2024, 04:56:51 PM »

Enter the Dragon?
Nope.
It's Big Mike!!!!

(and ohhhhh don't we wish we could get a sample of the former Royal Family's DNA with an impeccable chain of custody...)

pkveazey · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2024, 12:24:09 PM »

At some point in this discussion, we briefly mentioned BaoFeng Batteries. My package arrived today, and I was surprised to see 4 of the large batteries in the box. I checked my order and, Yep, I ordered 2 two packs.

OK, no harm done. Even though I have enough of the small and large battery packs, I'll top off the charge on all of the new ones and put them on some of the other Bao Feng's that only have the small batteries. I love it when I have so many extra battery packs that I've lost count. There is no worse feeling than having your HT battery go dead and not having a readily available spare.

News:

Author Topic: Evaluate This Equipment (Read 24780 times)