Unchained Preppers

Communications => Radio => Topic started by: JoJo on January 26, 2018, 05:47:23 PM

Title: Are these worth it?
Post by: JoJo on January 26, 2018, 05:47:23 PM
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-GXT1000VP4-Up-to-36-Mile-Two-Way-Radio/11015293?action=product_interest&action_type=title&beacon_version=1.0.2&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&client_guid=7165b0d9-c355-420c-329f-2de69d33402b&config_id=2&customer_id_enc&findingMethod=p13n&guid=7165b0d9-c355-420c-329f-2de69d33402b&item_id=11015293&parent_anchor_item_id=810095491&parent_item_id=810095491&placement_id=irs-2-m2&reporter=recommendations&source=new_site&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=S965irQEPT-OpaWqvmGH34 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-GXT1000VP4-Up-to-36-Mile-Two-Way-Radio/11015293?action=product_interest&action_type=title&beacon_version=1.0.2&bucket_id=irsbucketdefault&client_guid=7165b0d9-c355-420c-329f-2de69d33402b&config_id=2&customer_id_enc&findingMethod=p13n&guid=7165b0d9-c355-420c-329f-2de69d33402b&item_id=11015293&parent_anchor_item_id=810095491&parent_item_id=810095491&placement_id=irs-2-m2&reporter=recommendations&source=new_site&strategy=PWVAV&visitor_id=S965irQEPT-OpaWqvmGH34)

Nemo I know you showed us how to shorten this but I forgot.
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Erick on January 26, 2018, 06:00:13 PM
I rather have you buy 2  Boafeng UV-5R with the same money and they are much better units capable of more power and tons of other features.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Baofeng-Pofung-UV-5R-Plus-Walkie-Talkie-Dual-Band-Two-Way-Radio-5W-128CH-UHF-VHF-FM-VOX-Dual-Display-Qualette-Transceiver-Black/443756243 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Baofeng-Pofung-UV-5R-Plus-Walkie-Talkie-Dual-Band-Two-Way-Radio-5W-128CH-UHF-VHF-FM-VOX-Dual-Display-Qualette-Transceiver-Black/443756243)
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Kbop on January 26, 2018, 06:22:15 PM
Erick - i agree with you the radios you recommend are more versatile and cheaper.

JoJo - the radios you are looking at are not a bad choice.  They are easy to use.
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: pkveazey on January 26, 2018, 06:50:46 PM
Nope...... Go with a pair of the BaoFeng UV5R handie-talkies. They give you a charging stand, rechargeable Lithium battery pack, Earpiece with push to talk mike on the cord, an operating manual that nobody can understand, they can be programmed with CHIRP, more powerful, and they are cheaper. I got about 15 or 20 of them, programmed them and passed them out to all of my family members in case we have an emergency and kept about 10 of them for my bug out bags and such. Also thgere are a bunch of matching accessories available.
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: pkveazey on January 26, 2018, 08:42:33 PM
I forgot to mention that the 36 mile range they advertised is only correct if you are talking to someone in an airplane that's at least 10,000 feet up. I hate it when they advertise that crap.
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: grizz on January 27, 2018, 01:31:06 PM
years ago I remember reading of at least one manufacture who made these with a gps function which would allow one user to see where the other users are located, are these still available?
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Kbop on January 27, 2018, 03:19:21 PM
@ Grizz - Garmin Rino?  i use them for work.  they're a bit pricey but work well.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/c12521-p1.html?series=BRAND476&sorter=featuredProducts-desc&gclid=CjwKCAiA47DTBRAUEiwA4luU2X-RlU2eq-_WXTUijr0ts0CrdnEl5J9ScJEN9k8CprvWD_iheMI4ShoC5SkQAvD_BwE (https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/c12521-p1.html?series=BRAND476&sorter=featuredProducts-desc&gclid=CjwKCAiA47DTBRAUEiwA4luU2X-RlU2eq-_WXTUijr0ts0CrdnEl5J9ScJEN9k8CprvWD_iheMI4ShoC5SkQAvD_BwE)
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: grizz on January 27, 2018, 09:33:50 PM
@ Grizz - Garmin Rino?  i use them for work.  they're a bit pricey but work well.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/c12521-p1.html?series=BRAND476&sorter=featuredProducts-desc&gclid=CjwKCAiA47DTBRAUEiwA4luU2X-RlU2eq-_WXTUijr0ts0CrdnEl5J9ScJEN9k8CprvWD_iheMI4ShoC5SkQAvD_BwE (https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/c12521-p1.html?series=BRAND476&sorter=featuredProducts-desc&gclid=CjwKCAiA47DTBRAUEiwA4luU2X-RlU2eq-_WXTUijr0ts0CrdnEl5J9ScJEN9k8CprvWD_iheMI4ShoC5SkQAvD_BwE)

WOW!! It was 20 years ago but they were only in the $50-$100 range for two back then
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: JohnyMac on January 29, 2018, 11:25:21 AM
I agree with the conscientious that the BaoFeng is a better route. VHF/UHF, depending on BaoFeng purchased you get up to 8 watts, the availability of a lot of accessories, long lasting Li-Ion Battery, battery charger, price, and multiple channel selections (Literary thousands) etc. At the Shot Show we TX'd on VHF and RX'd on UHF. The radio switched back and forth automatically. Keep in mind though, using the VHF band you need a Technicians license for 144 - 148 Mhz. From 156 -162 Mhz is marine frequency's and you do not need a license to use these frequencies BUT you need to avoid 156.800 at all costs as this is a haling and Emergency frequency monitored by all vessels and the Coast Guard.

ALL VHF/UHF TX/RX (Transmitting/Receiving) is line of site. If you were on a flat surface like the ocean the max range at 6' above the surface of the water is 7-8 miles. Add into the mixture, building's, hills/mountains, atmospheric conditions and you are lucky to get 2-3 miles. Now I am at 1,400 feet and the local repeater is at 2,600 feet - 29 miles away. With a directional antenna, e.g. Moxon, or Yagi I can TX/RX without an issue on 5 watts. Someone else 30 miles on the other side of the repeater can TX/RX with me. The repeater acts as a relay.

Keep in mind using a repeater ANYBODY can hear ya'.  ;)
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Jackalope on January 29, 2018, 05:40:18 PM

ALL VHF/UHF TX/RX (Transmitting/Receiving) is line of site. If you were on a flat surface like the ocean the max range at 6' above the surface of the water is 7-8 miles. Add into the mixture, building's, hills/mountains, atmospheric conditions and you are lucky to get 2-3 miles. Now I am at 1,400 feet and the local repeater is at 2,600 feet - 29 miles away. With a directional antenna, e.g. Moxon, or Yagi I can TX/RX without an issue on 5 watts. Someone else 30 miles on the other side of the repeater can TX/RX with me. The repeater acts as a relay.

Keep in mind using a repeater ANYBODY can hear ya'.  ;)


   Well it depends upon the radio receivers as to whether anyone can hear you.  For instance, if the stations are using a DMR or a D-Star repeater, then your average scanner isn't capable of receiving the transmissions.  One of the benefits of digital radios and repeaters is that common FM receivers cannot interpret the signals.  The FM receiver just hears "noise".  That's one of the reasons I like digital radios, is that it does give you a small bit of privacy.  The downside of digital radios is they will usually have less coverage than analog FM radios, and they usually cost more too.  Another plus of digital radios is that you can transmit text and images, which can be hard to intercept without the proper equipment.

     Johny is right about avoiding the marine distress frequency.  You'll also want to avoid 121.5 and 243 MHz, as they're aviation distress frequencies.  It's a good idea to research the frequencies in use in your AO.  You don't want to be transmitting on the local Sheriff frequency, or an ambulance frequency.  I can speak from experience that any entities that are experiencing interference will track down the perpetrators.  I've personally tracked down interfering stations in Quebec, and worked with Industry Canada (their version of the FCC) to eliminate the interference.
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Nemo on January 31, 2018, 02:20:50 PM

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-GXT1000VP4-Up-to-36-Mile-Two-Way-Radio/11015293 (https://www.walmart.com/ip/Midland-GXT1000VP4-Up-to-36-Mile-Two-Way-Radio/11015293)

Nemo I know you showed us how to shorten this but I forgot.

Like I did just above, start at the HTTP and go until you get to the first question mark  > ? < thing.  Delete it and everything after it.

Nemo
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: JoJo on January 31, 2018, 04:22:16 PM
@NEMO  Thanks again. :thumbsUp:
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Jackalope on January 31, 2018, 04:23:24 PM
Main Trading Company has a one day deal on the 5 watt Baofeng UV-82 dual band radios for $25.95 each.  Here's the link: https://www.mtcradio.com/crazy-deal-limited-quantity-hurry/ (https://www.mtcradio.com/crazy-deal-limited-quantity-hurry/)
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: JohnyMac on January 31, 2018, 04:34:48 PM
One suggestion on the BaoFengs, decide on one style and stay with it as the batteries are different on each radio.

My brother wanted to buy a dozen and I told him to buy XYZ model but of course he didn't. He purchased model ABC. Guess what...Model XYZ batteries do not fit (Or visa versa) the ABC model. So much for standardizing our coms.  :facepalm:
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Jackalope on January 31, 2018, 06:51:52 PM
Johny, don't you like diversity? :))
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: JohnyMac on February 02, 2018, 09:42:33 AM
LOL. Yupper Jackalope old JohnyDiversityMac.  ;)
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: JoJo on February 02, 2018, 05:29:07 PM
 Next month is my birthday and I will be asking for a Baofeng radio. Problem solved.
Title: Re: Are these worth it?
Post by: Kbop on February 03, 2018, 01:29:21 PM
Happy (pre)Birthday JoJo!