GOYABEAN
.950 JDJ
Baofeng UV 5RA Ham Two Way Radio - $22 + Free S/H over $25 not sure if it's a good deal but figured might be useful 
Ham Two Way Radio !
- Thread starter GOYABEAN
- Start date
Baofeng UV 5RA Ham Two Way Radio - $22 + Free S/H over $25 not sure if it's a good deal but figured might be useful 
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Buy one gentleman. They are cheap and rugged enough. I've had one in my bag for over a year and listened to it daily while at work for a 6 month period when my particular job was just sitting around Grand Central.
During the Galleria Mall accidental discharge in Middletown, I was able to hear everything.
During the Galleria Mall accidental discharge in Middletown, I was able to hear everything.
Thanks for the heads-up on this offer. I just ordered mine, I've been wanting 1 of these Baofengs for a while. A few of the Folks in my LMP Group have them, and they have been performing well out here in the open country where we live.
S&W Fan
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Does anybody know if somebody makes an alternate power source charging cable for these?
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Phazer
.338 Win Mag
Where do you find listings of frequencies to monitor?
fnfalguy
.308 Win
I used RadioReference.com - Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference Database for when I programmed mine
I would use Chirp to program it. Unless you are a masochist. Manual programming would be brutal.
Jmac
.357 mag
Not Ham radio it’s UHF. We used them for FD UHF & Ulta High band need to br programmed. But be careful what channel program since you are not licensed or permitted to broadcast on unauthorized bands.
Doc8404
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Do you have to setup using a computer?
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
You can do it manually but it's easier with a computer. You download Chirp onto your computer and enter everything in. With Chirp, you can name your frequencies. You can't if you go manual.
Here is the link for the program.
Home - CHIRP
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Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
It takes a regular rechargable but they sell AA battery packs too.
Doc8404
.450/400 Nitro Ex
Thanks. If we buy for shtf and then need a laptop.....
Once they are setup they are GTG i assume.
Once they are setup they are GTG i assume.
Most ham radios (including this one)are able to operate on UHF, FYI.
Yes.
Acer-m14
.950 JDJ
are these radios unlocked ? " transmit and recieve on any freq" or locked to transmit on ham bands only ?
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
You can program them to receive only or transmit and receive based on the codes you get from radioreference.com and input them from Chirp.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Yes. Once programmed you don't need the laptop again unless you want to add or delete a frequency.
FrankenCub
.338 Win Mag
Just to add for those who don't know, these Baofeng radios will also transmit/receive on the FRS/GMRS frequencies, which HAM only radios will not unless modded.
Chirp is the cats ass, makes programming super easy. Hoping they update it to include programming my Icom 5100. It's not as bad to program as the Baofengs though lol.
Chirp is the cats ass, makes programming super easy. Hoping they update it to include programming my Icom 5100. It's not as bad to program as the Baofengs though lol.
FrankenCub
.338 Win Mag
On another note. I seen some complaints about the chargers heating up and melting the bottoms. Well, it seems I also have the issue, so I took it apart to see what could be done. Mine is done for so I'll be needing a new one. When it comes in I'm thinking about pulling it apart right off the bat and cutting a hole in the bottom so it gets air to ckeep it a bit cooler and see if I can sandwich a piece of aluminum between the base cover and that cip that heats up to act as a heat sink.
Here's the carnage. And the funny thing is I've only had to charge my GT3-TP 4 or 5 times so it doesn't take long for it all to go to hell.
Here's the carnage. And the funny thing is I've only had to charge my GT3-TP 4 or 5 times so it doesn't take long for it all to go to hell.
FrankenCub
.338 Win Mag
I send an email to Baofeng support here in the states about the problem. Let's see where this goes. I don't have high hopes though lol.
vanderblack
.357 mag
I have a couple of these. The menus are a bit confusing so it is a good idea to get familiar with them before you need them. Also, read up on setting one up as a relay. You can extend your range considerably or get your signal out of a ravine if needed. Also, consider picking up a small solar panel charger.
Jackalope
.45 acp
I have a number of the UV-5R's and I haven't had any problem with them thus far. However, I'm not surprised by the charger issue, especially with the cheap price and Chinese manufacturer. I still consider these to be disposable radios. I use them exclusively as loaner radios, or radios that may be damaged while in use, i.e. on motorcycles or when hiking in wet conditions. For everyday carry I use either an Icom ID-51A or a Kenwood TH-D79, both of which are more ruggedly built.
I bought one a few months ago and have it in a faraway cage. I think I programmed it right with chirp but I have to actually learn to use it. The manual wasn't very helpful and I don't know anyone into ham. When I did turn it on I didn't pick up any traffic so I guess either nothing was going on, or I don't know what I'm doing.
Looks like I'll have to start watching YouTube.
Marine Cpl
.577 Tyrannosaur.
Did you manually program it or did you use your computer with the chirp program?
Used chirp.
But never done it before so not sure if I did it right. But even if I did it right I might not have any traffic in range to pick up? That's assuming I even set up the right frequencies
fnfalguy
.308 Win
@Drinkthekoolaid one thing you can try is program a channel with a lot of activity like the weather radio channel. That should help you confirm it’s working.