Ham Two Way Radio !

[Marine Cpl]

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

Read this website. It helped me understand what all those columns meant.

MemoryEditorColumns - CHIRP

 

[Marine Cpl]

To listen only you only have to get the receiving frequency number right. That's it. You really don't need to go further than that.

To transmit you need to get the frequency number right along with the proper TONE or DTCS right and the proper offset which is their receiving frequency right.

I have my local public safety frequencies with the offset Channel set to off so I don't mistakenly transmit.

For SHTF, I have various FRS and MURS frequencies set to receive and transmit. I'll only use those in an emergency since I'm not licensed. The FCC says that you don't need a license in an emergency.

 

[freddy]

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.

Why do you have it in a far away cage? It must be an especially poorly behaved Baofeng to wind up in a cage! How will you get to it during SHTF if it is so far away?

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

Why do you have it in a far away cage? It must be an especially poorly behaved Baofeng to wind up in a cage! How will you get to it during SHTF if it is so far away?

Ya... Auto correct on phone.

Faraday...

 

[Marine Cpl]

I have my radios in EMP bags.

EMP Bags - Home

 

[dubleuhb]

Just got a couple today, I'll get them out and set up this weekend.

 

[freddy]

Just got a couple today, I'll get them out and set up this weekend.

Awww yeah!

 

[FrankenCub]

My Baofeng GT-3TP took a tumble off a chair to the grass this summer and put a kink in the antenna. Still works fine but I don't like it. Seems I had to order a new charger I figured I'd order a ne antenna. Got it from here.. Antennas ..lifetime guarantee against any problems and super flexible.

 

[S&W Fan]

Got mine the other day. I haven’t had a chance to set it up yet.

 

[whauburger]

So if I order one of these I need to order the cable to plug to a computer to program it correct? I know nothing about this stuff. For the money I assume everyone is getting one to listen to in an emergency/ listen to emergency frequencies?

 

[MoMan]

Got mine today. I forgot to order the cable!!! Guess I'll do that now. ANNND it's ordered!!

 

[Marine Cpl]

So if I order one of these I need to order the cable to plug to a computer to program it correct? I know nothing about this stuff. For the money I assume everyone is getting one to listen to in an emergency/ listen to emergency frequencies?

Correct. And if you buy more than 1, in a SHTF situation, you'll have 2 way communication with a few miles of range.

As far as the cable goes, they sell a lot of counterfeit ones that don't have the proper chip and it's a nightmare to get working. Buy this one below.

USB Cable - BaoFeng

 

[C3D]

I have six of these suckers. They are disposable at this price but I have never had to toss one. Use them mostly for FRS/GMRS (and yes, I shelled out 90 bucks for the FCC license).

 

[freddy]

Correct. And if you buy more than 1, in a SHTF situation, you'll have 2 way communication with a few miles of range.

As far as the cable goes, they sell a lot of counterfeit ones that don't have the proper chip and it's a nightmare to get working. Buy this one below.

USB Cable - BaoFeng

Baofengs are the iPhone of the future!

 

[Marine Cpl]

I have six of these suckers. They are disposable at this price but I have never had to toss one. Use them mostly for FRS/GMRS (and yes, I shelled out 90 bucks for the FCC license).

Technically you aren't supposed to use them for FRS, GMRS, and MURS frequencies even if licensed because the Baofeng isn't part 95 certified.

 

[Robin]

In an emergency, how far could you increase the broadcast distance with a long wire and a couple alligator clips, if at all?
Robin

 

[1075tech]

WTH, for that price, I ordered a couple.

 

[FrankenCub]

In an emergency, how far could you increase the broadcast distance with a long wire and a couple alligator clips, if at all?
Robin

In most instances the limiting factor is the power output. I got the GT3-TP because it's 8 watts, not a huge difference, but a bit more can't hurt. There are better antennas for these little radios than what they come with, which will help and they don't cost much. I just ordered one for $20. You can also put a properly built antenna up in a tree or tower then run small coax down to an adapter to the radio.
I haven't tested my GT3 out to see how far it will transmit yet, need to get together with my nephew some time for that. It receives great, I listen to the Sheriff dept and SP all the time. Most of our local EMS and FD's are in the 33mhz though so I can't listen in on them.

 

[FrankenCub]

Technically you aren't supposed to use them for FRS, GMRS, and MURS frequencies even if licensed because the Baofeng isn't part 95 certified.

As well as putting out more power than the FCC allows. I don't think the use of these radios are very high on their priority list.

 

[1075tech]

Got mine today. I forgot to order the cable!!! Guess I'll do that now. ANNND it's ordered!!

Yup. Even after reading through this thread, I forgot the cable. Ordered that and a couple of antennae. Used my discover points so no "cost" to me

 

[Jsmegs77]

Another new user here. Snagged a UV-82L from Amazon and have been messing about with Chirp. Also paid for the GMRS license so we can use all the frequencies in our assorted blister pack radios when hiking etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FrankenCub]

The new charger came in today so I immediately took the back off to see what I could do for cooling. It looks like they made some changes, possibly because they were aware of the issues? The chip causing the heat problem has been moved and there's a capacitor added. It's going to be tight getting a heat sink on the chip so for now I cut a hole in the plastic back to allow some airflow to the chip hoping to keep it cooler. We'll see when I need to charge the batteries. Also ordered a 3800mha battery to extent run time. Not like it's a problem with the stock battery though.

 

[whauburger]

Ok so give me the run down of this all if someone doesn't mind. A few questions are this "HAM license", why would I get one? Anyone have it and use it? What do you actually do? Also, so lets say I buy this radio (or another like this) and I buy the cable- I now program local police, fire, ems, weather. Anything else you guys program in? Benefits of this other then hearing what is broadcast on these channels? I understand buying 2 or 3 and then just using them as walkie talkies in an emergency type situation. You guys just leave them sitting on a charger at home, carry it in vehicle? I would think the charge wouldn't last to long with weather if left in vehicle. You need electric to charge the radio so if it dies and there is no power it is useless or is there like AA conversions or solar chargers?

Sorry if I seem like an idiot I have never thought to have something like a radio and don't fully understand the usefulness of it. I can pull up scanners from anywhere on an app on a cell phone (I get if there is no signal or the phone dies it isn't going to work either). In emergency situations is anything useful broadcast? I would think PD or FD would switch to private channels no?

 

[Marine Cpl]

These radios are good for monitoring public safety channels and others. (police, fire, ems, your local school) It is very handy to hear real time events. Some police department use encrypted digital radios or trunked systems that you will not be able to get with this radio since this radio is analog but most don't. I can get my local police, county sheriff, and local state police barracks.

You can program them to be used as walkie talkies with a few miles of range without a repeater. They are ham radios so you need a license to be able to transmit however there are provisions where you don't need a license in an emergency.

As far as charging goes in a SHTF environment without power, I use this setup.

https://www.amazon.com/Goal-Zero-11...0?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1391312725&sr=1-20

Baofeng uv-5r usb charger 12-24V FOR UV-5R BF-F8 BF-F9 walkie talkies 409shop - Radio

The guy linked below explains how to use the car charger with the solar panel setup. I tried it. It works. The green light comes on after being fully charged. It took a couple hours to charge a partially discharged battery that I only used for about an hour previously. It would probably take a full day in the sun if the battery was totally depleted.

My $125 SHTF comms setup. - Calguns.net

 

[dubleuhb]

Finally got these out of the box, familiarizing myself with them.
Just ordered the dang cable that @Willjr75 recommended, so I'm on hold till then.

 

[whauburger]

I saw a BF-F8HP and a GT-3TP which weren't that much more and supposedly are more powerful? The GT has an upgraded antenna and comes with a cable. Anyone have either of them?

 

[FrankenCub]

@Willjr75 The uv-5r doesn't come with the cig lighter adapter?

 

[FrankenCub]

I saw a BF-F8HP and a GT-3TP which weren't that much more and supposedly are more powerful? The GT has an upgraded antenna and comes with a cable. Anyone have either of them?

I've got the GT3-TP. Which cable you talking about, the programming cable?

 

[Marine Cpl]

@Willjr75 The uv-5r doesn't come with the cig lighter adapter?

No.

 

[Marine Cpl]

I saw a BF-F8HP and a GT-3TP which weren't that much more and supposedly are more powerful? The GT has an upgraded antenna and comes with a cable. Anyone have either of them?

I have the BF-F8HP. It's 8 Watts vs 5. Sightly longer range.