Baofengs illegal to use now?

[AngryRooster]

Does anyone have any experience with the 220 band? What's the range like compared to 144/440?

I have a tri-band Ed Fong antenna coming soon and wanted to get an idea of the repeaters I should be able to hit. It will end up replacing my dual band Fong. Radio will just be a 5watt HT at first, maybe a 50 watt mobile later.

 

[igotdiesel2]

I have heard that the 1.25M band isn't that popular. I would guess that is because their aren't a lot of tri-band radios on the market. -Jason KD9KGA

 

[AngryRooster]

There's a decent amount of them in Indiana.

https://www.repeaterbook.com/repeaters/Display_SS.php?state_id=18&band=22&loc=%&call=%&use=%

The K5VOM repeater in Winchester is linked with several across the country. The have a weekly net based out of Texas that's pretty active. I've wanted to participate a few times but haven't been able to. Hopefully that will change soon.

I've seen a few different 5 watt HT radios and a couple 50 watt mobiles. I know I can hit the Frankfort & sometimes the Terre Haute repeaters on 144 from where I'm at.

 

[lonehoosier]

So I got in on the group buy for the Baofeng UV5r. My plan is to store this radio in my bug out bag. My bag goes with me everytime I leave the house for longer then an hour. I the bag never stays in the car over night but it may stay in the car while in a restaurant or if we are just visiting someone for a few hour. So the bag may have to deal with extreme hot and cold temperatures. I’m not to worried about the radio but I’m worried about the battery pack and also the spare 6 Double A battery pack. Is there a concern storing the batteries in the pack or should I just keep them separate from each other?

 

[AngryRooster]

So I got in on the group buy for the Baofeng UV5r. My plan is to store this radio in my bug out bag. My bag goes with me everytime I leave the house for longer then an hour. I the bag never stays in the car over night but it may stay in the car while in a restaurant or if we are just visiting someone for a few hour. So the bag may have to deal with extreme hot and cold temperatures. I’m not to worried about the radio but I’m worried about the battery pack and also the spare 6 Double A battery pack. Is there a concern storing the batteries in the pack or should I just keep them separate from each other?

There shouldn't be. I've got a bag that stays in the truck 24/7 all year long, except to rotate stuff. It's got batteries in it. Some AA and some Li-Ion. Never had a problem. I do keep it out of direct sunlight though. It's usually on the floor behind the drivers seat or in the back with a cover over it.

Don't forget to get on the air with you new radios and make sure they work the way they are supposed to. Maybe we can coordinate a makeshift net once all the radios are distributed. Nothing really fancy, just post up when you have some free time and what repeater you will be on. A few different tests spread out over a week should be able to get everyone some test time.

 

[AngryRooster]

Just a quick heads up. Amazon has the UV-82HP on a Lightning Deal right now. It's normally $63 on sale for $40. All colors are on sale. The sale ends around 12:15am tonight or when they are gone.

https://smile.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV...VPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=YEKXQ4XGKE5Z7DPNVD4A&th=1

 

[jedi]

it ended...

 

[AngryRooster]

it ended...

I wish I would have seen it when it was still a few hours away. I just happened to catch it a few minutes after it started. I snagged another black one. The others look a little "Mattel" for my taste. A sale like this is about the only way I'll spring for the higher wattage radios. The extra watts don't really add anything except shorter battery life. Tonight's sale put this one a couple bucks more than the standard version. On the standard version you can't tie the PTT buttons together, with the HP you can (IIRC).

 

[lonehoosier]

it ended...

BaoFeng UV-82 MK5 8W High Power 2018 Two Way Amateur (Ham) Radio Walkie Talkie, Mirkit edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NY2KS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JgIaCbQPY9YV8

I don’t know what the difference is.

 

[AngryRooster]

BaoFeng UV-82 MK5 8W High Power 2018 Two Way Amateur (Ham) Radio Walkie Talkie, Mirkit edition https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071NY2KS4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_JgIaCbQPY9YV8

I don’t know what the difference is.

The Mirkit is an unauthorized version of the original radio. The 'special firmware channels' is just a list of frequencies they selected. I haven't seen the list but it's probably GMRS/FRS/MURS frequencies, which are actually illegal to use with these radios but tons of people do. Any other frequencies they would put in would be useless unless you are in radio line of sight to the repeaters they chose.

 

[lonehoosier]

I paid for a family GMRS License. Still waiting for my number.

 

[Cameramonkey]

I paid for a family GMRS License. Still waiting for my number.

Sucker. You probably self report 100% of your untaxed online purchases on your 1040-IN so you can voluntarily pay income tax, too.

 

[lonehoosier]

Sucker. You probably self report 100% of your untaxed online purchases on your 1040-IN so you can voluntarily pay income tax, too.

It did feel like that after I was done

 

[Cameramonkey]

It did feel like that after I was done

Just giving you a hard time. Good on you for following the rules, even when it isnt really necessary. (its an arbitrary money grab)

 

[lonehoosier]

Just giving you a hard time. Good on you for following the rules, even when it isnt really necessary. (its an arbitrary money grab)

My wife and kids are never going to get there ham licensees so this is the next best thing.

 

[Ericpwp]

They should. The first test is easy. At least the kids should, it would be good for science class.

 

[AngryRooster]

My wife and kids are never going to get there ham licensees so this is the next best thing.

Never say never. Get them used to the GMRS stuff. Once they are used to it wait until they have a problem with their phone. Lost phone, dead battery, no signal, missed messages because of some kind of problem, etc.

"Ya know honey, you can send text messages and email with a ham radio. Here, let me show you a trick."

Take the kids out and let them listen & talk to the ISS or other satellites, it they're of an age where that would be cool to do. Maybe pick up a $25 SDR and hook it to the computer. With that and a piece of wire you can listen to just about any frequency out there.

 

[lonehoosier]

Just giving you a hard time. Good on you for following the rules, even when it isnt really necessary. (its an arbitrary money grab)

I was under the impression if I wanted to use a repeater I would need that. Am I missing something?

They should. The first test is easy. At least the kids should, it would be good for science class.

I just don’t see them doing it. My son may because he’s in Boy Scouts and they have a merit badge for it.

Never say never. Get them used to the GMRS stuff. Once they are used to it wait until they have a problem with their phone. Lost phone, dead battery, no signal, missed messages because of some kind of problem, etc.

"Ya know honey, you can send text messages and email with a ham radio. Here, let me show you a trick."

Take the kids out and let them listen & talk to the ISS or other satellites, it they're of an age where that would be cool to do. Maybe pick up a $25 SDR and hook it to the computer. With that and a piece of wire you can listen to just about any frequency out there.

I get what you are saying but they will have the same issues with the radio and to be honest I don’t know if I really wanna dive that much into it. I just like the idea of another way to communicate with family and friends.

 

[lonehoosier]

A pretty well thought out radio pouch for the Baofeng.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqx_AodHvnj/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=87kblr55eboc

 

[Cameramonkey]

On a related note, the best color for a radio cover is blue for spotting it outdoors. (Drop it while walking thru the woods). It doesn’t occur naturally in our environment so it’s easy to spot.