Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[brutal]

By my interpretation: Given some radios by FCC compliance are now "GMRS licensed," is it still required to obtain a GMRS license or is this only for repeater use? Are the Baofeng radios prohibited regardless because of their non-cmpliance (and/or transmit power?)

Is it true that a low level HAM license costs less than the (no test) GMRS license?

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm just picking up bits and pieces of the confusing regs and info out there after having ordered some of these cheap radios. I'd like to be able to transmit on GMRS with them if possible(legal) so they're not just SHTF radios.

I know there was a thread discussing these radios a while back, but I don't think it covered my GMRS questions.

Thanks for doing this!

[Grant H.]

By my interpretation: Given some radios by FCC compliance are now "GMRS licensed," is it still required to obtain a GMRS license or is this only for repeater use? Are the Baofeng radios prohibited regardless because of their non-cmpliance (and/or transmit power?)

Is it true that a low level HAM license costs less than the (no test) GMRS license?

Forgive my ignorance, but I'm just picking up bits and pieces of the confusing regs and info out there after having ordered some of these cheap radios. I'd like to be able to transmit on GMRS with them if possible(legal) so they're not just SHTF radios.

I know there was a thread discussing these radios a while back, but I don't think it covered my GMRS questions.

Thanks for doing this!

The Baofengs are being "banned" because of the way they are FCC certified, and the bands they cover. Since they are Part 90, but cover more spectrum than part 90, that is why the FCC is annoyed. It is important to note... As written, the FCC is not banning possession of these radios, only the advertisement and sale of further radios. This is a regulatory thing, and from some of the info coming out of the FCC and ARRL, likely a lobbied for move by big name radios (kenwood, yaseu, icom, etc)

GMRS technically requires a license, period.

A low level ham license is maybe cheaper, but the tests do take some extra time to get ready for (RF theory, and the harder part, rules/regs/habits).

A GMRS license is only $70.

The baofengs will also transmit on the FRS bands (technically over powered, but not dramatically so) which would allow you to use them mostly legally even without the GMRS license.

[DFBrews]

Anyone have the new 8 watt vs the normal in-5r? How’s the antenna

[Gunner]

How do these work if I want to use one with a buddy on a road trip or something? I don't know Jack shit about radio stuff. What frequency would I use


Did some reading looks like FRS and there are 22 channels?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Grant H.]

Anyone have the new 8 watt vs the normal in-5r? How’s the antenna

I have an 8 watt. Same junk antenna as the 5r+.

Either the Radioddity or Nagoya (NA-701/NA-771) are good upgrades for not a lot of money...

How do these work if I want to use one with a buddy on a road trip or something? I don't know Jack shit about radio stuff. What frequency would I use


Did some reading looks like FRS and there are 22 channels?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Correct. For that kind of purpose I would program them to use the FRS channels, pick one, and go to town.

This is relatively simple, and will be covered in my write up of programming them.

[zteknik]

I never really got into the Baofeng. I mostly have Icom, Yaesu, and a few B.K.s. But for the money it would be worth having a few tucked away.
The thing that kills it is trying to find a good cable to program it with. Manually programming can be a pain but it's doable.

[brutal]

I have an 8 watt. Same junk antenna as the 5r+.

Either the Radioddity or Nagoya (NA-701/NA-771) are good upgrades for not a lot of money...




Correct. For that kind of purpose I would program them to use the FRS channels, pick one, and go to town.

This is relatively simple, and will be covered in my write up of programming them.

The Radioddity antennas are coming slow boat out of China so I ordered some 7.5" and 14.5" ExpertPower antenna for around twice the price, still pretty cheap. Hell, after I ordered some UV-5R+ I dove in and ordered two UV-82. Still only 5/1W but the reviews on them seemed more positive (bigger buttons). extra batteries, larger batteries, etc. it's starting to add up and I haven't even touched one. LOL.

Now I have to go figure out a sub $100 RC boat that I can get before Monday...

[Irving]

My problem with the Baofengs is they listen to two channels, and auto switch if something happens on the other channel. Then all the sudden you're talking on a channel you don't mean to be. That's a big deal if you're trying to use them as FRS without a HAM license and pop you over to a HAM channel on a repeater.

[brutal]

The Baofengs are being "banned" because of the way they are FCC certified, and the bands they cover. Since they are Part 90, but cover more spectrum than part 90, that is why the FCC is annoyed. It is important to note... As written, the FCC is not banning possession of these radios, only the advertisement and sale of further radios. This is a regulatory thing, and from some of the info coming out of the FCC and ARRL, likely a lobbied for move by big name radios (kenwood, yaseu, icom, etc)

GMRS technically requires a license, period.

A low level ham license is maybe cheaper, but the tests do take some extra time to get ready for (RF theory, and the harder part, rules/regs/habits).

A GMRS license is only $70.

The baofengs will also transmit on the FRS bands (technically over powered, but not dramatically so) which would allow you to use them mostly legally even without the GMRS license.

Thanks!

If I have a GMRS (family) license, can my radios then use repeaters?

[brutal]

My problem with the Baofengs is they listen to two channels, and auto switch if something happens on the other channel. Then all the sudden you're talking on a channel you don't mean to be. That's a big deal if you're trying to use them as FRS without a HAM license and pop you over to a HAM channel on a repeater.

Another reason I picked up two of the UV-82, separate PTT buttons.

The channel scan can also, I believe, be coded out. ??