Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[fitz19d]

Bump to this thread. Never got heavy into it as a group of 1 doesn't need a radio. But I ended up approached by a group of neighbors hoping to organize disaster response for the area including unrest.

Was trying to figure out what might be a good option for around 10 people in a square mile. Not sure if consumer grade walkie talkies might be cheaper than baofengs and also avoid needing to try and get people to get the gm whatever operator liscence.

[00tec]

Bump to this thread. Never got heavy into it as a group of 1 doesn't need a radio. But I ended up approached by a group of neighbors hoping to organize disaster response for the area including unrest.

Was trying to figure out what might be a good option for around 10 people in a square mile. Not sure if consumer grade walkie talkies might be cheaper than baofengs and also avoid needing to try and get people to get the gm whatever operator liscence.

Don't need a license to transmit during an "emergency"

The consumer grade stuff at wally world isn't going to do a mile in a suburb.

[powerstroke79]

Bump to this thread. Never got heavy into it as a group of 1 doesn't need a radio. But I ended up approached by a group of neighbors hoping to organize disaster response for the area including unrest.

Was trying to figure out what might be a good option for around 10 people in a square mile. Not sure if consumer grade walkie talkies might be cheaper than baofengs and also avoid needing to try and get people to get the gm whatever operator liscence.

https://www.radioddity.com/products/...27895216767059

Have not used this web site so do your research. 5 radios and programing cable for $100 Shipped

[battlemidget]

Fitz, you can get decent frs/gmrs radios in hunting supply stores, usually <100 per pair. You want the ones that claim a 35 mile range, they should be adequate for the 1sq mile area.

Keep in mind that those radios are not scambled and anyone can listen in. Those privacy codes are just 'squelch openers', not really any sort of privacy other than you don't have to listen to people that are using a different squelch code.

Generally speaking, you can count on 1 mile per watt with vhf/uhf handheld radios. Alot of those very inexpensive radios only radiate 500mw, or half a watt. Good for kids at the park and things like that.

Here's a fancy chart that explains some differences better than I can

[thedave1164]

I have a BNIB Baofeng UV-5R that I will give to someone that does not have a radio and has recently gotten their Ham license, or gets their license.

The tech license is a few hours of study/memorization and a test that you pay about $15 to take.

I have tested and programmed the radio.

[esizer]

I have a BNIB Baofeng UV-5R that I will give to someone that does not have a radio and has recently gotten their Ham license, or gets their license.

The tech license is a few hours of study/memorization and a test that you pay about $15 to take.

I have tested and programmed the radio.

I would take you up on that. I've been looking for the motivation to fully jump in...

[thedave1164]

I would take you up on that. I've been looking for the motivation to fully jump in...

Sure, just let me know

[esizer]

Sure, just let me know

Much appreciated! My grandfather passed almost a decade ago ago now and one of his great passions was amateur radio. While I didn’t have the capacity to take in his equipment when it needed to find a home, I did inherit his course materials, books, etc. I dug out the technicians handbook and took the home study this weekend so I plan on taking the test online within the next week or two. From what I’ve gathered, he was more interested in the shortwave/HF stuff...but I figured getting my toes wet in at least the 2M/70cm bands would be a good start to honoring his memory.

[00tec]

We got our Baofengs from radioddity's ebay store

[Grant H.]

Radioddity is good to go.

They have private labeled some stuff, and they resell good radios and antenna's.

I have bought more than a few radios and antenna's from radioddity.