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  1. #1
    Still Hammerhead Fentonite's Avatar
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    Thanks for this thread, Grant! Looking forward to your instructional post (since I just ordered a trio of your recommendations).

  2. #2
    Mr Yamaha brutal's Avatar
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    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!
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  3. #3
    "Beef Bacon" Commie Grant H.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by brutal View Post
    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.
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  4. #4
    Mr Yamaha brutal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grant H. View Post
    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?
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    Beer Meister DFBrews's Avatar
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    Anyone have the new 8 watt vs the normal in-5r? How’s the antenna
    You sir, are a specialist in the art of discovering a welcoming outcome of a particular situation....not a mechanic.

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  6. #6
    Hello, my name is: KNOWN Gunner's Avatar
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    Default Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

    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?

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    Last edited by Gunner; 07-08-2019 at 20:15.

  7. #7
    "Beef Bacon" Commie Grant H.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DFBrews View Post
    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...


    Quote Originally Posted by Gunner View Post
    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.
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  8. #8
    Mr Yamaha brutal's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Grant H. View Post
    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...
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  9. #9
    "Beef Bacon" Commie Grant H.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by zteknik View Post
    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.
    I have all the big name brands as well (been buying radios since I got into ham when I was like 7...) and I will never argue that these are in the same realm. However, as you mentioned, for the price I can stash a pile of these with the batteries removed and in a metal container, and they will likely survive even an EMP type of SHTF scenario. I now have my better radios for personal/family, and cheaper radios that I can hand out to folks as our plans unfold and a number of groups link up and head to BFE.

    Any of the FTDI cables, like the one I linked, will work just fine with windows and mac (I think linux as well, but I honestly haven't tried... I have an rdp linux machine if someone needs me to try it)...

    Quote Originally Posted by brutal View Post
    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...
    Yep. I have a handful of them already, and just bought a few more to stash. Upgraded antennas, a couple of 25W truck radios that cover the same bands (playing with a solar powered, "drop" repeater for SHTF), batteries, etc... I've spent more than a few dollars with china on these...
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  10. #10
    Escaped From New York zteknik's Avatar
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    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.
    FHUGETABOUDIT!!!

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