Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[00tec]

We bought 2 handheld radios and 2 of the QYT base stations. Hopefully the handhelds get here by Friday for camping.

May end up with double the radios before deadline. Some for the truck or house would be nice too.

[brutal]

Off topic, but I got sidetracked on CTCSS frequencies. I find conflicting information, which I didn't expect.

Take tone 13. I've found three different frequencies for CTCSS 13:

https://www.ailunce.com/blog/what-are-the-ctcss-and-dcs (97.4)
http://www.repeater-builder.com/tech...wood-ctcss.jpg (100.0)
http://missionspec.com/oe/MissionSpe...eatSheet02.pdf (103.5)

Please don't tell me that different manufactrers decided to use different frequencies (but I think you will )

O2

Are you trying to use FRS privacy codes?

I just set mine up without and just use an open channel to talk on. Since I'm code "0" I can hear all the others. If you're trying to talk to other FRS radios, you can set their privacy code to 0.

[BladesNBarrels]

They changed the rules a few years ago such that no licenses require code. Basically they realized that the majority of the code folks are all ~139 years old and most of the upcoming generations didn't want to.
...

Thanks for the update on the requirements.
I'm not quite that old, but about half way there.
The radio shack on the ship had daily sessions practicing code with others in the fleet to maintain proficiency.
Most communications were exchanged by teletype, but when there were sunspots and interference, we went back to code.

[brutal]

One minor point I would like to make regarding the equipment.

While the Radioddity antennas may work as well as (untested by me) others, the build quality of the ExpertPower antennas is far far superior. They're 2x the cost, available on Amazon , but IMHO, worth it 10x in build quality over the cheaper ones. https://www.amazon.com/ExpertPower-X...8-1-spons&th=1

The ExpertPower has a knurled base that actually fits inside the ring around the antenna connector on the radio.

The Radioddity antennas are poorly finished, crooked, and the base is larger so it runs flush on the outer rim instead of tightening to the connector. I bought 2 each of the 7.5" and 14.5" antennas from both brands. The longer Radioddity antennas came with a plastic/rubber washer that was not installed. One of them is too thick to even use and caught on the circular nut that holds the antenna connector. Took some tricky handwork to get it off.

Just my $.02 and keep in mind I tend to be a gear snob on most anything like this, even if it's cheap stuff.

[brutal]

For anyone that bought the Radioddity DB25 truck radio:

I've programmed it using CHIRP and the selection for the QYT KT-8900D radio as suggested on several sources.

The img file I have (USE AT YOUR OWN PERIL) | Onedrive link here | Google Drive link HERE | includes:

• FRS
• MURS
• GMRS
• WX
• Marine (select boater channels and CG call channel)
• The local stations/freqs provided previously in the thread in an img file for the UV5R+

All my programming is setup to show channel names, and scan all the bands (2x on the handhelds, 3x(less band D) on the truck radio. Be advised, all are running HIGH power (except WX) .

For this radio, I have presets for three channels (FRS13, MURS3, GMRS3) and the WX1PA7 weather channel on fist power up after programming in slots A-B-C-D. I can't figure out a way to lock these for every power up if that's even possible. It's set to scan M+A+B+C with a 15 second transmit response timeout or it rolls back to the A slot. (I think this is how it works: Monitored channel + the others) This keeps the WX channels that are constantly transmitting from being scanned - even though they are set to NOT scan they will lock on if the band is included - they do this in the handhelds I've setup. I also have Duplex=off on the WX channels so you can't transmit on them.

I still don't fully understand all the options settings in either the handheld or truck radio, but they're working well enough for my current needs. We used the FRS channels on the boats last week and everything worked great.

[brutal]

That's what I get for not reading the next page before responding...

When you say "ring mount" does it look like this?

That is a standard NMO mount, and MANY vehicle antennas for lots of different bands can be had for that mount (very, very common). You can also get them built into a magnetic mount that has a cable attached, so it is removable.

More like this:



Of course, I ordered the radio with an antenna (7900D), and it has a PL259 base.

[Justin]

I've received my radios, but I'm still waiting on one of the antennas and the cable to connect it to my laptop.

I've turned one of them on, and so far the only thing I've gotten to work is the FM radio and I found a weather station.

I was really surprised at how finely gradated the frequencies are.

[iego]

I'm trying to do some research prior to programming the radios (haven't received the programming cable yet) and am looking at the programming files you all have supplied (Grant, Brutal) thank you!

Would it be wise to add in repeaters like the Colorado Connection, so I get greater statewide coverage?

https://colcon.org/wp/repeaters/

Assuming so, I will post links to any other networks like this I find, and if ya'll know of good ones please post as well. I don't think I am going to program these things often, so it would be nice to have as complete a list as possible, no?

Also, looking at the program file, for the "Name" field. Can I put in descriptive names like "Breckenridge" or "Breck," or "Boulder," or does it have to be what I assume are Call Letters, like "W0DK?" I assume there are some limits, like number of characters? Is that okay?

Thanks,

-John

[brutal]

There are links in Chirpo to pull files, etc. from many other sources including radioreference.com.

6 characters max in the name field. You can put whatever you want but best to know what call sign/repeater name it is.

I should add my file has the roger beep enabled which is a big nono on HAM. We're just using them for FRS now, so I enabled it.

My file settings also only show "name" on every band. You can get creative and use name in the A slot, Freq in the B slot, etc. for the display. Let me find a good video I found that shows that. Best for the 4 band (monitor) dual bad transmit truck or base stations.

[iego]

Thanks brutal, I've now watched some of the Chirp Programming YouTube Videos and it's starting to make good sense to me. Still waiting on my programming cable however, but may show up tomorrow based on the tracking.

I'm pleasantly surprised/happy with the battery life on these UV-5r. I started 3 of the 4 I bought (the 4th has an electrical problem, and radioddidity has already issued me a refund for it) playing the weather frequency this morning, and here 11 hours later they are still going strong with the battery indicator still showing two bars. I had charged them once right when I got them, but I thought I would try "training" them/test the battery life to see what I could expect, and I am pleasantly surprised so far. Once I deplete them this one time, I think a full charge and then I'm going to call it good.

Probably going to buy at least one more to replace the one that is not right, and likely I will buy another 3-4 more, as I have friends and family I will likely turn on to these as well.

I am having fun reading up on these, etc. Also reading up on best way to mount the truck radio (DB25) I bought, and will likely also buy a CB Radio and antenna and mount them at the same time.

-John