Cheap Comms - Baofeng Radios

[Grant H.]

I got my programming cable in and have been playing with it. I've created a .img and .csv of my current settings and have shared it here.

I have all the FRS, GMRS, MURS and WX frequencies loaded, which amount to 37 of the radio's 128 memory places, and then filled the balance of the places with as many of the RepeaterBook Colorado 2 Meter HAM Repeater Frequencies as would fit (91 repeaters.) I (indiscriminately) deleted entries for cities that had multiple repeaters to make room, but for every city that was listed in RepeaterBook, I left at least one repeater active. Theoretically, this means this list covers every geographic area in Colorado that has one or more 2 meter HAM repeaters in place.

The other thing I did is swap the "comment" field into the "name" field so that it displays the name of the location of the repeater, rather than the call sign. At least in the short term, this seems like a much better way for me to setup my radio, so if I am in the field, say Breckenridge, I can just tune my radio to the station that has the "name" "BRECK." I did do some abbreviations, like Idaho Springs is IS, and Colorado Springs is CS, etc.

I still want to go back and look at the other lists posted here, and make sure that I have good "Front Range Coverage," but overall I am hoping I have enough Front Range Coverage, along with statewide coverage too. If anyone sees any "No Brainer" repeaters that I have left off the list, or other poor choices of repeaters in certain locations that have/had more than one, please let me know.

Finally, I did have a chance to use two of the radios on a hiking/car camp last weekend and they worked splendidly both for the drive out and back (two cars, 6+ hours each way... out by Lake City, CO., single stock battery)

Having a great time with these, and any suggestions, corrections, etc. to my thought processes are welcome.

-John

Sounds very similar to what I was doing in the write up before being so darn busy...

Thanks for sharing!

[DenverGP]

Finally showed up on the FCC website. Got my Radioddity GA-5S programmed similar to what Iego described. Programmed the FRS/GMRS/MURS channels, then weather, then about 10 "very close by" repeaters in the 2 meter band. After that, went thru RepeaterBook for all around colorado. When I had multiples for a city, I tried to select the ones that had the most links to other repeaters.

I finally talked to someone today. While out hiking around waterton canyon, was able to hit WB0TUB @ 146.8800 repeater.

Got someone from the Denver Radio League (I think that what the org he said) .

Wasn't sure if I should actually use "CQ CQ CQ"... I just said "any station, this is XXXXXX".

Also I didn't spell out my call sign in phonetic alphabet, not sure if thats common practice or not. I'd assume using the "CQ CQ CQ" and phonetic alphabet is probably more common on CW and other long range weak signal stuff.

My only radio experience before this was as a radio operator for Civil Air Patrol, and I still find it second nature to end every transmission with "over", end the conversation with "out", etc. Not sure how frowned upon those are in the ham world.

The guy I was talking with (I think the callsign was N?PUF, I need to remember to pay better attention to that) said he was at a denver radio league picnic , congratulated me on gettting my license. And said my signal was nice and strong, so I guess the little Radioddity radio is doing good.

[Justin]

Ok, I finally got some free time to mess around with CHIRP. I was able to download and install the Linux version. Getting the radio to talk to the software took a bit of doing, including giving myself admin permissions for the dialout group, but I think I've got it working now.

I installed iego's repeater list, and it looks like it worked!

Now it's time to see what I can find.

[00tec]

Going to Guinea pig this cable and see if it's any good. Kinda hoping it will work with my QYT truck radio as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Mirkit-Baofen...d_i=B07TKMKDZ6

[Justin]

So last night I got to messing around and managed to pick up a signal from the Cheyenne Mountain repeater.

Kinda cool!

[iego]

Very cool, for sure!

I need to work on my HAM Technician License per the above so I can get on their channels for $15 and the test.

Just bought another 4 devices (which came much slower than the first four, so maybe demand is ramping up?)

Somebody above suggested we do a "talk group" once we are all in a good place and I think that is a good idea.

-John

[00tec]

Well, that semi-universal cable I got worked just fine with the Boafeng. Haven't tried with the QYT radio yet. Have to find time to mess with it in the truck.

[hollohas]

I've been quietly following this thread, and darn it, you guys are responsible for me getting yet another budding hobby.

I ordered a couple of the UV-5R Plus handhelds, have been trying to decide which truck radio to buy and my GMRS license came through last night. I plan to take a technician test before the end of the year...hopefully. Schedule pending.

The fun is just getting started. Looking forward to playing with all the programming stuff you all have been discussing. Thanks a lot...

[Justin]

I found that the Linux version of CHIRP is a little bit wonky, it took a minor amount of troubleshooting to get it to work*, but was able to successfully get the radio programmed. I need to get my other two programmed as well.

I've been doing some studying online at hamstudy.org, and that's been helpful, though I don't know how soon I'll be ready to take the test. Some of the questions seem pretty obvious and straightforward, but other ones I have no clue about.



*But this is all part of the fun of Linux, right?!

[00tec]

I've done 3 practice tests...

1st- no study, dont know shit about HAM. 49%
2nd- watched a 1.5 hr youtube video. Barely passed. 74%
3rd- just sat around with a cocktail, 80%

Gonna take a test per day for a few weeks and go get my callsign.