which baofeng to order?

i want a comm system for my truck, looking into the

$40 baofeng uv5r dual band 3800mah rechargeable two way radio walkie talkies for adults with earpiece,speaker mic and programming cable full kit (black-1pack)

baofeng uv5r. thoughts? suggestions? also would want to get an external antenna, i have a prinsu rack, but should i put it on the tailgate or up top? thanks for the help

 

I might be wrong but I think you might need a ham radio license for that radio

 

True, but there are some channels you can legally use it on without a license.

 

Which Baofang, none. They are a pain to program and use. They are not type accepted for FRS and to use them or any other radio on amateur frequencies you need a license. Either buy an FRS radio or find the local hams to hang around, get licensed and keep hanging around them until you're comfortable with what radio you want. Never know, one of them might give you a radio, it's been known to happen.

Antenna: I like the Larsen with NMO mount and a Comet mount.

Can't use external antenna on FRS only radio so if you with FRS you'll use the integrated antenna.

 

question that applies to suspension can also be used for comms.

What are you going to be using these comms for? And what comms do your offroading buddies use? If everyone is using cheapie walkie talkies then that's what you should use. If none of you're offroading buddies even use comms then you should try and pitch the idea to them and see what they are willing to spend. If you're planning on using your baofeng as trail comms and you occasionally hop out to spot your buddy, it might help to keep it as a handheld so you can talk to him in the cab without having to scream nonstop. Not only that, but UV5's are pretty weak and a hardwired antenna rooftop antenna doesn't make much of a difference, still mostly LOS stuff.

If you want to use a ham radio, I would suggest getting your Technician ham radio license first and you'll actually learn a decent amount about radios. You may find that all you need is some cheap walkie talkies from wally world.

 

Friday post showed potential then was cut short when someone actually gave the right answer..

FCC knows all about Baofangs.. they are pretty lousy handhelds anyways, Icom and Yaesu are much better. You should still get the study book and learn why the cheapest is seldom the best choice.

Or get an FRS if you don't want to learn the hobby.

 

good info, thanks man! want to be able to communicate if i get stuck in the sticks out of phone reception, not sure if this is a feasible thing. also, to communicate with buddies on trail in or out of vehicle, depending on the situations

 

Sorry, but hey there's enough in the Tuesday $67k post to keep you busy reading all day. Don't ask me how I know...

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/funny-3rd-gen-craigslist-ad.652133/

 

Well that's where it doesn't really make sense because there's really no way for a baofeng to communicate out in the boonies (unless you're using APRS but again you are only pushing out 5watts and trying to reach a repeater from the boonies).

You can transmit all you want with your 5 watty baofeng but if no one is scanning (which no one does) then it's pointless. Get a garmin with preloaded messages if that is your concern.

But again, it all depends on what is in popular use around you. I have both cheapie walkies and the baofeng because depending on who I go offroading with is what everyone is using and its actually the walkie talkies that get used the most. I bought a four pack for $20 and toss them to buddies and just ask that they bring their own batteries at least.

 

i have a cheap midland FRS walkie set that sits in my truck, i carry my phone, and i was thinking having a ham radio would cover me for 3 different ways to communicate...

 

Might want to check out a cell booster as well.

 

I would go with something a bit higher powered than the baofeng (and higher quality for easier programming and APRS use) then so you can actually reach out and touch something. Also so you can mount it to your vehicle and having a vehicle mounted antenna would make sense. I tried making the Baofeng perform a bit better with a vehicle mounted antenna and whatnot but it's pointless. Getting a whip antenna for it and sticking it out the window does more than a mounted antenna can.

 

Any suggestions on models? I’m looking into getting my ham license now

 

not really lol My comms basically stopped at cell phone, walkie talkies, baofeng, and just hiking it out

 

ive been lucky enough to be in the sticks in over a dozen countries. having a satellite phone plus my cell phone, and group walkie talkies was usually enough. im not spending the $$$ for a sat phone, so im starting to study for the ham license exam. just DL an app on my phone to start the process.

 

Think about where you want the radio to sit in the interior.
Basic 2m units usually have the radio all in one unit, eg; Yaesu FT-2900
Most dual bands (2m+70cm bands)have a removable face plate so you can put the box under the seat and the controls up on the dash or wherever you like. I have the FT-7900;

 

When you get your ham license, if you have $200 to spend, want a do-it-all handheld, and you are not afraid of computers: Anytone AT-D878uv. It’s like a super Baofeng. More power, has Bluetooth to connect with Entune if handsfree is needed, is actually FCC certified, has GPS, and can transmit your location via APRS as you drive.

However it’s still only packing 7 watts. With a good antenna you can hear lots of repeaters but there isn’t enough power to talk back to them all. APRS packets get thru if you have a clear view of nearby mountaintops but in my experience on motorcycle and in the truck lots of transmissions never make it to APRS.fi.

If you are serious about reliable communications in the boonies, as others suggested a mobile rig with 50+ watts is the way to go.

 

I use a couple of those beofang radios in the MURS channels. They work great to reach back to the house while I am out hunting.

 

Look here for a good 2Meter/440 mobile HAM radio and antenna...https://www.hamradio.com/