Baofeng radios

[Ddarnell]

I ordered a pair with extra large batteries for $55. These things apparently are annoying to HAM dudes but theyre pretty darn cool for the price. 8W sorta illegal FM 2 way radios with all kinds of functions; FM radio, 128 channel memory, NOAA, police/fire/EMS scanner INCLUDING forestry, NPS and railroad.

I tested the distance out today in SE kentucky mountains country. Ridge line line of sight 4.41 miles using google earth. Non line of site started getting weak around 2.5 miles. At 4+ miles i couldnt get any further away and still have a line to the base. and could easily hear comms at that point.

I got them to caravan and feel like i couldnt beat that for the price. Even has coding to make convo semi-private. Dual band monitor and FM with band monitor...all kinds of stuff I havent figured out yet.

Come with ear pieces with mic and voice activated transmitt (VOX), USB charge station with AC adapter, lanyard, and belt clips.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-Upgrade-V...3-fkmrnull

[MN C Van]

I heard police were scrambling/encrypting transmissions.

[Gr8ful]

I don't care one way or another but ther's "NO SORTA" They are illegal if you don't have a Ham license unless you buy the walkie talkies 6 for $60. Why not use CB & be legal? You can get one for $29 on Amazon.

[rvpopeye]

But of course you could legally just listen.................

[Baloo]

Or you could just get your HAM technician class license. It is really easy to get and HAM radio is a fun hobby. I studied for the test (no more Morse code required!) with a local HAM club and passed the first time. It is great way to learn about radio communications and electronics. Plus there is always some one to talk to!

Here is my setup in the Ambo



Four years into HAM and I still learn something new almost every day!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Ddarnell]

I needed something handheld for various reasons.

Yeah so as far as my research shows its NOT illegal to listen. The stations are listed to the public.

What makes these illegal is the ability to transmit on licensed frequencies.

Or transmit on non-licensed frequencies (FRS) with more power than the fcc allows.

[Gr8ful]

You can listen legally just not transmit. So for your use it's not legal. Baloo is right HAM Radio is fun & easy.

[Ddarnell]

No its legal. Its set on a FRS frequency at low power setting.

[tx2sturgis]

No its legal. Its set on a FRS frequency at low power setting.

Sorry but you are mis-informed.

The FCC says they are NOT legal for FRS use:



http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-fcc-discus...ansceivers

http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-cites-baofe...rf-devices

https://www.kb6nu.com/did-the-fcc-just-m...answer-no/

I post this last link so you can read about the controversy. 

Now, do I care? Not really.

Will the FCC knock on your door? Probably not in a million years.

But the fact is they have all been sold under a legal 'loophole' and the FCC is cracking down on the importers.

[Ddarnell]

To transmit on FRS the device must be at or below .5w. These only go down to 1w. There is where its illegal. A half watt.

GRMS at 5w requires a license

And MURS I dont know enough about

But the bottom line is these are cheaper than decent walkie talkies and are at least real world 2x as strong. Yes its technically illegal but so is spitting on a sidewalk. The FCC is more concerned about the import and sale.