BaoFeng Dual Band Two Way Radio options

[jrm]

looking into purchasing one of these but have some questions.

Is 4w power enough range? or should i consider 8w?

Any suggestion about which model to purchase? my budget is around $80 or less. Looking @ black friday pricing.

Can i attach a external antenna to a hand held radio like this?

Am i missing anything else i havent considered?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving :beer::turkey:

 

[JEMP1003]

4W is what a CB produces, so if you plan on jumping into ham, might as well get the extra power allowed.

However, remember the rubber ducky antenna won't get to much range while inside the truck (regardless of the 4W vs 8W), so might want to look into an external antenna/mount. And yes, to connect an external antenna you'll just need an adapter but those can be found in amazon.

 

[mikey's2010SR5]

If you just plan on running simplex on trail runs, meaning trucks are near by go with the cheaper of the two and invest in a good antenna and/or an adapter to have the antenna outside of the truck.

I have a Yaseu hard wired into my truck which pushes 75 watts max, good for reaching out and contacting someone. But then I also have a Wouxun KG-UV8D handheld for when I am spotting or walking trails. It only puts out a max 5 watts I think but then I got a good antenna and I have been impressed with the performance.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I threw a slightly better antennae on mine from the get go, but my BF-F8+ gets a good mile or so out of the truck (depending on terrain). Good enough for vehicle to vehicle comms when on the trails, if someone in your vehicle has a repeater/beefier set-up, they can help boost that a bit (I recall when wheeling with Jon that his Tacoma actually seemed to help boost my signal).

I personally am holding off on a dedicated HAM set-up because I think it's ridiculous that they can't be integrated through a multi-touch screen. The best option for a "clean" install is a remote face plate you mount somewhere in the sunglass holder.

But it all comes down to what you're doing, if you just need a good radio to keep in touch with people on the trails, those little Baofengs are the best bang for the buck. If you're looking to reach out a ways for communication and utilize features you wouldn't get with a small handheld like that, go vehicle mounted.

 

[CWO4CNO]

looking into purchasing one of these but have some questions.

Is 4w power enough range? or should i consider 8w?

Any suggestion about which model to purchase? my budget is around $80 or less. Looking @ black friday pricing.

Can i attach a external antenna to a hand held radio like this?

Am i missing anything else i havent considered?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving :beer::turkey:

Like many on here have mentioned, it is all about what the intent is for usage. A 5W unit with an extenal antenna can reach surprising far in range but it's no match for a full power 50w when stuck in a remote location. Assess your requirements and purchase appropriately the first time.

 

[cbielat]

I have a BaoFeng along with my CB. On my last trip, my friends and I just used these units in the walkie talkie setting. They worked great over the 6 days. We all had the extended battery as well. I don't really know the specs so I'm sorry I'm no help but it's still a great extra unit to have even if running a CB.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Regarding the handheld Baofengs, my only advice would be to get a battery eliminator or an extra battery or two. The battery eliminator is basically a battery pack that is hard wired to plug into the cigarette lighter port. I can't get more than about 3 hours out of my battery, and the charging base that comes with these things are meant to charge at home on a table and it blows trying to charge a battery in the vehicle.

I made the mistake of getting the Baofeng GT-5, which they don't actually make a battery eliminator for. I ended up getting a battery eliminator for a UV-82 and had to heavily modify it to get it to work. Just another thing to consider is battery life and checking what accessories are available for the model you're looking at.

 

[mwray8909]

I got the extended battery for my baofeng and it has lasted about 3 trips with out a charge. And then I switch to the regular battery. I will look and post my setup.

 

[mwray8909]

There we go

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

 

[Orbital Debris]

looking into purchasing one of these but have some questions.

Is 4w power enough range? or should i consider 8w?

Any suggestion about which model to purchase? my budget is around $80 or less. Looking @ black friday pricing.

Can i attach a external antenna to a hand held radio like this?

Am i missing anything else i havent considered?

Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving :beer::turkey:

4 watts may be sufficient if you have an external antenna, and as others as said, it depends on how far you need to reach. Remember that double the power may mean an even greater power drain, and the battery may suffer.

Lots of inexpensive options will work well (as noted above) for an external antenna and will extend range more effectively than upping the power. Very easy to run them under the door jamb to the roof.

Ditto on the external adapter.


KE7KCK

 

[jrm]

Thanks!

bought a baofeng UV 5R radio,external antenna and battery eliminator today (cyber monday) should work out great.

 

[sn0wrunner]

Are there frequencies you can transmit on without a license?

 

[Saxainpdx]

Are there frequencies you can transmit on without a license?

Not in the HAM bands. You can use the Motorola type Family radios without a license.

Getting a Tech license is very easy now. get an app for your phone with the test questions and go through them until you are getting an 80% or more. ALso the test books should be at your local library if you don't want to buy them. Once you take and pass the test, your license will show up on the FCC website(Be sure to go sign up for e FRN number as I think they ask for it when you take the test. Can register here: https://apps.fcc.gov/coresWeb/publicHome.do )

You can find local tests here: http://www.arrl.org/find-an-amateur-radio-license-exam-session

They are pretty backlogged in the last month, they say because of the election results, more people are freaking out and getting their licenses. Not sure why though.

If your tester uses the electronic method, you should have your license within 7 days. If they use the old method, it could be a month now..

Also here is the frequency list that Techs can use: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/Tech%20Band%20Chart/Tech%20Band%20Chart.pdf

 

[Saxainpdx]

Oh. and I have the BTech(baofeng) UV-5x3, and charged the battery once 3 months ago, and turn it on for about 20 min every couple of days, and just had to charge it a week ago. Not sure why I'm getting good battery life..

Also, here is a good resource for programming without a computer and other tips on most of the baofeng radios: Miklor Radio Information Site - Miklor