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Post by wolverineairsoft on Mar 20, 2014 9:05:09 GMT -5
Hi I have a few questions regarding radios and communication gear. I recently attended my first milsim event and i had a blast, however I found it was very difficult to understand what was going on over the radio because it wasn't coming through clearly. I currently use a cheap Motorola talk about 14 channel radio and a z-tactical headset and ptt unit. I'm wondering what is a better setup that is actually functional but also doesn't cost too much.
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Post by Ogre on Mar 20, 2014 9:28:33 GMT -5
The Baofeng UV-5R is often recommended to players moving from the 22 Channel Talkabouts. You can generally pick one up fpr about 50-60 bucks. However, there are better options out there.
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Post by Pagan on Mar 20, 2014 9:41:22 GMT -5
The Baofeng UV-5R is often recommended to players moving from the 22 Channel Talkabouts. You can generally pick one up fpr about 50-60 bucks. However, there are better options out there. They are FAR less than $50-60. You can pick them up under $40 and just over $40 for the uv5r+. For the money, honestly there is NO other radio comparable.
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Post by Gunny87 on Mar 20, 2014 10:27:06 GMT -5
As Pagan mentioned, get a Baofeng UV-5R for ($37-$40) Then buy a baofeng external mic ($7-$10) with a listening piece ($5-$10) and you will have a clear and reliable comms setup. All the cheap Chinese PTT's and single pin headsets can't compare in reliability or quality in terms of the clarity of transmitting and receiving.
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Post by Gimpalong on Mar 20, 2014 10:57:03 GMT -5
Can confirm:
Just bought a Baofeng UV-5R+ for $40 with a Baofeng hand mic for $10.50.
That's at least $20 cheaper than my Talkabout with PTT and ACM headset, and the Baofeng is programmable and has better range.
What's not to like?
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Post by wolverineairsoft on Mar 20, 2014 11:06:11 GMT -5
Thanks guys, I just ordered one brand new for $50.30 with the mic and earpiece. I can't wait to try it out!
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Post by Squirrel on Mar 21, 2014 5:49:39 GMT -5
As a Ham Radio operator, the Baofeng is pretty awesome. The closest thing you can get to it is about $150+ new price.
With my 16 inch 1/4wave antenna, I can make contact with the repeater in Toledo from South Rockwood.
Word to the wise, the Baofeng is capable of being programed to a lot of frequencies you can not legally use. Do not use them unless you get licensed.
Not sure where you are at, but I have the Chirp software and cable, so I can set you up with a program that has MURS / GMRS / FRS / NOAA Weather and you'll be good to go.
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Post by wolverineairsoft on Mar 26, 2014 11:44:03 GMT -5
As a Ham Radio operator, the Baofeng is pretty awesome. The closest thing you can get to it is about $150+ new price. With my 16 inch 1/4wave antenna, I can make contact with the repeater in Toledo from South Rockwood. Word to the wise, the Baofeng is capable of being programed to a lot of frequencies you can not legally use. Do not use them unless you get licensed. Not sure where you are at, but I have the Chirp software and cable, so I can set you up with a program that has MURS / GMRS / FRS / NOAA Weather and you'll be good to go. Thanks for the advice and offer I did a lot of research after you guys all recommend it and learned how to use the CHIRP software so I got it all set up with those Frequencies that I can use legally. Once again thank you all so much you guys helped me out a lot!
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Post by Squirrel on Mar 26, 2014 12:43:39 GMT -5
You can listen in on the local Ham repeaters if you want to check out the discussions that are going on. The license exam cost $15 and is good for 10 years if you are interested.
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Post by Touchette on Mar 28, 2014 14:09:22 GMT -5
It is my understanding that if you want to transmit on any channel other than an FRS/GMRS channel OR transmit on ANY channel with more than 0.5w of power, then you needed the HAM license.
That all said, I've never seen/heard of someone getting in trouble for transmitting without the license that wasn't being a total nitwit. I'm not saying you don't need the license or recommending that you not get one, I'm just letting you know what I know.
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Post by Squirrel on Mar 28, 2014 17:02:52 GMT -5
That is not true Touchette. FRS is limited to .5w. GMRS is limited to 5 watts with a FCC yearly permit, but it is not a Ham license. Ham operators do not get access to GMRS unless you pay the $70 per year. Like you said though, GMRS users would most likely not get in trouble unless they were causing interference somewhere. The use of GMRS doesn't really raise issues unless you are using it for business purposes without a license.
MURS is another frequency option you can use in the VHF spectrum that is license free, and it is limited to 2 watts. 2 watts with a good antenna will reach out pretty far. I've got simplex communication with MURS from about 4 miles through buildings and everything while driving.
Honestly, if you buy a decent radio, and put a good antenna on it like the Nagoya NA-771, you can really reach out on lower power than you think.
My Baofeng radio is very capable of 9 miles simplex (South Rockwood to Riverview). I can just barely reach a repeater in Detroit on 5 watts.
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