Radios

Monkeynono

Monkeynono

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2018
Location
Mars Hill
After the last trip I realized I need some form of comms. What I am looking for a radio for vehicle to vehicle communication and would like one that can also connect to handheld units. My experience with all of this stops at CBs so any information or recommendations would be great.
 
shawn said:
$15 baofeng uv-5r on Amazon, program it with the gmrs/frs frequencies, add a $20 8" or 15" Nagoya antenna if you want.

Get all your wheeling buddies to do the same.
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That does work. Could even order the pre-programed GMRS version and skip programing with Chirp.


But lately if someone isn't into radios and just wants to talk, I lean toward recommending a more simple to use dedicated GMRS radio... (or 3 pack $79)

 
 
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Southern_Transplant said:
Another vote for a baofeng UV-5R. I have that one and a UV-9R (waterproof model). They are enough for trail comms. If you want a vehicle mounted solution with longer range, I got this: Amazon.com: QYT KT-8900D Upgrade Version of KT-8900 Dual Band Mini Car Radio Mobile Transceiver VHF UHF Two Way Radio+USB Programming Cable : Electronics

With three Seans all saying the same thing, how can you go wrong?
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You can hook a baofeng up to a vehicle mounted antenna if you want, too
 
Whatā€™s the wattage on those? Iā€™m guessing 5w. None of the specs at Amazon seem to include.

Iā€™ve got a handheld Midland 5w that sucks on transmit. Likely antenna? Iā€™ve also got a 50w Midland unit Iā€™ve never installed. High gain hood mount antenna with that. Probably should just get that installed.

Borrowed @BRUISERā€™s UV-5G Plus with longer antennae that did much better.

Seems like the issue is generally antenna and picking the right one for the frequencies most used. The HAM freqā€™s and GMRS, et al seem to have different requirements so I think Iā€™ll stick with GMRS range.
 
/dev/ram said:
Whatā€™s the wattage on those? Iā€™m guessing 5w. None of the specs at Amazon seem to include.

Iā€™ve got a handheld Midland 5w that sucks on transmit. Likely antenna? Iā€™ve also got a 50w Midland unit Iā€™ve never installed. High gain hood mount antenna with that. Probably should just get that installed.

Borrowed @BRUISERā€™s UV-5G Plus with longer antennae that did much better.

Seems like the issue is generally antenna and picking the right one for the frequencies most used. The HAM freqā€™s and GMRS, et al seem to have different requirements so I think Iā€™ll stick with GMRS range.
Click to expand...
Wattage depends on the channel as I recall. I think the max that is advertised is 8 watts for the UV-5R. As Shawn mentioned, the upgraded antenna is a benefit. But just a basic UV-5R is more than enough for convoy comms.

I have the vehicle radio and a handheld unit in the truck. This allows me to give the handheld to a dismount who is scouting a trail stoppage or a buddy who doesn't have a radio in their truck.
 
shawn said:
Those radios have crappy antennas and don't propagate.
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True. ...I've just loaned Baofengs to enough people that don't care about how they work or all the buttons/features and just want to talk. More buttons to accidentaly press and have them not work. (A/B to the wrong memory, VFO instead of memory, etc)

If your halfway technically inclined Baofengs work well. I have a pile of them.
 
/dev/ram said:
Whatā€™s the wattage on those? Iā€™m guessing 5w. None of the specs at Amazon seem to include.

Iā€™ve got a handheld Midland 5w that sucks on transmit. Likely antenna? Iā€™ve also got a 50w Midland unit Iā€™ve never installed. High gain hood mount antenna with that. Probably should just get that installed.
Click to expand...
UV-5R I think is nominally 5, but is probably more like 4. The rubber duck antennas are like 1/2 dB, so then you're only propagating 2W, and you're inside a metal box, so maybe less than that, etc.

You can always lock the baofengs, too.
 
This one seems to have slightly better specs any thoughts? I need one for my SXS when we ride in WV....


1752679805942.png
 
Been running these as my 'loaner' radios;


Not sure how much of a difference the 8w really makes, never had problems with the 5w ones previously... Both are sufficient for convoying and trail comms. Being the loaners, I just leave them on locked mode, and when someone does manage to screw them up even though they're locked, a quick reprogram in CHIRP fixes that.

Meanwhile, the wife and I use using UV 82HPs;


Mainly so we can have side conversations since they have two PTT buttons that you program to separate channels. But our radios are now well over 8 years old, so might be time to upgrade those...
 
shawn said:
You can always lock the baofengs, too.
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I did that last time I loaned one out. Takes me a little while to catch on sometimes.

zuke said:
Meanwhile, the wife and I use using UV 82HPs;


Mainly so we can have side conversations since they have two PTT buttons that you program to separate channels. But our radios are now well over 8 years old, so might be time to upgrade those...
Click to expand...

I hadn't seen the dual PTT. That does seem handy.
 
/dev/ram said:
Whatā€™s the wattage on those? Iā€™m guessing 5w. None of the specs at Amazon seem to include.

Iā€™ve got a handheld Midland 5w that sucks on transmit. Likely antenna? Iā€™ve also got a 50w Midland unit Iā€™ve never installed. High gain hood mount antenna with that. Probably should just get that installed.

Borrowed @BRUISERā€™s UV-5G Plus with longer antennae that did much better.

Seems like the issue is generally antenna and picking the right one for the frequencies most used. The HAM freqā€™s and GMRS, et al seem to have different requirements so I think Iā€™ll stick with GMRS range.
Click to expand...
Can't beat physics.
There's a whole field of RF physics relating the size/shape of antennas to frequency, protocol, etc. In the zest to make things small and inexpensive people ignore that and you lose efficiency.
 
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