Just to listen

[nemesis98]

I'm curious about HAM, but for now will probably just listen to see if I really want to go all in with it. If I were to get an inexpensive radio, say a Baofeng UV-5R, how do I go about finding and listening in? Do the radios scan, like a police scanner, a range of frequencies, and I could listen that way?
Is listening even allowed?

 

[belvdr]

Listening is fine; transmit is not allowed until licensed. I don't know about the UV-5R, but most handhelds (i.e HTs) will scan a frequency range.

 

[The_NotARubicon]

They do scan, but very slow compared to a scanner, and the frequencies are limited only to some VHF and UHF frequencies ( check the specific one you are buying, because the ranges change) nothing higher than around 480-512Mhz (again, depending on when you buy it).. Also it can ONLY receive analog signals..
But for around only $25 it's probably the best bang for the buck you will find - I have heard that many HAM radio operators consider the UV-5R the greatest HAM radio ever invented..

 

[nd5y]

If I were to get an inexpensive radio, say a Baofeng UV-5R, how do I go about finding and listening in?

Check the RadioReference database for your state and county. Ham radio repeaters are usually listed.
Check the sources listed here under Repeater Databases.

Amateur Radio - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Do the radios scan, like a police scanner, a range of frequencies, and I could listen that way?

Baofeng radios make poor scanners. The scan/search speed is way too slow to be useful. You can't lock out channels with the keypad or set per-channel delay. The receiver is poor and depending on your location it could be useless for listening to hams. You would be better off buying a cheap analog scanner.

Is listening even allowed?

Yes. There are only a few cases where listening (in the US) is illegal and ham radio is not one.

 

[MTS2000des]

They do scan, but very slow compared to a scanner, and the frequencies are limited only to some VHF and UHF frequencies ( check the specific one you are buying, because the ranges change) nothing higher than around 480-512Mhz (again, depending on when you buy it).. Also it can ONLY receive analog signals..
But for around only $25 it's probably the best bang for the buck you will find - I have heard that many HAM radio operators consider the UV-5R the greatest HAM radio ever invented..

The UV-5R is a trash can radio with piss poor filtering on the front end, slow scan speed, and is easily desensed by nearby transmitters out of band. In short, a poor choice for anything other than a disposable radio for child's play.

I'd recommend a basic analog scanner, even an older Realistic or Uniden from the 80s or 90s. Something like an RS-Pro 2003 will do the 2 meter and 440 ham bands like a boss, have a superior front end compared to a Baoturd, and scan fast, can do a good band search and find new repeaters/simplex ops in your area. I paid $5 for mine at a hamfest.

I keep a supply of similar scanners on hand, programmed with all the local 2m and 440 analog ham repeaters to loan out to anyone wanting to get a ham ticket around me.

 

[K7MEM]

I know you asked specifically about the Baofeng, but there is another dimension to amateur radio. While the Baofeng are relatively inexpensive, they will only receive on one or two of the VHF/UHF ham bands. In many areas, this can be disappointing as coverage is sometimes limited and sporadic.

If you have a computer available, you might want to check out the NA5B WebSDR RECEIVER SYSTEM. This receiver covers VLF/LF/MF/HF - 160m, 80m, 40m, 30m, 25m, 20m, 15m, 11&10m Amateur Bands (Atomic Clock, Data, Lightning, Beacons, AM broadcast & CB). And you can select CW, LSB, USB, AM, and FM. The low frequency bands (80 and 40 Meters) should be good in the evening with the upper bands (15, 12, and 10 Meters) should be good during daylight hours. 10 Meters has been especially good lately. It's sometimes fun to listen in on the CB channels (11 Meters).

It takes a little bit to get use to, but it works great. If you want to know where the amateur frequencies are, you can get a chart from the ARRL showing the Amateur Band Plan. You can download a nice full color chart.

 

[DeeEx]

You’re in one of the best areas of New England for basic monitoring above HF.

Check out The New England Repeater Directory and I’d also recommend attending CMARA meetings and even testing through them when you’re ready. That’s how I got started back in the day.