Baofeng UV5R+ - Best frequencies for security?

[latoose]

Hey everyone! I've searched up here looking for an answer. I am new, as you can probably tell, and perhaps I am not asking the question properly.

We are 4 managers working in a nightclub (1000+ people) and have purchased 4x Baofeng UV5R+ radios that work like a charm, however we find that sometimes there is "poor reception" especially when once of us steps outside or when the venue starts to fill up.

We are only using these 4 radios locally, among each other. No repeater or anything of the sort. Basically we all punched in the same frequency and are using it together.

I would like to know what the best settings for this type of situation would be? Perhaps upping the "wattage", to make it a little stronger?

Any help is great!

 

[WB4CS]

What frequency are you all using, and are you all licensed for that frequency?

The reason I ask is, since you "punched in" a frequency, we need to know what Radio Service you're using in order to know what power output you can use to maximize your coverage, and if you're using VHF or UHF.

 

[latoose]

Hey KT4EB,

We are currently using 514.500 (type it into the radio using a keypad) - we purchased these radios because we found them relatively fair in price. We all figured it would be the same as using any 2-way radio that you can find at Best Buy for example and dont need a license?

Is there some frequencies better then others? I've been used to using "chanells" on the old Cobra radios, figured it would be the same concept here?

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

Unless you have a license for the frequency you are using, you are using the radio illegally. Just picking a frequency at random is a good way to cause destructive interference and is, frankly, outlaw behaviour.

 

[WB4CS]

Unless you have a license for the frequency you are using, you are using the radio illegally. Just picking a frequency at random is a good way to cause destructive interference and is, frankly, outlaw behaviour.

To the OP, Ed is absolutely correct.

FRS and MURS frequencies are non licensed, however each have their own power restrictions.
GMRS frequecies require a license.
Amateur Radio frequencies require a license and are NOT for business use.
Any other frequency you just "punch in" could be a Government, Law Enforcement, Military, Commercial, Public Service, or any other agency frequency and is not only illegal to transmit on without a license, it could cause serious interference to licensed users.

 

[jaspence]

Baofeng UV5R

Unless you have a license for a specific frequency, you are violating FCC rules. These radios are not legal for FRS or MURS for various reasons (too much power for one). If you are on a frequency that causes interference with public safety or even ARES/RACES, the fine can be substantial and you can also have your equipment taken away.

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

FRS and MURS frequencies are non licensed, however each have their own power restrictions.
GMRS frequecies require a license.
Amateur Radio frequencies require a license and are NOT for business use.

In Canada at least, FRS is also only for non commercial use. MURS is OK for that in Canada and comes with many FRS radios, usually set up as the bottom channels.

 

[16b]

To address the OP's question, make sure you're on high power (I think those radios have at least two selectable power levels--just make sure you're using the highest setting), which should be 4-5 watts. Make sure you're not receiving interference on the frequency that you're on, which you can do by disabling the CTCSS or DCS (if you're using it) and just listening to the channel for a while when nobody is talking. Beyond that, there isn't much you can do to increase range other than purchasing higher gain antennas, which is an option that isn't likely to go over well with the users (they're going to be long).

Are you using earpieces or speaker-microphones with the radios? Leaving the radio clipped to your belt can decrease range because your body blocks the signal. The only way around that is to take the radio off your belt while you're using it.

You've already been told (more than necessary) that picking random frequencies isn't a great idea because you may end up sharing a frequency with somebody who's rather fond of it (like a police department). I think your best option for license free communications is to use MURS, and the frequencies for MURS are listed here: http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Multi-Use_Radio_Service Just punch one of those in and you should be set.

 

[b1efvr42]

Baofeng UV-5R

I assume you are all licensed Amateurs ?

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

I assume you are all licensed Amateurs ?

I am a "certified" amateur radio operator (VA7SDH) actually, because in Canada you don't get a "license", you get a Certificate. But this is the scanning area of the forum, and scanners don't transmit. So many who read here won't have licenses or certificates. Doesn't mean they don't know the law.

 

[Thunderknight]

I am a "certified" amateur radio operator (VA7SDH) actually, because in Canada you don't get a "license", you get a Certificate. But this is the scanning area of the forum, and scanners don't transmit. So many who read here won't have licenses or certificates. Doesn't mean they don't know the law.

The poster was probably referring to the OP.

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

The poster was probably referring to the OP.

Ah. Well I often get confused about who is who after around five messages.

However it never occurred to me that an actual ham could be so ignorant about radios and licenses and stuff like that as the OP.

 

[robertmac]

MURS legal in Canada?

I am not certain this is correct. So if the OP was in Canada, I believe a license from IC is still required. IC is looking at making MURS available, but here are an awful lot of licensed users throughout Canada on those "lower" and "higher" frequencies. As always, it is better to check with IC before punching in frequencies now that these radios are all to easy to access.

 

[N2PYS]

On Amazon for 18.95 you can purchase a Speaker/Mic that is made for Kenwood but fits and works perfectly on the 5R that puts the antenna on the spaker mic up on your shoulder or there a bouts depending where you clip it, and it's ken wood quality and reliability.

Peace

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

I am not certain this is correct. So if the OP was in Canada, I believe a license from IC is still required. IC is looking at making MURS available, but here are an awful lot of licensed users throughout Canada on those "lower" and "higher" frequencies. As always, it is better to check with IC before punching in frequencies now that these radios are all to easy to access.

Yes, I'm afraid I was confused between MURS and GMRS. GMRS is UHF and in Canada does not require a licence. Most if not all the "Family Band" radios, or "Walky Talky" radios on sale in the larger drugstore and general electronics chains have as their first 8 channels the GMRS frequencies, with the official "Family Band" channels after that. I believe these GMRS channels are allowed up to 5 watts in Canada.

In the USA, as you say, GMRS requires a license.

 

[WB4CS]

Hey KT4EB,

We are currently using 514.500 (type it into the radio using a keypad) - we purchased these radios because we found them relatively fair in price. We all figured it would be the same as using any 2-way radio that you can find at Best Buy for example and dont need a license?

Is there some frequencies better then others? I've been used to using "chanells" on the old Cobra radios, figured it would be the same concept here?

Sorry, for some reason your post didnt show up until much later.

If you are using 514 Mhz, you should stop immediately. Thats in the UHF TV broadcast band. The radios you have are not like any old radio at Best Buy. Not every radio is used for the same thing. You should sell the radios you have and get something designed for what you need. You obviously need to some research and educate yourself on FCC rules before you purchase any other radios.

See this site for a guide on what frequencies are used for each radio service.

FCC Frequency Band Plan

 

[kayn1n32008]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BlackBerry; U; BlackBerry 9780; en-US) AppleWebKit/534.8+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/6.0.0.600 Mobile Safari/534.8+)

GMRS is limited to 2watts and fixed/non removable antennas in Canada. As well repeaters are not allowed on GMRS in Canada, although IC has reserved the 467MHz inputs.

 

[R8000]

I recommend contacting a local reputable two way radio shop. They can get you whet ever equipment you need to get the job done, service/support your setup and get you the proper license as a turn key package.

Since your a business, best to do thing proper than to do things half as*ed just to save a buck.

 

[b1efvr42]

Sorry 'Ed'...I meant 'latoose'...doesn't sound like he or his other UV-5R users are ? We are also, here in good VE3 land.

 

[telxonmaster]

The UV-5R can be used on MURS as long as you put it on LOW power and observe the channel bandwidths. the lower channels have a lower bandwidth than channels 5-6, which are the ones I use. Murs is limited to 2 watts or less, so keep it under that and you're fine. I think low power on the 5R is either 1-1.5 watts, so you'd be ok. Just keep it in the MURS bands and use the required bandwidths for the frequencies, and you're fine. A google search for MURS frequencies will tell you what's available.