Hi everyone I'm new to the group. And have a question about the Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R5 has a backup radio as a volunteer firefighter. To communicate with the crew enroute to the call or on scene. Are these radios junk or compatible to the Motorola
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Baofeng Baofeng Walkie Talkie UV-5R5
- Thread starter FFRob
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doctordialtone
Member
Just to scan at home ok, mission critical no. There is many reputable dealers with used certified kenwood gear at decent price to use as a backup radio. Also must check with your system manager or person who is over it before using anything.
I do not allow anything other then dept issued radios at my dept to be used.
I do not allow anything other then dept issued radios at my dept to be used.
What he said! These inexpensive, direct-conversion radios were never designed for such conditions.
Bob1955
Member
BAOFENG is JUNK and now ilegal since 9/19 to import into USA. I have a UV-5/UV-5A here just setting up for friends and CHIRP doesn't work right and the RF-intermod, OMG without CTCSS/DCS.
Sorry if I have offended some ham radio users that don't have a lot of money as this is a great starter transceiver BUT with the 15" better antenna, not the supplied antenna.
For ham use in amature is fine. Public safety no.
doctordialtone
Member
kayn1n32008
ØÆSØ Say it, say 'ENCRYPTION'
NO NO NO. Baofeng should only be tossed in the garbage. They are absolute ****. ****ty RF, ****ty design, ****ty QC/QA. ****.
They should have never been allowed into North America. Period.
Just to add... What type of radio system does your department use? (You mentioned Motorola). I'm assuming those are the radios they are currently using.. In which case, your department could have digital system, a trunked system and/or be using frequencies that the Baofeng can't cover.
When Baofengs first started coming out, I bought several different different models to play with. Even though they seemed to work just fine, I threw all but one of them out. I needed an FM (broadcast) radio so I kept one. CCR is a well-deserved acronym.
For fire department use, get the real thing. There's too much at stake.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
In addition,
The FCC rules are abundantly clear about who is permitted to add radios to a radio system. As an employee, volunteer, staff, friend, amateur radio operator, hobbyist, interested party, neighbor, random dude on the street, etc. you are not permitted to add any radios to the radio system without the permission of the licensee. You, as one of the above, do not have an FCC license to transmit on their frequencies. Only the licensee does, and that licensee is the only one authorized by the FCC to add additional radios to the system.
The licensee is responsible for all radios on their system, including those purchased by volunteers, staff, employees, etc. Simply being part of the department doesn't change that.
The rules go in depth about what can be programmed into the radios, where they can be used, and by whom they can be used.
Adding a radio to their system isn't OK without permission. Adding a cheap Chinese radio with horrible specifications just adds to the issue. I've had users put these Cheap Chinese Radios onto my systems and it's -really- easy to tell when it happens. The audio sounds like garbage. Not what you want in an emergency.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Find out who holds the FCC license for the radio system you use. You can find that using the FCC search page.
2. Talk to that person. Get permission, in writing, add your own radio the system. Make sure it's in writing and is specifically allowing you (as in your name) to add a specific number of radios their system. Keep that paper as proof.
3. Find out what kind of radio system they are using. Specifically frequencies, emission type, digital/analog, trunked, etc.
4. Ideally find out what specific model radio they purchase for the department.
4a. Get the exact same radio. It'll allow them to program the same file into your radio.
5. Find out if they or the dispatch center using any sort of individual radio ID'ing system (MDC1200, FleetSync, DTMF, etc)
5a. Get an ID assigned to your radio and have your radio programmed to send out that ID. Don't show up on their radio system without it.
It's not always as easy as buying a cheap radio off E-Bay or Amazon. There are a lot of variables you need to consider if you want it to work correctly. No point in buying a radio that isn't going to work on their system.
We are happy to assist you if you can find out some details. If your budget is tight, and they are not running trunked or digital, you can often find used/reconditioned quality radios for a decent price if you know who to ask.
The FCC rules are abundantly clear about who is permitted to add radios to a radio system. As an employee, volunteer, staff, friend, amateur radio operator, hobbyist, interested party, neighbor, random dude on the street, etc. you are not permitted to add any radios to the radio system without the permission of the licensee. You, as one of the above, do not have an FCC license to transmit on their frequencies. Only the licensee does, and that licensee is the only one authorized by the FCC to add additional radios to the system.
The licensee is responsible for all radios on their system, including those purchased by volunteers, staff, employees, etc. Simply being part of the department doesn't change that.
The rules go in depth about what can be programmed into the radios, where they can be used, and by whom they can be used.
Adding a radio to their system isn't OK without permission. Adding a cheap Chinese radio with horrible specifications just adds to the issue. I've had users put these Cheap Chinese Radios onto my systems and it's -really- easy to tell when it happens. The audio sounds like garbage. Not what you want in an emergency.
Here is what you need to do:
1. Find out who holds the FCC license for the radio system you use. You can find that using the FCC search page.
2. Talk to that person. Get permission, in writing, add your own radio the system. Make sure it's in writing and is specifically allowing you (as in your name) to add a specific number of radios their system. Keep that paper as proof.
3. Find out what kind of radio system they are using. Specifically frequencies, emission type, digital/analog, trunked, etc.
4. Ideally find out what specific model radio they purchase for the department.
4a. Get the exact same radio. It'll allow them to program the same file into your radio.
5. Find out if they or the dispatch center using any sort of individual radio ID'ing system (MDC1200, FleetSync, DTMF, etc)
5a. Get an ID assigned to your radio and have your radio programmed to send out that ID. Don't show up on their radio system without it.
It's not always as easy as buying a cheap radio off E-Bay or Amazon. There are a lot of variables you need to consider if you want it to work correctly. No point in buying a radio that isn't going to work on their system.
We are happy to assist you if you can find out some details. If your budget is tight, and they are not running trunked or digital, you can often find used/reconditioned quality radios for a decent price if you know who to ask.
bill4long
Member
False
Oh I agree. But getting that through the facebook and Amazon buyers heads is another.
I have two Baofeng UV5's that I use working dirt tracks. One is monitoring the track channel and one is on the raceceiver frequency.
They are programmed(by the track IT guy) to transmit on one tracks system(UHF simplex.) For this they work great.
They are programmed(by the track IT guy) to transmit on one tracks system(UHF simplex.) For this they work great.
kayn1n32008
ØÆSØ Say it, say 'ENCRYPTION'
hahahahaha. 10w... it doesn’t exist. Regardless of what the spec sheet says.
Radioddity GA-510 10 Watt HT Review
Radioddity has a 10 watt handheld out. They sent me one to look at and test out. It's actually a decent little radio, and that little bit of extra...
forums.qrz.com
radioddity advertised/claimed 10watt dual band ht for your viewing pleasure, I don't know if they truly produce 10 watts, I doubt it but who knows?
And don't get on my case about these CHICOM RADIOS either, I'm only the messenger and I don' have one plus I wouldn't use any CCR for anything because I have no need for them.
I only use my good old reliable GE/MACOM FPP M-PA'S for 2, 220, 440 and 900 MHZ, 2 ancient 10 and 6meter ge PE LOW BAND HT'S, all range's of moto fpp xs5k's, a few ht1250 220MHZ AND 4 P200/MT1000 LOWBANDERS on 29 and 52 MHZ.
danesgs
Member
If you are looking for a quality but inexpensive alternative to Motorola and Kenwood try a Anytone 3318 UV. They are part 90 certified and have 2 and 5 tone paging for fire use. They run around 100.00. Also they can be had through a US dealer such as wouxun.us who only sells really just that brand and has excellent support. Quality radio, good price and good support for a 3rd cost of the big name radios, programming can be done by the user without a lot of grief as well.
bill4long
Member
Also, the Baofeng UV-82. They are the basis for the MURS-V1 and GMRS-V1 as well. The UV-82C variant is Part 90 certified. (It is identical to the UV-82 but has the initial settings that make it Part-90 legal.) Despite what the anti-Baofeng bigots says, these radios are decent radios, esp for the money. Around $60.
Amazon.com: BaoFeng UV-82C Dual-Band 136-174/400-520 MHz FM Ham Two-Way Radio, Transceiver, HT with Battery, Earpiece, Antenna, Charger
Buy BaoFeng UV-82C Dual-Band 136-174/400-520 MHz FM Ham Two-Way Radio, Transceiver, HT with Battery, Earpiece, Antenna, Charger: Two-Way Radios - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
www.amazon.com
For a little money more, these are quite nice and are Part 90 certified (FCC ID WVTWOUXUN04):
Amazon.com: Wouxun KG-UVD1P VHF/UHF Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black)
Amazon.com: Wouxun KG-UVD1P VHF/UHF Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black)
www.amazon.com
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rapidcharger
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