Baofeng Increase Baofeng range with Ubiquiti

[PROXIMA-CENTAURI-B]

HI Guys, I got a technical question regarding increasing the range between two Baofeng UV-5R radios.

Is it possible to hook up each of two Baofeng UV-5R radios to an Ubiquiti antenna to increase the range between them?



The link for these antennas is below:

https://www.amazon.com/Ubiquiti-PowerBeam-PBE-5AC-Gen2-Performance-airMAX/dp/B076BMQ2CH/ref=sr_1_13?crid=2OPV133KIZDVN&keywords=airfiber&qid=1649265464&sprefix=airfiber%2Caps%2C85&sr=8-13

Thanks for the replies!

 

[vagrant]

No, wrong frequency range/band. An antenna like a Diamond X50 would work. You will need coax as well such as LMR-400UF. Mount the antenna outdoors above the roofline to significantly help.

 

[popnokick]

How far apart are the two radios, and what's in between them (mountains, tall buildings, etc)? The UV-5R is a dual band radio... which band is your preference, or does it make no difference? FYI - The UHF band is going to require a smaller antenna than VHF, but will have reduced signal level at great distances.

 

[a417]

I don't think the OP know's what those are, nor what they do.

 

[Omega-TI]

No, wrong frequency range/band. An antenna like a Diamond X50 would work. You will need coax as well such as LMR-400UF. Mount the antenna outdoors above the roofline to significantly help.

Yeah, being that the Baofeng UV-5R is an Amateur Radio transceiver and he wants directional gain on transmit or receive, he'll need a dual-band antenna designed for the proper bands, not a 5Ghz dish. I really do not recommend that he even considers pressing the PTT on that radio, because I'm sorry to say, his question itself leads me to believe he does not have the proper license.

 

[PROXIMA-CENTAURI-B]

Yeah, being that the Baofeng UV-5R is an Amateur Radio transceiver and he wants directional gain on transmit or receive, he'll need a dual-band antenna designed for the proper bands, not a 5Ghz dish. I really do not recommend that he even considers pressing the PTT on that radio, because I'm sorry to say, his question itself leads me to believe he does not have the proper license.

Ty for the reply. I am not sure where you are located, but here in the US, you don't a license to own a Baofeng UV-5R. I already use those directional antennas shown above for a P2P network between two distant laptops. I asked this question because I was taking a chance trying to find someone who might have figured out a way to make these antennas do more than what they were intended to do originally.

Here in the US, you are definitely allowed to push the PTT and transmit without a license; as long as it is an emergency.

Please kindly answer the question if you have the knowledge. Please do not belittle. I am sure you were also in the learning stage once upon a time. Please respect my post. Thank you.

 

[a417]

Ah, so you do know that those aren't "just antennas".

Well, all the other things aside (staying miles away from some of it, but not quite out in left field as some), the UV-5Rs are analog and analog only, and those radios would not be able to utilize the native capabilities of the airfiber units.

if the airfiber units in your post were linking two ROIP devices that acted as analog gateways for those Baofeng units, that would work. This is already done in a manner of sorts with all the ROIP devices that are flooding the market on a day in day out basis. The Ubiquiti devices could provide backhaul, but you would need a bit more hardware than just trying to use them as an antenna.

baofengs ---> (ROIP Gateway hardware) --> Ubiquiti ---> (air) --> Ubiquiti --> (ROIP gateway) --> baofeng.

 

[Omega-TI]

Ty for the reply. I am not sure where you are located, but here in the US, you don't a license to own a Baofeng UV-5R. I already use those directional antennas shown above for a P2P network between two distant laptops. I asked this question because I was taking a chance trying to find someone who might have figured out a way to make these antennas do more than what they were intended to do originally.

Here in the US, you are definitely allowed to push the PTT and transmit without a license; as long as it is an emergency.

Please kindly answer the question if you have the knowledge. Please do not belittle. I am sure you were also in the learning stage once upon a time. Please respect my post. Thank you.

You are correct, you don't need a license to own one, but honestly back in the day we had some issues with an unlicensed person kerchunking the repeater and playing music over it, so I get a little testy (not your fault) with people who buy amateur transceivers that are unlicensed. I still remember back in the 70's when all the CB's were being sold to idiots that ruined the band. I'd hate to see 2m or 70cm end up like that because of really inexpensive radios flooding the market.

So, if you want a dual band beam, you could invest in <<THIS ONE>> or make your own from <<THESE PLANS>> as it would be less expensive than buying an antenna that costs much more than the radio.

I apologize, I was wrong in assuming anyone unlicensed that wanted a highly directional antenna for a transceiver didn't have ulterior motives. The question itself was a red flag to me because anyone with a Novice or Technician license would already know that the antenna would not work.

Good luck.

 

[PROXIMA-CENTAURI-B]

You are correct, you don't need a license to own one, but honestly back in the day we had some issues with an unlicensed person kerchunking the repeater and playing music over it, so I get a little testy (not your fault) with people who buy amateur transceivers that are unlicensed. I still remember back in the 70's when all the CB's were being sold to idiots that ruined the band. I'd hate to see 2m or 70cm end up like that because of really inexpensive radios flooding the market.

So, if you want a dual band beam, you could invest in <<THIS ONE>> or make your own from <<THESE PLANS>> as it would be less expensive than buying an antenna that costs much more than the radio.

I apologize, I was wrong in assuming anyone unlicensed that wanted a highly directional antenna for a transceiver didn't have ulterior motives. The question itself was a red flag to me because anyone with a Novice or Technician license would already know that the antenna would not work.

Good luck.

Thank you for your reply.

Please don't apologise. Now, I understand why you gave that response. Hey, you were just trying to protect this hobby!

Let's just forget everything. I will edit my above response. Sometimes, the best friendships in life are sparked by an initial fight LOL. Glad to have found this site and you guys.

Now let me go delve into all the info you guys provided me with.

P.S. It seems that I cant edit my response in #6 after a certain time limit passes. LOL.

 

[PROXIMA-CENTAURI-B]

Ah, so you do know that those aren't "just antennas".

Well, all the other things aside (staying miles away from some of it, but not quite out in left field as some), the UV-5Rs are analog and analog only, and those radios would not be able to utilize the native capabilities of the airfiber units.

if the airfiber units in your post were linking two ROIP devices that acted as analog gateways for those Baofeng units, that would work. This is already done in a manner of sorts with all the ROIP devices that are flooding the market on a day in day out basis. The Ubiquiti devices could provide backhaul, but you would need a bit more hardware than just trying to use them as an antenna.

baofengs ---> (ROIP Gateway hardware) --> Ubiquiti ---> (air) --> Ubiquiti --> (ROIP gateway) --> baofeng.

You nailed it. Thanks for showing me the way!

 

[a417]

You nailed it. Thanks for showing me the way!

Np. It could be done with those units, but there are much better ways.

30 minute edit window on the board.

 

[jwt873]

If you really want to use a dish, for VHF/UHF you'd need one about this size on each end.. With the appropriate feed of course.. Mesh Dish Antenna The Popular Excellent Quality 3 Meter Folding Satellite Antenna - Buy Satellite Dish Antenna 3m,3m Pole Mount Mesh Dish Antenna,3m C Band Satellite Mesh Dish Antenna Product on Alibaba.com

 

[rescuecomm]

I'm not that up on parabolic dish antennas, but seems that the size to be effective is about 10 times the operating wavelength. So for GMRS, that would be about 20 feet in diameter. For 2 meters, it would be 60 feet in diameter. Yagi antennas are much easier to accommodate at Baofeng radio frequencies.

 

[Omega-TI]

Yagi antennas are much easier to accommodate at Baofeng radio frequencies.

And a whole lot less expensive!

 

[jeepsandradios]

Here in the US, you are definitely allowed to push the PTT and transmit without a license; as long as it is an emergency.

Where do you get this info and believe it to be accurate. If its ham radio you need a license. If its public safety you need a license. You can't just program channels and use at will.

 

[jwt873]

I'm not that up on parabolic dish antennas, but seems that the size to be effective is about 10 times the operating wavelength. So for GMRS, that would be about 20 feet in diameter. For 2 meters, it would be 60 feet in diameter. Yagi antennas are much easier to accommodate at Baofeng radio frequencies.

The OP had asked about using a dish for his Baofeng so I just illustrated what would be required,

A nine foot dish will provide 15 - 20 dB gain in the 440 - 450 MH range. That dish is a popular size with the 920 MHz & 1296 MHz moonbounce crowd.

A simple Yagi is really all that's needed for gain in a particular direction. (Along with height).. I used a Cushcraft 11 element 440 Yagi for quite a while with great results on FM and SSB. https://mfjenterprises.com/collections/cushcraft/products/a430-11s I've since replaced it with something larger with more gain.

 

[PROXIMA-CENTAURI-B]

Where do you get this info and believe it to be accurate. If its ham radio you need a license. If its public safety you need a license. You can't just program channels and use at will.

47 CFR Part 97 - Subpart E - Providing Emergency Communications

www.law.cornell.edu

I am sure you have a reasonable thought process that will deduce what I meant. Please kindly don't let this post get off topic. I don't think other members nor the Mods would appreciate that.

If you feel that what I said warrants an honest discussion, you are welcome to start your own post, on that topic, here:

Off Topic Wireless

If it receives or transmits and it doesn't fit in anywhere else, WayneH will probably move it here

forums.radioreference.com

 

[mmckenna]

47 CFR Part 97 - Subpart E - Providing Emergency Communications

www.law.cornell.edu

I am sure you have a reasonable thought process that will deduce what I meant. Please kindly don't let this post get off topic. I don't think other members nor the Mods would appreciate that.

Feel free to open a new thread about that so it can be properly discussed.
The subject, and what we think is your interpretation of it, is very commonly misunderstood by amateur radio operators and those looking for "free" communications.
It's not a loophole so you don't have to get licensed. It's been discussed many times on this site.

 

[MUTNAV]

You are correct, you don't need a license to own one, but honestly back in the day we had some issues with an unlicensed person kerchunking the repeater and playing music over it, so I get a little testy (not your fault) with people who buy amateur transceivers that are unlicensed. I still remember back in the 70's when all the CB's were being sold to idiots that ruined the band. I'd hate to see 2m or 70cm end up like that because of really inexpensive radios flooding the market.

So, if you want a dual band beam, you could invest in <<THIS ONE>> or make your own from <<THESE PLANS>> as it would be less expensive than buying an antenna that costs much more than the radio.

I apologize, I was wrong in assuming anyone unlicensed that wanted a highly directional antenna for a transceiver didn't have ulterior motives. The question itself was a red flag to me because anyone with a Novice or Technician license would already know that the antenna would not work.

Good luck.

Thanks for the links to the plans... I like to keep my eyes out for simple plans like these.

Did anyone else notice that in "These Plans" the chart they show showing the pattern is a chart to show the pattern, not a "Smith Chart" as labeled?


Thanks
Joel

 

[jeepsandradios]

This gets discussed over and over. You have no right regardless to use unlicensed frequencies. This is the issue with CCR market and those who feel they can do anything they want.

Then again your asking if a 2.4G antenna will work on your CCR so your understanding of of radio is already skewed. But i guess when you have 5 posts you are an expert