New to 2 way radio, need guidance

[scl677]

Hello.. Recently I purchase a pxton 2 way walkie talkie on amazon to use on a trip and I need some guidance in regards to reprogramming the walkie talkie.
I change the frequency from the factory setting VHF to UHF 400-470MHz with the two software, 888S and BF-480.

Through my trial and error I notice something strange and I can't seem to figure it out. Google search didn't help.

1. When I use the 888s software to change the frequency from VHF to UFH, 400-470MHz and change all the channels to FRS channels, I get a scratchy/static noise when I turn on the walkie talkie. It sounded like a tv channel not receiving any signal like in the old days. I can communicate with one another but you can hear static noise on the background and when the walkie talkie on standby mode, it has the scratchy noise. I play around with the squelch level and it didn't help.

2. On my 2nd trial I use the software that came with the walkie talkie, BF-480 (Chinese version), I program it exactly as above and it work.
No scratchy noise when turn on or on standby mode. The communication is clear, no static.

Now the strange part is when I used 888s to read the walkie talkie, the reading came out differently see below.

Here is a screenshot of the setting with BF-480, notice that it is set to UHF with the frequency between 400-470MHz.



Here is the reading I get from 888s software after the walkie talkie has been reprogram with BF-480: The frequency range shows VHF 2 (245-246 MHz)

I don't understand why the Freq Range is showing VHF2 on 888S, when the walkie talkie has been program to run on UHF 400-470MHz as shown above.
Since I am getting different reading, I do not know if my walkie talkie is set to run on UHF 400-470MHz frequency or VHF2 245-246MHz.
Any insight or suggestion is highly appreciated. Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[nd5y]

Assuming you are located in the US you should have done more research and bought a pre-programmed FRS radio that is legal to use here.

Usually if you hear white noise/static all the time it means the squelch level is set too low. Usually if it has levels from 0-10 or 0-15 then 5 should be high enough but if the radio is screwed up due to programming out of band frequencies or using software for another model that changes other things that you don't know about then there is no telling what is wrong with it.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Hello.. Recently I purchase a pxton 2 way walkie talkie on amazon to use on a trip and I need some guidance in regards to reprogramming the walkie talkie.

You are asking our help to program a radio for illegal usage on bands and power settings not authorized by the FCC. As @nd5y said you should have bought a pre-programmed FRS radio if that is what you want to use it for. Announcing you want to use it in an unauthorized band is not the best idea on this platform.

 

[KevinC]

I doubt a radio that was VHF only can be made to work on UHF by simply reprogramming or loading new FW.

As others posted, get the right radio.

 

[iMONITOR]

Hello.. Recently I purchase a pxton 2 way walkie talkie on amazon

Return to Amazon for a full refund.

 

[mmckenna]

These?

https://www.amazon.com/pxton-Rechargeable-400-470Mhz-Transceiver-Flashlight/dp/B08HK5SXH1/ref=sr_1_3?crid=37MCI2CDQ4RY6&dchild=1&keywords=pxton+walkie+talkies&qid=1622481426&sprefix=pxton%2Caps%2C251&sr=8-3

Take this however you want. But I'm a 30 year professional radio guy.
Return those radios. They are junk. Don't believe the reviews you see on Amazon, they are written by people that wouldn't know which end of the radio to talk into, never mind having any technical knowledge.

These are what we refer to as CCR's. Cheap Chinese Radios. Sold by the ton on Amazon, e-Bay and other online sellers. They are the cheapest of the cheap, poor quality radios.

These radios are required to meet FCC specifications. I pulled up the info on the FCC page, and these are absolutely not legal to use on FRS or GMRS, even if they can be programmed there.
They have Part 90 certification, that's it. That means they can be legally used on LMR frequencies. They do not have the necessary certifications for use on FRS or GMRS.
Their design would preclude legality on FRS.
The specifications shown on the FCC page are questionable. They show non-standard emission designators, which would absolutely explain the awful noises you are hearing.
They do not cover the VHF band. The software is designed to support different models, that's why it shows VHF. These are UHF radios only.

They may work fine between your own radios, but that's because they are both using the same non-standard emission type. They are likely never going to work well with other legal FRS or GMRS radios.

You can absolutely spend the next few weeks beating your head against the wall trying to make these work.

or, you could return them, as recommended above, and get some name brand FRS radios that will easily outperform these and save you the brain damage that will come with trying to make these radios work correctly. Stick with Midland or Motorola and you will get functional radios without the banging of the head against the wall.

Your choice...

 

[AK9R]

Don't believe the reviews you see on Amazon, they are written by people that wouldn't know which end of the radio to talk into, never mind having any technical knowledge.

And, many Amazon reviews are written by shills who are compensated for their positive reviews. Radio sellers or importers often send radios to people in exchange for a positive review.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

And, many Amazon reviews are written by shills who are compensated for their positive reviews. Radio sellers or importers often send radios to people in exchange for a positive review.

Not to mention the various Youtuber shills who help cultivate this Cheap Chinese Radio cult.

 

[scl677]

Thanks for your input Mmckenna. It was not intended for illegal use. Many reviews online and YouTube videos shows that these can be program to use legally in the u.s.
While I am new to this and have very little use for it, that is why I didn’t want to invest into expensive equipments. I just needed these walk-in talkie for an upcoming hiking/camping trip.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Thanks for your input Mmckenna. It was not intended for illegal use. Many reviews online and YouTube videos shows that these can be program to use legally in the u.s.
While I am new to this and have very little use for it, that is why I didn’t want to invest into expensive equipments. I just needed these walk-in talkie for an upcoming hiking/camping trip.

About 95% of stuff on youtube is innacurate when it comes to these cheap radios. Unless the radio is a legitimate FRS or MURS model radio with FCC Part 95 certification stamped onto the radio you cannot use it legally use it without a license. You can buy legitimate FRS radios for less than $100 a pair at reputable sporting good stores. That is the shortcut to cheap and legal. Dont buy it unless you can see that it is marked correctly. If it is on Amazon or Ebay, watch out. Even Walmart website is suspect. I just found them selling counterfeit American Silver Eagle dollar coins from China.

Anything more powerful and/or programmable, you need a Ham license, GMRS License or Business License and appropriate FCC certified equipment.

 

[scl677]

Thanks for the insight. Guess I will return it back to Amazon.

 

[danesgs]

scl677,
If you just need a pair of decent FRS radios for camping/hiking, return the CCR's to Amazon and hike over to someplace like Radioodity or buytwowayradios.com. They are US dealers and have good gear for this. You will pay a little more but will get a radio without a lot of headaches. I would also suggest getting a radio that will work based on your terrain. If you are on the Appalachian trail you might want something waterproof or a bit more rugged in case it gets dropped. Lots of choices out there that won't break the bank and in a life or death scenario would be worth the extra money.

KJ4DGE

 

[WB9YBM]

scl677,
If you just need a pair of decent FRS radios for camping/hiking, return the CCR's to Amazon and hike over to someplace like Radioodity or buytwowayradios.com. They are US dealers and have good gear for this. You will pay a little more but will get a radio without a lot of headaches. I would also suggest getting a radio that will work based on your terrain. If you are on the Appalachian trail you might want something waterproof or a bit more rugged in case it gets dropped. Lots of choices out there that won't break the bank and in a life or death scenario would be worth the extra money.

KJ4DGE

I second the suggestion and to expand on it a bit, don't be bashful in looking around for additional reputable radio shops as resources--not just the ham stores (like Ham Radio Outlet) but there are a lot of other reputable dealers out there as well (Walcott CB, Copper Electronics, etc.). They are more likely to steer a person down legal paths (licensing, radio types, etc.).

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Be sure to look up FCC ID and for FCC Grant for Part 95B (FRS)

FCC ID Websites
Official:

FCC ID Search

www.fcc.gov

Quick and dirty, unofficial:

https://fccid.io/

 

[K5MPH]

Or you could just go to your local walmart and get a pair of FRS radio for maybe 20 bucks or less........

 

[mmckenna]

Thanks for your input Mmckenna. It was not intended for illegal use. Many reviews online and YouTube videos shows that these can be program to use legally in the u.s.
While I am new to this and have very little use for it, that is why I didn’t want to invest into expensive equipments. I just needed these walk-in talkie for an upcoming hiking/camping trip.

Got it. I wasn't under the impression you were attempting anything illegal or in violation of FCC rules. It's a common issue and it comes up often.

Anything other than the simplest consumer pre-programmed two way radio is going to require some level of technical knowledge to set up correctly. The Chinese manufacturers are only interested in selling as many of these radios as they can, they don't care about US rules/laws. Amazon/E-Bay/etc, they don't care either, they just want to sell more stuff, and will leave the legal/regulatory issues up to the buyer. Unfortunately that has resulted in a lot of people buying radios and using them incorrectly. Many of these radios come 'pre-programmed' or have default/test frequencies in them that fall on top of legit licensed users in the USA, including public safety users.
The people reviewing these radios online don't understand the legal/regulatory issues, so they are not a good resource. Some will tell you it's not an issue, but as a long time radio guy, I can assure you it is. The USA has started cracking down on some of these cheap Chinese radios, but it's not enough.

Through all the noise, the one thing that should stand out is that you can do better than these radios, and you can buy something off the shelf that is ready to go without having to learn the regulatory issues behind using them. We are more than happy to assist you in any way we can. Honestly, we love to help. However, from what it sounds like, you'd be much happier with some Motorola or Midland FRS radios.

If you can return these to Amazon, get your money back. There are some perfectly acceptable radios available for the same price.

If you decide to take on radio as a hobby, we're here for you.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Or you could just go to your local walmart and get a pair of FRS radio for maybe 20 bucks or less........

Walmart website has dozens of models at every price point. I would recommend sticking with name brands. At $20 the OP is likely to get something as dodgy as what he has. Walmart's website has at least one counterfeit item "American Silver Eagle Coins". I don't think Walmart is any better than Amazon in vetting product from China.

 

[K5MPH]

Walmart website has dozens of models at every price point. I would recommend sticking with name brands. At $20 the OP is likely to get something as dodgy as what he has. Walmart's website has at least one counterfeit item "American Silver Eagle Coins". I don't think Walmart is any better than Amazon in vetting product from China.

I was going on more or less the bubble pack radios in the store as of Midland,Cobra that have the Freq already in them and no programing ready to go........

 

[danesgs]

Radioddity FS-T2 / PR-T2 [1 Pair] | NOAA | License-free | USB Charging | CTCSS/DCS

 

[WB9YBM]

The people reviewing these radios online don't understand the legal/regulatory issues, so they are not a good resource.

To develop the "people" approach a step further I would recommend looking for a radio club in the ops' area--many such clubs have at least a few experienced, knowledgeable people good for not only advice but maybe also a "live" demonstration of a few radios.