BaoFeng UV-82 opinion

[Jimbnks]

I am looking to start using the GMRS/ FRS frequencies.

What is the general feeling of the BaoFeng UV-82? Good, bad, etc.

Does it have channel scan in it ?

 

[nd5y]

They are basically just a UV-5R with a better speaker and dual a PTT rocker switch.They have the same poor receiver performance and slow scan speed. You can only add and remove channels from the scan list by using programming software. They are also not Part 95 certified and not legal for GMRS, FRS or MURS use

 

[Jaxco]

They are far more stable than the uv5r, f8hp, etc. I have all 3, plus bf888... UV82 is a better product but still cheap chi-com garbage.

Very much illegal for all 3 you mentioned, MURS, FRS, GMRS.

Don't break the law, obey it - but try to change it legally.

 

[kandrey89]

Then what are these radios good for? transmit on which bands?

 

[Jaxco]

Ham Radio.

UV82 & UV82C on 70cm & 2M
UV82X on 1.25M & 2M

 

[treborx]

I have been very happy with the 82, but I am not able to measure the receiver performance compared to Japanese radios. Unfortunately the Japanese radios won't transmit out of Ham bands, so I don't consider them more expensive and better. They are just more expensive and less capable.

 

[Brasso]

They don't transmit out of Ham bands because it's not legal and the Japanese companies obey the laws.

 

[jaspence]

Many of the so called called ham radios will transmit outside of the legal bands with very simple mods. Don't blame a radio for illegal use, blame the operator.

 

[treborx]

They don't transmit out of Ham bands because it's not legal and the Japanese companies obey the laws.

It is legal to make a radio that is Part-90 and Part-97 complaint. The $55 Baofang UV-80C for example can transmit on both commercial/public-safety and Amateur bands legally. So it is frustrating to have far more expensive Japanese radios lack this ability.

 

[Brasso]

They don't lack the ability. It's illegal. The Chinese radio's that "claim" to be compliant are NOT. The frustrating part is that the FCC is ignoring them instead of charging them.

 

[treborx]

Not sure that it passes, but here is the FCC Part-90 test report:

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/repo...n_id=goNlJl6MzESfVARmDJTRSw==&fcc_id=ZP5BF-82

 

[Brasso]

Basically they are stating that they are only asking for "illegal" acceptance so that it can be used by government exempted agencies and it's agents.

 

[treborx]

So who, if anyone, could legally use that on a government frequency?

 

[nd5y]

So who, if anyone, could legally use that on a government frequency?

Federal government agencies or state/local government agencies who are authorized to use federal governnment frequencies.

 

[Voyager]

It is legal to make a radio that is Part-90 and Part-97 complaint.

It might not be technically possible, but you can use any Part 90 radio on any Part 97 frequencies legally, so it does not need the Part 97 TA.

 

[Thunderknight]

It might not be technically possible, but you can use any Part 90 radio on any Part 97 frequencies legally, so it does not need the Part 97 TA.

Not sure what you mean not technically possible, but MANY commercial/public safety radios are readily programmed to Part 97. It used to require a software trick or a hardware mod (changing components), but most modern VHF part 90 radios are actually now 136-174 in one band split. UHF is often 400-470, 430-470, etc etc. Some require a software "key" to let them be wideband on ham freqs, but other manufs have already built the ham ranges into the wideband exceptions that would otherwise apply to part 90 channels.

That is legal (using a part 90 radio on part 97 amateur). In fact, there are many hams who use older (and some brand new!) public safety radios for ham use.

I'm not referring to using the inexpensive Chinese radios, I'm talking about Motorola, Harris, Thales, Vertex, etc.

edit: Re-reading your post, maybe you meant not technically possible as in some radios might not be able to work in the ham bands...I first interpreted it as a more general statement about the feasibility.

 

[treborx]

I do wish my HT-1250 went below 450 Mhz.

 

[KK4SGF]

Many folks are buying the Baofeng HT's to use when hunting/hiking etc on the FRS or GMRS freqs because the radios have better Tx due to them putting out 5W vice half a watt but.....doing that is illiegal. IMO these radios and should be outlawed for sale in the U.S. as they are advertised because it is a lie!!! These are NOT just ham radios. They TX on Gov freqs 148-149M, and a very long list of others that are far from the ham bands. Some folks know this when they buy them but others do not and could cause some serious problems if Tx'ing on one of those freqs like EMS, Local Fire Dept etc...those that have not gone to higher bands yet. They can also cause problems with legit GMRS repeaters if used illegally. They should be OUTLAWED (except for the two I own) Hee Hee.... But seriously, I have my general ham ticket and am very clear where my band plans start and end and even if the FCC is sleeping these days only a nut would Tx on any illegal freq. Now monitoring ONLY....that is a different story!

 

[robertmac]

Agree. At least licensed amateur radio operators should know the the legalities of proper use.

 

[n1das]

Agree. At least licensed amateur radio operators should know the the legalities of proper use.

Agreed. What robertmac said.

It might not be technically possible, but you can use any Part 90 radio on any Part 97 frequencies legally, so it does not need the Part 97 TA.

Legit Part 90 radios can be used legally on the ham bands in the USA by licensed hams. Ham equipment cannot be used legally on Part 90 services or Part 95 services, even if the operator is licensed for those services. Ham equipment is not type accepted for use in those services.

There actually is no Part 97 type acceptance. Commercially made ham equipment need only meet Part 15 to be offered for sale or imported into the USA. The Part 15 requirement is for the receiver so any local oscillator emissions don't cause harmful interference and to enforce the (unconstitutional IMHO) cell phone frequency censorship under the illusion of privacy protection for uninformed cell phone users. While today's cell phones are all digital, the cell phone frequency censorship still remains. The receiver in commercially made ham gear counts as a scanning receiver under Part 15 rules and regs.

Ham equipment does not requires any transmitter type acceptance but "best engineering practice" is required to be used in the design and construction. That's why hams are allowed to build their own transmitters.

Have fun!