6 Hours Into It

[NewestNoob]

Kansas City Noob here...

I just started studying for my license but just received my first radio for Christmas. Its a cheap Chinese model (no negative comments, I know its low end). I got a Baofeng UV-5rPlus. After finding out the manual is pure garbage I spent 6 hours reading online and managed to figure out most of the features that I understand and wealth of new info on the hobby. I see this will be an endless search for information. I have figured out that I will need to get the USB cable and I already have CHIRP Linux live CD ready to go. However, since I am so new and I am having information overload from all the reading... I thought I would ask a few questions here.

I understand it is illegal to broadcast without a licence... What about listening? I found one place claiming that being in possession of this device without a license is illegal. That seems highly unlikely to me, but I have to ask.

An additional question about monitoring using my new Baofeng... I sort of expected to be able to use the scan feature to find something to listen to. After searching UHF and VHF for hours, I only found NOAA broadcasts and of course FM channels as expected using the FM feature. I tried to enter frequencies in my area that are listed in the database but heard nothing. Is the stock antenna just too crappy? Any tips?

I understand most police, fire, etc in KC have moved to systems I cannot access with this device. What similar or other interesting things might I monitor around KC with this device?

 

[N5TWB]

You've listed KCMO as your location so it may be today before you start hearing things because V/UHF limits you to places that were likely closed during the holiday: Zoo, Parks/Rec, Transit, etc. Although, I'm surprised you didn't get anything on the Sheriff but since I'm not in KC, I'll let the locals provide more specific info on that front.

As to possession being illegal, that is absolutely incorrect balderdash. Listen to it as much as you want, just don't transmit until you pass your test and get your callsign. Regular study should allow you to pass the Technician test within 30 days or less.

If you aren't already doing so, it's a whole lot easier to program the Baofeng with the computer cable. The only drawback to the unit is the birdie @ 442.000. This is a problem for me because that is the frequency for a local repeater.

 

[WA0CBW]

You will find the most VHF and UHF activity during "drive time." You will find many "nets" on the air in the early evening throughout the week. The ARRL is also a good source of frequencies for some of the local nets. Associated Radio (here in KC) also has lists of some of the more active repeaters and nets. Another source of information can be found by attending one of the many radio clubs in the KC area.

BB

 

[rankin39]

It's only illegal to possess receivers for police frequencies in certain locations -- none of them anywhere near here. You're fine with the radio.

No point in anyone knocking the Chinese-made electronics. The people who knock them are probably using one unbeknownst to themselves. Many if not most of the consumer vhf/uhf radios being imported today were either made in China or their mother boards were, and this includes a number of high-end brand names. Bao Feng is just being honest about their source.

Most local police and fire are on digital trunked systems, but you can hear comms between all the local municipalities and the NWS on 154.13 and the traffic copters in the 450 and 455 MHz. segments. There are a number of intersystem channels on vhf and uhf.

Enjoy your new hobby.

Bob, WoNXN

 

[dfbarnes]

Come on over to the Missouri forum sometime if you're a KCMO guy...

There's a guy named Jerry Dwyer runs a nice little website that lists the KCMO local repeaters, and the schedules for the nets. Check it out:

Kansas City - metro repeaters

Scan will work better for you on the Baofeng once you get the USB cable, and program in your "channels" with all the local repeaters, then it will just be scanning those when you have the radio on MR.

I'm a total newbie also, have the ticket but haven't transmitted a word yet. I also have one of the little Baofengs, it's actually pretty nifty.

 

[vagrant]

I purchased a pair of Baofeng UV-5R radio's in July 2012. By the end of the month, I obtained my Tech & General. I use one of those radios in the car for local repeaters. I did upgrade the antenna to a Diamond RH77CA antenna for around $20. I have made contact via the SO-50 satellite using that radio and antenna. (Even the stock antenna will work.) Diamond does make an SMA connector version, but that antenna plays double duty for me with a portable scanner, so I simply added a SMA/BNC connector to the radio. I had a RadioShack Discone for listening, that works well for transmitting too. Full quieting into repeaters 90+ miles away.

I use CHIRP myself and quite enjoy it. It has the ability to download local repeaters from online databases. It also allows me to scan the frequencies that have been programed in, or exclude some if I wish. While I have NOAA programmed in, I don't want to hear it during a scan.

Even when you do obtain your license, you'll be listening more than talking, so figuring out, and enjoying those features now makes sense.

 

[KD2DLL]

Here is a quick video that i used to learn how to program by hand. Good to know for on the go. Click Here - Youtube

I currently have the same one but do not have my license. I listen to ham freqs all the time on it and have learned a lot just from listening. I am planning to take my exam in the coming weeks. As long as you don't transmit before you get your license, you are fine,

By the way, welcome to RR.