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Baofeng UV-5R (Begginer Alert)

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Rooster821

Newbie
Joined
Nov 17, 2017
Messages
2
Location
Harrisburg, PA
Sorry for writing an essay, but I wanted to make it as easy as possible to answer my questions.

I just recently received a UV-5R Ham Radio. No worries, I have transmitting permit, but transmitting isn't what I'm here for.

I've been having trouble with the thing for a while, I've read the manual and seen many forums posts here about a guide, but most everything I've seen is geared towards someone that has some type of prior knowledge about HAM Radios.

I'm a pure beginner, the UV-5R is my first Radio. Ever.

I travel a lot and I plan on using the UV-5R almost solely for Railfanning. I already have all the Frequencies plugged in and permanently turned transmit off (so I don't accidentally transmit and RR Freqs. and go to jail for quite a long time).

My Problems are mostly the Antenna and the Battery. I've seen a lot of people review the UV-5R say that on constant receive/transmit, the battery only lasts about an hour, but I also see other people say that their battery lasts a few days. Discrepancies? Should I invest ina newer battery/battery pack or different batteries?

Also, by chance, could there be other recommendations for a better antenna than the duck-taped tree twig on the top of this thing? One that won't break the bank?

The best I've found is the Nagoya NA-701 SMA Male and the ExpertPower XP-669C 7.5-Inch Dual Band SMA, any other recommendations?

When railfanning, I'd have the UV-5R in constant scan mode until it picks up a frequency, and it would (hopefully) stay on that frequency until the signal is lost or terminated. What kind of effect would that have on the battery? Would it be better to find the station and turn it on and off occasionally?

Any other beginner tips for the UV-5R?

Thanks in advance, and sorry if this is actually already somewhere else...
 

dmg1969

Member
Joined
May 19, 2006
Messages
1,095
Location
Newport, PA
Hey Rooster. I work in Harrisburg, but live in Perry County. I have a UV-5R I use strictly as an additional scanner.

For the antenna, check out the diamond SRH77CA dual band. https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Original-SRH77CA-Dual-Band-Handheld/dp/B00K1JJWFO

I know they sell larger batteries for the UV-5R. Mine has always had very good battery life. Here is an example, but make SURE it is compatible with the exact model of your UV-5R. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WMD76I...t=&hvlocphy=9006662&hvtargid=pla-318113839580

Hope this helps.

Dave
 

Rooster821

Newbie
Joined
Nov 17, 2017
Messages
2
Location
Harrisburg, PA
Hey Rooster. I work in Harrisburg, but live in Perry County. I have a UV-5R I use strictly as an additional scanner.

For the antenna, check out the diamond SRH77CA dual band. https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Original-SRH77CA-Dual-Band-Handheld/dp/B00K1JJWFO

I know they sell larger batteries for the UV-5R. Mine has always had very good battery life. Here is an example, but make SURE it is compatible with the exact model of your UV-5R. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WMD76I...t=&hvlocphy=9006662&hvtargid=pla-318113839580

Hope this helps.

Dave

Thank you very much, Dave! I took a look at the links, especially the battery one, and I actually got someone to help me find the right battery! Thanks for the quick response as well, sorry I couldn't get back to you until now, I was driving through South Dakota and, well, anyone who knows that area is chuckling right now.

-Rooster821
 

nd5y

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
11,225
Location
Wichita Falls, TX
If you are scanning all 100 or so railroad channels then you really want something that scans faster than a Baofeng which has a scan/search rate of about 3 channels per second. That means it takes 30 seconds to go through the scan list and you will be receiving each channel only once ever 30 seconds. You will miss a lot of transmissions. Compare that to modern Uniden and Whistler scanners with scan rates of about 100 to 300 channels per second.
 

Nasby

Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2004
Messages
2,631
Location
Ohio
Before going trackside, I would research what railroads run through the area.

Then look in the database and only program the frequencies of the line(s) that pass through that area.

This will save you from needlessly scanning through all of the AAR channels and possibly missing radio traffic.

Even the busiest junctions and yards only have about a dozen or so frequencies in use (if that many).
 

teufler

Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2002
Messages
2,357
Location
ST PETERS, MISSOURI
Well there is scanning and monitoring. Difference being, once you have foiund the frequency being used, you sit on that . Receiving only, the battery , stock battery will last a day or two. If you buy the 3800 mah battery, 3 or 4 days is normal. Better antenna, any external antenna will work better than and antenna that attaches directly to the radio, like a rubber duck, though if you get up and walk around, the rubber ducks have there place.This antenna has worked good for me. It is complete, coax, fitting for a sma fitting on the radio and a mag mt to hold. Never has blown off and I have used it in motels mounted to an air conditioner or a waste basket turned upside down.. https://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/scanants/5896.html $19.95, its small, light weight, does not put alot of strain on the radios sma connection.
 
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