I received a baofeng uv-9g for Christmas ive tries tuning it to the stations like police and ems but to my being a beginner i may have messes things up. I am in pike county ohio 45661 area code. I uses chirp software as it was updated to include uv-9g. Any kind of help will be appreciated.
Baofeng uv-9g
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FKimble
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That is a VHF/UHF radio. No digital. What frequencies are you trying to tune into?
Try tuning into some of the NOAA weather stations in your area. At least one of them should come in good. This is the usual test when a VHF radio is not receiving. Always a chance Santa left you a defective radio. It does happen.
Frank
Try tuning into some of the NOAA weather stations in your area. At least one of them should come in good. This is the usual test when a VHF radio is not receiving. Always a chance Santa left you a defective radio. It does happen.
Frank
KA0KDW
Member
Why is NOAA always the go to for checking receiver issues. Just like any radio system there are major coverage issues. For example where I live in Missouri. Unless I’m plugged into an outside antenna at least 10-15 foot In the air I don’t receive any NOAA broadcasts.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Because for most (not all, as in yourself) it is an 'always on' transmitter. It's easy to program, and you don't have to wait for someone to key up.
For many new users it's a simple test of the receiver, and easily boosts confidence.
Station51
Member
There's a YouTube video that states that these radios come out of the box with CTCSS codes enabled for receive. Might have to go into the menu and shut off the receive part. If you see a busy light of signal meter then likely the CTCSS code is blocking the audio.
Just something to check out
Just something to check out
I will check the ctcss see what its on and let you know results...also NOAA does work. I may full erase and put what i want in only...on another note if i wanted to get into digital side of things what radio would be recommended
Let me start by saying, the radio you have is not designed as a scanner, despite the deceptive marketing. That said, according to the database,
VHF channels are used mostly by Sheriff cruisers; portable radio use primarily occurs on MARCS talkgroup SO-66. MARCS is a P25 digital trunked system that radio will not receive.
Your radio also will not pickup the 39 MHz frequencies in use, which further limits your listening choices. For additional Police/Fire/EMS frequencies check the database below. Additionally, Waverly PD is encrypted and you will not hear them.
Finally, I would Highly recommend you disable transmit ability or that you do NOT put in the proper TX frequency so you or others don't accidentally hit the TX key while listening. UPDATE: Reading the manual I see VHF is receive only, so this is not an issue.
VHF channels are used mostly by Sheriff cruisers; portable radio use primarily occurs on MARCS talkgroup SO-66. MARCS is a P25 digital trunked system that radio will not receive.
Your radio also will not pickup the 39 MHz frequencies in use, which further limits your listening choices. For additional Police/Fire/EMS frequencies check the database below. Additionally, Waverly PD is encrypted and you will not hear them.
Finally, I would Highly recommend you disable transmit ability or that you do NOT put in the proper TX frequency so you or others don't accidentally hit the TX key while listening. UPDATE: Reading the manual I see VHF is receive only, so this is not an issue.
Pike County, Ohio (OH) Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference
Scanner Frequencies and Radio Frequency Reference for Pike County, Ohio (OH)
www.radioreference.com
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I havent been able to make changes yet to try a fix but quick question what is a good cheap beginner radio thats digital i am interested in learning more. The uv-9g is gonna be my SHTF radio once i get it setup correctly
I'm hoping the CHIRP programming for this is about the same as the UV-5R.
If so there should be enough instructional videos.
Here's some things I've experienced with the UV-5R:
On the UV-5R from the radio itself to change a channel's settings, go to frequency/VFO mode.
Many settings usually do not usually change to be saved in channel mode.
If you need to set the radio to not transmitt from the radio's manual programming, set the offset to 166.666 and make sure SFT-D is set to plus or minus.
Also the radio's default squelch settings may not be desirable and can only be changed in software.
Also many of these Baofengs and similar radios have no front end to block out 140/150/160mhz band front end overload interference.
Use a ctcss/pl tone if the channel/frequency of the service you are listening to uses one to help mitigate this interference.
KN4EHX
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Digital is a little broad in terms. Several digital modes to open up a can of worms.
Hams and public service often use the same digital modes. Take note that MOST radios minus one Kenwood only do analog in addition to 1 digital mode.
Hams and public safety: DMR, NXDN, and P25 phase I.
Public safety: P25 Phase II and rarely OpenSky
Ham: D-Star and Yaesu System Fusion
There is a lot of other digital modes out there but for the most part that covers the bases of what is most popular. If you want to be able to listen to most of those a scanner like a SDS100 or SDS200 is your best bet. If you want to use DMR and analog I’d suggest an Anytone 878. Yaesu Fusion you can take your pick.
There is a learning curve with programming digital radios so find some ham friends who can help you out or you’ll experience a lot of frustration. If you don’t have a amateur license you’ll probably be better served by a scanner. If you need to listen to P25 trunked Phase I or II you’ll definitely need a scanner.
KN4EHX
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Personally I started out with a MD-380 on UHF DMR when it came to stepping into the world of digital radio. The MD-380 is a single band radio but it is simple to use and works unusually well. They are cheap and you can find them about anywhere. The Anytone I previously mentioned is a little more expensive but you get VHF and UHF in one radio capable of analog and DMR modes. The Anytone seems to be the latest and greatest in ham world and has a lot of support. It would check a lot of boxes for you and I think it is also a little more rugged than most others.
I’d suggest looking at what kind of digital repeaters are most plentiful in your area. I’m fortunate to be drowning in DMR and YSF in East Tennessee. That being said I most frequently use analog.
Note to the wise: don’t expect your hand held radio to be able to do what a mobile radio can do. There is a serious misconception whenever first getting into the world of digital radio.
I’d suggest looking at what kind of digital repeaters are most plentiful in your area. I’m fortunate to be drowning in DMR and YSF in East Tennessee. That being said I most frequently use analog.
Note to the wise: don’t expect your hand held radio to be able to do what a mobile radio can do. There is a serious misconception whenever first getting into the world of digital radio.
I will definitely take the information in thank you. I was wanting to use radios because i want to get my amateur license and thought i should delve and diversify to see if i really enjoy it enough
KN4EHX
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Looks like there is a lot of UHF DMR around you. I’d suggest contacting a radio club local to you for more information and suggestions as to what most people are using. DMR is definitely the gateway to the world if you are a Tech. TG 91, 310, and many others never sleep.
w2xq
Mentor
If you opt to use a TYT MD-380 single band radio, I would suggest you consider the dual band TYT MD-UV380 TYT MD-380 DMR Digital Two Way Radio instead. The physical attributes are the same. In my opinion, the Anytone radios are overly complicated.
In any case recognize any handheld amateur radio will not function efficiently as a scanner.
Good luck.
In any case recognize any handheld amateur radio will not function efficiently as a scanner.
Good luck.
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The reason that NOAA Weather Radio is used to confirm if a radio is working at all it's because it's a constant transmission on at least one of the channels for everybody in the country...
If you are in a part of the country that receives no NOAA weather broadcast... that would explain why you don't understand why it's used as the standard test to determine if a radio is working at all LOL
I wish someone could convince PS of that...they don't get it. They expect a 3 W 800 MHz portable to work better than a 50W VHF mobile...ah well...
KN4EHX
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Yes! I’m presently battling this misconception. The city and county I work for seem to think Motorola APX NEXT will be able to function without flaws thus eliminating the need for mobile radios.
A few years ago, I was also under the illusion whenever using digital radio I would no longer need a mobile. Many agencies will have some growing pains as we hams also did. No matter how cool your portable is and how ultra digital it is, they don’t work well from the inside of a car. Can’t beat the laws of physics.
Philadelphia, the police anyways, just mainly do portables.
I do wonder what Philadelphia would do if they pursued or responded beyond city limits.
KN4EHX
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Ours is a statewide system. Luckily it is built out very well and is continuously being improved, but there is still many areas where there is no LTE and not enough oomph on a 3 watt portable to get out the message a mobile radio with a decent antenna could.
Live and learn I suppose. My greatest concern is having to use simplex in the event of failures.
Philadelphia will not respond outside the city but if they had to the system is designed for receiving 3 miles outside the city limits.
For the most part it does go further then 3 miles depending on the terrain.
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