Im a volunteer firefighter/EMT in west texas. I was looking at the Baofeng uv5r as a little radio to carry around. I dont really know a whole lot about radios so i was hoping if someone could help me out. i just need to know if this radio would be worth it. also if it could be used as a pager as well.
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Baofeng UV5R
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nd5y
Member
As far as I know none of the cheap Chinese radios will function as a pager. They are also analog only.
If you are in one of the areas of W TX that is P25 digital then that radio will not work.
If you are in one of the areas of W TX that is P25 digital then that radio will not work.
If you don't know or not,most ham HT radios are for transmiting on 2meter/440 MHz and can only receive,not transmit on different radio bands.Are you looking for a handheld radio that can transmit on ham radio bands and other radio bands? Or are you looking for something that could be used like a scanner to?
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rtm3702
Member
i live in pa,i just bought this radio i want to use it for fire/ems, is there any problem transmitting or receiving or any other problems or good things with this radio
W8RMH
Feed Provider Since 2012
I believe that radio only transmits on amateur frequencies and is not certified for public safety use. You would be better off with a commercial radio.
I think that radio only transmits on the 2meter/440 MHz ham radio freqs.Are you looking for a scanner radio or a transmitting radio for fire/ems.
Low cost ham/VHF Radio
I have not seen or tested the Baofeng UV5R
and it may well be a good radio. However, for your needs, I might suggest you explore the Wouxum UVD-6X/6D models. They're a bit more expensive, but this radio will double as a ham (VHF/UHF) transceiver and a VHF Public Safety radio on both transmit and receive. It can also be programmed in the new narrow-band mode that will be required for public safety radios beginning in January 2013. I have tested this radio and have had nothing but good results. And yes, it has been tested with Fire/EMS services on both wide and narrow band...works perfectly!
I have not seen or tested the Baofeng UV5R
and it may well be a good radio. However, for your needs, I might suggest you explore the Wouxum UVD-6X/6D models. They're a bit more expensive, but this radio will double as a ham (VHF/UHF) transceiver and a VHF Public Safety radio on both transmit and receive. It can also be programmed in the new narrow-band mode that will be required for public safety radios beginning in January 2013. I have tested this radio and have had nothing but good results. And yes, it has been tested with Fire/EMS services on both wide and narrow band...works perfectly!
KZ4RV
Newbie
This particular radio will xmit *lots* of places well outside the Amateur bands.
Not to be a stick-in-the-mud, but it wouldn't be legal to do so.
It's not FCC Type-accepted for such use, and it also wouldn't be "licensed" under
the Fire/EMS license. I suppose that it might get a person fired, too.
Doesn't mean that it wouldn't *work*, but certainly not a radio to risk one life with.
Randy
Not to be a stick-in-the-mud, but it wouldn't be legal to do so.
It's not FCC Type-accepted for such use, and it also wouldn't be "licensed" under
the Fire/EMS license. I suppose that it might get a person fired, too.
Doesn't mean that it wouldn't *work*, but certainly not a radio to risk one life with.
Randy
Part 90 Certified
Little known fact. The UV-5R IS Part 90 certified (FCCID: ZP5BF-5R) and legal to use on public service bands... Now if i were to recommend it, that's another story. There is reliable and there is Mil-Spec. Will the UV-5R work, and is legal? yes. Is a second hand HT-1000 or kenwood TK-280 or 290 be better? absolutely.
The Baofeng is not as sturdy as a commercial, it has heat issues when extended transmit and left in sun, and allows intermod like no other. With all that being said, it is a absolute must as a backup. With the extended battery you can easily run for days without recharge and it can be bought with pocket change!
Sorry to bring back an old thread, felt it needed to be said.
Little known fact. The UV-5R IS Part 90 certified (FCCID: ZP5BF-5R) and legal to use on public service bands... Now if i were to recommend it, that's another story. There is reliable and there is Mil-Spec. Will the UV-5R work, and is legal? yes. Is a second hand HT-1000 or kenwood TK-280 or 290 be better? absolutely.
The Baofeng is not as sturdy as a commercial, it has heat issues when extended transmit and left in sun, and allows intermod like no other. With all that being said, it is a absolute must as a backup. With the extended battery you can easily run for days without recharge and it can be bought with pocket change!
Sorry to bring back an old thread, felt it needed to be said.
wolverine
Member
I wouldn't use it for firefighting if I was you brother. I just recently got one for amateur use, along with the 3600 mah battery, and so far, it seem's to do a good job. But I will go on record and say that you won't get the kind of quality and performance from this radio that public safety work demands.
For amateur radio use, It's great for the price.
Fyi,
The UV5R is fcc certified to use, and capable of transmitting on 136-174mhz. and 450-470mhz.
73,
n9zas
Ditto, btw how is the extended battery? I just ordered one for a backup SAR rig.
How is there so much disinformstion on something that turns up 1000s of google hits?
Yes you can tx on public safety.
Also, a known issue is pl squelch. It won't unmute on anything 136.5 and below while scanning.
Yes you can tx on public safety.
Also, a known issue is pl squelch. It won't unmute on anything 136.5 and below while scanning.
I have one & yes I would recommend it to anyone in your situation, due to the fact that it IS part 90.
Upgrade the battery & the antenna. The chargers don't last long if you burn through batteries fast. A new charger is $14 bucks. No biggie.
Use the chirp software for programming. The instruction manual is poorly translated.
Remember, it's a cheap Chinese radio. Don't expect the world out of it.
Upgrade the battery & the antenna. The chargers don't last long if you burn through batteries fast. A new charger is $14 bucks. No biggie.
Use the chirp software for programming. The instruction manual is poorly translated.
Remember, it's a cheap Chinese radio. Don't expect the world out of it.
990adv
Member
Please excuse my ignorance of this.
Chirp software?
Thanks
Chirp software?
Thanks
nd5y
Member
Sorry for the double post but the UV-5R is in the daily build of Chirp which is found here.
Index of /chirp_daily
Scroll to the latest date and choose the .EXE
Index of /chirp_daily
Scroll to the latest date and choose the .EXE
N1SQB
Member
The UV-5R is a great little radio for the price. For $65 you can now get a radio that comes with a 3600 Mah Lithium-Ion battery, a charger,and a hand strap. The software is free as a download. The radio, as has already been overstated, is part-90 certified. It will transmit from 136-174 and 400-512 Mhz. (with CHIRP). It is a great little radio, I have 2 of them. That being said, I would NEVER recommend it for any type of comercial use. Fun is fun, serious is serious. This is a fun-time radio and nothing else. For serious work ( PD/FD/EMS/Etc.) I would stick to track proven radios already in use in the field. This is MY opinion!
Manny
Manny
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K3NXU
Member
UV5R - Here are The Facts
TX and RX Freq Range 136 - 174 / 400 - 480 (not designed as a ham radio, but works well there)
The Unit is FM, not Digital.
It IS Part 90 Certified
Easily programmed using software known as CHIRP.
CHIRP is free and superior to the Chinese factory software
I've owned one for 3 months and love it.
It's amazing for a $50 2 band transceiver.
Go to the website Baofeng UV5R FAQ UV-5R
There you will find an extensive FAQ section, information, specs, software drivers, etc.
There is also a Yahoo Group called UV5R. (Highly recommended.)
Hope this helps.
John La
TX and RX Freq Range 136 - 174 / 400 - 480 (not designed as a ham radio, but works well there)
The Unit is FM, not Digital.
It IS Part 90 Certified
Easily programmed using software known as CHIRP.
CHIRP is free and superior to the Chinese factory software
I've owned one for 3 months and love it.
It's amazing for a $50 2 band transceiver.
Go to the website Baofeng UV5R FAQ UV-5R
There you will find an extensive FAQ section, information, specs, software drivers, etc.
There is also a Yahoo Group called UV5R. (Highly recommended.)
Hope this helps.
John La
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