Cheap radios (Chinese) reviews?

[Tracker]

...........?

 

[leitung]

If your looking for cheap and license free, go with MURS. I got a pair of older Radio Shack BTX-125s from fleabay for around $35 shipped. 1w power and in scarse areas the are pretty free of clutter. You can find used VHF Murs capable radios pretty cheap on ebay if you know where to look, and you can use up to 2 watts, 4X the power of FRS.

CB Radios are still a good option, and they are freely avaliable and cheap.

 

[reedeb]

I've come to the conclusion since FCC and MOST don't give a crap over CB and the power and added channels. They won't give a crap IF someone is on a GMRS frequency in SIMPLEX at 500 MW. So if you're traveling along and chatting on a GMRS freq on a bubblepack radio NO ONE will say a thing.

 

[Tracker]

I take a cruise every year n use the little Motorola 1's that I bought, but they kinda suck, so I figured these would work nicely on the boat, bein 7 watts n all, n the fact that the battery is rechargeable is a +
Out on the water I don't think the FCC or anyone else would mind......

 

[bob-the-scanner-man]

Thanks folks. Will skip them then. The trip will take us many places where cell phones do not work; and there's no walmart w/in a hundred miles....

Don't be so quick to give up on the Chinese radios. A lot of people don't like them but they actually are good radios. I'm not too familiar with the ones you linked to but if you bought them you'd have to make sure that they also included programming cables and software, which many of them don't.

Brands that seem to be the better ones are FDC, Wouxun, TYT, Puxing, Baofeng, and Jingtong.

If I were you'd I'd be looking at something like the Baofeng UV-3R or the TYT TH-2R. Both are very small 2W portables that can be programmed directly from the radio. The Baofeng is dual band and the TYT can be bought in either UHF or VHF. It's not dual band.

 

[idigicom]

Put the regulatory topic aside, you can try the Baofeng UV3R on ebay. It is a good (2m VHF/70cm UHF) Ham unit that will work on GMRS and FRS channels. GMRS/FRS are UHF. Programming channel is done with the big round knob on top along with a function button next to the PTT. It's a cellphone size lightweight 2W radio that will put Walmart and Sporting goods store radios to shame. The battery will last a full active day. But stay off the other frequencies except today's CB channels>>GMRS/FRS

 

[roadranger]

Radios?

Most groups usually ride in packs, and yell at each other, or throw hand signals. Obscene or not, these go unregulated on the interstates.

 

[Tracker]

Like I said, I take a cruise every year n use the little Motorola 1's that I bought, but they kinda suck, so I figured these would work nicely on the boat, bein 7 watts n all, n the fact that the battery is rechargeable is a +
Out on the water I don't think the FCC or anyone else would mind.....x!

 

[suriname]

My advice, Baofeng UV-5R

 

[K9WG]

Like I said, I take a cruise every year n use the little Motorola 1's that I bought, but they kinda suck, so I figured these would work nicely on the boat, bein 7 watts n all, n the fact that the battery is rechargeable is a +
Out on the water I don't think the FCC or anyone else would mind.....x!

I do believe (and if I am incorrect someone please correct me) that you must have permission of the ship captain before using a transmitter aboard ship. Not really sure if this is an FCC requirement or international maritime law.

 

[LtDoc]

It's maritime law and you would be very wise to ask the Captain first.
- 'Doc

 

[Tracker]

Not for the little personal wal mart radios,,,,,,I use them all the time n so do allot of the other passengers
The only difference is that these are allot more watts......I will inquire at booking time tough

 

[nonperson]

FWIW I have a Wouxun radio and I like it. It maybe one of the more reputable Chinese radios out there. The other Chinese radios I have seen and heard good reviews on are Baofeng, TYT and a few FDC and Puxing. Baofeng has come out with a new model UV 5R (some one mentioned it above) that's suppose to be a real solid built radio and able to do a full 5 watts. One US retailer is suppose to start selling them soon for $65.
TYT radios are reported to work well but every one on the net says the shell feels like cheap plastic. They say the same thing about the Baofeng UV 3Rs (2 watt models) also. TYT has some mobile radios available that have been getting some good reviews FWIW.
My next radio(s) will be the new Baofeng UV 5R and the TYT mobile.

 

[suriname]

I own a Baofeng UV-5R and a TYT-UVF1. The TYT is VERY solid !
As for the quality ? Real life bench-testing of the TYT unit done here:
Prepper gear- Part 4, Bench Testing the TYT TH-UVF1 Dualband Radio. (Very Boring) - YouTube

 

[nonperson]

I own a Baofeng UV-5R and a TYT-UVF1. The TYT is VERY solid !
As for the quality ? Real life bench-testing of the TYT unit done here:
Prepper gear- Part 4, Bench Testing the TYT TH-UVF1 Dualband Radio. (Very Boring) - YouTube

Other reviews on the UVF1, including GUERRILLAGEEK, said the radio's shell was "plastic" and not as durable as other radios. I saw a YT video of the Baofeng UV-5R stress test they ran over the radio and dropped it off a roof and it would still work. Other reviewers said the UV 5R felt "solid" compared to others. In your opinion is the UVF1 better built than the UV 5R?
The only reason I didn't go with the TYT UVF1 was because of the comments about the shell. Other wise the functionality was reported to be very good.

BTW I thought the video was interesting and learned a few things watching his videos.

 

[roadranger]

A new Idea...

Most groups usually ride in packs, and yell at each other, or throw hand signals. Obscene or not, these go unregulated on the interstates.

Did you and your "gang" want to use the radios in transit, or in camp, or at some fundraiser or some other event?

 

[Tracker]

FWIW I have a Wouxun radio and I like it. It maybe one of the more reputable Chinese radios out there. The other Chinese radios I have seen and heard good reviews on are Baofeng, TYT and a few FDC and Puxing. Baofeng has come out with a new model UV 5R (some one mentioned it above) that's suppose to be a real solid built radio and able to do a full 5 watts. One US retailer is suppose to start selling them soon for $65.
TYT radios are reported to work well but every one on the net says the shell feels like cheap plastic. They say the same thing about the Baofeng UV 3Rs (2 watt models) also. TYT has some mobile radios available that have been getting some good reviews FWIW.
My next radio(s) will be the new Baofeng UV 5R and the TYT mobile.

FWIW = For What It's Worth? Raight?
TYT = ? Whuut?

 

[thomast77]

FWIW = For What It's Worth? Raight?
TYT = ? Whuut?

TYT = Chinese radio brand name

http://www.tyt888.com/en/sy/index.asp

 

[Tracker]

TYT = Chinese radio brand name

TYT Electronics Co., Ltd

Qsl....

 

[gewecke]

If it's not milspec then go back... but after a few deployments I,m a little biased, lol.
http://www.standardhorizon.com/

73,
n9zas