Baofeng My thoughts on Baofeng radios

[EAFrizzle]

...buy the correct tool for the job...

...I've said several times, and I think many keep missing it: These radios absolutely have their place in the amateur radio hobby, and can be the right solution for some users...

We've had this same discussion and come to these same points many times before, so  us having proper knowledge and correct information isn't the issue. The problem is the people that buy a radio to talk to their group. They don't care about a GMRS license, they don't want to become hams, and if a regular citizen can easily get one, it must be CB. Turn it on and talk. They do know that the 10 watt Baofeng will talk farther than the FRS bubble pack.

So how do we get people to know about proper radio selection and usage? To understand interfering with other services? If only there were something, some group about Radios. Not a group; a Legion! Heck, they could even be Ancient and Rheumatic. Because if this doesn't get addressed correctly at the public level, the people that will take the hit will be hobbyists and entry-level hams.

...It just annoys me a bit that so many professionals sneer at hobbyists for using hobby-quality gear.

Yeah, it gets old real fast, and there are some who only comment in the budget and entry-level forum to tell you that CCRs are bad and anyone who uses them is bad by extension.

That's what the "report" and "ignore" buttons are for.

Fortunately, there are also a lot of great folks here that share help and info freely, and add substantial and thoughtful conversation to the mix. Some can seem a bit reactionary and bellicose at times, but that's understandable when you start getting a feel for some of the "newbie" questions that get asked. I've seen some and immediately said to myself, "This cat wants to kerchunk cop repeaters", and just gone to the next thread.

Sometimes it seems we need to learn to take ourselves a bit less seriously, and just drill the damn hole already.

 

[AK9R]

The ARRL still tests radios for spurious emissions at larger hamfests.

From the highlights of the ARRL booth at the 2025 Dayton Hamvention: "The ARRL Lab tested more than 170 radios in the booth, including a handheld radio that fell 14,000 feet (Yes, it was K9OL’s!). It not only survived the fall in working condition but still passed the spectral purity test."

 

[mmckenna]

It just annoys me a bit that so many professionals sneer at hobbyists for using hobby-quality gear.

I think most do not. But my point of view is going to be different than others.

If you worked in the industry, you'd find that a great majority of us got our start as hobbyists. It is pretty common to find that most in the industry also have their amateur license. Very common for the hobby to lead to a career. We also know that those that will succeed us when we retire are probably out there in the hobby arena right now. I've hired a few ham operators along the way, only requirement I have is that they continue to learn and improve their skills.
Most guys I know that work in the two way radio industry put a fair amount of effort into helping hobbyists and newcomers.

So how do we get people to know about proper radio selection and usage? To understand interfering with other services? If only there were something, some group about Radios. Not a group; a Legion! Heck, they could even be Ancient and Rheumatic. Because if this doesn't get addressed correctly at the public level, the people that will take the hit will be hobbyists and entry-level hams.

Or, sometimes it's the commercial/public safety users that get impacted by improper radios/operation. No shortage of FCC Notice of Violations to prove that.

As I mentioned above, most of us are not sneering at hobbyists, we're offering knowledge and experience to those that -may- want to learn more. Not everyone is at the same level, and we all started at the bottom. Some don't want to learn, some don't care, but for those that do, most of us are happy to lend a hand.

Fortunately, there are also a lot of great folks here that share help and info freely, and add substantial and thoughtful conversation to the mix. Some can seem a bit reactionary and bellicose at times, but that's understandable when you start getting a feel for some of the "newbie" questions that get asked. I've seen some and immediately said to myself, "This cat wants to kerchunk cop repeaters", and just gone to the next thread.

One of the main reasons I'm here, and I know there are others that share this, is to repay into the system that got us where we are. One of the reasons I'm in this career is because there were those that were willing to teach, pass on experience, and encourage me. That was friends, neighbors, family and complete and total strangers. They saw the value and put the effort in. I come here to do the same thing. I'm not going to twist anyone's arm, but I'll happily offer advice, knowledge and experience where I can. I don't get upset if someone choses to ignore me, block me, or whatever, but I'm going to continue to pay back into that system wether some choose to like it or not.

The ignore button is an excellent tool, and I'd encourage people to use it.

 

[robertwbob]

1thing we can agree on,there are a few that boldly say NO before the question is asked cause the letters ccr or baofeng was in the air.

 

[kc2asb]

Yes, Baofengs are fine, so long as they are used only for hobby applications. Many of us got started with cheap radios, and moved on to better gear as our interest and knowledge grew. If Baofengs and other CCR's bring new people into our hobby, I'm all for them. Lord knows this hobby needs new entrants to keep it alive.

However, I agree with @mmckenna and the others who said that they have no place in public safety communcations or other professional/commercial settings. When lives are on the line, relying on a $100 radio is insanity!

 

[robertwbob]

Yes, Baofengs are fine, so long as they are used only for hobby applications. Many of us got started with cheap radios, and moved on to better gear as our interest and knowledge grew. If Baofengs and other CCR's bring new people into our hobby, I'm all for them. Lord knows this hobby needs new entrants to keep it alive.

However, I agree with @mmckenna and the others who said that they have no place in public safety communcations or other professional/commercial settings. When lives are on the line, relying on a $100 radio is insanity!

Id never put a ccr in questionable duty like ems etc. But i carry a ccr on the farm n yes they are not bullet proof. Ive turned a gew into itty bitty pieces. Id cry if it was a pricy icom kenwood or icom. This happend i get home next day i got nuther 1. And order 1 to have on hand.

 

[K9KLC]

Id never put a ccr in questionable duty like ems etc. But i carry a ccr on the farm n yes they are not bullet proof. Ive turned a gew into itty bitty pieces. Id cry if it was a pricy icom kenwood or icom. This happend i get home next day i got nuther 1. And order 1 to have on hand.

The bottom line is, if they're working for you then, they're working for you!

 

[Falcon9h]

Not a single comment you made applies to any recent CCR I have bought. And I also own expensive ICOM and Yaesu radios. In fact, I have only had the ICOM and Yaesu radios have mechanical failures.

I ignore the Karens. CCR's are getting better and better IMO. I made enough poor decisions in the past monetarily that CCR's are the only way I can go, but I'm in a rural area and things are happily analog for now. And most of mine work just fine. I'm sure there are other silent users that can't stand the APX snobbery and boasting.
I don't care what more fortunate folks have, but don't rub my face in it.
Plus, cheap radio breaks or gets stolen/damaged, just get another one.

 

[robertwbob]

The bottom line is, if they're working for you then, they're working for you!

Yez n i have them programmed to legal repeaters im licensed for plus the 4 simplex i use.

 

[kayn1n32008]

If you haven't had a radio lost or damaged, you lead a more sedentary life than a lot of us do.

Lol. I carried radios for work for over a dozen years in the oilfield surveying. I didn't live a sedentary life, and I didn't lose or break a radio.

 

[kayn1n32008]

silent users that can't stand the APX snobbery and boasting.

I own all second hand radios. I took my time to find the right deal on each and every one of them. All bought for a small fraction of brand new prices.

Plus, cheap radio breaks or gets stolen/damaged, just get another one

Naw, I'll buy quality radios, and use them and not worry about damaging them, I also take care of them so they don't get stolen. They are an investment, not disposable

 

[buddrousa]

Professional Firefighter 40 years never lost forgot or damaged a radio during my 40 year career.

 

[robertwbob]

set radio on a spot in shop or machine and walk about n help comes in not paying attention and thud another 1 bites the dust. or have 1 on your belt clip n feeding cows . 1 butts you n another 1 bites the dust. it happens if you use 1 long enough. never say never cause as soon as you say it,it will eventually happen

 

[buddrousa]

We buy cases and radio straps designed to contain the radio and still make it usable.

 

[Omega-TI]

I don't use my CCR's for transmitting, I use them to only monitor 3 or 4 analog frequencies each. Also, I really don't give a rat's patootie about their front end either, as I've never had mine overload. But hey, that flashlight sure comes in handy... and my SDS100 doesn't even have that. :sarcasm:

But yeah, this topic is starting to mold.