Baofeng Need Help Please, Baofeng BF-F8HP & CHIRP

[Crevice]

I'm brand new and just bought a budget radio to get my feet wet. I have the Baofeng BF-F8HP with the proper FTDI Programming Cable and the latest version of CHIRP on Windows 10 Pro. I setup all of my channels via CHIRP and I drove around a bit and in and out of the home I'm only picking up NOAA Weather channels. I have noticed that some frequencies are also on the radio twice though they are setup differently. Could I please get some experienced eyes on these screenshots and tell me if anything looks off?

I'm attaching photos of my channels and the last photo will have them sorted by frequency so you can better see what I mean.

 

[chief21]

Could I please get some experienced eyes on these screenshots and tell me if anything looks off?

After a quick review, I don't see anything major that could cause you problems in reception. As you mentioned, there are a lot of duplicate frequencies that should be reviewed. In addition, you should be aware of the following...

>> The NOAA weather channels should be set to skip so they don't affect your scanning;
>> Many of the channels appear to be amateur radio simplex or repeater frequencies that may or may not be active in your area;
>> There are lots of ham repeaters that are "paper" repeaters, meaning that they are listed but not necessarily functional, and others that are not frequently used. The best time to listen for daily repeater activity is during the traditional drive times (to and from work);
>> If you downloaded these frequencies into your radio from an online source, understand that they might or might not be relevant to your particular location. Even the best repeaters have a limited coverage distance;
>> You should also be cognizant of the limitations of your handheld... a tiny antenna, not the best receiver, and probably subject to strong, off-channel signals (AM, FM, TV, paging) and local interference - especially while operating in a vehicle. In a nutshell, don't expect too much.

 

[Reconrider]

The first issue I see is you're using a radio as a scanner. The baofeng is terrible as a scanner unless you have 5-10 channels. You have 127 channels saved.

Second issue, as chief21 said was you have stuff in the list that's not needed.
The noaa is a good frequency to test and make sure it works.

You're in the car, don't expect much - I got an outside antenna for the car because it blocks so much signal.

TL;DR if you want a scanner, buy a scanner. If you want to talk to other people(legally) buy the correct radio. gmrs,ham need a license.

 

[K9RPL]

Welcome aboard! Chief21 gave you some good advice. Pretty much the same as I was was typing when his post came in.

I'd try loading just a few channel to start. RepeaterFinder is a pretty good source to start with for Amaetur. Just find a few that are closest to you. Juts keep in mind the BF-F8HP is analog only and won't receive anything digital like Fusion, DMR, D-Star, P25, etc.

Be advised that public safety frequencies can be a mix of Narrow (NFM) and Wide (FM). The RR frequency database has great info on that. All the Ham stuff will be wide (FM).

I agree with Reconrider on using it as a scanner. Those radios make really crummy scanners.

 

[cmdrwill]

find a local Ham Radio person who may help? In the old times, these were called Elmers, kinda like a teacher, but with more patince.

 

[SigIntel8600]

Read This
MIKLOR CTCSS INFO

Miklor states:

"For this reason, DO NOT initially program your radio's receiver to require a tone. Program your transmitter ONLY to match the repeater you are trying to access".

and

"If the repeater you are trying to listen to is not transmitting a tone, but you have programmed your receiver to require one, you will not hear that repeater".


Now as far as scanning analog, read this info also from Miklor concerning using CHIRP software to adjust squelch settings on your radio.

MIKLOR SQUELCH MOD


Also, "driving around" with an HT and stock antenna inside the vehicle = disappointment for the new radio operator.

Hang in there, at least you spent only $50 bucks in case it's back to the drawing board, I remember new guys blowing $300 on the latest Yaesu or Icom HT, only to discover it didn't meet their needs.

 

[K9RPL]

+++ on the Squelch Mod! Made a HUGE difference in just casual listening. The default values are crap...

 

[Crevice]

+++ on the Squelch Mod! Made a HUGE difference in just casual listening. The default values are crap...

Could explain what you mean here? I'm still learning.

Thank you also for the kind replies! I'm sure I'll have more questions soon.

Hopefully I can get this radio working to where I can at least listen. It has a lot of great reviews in various places online. I know it's not on the same level most people are on in this forum though.

 

[K9RPL]

These radios don't have a squelch control knob like traditional old school radios. The squelch is electronic. In the radio there's a setting for squelch level. Unfortunately the default values are so bad that it makes the squelch setting almost useless. It's ether too tight or too loose. So you wind up with the squelch opening too much or basically not at all except for very strong signals.

By using the settings that Miklor suggested it makes the squelch considerably more adjustable. The settings I have here are my own based on the Miklor settings and work quite well for me.

I leave my squelch at level 3 based on my settings.

 

[Crevice]

These radios don't have a squelch control knob like traditional old school radios. The squelch is electronic. In the radio there's a setting for squelch level. Unfortunately the default values are so bad that it makes the squelch setting almost useless. It's ether too tight or too loose. So you wind up with the squelch opening too much or basically not at all except for very strong signals.

By using the settings that Miklor suggested it makes the squelch considerably more adjustable. The settings I have here are my own based on the Miklor settings and work quite well for me.

I leave my squelch at level 3 based on my settings.

View attachment 97227

View attachment 97228

Great, I'll set that up. I haven't had a chance to dig in to the information shared with me in this thread yet but certainly will.

It's also nice to see someone with the same radio that is offering advice but of course I welcome all advice.

 

[K9RPL]

No problem. Glad to help.

Pretty much all the Boafeng UV5 based radios program the same way. Just a few minor differences depending on model.