UV-5R as scanner and communication at NASCAR race

[Smiles79]

I've been moderately interested in amateur radio for a little while, but I think I found a use case to get me started.

My wife and I are going to a NASCAR race later this year, and we'd like to be able to communicate with each other while listening to driver frequencies. It sounds like the dual watch feature on the UV-5R is what will do this, but I'm not sure I completely understand how it works.

Let's say my wife is actively listening to a transmission, then I try to talk to her on our communication frequency. Will she hear me, or will she only hear the frequency that was transmitting before I started talking? For example, the PRN broadcast is constantly transmitting so if she is listening to that and will only hear me when that transmission ends, then she will never hear me.

I'm aware of the licensing requirements, just want to see if this is a viable solution before jumping in.

 

[JCar24]

If your licensed, I would program a vhf frequency for communication on A of A/B button, in chirp you can set that for priority. Then program uhf (car and MRN) frequencies for the B option of the A/B button. While listing to uhf , the vhf would override what you hear. You would both have to be remindful of the use of the A/B button. You will need to have B highlighted to change car channels, but switch back to A to communicate. In chirp, you can disable tx for uhf only, and leave tx for vhf active. This would be so you don't accidently key up on a uhf channel.
I know this sounds a bit confusing, my advice it to play with chirp and a UV5R, to see if its really for you.
I have considered the exact same thing you are considering, I determined that using a scanner, and these https://www.amazon.com/WLN-Walkie-400-470Mhz-Desktop-Charger/dp/B0777MM954 radios , would be end user more friendly for the others in our group.
Also, I used these at Richmond this spring, they worked great. ArrowMax AHDH0042-RD-K2 Noise Isolating Headset for Kenwood NX-1200 NX-1300 | eBay.

 

[Smiles79]

If your licensed, I would program a vhf frequency for communication on A of A/B button, in chirp you can set that for priority. Then program uhf (car and MRN) frequencies for the B option of the A/B button. While listing to uhf , the vhf would override what you hear. You would both have to be remindful of the use of the A/B button. You will need to have B highlighted to change car channels, but switch back to A to communicate. In chirp, you can disable tx for uhf only, and leave tx for vhf active. This would be so you don't accidently key up on a uhf channel.
I know this sounds a bit confusing, my advice it to play with chirp and a UV5R, to see if its really for you.
I have considered the exact same thing you are considering, I determined that using a scanner, and these https://www.amazon.com/WLN-Walkie-400-470Mhz-Desktop-Charger/dp/B0777MM954 radios , would be end user more friendly for the others in our group.
Also, I used these at Richmond this spring, they worked great. ArrowMax AHDH0042-RD-K2 Noise Isolating Headset for Kenwood NX-1200 NX-1300 | eBay.

Thanks for the reply! So is it that whatever frequency is on A jas priority, or priority is a setting chirp?

 

[JCar24]

Thanks for the reply! So is it that whatever frequency is on A jas priority, or priority is a setting chirp?

Yes. In Chirp, on the "Settings" tab, "Advanced Settings" sub-tab, there is a drop-down box for "Dual Watch TX Priority." Set that to A or B, depending on which you want to be primary. If it's set to OFF, you will transmit on the last frequency that you received on. Keep in mind that it is really easy to accidentally start using the wrong A or B slot to surf other channels. There is no way to lock a set frequency (channel) into just slot A. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that A will override B while listening. I am positive it will transmit though. I think it does, but don't quote me. I did this once, but not at a race, we were at an air show, that broadcast on a temporary FM transmitter. We listened to FM, and when we keyed up, it would shut off FM and we could talk to each other. When nobody was talking, we heard FM.
Keep me posted on what you decide to do, and how it worked. Good luck, Jack

 

[Smiles79]

Yes. In Chirp, on the "Settings" tab, "Advanced Settings" sub-tab, there is a drop-down box for "Dual Watch TX Priority." Set that to A or B, depending on which you want to be primary. If it's set to OFF, you will transmit on the last frequency that you received on. Keep in mind that it is really easy to accidentally start using the wrong A or B slot to surf other channels. There is no way to lock a set frequency (channel) into just slot A. Now that I think about it, I'm not sure that A will override B while listening. I am positive it will transmit though. I think it does, but don't quote me. I did this once, but not at a race, we were at an air show, that broadcast on a temporary FM transmitter. We listened to FM, and when we keyed up, it would shut off FM and we could talk to each other. When nobody was talking, we heard FM.
Keep me posted on what you decide to do, and how it worked. Good luck, Jack

Thanks again! I'm excited to try it out

 

[dkcorlfla]

Stock car races are very loud, your going to want some good headsets. Also not sure the UV-5R is going to have enough of a front end to handle the intense RF at a race track - 40 cars, crews, spotters, camera people.

I think you are going to need a much better scanner. Texting might be a better option for comms if you get separated.

 

[JCar24]

Thanks again! I'm excited to try it out

Hey Smiles, I did a little experimenting, I think it will work. I had a communicating frequency on slot A and Weather on Slot B. I did not need to use the A/B button to transmit. Check this out

 

[jeepsandradios]

I was going to say the same. The UV5R most likely will be overloaded for the track. I run a EX600 on GMRS for transmit and a scanner for RX. If you want t listen to more than one drive the CCR will not work well at all. I run the BC125 to scan thru drivers. My third input in my headset is dedicated for my raceiver that is on NASCAR control only.

If you do program a drivers channel make sure 100% its RX only. Too many folks get on driver channels and talk and casue interfearance. One day its going to cost everyone as they will go digital with the driver channel also.

The other option that is alot easier and cleaner is to just rent the RR headset with intercom. Then you scan what you want and are wired directly to the other headset for communication.

Without headsets your not going to hear much anyway. Actually off to the track now as soon as my stuff is loaded.

 

[JCar24]

Stock car races are very loud, your going to want some good headsets. Also not sure the UV-5R is going to have enough of a front end to handle the intense RF at a race track - 40 cars, crews, spotters, camera people.

I think you are going to need a much better scanner. Texting might be a better option for comms if you get separated.

I agree, a dedicated scanner is the better way to go. I would also encourage Smiles79 to get his ham license before trying this. Also look into a GMRS radio that can only transmit on GMRS/FRS channels, while being able to receive the 450-450 MHz range. A GMRS license is no test and fairly inexpensive.

 

[JCar24]

I was going to say the same. The UV5R most likely will be overloaded for the track. I run a EX600 on GMRS for transmit and a scanner for RX. If you want t listen to more than one drive the CCR will not work well at all. I run the BC125 to scan thru drivers. My third input in my headset is dedicated for my raceiver that is on NASCAR control only.

If you do program a drivers channel make sure 100% its RX only. Too many folks get on driver channels and talk and casue interfearance. One day its going to cost everyone as they will go digital with the driver channel also.

The other option that is alot easier and cleaner is to just rent the RR headset with intercom. Then you scan what you want and are wired directly to the other headset for communication.

Without headsets your not going to hear much anyway. Actually off to the track now as soon as my stuff is loaded.

If you don't mind me asking, what headset are you using? Did you add an input port for the receiver?

 

[jeepsandradios]

I have multiple brands. My main headest is from Racing Electronics and is the 3 TLK 1 SCAN port. My wife normally uses my other unit thats 2 TLK and 1 SCAN but really only has a single TX radio and one raceiver. I normally have my cheap 1 TLK1 SCAN in my truck for friends to use if needed and backups.

The RE units are not cheap but its for my purpose. You can get some reasonable 1 TLK 1 SCAN units on ebay and other sites.

 

[nd5y]

The UV-5R (and UV-82) A/B priority controls which channel it transmits on. It may not do anything depending on the firmware. I doesn't override anything on receive because it can't receive two channels at the same time. TDR is no different than scanning 2 channels. There is no receive sampling priority like most scanners and some other radios have. If there is a lot of traffic on both channels you will miss some transmissions.

 

[hill]

What frequencies are you going to use in the radio to commicate with your wife?

No really frequencies you can just program into the radio. These radios are really only usable on ham radio.

 

[RaleighGuy]

What frequencies are you going to use in the radio to commicate with your wife?

No really frequencies you can just program into the radio. These radios are really only usable on ham radio.

OP has stated he would have ham licenses to use a VHF simplex frequency, he will only be monitoring, not tx, on UHF.

 

[Smiles79]

Thanks everyone for all the responses!
JCar, thank you for the video! So on each radio you had the TDR-AB, set to you comm channel, and that channel was selected on both radios allowing that transmission to come through regardless of the weather?

I plan on picking up a Rugged Radios H41 for hearing protection.

Understood that a license is required to use this radio and that it is not legal for GMRS.

Stock car races are very loud, your going to want some good headsets. Also not sure the UV-5R is going to have enough of a front end to handle the intense RF at a race track - 40 cars, crews, spotters, camera people.

I think you are going to need a much better scanner. Texting might be a better option for comms if you get separated.

Is this an issue only when scanning, or will it be a problem if I'm just using dual watch, not scanning? I used an actual scanner at my last race and ended up just manually changing channels anyway based on what was going on on the track.

 

[evilbrad]

I'd use uv82 over uv5 5s I've had no luck with front end and or even squelch. Indy and Nascar is uhf so for a talk back and forth with someone next to you murs(2watt)may work well. And when u do program what ever model you use leave the drivers media and officials rx only!!!! Also don't use what ever the radio is pre programmed to talk.The preprogrammed Chinese radios have alot of freqs that you cant use.Murs no license frs no license and gmrs or ham if your licensed.

 

[nd5y]

I'd use uv82 over uv5 5s I've had no luck with front end and or even squelch.

I had both. There is no difference in the crappy receiver performance.
The only thing better about the UV-82 is they have a larger better sounding speaker which is irrelevant if you mosly use a headset or speaker/mic.

 

[JCar24]

Thanks everyone for all the responses!
JCar, thank you for the video! So on each radio you had the TDR-AB, set to you comm channel, and that channel was selected on both radios allowing that transmission to come through regardless of the weather?

I plan on picking up a Rugged Radios H41 for hearing protection.

Understood that a license is required to use this radio and that it is not legal for GMRS.


Is this an issue only when scanning, or will it be a problem if I'm just using dual watch, not scanning? I used an actual scanner at my last race and ended up just manually changing channels anyway based on what was going on on the track.

Hey Smiles79, I don't think it's going to work. I've been reading a bit about the newer uv5r's, the firmware has changed, and the TDR-AB is not operable on newer radios. You have to use the A/B button to go back to communication channel. Just a thought, If you are sitting together, you could tap the person and give a signal to got to A slot. That might work. But I don't think there is way to interrupt a signal being received.
Hope that makes sense.

 

[Smiles79]

Hey Smiles79, I don't think it's going to work. I've been reading a bit about the newer uv5r's, the firmware has changed, and the TDR-AB is not operable on newer radios. You have to use the A/B button to go back to communication channel. Just a thought, If you are sitting together, you could tap the person and give a signal to got to A slot. That might work. But I don't think there is way to interrupt a signal being received.
Hope that makes sense.

That's unfortunate, but thank you for looking into it for me!

 

[CalebSheldon]

Hey Smiles, I did a little experimenting, I think it will work. I had a communicating frequency on slot A and Weather on Slot B. I did not need to use the A/B button to transmit. Check this out

Good evening, So in the end what did you do to make this work?