Reddit reviews Baofeng Black UV-5R V2+ Plus (USA Warranty) Dual-Band 145-148/420-450 MHz FM Ham Two-way Radio, Improved Stronger Case, Enhanced Features
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Amcrest Direct (Amcrest Industries) is the authorized US Baofeng exclusive distributor of the UV5RV2BLACK. Amcrest offers US based warranty service out of our office in Houston, TX, (no shipping to China). You must ensure that Amcrest Direct (FirstVision) is your selected buying option to claim the US warranty.Frequency Range: 145-148 / 420-450 MHz. Metallic upgraded, durable housing. English user manual included.Upgraded 2018 Bright & easy to read two-color LED display. Compatible with UV-5R 3800mah and 3600mah Extended Batteries.More enhanced construction and features than previous UV-5R and UV-5RA. Helpful programming guides available at Baofengradio.usWARNING: Operating a radio on one of the following restricted frequencies without a license or authorization by the FCC can result in a variety of enforcement actions, including seizure of equipment, fines and other criminal penalties: 136 MHz – 137 MHz (Aviation Services, Part 87); 137 MHz – 138 MHz (Satellite Communications, Part 25); 138 MH –144 MHz (not available to any FCC license –Federal use only); 156.7625 MHz–157.0375 MHz (Maritime Services, Pt.80 and Aviation Services, Pt. 87
I work part time as a FEMA/ NRT response unit.
The reports cites this as: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/regional/nca/wg02/losses.php
it would be devasastating for the first 48-72 hours on grounds that most folks wouldn't know how to get home.
EMS/ first response will NOT be available for the first 24/48.
Expectation realistically is ~a week out. during that time traige centers will be needed. folks have to get to the centers.
i could really go on doom and gloom all day long but instead lets focus on getting your self prepared.
The basic NERT/ earthquake prep is good but add a tarp and staple guns for the blown out windows. add noise canceling headphones/ or just ear muffs for kids cause there will be alarms and noises. debris filter like painters mask for particulates are crucial as well.
As far mission; to survive for a week.
My estimates as i am responsible for the Southern portion of San Francisco is only as good as the advisor that lets me know how many can really commit to the team.
as far as the 101/280 most portions will be rendered useless via obstruction and or destroyed. Both bridges stand well but a 6.5+ will give it the final exam.
older buildings if up to code should be alright (brick/ tougher foundation) the worrysome for me is the rent-lease/ apartments subletting situations that just added an extra water or tapped into the gas line.
tldr; infrastructure will be there just clogged. will need repairs and a band aid will take ~5 weeks for temp, ~4months perm.
i am on ambien right now and feel sleepy but when im awake i'd more than love to recommend yall some resources and classes and things to get in preparation.
for instance teach you how to shut off water/gas/elec then you teach it back to me. mayve go over non running water sanitations.
anyway dont worry, we are resilent and there exists hundreds of me to make best of what we have to this city.
edit:
Hey all, this is a expanded post in response to earthquakes that have been happening all over the place in the world. Some concerns have been raised and I feel like sometimes we take this for granted, or at least its in the back of our heads.
firstly, here are some official responses and resources from the State/ County/ Feds
http://sfdem.org/resources is also a great resource!
Here is the basic NERT or http://sf-fire.org/neighborhood-emergency-response-team-NERT
Schedule of training: http://sf-fire.org/training-schedule-registration
Red Cross recommended items to have and also basic check list: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4240216_Earthquake.pdf PRINT THIS OUT, YOU MAY NOT HAVE INTERNET!
Here is the FEMA https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/15092?id=3538 this is what they train reserve FEMA response teams about. The Cd-rom is available but I learned via the booklet.
secondly, instead of bombarding and regurgitating ill get to the point on what things I think are nice additions and why:
o Water heater – learn if it’s a gas or electric and if you need to turn it off
o Home heating – maybe learn about the oil reserve and how to clean and sanction off
realistic time tables:
problem #1 – theres a really high chance YOU WILL NOT BE at your domicile/ home as most people commute. I highly recommend you think about a plan to either meet up with family OR some type of emergency plan as a rally-point.
problem #2 – exposure to the elements, your walls might come down, your windows may shatter, your roof may open up, please see the items I recommended on tarps/ staple guns
problem #3 – you are prepared and have all this stuff? Now what? Well be wary – cause what if theres a fire from your neighbors? What if theres a tsunami and flooding? Or some other after effect that can really mess with the plan? I highly recommend a “go-bag/ or bug out bag and a rally point for your family” maybe your community center/ school auditorium, look ahead for designated shelters.
*problem #4 – firearms. This is something to consider. I won’t get into political/ moral/ safety arguments but consider where they are stored and the most safe but useful way you can use this.
re-assurances – last muster from the FEMA, Coast Guard, National Guard, SF/ County resources we mustered in under 24 hours to respond. (please please keep in mind, responders take care of their situation first, that’s a reason to the high response time)**
There are hundreds of us (first responders and personnel dedicated to helping and rebuilding)
The operation tempo or ideas will be “recovery> stability > rebuilding”
So I’ve included a lot of information, if anyone wants to question it feel free to open for discussion. Or additional information.
Hmm, might be time to stock up on Baofengs for those who have not yet.
I've bought about 20 different Baofeng radios.
For those who don't know, the UV-5R is the least expensive (see note below), around $30, and is a common radio used on the battlefields of Ukraine and Syria by militia forces. It has a practical broadcast range of about 0.5 miles in urban areas, and about a 1-2 mile range with line of sight. I know a lot of people claim their devices broadcast further, but this is just my actual practical testing.
A slightly more expensive (but much better) option is the UV-82HP. It effectively has double the range.
Both radios can be modified with software to operate outside of normal radio spectrum. I think a lot of us knew that eventually the government would catch up and do something. Conspiracy theorists have claimed that the Chinese government installs backdoor software on these, or that there's other nefarious components of these cheap radios.
It's rumored that these devices are substantially less expensive than US, Korean, or Japanese options because the Chinese government was subsidizing the price of each unit. Basically trying to flood the market with a cheaper version and unseat Motorola as the standard business radio. You do really get good capabilities for the price - but it's no where near what a $200+ HAM radio setup is capable of.
Personally, I think you should have a UV-5R plus extra batteries in every vehicle. If you ever run a convoy it becomes critical to have radio communications.
*There's older UV-5R models for $25, and they can be bought in bulk on Amazon. Or, this 5-pack for $111.
I'd take the money you'd spend on an 8w HT and go with a 4 or 5w HT and a better antenna.
It'll get much better results.
Something like a roll up slim jim J pole is a great antenna for portable and even base use.
A simple Baofeng like this one is decent.
Jus know that more than half of Baofengs don't meet FCC spurious emissions regulations compliance. Buy at your own risk.
This is what I just got for my first HT:
I bought the cheap $5 cable first but it didn't work on my Mac so I returned it. This one works no problem. I had no reason to get the 5RV2+ over the plain 5R; the 5R is slightly cheaper though.
I went with the very affordable Baofeng option that was brought up in a thread a couple weeks ago. You can manually program it or program it from a computer using free software (/u/theman00 has been posting .csv files for all drivers/broadcast channels that you can upload directly, all at once). This radio IS a transceiver, but you can disable the transmission capabilities. 127 programmable channels that you can assign the driver or broadcaster names to. I used mine at the Indy 500 and it was great.
CHIRP is freeware that works really well for programming this and many other radios.
Amazon links below:
radio
headphone adapter
USB Cable
Note: Programming it with the USB can be finicky because Windows will continually try to update the driver to a newer version that isn't compatible with the chip. Its an easy fix, but you'll have to go into the device manager and roll back the driver to the older one. Instructions Here
Edit: added link to CHIRP software
just bought 2 of these baofeng ham radios recently. you can program in all the FRS, GMRS, MURS, weather frequencies etc. they can use 2 meter and 70 meter bands. you're supposed to have a license though except on like FRS (but then you're technically not supposed to use them on those frequencies but i seriously doubt anyone gives a shit). and if you're lost in the woods and trying to find some on 2 meter for help i certainly wouldn't be worried about getting a fine :p
you can also put in fire department frequencies etc. in smaller towns.
UV-5R V2+.
The high power 8W versions are pointless IMO, 3 extra watts isn't gonna do much.
If you want a more heavy 'industrial' looking one then the UV-82 would be an option.
> Disappointing to hear that I won't be able to join the hobby for a while, since it won't be worthwhile.
That's not quite what u/xradionut said. Look into your local clubs. An inexpensive Baofeng will work very well to get you into the hobby if you can hit a local repeater and chat with people (like on a weekly net meeting with a local club). Look into your local clubs and ask them, do some research on the location of the repeaters in your area, and if you do get a Baofeng, at least get a better antenna (like the one listed on Amazon under frequently bought together).
I would say 1.25m or 70cm. If one or both of you can put an antenna up in the air a bit (just TV antenna height, nothing fancy) you should be able to talk to each other easily.
For maximum communications you could go for directional antennas pointed at each other.
VHF, UHF, and above only requires a Technician level license (lowest tier) in the US, which is very easy to study for and get. Hamstudy.org is bloody great for getting you to memorize all the answers and pass the test.
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as for the economic side of things, a Baofeng UV-5R V2+ should be more than good enough, and you can pick one up for $34 off Amazon. The UV-5R does 2m and 70cm,
I got this Baofeng radio on Amazon for $35 last year for the Indy 500. It worked well and was programmable through my computer.
No problem. There appears to be a slightly newer, "improved" version here for $34. Or you can get the same version I have, here for $26.
Either way, basically the same radio, may as well just go with the cheaper of the two. Both are the same unit internally; but if things like a multi color backlight for the screen are important, the $34 dollar one is better.
With either, you'll also need a headphone adapter plug, 2.5mm to 3.5mm, here for around $5.
Not sure what OP is using, but I tried a few different models while trainhopping, and I highly recommed Baofeng digital scanners. Excellent range, huge memory bank, kickass battery life, and can take a beating.
Even better, they are really affordable and theres a wide variety if you wanna get fancy.
The 30 dollar model (UV-5r) will work for most hobos, but the BF-FH8P for 60 dollars is a great, great scanner.
That's a bummer, I could tell you were really looking forward to that trip.
I'm just getting over two weeks of being terribly ill (102.8 temp!) and missed a week long trip cabin hopping through death valley/panamint mountains. That was planned for a couple of months and then it was just, gone. So I feel you.
I wish I could go, I would even enjoy being the spotter! I can't..
Also, nobody has any excuse to NOT have a ham radio any more..
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HX03AMA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687442&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B007H4VT7A&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1QPFEB6BF6M9PBA6G9C8
Model: UV-5R V2+
Freq: 136-174Mhz/400-479.995Mhz
FCC-ID:ZP5BF-5R
Firmware: BFB297 (used this method)
Antenna: ~4.5" FM/136-174/400-520MHz Female SMA
Vendor info:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HX03AMA/
$33.99
June 29, 2016
Sold by: CameraTec
USA -> USA shipping
Was gonna potato for scale but went with the standard.
UV-5R V2+
Welcome, fellow codeless extra!
Me and two of my friends did zero to extra in the same session. Can only imagine what the VEs thought.
youtube channels, david casler's is a good one to cover the basics of what you've already been tested on. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaBtYooQdmNzq63eID8RaLQ
Read the Gordon West books, they're a pretty light and simple introduction to the various concepts. Find an elmer to help guide you. And don't be afraid to make mistakes.
low cost beginner radio, the UV-5R V2+ https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HX03AMA/ and /r/Baofeng to ask questions about your potato.
I bought these ones. Remember that they do require a license to broadcast, but it's well worth the time.
So if i bought two of these and then we got licensed could we (my partner and I) make contact in a SHTF scenario without and help from a repeater? We would be within 20 miles of one another
Onea them cheapo Baofeng hand-held dealies offa Amazon. Look up your local services' frequencies online, and you're off to the races.
Scanner: Baofeng UV-5R v2, $33. I have the previous model of this one. The older model is now $25.
Antenna: Nagoya NA-810 2.5-Inch Mini-Whip VHF/UHF, $14. The stock antenna on that radio has a lot of bleed, I changed the antenna on both of my radio's and the next race we went to there was no bleed whatsoever.
I just use normal earbuds for audio and have noise cancelling ear muffs, but plan on getting a microphone headset in the future.
Noise cancelling headset here
So for a little more than the price of renting one of the scanners you can buy your own and have it ready to go every year. We go to multiple races a year, so after two races we were already saving money on scanners.
If money is an issue this will get the job done.
http://www.amazon.com/Warranty-Dual-Band-Improved-Stronger-Enhanced/dp/B00HX03AMA/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1457804913&sr=1-2&keywords=baofeng
Used it for multiple Indycar races last year.