Baofeng Sales Ban Countdown

[Meerkat]

Radio's are much like guns, different ones are better for different purposes. If you want to shoot at 1000 meters you will pick a different gun than you would pick for home defence.

Home-brewed means homemade.

Well I sure don't want those directions. Thank youCar.

 

[Caribou]

These radios have plenty of frequencies that are legal without a license so you can use them today and have time to get a license or get used to working radios. A friend of mine is an electronics technician and has been over powering his radios (broadcasting at illegal power levels) for about 50 years without anyone calling him on it.

 

[Bacpacker]

BacP how many do we need? And which ones did you get?

I bought 2 of the UV-5R radios during Amazon's Prime Day. I know a few folks that have them and to my knowledge haven't had problems with them and like the cost and abilities they have. Even if you never use it to talk on, it makes a very wide band scanner to listen to all kinds of things. Couple things I'd recommend, get at least one battery extra per radio. 2 or 3 would be even better. Also get a better antenna. I found this one and it works much better than factory stock.
https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-NA...KY5XS67TN6S&psc=1&refRID=RWAD52D80KY5XS67TN6S

As far as number to get. For me that minimum is 2 per person in household. You each got a back up in case one breaks. Also in a bad situation, severe storm, etc you can listen to 2 different channels each. Cover a lot of ground that way. I bought mine to keep in our cars for use in our GHB's. I keep my other non chinese radios at the house. I have both Yeasu and Kenwwod HT's that have given many years of service.

 

[Weedygarden]

The radios and accessories arrived yesterday, two days from the day I ordered until I received them. I have been gone for a week, and have a few things to get in order, then I will get them set up.

 

[Meerkat]

I bought 2 of the UV-5R radios during Amazon's Prime Day. I know a few folks that have them and to my knowledge haven't had problems with them and like the cost and abilities they have. Even if you never use it to talk on, it makes a very wide band scanner to listen to all kinds of things. Couple things I'd recommend, get at least one battery extra per radio. 2 or 3 would be even better. Also get a better antenna. I found this one and it works much better than factory stock.
https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-NA...KY5XS67TN6S&psc=1&refRID=RWAD52D80KY5XS67TN6S

As far as number to get. For me that minimum is 2 per person in household. You each got a back up in case one breaks. Also in a bad situation, severe storm, etc you can listen to 2 different channels each. Cover a lot of ground that way. I bought mine to keep in our cars for use in our GHB's. I keep my other non chinese radios at the house. I have both Yeasu and Kenwwod HT's that have given many years of service.

@Bacpacker Which oen did you buy? BacP I couldn't find the type of battery the one we looked at used. I'll check out the one you bought and see if we can get it.

 

[Swing]

@Angie Angie could you explain ,homebrew?

Home brew is build the radio yourself. My Dad did it all the time. And in the past many old timer hams built their rigs (the radios, amplifiers, dummy loads, antennas).
Heathkit was a firm that made radio kits. I've been around the end of the time of their kits. Matchboxes are good, but now built into the modern transceivers (transmitter/receiver).

The crystal radio that some use to build for a science project and connected to a wire antenna (or a barbed wire fence) is a home brew project.


https://steampunk.wonderhowto.com/how-to/complete-guide-build-crystal-radio-plus-they-work-0141117/

I have Dad's 1952 and 1964 ARRL manuals that give old fashioned, do it yourself information.

 

[Swing]

As a legal ham all my adult life, I am not condoning illegal activity. I am not going to do anything about someone else doing so on this subject. I do know when there is an emergency or SHTF, the laws may not be enforced much if at all.

 

[Weedygarden]

I have taken one of the antenna out and looked at it. My concern is how to protect it from getting broken in a bag or backpack? It is a little more than 15 inches long. Maybe a small PVC tube with a removable end?

 

[Caribou]

They make stubby antennas that are less prone to damage. They probably won't broadcast as far but that may be an advantage or disadvantage depending on your situation. I bought a 5 pack of the stubby antennas for not much. They are for short range and as replacements for damaged antennas. I also bought longer antennas with the awareness that these will require special awareness in order to protect them. $7.50 each from Amazon.

 

[Caribou]

My AA battery case shells arrived today, weeks after the antennas that were ordered at the same time. Now I can keep 3 radios running when the batteries go bad.

 

[bkt]

I have taken one of the antenna out and looked at it. My concern is how to protect it from getting broken in a bag or backpack? It is a little more than 15 inches long. Maybe a small PVC tube with a removable end?

Take a look here. You can literally tie these antennas in a knot and they'll come back to straight. I have some - they work really well and I'm getting at least one for all my handhelds.

Stubby antennas are fine for very close-range UHF, but stink if you're looking for any kind of range. The SignalStick is pretty long, but very lightweight and flexible and will let you reach out quite far with 5 watts.

 

[Bacpacker]

@Bacpacker Which oen did you buy? BacP I couldn't find the type of battery the one we looked at used. I'll check out the one you bought and see if we can get it.

These are the radios I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EEPGEIY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This are the batteries for spares I got.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TDJZ1H...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

These would be another option. It's has 3800mAh, which will give you longer life. I'll probably order at least a set of them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QXT5Z2...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

 

[Weedygarden]

Take a look here. You can literally tie these antennas in a knot and they'll come back to straight. I have some - they work really well and I'm getting at least one for all my handhelds.

Stubby antennas are fine for very close-range UHF, but stink if you're looking for any kind of range. The SignalStick is pretty long, but very lightweight and flexible and will let you reach out quite far with 5 watts.

Those are great antennae (antennas?). Mine would break if I tried to tie them into a knot. I will look into getting some for my radios. But I still have these BTECH ones, and want to make a holder to protect them.

 

[Bacpacker]

Take a look here. You can literally tie these antennas in a knot and they'll come back to straight. I have some - they work really well and I'm getting at least one for all my handhelds.

Stubby antennas are fine for very close-range UHF, but stink if you're looking for any kind of range. The SignalStick is pretty long, but very lightweight and flexible and will let you reach out quite far with 5 watts.

I have very similar antennas and they work great. And yes you can tie them in a knot with no damage.

 

[Meerkat]

These are the radios I bought.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EEPGEIY/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This are the batteries for spares I got.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TDJZ1H...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

These would be another option. It's has 3800mAh, which will give you longer life. I'll probably order at least a set of them.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QXT5Z2...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Neat thanks BacP.

 

[Bacpacker]

For the folks interested in getting their ham radio license here is a link to study test to practice on before actually taking the test. I suggest take them repeatedly until you are passing 75-80% of them.

https://www.eham.net/exams/

 

[Sentry18]

My package of radios arrived. Shipped straight from China to me. I did not take the time to really set them up but they are higher quality than I was expecting but lower in quality (of course) than our police radios. The extra antennas I ordered seem high quality than the ones that came with the radio. Now I am debating if I need shoulder mics.

 

[Bacpacker]

Mics either of shoulder type or ear buds are very useful. Frees up both hands. I look at that the same way I do a head lamp vs a flashlight.

 

[Sentry18]

Mics either of shoulder type or ear buds are very useful. Frees up both hands. I look at that the same way I do a head lamp vs a flashlight.

They come with an ear bud / mic system, but they do not seem very durable.

 

[Bacpacker]

I got one with mine, but haven't tried it yet. Have no idea how durable they are.

 

[Sentry18]

I got one with mine, but haven't tried it yet. Have no idea how durable they are.

I don't know either, but they are thinner, lighter, and less "armored" than the earbud/mics we buy for work. And the one's we buy for work have to be replaced fairly often under moderate use.

 

[Bacpacker]

I bet you use Motorolas? I've bought a bunch of them recently for my radio tech. He replaces them quite regularly

 

[Sentry18]

I bet you use Motorolas? I've bought a bunch of them recently for my radio tech. He replaces them quite regularly

Yep, Motorola MOTO-TRBO digital.

 

[Weedygarden]

I was wondering if it is the baofeng's sales being banned because of the trade embargo?

I don't know either, but they are thinner, lighter, and less "armored" than the earbud/mics we buy for work. And the one's we buy for work have to be replaced fairly often under moderate use.

Are they damaged during use, or in storage? I can see both possibilities. I know that people who use ear buds are often looking for replacements. I do have a couple sets, but I rarely use them. My storage for them is an empty Altoid tin, labeled on the edge.

 

[Sentry18]

Are they damaged during use, or in storage? I can see both possibilities. I know that people who use ear buds are often looking for replacements. I do have a couple sets, but I rarely use them. My storage for them is an empty Altoid tin, labeled on the edge.

During use. Some officers use them all the time so the people they are dealing with never hear the radio traffic. Some officers only use them for special events or when they predict loud crowd noises, etc. But we seem to order a new case of them every year and hand them out routinely.

 

[Weedygarden]

During use. Some officers use them all the time so the people they are dealing with never hear the radio traffic. Some officers only use them for special events or when they predict loud crowd noises, etc. But we seem to order a new case of them every year and hand them out routinely.

I see people removing them by pulling on the wire. I would think that would take its toll on them.

 

[Meerkat]

Meerkat, I think you need at least one for every person in your household, and spares if you can afford them. I think of them going into my bag as part of my daily carry.

The one thing that I have been thinking about is range. It appears that they mostly have a range of about a mile? A ham radio has a much further range, but has other limitations, such as portability. I say that, but I am really lacking in knowledge about them.

Somehow I missed this post till now. And I agree we need a few of them. Thanks Weedy.

 

[Weedygarden]

Somehow I missed this post till now. And I agree we need a few of them. Thanks Weedy.

If nothing else, a pair of them, for you and your husband. Spares would be great to have. I was thinking they could be a great barter item if we are not allowed to resell them.
One thing I have been thinking about is: Is Baofeng the only company that makes radios of this type? In my years of researching, this is the brand that has been suggested to me many times. Are they being banned because of the trade embargo?

 

[Meerkat]

If nothing else, a pair of them, for you and your husband. Spares would be great to have. I was thinking they could be a great barter item if we are not allowed to resell them.
One thing I have been thinking about is: Is Baofeng the only company that makes radios of this type? In my years of researching, this is the brand that has been suggested to me many times. Are they being banned because of the trade embargo?

I have no idea but wonder if we get what we order from them. In review comments I read they are copies of copies. Not really Baofeng's. Of course that could be a nut who was expecting James Bonds 007's radio and got Baofeng.

 

[Caribou]

I got a couple different antennas, ear buds, and lapel mic's as spares and as options. Things are going to wear out or just plain break plus some options might just work better in different situations. The spare battery compartment that takes AA batteries is my favourite option.