Inexpensive HAM Radio for those who want to learn

Wow - nice.

But I need a license, right?

Only if you transmit. Nice to putz around with

That's what I wanted to know, can you just listen without a liscence?

Yes, my dear.
You 'can' be tracked/traced if you play games though.

The test is not hard, nor expensive

BTW, the price on this DOES fluctuate.
Jump on it now while low. I bet if you do, the price will be higher by midnight CST

I have 2 they are OK for price ... range is crap and instructions ...well there are none

By using repeaters & satellites you can reach out 100's of miles

^^ This.

Useless for deaftard like me. Anything out there for me like walkietextie?

Here's some info for you to text over the radio..
[link to www.w1hkj.com]

And about the Baufeng, however you might say it, everyone I know with one needed LOTS of help programming it.

Although, for the price I have been talking about getting one. They do sound great, for the licensed HAM to TX with. Practically a disposable radio...

Instructions online.

And the LEARN part is the key word before someone spends a lot on something and decides its not for them. Don't start with the best and easiest as you will never learn the ins and outs

Yes, there is actually.

The radios are more expensive, (like in the $600 - $1000 range expensive,) like an Icom 706MKIIG on ebay.

You can get a USB controller like a RigBlaster Plug-n-Play, and you can get into the Ham Radio Digital Modes with your laptop and radio. Even the lowest level ham radio license has some privileges on the HF bands.

It's like instant messenger over the radio - you can even send files with free software called FL-WRAP, or send faxes, and even slow-scan TV.

I have bought two of them. They are a b word to program. Still haven't gotten it all figured out yet. Buy the USB cord that goes with it and download the software. Then go to radioreference and look up active freq. near you. it is a little fun to play around with.

For 30, you can't go wrong.

14M is where all the digital modes hang out it seems.

Although I don't see why you couldn't integrate the Fldigi into an HT for portable use.

I bought the BAOFENG UV-5RE for a few bucks more last month. Love it.

[link to www.amazon.com]

I use CHIRP to program it.

Last Edited by fooz on 01/30/2014 10:49 PM

I've heard it's a royal pain to program. When TSHTF, you don't want frustration.

I have one of these and am planning to buy another one or two...

Programming for those that seem to think it is beyond their tech skills, is a lot easier than you think...

I guess it depends on what you want to do with it, if you want to listen to other conversations just tune the radio to the frequency that has traffic and listen...

If you are planning to get a Ham radio license and want to program it for your local repeater system you would be amazed at how many people in your area would do it for you...

Mine came with the usb cable and the software to program all the channels in our area including the repeater system, the local police, sheriff, and emergency services as it works as a scanner also...

However, if it is for when the shtf and you want to be able to be in contact with other people in your area all yo need to do is find a channel with no or little traffic and you have about 5 miles of communication with no effort...

The FCC is not as harsh as you may think...You would be able to use your radio for emergency situations without reprisal...Also I can allow friends to communicate on my radio as a "station controller" for short conversations...

Another thing this radio is capable of is it can be used as a cell phone in areas that have a repeater system and a phone code...I live in a very remote area that has limited cell access but because our Ham club has an awesome repeater system the hams are never without cell communication as well...

You can't beat the versatility nor the reliability for the price for this radio...and no I have no affiliation with the company...

Thread: SHTF Ham Transceivers n Shortwave Receivers (Both for $100)

I didn't even know what the 2m band was before I bought a baofeng, and 2years later using dr google I have mine even programmed so I can listen to a phone call come into the local campus security, other security companies, police.

It's not just a scanner, so that's an AWESOME thing, but can be a very stupid thing if you lack maturity.

After a year I did go get my HAM license for $15, only studied for 10 days online.

You CANNOT beat a UV5R for the $$$. There is NOTHING else out there that can do all this for $30.

Only a matter of time before the FCC manage to block these, I would buy one very soon.

need any of us say more about these lil guys?

Wanted to pick up three, but there is only one left. Next best deal is the twelve pack

bump

If u transmit without authority

The old hams will hunt you down and report u to the FCC

This is my 2m rig. I've had my license since I was 17. My husband is a 3rd generation ham.

[link to www.universal-radio.com]

sounds good!

This is true!

[link to cheapham.com]

I've saw it happen back in the early 80's. A neighbor down the street had a really expensive ham room. Top of the line radios, amps, antenna & tower.

The FCC came in one morning & took everything. They weren't nice about it, they did a lot of damage to the property in the process.

I remember him leaving town not too long after that. His wife & baby left about 6 months later.

They had a big python, never knew what happened to that thing.

Last Edited by mopar28m on 02/13/2014 11:24 AM

The FCC is typically more interested in someone broadcasting pirate radio. Meaning operating an FM radio station unlicensed.

Haha they find them and shut them down pretty quick

I like am pirate stations