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Ordered my first ham radio, what now?

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  • sobi1998

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    Mar 18, 2016
    1,134
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    I ordered a “Baofeng UV-5RTP Two-Way Radio Dual Band VHF UHF FM 8Watt”
    It was only $26

    I don’t have a license yet and not sure if/when I’d get one. I’m mainly interested in it for emergencies
    I’m just curious if anyone out there could enlighten me on the pros of having one. Like what kind of frequencies I could pick up or range of frequencies. I’ve been told this one can’t pick up digital frequencies such as what the police and EMS use.
    I’m active in/around Houston, San Antonio and Lubbock areas fyi
    I’d rather have a radio and not need it than not have one and need it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    cycleguy2300

    TGT Addict
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    9   0   0
    Mar 19, 2010
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    Austin, Texas
    Take the test asap, its cheap, a cinch to pass with a few hours of practice tests and a little reading if your not up to speed on basic radio and electrical theory. Seriously, do a practice test on your phone every time you poop and you could pass the Tech exam no problems in a week.

    If you want to listen, get a cheap scanner. It's to easy to accidentally key up on a ham freq with a HT.


    Sent from your mom's house using Tapatalk
     

    ghostrider45

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Jan 5, 2021
    89
    26
    Central Texas
    I ordered a “Baofeng UV-5RTP Two-Way Radio Dual Band VHF UHF FM 8Watt”
    It was only $26

    I don’t have a license yet and not sure if/when I’d get one. I’m mainly interested in it for emergencies
    I’m just curious if anyone out there could enlighten me on the pros of having one. Like what kind of frequencies I could pick up or range of frequencies. I’ve been told this one can’t pick up digital frequencies such as what the police and EMS use.
    I’m active in/around Houston, San Antonio and Lubbock areas fyi
    I’d rather have a radio and not need it than not have one and need it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


    so, did you get a license yet?
    or do you have more questions?
     

    medicmike

    Member
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    0   0   0
    Dec 27, 2020
    106
    26
    Plano
    Frequencies are all available on line. For a Baofeng I would recommend getting a programming cable and download CHIRP to load your frequencies. Set up right you can program your radio so it won't transmit on frequencies that you shouldn't.

    Definitely get your Tech license. Like Cycleguy and Cobbler said, it's pretty straight forward, you will learn about radio and you can legally use it.

    A caveat with these radios, they can be programmed to transmit on prohibited frequencies, they sometimes come out of the box programmed with those frequencies. So don't just pick a random channel and key up. The FCC has NO sense of humor should you accidently interfere with public service traffic (think REALY big fines). Worse than the fines I wouldn't want that on my conscience if it were me.

    Should you chose to get licensed and go down the ham radio rabbit hole feel free to reach out. There are good resources here and elsewhere that would be happy to share in the addiction! :)
     

    ghostrider45

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    Jan 5, 2021
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    Central Texas
    I recommend looking at the list of 'supported' radios on the Chirp website before buying a first radio (I think almost all Baofeng radios are supported):


    Chirp is open source (free to download/install) and runs on Windows, Linux and Mac.
     

    TundraWookiee

    Scruffy Nerf Herder
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    2   0   0
    Jan 9, 2012
    2,699
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    Cedar Park
    Been away from the forum for a long time but I've had a couple handhelds for a few years that I mostly have programmed for offroad and Baja frequencies but with everything going on I've also been considering getting licensed. Did yall have specific resources you recommend for studying or practice tests?
     

    ghostrider45

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    Jan 5, 2021
    89
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    Central Texas
    Been away from the forum for a long time but I've had a couple handhelds for a few years that I mostly have programmed for offroad and Baja frequencies but with everything going on I've also been considering getting licensed. Did yall have specific resources you recommend for studying or practice tests?

    I posted some links here:
    https://texasguntalk.com/threads/i-...el-amateur-radio-test-yesterday.102470/page-2

    I will probably start a new thread, though.
     

    majormadmax

    Úlfhéðnar
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    9   0   0
    Aug 27, 2009
    15,841
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    San Antonio!
    Is this the radio you got? If so, what do you think of it?

    1630812620766.png
     

    no2gates

    These are not the droids you're looking for.
    Lifetime Member
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    4   0   0
    Aug 31, 2013
    6,023
    96
    Grand Prairie, TX
    Is this the radio you got? If so, what do you think of it?

    View attachment 275210
    I think almost 50% of the hams by now have one of those. I've had one for about 5 years now and it still works great. I keep it at my desk at work in case of any issues in the Dallas area that I want to hear or talk about on the local repeaters.
     

    cycleguy2300

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    Mar 19, 2010
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    Austin, Texas
    I think almost 50% of the hams by now have one of those. I've had one for about 5 years now and it still works great. I keep it at my desk at work in case of any issues in the Dallas area that I want to hear or talk about on the local repeaters.
    Mine works great too. Cheap easy enough to program in new freqs and offsets by hand...

    Sent from your mom's house using Tapatalk
     

    Tnhawk

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    1   0   0
    Dec 7, 2017
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    Savannah, TX
    I ordered a “Baofeng UV-5RTP Two-Way Radio Dual Band VHF UHF FM 8Watt”
    It was only $26

    I don’t have a license yet and not sure if/when I’d get one. I’m mainly interested in it for emergencies
    I’m just curious if anyone out there could enlighten me on the pros of having one. Like what kind of frequencies I could pick up or range of frequencies. I’ve been told this one can’t pick up digital frequencies such as what the police and EMS use.
    I’m active in/around Houston, San Antonio and Lubbock areas fyi
    I’d rather have a radio and not need it than not have one and need it.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Transmission on the Police/Fire/EMS/Amateur Bands is illegal.
    I would suggest contacting a local Ham club and obtaining a Technician license.
     

    Sock Puppet

    Active Member
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    0   0   0
    Mar 8, 2015
    565
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    I ordered a “Baofeng UV-5RTP Two-Way Radio Dual Band VHF UHF FM 8Watt”

    Don't expect to get 8 watts out of that radio. Many of the Baofeng variants tested typically get 4-5 watts. I've seen some advertising absurd power levels, but when those have been tested, they've only transmitted slightly over 4 watts.

    I second (third?) the recommendation to get Chirp and a programming cable. It definitely makes it easier to program the radio. Just make sure you get a genuine cable and not a knockoff.
     
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