I couldn't resist this time. These radios have become too cheap to ignore. So, I ordered myself the new Baofeng UV-5R+ and a programming cable. My FT-270R is 2m only, so I will be getting 70cm as well. Not to mention that the radio can be programmed with FRS, GMRS and MURS frequencies, though transmitting would be illegal on these bands. I would have much preferred a VX-7R, but that's $375, TEN times more money!
I am not sure what the differences are with the UV-5R, other than a new case...?
I will post my experiences with the radio, especially programming. I mostly use Linux and OSX but also have Windows 7, but booting it up is like walking through a plague infested village :o
Gil.
Quote from: gil on September 07, 2013, 04:32:13 PM
I am not sure what the differences are with the UV-5R, other than a new case...?
I have a UV5R, not the +, and my understanding is the + is the same radio with a more stylish, rounded case with some extra trim. The downside to that is the rounded case interferes with using the extended battery pack that is available for the UV5R. I have heard, but can't confirm, that the case can be carefully trimmed so the battery fits.
Also, I used CHIRP to program mine, and it worked well. CHIRP is free, open source, and is available for Mac and Linux as well as Winders. That worked out rather well... the same programming cable works with my Kenwood TH-F6A and CHIRP works with a huge number of radios, including mobiles as well as HTs.
http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home
Wally
You'll be embarassed at how you come to like it. In some ways I like it better than my FT-60R, but please don't tell anyone I said that.
Quote from: gil on September 07, 2013, 04:32:13 PM
Not to mention that the radio can be programmed with FRS, GMRS and MURS frequencies, though transmitting would be illegal on these bands.
Gil.
Was wondering why you would be concerned about such a thing, that radio's transmit power being too strong for some bands.
I would think of transmitting on those bands, with that power, as an easy no-brainer effort to harden the mind for bad times. Part of the hardening, is to willfully commit a misdemeanor per day, and a felony per week.
That concept was put out several years ago on a more political site, Western Rifle Shooter's Association. I do think that deliberate lawbreaking is a fine thing, if kept somewhat in check to protect a person's ability to continue to run free and keep breaking laws.
For sure, any crimes committed during that heart-hardened way of life, must be directed at authority, not at people. A couple of watts extra on transmit running a Chicom handheld radio, is a harm to no one, and running it on those prohibited bands helps you to be an outlaw in one of the smaller parts of life. That's a very small start to outlaw status. But as the wise man said, if you are not on some government watch list by this time in your life, you should be embarrased.
QuoteA couple of watts extra on transmit running a Chicom handheld radio, is a harm to no one, and running it on those prohibited bands helps you to be an outlaw in one of the smaller parts of life.
Well, I understand your point of view. I will however avoid breaking those laws. Of course in a life-and-death emergency, you can use whatever frequency with all the power you have. So, I will program those frequencies into the radio for listening, and in case of dire emergency.
Gil.
I actually went for the UV-B5 model as my first radio. It's truly an updated radio (instead of just a new skin on the old UV-5R) and seems to be pretty good (but I really am not experienced enough to know).
However, my next HT will be a Puxing PX-UV973. Sure, it's twice the price (which is still cheap), but it's a true dual receiver and has a cross-band repeater capability. It gets great reviews too. There's a guy on Radio Reference who is a self-described HT addict and says that the Puxing is better transceiver than his Yaesus and Icoms.
Hello,
I received the UV-5R+ today and it is a beauty. Quite smaller than my Yaesu Ft-270R. Problem is, there is an issue with the microphone jack, which I heard does happen with these cheap radios. I can use the included earpiece and all works well, but when I remove it, the internal microphone doesn't get switched back on. Other than that, I really like it. I can listen to two different channels at a time, and on two different bands! Not bad for $50, including the programming cable. I got a good report on the local repeater, again, using the earpiece microphone. I could replace the jacks myself (http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=104634 (http://www.409shop.com/409shop_product.php?id=104634)), but if I can get a replacement quickly, why bother..
Programming was super easy using Chirp: http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home (http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home) However getting Windows 7 to see the serial-to-USB cable was a problem. No luck on Mac and Linux either. I had to use different drivers than the Micro$oft ones to get it to work. I'll attach the file. The great thing with Chirp is that you can insert a list of frequencies like FRS, GMRS, MURS, Marine VHF, at the click of the mouse! Your radio memories are of course backed-up to file. Don't even bother trying to program one by hand. The time spent is not worth the $10 for the cable.
Scanning is slow as molasses compared to my Yaesu. Maybe that's why you only get 128 memories!
I'll attach a MUCH better manual here as well. (http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/pdf/uv-5r_v1.0-annotated_by_KC9HI.pdf (http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/pdf/uv-5r_v1.0-annotated_by_KC9HI.pdf))
I will probably get a backup one next month, just in case... Hell, I can get three for the price of one Yaesu.
Gil.
So, I contacted the importer (nicheone on Ebay) about returning the radio. I didn't want to be without one while waiting for a replacement so I ordered a second one immediately! Yes, I really like it. I asked them if they would send me a replacement before I returned the first one. Seeing that I had ordered another one, they simply said that they would send me one directly from China, and don't bother sending the first one back! Works for me :D We'll see if they keep their word. So, I'll end up with three for $100, including a programming cable and one speaker/mic. Two will go in my faraday box, or I might give one away..
I did succeed in getting Chirp working on Linux by simply downloading the latest version and running it as root. I just open a terminal and type: sudo chirpw
The Yaesu has, no doubt, better quality parts. It can also be submerged! So, for any operating near water or in the rain, I take the Yaesu. It will probably last much longer than the Baofeng. That said, the little (it is quite smaller) Chinese HT looks pretty well built. It fits in a pocket easily where the Yaesu does not. The plastic used for the case looks like quality, not like some cheap FRS radio case. It does feel quite solid. The microphone jack issue is well known... Just make sure your importer has a good return policy. If the one you get works fine, most likely the case, you're home free for a while. The UV-5R also has a very good FM receiver, with priority to any incoming VHF/UHF signals. the radio just returns to your FM station when signals stop. The LED flashlight, who cares? Until you need it that is.. The siren, now, if anyone has ever needed it, I'd like to hear that story ::)
My advise is, buy two! Get a programming cable. Keep one HT as a spare. I am not going to sell my FT-270R, because it's built like a tank, just for rainy days. I will however carry the UV-5R+ on a daily basis without too much worries. I think in this case you do get a bit more than what you pay for.
Ok, back to Morse code now! Ah, if only tiny CW QRP rigs came in the same rugged cases as those HTs, that would be awesome...
Gil.
Update: Got my second one, works great! What a deal...
I just got one this past week and had the time today to try the computer programming for it. Windows XP and the demonic disc that came with the cable are not friendly in the least. I came in here, copied the link to the MIKLOR page and put my fat old fingers to work. The more I programmed the easier it got, not that I want to do that much at one time again, but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Now, let's see how much I like it and if I want to get a different hand held in a while.
You should have tried Chirp.. I haven't even used the program the cable came with..
Gil.
You might find this interesting:
http://www.elazary.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:hacking-the-baofeng-uv5r&catid=14:baofeng-uv5r&Itemid=17
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using Tapatalk 4
I sure can not get CHIRP to upload. I am playing around with it. :(
QuoteI sure can not get CHIRP to upload. I am playing around with it.
Might be a serial port issue.. Make sure you use the correct one, and assuming you use windows, it should show in "devices and printers."
Gil.
Quote from: gil on September 19, 2013, 05:04:33 PM
You should have tried Chirp.. I haven't even used the program the cable came with..
Gil.
Chirp is loaded, the computer recognizes the cable, but the connection from the radio to the computer appears dead. Chirp just sits there and won't load to the radio and the radio won't load to chirp. Guess it's a bogus cable issue.
NEW 09-21 After my medic shift I came home and sat down to trouble shoot the cable, driver, software and came up with reloading the driver and playing with the cable in the radio. Now it works like a charm and everything is backed up. I can see where using CHIRP in the first place would have been so much easier, but at least now I'm pretty good and comfortable at pressing those tiny buttons with my big old fat fingers.
Quote from: gil on September 07, 2013, 04:32:13 PMI would have much preferred a VX-7R, but that's $375, TEN times more money!
Gil.
For what it's worth, I own two HT's, a VX-7R and a UV-5R, and I use the little Baofeng just as much if not more than the Yaesu. I never did convince it to get along with a Mac, but it's a good little radio.
Well, I can't recommend the UV-5R+ anymore.. My second radio developed the same problem as the first one: Busted mic jack. Now I have two radios that can transmit audio only using an external microphone! The first one came already broken and the second one broke after little use. Too bad because other than that, they work great. I do have an external microphone, but still, what a bummer. The user "nicheone" on Ebay has not sent me a replacement as promised. I need to contact them again.. I have a spare set of jacks to be installed, but what a PITA.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Gil.
Quote from: gil on November 28, 2013, 02:47:36 PM
Well, I can't recommend the UV-5R+ anymore.. My second radio developed the same problem as the first one: Busted mic jack. Now I have two radios that can transmit audio only using an external microphone! The first one came already broken and the second one broke after little use. Too bad because other than that, they work great. I do have an external microphone, but still, what a bummer. The user "nicheone" on Ebay has not sent me a replacement as promised. I need to contact them again.. I have a spare set of jacks to be installed, but what a PITA.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Gil.
Hopefully the key jack still works. 8)
Hello All
I took the red pill and picked up a UV-5S. I got a good deal on it, it came with a extra battery and speaker mic. I programmed it using CHIRP. Thanks for the recommendation. It came with the cable, but I already had one from my Wouxun.
Programming with chirp was easy. Turned on radio and was able to pick up the local repeater traffic. I have not transmitted at any distance. I am to far from the repeater to hit with a HT.
Based on Ray's recommendation I will be ordering the Nagoya antenna.
Don't foget to put a rat tail on it. That made more difference than the antenna for me. I attach the tail to a belt clip screw. Enjoy it.
These little things are addictive !!! Ordered 3 more to help round out my HT coms.
Thanks Bob for reminding me about the rat tails, I will install them after I get the other 3. I will post a pick of 5R family when I get them.
If the pc wont see the radio try pressing the radio end of the cable in a little harder. Some of them have trouble with that connection. I have seriously considered selling my Kenwood TMV71A and only using the Baofeng. Im rarely on repeaters and that Kenwood doesnt work any better than the Baofeng.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk
I sure would like a VX-7R.. Too bad they no longer make them. Maybe I could find one on Ebay...
Gil.
Quote from: freax on September 28, 2014, 05:20:15 AM
This thread has convinced me to stay well away from these Chinese radios and buy only brand-name ones.
Despite them being so cheap I feel kind of dirty giving money to a country which is probably going to side with Russia in World War III. And I don't like the idea of stockpiling bricks.
Like the UNIDEN UH507SX-2NB with VOX headsets and base charger.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UNIDEN-UH507SX-2NB-HANDHELD-80-CHANNEL-0-7W-UHF-CB-TWO-WAY-RADIOS-TWIN-PACK-/160989441713?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item257bb7eeb1 (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/UNIDEN-UH507SX-2NB-HANDHELD-80-CHANNEL-0-7W-UHF-CB-TWO-WAY-RADIOS-TWIN-PACK-/160989441713?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item257bb7eeb1)
Twin pack for only $117 delivered! and the 0.7 watt power output keeps eavesdropping in reasonable check.
Thank you.
I hate to break it to you, but guess what country those radios were made in?
Hello,
My third Baofeng works... But I'm not using the microphone plug, no way!
Other than that defect, it is a great radio. I could have bought a Yaesu for the price of those three though... Luck of the draw...
Gil.
Many of the Chinese radios are based off of low-end Kenwood designs. Even Motorola manufactures their radios in China now. The cost to assemble them there is much less than anywhere else and a good majority of the components are also made there as well.
All of the Chinese portables (Baofeng, Puxing, Wouxun, etc.) I have owned have been fine with no issues. The mobile radios in the beginning had some minor issues but they seem to be improving now. They all have odd programming idiosyncrasies that you need to work through but they are a good value for the money. If they are lost, stolen, or damaged you aren't out much money. If you're life depends upon radio communication then an investment in a higher quality radio would be advised.
Even if you could get a radio manufactured/assembled in the US (or any other country) it would likely have a majority of Chinese components in it since not much is made here any longer.
- Rob
I have two Baofeng radios, and they work pretty well for what they are - the ham radio equivalent of a throwaway cell phone. I may pick up another someday and try to build an Echolink node with it. It's nice to have a functional radio that, if it gets lost or crushed or dropped in the lake, you don't have to care. As far as buying Chinese stuff, I don't worry too much about it. We're already past the tipping point, and both we and the Chinese let it get away from us. We've allowed our economy to be dominated by China to the point that they make everything we use. China has allowed their economy to become so entwined with our purchasing power that, if our economy fails, they'll be bankrupted as well.
If you ever get a chance to read the original translation of Chairman Mao's "Little Red Book," read it. It's an eye opener. The thing you'll notice is that Mao wasn't much of a communist, but he was a first-rate, top-shelf fascist. Oh, he gave the standard "Marxist-Leninist worker's paradise to defeat the running dog capitalists" line here and there just to keep the Soviets off his back, but for the most part it's a primer about building a fascist economic powerhouse. It worked WAY better than he planned, and now the U.S. and China are joined at the hip whether any of us like it or not. Such is life. :o
Hello,
I am pretty interested in the Wouxun KG-UV8D, which is a cross-band repeater. For $120! You could attach it to a quad copter or a balloon and send it up a few hundred feet and cover a very large area. Even up a tree would work wonders. If you have a main location and a group of people patroling the area, one of these up a mast would make a fine low-cost repeater.
Gil.
Quote from: raybiker73 on September 28, 2014, 04:03:45 PM
As far as buying Chinese stuff, I don't worry too much about it. We're already past the tipping point, and both we and the Chinese let it get away from us. We've allowed our economy to be dominated by China to the point that they make everything we use. China has allowed their economy to become so entwined with our purchasing power that, if our economy fails, they'll be bankrupted as well.
Oh yeah, we are
WAY past the tipping point. I admitted to myself a long time ago that like it or not, we live in a global economy and if you want to live a "normal" consumers life you're gonna buy stuff from China. I have many principles that I will not budge on and this isn't one of them, choose your battles wisely as Sun Tzu said. Sure, for balls to the wall, ultra reliable, always gonna work stuff, I buy high quality (translation: expensive) made in the USA merchandise, especially stuff that my life may depend on - gun parts, optics, knives, etc. For most other items Chinese will usually do and for considerably less money. For many things I buy that will see limited use or it's failure is inconsequential, I actively seek out Chinese versions.
I've been using a Baofeng UV-B5 daily for over a year with a mag mount and external speaker mic with no issues and have 2 of them programmed identically.
Deal Extreme sells a Kenwood brand mic for less then $10 which ships directly from China, http://www.dx.com/p/kenwood-kmc-17-heavy-duty-speaker-micphone-w-earphone-jack-106859 (http://www.dx.com/p/kenwood-kmc-17-heavy-duty-speaker-micphone-w-earphone-jack-106859). The baofeng external speaker mics sound like crap, and you can instantly pick out someone using one. Not that it's a drawback, it's still intelligible, I just prefer the cleaner modulation.
As far as buying Chinese, they're using the equivalent of slave labor, but that's a moral argument that goes beyond the scope of this discussion. Who is John Galt?
Regarding cross band repeat and a quad copter, that might be a little noisy. Why not a lighter than air balloon tethered to the ground? A light blue or grey color would be hard to spot. On a low duty cycle, it would last as long as the batteries. In fact, it's not a bad way to run an antenna. Cool idea, Gill. I was thinking through how to keep a balloon aloft, and how much temperature differential and volume would be required to use air only, or how to seal Helium semi permanently. I don't know if anyone's seen the balloons the feds use around FL. I'm pretty sure they're helium. Anyway... thanks for the discussion, as always. 73's.
QuoteWho is John Galt? You called?
You guys check out my new hat...
Gil.
Too bad someone in the 1970's messed up the good name with a similar likeness of the name from the book: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentieth_Century_Motor_Car_Corporation
QuoteToo bad someone in the 1970's messed up the good name with a similar likeness of the name from the book: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twentieth_Century_Motor_Car_Corporation
I did notice that when I bought it from the Atlas Shrugged movie web site, but I thought it was close enough..
Gil.
Atlas Shrugged was a scary book. SO much of that is happening right now.
Atlas Shrugged is the book that for me put into words the feelings and scattered thoughts I had on how the world works, or more precisely, how people work. It defines two kinds of individuals, those who work, and those who leech on them. I remember watching a show on about a dozen young men and women who were dropped in Alaska for a reality TV show. The group quickly divided in two: Half started building shelters, hunting, making fire, etc. while the other half just sat there complaining. The later were the first to give up. That's how things work, half of the world is forced to provide for the other half. The leechers have a powerful weapon unfortunately, taxes... Taxpayer's money is supposed to be for building the country's infrastructure and protect it, as well as providing law and order. That's not what it's used for today... Not only that, now there is a certain private sector that uses government to wage wars to sell their hardware and oil. All that paid with the stolen fruit of our labor. Scary thing is that now they are making sure law enforvement is armed enough to keep everyone in check. Unfortunately this general process is a one-way street. It only gets worse... And that's why we are prepping, becasue we know nothing good will come of it. The story of Atlas Shrugged stops short of violent civil unrest, but if there was a second book, it would be a dystopian novel like the ones we probably have all read. Galt's Gulch would be a prepper's community hidden in the mountains. The idea of the movers striking is a brilliant one. Unfortunately most of them either do not care that they are being used or are leechers themselves, using subventions, tax or bailout money to operate. There are very few Galts in this world willing to throw it all away and just go fishing.. If they did they would become the target of the bulk of the population that want their handouts and do not understand that there is no free lunch.
Personally, I think I'll just go sailing...
Gil.
"I swear by my life and my love of it that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine." I just wish Rand was a little less verbose.
Back on topic. Hey NCGunDude, thanks for the link to the cheap speaker-mic. I just ordered one. I assume it's not a super quality one, but "plenty good". Same as my Baofeng. This spring I worked communications in a 1st aid tent at the Boston Marathon. I used my FT-60 with its speaker mic clipped to my shoulder strap (the Baofeng was my backup). Having the speaker-mic was a big convenience.
Freax,
I think what is being conveyed is sentiment brought about in the book and movie Atlas Shrugged. In the story, heavy taxation and regulations imposed by governments to pay for social programs hurt the people they were trying to protect. The companies and industries were increasingly brought under the government's mandates, as a result they could not be successful. The result was loss of jobs and degradation of society. All of this was written in the 1950's. Basically I think some of the comments here are a hope to see an end to these mandates and intrusiveness so that the economy can improve.
It is disconcerting to hear of your struggles to stay ahead. I understand. Jobs are harder to come by as a result of people having to take on more than one job to make ends meet as a result of increases in taxes and health insurance and consumer prices. Less disposable income is available in society, and the economy suffers under the current conditions. Keep up the efforts. Learn and adapt to the new changes in the workforce. You will prevail. You have a skill -- a will to succeed.
As for the topic of this thread. The UV-5 is an indication on how the industry is changing and the location of manufacturing is adjusted to all of the taxation, and government mandates in the global economy. The Chinese are smart in using their huge workforce to create goods at a competitive rate. All we can do in our Western Society is try to remove the barriers blocking the us from being competitive and innovative.
Luigi
Hi Freax,
I asssume you paid a ton of taxes for years before you went on welfare.. Things happen, and if essentially you are getting your money back, then you have no reason to feel bad about it. I also assume you would rather work than get welfare.. The problem is that a lot of people would rather live on welfare than work. Those are the leeches. They make a living out of government handouts and have no plan to find a job. What they do is just as bad as robbing someone at gunpoint in a dark alley. It is legal, but it is wrong.
You can't imagine being on welfare for the rest of your life, but some people would be quite happy to live like that.
BTW I never thought you were lazy from reading your posts. As you say, you have educated yourself and apparently very well. You say you gave up after six years.. Is that a failure? I don't think so. You obviously are well educated in electronics, and probably other subjects.
In my opinion, morally speaking, a man is responsible for his own subsistence, and his children's. He should not force others to pay for him. Having a job is not a right. It's not owed to anyone by anyone. Sure, it would be great if everyone had a job, but you can't force people to hire someone they do not need. Imagine if a government official came to your house and told you to hire someone to mow your lawn or go to jail!
Education today is widely available and mostly free. It only takes an Internet connection to learn anything you could possibly want. There are free university classes available for download, tutorials, forums, videos, e-books, you name it. I learned programming from books and now work freelance. I am not rich, don't even own a car, but I get by. You learned electronics.. It is possible. I have even learned to forge knives with a forge, anvil and hammer. I made the anvil out of scrap steel. One can also learn by experimentation.
The global economy being what it is, unfortunately not everyone is going to find a job. It's not fair; life isn't.
If after decades of paying taxes I found myself in a bind, I would delay using welfare as much as possible, but given no choice, I would use it, for as short a time as possible. Because I have already paid for it. I would however vote against any new welfare programs and against any politician that promotes them.
Gil.
QuoteSo by your own logic, why are you being so mean to people who are merely unlucky?
Hello,
I am not being mean at all. It is a sad state of affairs that so many people can't find work. I am not an economist and there are too many variables for me to have a definite opinion on the causes of the problem and possible solutions, though I suspect a free marketplace without govenment intervention would improve the situation after a difficult adjustment period, which nobody is willing to go through.. I am actually a pretty nice guy, my friends will attest to that, and I would no let any of them go hungry if I could help it. However, I am not responsible for the welfare of everyone. I need to take care of myself, family if they need it, and possibly friends sporadically, if I can. What I am vehemently against is someone forcing me to pay for people I do not know. If they asked politely, I might chip in, but don't take it from me.
Someone's needs does not give them the right to steal from me. It's simple really: The fruit of my labor belongs to me because it is produced with my efforts, sweat and life. If I am forced to work twice as much to pay for others, that is slavery. I am very much againts slavery, mine or yours.
Gil.
QuoteThe international banks are playing each party off against each other, ripping the entire system apart.
"Some of the biggest men in the United States, in the field of commerce and manufacture, are afraid of something. They know that there is a power somewhere so organized, so subtle, so watchful, so interlocked, so complete, so pervasive, that they had better not speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it." -- Woodrow Wilson.
And now let's get back to radio ;)
Gil.
Not sure if this belongs here in in the Technical Corner.
Here's a link to an article where the guy makes a Baofeng programming cable that uses current Windows plug-n-play drivers (no need to download a driver). He used 2 audio connectors and a $4 UART from eBay.
Good article with pictures and links.
http://www.eham.net/ehamforum/smf/index.php/topic,108215.0.html
Thanks Bob!