[QUOTE=devinswett, post:37, topic:584783]
Is it correct to assume that the ‘FM’ in the product title refers to this also working as an FM radio?
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no. it does not receive commercial broadcast radio. the FM refers to the mode of the transmit and receive functions, as opposed to AM or SSB, for instance.
[QUOTE=devinswett, post:37, topic:584783]
Is it correct to assume that the ‘FM’ in the product title refers to this also working as an FM radio?
[/quote]
FM in the title means that this radio transmits and receives in FM modes as opposed to most HF radios that operate in AM or SSB, however, this radio does have the option to listen to FM broadcast radio (what your radio in your car picks up).
For those who still don’t know how cool these can be, and the kind of hobby they grow into, check out When everything else fails, amateur radio will still be there—and thriving - Ars Technica for a recent Ars Technica article.
[QUOTE=jimr1, post:41, topic:584783]
no. it does not receive commercial broadcast radio. the FM refers to the mode of the transmit and receive functions, as opposed to AM or SSB, for instance.
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There actually is a broadcast radio mode on this radio. You cannot transmit on broadcast frequencies, and the reception isn’t the best, but it’s there.
[QUOTE=alidan, post:10, topic:584783]
I just don’t understand the purpose of these when we have the internet.
Sure an emergency happens these would be amazing to have handy, but being illegal to use without license, it just makes not sense to me why you would want this apposed to online.
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I have two of these and one GT-3TP Mark-III Tri-Power version. I went ahead and got a license to operate on the GMRS channels. But you do not need one for the FRS/MURS bands. You can also use it as a VHF-FM radio as long as your are on the water. They are ok to monitor repeaters but do not transmit on them w/o a ham license. And note, the above bands have wattage restrictions. SO, I’m not on a MURS blasting away at 8watts. I also use CHIRP to program it. It’s much faster. Even with the standard battery, these things last a long time. Educate yourself just like buying a gun. There are rules to use these little gems too.
[QUOTE=thesomnambulist, post:42, topic:584783]
FM in the title means that this radio transmits and receives in FM modes as opposed to most HF radios that operate in AM or SSB, however, this radio does have the option to listen to FM broadcast radio (what your radio in your car picks up).
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GT-3TP Mark-III Tri-Power is a decent upgrade. Picked up one off amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SXV6YVM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Is doesn’t do LSB or USB. From my experience with the 5watt version of radios like this, they have pretty decent range out of the box. Used one on a camp out. I would I had a 4 mile range, in the woods and hilly area. Using MURS and 1watt.
[QUOTE=tc1uscg, post:45, topic:584783]
I went ahead and got a license to operate on the GMRS channels. But you do not need one for the FRS/MURS bands.
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You are correct. With these radios, you do not need a license to operate on GMRS, FRS, or MURS - because the Baofeng radio is not type-accepted or certificated to operate on those bands. Having a license is irrelevant unless it’s a life-threatening emergency, in which case you can go right ahead and save a life.
But simply keying up a Baofeng on GMRS, FRS, or MURS in the absence of such an emergency is a violation.
Why would you waste the money on a GMRS license only to violate the other direction? You’d be a lot better off buying some cheap blister-pack radios, running them on GMRS, and claiming ignorance if you got busted. Running Baofeng with a GMRS license is only going to point up the fact that you really do know better, but don’t care.
I have one of the 1st generation UV-5R radios. It’s handy to keep in the glovebox of the car and for the price I’m not worried if it gets damaged or lost.
I’ve always found that the stock battery has plenty of life for my needs (even working events where I’m using the portable when I’m away from the mobile radio) and it is stellar at holding a charge while turned off.
That said, I like the form factor of the extended life battery since it gives the radio some added length which makes it more like commercial portable radios. Someone was commenting on the changes from the first generation UV-5R to version 2. Version 1 will not accept the extended life battery (unless you do some creative plastic removal on the battery case).
I’m tempted by this offer but I have too many portables now and I’d rather try a UV-82 if I get another.
[QUOTE=daveincrhage, post:12, topic:584783]
There may come a time when you don’t have the internet..
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I don’t believe that is possib@*%#…
[QUOTE=devinswett, post:37, topic:584783]
Is it correct to assume that the ‘FM’ in the product title refers to this also working as an FM radio?
Like, could I pick up the same FM radio stations that I’d be able to listen to in my car?
I’d like this for camping emergencies, but also as a way to listen to the local FM (music) station.
[/quote]
I have an older model and can listen to FM radio stations. This model should be the same.
[QUOTE=bradyarz, post:24, topic:584783]
Couple of things:
Chirp is a free programming software, easily downloaded. Baofeng also offers their own software. That said, you can program everything you need right from the radio; the software is not a requirement. However, it can make things a lot faster and easier. If you want to use the software, you’ll need to buy a separate programming cable. They’re a couple bucks online.
While it is technically possible to broadcast on the FRS frequencies with this radio, you’re doing so illegally. Transmission output for FRS is IRC 500mW, whereas the low power setting on this radio is 1W; you’re not allowed to push that much power through the FRS channels.
If all you want to do is listen, put your radio on scan and find some local repeaters (or look online). People generally use FRS for hunting, road trips, etc, and they’re only using them for basic communication. You won’t find anything interesting to listen to there. Folks on the ham bands have much more interesting conversations going on.
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To expand on your post. Maybe people will find this to help:
FRS 1-7:
FRS only: 0.5 watt maximum
GMRS: 5 watt maximum
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
Licence/call letters required: only when operating GMRS equipment greater than 0.5 watt (people sometimes use handles on FRS and GMRS; call letters must always be announced on-air regardless)
CTCSS/DCS: allowed
Regulation (FRS): 47 CFR 95.194c
Regulation (GMRS): 47 CFR 95.179
FRS 8-14:
FRS only: 0.5 watt maximum
GMRS: prohibited (though most mainstream GMRS HTs do include 0.5 watt coverage of 8-14 for interoperability purposes)
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
Licence/call letters required: no
CTCSS/DCS: allowed
GMRS 15-22 (a.k.a. 550-725)
FRS only: not applicable
GMRS: 50 watts maximum (though this may change in the coming years)
Repeater use: allowed; +5 MHz shift
Licence/call letters required: always; people sometimes use handles on GMRS but call letters must always be announced on-air regardless
CTCSS/DCS: allowed (may be required to access repeaters)
Other restrictions: Channels 19 and 21 (650/700) not permitted for use near the Canadian border
And since I know somebody will probably ask (since it does sort of fall into this category):
MURS
All channels: 2 watts maximum
Bandwidth: 1-3: 11 kHz; 4-5: 20 kHz
Deviation: 1-3: 2.5 kHz; 4-5: 5 kHz
Repeater use: prohibited (simplex only)
Licence required: not required for personal use, may be required if used during the course of duties in a place of business; people sometimes use handles on MURS when conducting personal communications
CTCSS/DCS: allowed
[QUOTE=blaineg, post:49, topic:584783]
I don’t believe that is possib@*%#…
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Unless you have Comcast.
I contacted BaofengTech and they confirmed that they are not actually the warranty provider for this product.
[QUOTE=bsayusd, post:53, topic:584783]
I contacted BaofengTech and they confirmed that they are not actually the warranty provider for this product.
[/quote]
No, this particular model is imported and supported by Foscam. Baofeng/Pofung is the Chinese manufacturer, and there’s several companies that import and sell them. BaofengTech is probably the biggest of them and may be the most “official.” Foscam is another decent sized one. All the radios I have are Foscam imported units and they all work fine.
I’ll add that you can even put a different antenna on these for better range. Diamond and Nagoya make replacement antennas (watch for counterfeit Nagoyas on Amazon and eBay- there’s a lot of them). You can also get a SMA-F to SO-239 adapter for use with a mobile mag mount style antenna for vehicle or base station use.
[QUOTE=cousincharles, post:22, topic:584783]
Just to Listen, until I get a license, where is the online Windows software so I can program it for FRS?
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Home - CHIRP You’ll still need a programming cable, the radios are nearly impossible to program manually.
So there’s more the ham radio than old guys in their basement talking to other old guys on the other side of the world. Granted, that’s a fairly popular use of the tech.
Hams volunteer for local emergency service, storm watching, bike and running races, search and rescue, and many other events that require a reliable communications network.
ARRL.org is a better resource than the FCC. It is cheap and easy to get the minimum license to operated these handhelds. The license is good for 10 years and is free to renew. All 300 possible test questions are available online. The questions are multiple choice. They make this license really easy to get. A local club probably has free classes you can take. That’s how I got mine.
There are other uses also, like video transmission from r/c aircraft or GPS tracking.
[QUOTE=technosavant, post:54, topic:584783]
You can also get a SMA-F to SO-239 adapter for use with a mobile mag mount style antenna for vehicle or base station use.
[/quote]
I put an SMA-F to BNC on mine, and use a BNC connector for the home antenna and the mobile antenna, so it’s easy to move the radio around. Then just get the Nagoya antenna with a BNC base on it, and you can plug and unplug the radio from anywhere and use it.
There is also a battery eliminator that’ll plug into your cigarette lighter for in-car use. Works a treat.
[QUOTE=sirpoonga, post:56, topic:584783]
So there’s more the ham radio than old guys in their basement talking to other old guys on the other side of the world. Granted, that’s a fairly popular use of the tech.
[/quote]
The local club is using AREDN firmware on Ubiquiti hardware to build a local wi-fi mesh. I’ve got an 18-mile link from a mast on my roof to another club member, and he’s got an omnidirectional up on a secondary node to link in a bunch of other guys.
Fun stuff. Running VOIP over wi-fi. 
Junk. These are 1st gen clearance. Stay clear. You can’t legally operate these unless you are a licensed amatuer radio operator. They are not legal for GMRS, MURS, or FRS. And if you do not know what you are doing, you will probably key up on public safety frequencies which will summon men from the government to your door step. And they will not be in a good mood.
[QUOTE=technosavant, post:54, topic:584783]
No, this particular model is imported and supported by Foscam. Baofeng/Pofung is the Chinese manufacturer, and there’s several companies that import and sell them. BaofengTech is probably the biggest of them and may be the most “official.” Foscam is another decent sized one. All the radios I have are Foscam imported units and they all work fine.
[/quote]
I hope Woot updates the warranty link to reflect this. It currently links to BaofengTech.
Does Foscan offer a US warranty or does it require shipping the radio to China?