WRPCinci
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Posts posted by WRPCinci
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The one snag I had in setting up my DB20g is getting the programming software to run. Apparently it needs admin privileges, so if you are on a regular user account on a windows 10 computer, you'll need to right click and "run as administrator".
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Thanks guys; the RB27 looks to pretty much be a clone of the Baofeng G11s mentioned above.
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Good point about power output. I don't need much range for this scenario; up to 1/2 mile is plenty. The kids need to go over the hill and around the bend and be able to call in a "bear report" and that's about it.
15 hours ago, Lscott said:I don’t know what kind of range you’re expecting out of the radios. The two with antennas close to a full quarter wave, around 6 inches, would have been on my list. The other two with munchkin sized antennas I doubt will perform as well range wise to the other two. That’s assuming they are all equal, in power output, another area where manufacturers don’t generally put that in the specifications.
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I can confirm that the UV-5G can do tone scan. It's the same steps as notarubicon explained in the walk through.
On 12/6/2021 at 10:25 PM, MichaelLAX said:@OffRoaderXunder his YouTube alter-ego, Notarubicon, has recently posted a YouTube video on How To Scan For Repeater Tones Or Privacy Codes On A UV-5R - Tone Scanning On Baofeng UV5R Ham Radio, but it is not clear to me if the UV-5X will do Tone Scanning.
@jfarrell I did a really basic comparison between the UV-5G and the TD-5H here. This is for my use case where size and form-factor are my most important decisions points, your mileage may vary of course. I liked the UV-5G better, navigation and responsiveness was better for me on the 5G. Plus it has a larger battery pack, but the 5H comes with spares. They are very close to one another, and each has it's compromises. I'd suggest buy both try it out for a while and then just return the one you don't like.
On 12/6/2021 at 7:37 PM, jfarrell said:Hello all,
Does anyone have a comparison here with the Baofeng UV-5X. I know the UV-5X package has less stuff in it, but I'm looking for a feature comparison. I think both radios seem to get good reviews. One feature that intrigues me is the ability to scan for tones like CTCSS.
Thanks
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Thanks everyone for your input, I learned a lot here.
I put together a review comparing everything in this post:
TLDR; nothing really worked out for my needs, but Mom and Dad are keeping the UV-5G for ourselves!
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I wanted to find a pair of handhelds I could give to my young kids while out hiking and exploring. Something that will help them feel more confident going out of sight, while remaining in contact with Mom and Dad, and not having to worry about losing / breaking an expensive radio. Keep in mind they are 5 and 8 years old doing 7+ mile hikes while carrying their own food and water. Keeping gear weight down is important.
My requirements are (in order of importance):
- Small form factor and lightweight
- Relatively cheap, but decent build quality
- USB rechargeable
What I looked at:
- Baofeng UV-5G
- BAOFENG G11S
- Radioddity FS-T1
- TIDRADIO TD-H5
- Midland x-Talker (existing radio)
Size Comparison:
Radioddity FS-T1
Weight: 4.25 oz
Battery Capacity: 1500 mAh, 3.7V
Size: (see comparison pic)
The only new FRS radio, and also the cheapest at $35 for the pair. And you get what you pay for here. This one was easily the lowest quality of the bunch and just felt cheap and plasticky. The belt clip was terrible and looks like it will snap in no time. The flap covering the charging port ripped off during the first charge session. And micro-usb!?? Come on man … bummer. Not impressed at all.
Verdict: Hard pass.
BAOFENG G11S
Weight: ?? forgot to do this stuff
Battery Capacity: ??
Size:??
I liked this one, good build quality, durable feeling. But it was simply too big and heavy for the kids. I would recommend this if you want to get a decent GMRS HT that is simple to use for adult friends who are not radio dorks.
Verdict: Returned.
TIDRADIO TD-H5
Weight: 8.75 oz
Battery Capacity: 1500 mAh, 7.4V
Size: (see comparison pic)
The only one of the bunch with an actual USB-C charging port on the battery! Dang, why is this such a hard thing to find? Not sure, but moving on … You get a lot of stuff in this package, 2 radios, extra batteries, microphones, and more. But you also get what you pay for as well. Smaller battery capacity and while the radio felt decent in my hands, it had one really annoying issue that won’t bother most people. The channel selector has ~ 5 millisecond delay between when you press the button and when the radio responds. I work in software and performance issues like this drives me nuts, no way would I be happy using this. Interestingly the radio is much more responsive in menu settings. So the delay issue, larger / heavier form factor, smaller battery out-weighed the benefit of USB-C charging.
Verdict: Returned.
Baofeng UV-5G
Weight: 7.6 oz
Battery Capacity: 1800 mAh, 7.4V
Size: (see comparison pic)
I was really impressed with this one. It’s not the smallest or lightest, but it has a small enough form factor that when the kids wore it on their packs they did not complain. Has all the awesome features you already know about and love. Not much else I can say that hasn’t already been said by others. The only draw back on this is the standard battery still requires a charging cradle. Some other users pointed out that the upgraded battery pack comes with a barrel charger that can work on a USB adapter. That’s cool, if only we could do that on the standard size battery.
Verdict: Will keep this one for Mom and Dad!
Overall Conclusion:
Unfortunately, I was not able to find what I was looking for and will continue using the Midland x-talker FRS blister pack radios for the kids. It’s small and light weight and gets the job done. I’ll just have to be diligent about bringing extra set of fresh batteries. On the plus side, Mom and Dad got an awesome pair of repeater-capable radios with the UV-5G!
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Hey 374! Man, that's the problem with asking these types of questions. You get all these awesome options to try and end up buying a lot more. I think I'll pick up a pair of 5Rs for the wife and myself to have.
21 hours ago, WRMN374 said:All are good choices. Baofeng UV-5R would be a quick choice at $30. You could change the power level from low to high and get 5 watts. You could change setting from narrow band to wide band and get a better coverage area. But to do that you'd have to have your GMRS license. The license will cover everyone in your immediate family. More power means you would have a wider coverage area. Baofeng also has a UV-9G for $40. It is IP-67 rated and is waterproof. Plus, it is FCC Part 95E & Part 15B certified. Whereas the Baofeng UV-5R is not.
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Thanks, Linus. You're correct this radio is a bit too expensive to get for the kids, but I definitely like the use case here as it's always hard to keep the group together on the slopes. I may pick one up for myself just for this reason!
On 4/15/2022 at 1:03 PM, Linus said:You could use the Wouxun KG-805G. The newer model is the Wouxun KG-905G. The radio is repeater capable. It also is pretty easy to program. I like the fact that this radio has the capability of storing many different channels in its configuration. In the link below I have illustrated a unusual split tone split frequency used between two of these radios.
https://greyscale.zone/split-frequency-and-tone-operation-on-gmrs.html
I have used the Wouxun KG-805G during skiing trips and bike rides. They radio has a mic and headphone port that allows for hands free operation. For example, with skiing, you can use a motorcycle headset inside of your helmet, and have a push to talk button wrapped around a glove. We did that a few weeks ago, and it allowed us to talk to each other while skiing. We could tell each other which branch of a ski path to take if we were separated from each other while skiing.
You can also find great use in hiking in areas where there is no cell service.
The radio does not fit the price point that you mention, but it makes up for it with lots of options.
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Hey, thanks! I was considering the GXTs, but I'm really hoping to eliminate carrying extra batteries -- but maybe that's a fair compromise given everything else.
6 hours ago, Roadtrekker said:For what you are looking for, I like the Midland GXT 1000’s. They are GMRS radios, but only because of the power output. The antennas are not removable, so one thing less for kids to play with. Not repeater capable which makes the radios less complicated.
I have two. The power output on mine is 3.8 watts using the supplied rechargeable batteries, which you and I both don’t like. These batteries are the equivalent of 3 AA batteries. However, you can use alkaline batteries without buying an adapter. When you remove the rechargeable battery pack , you will see receptacles for 4 AA alkaline. This increase in batteries gives my radios a power boost: one to 4.8 watts and the other to 5.1 watts.
At about $90 for two, I think you might like them.
By the way, I have been a ham for over 40 years, but a GMRS op for only just over 1 year. So, although I know radios really well, GMRS is fairly new to me and I can’t comment on other radios for you.
welcome to the clus!
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New here, first post, hoping the experts can point me in the right direction. I'm in need of a GMRS or FRS handheld. I'm not searching for "the best" radio, I'm simply looking for a small form factor, relatively cheap, usb rechargeable (usb-c hopefully) radio that I can give to my kids for hiking. Something that's relatively cheap so that when they inevitably lose it, I'm not going to worry too much.
My short list:
Midland x-talker - My current set, functionality it's fine, but a PIA having to deal with batteries.
Midland GXT - Looks ok, but really want to get away from charging docks. Less gear to get lost in the shuffle is a good thing!
Baofeng G11s - These are otherwise awesome, but they are too big and heavy! Simply won't be comfortable for young kids to tote these around on a hike.
TIDRADIO TD-H5 - Looks like a contender, good value, USB C, has a key lock out so I can set it up and not worry about the kids pushing buttons and messing it up. Not sure if this is small enough to carry around.
Radioddity FS-T1 FRS - Like the form factor, bummed it's FRS and not GMRS. Also bonus points for USBc chargeable.
How am I doing, missing anything else to look at? Is this a fair summary?
What's a good NMO mount GMRS antenna?
in Technical Discussion
Posted
I currently have a Nagoya UT-72 mag mount paired with DB20-G. But I'm looking to clean up my install and not have wires running on the top of my cab and through the door frame. Would the following be a good setup?
NMO-72
NMO Lip Mount