Question re BTECH mobiles

[krvw]

Okay, so now that I have both my GMRS and ham licenses (just waiting to receive my ham call sign), I have a couple of questions about these two radios: BTECH GMRS-50X1 and the BTECH UV-50X2.

 

If I get the GMRS model so I can truly be FCC 95A compliant, can I program (CHIRP) the radio so I can also use ham freqs in the 2 meter and 70 cm bands? If I do, does that negate my 95A compliance? In other words, does the GMRS-50X1 block me (in firmware) from tx on ham freqs?

 

Conversely, if I get a UV-50X2 and program it correctly (leap of faith) for GMRS usage, is that externally (over the air) discernible from using the GMRS-50X1 on those same freqs?

 

Buying 1 of each seems silly to me. And yes, I know I can get a used Kenwood, etc. At some point, I'll no doubt buy a big and hugely capable transceiver, but I prefer to do these things iteratively. That's me.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

WRFC318

 

 

[marcspaz]

You can't legally use a non-90 or 95 radio... and if you mod it for use on amateur radio (assuming its even possible), then it is no longer legal for GMRS.

[berkinet]

...If I get the GMRS model so I can truly be FCC 95A compliant, can I program (CHIRP) the radio so I can also use ham freqs in the 2 meter and 70 cm bands? If I do, does that negate my 95A compliance? In other words, does the GMRS-50X1 block me (in firmware) from tx on ham freqs?

 

Conversely, if I get a UV-50X2 and program it correctly (leap of faith) for GMRS usage, is that externally (over the air) discernible from using the GMRS-50X1 on those same freqs?

...

 

#1. Congratulations on getting your ham license!

 

#2. I am not specifically familiar with the GMRS-50X1. But, knowing the GMRS-V1, and the FCC regulations, I would be quite certain that you will not be able to get that radio to transmit on anything except the GMRS frequencies. You could probably program in other frequencies to receive, but not transmit.

 

#3. There is absolutely no way to determine over-the-air if a radio is GMRS certified.

 

I cannot tell you to use a non-GMRS certified radio on the GMRS channels. However, I can tell you that I would not personally be the least bit concerned. I can also tell you that any Part90 radio you find is (very) likely to be a much better radio than most of the currently marketed GMRS certified radios.

[marcspaz]

#1. Congratulations on getting your ham license!

 

#2. I am not specifically familiar with the GMRS-50X1. But, knowing the GMRS-V1, and the FCC regulations, I would be quite certain that you will not be able to get that radio to transmit on anything except the GMRS frequencies. You could probably program in other frequencies to receive, but not transmit.

 

#3. There is absolutely no way to determine over-the-air if a radio is GMRS certified.

 

I cannot tell you to use a non-GMRS certified radio on the GMRS channels. However, I can tell you that I would not personally be the least bit concerned. I can also tell you that any Part90 radio you find is (very) likely to be a much better radio than most of the currently marketed GMRS certified radios.

Agree fully... but I grew up in a time when it was common sense not to video record yourself doing something stupid or illegal. LoL It seems as though people today have lost sight of that. Instead, people seem to think it's a good idea to record it and post it online for the world to see.

[Downs]

 

 

Okay, so now that I have both my GMRS and ham licenses (just waiting to receive my ham call sign), I have a couple of questions about these two radios: BTECH GMRS-50X1 and the BTECH UV-50X2.

 

If I get the GMRS model so I can truly be FCC 95A compliant, can I program (CHIRP) the radio so I can also use ham freqs in the 2 meter and 70 cm bands? If I do, does that negate my 95A compliance? In other words, does the GMRS-50X1 block me (in firmware) from tx on ham freqs?

 

Conversely, if I get a UV-50X2 and program it correctly (leap of faith) for GMRS usage, is that externally (over the air) discernible from using the GMRS-50X1 on those same freqs?

 

Buying 1 of each seems silly to me. And yes, I know I can get a used Kenwood, etc. At some point, I'll no doubt buy a big and hugely capable transceiver, but I prefer to do these things iteratively. That's me.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

WRFC318

The GMRS version will be locked to xmit on GMRS frequencies only. The UV50X2 (at least the one i have) will go into the GMRS bands but is not legal to use there.

 

You're not going to find anyone here that will straight up tell you yeah do it that way due to the legalities surrounding it but I will say it is possible.

 

Will anything ever come of it? You probably have a better chance of being attacked by a shark on Mount Everest, than being hunted down and caught by the FCC, but its good to be advised and educated on the matter.

 

Sent from my SM-G892A using Tapatalk

[BoxCar]

I have a BTECH 25X2 and it does program the 2M and 70CM frequencies.

[berkinet]

I have a BTECH 25X2 and it does program the 2M and 70CM frequencies.

True. However, the 25XX series is not certified for Part15 only and not for Part95A (GMRS),

[RickW]

Perhpas it is a minor point, but the FCC changed the Subpart from A to E when they did the 2017 rewrite of the rules. Thus, Part 95E refers to GMRS.

[krvw]

Great answers, thanks all who chimed in.

 

I get the legality issues just fine and I'm not looking to break the law. I simply want to understand things thoroughly.

 

A related question: When I first got a BaoFeng UV-5F, a couple of my ham buddies gasped at me and warned me how terrible the Bao radios are. They don't stay on frequency well. They bleed into nearby (and not so nearby -- harmonic?) bands, etc. At least, that's what I'm told by multiple people whose opinions I value. I've even seen some repeater operators here say they don't want any of the Baos (my shorthand, sorry) on their repeaters, as they only cause problems.

 

So, legalities notwithstanding, are the BTECH radios like on the UV-50X2 better quality than the UV-5R BaoFengs? Or are they all just cheap Chinese radios that just cause problems. If I got one of the BTECH GMRS models and fully complied with FCC, would I even be welcome on these repeaters?

 

Thanks for helping me get my head around these issues better.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

[marcspaz]

Great answers, thanks all who chimed in.

 

I get the legality issues just fine and I'm not looking to break the law. I simply want to understand things thoroughly.

 

A related question: When I first got a BaoFeng UV-5F, a couple of my ham buddies gasped at me and warned me how terrible the Bao radios are. They don't stay on frequency well. They bleed into nearby (and not so nearby -- harmonic?) bands, etc. At least, that's what I'm told by multiple people whose opinions I value. I've even seen some repeater operators here say they don't want any of the Baos (my shorthand, sorry) on their repeaters, as they only cause problems.

 

So, legalities notwithstanding, are the BTECH radios like on the UV-50X2 better quality than the UV-5R BaoFengs? Or are they all just cheap Chinese radios that just cause problems. If I got one of the BTECH GMRS models and fully complied with FCC, would I even be welcome on these repeaters?

 

Thanks for helping me get my head around these issues better.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

 

Hey Ken,

I have owned and tested several amateur and GMRS BTech / BaoFeng handhelds and mobiles.  Only 1 of the 4 mobiles I tested worked for more than 2 weeks.  One of them broke within minutes.  I have purchased and tested several models of handhelds, too.  Only 2 of the 5 handhelds still work and survived for more than a month.

 

They are very, very dirty transmitters.  One transmitted so much noise that it can be heard by other radios on 15 harmonics in each direction.  Some drift.  Some are just flat out off frequency.  The receivers are noisy.  They just overall are poor quality radios.

 

Now, that said, I still own and use 2 BTech / BaoFeng handhelds for when I go offroad, but it's because they are a disposable.  The radios only need to 'work' for less than 25 yards most of the time. Also, if I have to drop a radio (by mistake, of course) in mud, water or on rocks, I'd rather have it be a $30-$40 CCR like a BTech / BaoFeng instead of my $250 Yaesu or Icom handheld.

[krvw]

"They are very, very dirty transmitters." "They just overall are poor quality radios."

 

Thanks for your candor. So, even if the unit survives its burn-in period, it sounds like it'll cause problems. Bummer. Seems a lot of bang for the buck.

 

How about the AnyTone 5888UV? Are these any better in their electronics?

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

[rodro123]

Good Morning Ken,

The following is a listing on very good qualty equipment listed on ebay new and great price and he or she is still selling them. I listed this some time ago. This is the link to the post I made. 

 

https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1685-this-is-a-deal-on-vx-2200-uhf-45-watt-89-ea/

[marcspaz]

... Bummer. Seems a lot of bang for the buck. ...

 

I agree.  Honestly, all of the features are fantastic! There are lots of bells and whistles that you just don't see with many brands.