8 replies to this topic

[RandyKnowles]

This is digested from the User Manual, and refined with experience.  Hope it's helpful to anyone trying out this model.  Copyrighted material used with permission.  Good Luck!!  Randy Knowles, KAA 8142.  

Attached Files

•  GMRS-50X1 Settings.pdf   147.2KB   83 downloads

[Jones]

FYI:  That "ABR" setting that you show as unused is "Automatic Brightness Reduction" and it is to set the amount of time that it takes for the display backlight to dim out after receive or transmit.  It is sort of a battery saving feature, but not well documented.

[RandyKnowles]

Thanks  Jones.  Baofeng Support told me that was "unused".  I'll add your info in and show it as functional with the 50X1.  Appreciate your contribution.  Randy Knowles, KAA 8142.

[wayoverthere]

Thanks Randy, that looks like it will be a good resource when I get around to setting mine up. Was waiting on a power supply, which is currently at the post office (can't access the package boxes outside business hours).

[Jones]

Thanks  Jones.  Baofeng Support told me that was "unused".  I'll add your info in and show it as functional with the 50X1.  Appreciate your contribution.  Randy Knowles, KAA 8142.

You know, since this is a mobile radio, it is quite possible that the ABR function might not be used on this model... however on all of the handhelds, that is what this function is for.  I'm sure they use the same control chipset for all of the radio models, whether designed to be on battery power or not.

[RandyKnowles]

wayoverthere - Glad that might be of some help.  Good luck waiting for your power supply.  Watch your testing that you have a good load and low reflected to be kind to the final and that power supply.  Or use Mid or Low power for testing  I'll be waiting to hear how it all goes for you . . . 

 

Jones - I put your info in in the interest of more data is never bad )  Thanks again.

 

Randy Knowles, KAA 8142

[jonhall]

Are these Bao Feng GMRS 50x1 a good radio worth buying?  Are they better than the midland mxt400?  is the quality good?  

[wayoverthere]

Are these Bao Feng GMRS 50x1 a good radio worth buying?  Are they better than the midland mxt400?  is the quality good?  

IMO, i would really say it depends how you define "better".  the MXT-400 has some definite limitations that the Btech doesn't have, such as being narrowband only, not being able to handle all CTCSS/DCS codes, and not being split tone capable.   i can't disagree that the Midland is a bit more "polished", though.

 

it's been floated that midland may be addressing some of those shortcomings in the next update, though.

[wayoverthere]

wayoverthere - Glad that might be of some help.  Good luck waiting for your power supply.  Watch your testing that you have a good load and low reflected to be kind to the final and that power supply.  Or use Mid or Low power for testing  I'll be waiting to hear how it all goes for you . . . 

Limited testing so far. having a little bit of faith in cheapish equipment at the moment (midland's claims of antenna tuning, and a surecom meter), but it all at least seems to agree. checked SWR today,  1.05-1.06 on simplex, and 1.2 on repeater 22.  Power supply doesn't even break a sweat so far, according to the meter on the power supply, it's drawing ~13a on high power.

 

One interesting tidbit i found is if i hold down the menu button when it starts up, i get a password prompt.  tried a couple things, but it just reboots, so i don't think i got the right password (tried 000000, 123456, and 501501). internet searches haven't turned up anything so far.  I reached out to baofengtech, we'll see what they have to share.