Using a BAOFENG UV-5G PRO on CH 8 - 14

[Guest NewToGRMS]

As far as I can tell from the manual, low power setting of the UV-5G PRO is 1 watt. If, per the rules,  .5 watt is the maximum wattage for channels 8-14, that makes that makes this radio illegal on these channels. Am I right?  Hmm.. Why illegal radios available in the USA.   Thanks. 

[SteveShannon]

8 hours ago, Guest NewToGRMS said:

As far as I can tell from the manual, low power setting of the UV-5G PRO is 1 watt. If, per the rules,  .5 watt is the maximum wattage for channels 8-14, that makes that makes this radio illegal on these channels. Am I right?  Hmm.. Why illegal radios available in the USA.   Thanks. 

Possibly non-compliant with regulations, but not “illegal”.  But no part of our government has ever been able to prevent the importation of illicit substances and radios which fail to comply are pretty low on their list of priorities. Look inside the radio for the tag that says that it’s certified and then look up the certification document.  You’ll almost certainly find that the manufacturer performed the testing and represented to the FCC that they complied.  Unless people complain there’s no follow up. 
Or maybe, although the manual settings for power only include a minimum of one watt, the firmware has the ability to hold the output on those channels to regulations.

[WRTC928]

6 hours ago, Guest NewToGRMS said:

As far as I can tell from the manual, low power setting of the UV-5G PRO is 1 watt. If, per the rules,  .5 watt is the maximum wattage for channels 8-14, that makes that makes this radio illegal on these channels. Am I right?  Hmm.. Why illegal radios available in the USA.   Thanks. 

If you want to use those channels, it might be worthwhile to actually measure the output. Baofeng typically overstates the wattage of their radios. Additionally, the nominal power ratings aren't the same on all bands. Generally, they'll have their highest power available in the VHF bands. Your radio doesn't do VHF, IIRC, but they probably list the same power ratings as for the unlocked version. Then, there's some variation from one radio to another.  For example, I have a bf-f8hp that is rated at one watt on low power, but I actually measured it at 0.4 watts in the GMRS frequencies. 

[Guest NewToGRMS]

Thank you very much for your replies and information.   

[WRYZ926]

No one is going to come after you for being 1/2 watt over. And as mentioned, I bet that the power output will be closer to 1/2 watt versus 1 watt if you check with a power/swr meter. 

Again, don't worry about being at 1 watt versus 1/2 watt.

[WRTC928]

37 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

No one is going to come after you for being 1/2 watt over. And as mentioned, I bet that the power output will be closer to 1/2 watt versus 1 watt if you check with a power/swr meter. 

Again, don't worry about being at 1 watt versus 1/2 watt.

@WRZY921 is correct. Despite what "some people" may tell you, there's no way for someone at a distance to differentiate between power levels that small, so you're not going to get into trouble with the authorities. The reason for the wattage and bandwidth restrictions is that they are very close to other designated frequencies and excessive power or bandwidth can "spill over" to the adjacent frequencies. Set the radio to the lowest possible power and narrow bandwidth and you won't interfere with anyone else. I have Tx disabled on those channels just because I've never had any reason to use them, but I have a couple of radios rated at 1 watt on low and I wouldn't hesitate to use them if I had a reason.

[WRYZ926]

As @WRTC928 mentioned, keep channels 8-14 set to narrow band. You won't have to worry about interfering with the repeater input channels if you keep channels 8-14 set to low power and narrow band.

Now an unlocked mobile putting out 20 watts or more will get you noticed and can cause interference on the repeater channels. 

Set those channels to low power and narrow band and use them to your heart's content