pitbull62

Gonna try out this cheapy radio. For the $62 I paid what the heck. I figure if I'm ever alone and in a bind I can climb a hill for some killer reception. Hopefully. Opinions? Also got a genuine Nagoya 15" antenna which hasn't been delivered yet.

rocklax

I started studying for my tech license. I think I'm going with the uv82hp instead with the same antenna.

arjeeper

I have a couple of them. They're clearly not the highest quality, but they're decent. In terms of a radio you can get for $30-60, it's hard to beat.

That said, to really have a good and reliable experience, I always recommend to new tech to get a great mobile radio for their Jeep. Something with 50 watts or more on 2m or 2m/70cm. Combine that with a good antenna, at least a 1/4 wavelength, and you'll have reliable communication.

HTs have far inferior performance to a well-installed mobile.

Congrats and welcome to the hobby! -K5PO

jchappies

I have a few of these, not a bad radio for under 50.00. I even checked them on my spectrum analyzer and it's not a bad radio.
Don't use to program that comes with it, use CHIRP to program it.

Riptide9

Love these radios. Everyone here uses them as we just program them for FRS and GMRS and they make great 2 ways on the trails

coolhand129

That's a great little radio. I have the same. Works great.

pitbull62

thanks guys for all the responses! I've been studying also for the tech license. I was reading the ARRL book but decided to study the questions/answers instead as that may be the fastest way to get the knowledge in my cranium faster. Regarding CHIRP. Is that completely separate than what is offered on the pofung website? Doing it by radio sounds like a PITA. I'm using hamstudy.org. Any other advice on websites? I don't know much right now but i was listening to some guy in Jerusalem talking to another guy with a baofeng HT in Santa Ana california. I'm assuming by way of repeaters. I'm so stoked !!!

pitbull62

like I said earlier. I don't know much right now but how long would that antenna be? Thanks

jchappies

CHIRP is a free open source program, Baofeng software sucks if you can get it to work. You will still need the USB interface cable though (few bucks on amazon) it comes with baofeng software disk but just throw that out and download CHIRP.

Al Gilliland

Had my baofeng HT down in Moab. Had it hooked up to a Larsen external antenna. Even in the back roads in Moab could here the folks chatting 80 miles away I assume via a repeater. So not a bad little portable