BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black)

A lot of hams poo-poo on them, but you can get a Baofeng HT for $24.

For example:

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=baofeng&qid=1598322328

This is a first gen radio (3rd gen is $70), but I have this one and it performs as well as my Yaesu VX-5R, but it’s not as rugged. Of course the Yaesu was a lot more money.

As far as I know, it’s the cheapest ham radio you can buy right now, but it works.

You can get a two way radio and program it to listen to the local emergency services. Please spend some time learning about HAM radio, and how to use your device. You need a license to broadcast legally...

if you're really curious, you can get a Software-Defined Radio kit, basically a USB dongle that you can plug in to a computer. It lets you visually explore the radio landscape on a PC.

Where are you from and what are you looking for? You can pickup a 2m handheld to get started on VHF for pretty cheap these days. Like this Baofeng.

Ask your local ham club if anyone heard it. Someone is always listening. It's probably real, considering nobody denied that the person who made those statements isa cop. However, don't rule out the possibility that this is a fake, unlicensed transmission. It's extremely easy to get into NYPD comms, since they're from the stone age and aren't digitized (nor use encryption or authentication). You can transmit on those frequencies and nobody would be able to tell the difference without good scrutiny. You can literally do it for only $23, and the chances of you getting caught while only transmitting for a few seconds is minimal.

EDIT: In case you live in the city, and you have one of these, please don't be a piece of shit and transmit on frequencies you are not licensed to use. I put this here for informational purposes, not so that you can clog up spectrum dedicated to not only to police, but EMS and Fire that are on the front lines.

Sorry No! VHF and UHF are completely different frequency bands and no amount of tweaking will make one work on the other.

For an inexpensive ($25) dual band VHF/UHF radio see here:

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/

Would something be like this pick any of that up?

That was in August. They received certification in November. They are part 15B certified and open on 136-174. Look at the FFC.gov link I posted... Here are some on Amazon for less than $25 shipped.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007H4VT7A?pf_rd_r=9Q873GS7EFX5Q3G3YNBZ&pf_rd_p=edaba0ee-c2fe-4124-9f5d-b31d6b1bfbee

UV5R, old reliable, in an M4 mag pouch.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/

I ordered this one from Amazon last week. Exact seller. Confirmed good radio. Real

BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_iCiQEbYD2CWZK

Buy a cheap handheld off of Amazon and do some research about your local repeaters. See when and where there are local nets going on (basically amateur radio meetups over the air with varying discussions in different topics) and listen in on them to see what the hobby is all about.

Repeaters are large radio towers that you can tune into, allowing your normal signal strength to be amplified greatly.

If listening in piques your interest even more, take your technician exam so you can start transmitting!

Thought those radios were going to be expensive, not the case: https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A

even this $25 one? someone told me to watch out for fakes and now I'm worried.

Below is an excerpt of comments I sent to a local ham-to-be for a similar question. I'd encourage you to find a local radio club and see if one of the folks would be willing to help you get on the air.

​

>The answer to your question is "it depends on your interests and budget."   Most folks earning a technician license start out on the VHF/UHF bands, where they try to get on one of the local repeaters with a handheld transceiver. These radios will typically be in the 4-5W range.  (There is one that claims 8W, but the difference is not meaningful; you'd be better off investing in a better antenna.)  
Many hams start with a Baofeng UV5R, because the radio is inexpensive (currently $23 on Amazon). The quality is marginal and there are common problems, but if it gets you on the air and finding more things that interest you, that's a good thing.  I had one as a backup radio that I was hoping to use for packet work (Winlink), but eventually gave it away to a friend who was starting out.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A

I use BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VkMrFbRWZXH1G

Cheap and powerful. Just needs a little setup.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=baefong+two+way+radio&qid=1581353102&sprefix=baefung&sr=8-3

Cheaper yet, get one of those Baofengs for yourself. It has a scan option - just set it up on the FRS/GMRS (I believe they come with those programmed in) and scan away.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A

You can even "Git Gud" and toss in some of your own signals - confuse them - cause disorientation and the like.

Now, if they're using CTCSS or any other 'chanel guard' system built in to these things (like DCS), may take a bit more effort. Some scanners and an SDR will be able to tell you off the hop what they're using.

I got a UV-5R and listened in for about a month while I got my licenses, then just upgraded to an Anytone 878. My thoughts: get a UV-5R like this one And this programming cable I know the cable is expensive but it’s the only one that works. You could even get an antenna like a 771 if you want. All in that’s about $45, and more than enough to get on the air. Use that to figure out if you like the hobby, then upgrade to an radio in the $200 range if you want. You almost definitely don’t need 8 Watts, and if you do you shouldn’t use a cheap Baofeng for it. With that said, I probably never would have gotten into this without my UV-5R so I think it’s one of the most important and best things to happen to Ham Radio

I'd start with https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A don't forget the programming cable and use CHIRP to program. Then you can decide if you want to do other things.

Baofeng UV5r is $30 on amazon with base charger. Get the usb programming cable, though, it's infinitely easier and you can clone configurations to multiple radios quickly and easily.

Apparently it's $23: https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A

The ham whisperer is a great resource though. You could get one uv5r and a few 40 channel radio's and program them all the same, then have the uv5r to actually tune channels.

https://www.amazon.com/BF-888S-2pcs-Rechargeable-Headphone-Radio/dp/B00ECW9DB4/ref=psdc_2230642011_t5_B00HUB0ONK

A $25 Baofeng is probably the cheapest way to get in on that.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/

Just be aware that you get what you pay for, and they can be considered deficient compared to proper superhet designs.

https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/wiki/Baofeng

Do you have gear already?

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&dd=pMf-wtxOVgyIaWGCzx2mtw%2C%2C&ddc_refnmnt=free&keywords=baofeng&qid=1595434162&refinements=p_101%3A19346685011&rnid=19346684011&sr=8-1

and

https://www.amazon.com/RTL-SDR-Blog-RTL2832U-Software-Defined/dp/B011HVUEME/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=rtlsdr&qid=1595434259&sr=8-5

Are what I have as of now and was listening to some people way up north this morning. Research over the past few days led me to these.

If you're interested, you can hear a lot more than FRS if you grab a cheapo Baofeng radio. Can pick up everything from fire & police to VTA to mall security & airport ops.

Here's a couple links to get you started:

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A

https://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/?ctid=225

Buy a Baofang and 3.5 adapter. Cheap earmuffs and you’ll be set. Don’t rely on cell service. You’ll have a bad time.

BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_srwtFbQ3GB2QS

Electop 2.5mm Male to 3.5mm(1/8 inch) Female Stereo Audio Jack Adapter Cable for Headphone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GC6LR84/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_VtwtFb6VY421C

Mpow 035 Noise Reduction Safety Ear Muffs, Shooters Hearing Protection Ear Muffs, Adjustable Shooting Ear Muffs, NRR 28dB Ear Defenders for Shooting Hunting Season, with a Carrying Bag- Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L1U9L5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_rswtFbSRGP0EF

Or for $23 you can get [one of these](https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=baofeng&qid=1592102657&sr=8-3) off Amazon.

Right now the ones that pick up the state police also have the ability to pick up GRPD when it switches to the MPSCS, that is if they are not encrypted. It also depends on if whoever is providing the feeds that the scanner app picks up adding GRPD to their feeds.

The short answer is that probably, yes, we will see GRPD on scanner apps when they switch to digital. Until they make the switch nobody has a yes or no answer.

The main source of the feeds for the apps is broadcastify and here's the kent county feed list: https://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/1267

GRPD is offline on there and has been for a while with no explanation. That's probably why you can't find it on your app.

If it were 2 years ago I'd tell you to just buy an analog scanner but right now since everyone is in the process of the digital switch I would consider it a waste of money.

Currently the very cheapest route is to buy a Baofeng uv-5r: https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_3?crid=FHB79R9LLCVP&dchild=1&keywords=baofeng+uv-5r&qid=1590238873&sprefix=baofeng+u%2Caps%2C185&sr=8-3

and use that as a scanner. But if you do, use some tape or something to block off the TX button since it's extremely illegal to transmit on those channels.

What about getting some of these with the programming cable so that you can setup the FRS and GMS. Technically frowned upon, but should be ok if you stay on those frequencies. Is more useful as long as they are used responsibly

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_bC6bFbFP4Z8P7

You can buy a 2-Way Radio and listen to the police frequencies on there. Here is an example of one. Just remember it's prohibited to transmit. If you get an amateur radio license you can transmit within the wide range of the amateur radio frequencies.

You can purchase or rent the official easy to use race scanner/headphones here. Cost is $50 or $65 if you need two sets of headphones. You have the option between a radio scanner that lets you tune to the track PA or radio broadcast for play by play in addition to the driver channels or a Legend Fanvision which is a smartphone with the scanner feature with video coverage and stats. The radio scanner is live. Never used a Fanvision so no idea if it's live or has a delay.

Also you can buy your own radio/headset for fairly cheap on Amazon. If you're gonna attend races regularly it pays for itself compared to cost of rentals. These you program the frequencies yourself which is fairly easy but some folks not very tech literate feel is too much hassle.

If you want to test them out download the NASCAR app and purchase the premium/scanner feature which is cheap or might be free atm. Gives you the same functions as a scanner at the track but it'll be about 1-2min ahead of the cable broadcast.

1. Buy some Baofeng 2m/70cm radios.
2. Buy a data cable.
3. Download CHIRP.
4. Use CHIRP to reprogram the Baofengs to use MURS frequencies.
5. Enjoy your radios.

dude, for $24 it is hard to go wrong with this https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/

here is a slight variant for a few bucks less https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-136-174-400-480-Dual-Band-Transceiver/dp/B009MAKWC0/

and one for a few bucks more https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-Plus-Range-Radio/dp/B07CMZ2QCF/

I would never go handheld with CB. I would go with a mobile unit and power supply at home or in your car. GMRS or MURS with baofengs might work as well - these things are programmable and cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174Mhz-400-520Mhz/dp/B00MAULSOK/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=baofeng+radio&qid=1596562135&sr=8-4

​

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=baofeng+radio&qid=1596562173&sr=8-3

Welcome!

I also got into Ham-radio through CB. Its a great hobby!

Would recommend a VHF+UHF Baofeng like this to start: Only $28

• https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=baofeng+ht&qid=1592192293&sr=8-3

And a magnet antenna for $35, just place on a car, fridge, balcony-railing, or a cookie-sheet:

• https://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Genuine-Nagoya-UT-72-Magnetic/dp/B016SIJX28/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=vhf+uhf+antenna+magnet&qid=1592192350&sr=8-2

Due to the sunspot-cycle, 6-meters is rarely useful right now. A 10-meter only HF radio would be a great start though for technician, and will let you play with HF for under $100, or maybe even free from a local club-member. 10-meters works for HF often currently, but not every day.

Ham radio operator here. The gear is only as expensive as you want to spend. You can get a “world radio” kit for $50 (you can find them prebuilt for under $100)

https://www.gigaparts.com/bitx40-40m-ssb-transceiver-module-kit.html

Or a prebuilt (this is mine and I’ll never have to replace it) https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-003490

Or if you just want to listen $25 or less

RTL-SDR Blog R820T2 RTL2832U 1PPM TCXO SMA Software Defined Radio (Dongle Only) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0129EBDS2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_1ntIEbA2KBAQW

And of course the ole standby baofeng

BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_xstIEbV5K805B

Like most things , amateur radio is as expensive as you want it to be. It’s like shopping at Harbor Freight instead of Lowe’s. If you all have any questions I’m sure many here can answer :)

Just a friendly reminder that the FCC Technican-class amateur radio license can be had for free. It requires only a 35 question multiple-guess test and a "D" (75%) is a passing grade. This will allow you to legally transmit your $25 Baofeng UV-5R (or variants) on any of the amateur frequencies where it will transmit.

• List of FRS channels compared to GMRS
• CHIRP programming software - Download
• BaoFeng UV-5R - order *TODAY* to get by Sunday
• BaoFeng UV-82HP - order *TODAY* to get by Sunday
• NordVPN

The items below work well for transmit only. You can receive positions, but the VOX delay doesn't lend itself to messaging.

Baofeng

APRS Cable

Cheap Android phone (no SIM needed)

APRSDroid App

Total above would be less than $80 if you use the stock Baofeng antenna, which may or may not give you enough range.

Plenty of mag mount antennas to choose from, from $20 upwards. Add one of those and you could still set something up for less than $100.

Also on another note, I am not sure if anyone's touched on communications.

​

Cell service will likely be fucked, I mean bring it per usual, but I would learn real quick how to use a small hand held UHF / VHF radio such as the \~ $30 Baofeng (price dropped since I bought mine a month or so ago)

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2MR4MZRDGG6UC&keywords=baofeng&qid=1577711110&sprefix=%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-4

​

Learn what channels you can transmit on (can listen on anything), aka. the FRS channels and MURS channels... I personally have then set to Low power transmit mode just to keep things immediately local

​

Also can look into getting a cord to hook your computer to the radio, making things 100% easier as the interface on the radio to program things is sort of clunky

​

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-PC03-Genuine-Programming-Cable/dp/B00HUB0ONK/ref=pd_bxgy_107_3/140-2223652-1026357?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00HUB0ONK&pd_rd_r=8d31719d-53c9-4543-87b2-b2c53724479f&pd_rd_w=0bV0X&pd_rd_wg=ulJhU&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=5D81M4JRJKF42J477C5W&psc=1&refRID=5D81M4JRJKF42J477C5W

​

Radio's aren't essential, but I mean I know commuting on 95 and even Rt3 in Fredericksburg, data pipelines can get extremely clogged very fast, and calls won't connect all the time. Using a radio circumvents all that stuff.

​

Can program the radio using the cord to have your first few channels as the family Radio Service frequencies

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/family-radio-service-frs

​

The Baofeng UV-5R transmits on two power modes, High power (4W) and Low power (1W) so keep that in mind. Using low power on the FRS would generally keep you out of trouble, even though if you went with high power mode, not many people would know or care I am sure... but I always roll with 1W , low power mode.

It is important to remember that this is a newbie. Is this his first exposure to ham radio, e.g. no family friends in it? Do you think he is going to want a HT (handie talkies. Think hold in your hand the whole radio)?

In general I would avoid dropping tons of money on it until he tries it. There is a free website hamstudy.org for studying for the exam. It took me 3 days studying 2 hours a day to prepare for the technician (entry level license) exam using the site. I'd just get him the basics to get into it and then upgrade once he figures out what he likes. Below is a good first radio, programming cable, antenna, SDR, and shortwave radio. Shortwave radio is a cool way to listen to radio stations from around the world. The below are all things I have ordered recently to get my little brother into the hobby (minus the really expensive bottom two radios and bottom two sw radios)

If you want to spend more in the $220 amount for the handheld radio take a look at the Anytone D868UV Plus radio. It also has DMR and is a great radio.

BaoFeng UV-5R https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_gg63EbKAC8ZF7

BaoFeng Programming Cable

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HUB0ONK/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Rh63Eb5HF35ZC

Nagoya Antenna

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4PWQQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

RTL-SDR (software defined radio)(checkout this link to a sdr in the Netherlands http://websdr.ewi.utwente.nl:8901/)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011HVUEME/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Uk63EbCS46101

Tecsun R-9012 (shortwave radio)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001HX4D84/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_zn63Eb7APHARQ

Tecsun PL-380 (nicer sw radio)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004H912FC/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Gp63EbGJQAKXT

C. Crane Skywave SSB (nicest small traveler sw radio with SSB for listening to ham radio)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HXKR479/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Sq63EbPHET1B0

If you want to spend more in the $220 amount for the handheld radio take a look at the Anytone D868UV Plus radio. It is a dual band radio and also has DMR. It is a great HT.

https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/collections/amateur-handheld-radios/products/anytone-at-d878uv-plus-bluetooth-gps-programming-cable-with-support

I wouldn't recommend going out and buying the nicest stuff for a first radio, but if that is what you want to do look at the Yaesu FT3DR or Kenwood DH-74a.

Yaesu FT3DR

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WVF9NM1/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_-t63EbSGK21WB

Kenwood DH-74a

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZNETPS/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_Lu63EbMA8RG9Y

Other sites to to buy from.

https://www.gigaparts.com/ http://www.randl.com/

What are your interests within electrical engineering? The following are based on my interests and/or experience.

—CAD/EDA/design: learn a software package like KiCad, Eagle, EasyEDA, or get a student license for Altium, and order the boards from a company like OSHPark or PCBWay. This can be done in tandem with most other stuff I listed. It’s also a very valuable skill, judging from the fact that it alone got me an independent study project and a job in the school machine shop last spring. This option gets my highest recommendation of the lot since you seem to want work experience.

—radio: get a ham radio license! Start learning all the weird, wonderful, and terrible things that happen at RF versus audio frequency and DC. A Technician level license is super easy for an EE student to earn. Read explanations of a few laws and safety rules and you’re all set; you already know enough electrical theory for a General or maybe even Extra class license. Note that these are the US levels but other countries will be similar. Buy a $22 SDR or a $25 handheld transceiver and start listening to anything and everything you can find. Mind your country’s transmission laws.

—microcontrollers/automation: I saw this Skittle color sorter recently. Make something similar. Another example: I want to make a punch card digitizer eventually since I have a stack of several hundred that my college threw out. Not fun to convert by hand.

—spec out (and maybe build... they get expensive) a current gaming desktop computer, accounting for your budget and the intended games.

—audio: design an amplifier, filter, and/or equalizer, and build it. It doesn’t need to do anything new, just set some specs and perform tests/simulations to show that it meets them. A synthesizer or mini keyboard would also be a neat audio project.

—digital logic: design and build a clock using only 7400 or 4000 series chips, or do something more intense and Ben Eater style. Or, learn in the context of FPGAs, CPLDs, or DSPs and do something magic with a basic/old dev board—like gaming PCs, these can get expensive.

—control theory: maybe this is more comp eng/comp sci than EE, but writing a program that keeps a quadcopter hovering stable is nothing to scoff at. Plus, you get to build and fly a quadcopter!