$9.99 Baofeng UV-82, free shipping - soon they'll be absolutely free

Oh, I've got plenty of HT's, UV-5R's, UV3R's and a couple of old Icom T7H's that are mil-spec. I've gone through periods of using them a lot, not hardly using them at all and now back to using them every day, because I'm now moving to the farm.
I keep looking at other HT options, but it's hard to get over the benefits of the UV5R's, cheap, durable, lightweight, compatibility with the other UV5R batteries and accessories and they work. Although I'm starting to consider a DMR.
Must not look, must not look...
 
Got a uv-5r on order from Italian ebay seller for $6.66 postpaid.
 
JohnFreeman;n98322 said:
Got a uv-5r on order from Italian ebay seller for $6.66 postpaid.
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That's less than lunch. So hard to resist buying another something I don't need. ;)
 
htperry;n93756 said:
An HT is like 4WD ... if you need it and don't have it, there's no substitute. I rarely use one, but am glad I have it when I need one.
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I was really glad to have my HT with me this week in Miami, FL. Up on the 22nd floor of the hotel, I was able to cleanly hit a popular repeater and made a few new contacts. I was also glad to have my cell phone and echolink which let me talk to the regulars back home.
 
" Need" should not be in a discussion relating to hobbies!
 
JohnFreeman;n98487 said:
" Need" should not be in a discussion relating to hobbies!
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OK. Actually I don't want any more Baofeng HTs. I keep giving them away and people give me more. I have 7 HTs now, 3 of which are Baofeng. I can use 2 HTs, Kenwood tri-band and DMR. I sort of like my Wouxun that cross- band repeats, so maybe 3.

$6.66? The devil's HT.
 
htperry

I'm ham ignorant. I know absolutely nothing other than I think you need a FCC license.
Can you educate me and others? Advantages/Disadvantages of having one?

Thanks in advance

DS
 
A handie-talkie is a low power radio that's part of a high reliability licensed radio service. I don't know any disadvantage. The advantages include alternate communication ability above and beyond the commercial services typically available to citizens.

Beyond the peace of mind of having alternative communication capabilities, ham radio is a fun hobby that is also a service to the community in times of need.
 
In the real life story about a year surviving Bosnia, the guy mentioned one of the most valuable things was information. They risked their lives to get any news the as to their situation, outside of propaganda. This is a recurring theme in many stories where people were isolated and didn't know when or if help was coming, if they should stay or if they should leave. What routes are open, where do you go, is the enemy approaching? Of course, you could rely on any existing/surviving news media and the Presidential Emergency Broadcast system, if you prefer. Remember, FEMA is here to help.

In another thread, it discusses how criminals are able to strategically organize because they have a communications network that they own and operate very effectively.

What about communication with loved ones and family in a time of disaster? In amateur radio, there are established methods to send messages to individuals. Another aspect is mutual aid and support. The list goes on.

There IS a disadvantage... It's a black hole from which there is no return, it just gets deeper and deeper. Maybe just one more radio. Maybe, just one more antenna...

Oh! Look at that! Oooo....

ETA - You know there's a Ham Fest coming up. ;)
 
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backwoodsshooter;n99121 said:
Rut roh, got messages saying that the radios I got may not be a legit sell and that the sellers accounts maybe have been compromised.

we shall see
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Same here. Did anyone get this message with the $9.99 ones?
 
DirtySCREW;n99138 said:
htperry

I'm ham ignorant. I know absolutely nothing other than I think you need a FCC license.
Can you educate me and others? Advantages/Disadvantages of having one?

Thanks in advance

DS
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DS, here is a great place to start reading about how easy it is to use a hand held ham radio (HT) on VHF and UHF(which is mostly 2 meter and 70 centimeter/440mhz)
http://www.hamuniverse.com/repeater.html It tells how repeaters work and how a $30 Chinese radio can talk in a 100 mile circle from a good tall repeater.

Simplex is radio to radio. Simplex is more challenging for distance on VHF/UHF because these "bands" are "Line of Sight" and trees and terrain block signals not to mention the curvature of the Earth.
http://www.hamuniverse.com/simplexoperating.html

Go to this sticky on this forum and read the study materials. It will give you even more info and a base of knowledge to expand upon.

Getting your Technician license is very easy and will open up a world of different and exciting facets of Amateur radio.
 
Mr. Screw DirtySCREW , I hope you will consider getting your ham radio license. You've asked a lot of questions in the past, demonstrating an interest. It's really not difficult and is inexpensive to try. Once you pass the simple test, you never have to test again; just zero-cost renew every 10 years. The first step is the license.

You'll find ham radio to be very much like any hobby. There will be those that treat you as though you're not a real player unless you're their kind of operator. There are those that will be dismissive to you as a noob, even treat you rudely. Just as life, cast those people aside and you'll find plenty of thoughtful, helpful operators.

noway2 and Lawless are two of the newer licensees here on the forum. They jumped in with both feet and scored! These guys are your example to follow.
 
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Thanking Lawless and htperry !!!

I will definitely check out those pages for more info.

Is there another REPUTABLE seller of the beofungs?...As it looks like the eBay thing was a scam? I'm leary if eBay anyways. Might check Amazon.com to see what they have.

htperry ...I am accepting donations for DJI phantom 4s & Beofungs....Lol

Seriously guys..Thanks again for the guidance.

DS
 
DirtySCREW;n99662 said:
Is there another REPUTABLE seller of the beofungs?...As it looks like the eBay thing was a scam? I'm leary if eBay anyways. Might check Amazon.com to see what they have.


DS
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This is where I got my 2 GT3 radios. In this deal you get car chargers, better antennas and ear piece/mics and the proper programming cable for Chirp.

https://www.amazon.com/Twin-GT-3-Mar...ds=baofeng+gt3

Any ebay seller with good (above 99.5% is my limit) feedback and shipping from the US should be fine.

Here's a good deal on a UV-82 with cable.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Baofeng-UV-8...sAAOSw241YZHYU


Trust me, be sure and get a cable and then download Chirp. Throw the CD with the Baofeng programming software in the trash and forget it.
 
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DirtySCREW;n99662 said:
Is there another REPUTABLE seller of the beofungs?...As it looks like the eBay thing was a scam? I'm leary if eBay anyways. Might check Amazon.com to see what they have.
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Just always use PayPal on eBay and if it's not legit, PayPal and eBay will refund your money.

DirtySCREW;n99662 said:
htperry ...I am accepting donations for DJI phantom 4s & Beofungs....Lol
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Two very fun hobbies, along with the guns.
 
chrishf12;n99323 said:
Same here. Did anyone get this message with the $9.99 ones?
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Nope.... no word from them yet.....
 
Yeah, the AntiChrist of Italy stung me for $6.66. :) Ebay'll get it back for me. I have > 1000 ebay transactions over 12 yrs or so, and this was the first time I've been stung. I'm glad it was for less than a happy meal!
 
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. It's good eBay and PayPal have protections in-place to undo this dishonest business. I guess we're going to have to go back to the $24.00 UV5R, free shipping.
 
Geez, all this energy over a $24 radio, when others go for a $100 or more. I just get mine from Amazon. And since we're Prime customers, we get a 30day return policy. Sent two of the Baofeng mobiles back that way.
I'm going to get another of the UV5r5's for a premium price of $29. It's a little bit different internally. The S meter seems to work. It takes all accessories including the battery. Big deal for me. The one I have seems to pick up a little too much interference, but I like it enough to try another and pay the extra $5.
 
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georgel;n100335 said:
Geez, all this energy over a $24 radio, when others go for a $100 or more.
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It's about getting a cheap radio cheaper. Part of the Baofeng game. How low will it go?

georgel;n100335 said:
I'm going to get another of the UV5r5's for a premium price of $29. ....... pay the extra $5.
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That extra $5 will buy a trinket to go with the $24 radio.

Programming Cable
Hand speaker/mic
 
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Money refunded.

If it wasn't for sub-$10, I'd not have purchased one, as I've got several other radios (cough...) .

PayPal couldn't have been easier...took 24 hours to resolve.
 
Got me two of the waterproof ones (GT-3WP) to use on the boat, because well boat = water.

Any how now I'm trying to figure how to program them for simplex so I can set them to the marine frequencies so far I've set up marine channel 16 on radio channel 40 then I have to set a TX and RX to 40 then I and send and receive.

Is there a better way? I cant seem to find a simplex setting.


:::VENT
And dang it somebody needs to sell the dang programing cable on Prime so shipping doesn't take 2 weeks to a month, at least with prime I'd know how long it would take so I'd know where to send it... Boat is going north for now in a few weeks it'll be going South for the winter.
Vent Over:::
 
htperry said:
BTECH? They sell their Baofengs as private labeled BTECH brand. You pay more, but get no more in quality. Warranty on an impulse buy $20 item is not worthwhile because the shipping to claim the warranty is half the cost of the new item, especially if you have to return it a couple times. On such cheap items, I'd just as soon roll the dice and understand "no warranty" from direct Chinese sellers. Most Baofeng radios work out of the box.

BTW, never buy a BTECH mobile radio. They are all shit. Everyone I know that ever bought one sent them back and those that I hear still trying to use them are near unintelligible on the air. georgel might give his review of the BTECH mobile radios and compare it to buying and using Yaesu after trying the BTECH.
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Thanks Howard. I appreciate your input here, I was considering one. Now I think I'll pass.
 
Mikew said:
Got me two of the waterproof ones (GT-3WP) to use on the boat, because well boat = water.

Any how now I'm trying to figure how to program them for simplex so I can set them to the marine frequencies so far I've set up marine channel 16 on radio channel 40 then I have to set a TX and RX to 40 then I and send and receive.

Is there a better way? I cant seem to find a simplex setting.


:::VENT
And dang it somebody needs to sell the dang programing cable on Prime so shipping doesn't take 2 weeks to a month, at least with prime I'd know how long it would take so I'd know where to send it... Boat is going north for now in a few weeks it'll be going South for the winter.
Vent Over:::
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Bit of a necro thread post, but I got a crappy $5 Prolific clone chipset cable that didn't work, got clued into a fix here, tried it and a couple others, realized it still wasn't going to work, found out about FTDI cables, ordered a $20 one, got it and had my radios programmed a couple of days later in less than 2 weeks. Got both cables off ebay, both got here in 3ish days.

I've got my TX disabled (no ticket yet) and I'm trying to find things to listen to around here, waiting for my probable knockoff Nagoya antenna that got mislaid in the post (it apparently finally arrived in Greensboro, a day after the guaranteed deliver date) and generally studying the flashcards. Not finding a lot to listen to actually, but trying is fun.
 
NCLivingBrit said:
Bit of a necro thread post, but I got a crappy $5 Prolific clone chipset cable that didn't work, got clued into a fix here, tried it and a couple others, realized it still wasn't going to work, found out about FTDI cables, ordered a $20 one, got it and had my radios programmed a couple of days later in less than 2 weeks. Got both cables off ebay, both got here in 3ish days.

I've got my TX disabled (no ticket yet) and I'm trying to find things to listen to around here, waiting for my probable knockoff Nagoya antenna that got mislaid in the post (it apparently finally arrived in Greensboro, a day after the guaranteed deliver date) and generally studying the flashcards. Not finding a lot to listen to actually, but trying is fun.
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I've been using mine for several months almost daily on the boat while anchoring or just when I'm on deck and the Admiral is at the helm, only problem I've seen is one of the charging contacts has lost its gold coating (probably saltwater got on it) so I keep them coated with dielectric grease now.
I have Marine, GMRS and a couple other sets programed in them, mostly use the GMRS.
Usable distance leaves a lot to be desired though, I've taken it to shore on the dinghy while my Admiral stayed on the big boat and even though I could see the boat I couldn't talk to her.
 
NCLivingBrit said:
I've got my TX disabled (no ticket yet) and I'm trying to find things to listen to around here, waiting for my probable knockoff Nagoya antenna that got mislaid in the post (it apparently finally arrived in Greensboro, a day after the guaranteed deliver date) and generally studying the flashcards. Not finding a lot to listen to actually, but trying is fun.
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W4GSO 145.150 and W4GG 145.250 in the mornings from about 7am I’ll 8:30 weekdays. You’ll usually find me and a few others on the first one and a couple of guys on the second one.
 
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When I get my J-pole up on the roof, up around 700ft ASL.....and my ticket, I am gonna try and hit you guys in GSO with my Alinco 50 watter. Think it will fly that far? I'm in 28107
 
noway2 said:
W4GSO 145.150 and W4GG 145.250 in the mornings from about 7am I’ll 8:30 weekdays. You’ll usually find me and a few others on the first one and a couple of guys on the second one.
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Typically that's the middle of my work shift. Maybe I'll take the UV5R to work and see if it works in the big tin box.
 
htperry said:
View attachment 70821
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See I know you're (probably) joking, but stuff like that was why I kept getting interested in this and then not following up.

Every time I got interested someone reminded me that a lot of folks already in the hobby are going to denigrate and look down on you for not having the cool guy toys or spending a ton on a rig. Or for not knowing stuff they consider basic. Or for just being new.

That wouldn't normally be an issue for me since there are (REDACTED) folks in every hobby. Except in this one, a big part of this is talking to those same people and who needs that? So yeah, that's funny and all, but when the hobby doesn't get as maybe newbies as it used to, don't be shocked either.
 
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It's just a joke. A pretty good one. I have an HF but haven't got it hooked up to an antenna yet. Shame on me.

Do Chevy jokes keep people from buying them or asking about them on 4x4 forums? Do 1911 vs Glock and 9mm vs 45 threads keep people out of shooting? (I hope not!)

There are some old curmudgeons around that still think you should have to learn and use Morse, but the vast majority are very encouraging and helpful to new hams. Every hobby has its snobs. Just avoid the ones you run into.
 
NCLivingBrit said:
Every time I got interested someone reminded me that a lot of folks already in the hobby are going to denigrate and look down on you for not having the cool guy toys or spending a ton on a rig. Or for not knowing stuff they consider basic. Or for just being new.
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It was a joke and most certainly not one that denigrates or looks down upon newbies and non hams, though I can understand why you might take it that way. I am certain that once you do get your ticket and get on the air, even with a Baofeng, the joke will take on a whole new meaning.

It’s kind of like that other ones that @htperry posted: what not to say on a first date when asked what’s your favorite band? (Wrong) answer: VHF. Or the “I left a Baofeng in my car. Someone broke in and left me two more.” No a Baofeng is not a “yea comm wood” but it will get you on the air and that’s what counts. It’s like saying any wire in the air (antenna) is better than one in the ground.
 
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noway2 said:
It was a joke and most certainly not one that denigrates or looks down upon newbies and non hams, though I can understand why you might take it that way. I am certain that once you do get your ticket and get on the air, even with a Baofeng, the joke will take on a whole new meaning.

It’s kind of like that other ones that @htperry posted: what not to say on a first date when asked what’s your favorite band? (Wrong) answer: VHF. Or the “I left a Baofeng in my car. Someone broke in and left me two more.” No a Baofeng is not a “yea comm wood” but it will get you on the air and that’s what counts. It’s like saying any wire in the air (antenna) is better than one in the ground.
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Likely I have a thin skin about this particular issue, because of all the things I've been new at this was the one I got the most flak for being new and asking questions in.

So even my eBay knockoff Na771 takes less digs than a Boafeng? Harsh lol
 
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