Got Baofeng?

DaveInCLT said:
Not HAM related, but this thread reminds me I need to do some research on programming Baofeng's. I've got two BaoFeng's, both BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) intending to use them to expand my wife's racecar radio network which is a Motorola setup (and she has associated FCC licenses for three programmed channels).

I can hear the Motorola discussion over the BaoFengs, but none of Motorola handhelds can hear me if I talk. You can talk between the two BaoFengs though.

Not sure if this is possible to be done via CHIRP.
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Need to make sure the radios your trying to use are type certified on the bands your planning to use them on. They likely are not.
 
You need to plug in while the radio is off then turn on the radio. I also found that you need to select each com1, 2, etc to find the right one.
 
I have 2 of the cheap Baoefong hand helds. No idea what I’ll ever do with them.
 
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Grrr. Mac still does not recognize the USB connection to the radio; Windows PC can find the device but needs different driver to open it. Explorer on PC will not display the page for ftdichip to download the damn driver, though it will display any other page I choose. I will try to download the PC driver on the Mac and transfer it to PC via USB drive. This is ridiculous.
 
Dear God... finally got the cable driver and CHIRP installed on the same computer and talking to the radio; downloaded the image from the radio. Sheeze, what a royal arsepain. That's enough fun for today. Tomorrow if all this crap is still working I may see if I can program it and upload back to the radio.
 
Tim said:
I have 2 of the cheap Baoefong hand helds. No idea what I’ll ever do with them.
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I purchased a couple of them myself. I've talked to @noway2 by PM about meeting up and actually learning how to use them. I just haven't had the time. I have two more semesters in school and I will be done (thank God), hope to meet up with him then and actually learn a thing or two.
 
Average Joe said:
I purchased a couple of them myself. I've talked to @noway2 by PM about meeting up and actually learning how to use them. I just haven't had the time. I have two more semesters in school and I will be done (thank God), hope to meet up with him then and actually learn a thing or two.
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Too bad you’re not ready to take your test. S Newton arranged for us to use the classroom at the backup EOC on the 29th to do a testing session. Next time. I’m sure they’ll be others.
 
noway2 said:
Too bad you’re not ready to take your test. S Newton arranged for us to use the classroom at the backup EOC on the 29th to do a testing session. Next time. I’m sure they’ll be others.
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I may be ready for my test then, can you send me some details about location, times, etc.?
 
rolangunslinger said:
I may be ready for my test then, can you send me some details about location, times, etc.?
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Sorry there is a typo in my post, it’s the 19th, not the 29th. If you’re still interested, PM me. If that’s too soon, I’ll be happy to put you in contact with the Greensboro High Point VE coordinator for W4VEC which would be closers so please pm me anyway.
 
rolangunslinger said:
I may be ready for my test then, can you send me some details about location, times, etc.?
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Come on now...if I can get extra you can get tech!

we used ham test online to study for General and extra it wasn’t as dry as reading a book. For tech we pulled up the test bank printed and highlighted only the correct answers and studied that. When you take the the test those answers will pop out at you. Iirc we only studied a couple weeks before we tested @hp468 correct me if I’m wrong.

HamTestOnline - Study for your Ham Radio License Exam

Online courses, study materials, and practice tests for the ham radio license exams
www.hamradiolicenseexam.com
 
I got one of those bafung from a forum member. Listened to the local weekly gathering. Probably about 6 members chimed in. Looking at ordering a few off eBay or Amazon to add to the preps along with antennas.
 
Would like to learn more about hams but the Covid19 has stopped most get together s. The Wilmington club is having a zoom meeting on the 18th of January I believe. I am going to try to join the meeting but I’m not a zoom/computer person. Maybe I’ll get lucky. I like asking questions and getting feedback. I learn better by doing things that actually apply to the real world.
Note to the people that will say study/read/google/whatever. I can tell you things about bee keeping that will give you enough of a base to get started and be successful in one hour. You could read 1 book in a few hours and have no idea what is really the important stuff.
 
I just got a Baqfeng 9R Plus and I'm like the rest of you guys, this thing is a nightmare to figure out.
 
Cape Fear said:
Can you share some details? Since you used a Baofeng handheld I assume it is a 2M net?
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They had a scheduled meetings at 9 pm last night. I dialed the hand held to the frequency they published and had the radio on. One gentleman started out identifying himself as the ring leader and giving a brief on how things would proceed. He called for anyone a-e to key in, then f-l and so on to z. After completing this he called for any late arrivals. Each person in order briefly talked or said they had nothing to add.
The leader added at the end about the zoom meeting and the in person 4 radio ham display at Ogden park in Wilmington coming soon. Also referred to the covid restrictions in place and possible new ones if Roy Cooper gets his way.
 
Leadchunker said:
They had a scheduled meetings at 9 pm last night. I dialed the hand held to the frequency they published and had the radio on. One gentleman started out identifying himself as the ring leader and giving a brief on how things would proceed. He called for anyone a-e to key in, then f-l and so on to z. After completing this he called for any late arrivals. Each person in order briefly talked or said they had nothing to add.
The leader added at the end about the zoom meeting and the in person 4 radio ham display at Ogden park in Wilmington coming soon. Also referred to the covid restrictions in place and possible new ones if Roy Cooper gets his way.
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Sounds like pretty much every net out there. It doesn't matter if it's one tiny town repeater or international.

Most of them around here end with a rag chew session where we hear what all the old men ate for lunch and what pills they took that day. Riveting stuff...
 
It would be 2 meters for the baofeng I have. The frequency they were on is 147.180. I have this thing sitting in the room with me. It comes on and states some words and then repeater. Most of the time at the top of the hour.
 
two fingers said:
Sounds like pretty much every net out there. It doesn't matter if it's one tiny town repeater or international.

Most of them around here end with a rag chew session where we hear what all the old men ate for lunch and what pills they took that day. Riveting stuff...
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I was impressed that I could hear someone 15 to 20 miles away. The Cobra walkie-talkies I bought have like 1/4 mile range in the neighborhood. $69.00 worth of useless.
 
Leadchunker said:
They had a scheduled meetings at 9 pm last night. I dialed the hand held to the frequency they published and had the radio on. One gentleman started out identifying himself as the ring leader and giving a brief on how things would proceed. He called for anyone a-e to key in, then f-l and so on to z. After completing this he called for any late arrivals. Each person in order briefly talked or said they had nothing to add.
The leader added at the end about the zoom meeting and the in person 4 radio ham display at Ogden park in Wilmington coming soon. Also referred to the covid restrictions in place and possible new ones if Roy Cooper gets his way.
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Oh ok gotcha - a local net and rag chew. I misunderstood from your comments about "got the radio from a forum member " and "About 6 members chimed in" I thought maybe this was a CFF thing. Don't worry about looking up whether it was a 2M net for me, I can't hit or hear a Wilm repeater anyways.
 
Leadchunker said:
Note to the people that will say study/read/google/whatever. I can tell you things about bee keeping that will give you enough of a base to get started and be successful in one hour. You could read 1 book in a few hours and have no idea what is really the important stuff.
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The online stuff is mostly to memorize the test answers in order to get your license and be able to legally transmit. You are correct, it doesn't help you get proficient like real-world application. But it is the quickest way to pass the licensing exams.
 
I downloaded some directions like other members here and it’s like that Chinese math to me. A buddy got a buddy to program/set the radio up for me. I’m sure I have messed that all up at this point.
 
Cape Fear said:
The online stuff is mostly to memorize the test answers in order to get your license and be able to legally transmit. You are correct, it doesn't help you get proficient like real-world application. But it is the quickest way to pass the licensing exams.
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I feel confident I could study for any test and pass it. Knowing what the actual answer means and how to apply it to the real world is the sticking point. I can memorize anything and regurgitate within a week or two. Beyond that timeframe it has to mean something to me.
 
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Pink_Vapor said:
I wasn't able to decipher the CHIRP programming either.
@Cape Fear @Average Joe do you know if a repeater is going on the tower that was installed at the Pea Ridge Rd/Old US-1fire house?
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There is a new one up on Firetower Rd behind the Pittsboro Lowes. It's actually got really good coverage. I've been able to use it all the way up in Guilford Co on 421 and people have been coming in from north of Raleigh. Here's the info to connect: 145.230, -0.6, 107.2

There will be more repeaters going up as the county builds new towers and their new EOC building. The plan is that the repeaters will eventually all be linked.
 
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Leadchunker said:
They had a scheduled meetings at 9 pm last night. I dialed the hand held to the frequency they published and had the radio on. One gentleman started out identifying himself as the ring leader
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Ringleader. Ha ha ha ha.... I am sure it sounded like he was speaking in some sort of code too. :p

Just wait till you get on HF. A bunch of old guys talking about drinking their prune juice.
 
There are plenty of us around here (myself included) that are more than happy to help new hams get on the air and/or get radios programed.

@Leadchunker I get your reference to bee keeping. I'm a hands on learner as well, most every ham out there will tell you that the learning starts after you get your ticket. I purchased a baofeng years ago, programed it and listened to area nets while I was studying. I can put you in touch with some great people in Wilmington, they are very active in the VHF assoc. drop me a pm if your interested.
 
Leadchunker said:
I feel confident I could study for any test and pass it. Knowing what the actual answer means and how to apply it to the real world is the sticking point. I can memorize anything and regurgitate within a week or two. Beyond that timeframe it has to mean something to me.
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That's the route most people take. Memorize/regurgitate to get your ticket, then learn "how-to" by practical exercise.
Pink_Vapor said:
I wasn't able to decipher the CHIRP programming either.
@Cape Fear @Average Joe do you know if a repeater is going on the tower that was installed at the Pea Ridge Rd/Old US-1fire house?
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No idea, I've been wondering the same thing. That sure is a nice tower though, must be nice spending other people's money.
noway2 said:
There is a new one up on Firetower Rd behind the Pittsboro Lowes. It's actually got really good coverage. I've been able to use it all the way up in Guilford Co on 421 and people have been coming in from north of Raleigh. Here's the info to connect: 145.230, -0.6, 107.2

There will be more repeaters going up as the county builds new towers and their new EOC building. The plan is that the repeaters will eventually all be linked.
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Thanks for the info! Do you know who owns this/these repeaters?
 
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Cape Fear said:
Thanks for the info! Do you know who owns this/these repeaters?
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The repeaters, currently there are two, are both owned by OCRA (Orange County club W4UNC) but they weren't being used so they loaned them to Chatham Auxcomm (NC4CH) and they ID as W4UNC since they hold the trustee licenses with the FCC and SERA (Coordinates repeater frequencies and tones in the SE). The 2m one is on the Firetower Rd tower and there is a 70cm off of 64 near Siler City.
 
I shouldnt have much trouble with the test, I too EE at Wake Tech.
I'm also a kinetic (hands on) learner. Let me know if someone in the Apex/Moncure/Pittsboro/Sanford area wants to show how to get started. It sounds like there's a few of us.
Cape Fear said:
That's the route most people take. Memorize/regurgitate to get your ticket, then learn "how-to" by practical exercise.

No idea, I've been wondering the same thing. That sure is a nice tower though, must be nice spending other people's money.

Thanks for the info! Do you know who owns this/these repeaters?
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That 300' tower appears to have been completed last week. I'm 1 mi away.
 
Pink_Vapor said:
Let me know if someone in the Apex/Moncure/Pittsboro/Sanford area wants to show how to get started.

That 300' tower appears to have been completed last week. I'm 1 mi away.
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I would have to dust some stuff off, I got my call sign and figured out I have nothing to say! But I'm game. I have a Baofeng HH and a Kenwood mobile that's currently desk-mount.

I think you have my # in PMs but let me know if you need it.

And I think "our" new tower is 350', I noticed yesterday they put a triple-beacon lighting system on it. Those aren't required until you hit 350'.
 
Triple beacon 🤬. I moved out to the country enjoying seeing the night sky, not a strobe light. We chose to get away from towers and used http://www.antennasearch.com/ to do so.

The tower contractors told me it was a 300' celll phone tower, he didn't know who the carrier was.
 
Pink_Vapor said:
I wasn't able to decipher the CHIRP programming either.
@Cape Fear @Average Joe do you know if a repeater is going on the tower that was installed at the Pea Ridge Rd/Old US-1fire house?
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From what I’ve been told @noway2 is correct. They are adding more repeaters on the new towers. However, I do not have a time line for the project.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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