Baofeng Radios for Emergency Communications - TheSmokinApe

[@morganw02]

Great video. I would also add getting a AA battery pack, so you can use household batteries to extend your talk time.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the tip 👍

[@alienman-bs3is]

baofeng is good but at least I found out bow Fang has a website where I can order online instead of trusting Amazon thank you for saying what website I could go to like baofeng Tech at least I was able to get a real one but now I can't trust Amazon no more

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad it was helpful 👍

[@yetisuncle666]

i programmed my baofeng to a local repeater, and when i pushed the ptt to get the tone back, i heard it in my headphones. they were plugged into my computer at the time. i have no idea how i can hear the transmission on my headphones.... and i didnt hear anything on the radio. it was ONLY thru my headphones, which werent of course plugged to the radio. they were in the computer at the time. it was weird. i chocked it up to just an odd freq interference.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That does sound weird 👍

[@Trid2bnrml1]

Radio oddity is a great source. If you have a problem, they fix it...fast.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, they do a great job 👍

[@stridermt2k]

Great video and great advice.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man👍

[@prepperpov5852]

Thanks, sir and shout-out to your latest Patreon! I’m soaking in all of the info right now, particularly about aftermarket antennas. It seems as though there are great options but I do read reports of certain antennas not allowing certain features (such as listening to FM for example). I’d like an antenna that doesn’t compromise features but still extends range on my BF-F8HP and I’m fine paying a decent price for the right one and I would like to get the AA battery pack adapter to use batteries for the radio, if necessary. I just need to do more research but your videos have been really helpful. I certainly agree with what you say here in this video and I also learned. I can buy the battery pack adapter and a Nagoya antenna right from the baofeng website which would be nice but I honestly have trouble looking at the technical details to determine which Nagoya antenna on the baofeng website is best for the BF-F8HP when the main concern is extending the range without really compromising features (if that’s really even a legitimate concern).

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks man, glad you are liking the videos. For antennas I typically use the Nagoya 701 or the 771 and have been happy with them, the Abbree antennas can be fun too!

[@prepperpov5852]

TheSmokinApe Thanks, sir. This is a very ignorant question but my main concern is that if I buy the Nagoya NA-24J (which by my understanding is just an updated 771 antenna), will I still be able to communicate on the frequencies of repeaters? I hear that the stock antenna lets you listen and transmit on basically all frequencies but some antennas change that to where you can only listen/transmit on certain frequencies and I don’t want to buy the NA-24J to find out that local repeaters can’t be received or transmitted on, or that the ability to communicate 1 on 1 with another radio will be compromised. I see that the website lists the frequencies in MHz that the antenna accepts but when I look on repeaterbook it of course lists the uplink/downlink, offset, and tone but I can’t find the specific MHz that would need to be known to be sure that the new antenna works with the repeaters.

[@benkanobe7500]

Great channel. New subscriber here (KM6DMG). I'm frustrated. I'm a instrument pilot and use my radios almost every day for communication, weather, and guidance. I earned my Technician license about 3 years ago. I didn't know any HAMS and then when I went to purchase a radio, it was overwhelming. As a result, I did nothing. So, I just purchased a UV 82HP (due to current events) and downloaded CHIRP, watched endless youtubes and I still cannot get one local repeater to listen in on and make my first contact. I'm really frustrated. Are there people (HAMS) that I can just pay to set my radio up with what I need locally and then show me how to program repeaters if I travel? I give up. YES, I have the BTECH cable. I was able to get one weather station to upload to my radio (CHIRP), but it is full of static.

[@chrissewell1608]

I am interested in getting a usb charging cable. Then adding a solar powered, usb, battery charger. (One of those back up battery chargers, used for cell phones .) It may be a trickle charger, but it may keep you on the air, in the woods!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sounds like a good plan, thanks for the comment 👍

[@socialengineer1441]

Some people resorting to these as small analogue repeaters and averting the new digital repeater due to the cost factor. Its amazing how one can turn these small radios (with large antennas) into a repeater by simply using the speaker and mic vox function.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Because they are so cheap they've been getting into the hands of some creative folks, it's cool to see all the stuff people are doing.

[@socialengineer1441]

@@TheSmokinApe Mine is a triband ( baofeng f8iii ) which is 136 to 174 and 200 to 220 and 400 to 520mhz. Using chirp I managed it get it down to 126mhz so I can pick up my local airport which is leeds and Bradford airport. I can take it down further but it wont let me transmit..( as it could cause interference, I dont transmit, religiously) but using my other radio I managed to test how far I can take it and still receive and transmit.. I got to 125 but kept it on 126 to stay safe. But yea your right folk do tend to fiddle when their bored. I guess this lockdown is taking us places we only wish we could in a busy life.

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice........

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks 👍

[@Pipefitter310]

Awesome thanks, recommend something other than Baofeng without breaking the bank..

[@TheSmokinApe]

👍

[@christophersmith1155]

I use the BAOFENG BF-F8HP here in NYC. It has more power . The battery lasts a long time. long talk time.

[@TheSmokinApe]

They are popular radios 👍

[@mikeZL3XD7029]

That's all very well having a radio like that for Emergency situations, but if the operator of that radio has no idea what they are doing, this can cause real problems for other experienced people on the same channel/frequency. I've experienced this in the past where a guy using a 2m HT blanked out our Pump Operator/Branchman comms, because he would not shut up at a 2nd alarm house fire. He was yelling into his radio, directions for the OIC as to how he thought the fire attack should be done!

[@TheSmokinApe]

People like that do more harm than help, totally worthless.

[@nathanbailey1593]

If these radios are “ok” but require a bit more accessorizing...is there another option that’s maybe “one step up” where the quality might be better but it might also come with a programming cable etc.? It looks like the options are primarily $25 plus all the add one that are required or something that’s several hundred. I’m looking for something that’s dependable I can take when hiking in the backcountry if I need to reach out to emergency services. Budget (all in) $100 or less.

[@oscaropont]

I recently got the baofeng base with an already attached USB cable.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice, I didn't know they were doing that.

[@oscaropont]

@@TheSmokinApe search for "USB Car Radio Battery Charger For Baofeng" in eBay, I don't send you the link for security reasons.

[@otroblogdemarcelo]

Is a pitty they move from the USB charge they do with the UV3r. Just a cable. I still have and use three of them at home. 73's from Argentina

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yes, USB would make it easy. Thanks for watching Marcelo 👍

[@cephasmartin8593]

Certain channels on my DirecTV and my flat screen TV cause static on my Baofeng UV-5R radios.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’m not surprised, I’ve had them go off for a bunch of things 👍

[@ahmedchishty2707]

My baofeng uv 8d is working only in a range of 1.2 kms(Urban).how can I increase the range.pls guide

[@TheSmokinApe]

You might want to look at a larger antenna like a jpole or a directional antenna like a yagi 👍

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

I’m interested in getting a baofeng to receive only until I get my license. I only have a Mac computer and I want to use Chirp to program the radio. Can you recommend a programming cable that will work on my Mac? I’ve seen a lot of cables out there but it’s not clear if they will work with a Mac. Thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to provide.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’d suggest the FTDI chip cable from BTEC 👍

[@JimmyKI5PRK]

@@TheSmokinApe thank you for the suggestion.

[@jay-rus4437]

I personally think that everyone should spend their dollar however they want. For me, an emergency radio should be a little more reliable. I think the baofengs are great for the cost, but I would hate to have my radio die when I needed it most.

[@3qdx]

At 11:30, you mention programming. SO many Amateurs get all bent out of shape saying...'I can't manually program this darn thing' !! YES YOU CAN...it's not rocket science. Here's a quick tutorial to programming in a Repeater with Tone and Offset in just 4 steps... Set Menu OFFSET to 'OFF' and the SHIFT Freq. to '0.0000' From VFO Mode... 1. From Keypad, enter Receive Frequency (example 146.940) 2. MENU 13 MENU, arrow up/down to choice of Transmit Tone, MENU EXIT (example 151.4) 3. MENU 27 MENU, arrow up/down to choice of Memory Channel, MENU EXIT (Your choice must be presently Unassigned) 4. From Keypad, enter Transmit Frequency, MENU 27 MENU MENU EXIT (example 146.340) You're done! (The '13' and '27' Menu selections might vary on some Baofengs, but you get the idea)

[@TheSmokinApe]

Totally agree, thanks for the info 👍

[@the1spyderryder]

The charger that you plug into the battery plugs into a USB-A charger Nd will protect the battery just like the drop in charger and being a USB device you can use it with battery banks or car chargers for your smart phone. They are inexpensive.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Smart phones have a BMS, not so sure about the Baofeng battery pack… maybe?

[@alyxjones8858]

You right it did feel good to click it, lol

[@TheSmokinApe]

Lol, thanks man 👍

[@GreekPreparedness]

I have explored ALL options of charging a baofeng on the field. Even without a cradle! But what i would like to add is that there are 12V and USB options to charge on the cradle, or straight on the extended battery. The latter asks for 7.2/8.4V, so DO make a point avoiding the straight 12V to DC Jack cables sold around. The cable has got to have a dc converter board inbetween. (Unforunately I have not found a source if the the extended battery has a built-in charging controller chip) Now if you will allow me the liberty here is the link to my blog that has how-tos for all charging methods, Regards! survivalcomms.wordpress.com/.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@oscaropont]

FIRST!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Haha!

[@the1spyderryder]

Your comments about intermod or spurs gives Baofeng a bad names by having unknowing repeating erroneous comments so if you havent tested them your self don't repeat them. I have tested all 14 different Baofengs that I own. They all come very close to meeting their stated specs.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’ve tested these for harmonics and Spurs many times on video. Some have them and some don’t…