Small Handies for Ham and PMR use

Just a quick post about a couple of handies I bought recently.

First pair - Pofung branded UV-6R - sold under a number of names.



Bought these as they cover 2m and 70cm as well as PMR.  Did not get along very well with them as programming via the keypad was user-unfriendly.  However, bought the USB programming lead and downloaded the CHIRP programmer software for the MAC.  Wow, what a difference.

I programmed in local 2m and 70cm repeaters (South Cambs) and these little handies can access them from a few miles away on the standard rubber antenna - considering this 5" antenna is multi-band, quite impressed.  A replacement antenna would be a useful addition.

I also programmed in the 8 PMR channels twice, once in "clear" and once with CTCSS enabled.

Key Features/Specifications:

Frequency Range: 136-174 / 400-519.995 MHz
Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display, Dual-Standby
Different LED Background colors
Output Power: 5 /1 Watts
128 Channels 50 CTCSS and 104 DCS
Built-in VOX Function
1750Hz Brust Tone
FM Radio (65.0MHz-108.0MHz)
LED Flashlight Large LCD Display High/Low RF Power
Switchable 25KHz/12.5KHz
Channel Step: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25KHz

Impressed with these so, for a car club run, bought a pair of Baofeng BF-888S Plus radios



As delivered these were programmed to illegal frequencies, so using the same USB lead and CHIRP software I programmed 8 of the channels to UK PMR in "clear" and 8 of the channels to CTCSS the same as the UV-6R's.  Now we can chat easily and conveniently on PMR. Great battery life.

Preset 16 channels
UHF 400-480MHZ,
1500mAh high capacity Battery.
50 CTCSS/105 CDCSS;
VOX Function;
Voice Prompt;
Torch Light;
PC Programming;
Emergency Alarm;
Intelligent Charging;
Battery Save;
Low Voltage Alert

Cheap as chips as well!

great little radios and cheap.I always keep one in the boot of the car cant beat them for the money

got two of ebay and delivered to my home £25 and have them set up for 70cm,
and pmr only but with a mag antenna and a base antenna , for Pmr they work great.

I've got a UV5R and it's OK as long as you aren't trying to use it near other transmitters - it gets clobbered on Butser Hill if I am near the tower up there.

I run a few Handies for PMR 2/70cm and always have one on my belt.  I have 3 different Baofengs, a Yaesu VX6 and my most recent acquisition is a Retevis RT87.  Most people don't like the Baofeng because the are not particularly programming friendly but I make sure that I can programme every HT without the need of a computer as I don't carry one in the field.

I have a Baofeng UV-5R just for listening and training purposes as I haven't got a foundation licence yet but unfortunately I have not been able to listen to anyone yet as I can't seem to work it out properly.