Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Welcome to the Charlie Tango DX Group. The home of ALL things Radio - CB, 11m DX, Amateur, PMR446, PLD, Network and Data. We welcome all radio enthusiasts of all knowledge levels. Join today and claim your own unique World Famous CT Call-sign
Call Sign : 26-CT-954, M7PLD.. Posts : 242 Times Thanked : 2 Join date : 2020-11-27 QTH or Location : Ellesmere Port Equipment Used : icom 718,cobweb,anytone 667, Age : 68
Subject: 2m 70cm radio Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:50 am
What's the opinion on a reasonable priced 2m 70cm radio to use in the house, at the moment I have baofeng ur5 was looking at getting a hand Mike for it but there seems to be a lot of bad reviews,
Call Sign : 26-CT-3228 Ham M7VIC Posts : 3445 Times Thanked : 215 Join date : 2019-11-10 QTH or Location : Bedford Equipment Used : Various
Subject: Re: 2m 70cm radio Mon Feb 01, 2021 11:33 am
Hi Chris,
Opinions will vary......wildly(!)
My own opinions will not be the same as others, but I won't get my knickers in a twist with a difference of opinion either.
I have an Intek version of the UV-5R and it doesn't do a bad job, (hits the repeaters anyway ) It's let down, as with any handy, is the small antenna. I get a great signal outdoors but unless I'm hanging out of a window it's quite poor indoors. To the point that I'm investigating homebase antenna options as even a simple dipole improves the situation a huge amount.
I did get an external microphone for mine and it does make it easier to use with much improved audio. Holding a mic to your mouth is much easier than holding the handy and you'll speak more clearly into it.
There's loads of faff about regards drilling holes, changing elements etc. in the mics and unless they're audio engineers I tend to take that advice with 'shares in Saxa' Ask them how the 'pop' response fairs after drilling their dirty big holes(!) (Let alone how the slightest breeze will make them sound like they're in the middle of a hurricane.)
As for radio suggestions, I'll bet most of the 'recommendations' will be for a 'big-boy' manufacturer. (Yaesu/Icom etc.) They'll always be a knock back regards Chinese manufactured goods, that despite most other manufactured goods also tending to be Chinese in origin......go figure(?)
I got into trouble for suggesting a Baofeng was even similar to a Yaesu unit a while back, despite them using the same topology, chipsets and even the schematics being extremely similar.
I'd say go for whatever feels right for you, regardless.
With an external mic, external antenna and hitting a repeater well I think anyone would be hard pushed to tell what sort of radio you're using just by the sound and signal strength
Call Sign : 26 CT050 26 FB080 26 WT105 26 TE171 Posts : 948 Times Thanked : 51 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : NORTH LONDON Equipment Used : ORIGINAL President Lincoln, President Teddy , Silver Eagle microphones , Gainmaster antenna, use a AMP ofcourse I do sometimes Age : 64
Subject: Re: 2m 70cm radio Mon Feb 01, 2021 12:12 pm
Chris I have one of these pretty good for the price basically Baofeng software but has tri power mine came with hand mic and house changer and car charger
Call Sign : 26CT526/MR021/M6XXX. Posts : 244 Times Thanked : 10 Join date : 2019-06-27 QTH or Location : wooler north northumberland or some were near it Equipment Used : mobile 4000hp base A99 radio base magnum257hp mobile magnum 257 standed power Age : 65
Subject: Re: 2m 70cm radio Wed Feb 03, 2021 1:26 pm
use what ever you feel like the baofengs there ok and work very well and if the users of yaesu are not happy if they made there radios a little less cash bring the prices down they might sell more but its not better then a baofeng and its not worse just use what you feel happy as i like pmr radio i got my base 446 antenna from Slovakia and it works great and with the crt7u a perfect base radio on the car a home made pmr antenna with the cutting and measure from a radio sight think it was tm one and with crt space-u they work great enjoy the hobby