I do only SKYWARN and emergency communications, so I only need 3 or 4 programmed frequencies/offset, etc. on each VHF & UHF. Can I do this with just the keypad or do I NEED computer software/cable? I do only SKYWARN and emergency communications, so I only need 3 or 4 programmed frequencies/offset, etc. on each VHF & UHF. Can I do this with just the keypad or do I NEED computer... » Read More I do only SKYWARN and emergency communications, so I only need 3 or 4 programmed frequencies/offset, etc. on each VHF & UHF. Can I do this with just the keypad or do I NEED computer software/cable? « Show Less
1242802
Yes you can but its a bit of a pain. On a second note when I ordered mine off of amazon it came with the cable and software taking only seconds after installed
1242803
Yes you can use only the keypad to program freq. The software to my knowledge just allows you to name the programmed frequencies ex. Fire north, law north, etc
1155569
You can program manually, it is a pain, but if only doing a few channels should not take too long.
757704
Don't know, Ended up programming mine manually. Easy once you figure it out. I have 27 local 2 meter repeaters, 20 70 cm repeaters, 3 wx channels, 14 frs,5 urs channels in mine with plenty of room for more. It is actually easier to program than my Kenwood TR 7950. I'm going to get a couple more and I will program them off my laptop.
2025994
It all depends on the repeater and location, it is also possible to buy a better antenna for the unit (need an adaptor) - I am able to hit a mountain repeaters 20+ miles away so terrain is more important in this instance. UHF and VHF seem to both work reasonably well - a lot of radio for a few $$ - I find I'm using it more than my expensive Kenwood or Yaseu do to low cost and small size - no biggy if I drop it or it gets stolen - be sure and get the programming cable to make life much easier - 73 KC0OH
2110974
You can use the antenna without a seperate UHF antenna if the UHF stations are withing about 35 miles. The antenna comes with a device that can bring together the inputs of two antennas.. I'm using mine without a seperate UHF antenna joined the C5 .. Works great because I'm about 32 miles from the transmitting stations
65928
Mine CH 18, and need more for different channels. How do I instruct AMAZON, or whomever necessary thru them, to send me different frequencies, so have units operate separately ? I bought 1st unit to test, and works great, but need others on different channels.
1674677
The standard transmit/receive ham frequencies for VHF are 144-148 which is 2 meters and 420-450 which is 70 cm. These units are good for these normal ham ranges, but not for your UHF requirements and not for VHF as low as 118.
693638
At the present I'm using only 3-5 channels while scanning ,each of those has approx. 8-12 sub groups which I've programmed so I'm tuned into and scanning 60freqs. On average . I've got other groups programmed into channels wich are 50-55 freqs per channels. With 20 channels total. If you buy this please read the manual and go to radio reference for freqs.. I'm tuned into police /fire, sheriffs /jails , tactical/swat, DOT, state patrol., municipal workers, etc....
525808
While Baofeng radios can be programmed via the key pad, they do not program like the normal amateur radio HT would. They are difficult, at best, to program manually. The cable hooks from the radio to a PC. you program the radio with the PC. MUCH better! There is lots of freeware out there that works great. One that comes to mind is Chirp. Get the cable, it's worth it.
1882799
according to specs the gain is negative for VHF, so you will be better off with a plain dipole for that frequency range.I have a station on VHF channel 12 very close and this antenna won't pick it up, but it is pretty good with the remote UHF stations.
2017113
Any antenna will do. I get this question a lot. An antenna does not care if the signal is digital or analog, UHF/VHF broadcast is still the same frequency. Some of the new antennas pick up the signal a little better, but even the old "Rabbit Ear" antenna will work.
1618033
Well, it wouldn't be a Baofeng that's for sure. If you could get it programmed it would be fine...but they are notoriously hard to program and their tech support is almost non-existant. The other thing about ham radio is there's no real "emergency frequency" so to speak. There are literally thousands or hundreds of thousands of "channels" to use and no guarantee that anyone is listening on one of them. If your requirements are for lost 'n' found I'd consider one of the aviation bands and put in 121.5 (vhf) and 243.0 (uhf) most commercial aircraft monitor those freqs. I have two of the ham rigs (diff brand) and they'll talk anywhere from 5 to 100 miles depending on getting on a repeater.... but, you have to know the repeater freq and some other info to use one. They are almost ALL different in freq and location, and type. Do your homework if you plan to use the ham bqnd.
121539
I know absolutely nothing about ham radios, but if you google search for "baofeng uv-5r user manual", select the wouxun link with the .pdf and follow the directions on page one, you can have 30 stations programmed in 20 minutes. I'm great with computers, but first radio, and I didn't have any issues.
1033459
Official answer: VHF reception with the DB4e will be at odd angles and distances and will depend on the channel in use. Because this antenna was designed specifically for UHF, we do not make any suggestions as to VHF reception distances or performance. As always in such cases, YMMV. Antennas Direct Tech Support
1941009
NO, one input only, it is presuming you have an antenna with both UHF/VHF on one lead. If you have separate antennae, you'll need a combiner.
93670
You can program the BaoFeng UV-3R to use offsets for repeaters. You might use CHIRP or the BaoFeng software. Either should work. The programing cable maybe purchased from Amazon.com for around $10.00.Since it is a Dual band (2m and 70cm) the offset will be different. 2m will be +-600khz and 70cm will be -5Mhz. The only real limitation is the number of memory channels. Hope this answers your question.
136536
It streamlines the programming. Manual programming takes substantially longer. While you don't "need" this cable, it makes it easy to go online and enter all of your local frequencies and program them all to your radio simultaneously. As a reminder, this is an amateur radio, not a walkie talkie.
596584
I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume control on it. I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume... » Read More I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume control on it. « Show Less