Boafeng advice

[dstevens]

Lots of people in the groups I run in use Boafeng handhelds. For a while they were under $20 online.

They work but the elephant in the room is they are a software radio and the input filter gets overloaded in some locations. Net result is that the receive range can be as little as 1/4 mile.

It rubs me a little because I get to hear people telling other people how good their radio is and how cheap it was, when they have no idea how much harder it makes my job as lead Jeep when half of the people can't hear half of the other people, and since it is receiving they don't know that they are missing vital instructions. That and people that use 1/4 wave antennas because they are smaller. It's at the point where I'm considering sticking my own APRS transceiver on the worst offenders so I know where they are. Anyhow.

No one uses CB now. Many many groups use GMRS.

I'd do the ham license even if you don't get a ham radio. It is easy and fun.

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[rk911]

...

I'd do the ham license even if you don't get a ham radio. It is easy and fun.

The Technician License is the port-of-entry into ham radio. Written test with emphasis on rules, regs, frequency range, etc. Many ham clubs will sponsor classes and then administer tests. Many can pass the exam with a few hours of study. Goto the ARRL website for information or to find a club near you.

 

[Flip]

Get a CB only if you run with old timers people that insist on using them. Nearly all of the groups that I've run trails with use GMRS.

Boafengs are slick radios, but do you really want to be out of communication due to accidently clicking one of those obscure options? I love tech, but consider getting something like an idiot-proof Midland MXT275. It fits nicely behind the knee panel under the steering wheel and works well.

Yes, a few of us old timers that are still alive, enjoy our old bearcat, cobra CB radios and we regret selling our CJs & TJs. You may hear us say something like "I'm fair to midland". Life seemed to be simpler in the past so did CBs; No forms, no tests, no fees. However, when it comes to technology sometimes, I feel the agony of defeat. ?

 

[LKG]

I haven't installed any form of communication in my jeep yet. I ran into some fellow jeepers recently on the trail who let me use one of their Boafeng handheld radios. Even though I still have full intentions of hooking a CB for traveling purposes I think I'm going to purchase a handheld Boafeng as well. I basically know nothing about these radios. I'm not necessarily looking for a top-of-the-line boafeng as I mostly wheel solo. Any versions of these radios that require an FCC license is out of the question. Any advice would be appreciated.

If you really want to go down the rabbit hole, dial this guy up.

 

[wcjeep]

Baefong has dedicated gmrs radios. I have them around in case I need to hand one out. They can only do so many channels. Also have Ham Baefong that goes with my Ham license along with my family gmrs license. I would not install a dedicated CB today. Recommend a dedicated gmrs for the rig. Buy what fits the budget.

 

[J.Ferreira]

That seems to be very common especially on a jeep trail. I was just reading Amazon reviews.

"Yes, technically you are supposed to have an FCC license, however…. I was with an off-road group and we’re 100 miles from civilization, out of 15 people, I was the only person who had a license."

Yeah...
I have a GMRS license. callsign Wrxx543.
You're supposed to call out your callsign every 15 minutes while actively using it. I have yet to ever call it out. But I'm also using it on frequencies with privacy codes.

I have access to a repeater, and that traffic I would probably adhere to the 15 minute rule. Not that I've ever actually used it.

 

[J.Ferreira]

That model is for ham radio (amateur radio) which requires a license (exam).

The UV5R also works on GMRS frequencies. As long as you stay off the HAM channels, no harm no foul.

 

[J.Ferreira]

Nothing "technical" about it. Can you bootleg comms on that radio? Sure, but if you get caught it's a federal beef with pretty hefty fines. It'd be a LOT simpler to just fill out the form, pay the fee and obtain a GMRS license (no exam). Then buy a proper GMRS radio. As a group, hams are very protective of their privleges and take bootlegging very seriously.

And it's fuckin cheap
and good for a decade. And covers you and your entire extended family.

 

[azjl#3]

Something about the name baofeng, seems like someone in some foreign country would be listening in to which beer i am drinking...

 

[wibornz]

Ham radios require a license. Those baofengs can be programmed to operate on the FRS (no license) or GMRS (license required depending on a couple of things) frequencies.

All of the other nearby frequencies require a license.

That being said, a lot of people use those radios and frequencies without bothering to get a license. Enforcement of the rules is lax at best.

I think you meant to say they are not enforced at all.

 

[wibornz]

I had four baofengs and they drove me crazy as they would chirp or squawk often to the point I would turn them down then miss any talk on the radios anyways. Igave three of them away and kept one after moving to a Midland mounted 40watt radio. I kept one for when I was out spotting.

 

[tomk62]

@Flip yes go watch the https://www.youtube.com/@TheNotaRubicon videos, he explains all of this, and there is a UV-5R version that is GMRS rated. For such a low price, it's worth checking out to see if it meets your needs.

 

[Chupacabra]

I got their GMRS version from Amazon. Used it when driving cross country to talk back and forth between vehicles. I also got the extended batteries, makes it easier to hold and I swear they'd run a week on them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08T9BCXVB/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

 

[grimmjeeper]

Yeah...
I have a GMRS license. callsign Wrxx543.
You're supposed to call out your callsign every 15 minutes while actively using it. I have yet to ever call it out. But I'm also using it on frequencies with privacy codes.

I have access to a repeater, and that traffic I would probably adhere to the 15 minute rule. Not that I've ever actually used it.

Privacy codes aren't private. When you broadcast, everyone can hear you.

They're really ignore codes. When you activate them, you ignore everyone who doesn't also activate the same code.

 

[miner3649er]

I went on a Moab Jeep trip with the Red Rock Easter safari. About 10-20% had GMRS, the rest had CBs. I think we are at a point in the evolution of this tech that you probably need both. Sorry, not a great answer but I think truth. I use a handheld Midland GMRS but the battery life is not great. Looks like a walkie-talkie. Pretty easy to use. I think I might go with a direct wired GMRS next. It would be nice if you could get one unit with both. Not sure if that exists.

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