Boafeng advice

[ObiMatt87]

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.

May be moot at this point in the conversation, but I bought the Baofeng GT-5R set a couple of years ago (6, with extra batteries and 6-radio charger), and they have been great. Purpose at the time was primarily for comms in our group when we went to Big Bend. They worked great, and we had no issues. Batteries lasted really well for our needs as well. At the time, it was cheaper to get them directly from Baofeng's site because you could get a percentage off compared to Amazon and other sources. Shipping was incredibly fast and I have been impressed for my purposes.

BAOFENG GT-5R 4W/1W Dual Band Radio, FCC Compliant Spurious Emission - Baofeng (baofengradio.com)

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[zouch]

wow; that guy is <air quotes> "amusing".

"some people"

Here's something I found when I searched for UV-5R and spurious emissions:

 

[ArmyRN]

In my TJ I started out with a CB. Then folks were wanting to require GMRS (and one group once was wanting to use Ham). So I got both my Ham (KI7TSP) and GMRS license. Since the CB was already mounted in the Jeep, I put a 25W BTECH UV-25X2 Ham radio on top of the CB using a CB mount I had sitting around. This UV-25X2 also covers the GMRS frequencies. It is a small compact unit that could be plugged into a cigarette socket (although mine is hard wired).

BaoFeng or BTECH haters need not respond.

Amazon.com: BTECH UV-25X2 (Second Gen.) Mini Mobile 25 Watt Dual Band Base, Mobile Radio: VHF, UHF Amateur (Ham) : Electronics

I made a simple mount for the mike, and bolted it to the roof using an existing bolt for the roof rack (I didn't like it mounted on the dash as shown in the picture above). This set-up worked nicely. If using GMRS, you need to know the frequency for the specific GMRS channel. I usually had two or three GMRS frequencies programmed in case we needed to switch from one to another.

For my JLU, I'm thinking of going with a tranny tunnel mount (passenger side) with a 50W BTECH UV-50X2 Ham Radio (that again, also covers GMRS frequencies).

Amazon.com: BTECH UV-50X2 (Second Gen.) Mobile 50 Watt Dual Band Base, Mobile Radio: VHF, UHF Amateur (Ham) : Electronics

Mount I'll be using (you can get essentially the same thing from Rugged Radios for more than twice the cost of this one linked below):

Amazon.com: Passenger Side Quick Disconnect Universal CB Radio Mount Mobile Radio Mount for Jeep Wrangler JL & Gladiator JT 2018-2023 : Automotive

Wiring harness I'll be using (I think it will save you/me a lot of hassle when wiring in a radio):

Rugged Radios Jeep Gladiator Power and Antenna Cable Harness PHC-JL-JT (20-23 Jeep Gladiator JT) - Free Shipping (extremeterrain.com)

Install video (should be the same for whatever radio you get using the above wiring harness and tranny tunnel mount):

Installs Just Got Easier: Jeep JL, JT Installation GMRS Radio Kit - GMR45 Rugged Radios - YouTube

Till then, I've got a handheld radio mount thingy set-up ordered from Bulletpoint to put the BF-F8HP radio up near the top of the dash within easy reach, and I'll reuse the battery delete thingy again (seems like I'm going backward full circle). I'll post a picture when the parts come in and I get it mounted up. This'll work till I can justify spending the $400+ for the UV-50X2, mount, cable, antenna mount, and antenna.

Handheld Radio Holder with 20mm Ball - Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions (getting two of the 7cm arms)

Mounting Base for 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler JL + 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiato - Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions (two balls mounted on the left-hand side of the dash top glasses holder - one for the radio, and the other for the mike)

CB Radio Holder with 20MM ball - Bulletpoint Mounting Solutions (mike holder)

At one time (before I got the UV-25X2) I had my BaoFeng UV-5R (and later a BF-F8HP) clipped on a mount on the dash, had a battery delete in the radio (12V port this thing is plugged into below is always on), and connected to an antenna mounted outside the Jeep. The sound came out of the hand-held mike. This set-up actually worked pretty well, and was convenient to use. It got me into the Ham/GMRS game.

So my Bullet Point mounts came in. Simple installation. One ball and arm for the radio, and one for the mike. I got the 7cm arms; I'm thinking of swapping out the 7cm arm holding the radio for a 4cm arm. But otherwise I am pleased.

In these previous couple pics you can see my phone mount too.

 

[Flip]

So my Bullet Point mounts came in. Simple installation. One for the radio, and one for the mike. I got the 7cm arms; I'm thinking of swapping out the 7cm arm holding the radio for a 4cm arm. But otherwise I am pleased.

That's a real nice set up.

I'm not sure what I'm going to go with just yet but if you wouldn't mind posting the link for the bullet mount/base/holder I sure would appreciate it.

 

[ArmyRN]

Sure.

That's a real nice set up.

I'm not sure what I'm going to go with just yet but if you wouldn't mind posting the link for the bullet mount/base/holder I sure would appreciate it.

Be happy to. Check out post #48 in this thread, they're listed there.

 

[ArmyRN]

If you get this Bulletpoint two-ball mount for the top of the dash...

you have to trim the rubber mat that lines the tray. You'll lose about 1.5" of tray space, but there's still plenty of room for your sunglasses and a duck.

 

[Flip]

If you get this Bulletpoint two-ball mount for the tip of the dash...

you have to trim the rubber mat that lines the tray. You'll lose about 1.5" of tray space, but there's still plenty of room for your sunglasses and a duck.

That's fine, how does it mount in there?

 

[ArmyRN]

That's fine, how does it mount in there?

If you remove the rubber tray flooring (it just lifts out in one piece) there's a screw down there on either end (it is in at an angle, you can see the angled down triangle tab in the picture below on the mount where the screw will go through). You take the screw out, place the two-ball piece in there, and replace the screw. The two-ball mount also has an adhesive backing.

They also sell a single ball mount that goes in the same place if you just wanted one arm to hold a little handheld radio like a UV-5R and not have another arm for holding a mike.

But one of these type mounts gets your radio's antenna up high above your hood. I figure your reception is better there than having the radio in your center console cup holder or sitting in your lap.

 

[Mx5red]

I see you went with the Anker 17 foot iPhone cord.

 

[ArmyRN]

I see you went with the Anker 17 foot iPhone cord.

Yeah, I was having cord/phone issues in CO driving across the country and back in Sep, and that's what the truck stop had that would work.

What's that saying, "Nothing is more permanent than a temporary fix"? Eventually I'll get a shorter cord (famous last words?).

: )

Good eye!

 

[rivercrossing]

It won't be a ham radio so I guess if I have to fill out a form and pay $35 to legally use a glorified walkie talkie on a Jeep trail in the middle of nowhere then maybe I'll go that route. Regardless, eventually I'll install a CB radio.

There are all kinds of GMRS radios on amazon. GIGO - geez I'm getting old.

Boafeng does make an FRS radio that would not need a license but I think you would be better off with a GMRS radio.

Also there are 900 Mhz radios that are aimed at business that don't need license, but no one uses them off road so you would have no one to talk too. Also more expensive.

GMRS is the answer.

 

[Mx5red]

Yeah, I was having cord/phone issues in CO driving across the country and back in Sep, and that's what the trucks stop had that would work.

What's that saying "Nothing is more permanent than a temporary fix"? Eventually I'll get a shorter cord (famous last words?).

: )

Good eye!

Amen, brother! My house/car are filled with “temporary” hack jobs?
Hard to replace a cord that works…

 

[ArmyRN]

I like this two-ball mount from Bullet Point as it gives me options. You can use one ball for an arm with a holder for something, and something else for the other ball like a GoPro (or a mic holder). And I like it as I still have use of the tray (gotta put my sunglasses somewhere).

But for the record, in case someone's wondering, I'm not on the payroll of Bullet Point. I'm just familiar with their products and so far have been pleased with them.

There are other companies that use this ball-mount type system. A couple I'm aware of are:

67 Designs
CMM
JeepUniq

Some folks will mix and match products. Just know there are 20mm balls and 1" balls - make sure you get the right parts to go with the ball size you're using.

So between these four companies, one of them surely has a mount you'd like for mounting a little hand held radio or full-size radio somewhere in your Jeep.

 

[ArmyRN]

Ok... I'm sure some of you have been anxiously waiting for my 4cm arm to come in to replace one on the 7cm arms and see how it works. The wait is over!

I replaced the radio holder's 7cm arm with the shorter 4cm arm. Makes a huge difference. It brings the radio closer to the dash, and now the mic face is in the same plane as the radio. Here are some pics.

The only thing I don't like is that the 12volt accessory plug isn't hot all the time. But I've got extra UV-5Rs so I'm fine (the one pictured is an 8 Watt radio) for when I'm outside the Jeep.

So this makes a nice little inexpensive kinda hard mounted radio setup for group trail runs. The antenna is up high (sun visor still has full range of motion). Sound comes out the mic (I actually have a new mic on order that's supposed to be better - we'll see) and the mic is easy to reach and use. BaoFeng (and others) make UV-5R sized GMRS Radios that'll fit with this Bulletpoint mount.

And if you do later get a larger more expensive radio, you're still ahead of the game cause you've got a hand held (or two) to go along with your bigger radio. And a place to put your new radio's mic.

 

[IanNubbit]

My honest advice is that if you’re serious about trail communication, then be serious about getting something that’s good and something that does require a license. Get the BaoFeng UV-5G radios. They are GMRS and do require a license but you literally get it online without any test or other BS. They work like a champ and stay charged for a long while. Also once you do get the instant online license it covers everyone in your immediate family/household.
You can grab a 2 pack of the radios and their extended capacity batteries on amazon for about $75.

Wish I Found this thread slightly earlier, but watch for sales, I got the UV-5G 2 pack for $29.99 for Black Friday. Definitely worth jt for that price, good until I do a built in, then I also have 2 decent quality loaners that are better then cheap Best Buy FRS talkies

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