UV-5R 4watt handheld programmable radio HT walkie talkie $42.50 FS amazon

Quote from bob13bob : http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/...00_s01_i00 for those who want something better than a cheapy walkie talkie. With a transmit power: 4watt, these have a lot more range. the next step up: 5watt radios are $100+. Endorsed in radio geek forums. 1 x UV-5R (VHF136174 UHF 400-480Mhz) 1 x 7.4V 1800mah Li-ion Battery Pack 1 x Antenna 400-480Mhz 1 x Belt Clip 1 x ENG Manual 1 x Desktop Charger ( 100V ~ 240V ) 1 x Extra travel adapter

can i enter local police or fire channels into this ???

While I don't own either, the UV-5R Plus is said to be a better radio with newer firmware.

http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-...uv+5R+plus

does it come with the USB cable for programing
or is is just a regular cable like mini or micro

This is a amateur radio that has transmit capability. I wouldn't recommend getting this unless you are licensed through the fcc to transmit on the frequencies. The license is pretty simple. Info here: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/...id=amateur
And if you're into ham radio, these Chinese radios have been going lower and lower in price and higher in functions and performance.
Check out http://www.brickolore.com/ and http://www.eham.net for reviews.

If you don't have a license and have no desire to get one, you'll probably want to look for a scanner instead that doesn't have transmit capabilities. A neat scanner is something like: http://www.funcubedongle.com/. Their new versions can receive from 150kHz to 1.9GHz, and for 150$ that's amazing.

Got the more expensive model last Christmas for $120 , I think.This is a real deal for $44....
THANKS!!!!

Quote from arbie2 : While I don't own either, the UV-5R Plus is said to be a better radio with newer firmware. http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-...uv+5R+plus

Quote from arbie2 : While I don't own either, the UV-5R Plus is said to be a better radio with newer firmware. http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-...uv+5R+plus

Do you have any experience with these? Besides the UV-5R, there seems to be the UV-5RA and the UV-5R+, both of which came out more recently than the 5R. Hard to tell which is newer.

From my internet search, I couldn't find any functional difference between the 5RA and the 5R+. The 5RA is $45 with 2-day shipping on Amazon. The reviews for the 5R+ were confusing (people got different firmwares, some older than 291). The 5RA had one mention of firmware and it was 293 - the guy was still able to program it w/ USB cable, so the support for the updated firmware seems to be there.

Quote from hypergreatthing : This is a amateur radio that has transmit capability. I wouldn't recommend getting this unless you are licensed through the fcc to transmit on the frequencies. The license is pretty simple. Info here: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/...id=amateur And if you're into ham radio, these Chinese radios have been going lower and lower in price and higher in functions and performance. Check out http://www.brickolore.com/ and http://www.eham.net for reviews. If you don't have a license and have no desire to get one, you'll probably want to look for a scanner instead that doesn't have transmit capabilities. A neat scanner is something like: http://www.funcubedongle.com/. Their new versions can receive from 150kHz to 1.9GHz, and for 150$ that's amazing.

I'm really glad I read this. My hubby has the purchase of a ham radio fairly high on our list of things to get.

It's frustrating though that I can't seem to find price comparisons especially from the wouxun.com site. I hate to try to make comparisons and then have to check prices each time.... seems like a waste of time.

Thanks for your info and reps to you!

Im looking for a decent pair two-way radios to take on a camping trip. Would 2 of these be a good idea? I read that they need to be programmed and its not simple, which scares me. Is there any programming required to get two of them to communicate with each other? if so, is it fairly simple?

Otherwise, I was thinking of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT...B001WMFYH4

Quote from TonyF666 : Im looking for a decent pair two-way radios to take on a camping trip. Would 2 of these be a good idea? I read that they need to be programmed and its not simple, which scares me. Is there any programming required to get two of them to communicate with each other? if so, is it fairly simple? Otherwise, I was thinking of these: http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT...B001WMFYH4

These require a license and they are over kill unless you need to talk to someone several miles away....otherwise just buy some FRS radios.

Quote from TonyF666 : Im looking for a decent pair two-way radios to take on a camping trip. Would 2 of these be a good idea? I read that they need to be programmed and its not simple, which scares me. Is there any programming required to get two of them to communicate with each other? if so, is it fairly simple? Otherwise, I was thinking of these: http://www.amazon.com/Midland-GXT...B001WMFYH4

I have a wouxun variant of the UV-5R and channel selection is very easy- In fact mine has a feedback voice to tell me which channel I am on (Not certain if the UV-5R has voice confirmation)
I also have the midland radios.

Advantage over midland? More channels
(especially using at amusement parks or ski resorts = lots of cross chatter)

Thanks for the feedback.
I will be taking these on a cruise also and want to stay in touch with the kids. Wouldn't the Baofeng have better range through floors/walls since it outputs 4 watts? whats the output of the Midland?

nvmd, just read that the Midland outputs 5 watts... nice. But like you said, more channel selection with the Baofeng.

I hope you guys have read that you are REQUIRED to have an amateur radio license to operate these. The penalties can be very stiff for broadcasting without a license. Beyond that, even if you DO have a license, you must be very careful, as the Baofeng (Yes, I have several) is capable of operating on many many more frequencies than your ham radio license allows. Not only MUST you have a license, but you also MUST take great care to not transmit on any frequency not covered by your license.

These are NOT toys, and you can get yourself into alot of legal trouble if you don't know the proper way to use them.

It makes me sick thinking about people using these as walkie-talkies, contaminating the airwaves with non-licensed rag-chewing.

Please do the necessary research before buying these.

Also note: you can find yourself in even more trouble if you use these outside the United States. The foreign agencies may not be as forgiving as the FCC here in the United States.