Recommend Me Some Walkie-Talkies

EightImmortals on 12/11/2018 - 09:41
Last edited 12/11/2018 - 09:43

I almost bought a set of Baofeng UV-5R's on the weekend but then discovered I'd need a whole bunch of licensing BS to be able to use them.

So I thought I'd put it out there to see if any of you guys have got/used/know about locally sourced walkie-talkies that I can just use without having to jump through any hoops. Only want to use them around the property so the range only needs to be around 1Km or so.

Many thanks.

(Seems click-frenzy is on in a day or so that it might time out well for a bargain)

Electrical & Electronics Walkie Talkie

Comments

  • bobbified on 12/11/2018 - 10:07

    I'd need a whole bunch of licensing BS to be able to use them.

    If you don't want to be dealing with all the licensing, etc, then you'll need to stick to the 80 allocated CB radio channels - between 476.4250Mhz and 477.4125Mhz.

    Only want to use them around the property so the range only needs to be around 1Km or so.

    What is in between this 1km range? Is it flat open land or are there buildings or other obstacles etc in between? If it's 1km line of site, then a 1-2W radio is sufficient. If there are obstacles, then best to go the full 5W - even then, you might have trouble if the obstacles are huge.

    Having said that, simply getting a 5W handheld isn't a good idea if you don't really need that kind of power. If you're transmitting at a full power unnecessarily, the batteries will drain much quicker.

  • EightImmortals on 12/11/2018 - 10:07

    Nah it's pretty flat, maybe a few trees.

    • bobbified on 12/11/2018 - 10:21

      The buildings you're inside when using the radios will have an impact too.

      There are radios with switchable power output. eg 1W and 5W.

      What's your budget (assuming you want a pair?).
      How often would you use it? Every day? There are those handheld units that run off AAs or AAAs (eneloops!) and those that run off rechargeable battery packs that come with a charger. Gets annoying to have to constantly remove the AAs, charge and put them back.

      If you don't need both to be mobile, it might be a good idea to have a base station - one that's fixed to a position that's powered by a wall adaptor that doesn't have to be recharged.

      • EightImmortals on 12/11/2018 - 10:28

        Cheers, for infrequent use only so batteries would be fine.

        • bobbified on 12/11/2018 - 10:51

          In that case, as knick007 has suggested below, uniden has a good range of general use radios.

          Bump it up a little to the weather-resistant type if you don't mind spending the extra cash as a once-off purchase since there's a good chance they'll meet rain in open areas.

          I personally use programmable Vertex Standard handhelds that have CB and commercial bands. But those start from about $300 each. I did a lot of research before I bought them.

          I almost bought a set of Baofeng UV-5R's

          I should also mention that if the Baofeng's are programmable (I think they can be programmed from the unit itself as opposed to connecting it to the computer), then, even though they're not approved, it's unlikely you'll get into any trouble as long as you use it within the CB frequency range.

          • EightImmortals on 12/11/2018 - 10:59

            @bobbified: Yes they are programmable, not sure if they work on the CB range or not though. In my situation I'd rather just buy a pair locally and not risk it. Didn't want to spend more than $100 though. :)

            • bobbified on 12/11/2018 - 11:11
              -1

              @EightImmortals:

              I'd rather just buy a pair locally and not risk it.

              I had a quick look and the BaoFengs can be programmed to work on UHF CB.

              Frequency Range: 65-108 MHz (Only commercial FM radio reception) VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx). UHF: 400-520 MHz(Rx/Tx).

              Although if you're not confident on the usage and prgramming, go with the local unidens. Much much simpler.

              • woteva on 13/11/2018 - 11:29

                @bobbified: Baofengs etc.. are not approved for use outside of amateur ham bands in Australia.
                Even if programmed for the correct uhf cb frequencies, they are illegal to have in your possession. Even more trouble if you are caught using them and causing interference to adjacent channels.

                Uniden, GME, Orricom and Jaycar brands are available at no risk and so much easier to use than a Baofeng.

                • bobbified on 13/11/2018 - 12:03

                  @woteva:

                  Even if programmed for the correct uhf cb frequencies, they are illegal to have in your possession.

                  As mentioned earlier, I am aware they are not approved.

                  But that lack of approval also extends to some international visitors' phones that don't have the ACM or A-tick.

  • Randxyz123 on 12/11/2018 - 10:17
    +2

    I suggest anything from Uniden. I know it’s probably more than what you wanted to spend but you’ll get much better value.

    Ryda on eBay / direct to their online store would be my recommendation for a store.

    Also FYI it isn’t “licensing BS” those radios operate on frequencies that can’t be used for the general public.

    See https://www.acma.gov.au/Citizen/Spectrum/About-spectrum/High…

    • EightImmortals on 12/11/2018 - 10:58

      :) That's why I cancelled the order. Will check out Uniden. I noticed JB HiFi has them but they look a bit dinky. Maybe that's normal these days?

    • HighAndDry on 12/11/2018 - 11:02
      -2

      I mean, I get the reasons behind it, but it kind of is "licensing bs" - OP wants to use radios on his own land in a way that doesn't hurt anyone else. The only reason he can't is because the government has (arbitrarily) said he can't.

      • Davo1111 on 12/11/2018 - 13:23

        I don't think much of ACMA, but I think theres a difference between "strictly" following the letter of the law (i.e. acma approved radios), and following their intention.

        unfortunately radio signals dont stop at borders, so it's important to use the correct bands to avoid interference. Could be anything, even emergency services. You also dont want to be "that guy" who causes problems (inc death) when you could have just done a few software changes.

        IMO if you're going to save money by buying overseas radios, spend the time to limit to legal bands.

      • ChrisLevo on 12/11/2018 - 13:36

        It's not arbitrary, and is the same world-wide.

        UHF CBs are a perfectly acceptable and legal alternative to using transceivers for which you are not licensed and probably too complicated for you.

  • Davo1111 on 12/11/2018 - 11:01
    +2

    just program the legal frequencies into them. Or disable TX on the licensed bands.

    Especially on WP, you'll get a bunch of butthurt HAMs who will tell you you'll be in jail for importing that radio (because its not "ACMA approved"). But at the end of the day you've locked out the bands you cant use so who cares

    • EightImmortals on 12/11/2018 - 11:04

      Yeah I guess that's an option, and the ones I was looking at are programmable but it seemed a bit 'starship enterprise' for me if you know what I mean. :)

      The price was good though so maybe I'll revisit the idea if I'm sure I can use them on CD frequency.

      edit: might not be as hard as I've imagined?
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4XRRiDXajU

      • Davo1111 on 12/11/2018 - 11:38

        ive got a similar brand (wouxun). the biggest PITA was the drivers/compatibility.

        I didnt realise you hadnt already bought them. So it might just be easier with a local set.

        The good thing about that video is they've just programmed in 1 channel, not all 40, so there's no question as to the suitable/correct channel. You might want to put in a few others, but i wouldnt spend the time putting them all in.

    • tanksinatra on 12/11/2018 - 16:38

      It's not possible to disable TX on licensed bands with the UV-5R and its cousins. You can set channels in memory mode but VFO mode will still transmit on any frequency.

      These radios have a fixed firmware so it's not something you'd be able to flash either.

      • Davo1111 on 12/11/2018 - 17:39

        google suggests people are using chirp and disabling it by setting duplex to off.

        I havent tried it as i have a different model, but that might be an option?

        Also, OP could just wipe all the bands, except for 1 or 2 CB bands and be done with it.

        • tanksinatra on 12/11/2018 - 19:32

          AFAIK changing the duplex setting for your saved channels doesn't affect the VFO mode.

          There's no way just to wipe a band but there is a band limit setting in newer builds of Chirp which might be able to restrict functionality. I haven't tried it yet.
          For those sorts of features Baofeng offers the UV-82C. This is the commercial version and offers a proper VFO lockout.

          Also the squelch mode on these Baofeng radios is not very good - my CB works better.

  • tanksinatra on 12/11/2018 - 12:35
    +1

    I'd just buy a local set of decent CB radios for the task. Programming the Baofeng is annoying and in my experience the receiver end desensitises easily from nearby signals.

    The licencing and certification issues are worth being aware of. These Baofeng devices have the capability to transmit on the same frequencies as regional emergency services (ambulance, fire), law enforcement and commercial services. The signals from your radio aren't restricted by the borders of your property.

    • iratepirate on 12/11/2018 - 13:56

      We recently had some idiot transmit on a RFS fireground channel whilst the local crew was in a burn over. One of the blokes recognized their voice…Displeasure was expressed when they were next seen at the pub.

  • iratepirate on 12/11/2018 - 13:50

    Uniden are very poor quality. They will not last in anything but a play environment.

    I would buy some second hand commercial quality radios that the seller had all-ready programmed for UHF CB. They will last a lot longer, spare parts are available (batteries / antennas etc). Go for something IP67 rated so you can use them in any weather.

    Good brands are Kenwood, Simoco, Motorola, Tait and iCom. If you are prepared to lie in wait you can get them for about $80 each with lots of accessories like mics and car chargers.

    If you want to learn to program them I'd start with Simoco or Kenwood TK radios. Only buy unprogrammed Motorolas if you don't like yourself very much.

    Do not transmit on a frequencies you are not licensed for and you'll be fine.

  • No Username on 12/11/2018 - 17:07
    -1

    These are a steal

  • mhasan on 13/11/2018 - 12:02

    try calling Radio Warehouse in Burwood, they are amazing and very helpful, they even send me test radio models free of cost to use for few weeks before making an order.

  • jhmtaylor on 13/11/2018 - 16:49

    I have just completed 8k trip by road through Australia with two other cars. I used a Uniden UH950 hand held, the other had internally mounted Uniden with external aerials. The packaging said range up to 15kms.
    Between the vehicles with external aerials the maximum range los (line of sight) was 1500 metres and UH950 to the others was 1100 metres. I think the max range (los) for 5W handheld/handheld will be around 650 metres.If used outside of the vehicles you would definitely get more range but I don't know how much more because we did not test it.

  • EightImmortals on 13/11/2018 - 17:54
    +1

    Thanks all. Ended up getting the uniden kit from JB's seems to work OK. :)

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