Would the perfect title for the blog post I hope exists somewhere. I, like a few other posters, just grabbed one of these things. I also took the step of reading through a good chunk of Ham Radio For Dummies just to get a handle on the basics.
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What can I (legally) do with this thing without a license?
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Any pointers for learning the basics on this particular machine?
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I should read the manual cover to cover, right?
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Looks like it’s easier to program from a computer, any tips on that?
Awesome that you’re interested in ham radio!
What can I (legally) do with this thing without a license?
Listen, mostly. Baofeng radios are typically sold as “Part 97” radios (FCC lingo for “Ham use only and requiring a license”), although there are some models which are actually “Part 95” which would be GMRS/FRS radios. The GMRS/FRS radio model would require a separate license for GMRS, although that one is essentially an application + fee payment. It’s also not nearly as broad as a amateur (ham) license.
Edit: I forgot that the Baofeng radios can also transmit on frequency ranges that are technically outside of the legal ham/GMRS allowed frequencies, like business communications, police/fire, etc. Be warned that even with a ham license there will be some things you aren’t legally allowed to do with this device. It’s definately not a toy.
Any pointers for learning the basics on this particular machine?
Again, it will depend on the model, but personally I find the Baofeng/Chinese model radios a giant PITA to use. They’re cheap, sure, but aside from using the programming cable they can be much more difficult to program/use as compared to the Japanese models like Yaesu or Icom.
I should read the manual cover to cover, right?
Sure, I suppose. :)
Looks like it’s easier to program from a computer, any tips on that?
I can highly recommend CHRIP as good programming software. It’s also open-source: https://chirp.danplanet.com/
As the above said, listening is about all you can do without a license. And as far as listening goes, depending on your location you may have some ham repeaters that you can hear — repeaters are often the most reliable way of hearing anything.
If you’re near the coast or maybe a large lake, you can also pick up the marine channels.
I would recommend getting the programming cable, programming in the local ham repeaters, marine channels (if applicable), FRS, and maybe emergency services or anything else you think of. Then just set it to scan and listen!
What’s the model?
UV-5R, the one in the other thread.
Is it terribly hard to get a license in your country?
Here (New Zealand) the exam is multi choice and the questions are all online, and local clubs will run “ham crams” to teach you the material over a weekend, at the end you sit your test. I had enough EE/RF knowledge that I crammed the rest in an evening and then passed the test :)
Also here, you can’t legally sell an “unrestricted two-way radio” like the UV-5R to anyone but a licensed ham, and you can’t import them without a special license (which is stupidly easy to get, you just need to be a ham and ask for one). Not that this stops randoms selling them on FB marketplace as “police scanners.”
Is it terribly hard to get a license in your country?
In the U.S., at least, the experience is roughly the same. I took my exam many years ago, but I was planning on giving a Tech license (the first license level) course this Summer and did a bit of research on how to get licenses these days.
The bulk of them are done online now through our VE orgs. License classes are fairly easily available, and I’ve heard of crash courses given during hamfests and field day.
