[dyna962007]

Congratulations! You opened the door to tremendous resource to have when the SHTF. If you want any help from a well established, nation wide group of ham and non-ham prepper comms folks let me know.

If you didn't already know there are a couple of groups in MO that would also be happy to assist in any way they can:
Missouri Newton MURS/CH3 151.94 Voice Every Tuesday 1900 hrs local
Missouri Willow Springs 2m 146.42 Voice 1st & 3rd Thursday 1900 local
There are certainly more groups by now, these are just the ones I have on my (outdated) national list.

When you get your General make sure you get plugged into the national HF prepper nets.

Hey guys, this is such a weird coincidence to see this post. I have ONE only Baufeng radio that I bought years ago and have never used. model UV-5R. I dont even remember why I bought it. Does it have any value being only one radio for a SHTF scenario or would I need to have more of them? I dont even know fully how it works until I find the manual again. thank you

 

[dyna962007]

The UV-5R is ubiquitous in the prepper world. Having just one should remind you of the old adage, "Having two is one, having one is none." The manual can be found online. IIRC, that model has been discontinued but I'm sure there's still plenty in stock all around you can still buy them new.

thanks very much for your thoughts. do you think this model i have is any good to use as a basis for buying more or?

 

[dyna962007]

Having one radio is better than having no radio. ...but, your betting that one radio will survive through whatever disaster you're going to face. You're also betting that everyone you might need to talk to already has a radio.

We're living in the glory days of good radios that will program outside the ham bands and cost less than $25. Most folks don't realize what a sweetheart situation we're in right now. Sadly, these days won't last forever. The FBI, FCC, FTC and the ARRL all want cheap chinies radios to go away.

There are plenty of UV-5R's still available in the $20 range and there are plenty of similar radios for <$30. ...If I need a pack of socks from amazon, I don't checkout without picking up another UV-5R or UV-9S or some radio doodads I'll need down the road. ...the same way none of us leave walmart without a couple extra cans of beef stew

Edit: Here's a UV-5R manual that's been translated from chinglish to English

You guys are wonderful thanks

 

[dyna962007]

hey guys, this is pretty confusing with all the models available on Amazon. Keep in mind I have one radio already of the older design UV5R.
these are in my cart now. what is best and what will work with the one I already have please?

• Baofeng UV-5R 8 Watt Ham Two Way Radio Upgrade Version (144-148/420-450Mhz), Dual Band Walkie Talkie 1800mAh Li-ion BatteryBaofeng UV-5R 8 Watt Ham Two Way Radio Upgrade Version (144-148/420-450Mhz), Dual Band Walkie Talkie 1800mAh Li-ion Battery
• $25.95
• In Stock
• & FREE Returns
• This is a giftThis is a gift Learn more

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• BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large BatteryBAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery
• $69.89
• In Stock
• Eligible for FREE Same-Day, Overnight or Tomorrow delivery & FREE Returns
• This is a giftThis is a gift Learn more

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• BAOFENG UV-5R+ Plus Two Way Radio, Long Range for Adults Rechargeable with Earpiece, Walkie Talkie for Outdoors, 144-148 420-450MHz, Qualette Series, BlackBAOFENG UV-5R+ Plus Two Way Radio, Long Range for Adults Rechargeable with Earpiece, Walkie Talkie for Outdoors, 144-148 420-450MHz, Qualette S…
• $26.99
• In Stock
• Eligible for FREE Same-Day, Overnight or Tomorrow delivery & FREE Returns
• This is a giftThis is a gift Learn more
• Color: Black

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• BaoFeng Radio (Upgraded from BaoFeng UV-5R) 8Watt Ham Radio Handheld with Extra 1800mAh Battery and 771 Long Antenna Dual Band Walkie Talkies Two Way Radio Includes Full KitBaoFeng Radio (Upgraded from BaoFeng UV-5R) 8Watt Ham Radio Handheld with Extra 1800mAh Battery and 771 Long Antenna Dual Band Walkie Talkie…
• $37.99
• In Stock
• Eligible for FREE Same-Day, Overnight or Tomorrow delivery & FREE Returns
• This is a giftThis is a gift Learn more
• Style: UV-5R(Full Kit)

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[dyna962007]

the faraday cage business is presumably to avoid damage from a Electronic pulse attack? Is that the right term for that?

 

[dyna962007]

thanks pal,

 

[dyna962007]

tha

Show me where they're illegal for sale in the US. The FCC tried and failed to restrict their import in 2018 and that led to a firestorm of internet hysterics that's still floating around but they aren't, and never were, illegal for sale in the US.


Don't panic buy anything You've got plenty on time to do your homework. Youtube has all the info you need to learn what you need for YOUR prepping requirements. ...just take it all with a huge grain of salt

Any of the radio your looking at will work together just fine and all the menus will be close enough to the same that you'll probably never notice the difference. All the ones you show have a Kenwood style mic jack so all the cables and accessories will be interchangeable. (I think all the cheap chinies radios use Kenwood jacks except the waterproof ones)

Look for "dual band". Tri-band is fine but you'll likely never use the 1.25m band so don't pay extra for it. 8w is better than 5w but a good antenna and good operating technique is a heck of a lot more important than the extra 3 watts.

Don't spend a lot of money on package deals with a bunch of doodads you'll never use. Buy barebone radios and pick your own doodads separately.

IMHO if cost is an issue, when the SHTF it's better to have 3 UV-5Rs than one BF-F8.

Most important, any radio is a just a paperweight if you or the folks you want to talk to don't know how to use them

thank you sir