[Scan-DC] Cheap Chinese radio/HT

[Greg Danes]

I did not want to reply to list but thought I would give my 2 cents worth.
I have the  UV5RC model from Universal radio, but got my Wouxan from
Powerwerx for 2/220. The radio the 5C is made OK, not up to the KG-UV1,3,
or 6 they are all 50 dollars more but you get what you pay for. The UV5RC
series and there is not much difference other than case style to notice is
a good value. I think for a throw-away radio its worth the money, Buy from
a reputable dealer though, saving 8 bucks might get you burned. The radio
was never meant as a scanner but has a good front end and all the other
bells and whistles, I am thinking of reviewing it on Eham. at a 4.5. The
only reason for not giving it a 5 is the lousy antenna and the add-ons will
bump the price close to the price of the Wouxan. It comes with a drop-in
charger, ac adapter, antenna dummy-load, clip on ear/mike. Both radios CAN
be programmed by hand it just is a learning curve some do not want to steer
around. The programming cable is almost a must have and some sellers
include it with the price. It works for both the Wouxan and the Baofeng
radios so you don't have to buy 2, care to buy my extra?

The Chirp software and KG-UV commander software are the way to go. Actually
you only need the chirp software as it can be changed on the fly for either
radio. The biggest issue is the correct USB drivers which take a bit to
understand whats what. If you buy either radio email me so you don't eat a
bottle of aspirin from the headache of finding them.

 The UV5R series is part 90 as is the KG-UV6X the difference is the Wouxan
UV6X has 199 channels and is certified for commercial use, the FCC blessed
it.

Either radio can transmit on any frequency within the receive range, but
power out outside of what it was intended for is up in the air so to speak,
don't count on 5 watts at 154 MHz. My thoughts are this, if you are a
Volunteer firefighter, business user, NASCAR pit crew, boater, rural PD or
"other". Either radio is made to fill a market for low price use in any of
those services. Of course GMRS/MURS or any other service does not matter
what radio you use the FCC just wants to know if you have a license to be
on that band. I see no reason why you could not use the radio as a FRS
radio considering the power out can be changed to .5 or 1 watt so as long
as the frequency is right and power is low no harm. But again it was not
certified by the FCC for those bands so its a grey area.

Long story short if you are going to spend 180 dollars on a dual band, the
Alinco DJ-57T or the Wouxan are comparable rigs, I personally would that
price point buy a low end mobile with a 12 volt 7ah battery and ride around
with it on my bike at 15 or 20 watts and be able to hit every repeater on 2
meter mobile for that price!


KJ4DGE
On Fri, May 3, 2013 at 12:21 PM, Blair Thompson <b_thom at juno.com> wrote:

> Yeah, I've been seeing those ads. I was wondering what they were really
> like. Please keep us posted.
>
> ---------- Original Message ----------
> From: "Clegg, Andrew W." <aclegg at nsf.gov>
> To: "Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net" <Scan-DC at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Scan-DC] Cheap Chinese radio/HT
> Date: Fri, 3 May 2013 12:16:20 +0000
>
> Hi all,
>
> If you're a ham, you're probably already aware of the cheap Chinese HTs
> (walkie talkies) made by Wouxon and Baofeng. I just bought a Baofeng UV 5RA
> this week, for $42....
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