How exactly are you guys using these Baofeng radios?

[SIG551-A1]

Get your ham license. I’m KE8TUO

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[Mojave Nunzio]

This is what I'm using and yes a mobile GMRS mounted is a great way to go but I like the convenience of portability of using GMRS in different vehicles :

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-GMRS-P...de-bfc4-b833242a4f1d&pd_rd_i=B0B4BLZ67Z&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Nagoya-NA-77...cd4-aa8d-f7c2dc558d51&pd_rd_i=B09KS96DWH&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-H...c0-88cf-6f91b25e8efc&pd_rd_i=B08N6K41CH&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-QHM22-...1c-b7d2-ab911b433d44&pd_rd_i=B00Z4X3MM6&psc=1

 

[Mojave Nunzio]

This is what I'm using and yes a mobile GMRS mounted is a great way to go but I like the convenience of portability of using GMRS in different vehicles :

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-GMRS-P...de-bfc4-b833242a4f1d&pd_rd_i=B0B4BLZ67Z&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Nagoya-NA-77...cd4-aa8d-f7c2dc558d51&pd_rd_i=B09KS96DWH&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-H...c0-88cf-6f91b25e8efc&pd_rd_i=B08N6K41CH&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-QHM22-...1c-b7d2-ab911b433d44&pd_rd_i=B00Z4X3MM6&psc=1

And the BTECH GMRS PRO is one of the best GMRS HT's out there for the main reason of programing through an APP versus a laptop

 

[Radio Guy]

Get your ham license. I’m KE8TUO

The OP said this " I don't want to deal with programming BS, I don't want any complications. I just want to dial in a frequency and talk to anyone who is on a trail ride with me".

How is getting a ham license gonna simplify his life? I have a ham license and although I seem to be a wiz with complex communications equipment I understand that most people are not.

 

[SIG551-A1]

Getting a HAM license expands your communications options and reach. That’s all I’m saying.

 

[Dakotaz]

This Midland from Amazon should work for you with no modifications.
Amazon.com: Midland MicroMobile 15W GMRS Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone : Electronics

 

[irish_love]

I might have missed it, but I didn't see anyone mention this. From my understanding, the UV-5r used to be able to work on GMRS freqs, but no longer do without modification. It is set up for HAM freqs. If you want a Baofeng radio that will work on GMRS you need a UV-5g also sometimes called UV-5x.

 

[Radio Guy]

I might have missed it, but I didn't see anyone mention this. From my understanding, the UV-5r used to be able to work on GMRS freqs, but no longer do without modification. It is set up for HAM freqs. If you want a Baofeng radio that will work on GMRS you need a UV-5g also sometimes called UV-5x.

To legally sell the UV-5 series in the US the front panel programming needs to be disabled outside the US amateur bands but it should be fully programmable via software for commercial or GMRS frequencies. There may also be software available that will unlock the radio and allow FPP anywere like the older versions.

 

[Sprinkler-Fitter]

What each brand calls a “channel” and squelch “code” can vary. I bike with a MTB group that uses “channel 13” on their generic Chinese radios with no screen. My midland can hear them on my channel 10, but it wasn’t until I got my squelch set to 67 that I was able to get them to hear me. It took a bit of reading some websites about the group’s radios “channel 13” to give me some ideas as to what codes they might be set to. Your radio can hear them when you guys are on the same frequency (no matter what their brand call it “channel-wise”). But they cannot hear you on the same frequency because they have one of those poorly named “privacy” codes enabled in addition to the channel they’re on. You’d have to get them to turn off their privacy code, or get your radio to add the privacy code they’re on to your transmissions. Which can be a bit of a pain between brands. I borrowed my MTB team’s radio for a night, and tried some of the squelch codes they could be on. Every time I set a new code on my radio, I’d try to transmit and see if the team’s radio would let my transmission through. Until I found it.

Here’s a little info about how the privacy codes on your group’s radios are screening what they let them hear.
https://www.k0tfu.org/reference/frs-gmrs-privacy-codes-demystified.html

Are you sure you didn’t do something else to make them hear you? Squelch does nothing for transmitting it is only a setting for receiving.

 

[KQL]

Are you sure you didn’t do something else to make them hear you? Squelch does nothing for transmitting it is only a setting for receiving.

The team’s radios were using a “privacy” code, DCS or CTCSS, don’t remember. In order to have their units let my transmission through to the speaker, my transmission has to carry the same squelch code.
Their unit is using a squelch code as a gatekeeper, only letting them hear transmissions that carry the correct “key” code. So of course you have to send your message with the correct key to allow it to get past the gatekeeper. I am just trying very hard to avoid using the poorly-named “privacy code”, since they have nothing to do with privacy.

 

[Darel]

This is what I'm using and yes a mobile GMRS mounted is a great way to go but I like the convenience of portability of using GMRS in different vehicles :

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-GMRS-P...de-bfc4-b833242a4f1d&pd_rd_i=B0B4BLZ67Z&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Nagoya-NA-77...cd4-aa8d-f7c2dc558d51&pd_rd_i=B09KS96DWH&th=1

https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-H...c0-88cf-6f91b25e8efc&pd_rd_i=B08N6K41CH&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-QHM22-...1c-b7d2-ab911b433d44&pd_rd_i=B00Z4X3MM6&psc=1

I ended up ordering a BTECH Pro. I like the phone app setup, waterproof, and bonus, it looks like it takes the same battery packs as the Baofengs, which I now already have two of. I feel less like I've wasted my money then. And I'll just leave my CB hard mounted where it is in case I run into some old-timers on the trail. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Sprinkler-Fitter]

The team’s radios were using a “privacy” code, DCS or CTCSS, don’t remember. In order to have their units let my transmission through to the speaker, my transmission has to carry the same squelch code.
Their unit is using a squelch code as a gatekeeper, only letting them hear transmissions that carry the correct “key” code. So of course you have to send your message with the correct key to allow it to get past the gatekeeper. I am just trying very hard to avoid using the poorly-named “privacy code”, since they have nothing to do with privacy.

I know what the tone is used for, I am also licensed ham radio operator.

 

[KQL]

I know what the tone is used for, I am also licensed ham radio operator.

Then I must’ve misunderstood your question. No matter, sounds like the OP found a solution.

 

[BUZZHEAD]

I use MIDLAND X- TALKER T71UP3 HANDHELD
$100 works great

 

[SargeDiesel]

OK, so I hardmounted a CB in my Gladiator because that was what everyone had 20 years ago, when I was last into wheeling. Come to find out, no one uses CB anymore, they all use GMRS. Fast forward 20 years, get my Gladiator, getting back into fourwheeling, but no one uses CB anymore. OK, so I poke around in this subforum and it seems like most guys are using these Baofeng radios, so I got two, a UV-5R and a BF-F8HP. Well, one group I wheel with uses FRS radios. I tune the Baofengs to their freqs and I can listen but I can't TX.

So to make a long story short, the Baofengs won't talk to FRS. I thought they were GMRS, they're not. I guess they're actually HAM, which in reality requires ANOTHER license, a different one, that requires a test.

How in the hell are you guys using these Baofengs? And since I have now bought THREE radios (including the CB) that are WRONG, how do I know the next radio I get will actually allow me to talk to someone when I go out fourwheeling?

Here's the noext one I'm looking at, will this work?:
https://www.amazon.com/Firmware-Radioddity-Digital-Transceiver-Contacts/dp/B096Q52LX9/ref=sr_1_34?crid=3TJWZJZSSPBMC&keywords=gmrs+radio+base+station&qid=1674511465&sprefix=gmrs+base+radio,aps,91&sr=8-34

Frustrated,
Darel

So why not ditch the CB and hardmount a GMRS radio ? and ditch the handheld or have both and use it when outside the jeep ? there are plenty of handheld GMRS radios available.... Sounds like you're buying a ham radio with GMRS capability, when you need to be buying a GMRS radio...?

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