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gear:radio [2024/09/28 03:16] – [Marine Radio] Humphrey Boa-Gartgear:radio [2025/12/02 06:30] (current) – Humphrey Boa-Gart
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 //...then be aware that on a long enough timescale, someone will be bored enough to try and find you. In some places, this can take no time at all. Many people who are into amateur radio have spent tens of thousands of dollars on equipment for this [[hazards:rabbit holes|rabbit hole]] of a hobby. They are always looking for ways to play with their expensive toys, and one of these ways is by [[tactics:triangulation|triangulating]] the origin of rogue signals and reporting them to the government. Some of these people also work for the government. Be careful out there!// //...then be aware that on a long enough timescale, someone will be bored enough to try and find you. In some places, this can take no time at all. Many people who are into amateur radio have spent tens of thousands of dollars on equipment for this [[hazards:rabbit holes|rabbit hole]] of a hobby. They are always looking for ways to play with their expensive toys, and one of these ways is by [[tactics:triangulation|triangulating]] the origin of rogue signals and reporting them to the government. Some of these people also work for the government. Be careful out there!//
  
-//**LEGAL NOTICE:** THIS PAGE IS PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY. THE ANONYMOUS MILITARY INSTITUTE DOES NOT ENDORSE UNAUTHORIZED AND/OR ILLEGAL RADIO USE, OR USING ANY OF THESE RADIOS IN PLACES THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED OR APPROVED FOR.//+//**LEGAL NOTICE:** THIS PAGE IS PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY. I DO NOT ENDORSE UNAUTHORIZED AND/OR ILLEGAL RADIO USE, OR USING ANY OF THESE RADIOS IN PLACES THEY WERE NOT DESIGNED OR APPROVED FOR.//
  
 ===== Types of Two-Way Radios ===== ===== Types of Two-Way Radios =====
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 A handheld dual-band is an incredibly versatile tool. Depending on the radio, they support a range of antennas, headphones/earpieces, and power options. With the right accessories, you can even mount them to your clothes or backpack with [[gear:pals|tactical webbing]]. All of these support the use of [[tools:chirp|CHIRP]] for relatively painless programming. A handheld dual-band is an incredibly versatile tool. Depending on the radio, they support a range of antennas, headphones/earpieces, and power options. With the right accessories, you can even mount them to your clothes or backpack with [[gear:pals|tactical webbing]]. All of these support the use of [[tools:chirp|CHIRP]] for relatively painless programming.
  
-  * The **UV-K5** and **UV-K6** by **Quansheng/Anysecu** are very cheap, incredibly impressive handhelds. They are impressive because you can easily swap out firmware, giving them toys like **spectrum analyzers**, reception of everything from **50-600 MHz**, and a slew of other neat functions. Some firmwares unlock them further, allowing them to transmit on additional bands. As **IEEE Spectrum** recently remarked: [[https://spectrum.ieee.org/quansheng-uv-k5-hacking|"The Most Hackable Ham Radio Yet"]]. +  * The [[amazon>43Awyax|UV-K5]] and [[amazon>484OZ8P|UV-K6]] by **Quansheng/Anysecu** are very cheap 5-watt handhelds. They are at the top of this list because you can easily swap out firmware, giving them toys like **spectrum analyzers**, reception of everything from **50-600 MHz**, and a slew of other neat functions. Some firmwares unlock them further, allowing them to transmit on additional bands. As **IEEE Spectrum** recently remarked: [[https://spectrum.ieee.org/quansheng-uv-k5-hacking|"The Most Hackable Ham Radio Yet"]]. 
-    * For those starting out with custom firmware options, we highly recommend the use of the [[github>egzumer/uv-k5-firmware-custom]] package, as it supports painless flashing via Chrome-based web browsers. It is packed with features, makes the interface on the tiny K5/K6 screens far easier to read, and it comes with the aforementioned spectrum analyzer mod that makes these great scouting radios for discovering transmissions.+    * For those starting out, we highly recommend [[github>egzumer/uv-k5-firmware-custom]], as it supports painless flashing via Chrome-based web browsers. It is packed with features, makes the interface on the tiny K5/K6 screens far easier to read, and it comes with the aforementioned spectrum analyzer mod that makes these great scouting radios for discovering transmissions. 
 +    * If you are really daring, you can give [[github>whosmatt/uvmod]] a shot. This gives you a more fine-tuned selection of various firmware mods. Chances are the aforementioned //ezgumer// firmware will be enough for you, so we only recommend //uvmod// for power users.
  
-  * The **TD-H3** and **TD-H8** by **Tidradio** is another popular handheld series that can be unlocked with custom firmware. They cost marginally more than the K5/K6, but offer full-color backlit screens.+  * If you are a novice and the idea of flashing your radio's firmware sounds daunting, the 5-watt **QYT KT-8R** is a great first handheld to play with. It has a large easy-to-read color screen, supports a wide range of frequenceies, and it can **//listen to 4 channels simultaneously//**. This makes it a great first-time radio to start on, as you can upgrade to a dual-band such as the aforementioned K5/K6 series later, and still keep the KT-8R around as a practical secondary radio. Why would you want two handheld radios? Because between the KT-8R and a normal dual-band, that means you can monitor **six frequencies at the same time**, which is obscenely useful in crowded urban areas.
  
-  * **Baofeng** has a massive line notoriously cheap handheld VHF/UHF radios. Baofeng was who renewed the world's interest in dual band radios, because you could get a **UV-5R** for $25, and program it on your computer to pick up a whole bunch of different things, when comparable walkie-talkies cost over $100. Nowadays, you can find better handhelds for comparable prices (see above), but these things are **everywhere**. Other popular models include the **UV-82** series, and more recently, the **UV-17R** & **UV-5RM** series. These aren't the most precise radios. They're also dirt cheap. You won't mind if you lose one down the side of a mountain, or into the sea, or if it gets stolen. Two important notes:+  * The [[amazon>3KbdmcR|TD-H3]] and [[amazon>3K0YNsc|TD-H8]] by **Tidradio** is another popular handheld series that can be unlocked with custom firmware. The 5-watt **H3** costs marginally more than the K5/K6, but offers full-color backlit screens in a slightly more compact form factor. The larger **H8** costs a little more, but has a whopping **10 watts** of broadcasting power. The custom firmware options are not as fully developed or easy-to-install as the K5/K6 yet, but hackers are [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/456942886822492|already on it]] so we expect these to become quite versatile handhelds in the near future. 
 + 
 +  * **Baofeng** has a massive line notoriously cheap handheld VHF/UHF radios. Baofeng was who renewed the world's interest in dual band radios, because you could get a **UV-5R** for $25, and program it on your computer to pick up a whole bunch of different things, when comparable walkie-talkies cost over $100. Nowadays, you can find better handhelds for comparable prices (see above), but these things are **everywhere**. Other popular models include the [[amazon>4oMuCEl|UV-82]] series, and more recently, the [[amazon>4ia0wbq|UV-17R]] & [[amazon>4pm54xY|UV-5RM]] series. These aren't the most precise radios. They're also dirt cheap. You won't mind if you lose one down the side of a mountain, or into the sea, or if it gets stolen. Three important notes:
     - Most of these radios have the same frequency ranges. Others are more limited. Check the specifications **before you order**, to see what frequencies that specific model can access, //as this can sometimes vary wildly from model to model, and even different production runs of the same model//. You can program these, but they are harder to unlock, and many of them cannot be unlocked.     - Most of these radios have the same frequency ranges. Others are more limited. Check the specifications **before you order**, to see what frequencies that specific model can access, //as this can sometimes vary wildly from model to model, and even different production runs of the same model//. You can program these, but they are harder to unlock, and many of them cannot be unlocked.
 +    - Most of these are 5-watts, though some models boast up to 10-watts of power. Again, you'll have to research this yourself. There are simply too many Boafeng models and sub-models to catalogue here, and all of them //(even the "high power" ones)// are entry-level radios at best.
     - Watch out for knockoff Baofeng hardware, as there is a lot of it. Only trust direct sellers of Baofeng (and **BTECH**) products. Be especially wary for **counterfeit USB cables**, as not every programming cable that carries the Baofeng logo will actually be able to program your radio.     - Watch out for knockoff Baofeng hardware, as there is a lot of it. Only trust direct sellers of Baofeng (and **BTECH**) products. Be especially wary for **counterfeit USB cables**, as not every programming cable that carries the Baofeng logo will actually be able to program your radio.
 +
 +**One final important note:** Just because you can unlock some of these radios to use all the frequency bands, **//doesn't mean you will get good performance on these bands!//** This is especially applicable to those using custom firmware on the //K5/K6 series// trying to transmit on 50 MHz. **//The chips in these radios simply were not designed for that kind of use//**. Reception is one thing //(and child's play for the tuners)// but as far as transmission goes, stick to what the radio was designed for if you want other people to actually hear you! 
  
  
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 //**Note:** These types of radios are usually designed to be used with a vehicle's **DC power system** - Indeed, they are normally sold as **"mobile radios"** to set them apart from handhelds. If you plan on running one of these radios at home, you will need a **AC to DC power converter** (which is NOT to be confused with the **DC/AC inverters** that let you run household electronics in your car).// //**Note:** These types of radios are usually designed to be used with a vehicle's **DC power system** - Indeed, they are normally sold as **"mobile radios"** to set them apart from handhelds. If you plan on running one of these radios at home, you will need a **AC to DC power converter** (which is NOT to be confused with the **DC/AC inverters** that let you run household electronics in your car).//
  
-  * The **Retevis RT95** and **Anytone AT-778UV** (they are both the same radio) is a simple & popular dual-band. Out of the box it has a fairly-limited frequency range, but the internet has since figured out how to unlock these radios for greater spectrum access. Like the Baofeng handhelds, they are not the most accurate or clearest radios in the world, but they get the job done in a pinch if you are looking for something to get started with.+  * The [[amazon>4pngBgt|Retevis RT95]] and [[amazon>3LOkvAf|Anytone AT-778UV]] (they are both the same radio) is a simple & popular dual-band. Out of the box it has a fairly-limited frequency range, but the internet has since figured out how to unlock these radios for greater spectrum access. Like the Baofeng handhelds, they are not the most accurate or clearest radios in the world, but they get the job done in a pinch if you are looking for something to get started with.
  
-  * Another popular unlockable dual-band is the **TYT TH-8600**, and its sibling, the **Rugged GMR25**, which both support outright firmware swaps. They also have a quad-band cousin, the **TYT TH-9800**.+  * Another popular unlockable dual-band is the [[amazon>4pl7q00|TYT TH-8600]], and its sibling, the **Rugged GMR25**, which both support outright firmware swaps. They also have a quad-band cousin, the [[amazon>488jVFa|TYT TH-9800]].
  
-  * **BTECH** (aka **Baofeng**) makes cheap vehicle dual-bands as well, such as the **UV-25 series**. Depending on the sub-model, it may have wide frequency range, and may even be a tri-band, so your best bet for these is to just compare the specs of whatever models are easily available at the time.+  * **BTECH** (aka **Baofeng**) makes cheap vehicle dual-bands as well, such as the [[amazon>4oMuswJ|UV-25 series]]. Depending on the sub-model, it may have wide frequency range, and may even be a tri-band, so your best bet for these is to just compare the specs of whatever models are easily available at the time.
  
 ==== CB Radio ==== ==== CB Radio ====
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-{{tag>Gear Radio Communication}}+{{tag>Gear Radio Communications}}
  
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