Topic: $30 dual band 2 way radio
has anyone tried these radios?
The 24 Hours of Lemons Forums → Lemons Tech → $30 dual band 2 way radio
has anyone tried these radios?
Those will require a Ham radio operators license for both ends of the communication and will require proper ham transmission ettiquite (sp?).
We are using Baofeng UV-5R+ for our team and they work great. We have 3, one in the car with a radio harness, PTT, and permanent antenna, and two for the pits. We have them programmed to GMRS frequencies and we have a GMRS License which is easy to get.
Check out the tech forum for more info on radios: http://forums.24hoursoflemons.com/viewt … p?id=23133
We use 'em. They're better than the walkies because you can remove the antenna and mount an external one on the roof or elsewhere. And you can operate them in the GMRS frequencies, as mohrspeed mentioned.
The power output is not any better than the walkies, though, so you're relegated to communicating only in sections of the track closest to the pits (unless it's a tight, flat track, then you might get luckier).
We used these at MSR last week and were thrilled with the performance. You will need someone with a FCC license if you use the 5 watt GMRS channels (which we did) and the reception was crystal clear on all parts of the track with no external antenna or DC conversion. There is a helmet mic set with PTT that worked perfectly as well that can be found on Amazon for about $30.
They aren't LEGAL to use on GMRS without a license, but the FCC has never (as in never) prosecuted someone for unlicensed GMRS use. Decide what matters most to you.
The Baofeng radios are a good value.
The FCC might not prosecute you for using a GMSR radios without a license, but can fine you. The Baofeng isn't a GMSR radio and can easily/accidentally transmit outside the GMSR frequencies.
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