Walkie talkies

Bad_alibi

Looking for a set of walkie talkie for when I'm out stalking with a friend, something cheap and cheerful that won't break the bank.
Seen a set of Baofeng UV-5RE on AliExpress for about €25 each anyone try them or can you recommend something else.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32716771066/32716771066.html

MarcinG

I have purchased 3 or 4 pairs of uv5. They are perfect for me. Works through concrete etc.

Bad_alibi

MarcinG wrote: »

I have purchased 3 or 4 pairs of uv5. They are perfect for me. Works through concrete etc.

That's good to know, might give a set a go at that price so. What's the battery life like, as for reception I'll be using them outside across open terrain. Is there a need to get the improved antennas.

Bad_alibi

Do they work out of the box or do you need to do anything to set them up.

MarcinG

They work just fine out of the box. Few km range easilly. I had once friend sitting in the van outside lidl on nangor rd in clondalkin. I drove my van out to red cow no problems with reception. Ps use uhf rather than vhf for better range.
Batterylife cant tell. If it hangs in the van and gets used few times a week on odd job it is easilly few months. But i never discharged battery fully in normal use. Sooner or later i will leave it on and dump it to box in the van. This is usually killing it within 24 or 48h. But mind you i dont really know if it transmits and what is actual time. But i own it for 2 years now and charged it maybe 5 times...

ectoraige

MarcinG wrote: »

Ps use uhf rather than vhf for better range.

That might not hold true for a rural environment, but I haven't used these handsets myself.

Bad_alibi

I assume anyone on a similar frequency can hear what your saying. Is there such a thing as a private channel.

PS before some smart ass chimes in I know I'm describing a mobile phone. The area we do be out in has very little to no reception

Bad_alibi

Any thoughts on these only about €5 extra has HAM as well


http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32294691794/32294691794.html

Rimfire Shooter

A "private" channel is available but you have to pay for it usually through a company that supplies radios etc. We have them at work. Not sure who supplies us but I know our radios can't be picked up by anyone with a scanner etc.

Bad_alibi

Rimfire Shooter wrote: »

A "private" channel is available but you have to pay for it usually through a company that supplies radios etc. We have them at work. Not sure who supplies us but I know our radios can't be picked up by anyone with a scanner etc.

Well since I'm too miserable to spend more than €50, it rules out a private channel subscription

Davidcardiff

Rimfire shooter your radios must be the new digital ones. Digital and tetra are the only ones can't be scanned

Most of the decent radios have thing called pl or dpl. Private line or digital private line it's in the programming of the radio no subscription or the likes. it cuts out any traffic coming through on your radios unless programmed with same pl or dpl. But people can still here what your saying if they're on that frequency

Rimfire Shooter

Too technical for me lad.

I just know how to use 'em.

I bought a set years ago in Argos for when I'm out with someone else. Weren't big money. They still work fine.

Bad_alibi

Davidcardiff wrote: »

Rimfire shooter your radios must be the new digital ones. Digital and tetra are the only ones can't be scanned

Most of the decent radios have thing called pl or dpl. Private line or digital private line it's in the programming of the radio no subscription or the likes. it cuts out any traffic coming through on your radios unless programmed with same pl or dpl. But people can still here what your saying if they're on that frequency

What's your thoughts on the second set I linked too.

clivej

Add on FB worth a look

http://eu.pmrradio.net/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=EEA-Desktop-Traffic-Conv&utm_campaign=Pro5-15Km

Davidcardiff

Bad_alibi wrote: »

What's your thoughts on the second set I linked too.

They seem to be getting good reviews plenty for sale on eBay you can even program mountain rescue or coast guard into them as they are uhf and vhf. Most of they pmr ones are on the uhf 446 band with only 8 channels and .5w power