[Graybeard]

I just discovered that my Motorola Talkabout+ from 1996, won’t work with my new headset. So I’m looking for affordable, easy(enough)to use, Kenwood 2 pin(K1) compatible….

 

[Guges Mk3]

A lot of people use the Baofeng found on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174Mhz-400-520Mhz/dp/B00MAULSOK/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3L14P4FHVQACV&keywords=baofeng&qid=1679101081&sprefix=baofen%2Caps%2C192&sr=8-1-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFXNldKMjU2UDdFR1QmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2NTI1MzYyVkg5VkcwNEowT0xZJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA0MTM0NDQxUkE0TkdLNUJOMkVKJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[Dark Wolf]

I have several Kenwood two pin radios. Have had pretty good luck with Baofeng. Wouxon makes a decent radio, but cost a little more.

What bands/freqs are you interested in? What terrain?

I have two GMRS radios. Wouxon 2 pin, and a Baofeng with IP67 rating.

I have two other Baofengs that I can use for MURS freqs.

MURS is nice, as there is no license needed, and is VHF.

GMRS license was recently reduced to $35 for a 10 year license.

DW

 

[Graybeard]

I‘m not looking for long distances, range wise I’m looking at no more than 2 miles, and terrain wise mostly hill terrain. I saw a UV-5R for $20 new On Amazon while looking at the link Guges shared.

 

[Dark Wolf]

I‘m not looking for long distances, range wise I’m looking at no more than 2 miles, and terrain wise mostly hill terrain. I saw a UV-5R for $20 new On Amazon while looking at the link Guges shared.

Sounds like your environment is similar to mine. I have hills and river bottoms, all heavily wooded.

I have been pleased with my UV'5R radios. Depending on the size of your hills, you may be able to hit 2 miles. I have gotten about a mile out of mine using UHF freqs, with a longer antenna and throat mic.

All things being equal, you "should" be able to reach a little further in VHF unless you are in town.

If you are interested, I can see if I have any pics that I can post tonight. Worst case, I can shoot some pics after work in the morning.

For a few bucks more, you might be interested in one of the Baofeng tri band radios. I have been eyeballing them, myself.

DW

 

[Graybeard]

Pics are always cool! Thanks!

 

[Dark Wolf]

The top pic is one of my packs, you can see the foldable antenna. I also carry a roll up antenna attached to paracord that I can hoist about 20 feet high.

Second pic is a pretty good book about the Baofeng radios.

I can't find any pics of the radios themselves, so I will get a few pics in the morning and update the thread.

DW

 

[Dark Wolf]

Pic descriptions in order.

1-Tidradio UV-5R. Dual band. Has a TD 771 antenna for listening in the house. I can pick up the repeater 20 miles away, but can't reach it for transmitting. For field use it is hooked up to the folding antenna and an external speaker mic.

2-Wouxon KG805G. GMRS. Nagoya 771 antenna. El cheapo throat mic. Field use is a similar antenna threaded through my chest rig.

3-Baofeng GMRS9S. 771 style antenna. IP67 rated, but I haven't tested that. Currently being used as a loaner. Note that it does not use the Kenwood 2 pin plug. So far, that and the belt clip are my only complaints.

External speaker mic with volume control. Sound quality, while not high end, is better than I expected for an economy mic.

These are all "low end" pieces, but well worth what I spent in my opinion. Performance is acceptable, and I can replace them easily enough. Really thinking about picking up a Baofeng tri band to use in place of the dual band. I got my GMRS license just before they cut the price in half, naturally.

Roll up slim jim dual band antenna with a 16 foot pig tail. I can hook it to any of the three radios. BNC connectors on all radios and antennas make for easy swapping.

DW

 

[Graybeard]

Did you paint those radios? Or did you find them finished that way?

 

[Dark Wolf]

I shot them to reduce glare. Ugly as hell, but does the job.

DW

 

[savagemann]

I use the Baofeng UV5R as well.
I've found a good quality PPT mic really helps with clear comms.
The baofeng mic is not that great, but works.
I use the Commountain or Btech PPT and my buddies always comment on how clear my comms sound.
Commountain Heavy Speaker Mic on Amazon

BTECH QHM22 Platinum Series IP54 Rainproof Shoulder Speaker Mic for BaoFeng

A decent antenna is important. I use Nagoya on all my radios. Cost effective and quality.
I use a stubby for indoors, but it has decent range as well.
Authentic Genuine Nagoya NA-810 2.5-Inch Mini-Whip

If I need longer range, I use the NA-771. We tested this out camping and got miles out of it. Under perfect conditions, we had over 10 miles, but we had line of sight, as I was up on a mountain and they were in a valley.
Authentic Genuine Nagoya NA-771 15.6-Inch Whip

I like using the extended battery. Be careful of different brands, as there are bad ones out there.
Baofeng Battery BL-5 3800mAh Extended Battery Compatible with UV-5R

With the extended battery, you can charge it with a cable via USB. Without, you need the charging cradle.
Baofeng 2.5mm USB Charger Cable with Indicator Light for BaoFeng UV-5R