Radio Basics 101 (Radio FAQ) - Getting Started

In this post I’ll attempt to address some of the most commonly asked radio questions I receive. Remember, I am not a lawyer and this is not legal advice. Ham radio is a self-regulating hobby and you should act responsibly. This information is intended to give you a clear understanding of what rules exist and what is considered acceptable behavior.

If you find this information helpful, consider supporting the site by grabbing some stickers in the store, visiting the amazon list, or following on instagram.

What handheld radio should I get?

This all depends on your budget. Curious to try the hobby with something cheaper? Consider a Baofeng UV5R. Looking for something more robust that will last a long time? Consider something like a Yaesu FT-70DR. Looking for something high-end? You might find an FT3D to be what you’re looking for. A few of the models I recommend can be found here.

Do I need a license to use Baofeng radios?

Yes. The FCC uses the word “operating” which means to “control the functioning of a Personal Radio Service station; in particular, cause a Personal Radio Service station to begin, continue or cease transmitting (47 CFR § 95.303). To transmit on an amateur radio you’ll need to get an amateur license. Hamstudy.org has some of the best resources for this and makes the process very easy with their study app.

In recent years, Baofeng radios have come under fire from the FCC because of people transmitting improperly. The FCC released a notice (DA 18-980) that said “Even if a two-way VHF/UHF radio operates solely within the amateur frequencies, the operator is required to have an amateur license to operate the device and must otherwise comply with all applicable rules. The Bureau (FCC) will take very seriously any reports of failures of two-way radio operators to comply with all relevant rules and requirements when using devices in the amateur bands.”

Most Baofeng radios are not type-approved to transmit on FRS, GMRS, or MURS (FCC Part 95) and should not be used as walkie talkies. Check your individual device for any FCC type approvals it may have.

Listening on your radio is perfectly legal (and great tool for studying and learning). There are also some provisions specifically outlined for emergencies (FCC §97.403) which states that "No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radio communication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available.” So, if your life or property is on the line, and no other means are available, go ahead and use your radio to get help.

Can these be used like walkie talkies?

For all the reasons mentioned above, no, these cannot be used like walkie talkies. If you’re looking for simple, license-free communication, consider the BTECH MURS V1. It’s a type-approved, 2W, handheld radio that allows anyone to transmit and talk as much as they want on five reserved MURS channels. It’s also compatible with all accessories for the UV82HP (see my example here), making it a great option for communications at the range or on a plate carrier.

What is the MURS V1? What’s the difference between that and a UV5R?

The Btech MURS V1 is designed to operate only on five specific channels called “MURS.” Because it’s type-approved for operation only on those select few frequencies, it does not require a license to operate. It also does not require any programming (besides tweaking the PL tones) and is not designed to store any new frequencies. It’s a one-trick pony, but, you can talk freely with as many other MURS radios as your heart desires. It’s my primary radio I use to talk with friends at the range or while hunting.

A UV5R is an amateur radio that can transmit on a much wider range of frequencies across two common bands (2M/70CM). It does require a ham license to transmit with. A UV5R is much better to have in an emergency because you can monitor more frequencies.

I own both radios and use them often for different applications.

What kind of range do these get?

This is one of the most common questions I get asked, but it’s also one of the most difficult to answer. It depends on many things — your elevation, obstacles in your environment, your line of sight, the antenna, transmitting power, the quality of the radio, and more. When you get into HF radios, even sunspots can affect the way the ionosphere reflects your wave.

As an average radio operator in the very flat suburbs of North Dallas, my UV5R can can hit repeaters about 2 miles away, and my Yaesu FT3D can hit repeaters around 4 miles away with all kinds of houses and businesses in between. Both use signal stick antennas. Remember, 5W can travel a surprising distance if you have direct line of sight. You will need to test your own environment and equipment to fully understand the potential range.

What antenna should I get?

This all depends on the application. A whip is most common and typically offers the best performance over a low-performance factory rubber duck antenna. You’ll want an antenna that has positive gain (A number that indicates how efficient the antenna resonates or transmits), negative gain antennas will eat up your transmitting power.

For daily HT use (handheld radios or “handy talkies”), I use a whip like a Signal Stick or a Nagoya NA-771. The signal stick is extremely durable and very lightweight. It also can be wound up for storage.

For really compact EDC portability (like a glove compartment or fanny pack), I often use a stubby like the Nagoya NA-810, or the Diamond SRH805S. These stubbies do not offer improved performance over the factory antenna, but do give you an extremely small package. You’ll need to the weigh the pros and cons for your individual situation.

For “tactical” applications on a chest rig or plate carrier, I prefer a woven antenna like the Disco32 VMAS. Although, many people ask me about the ABREE Blade Antenna because it looks cool. Based on the data I’ve seen, you need to get the 42” version to have any sort of decent performance.

Can these radios be encrypted?

As a rule, Ham radio does not allow for encryption. Dual-band analogue Baofeng radios also do not offer anything as far as native encryption is concerned. Many of the business bands allow for encryption on purpose-built devices from likes of Motorola if you’re looking for secure communications. Getting a DMR radio is also an option. DMR is an international digital standard offered across many brands. An introduction to DMR radio basics can be found here.

Can I use a baofeng as a scanner?

Most police and fire departments now use P25 trunked systems which are digital and incompatible with baofeng radios. You might get lucky if your city still uses analogue frequencies within the 136-174 MHz and 400-480MHz limits of a UV5R. The Uniden brand of P25 scanners receive good reviews from people I know, but I have no personal experience with them myself.

What push-to-talk (PTT) should I get?

You’ll want to get a quality PTT that is properly amplified for civilian radios. Avoid cheap PTTs on Amazon and eBay, they always lead to frustration. If you’re using a Baofeng, you’ll need a standard Kenwood two-pin plug for the radio, and a standard TP120/U174 input (The most common type of downlead from a headset). There are a few good companies (and facebook groups) that offer quality amplified PTTs — the ones I use are from Disco32. This is easiest way to connect a standard dynamic mic headset (such as AMPS or Peltors) to the radio. If you have an electret mic (found in *some* Sordins), you’ll want to grab a custom PTT from SRS Tactical.

What’s the best way to mount a radio to my plate carrier?

Start with the right PTT (see above). I like the the shorter 6" PTT from Disco32, since it is easier to manage if your radio and PTT are on the same side/bag of your carrier. This allows your support-side/non-firing hand to control the PTT and radio. I prefer woven antennas like the Disco32 VMAS since it is less intrusive. Many guys want to go out and buy a tactical blade antenna (I get it, looking cool is rule #1), but I found them kind of annoying in my face all the time. For the way I shoot at the range and hunt hogs, a woven antenna gave me plenty of range to talk to guys around me and was still low-profile.

Should I try and save a few dollars by buying a bulk radio pack on Amazon?
No. This is almost always a bad idea. Half the accessories they include are junk (especially the programming cables). Don’t cheap out on an already dirt-cheap product and buy knock-off batteries. You would be far better off purchasing a UV5R ($24) and a Nagoya NA-771 ($21) individually to get started.

What is SWR and is it important?
That’s the standing wave ratio, which is essentially a measure of the efficiency of the electromagnetic radio wave leaving the antenna. If your antenna is not tuned properly, the energy of that wave cannot fully “escape” or leave the antenna and can be bounced back to your radio hardware. Typically an SWR of 1.0-1.5 is ok, any higher and you could potentially damage your equipment.

Didn’t see your question answered above? Feel free to send me a DM and i’ll add it to the list.

Aganzstore.com © 2021 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.