Amateur Radio FAQ

HRDWRK · Nov 5, 2018

I'm looking at this radio on Amazon.
The plan is to use around the farm and work( marine traffic) and some PP events.
Any thoughts on the unit vs a unit costing less?
I know there have been some sales of these and allot cheaper prices.
I would like to spend less of course but I need these functions!

Now this some possible units not being able to be imported I would like to buy reasonably soon.

BaoFeng BF-F8HP

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MAULSOK/ref=ox_sc_act_image_6?smid=AA3MGRC7F9EI2&psc=1

POP57 · Nov 5, 2018

HRDWRK said:
I'm looking at this radio on Amazon.
The plan is to use around the farm and work( marine traffic) and some PP events.
Any thoughts on the unit vs a unit costing less?
I know there have been some sales of these and allot cheaper prices.
I would like to spend less of course but I need these functions!

Now this some possible units not being able to be imported I would like to buy reasonably soon.

BaoFeng BF-F8HP

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00MAULSOK/ref=ox_sc_act_image_6?smid=AA3MGRC7F9EI2&psc=1

Other than in the Amateur Radio Service, which requires an FCC license, I don't think this radio is legal to use in the US. There are other unlicensed radio services, but the maximum power allowed is 2 watts only. Someone else here may be better informed.

Keystone70 · Nov 5, 2018

POP57 said:
Other than in the Amateur Radio Service, which requires an FCC license, I don't think this radio is legal to use in the US. There are other unlicensed radio services, but the maximum power allowed is 2 watts only. Someone else here may be better informed.

The FCC recently put an announcement out about these Chinese radios. They have not been certified by the FCC. They are not legal for use on FRS or GMRS. Whether they are legal on amateur bands with a license is probably uncertain. There are a lot out there for sure. The announcement stated they are not legal for sale in US. Don't know where this is all headed. Just an FYI. I know a lot of hams started with these radios.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

POP57 · Nov 5, 2018

Keystone70 said:
The FCC recently put an announcement out about these Chinese radios. They have not been certified by the FCC. They are not legal for use on FRS or GMRS. Whether they are legal on amateur bands with a license is probably uncertain. There are a lot out there for sure. The announcement stated they are not legal for sale in US. Don't know where this is all headed. Just an FYI. I know a lot of hams started with these radios.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Keeping up with the legalities of these radios is almost as confusing as gun laws.

Engine4 · Nov 5, 2018

POP57 said:
Keeping up with the legalities of these radios is almost as confusing as gun laws.

Funny you mention that. Look up thread for my post about Hoshnasi, his YouTube videos on baofeng radios are good.

"I lost all my baofengs in a boating accident."

Keystone70 · Nov 5, 2018

POP57 said:
Keeping up with the legalities of these radios is almost as confusing as gun laws.

Actually. Not confusing at all. Just surprising that the government let it go on this long

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

HRDWRK · Nov 7, 2018

POP57 said:
Other than in the Amateur Radio Service, which requires an FCC license, I don't think this radio is legal to use in the US. There are other unlicensed radio services, but the maximum power allowed is 2 watts only. Someone else here may be better informed.

My plan was to get a license!

K31 · Nov 7, 2018

HRDWRK said:
My plan was to get a license!

Assuming you mean an Amateur Radio license, you my not legally transmit using the radio on the marine frequencies (if that is what you meant by marine), even if you have an Amateur license. You may only use it on Amateur frequencies and in accordance with all other rules pertaining to that. These include using it only to communicate with other licensed Amateurs and not using it for business.

HRDWRK · Nov 7, 2018

K31 said:
Assuming you mean an Amateur Radio license, you my not legally transmit using the radio on the marine frequencies (if that is what you meant by marine), even if you have an Amateur license. You may only use it on Amateur frequencies and in accordance with all other rules pertaining to that. These include using it only to communicate with other licensed Amateurs and not using it for business.

Thanks

Stoveman · Nov 8, 2018

So what's the deal with the BaoFengs? Illegal?

Engine4 · Nov 8, 2018

The FCC put out a letter saying that since they have the capability to transmit on freqs outside amateur bands, they are technically illegal to use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Hence the "I lost all my Baofengs in a boating accident".

Stoveman · Nov 8, 2018

Engine4 said:
The FCC put out a letter saying that since they have the capability to transmit on freqs outside amateur bands, they are technically illegal to use.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

Hence the "I lost all my Baofengs in a boating accident".

Yeah, F that. Molon Hammie.

K31 · Nov 9, 2018

It's not just Baofengs and I think the real issue that the FCC trying to address was the marketing of radios for use in other services, that did not have type acceptance for those services and/or did not meet other specifications for those services. This is still going on from what I've seen. Or at least the sellers of the radios don't tell you their intended use or much of anything else. Type acceptance has never been required for equipment used for Amateur radio since Amateur radio licence holders can legally build and operate their own radios within the limits of the service, such as frequency, power, methods of transmitting. Here is the ARRL position:

http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-fcc-discussing-issue-of-uncertified-imported-vhf-uhf-transceivers

The FCC's position seems to be, if it was imported illegally, you can't use it period. And beyond that they are saying that if the radio is capable of operating outside of the Amateur bands it must have type acceptance for those bands, period or it can't be used.

I see some Baofengs sold now with Part 15 type acceptance which is basically what household equipment that may emit RF such as computers have. So I assume this is how they import a radio legally for Amateur use if the radio is otherwise incapable of operating outside of the Amateur frequencies.

Intarsiac · Dec 5, 2018

SantaFest - Saturday, 8 December 2018

Santafest (Ham Radio Flea Market) is Saturday, 8 December 2018 in Cheltenham, MD. Flyer attached.

Glock4arms · Dec 5, 2018

I enjoy listening to the Police Scanner on my phone via the 5-0 app, however over the past several months both the Baltimore County Police as well as the Baltimore City Police channels are no longer available. Does anyone know another way to get the Baltimore police scanner feed via my phone or internet?

Docster · Dec 5, 2018

Stoveman said:
Yeah, F that. Molon Hammie.

gamer_jim · Dec 14, 2018

Has anyone gotten into js8call?

http://js8call.com/faq/

K31 · Dec 14, 2018

gamer_jim said:
Has anyone gotten into js8call?

http://js8call.com/faq/

Looks interesting. Is that a Trash-80 under "Downloads" in the FAQ?

K31 · Dec 28, 2018

Get this custom artisan-made straight key before it's gone!

Ridiculous opening bid!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MORSE-CODE-TELEGRAPH-STRAIGHT-CW-KEY-for-ham-radio-hf-keyer/273622286042

E.Shell · Dec 28, 2018

Khyber Pass Morse key?

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