Low end Ham radio for listen only?

[CharlieS]

I just read that I need a Ham radio for an event, but will be in listening only mode. I don't want a permanent Ham rig, since the people and groups that I generally drive with don't use them. Can you please share advice or opinions on an inexpensive handheld Ham setup that will allow me to meet this need?

PS. I have a GMRS mounted permanently that I will use for any outbound comms. I have a GMRS license, but don't have a Ham license, and doubt I'll get one.

 

[SF1911A1]

Yaesu FT-65R

 

[Fisher23]

Someone at your Local Ham Radio Club will likely loan you one, they are usually very helpful folks.

 

[molanginaeda]

Baofeng is cheap and available. I have the programming cable which I can preload all GMRS frequency to my Baofeng. Search youtube, you will find many tutorial.

 

[KLF]

I have a spare Yaesu FT-60R sitting downstairs that I'd be very willing to part with, but honestly Baofang is not a bad option, less than used in most cases.

 

[MoJ]

If you’re only receiving and not transmitting a Baofeng uv-5r ($25) will work wonderfully. You only need to rely on the level of transmission power of whoever is transmitting, the output (watts) of your radio won’t matter.

 

[linuxgod]

Go buy this. It will do UHF and VHF ham as well as GMRS/FRS. You can listen on both simultaneously and configure it to only transmit on GMRS/FRS. (Note: It's technically illegal to transmit on FRS/GMRS with it as it's more power than those bands allow, at least without a GMRS family license)

Amazon product ASIN B007H4VT7A
Only thing I'd recommend is a second battery, as I find mine doesn't last for a full day on the trails. I talk a lot though.

 

[manofthewoods]

Someone at your Local Ham Radio Club will likely loan you one, they are usually very helpful folks.

Excellent idea. I would ask around. I have a window mount BNC antenna that gets the RF out of the cab, not exactly high gain, but...

 

[Trukk]

I'll be bringing a few extra Baofengs with me to LCDC. If anyone wants to borrow one for the event, let me know. Once they publish the frequencies we'll be using, I'll get them programmed up for both HAM and GRMS/FRS.

 

[CharlieS]

Thanks all.

Baofeng and spare battery inbound.

 

[nakman]

Another vote for the Baofeng UV-5, I used one on Saturday for a similar purpose as we had a truck without an FRS radio. I wouldn't waste the time programming it though tbh, just print out a conversion chart and stick it in the center console, here's one of several examples available:

So you'll monitor the Ham frequency on one side of the radio, and you can plug in the frequency of your GMRS conversation on the other.

 

[CharlieS]

Thank you.

 

[linuxgod]

Another vote for the Baofeng UV-5, I used one on Saturday for a similar purpose as we had a truck without an FRS radio. I wouldn't waste the time programming it though tbh, just print out a conversion chart and stick it in the center console, here's one of several examples available:

View attachment 3044438

So you'll monitor the Ham frequency on one side of the radio, and you can plug in the frequency of your GMRS conversation on the other.

I have a similar chart. I thought the FRS/GMRS limit was 1W unless you had a GMRS license (which costs $ but all you have to do is fill out a form online with the FCC), but I could be mistaken.

 

[nakman]

I have a similar chart. I thought the FRS/GMRS limit was 1W unless you had a GMRS license (which costs $ but all you have to do is fill out a form online with the FCC), but I could be mistaken.

Yes I believe you're correct, and those radios will let you do all sorts of illegal activity, including transmitting at 5w. He's already got the GMRS mobile unit in the truck though for transmitting, putting the same frequency in the Bao just provides another monitor option that can be more portable.

 

[Trukk]

I have a similar chart. I thought the FRS/GMRS limit was 1W unless you had a GMRS license (which costs $ but all you have to do is fill out a form online with the FCC), but I could be mistaken.

$70 for 10 years when I got my GMRS license. No test, just need to pay. Worth it for the piece of mind to me.

 

[linuxgod]

$70 for 10 years when I got my GMRS license. Not test, just need to pay. Worth it for the piece of mind to me.

Yep did mine last year, that's what I recall as well.

 

[CharlieS]

Yep, I have GMRS and the license.

Even better for new people just getting into it recently, the fees were reduced to $35. There is really no excuse not to get a license.

 

[Fisher23]

Why is this rule there?

May not operate on 462.650, 467.650, 462.700 and 467.700?

No using repeaters near the Canadian boarders?

 

[cboyd]

Why is this rule there?

May not operate on 462.650, 467.650, 462.700 and 467.700?

No using repeaters near the Canadian boarders?

those frequencies are in use by the Canadian government as the primary license holder. There is actually a line in the US above which you cannot use them called Line A, above which the signal propagation could cause harmful interferenc.

 

[TeCKis300]

Go buy this. It will do UHF and VHF ham as well as GMRS/FRS. You can listen on both simultaneously and configure it to only transmit on GMRS/FRS. (Note: It's technically illegal to transmit on FRS/GMRS with it as it's more power than those bands allow, at least without a GMRS family license)

Amazon product ASIN B007H4VT7A
Only thing I'd recommend is a second battery, as I find mine doesn't last for a full day on the trails. I talk a lot though.

Any reason not to get the updated version? Larger battery and more transmit power (though that may not may any functional difference as it's limited by other parameters).

Amazon product ASIN B00MAULSOK