What did you do for your comms setup today?

[Moab]

I haven't programmed my Baofengs yet. I have them charged and the programming cable. But everything has been put on hold with my wife in the hospital. And my new Jeep. I also have a new main pack I need to load all my stuff into.

That smaller form factor used Dell comouter I bought last year is a POS. But I think it will work for programming. I do like the small form factor tho. And have a new mini oc picked out and in my shopping list.

Once I program these I want to purchase some better accessories. Headsets, extra batteries, a case of some sort for each probably molle compatible, and some form of dc charger. 

IIRC I also found a freq and settings download for my area. So I may not have to customize anything. I think I may have already combined a couple lists for that already. I put this on the back burner awhile ago. Once I get my Jeep and new pack sorted I'll get back in this. 

[MacWa77ace]

Yeah, only 127 memory channels on the Baofengs, but I combined and edited multiple lists using the CHIRP software and copy and paste etc. I also edited and custom named most of the 'channels' so I can Identify them as 'prepper' channels, repeaters, etc. It took a while but I did it on the laptop when I had spare time. Once you get your list 'saved' you can use it for each new radio and it only takes a minute. But it is ALL in the initial setup.

My list is really specific to my immediate AO as far as the repeaters, and in Florida we have our SARNET, which is a group of linked repeaters so someone in Key West can talk to someone in Pensacola, but its mostly for emergency traffic. You're not supposed to talk for more than a few minutes on it. Although last night at 6pm there was Directed Net going on it. I'd never checked that channel at that time and didn't know about it. That wen't on for a half hour. 

I usually go on this other Directed net on a local repeater for my drive home at night. But have been missing it lately, that one is really just a bunch of check-ins and is kind of boring. But I found this one on the SARNET last night that was interesting in that they did talk about 12v battery setups and even what multi tool to carry for emergencies. I only caught the end of it as that is when I was programming the two new radios.


But I'm regularly up to Orlando/Titusville area and so have all the SARNET repeaters from here to there programmed and labelled. For instance, the tower near my work I have labelled it BRSAR70 and BRSAR2 for BRoward SARnet 70cm and 2 meter respectively. Then the one by my house up in Palm Beach is WPBSAR7 for 70cm and WPBSAR2 for 2 meter. You only get 7 character alpha numeric labels on Baofengs, so you got to get creative, sort of like a personalized license plate.  And local repeaters I label by their call sign and then -R for repeater. Mainly 'cause the labels are large type and the repeater +- symbol on the screen of the Baofeng is really small so its easier to see when you're scanning or scrolling thru channels. Another thing you can do is save radio specific and frequency specific settings such as the backlight color and duration, welcome message, squelch levels, squelch steps which I highly recommend you adjust those on the Baofengs because the defaults are way to tiny, and transmit power levels by channel. Even the battery saver can be set. Just some suggestions for when you get started. Someone else may even have a better system they can relate to us.

And I do have a few frequencies that are considered or promoted as universal 'Survivalist' or 'Prepper' meet up frequencies, most of which I got from ZS.

[Moab]

Yeah, only 127 memory channels on the Baofengs, but I combined and edited multiple lists using the CHIRP software and copy and paste etc. I also edited and custom named most of the 'channels' so I can Identify them as 'prepper' channels, repeaters, etc. It took a while but I did it on the laptop when I had spare time. Once you get your list 'saved' you can use it for each new radio and it only takes a minute. But it is ALL in the initial setup.

My list is really specific to my immediate AO as far as the repeaters, and in Florida we have our SARNET, which is a group of linked repeaters so someone in Key West can talk to someone in Pensacola, but its mostly for emergency traffic. You're not supposed to talk for more than a few minutes on it. Although last night at 6pm there was Directed Net going on it. I'd never checked that channel at that time and didn't know about it. That wen't on for a half hour. 

I usually go on this other Directed net on a local repeater for my drive home at night. But have been missing it lately, that one is really just a bunch of check-ins and is kind of boring. But I found this one on the SARNET last night that was interesting in that they did talk about 12v battery setups and even what multi tool to carry for emergencies. I only caught the end of it as that is when I was programming the two new radios.


But I'm regularly up to Orlando/Titusville area and so have all the SARNET repeaters from here to there programmed and labelled. For instance, the tower near my work I have labelled it BRSAR70 and BRSAR2 for BRoward SARnet 70cm and 2 meter respectively. Then the one by my house up in Palm Beach is WPBSAR7 for 70cm and WPBSAR2 for 2 meter. You only get 7 character alpha numeric labels on Baofengs, so you got to get creative, sort of like a personalized license plate.  And local repeaters I label by their call sign and then -R for repeater. Mainly 'cause the labels are large type and the repeater +- symbol on the screen of the Baofeng is really small so its easier to see when you're scanning or scrolling thru channels. Another thing you can do is save radio specific and frequency specific settings such as the backlight color and duration, welcome message, squelch levels, squelch steps which I highly recommend you adjust those on the Baofengs because the defaults are way to tiny, and transmit power levels by channel. Even the battery saver can be set. Just some suggestions for when you get started. Someone else may even have a better system they can relate to us.

And I do have a few frequencies that are considered or promoted as universal 'Survivalist' or 'Prepper' meet up frequencies, most of which I got from ZS.

What are the universal prepper freqs? 

[MacWa77ace]

What are the universal prepper freqs?

just google.

https://survivedoomsday.com/emergency-radio-frequencies-preppers-must-know/

[12_Gauge_Chimp]

I have zero to do with anything radio related, but those frequencies are still a good idea to know.

Thanks for the info, Mac.

[NT2C]

Had another of these bad boys delivered.

You cannot view this attachment.

Got one for $20 on woot.com but it had a defective battery pack so they sent a replacement and said keep the other one.  Works fine on C batteries, and I can fix they battery pack. I just bought a third to give as a gift.

And another just showed up on my doorstep. 

[EBuff75]

Had another of these bad boys delivered.

You cannot view this attachment.

Got one for $20 on woot.com but it had a defective battery pack so they sent a replacement and said keep the other one.  Works fine on C batteries, and I can fix they battery pack. I just bought a third to give as a gift.

And another just showed up on my doorstep. 

Now hear me out... 

[NT2C]

Had another of these bad boys delivered.

You cannot view this attachment.

Got one for $20 on woot.com but it had a defective battery pack so they sent a replacement and said keep the other one.  Works fine on C batteries, and I can fix they battery pack. I just bought a third to give as a gift.

And another just showed up on my doorstep. 

Now hear me out... 

So, I should order more? 

[EBuff75]

I'd been looking at pocket radios that cover AM, FM, shortwave, and weather.  Finding a decent one with weather band is strangely difficult, particularly for the smaller radios (unless you want to pay a lot of money).  I'd come across the Retekess TR110 and it looked like a good option, but had balked at the $100 price tag on it. 

But a sale popped up on eBay that lowered the price to $70 and I wavered.  Then, when I was looking at it today, I realized that there was a 20% discount on top of that!  Okay, for $55 I'll bite.  I have their (much cheaper) V115 radio, which uses the same lithium-ion battery, of which I have a few spares.  So I'll put one of those in with this radio and have plenty of power for it.  Should be here within the week.

[MacWa77ace]

Had this in my Dropbox.

Another channel list
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vZofshYkZoJPqq8e1B15NHRP75ShHoA3/view?usp=drivesdk

[Moab]

I'd been looking at pocket radios that cover AM, FM, shortwave, and weather.  Finding a decent one with weather band is strangely difficult, particularly for the smaller radios (unless you want to pay a lot of money).  I'd come across the Retekess TR110 and it looked like a good option, but had balked at the $100 price tag on it. 

But a sale popped up on eBay that lowered the price to $70 and I wavered.  Then, when I was looking at it today, I realized that there was a 20% discount on top of that!  Okay, for $55 I'll bite.  I have their (much cheaper) V115 radio, which uses the same lithium-ion battery, of which I have a few spares.  So I'll put one of those in with this radio and have plenty of power for it.  Should be here within the week.

This radio is sold under a few different brand names. 

In my research for a small shortwave radio the Tecsun PL368 is a much better radio. For about $30 more (Amazon price. Possibly cheaper on Aliexpress). Countycomm also makes some excellent accessories for it. Including a long wire antenna and a stand. As well as a rubber case and some other items. This is very well supported radio as its reputation is so high. They also sell the radio but iirc its more expensive. 

This is the review I started with. 

https://swling.com/blog/2021/07/tecsun-pl-368-an-everyman-review/

Swling.com is the place for radio reviews from all over the world. In this basic review he links to a more indepth review. Read that one too. Read the comments on each review too. The big thing with this radio is to get the latest firmware version. Any problems listed in reviews or comments have been fixed. But they were minor. Iirc the indepth review and/or in its comments lists the Amazon seller. They only sell with the latest firmware upgrade. 

Tecsun Digital PL368 AM/FM/LW/SW Worldband Radio with Single Side Band Receiver (Black) https://a.co/d/8JDMXYp

[Z.O.R.G.]

Started programming radios for our annual fall camping trip.

[NT2C]

Got this from AliExpress

You cannot view this attachment.

Might keep it, might make it a contest prize. 

(Note: All the instructions and most of the box text is in Chinese.  No English instructions.)

[Moab]

Got this from AliExpress

You cannot view this attachment.

Might keep it, might make it a contest prize. 

(Note: All the instructions and most of the box text is in Chinese.  No English instructions.)

That's a really good radio. I am sure you can find english instructions. You mught try radioreference or swling. 

[NT2C]

Got this from AliExpress

You cannot view this attachment.

Might keep it, might make it a contest prize. 

(Note: All the instructions and most of the box text is in Chinese.  No English instructions.)

That's a really good radio. I am sure you can find english instructions. You mught try radioreference or swling.

Got a set from Australia in PDF format. 

[NT2C]

Finished programming all my current working HTs, all 14 of them (updated all my programmers).  Removed the Yaesu FTM-100DR from the pickup truck I'm giving to @12_Gauge_Chimp (left parts of the glass-mount antenna on the glass). Ordered extra batteries for the newer HTs that didn't already have at least two extras.  Explored options for swapping the firmware on my UV-K5 ( (not sure exactly what I want it to do and may just roll my own firmware). Started revamping my old portable comms case to better accommodate the new HTs.

[MacWa77ace]

I vote that NT2C starts a thread on instructions for rolling your own firmware for HT's
I'd read that. 

[NT2C]

I vote that NT2C starts a thread on instructions for rolling your own firmware for HT's
I'd read that. 

Go here: https://whosmatt.github.io/uvmod/

Pick and choose

Save and flash

[Braums]

I was in ATL last week and made the pilgrimage to HRO. I finally have a backup VX-6r and picked up a couple of extras. Hoping I can get a bit of break this week to work with some of my gear before Field Day.

[TACAIR]

Sorting out the end load channel data for a set of UV-5R8W radios.  With 128 memory locations, I have a lot of room to play with

BTW - these are TID radio sets, even tho marked as Baofeng's.

Once I got the software loaded on the PC they have done the read/write without a hiccup.  Sadly, the software does not support all of the internal choices of the rig.

These will support everything up to 520 Mhz, so GMRS/FRS monitoring is possible.