I got a set of ‘talk about’ two way radios,useless...any good options? What about Beofang? Are they available in Canada ?
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I got a set of ‘talk about’ two way radios,useless...any good options? What about Beofang? Are they available in Canada ?
Ratherbefishin Here is a thread on radios http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showth...Baofeng-Radios.
I'm still looking as well, so maybe there is some new/recent purchases and members can chime in !
Arctic Lake
446SHOP have 8watt baofeng radios. $35 to $60. Takes about 14 to 16 days shipping. Not much on Ebay and Amazon is slim pickings too. I used these guys for the last 3 that I got for friends. 5watts are 35-37 bucks. Radioditty are rebranded Baofeng. Baofeng Canada will get you a radio quicker but a bit pricier. Still a fair amount of suppliers out there.
What’s the legal implications,if any of these 8 watt radios in Canada?
Its my understanding they are illegal but whos checking! I took one to get it programmed and the radio shop guy told me it was illegal for him to program it. He told me to go to ebay and buy a programming "kit".
I tried to get 2X Baofeng radios on Amazon recently. The order was accepted, then next day received notice that they weren’t available in Canada. I have Icom vhf’s in my pickup and travel trailer, but handhelds would have been nice.
Swampthing did you buy the programming kit then ?Quote:
Originally Posted by swampthing
It seems as though Ratherbefishing and I are trying to find out the best way to get a good handheld and get it programmed as well
ArcticLake
Yup...the talkabout just didn’t work and I need something that we can stay in touch with each other
You can get them at https://www.fleetwooddp.com/ . I got 2X Baofeng last year there together with programming software and cable.Quote:
Originally Posted by CranePete
Fleetwood is good to deal with and you can get patch cord from him to plug your radio into the computer and down load a program called Chirp and you can program yourself. Also you do not even need a computer they have a keypad do you can program anytime anywhere. You can also just get lists of channels on line to program
Front panel programmable radios are also "illegal."Quote:
Originally Posted by Pioneerman
My plan if I ever get caught is to plead ignorance and ebay.
Thanks, I’ll give them a whirlQuote:
Originally Posted by Maglic
Can you buy them in the US and simply declare them with any other goods you are bringing back?
Each radio must be licensed, programming in the field is unlawful. Likelihood of getting caught remote if you use it responsibly. Inform thyself, plenty info if you care to search. Frequency allocation controlled thru or was controlled thru Spectrum Direct, Industry Canada. The major concern is interference of unlicensed users with licensed users that pay for the frequency, not to mention emergency services. It's just under $50 annually to maintain the license required.Quote:
Originally Posted by ratherbefishin
All we would be using it for is sporadic contact in the field ,maybe once or twice a year .I like the increased range in case of an emergency ,someone in our party lost or hurt and a ‘talkabout’ is basically useless ,gives you a false sense of security,worst case scenario is needing it and it doesn’t work
It is like j walking or tearing the label of a toy that is punishable by imprisonment . There are thousands of them being used, and not a problem. You are not down town walking over someone else's radio channels. Am I advising you break the laws? No I would not say that, but I am saying thousands are used with key pads, they are sold in Canada and who will be doing the checking when 30 miles back in bush when you talk to your buddy. To me it is a valuable safety item to have in case of emergency. If it can safe a life I will deal with consequences later if any
Mine has come in useful on many occasions, perhaps not critical, but situation(s) had the potential do escalate. I have a Kenwood that is licensed, but it's only an 8 channel, non programmable. The build quality is superior to the Baofeng. I don't venture afield without one. As long as you are not transmitting on an unlicensed radio, I don't think you are breaking the law. Monitoring can be just as useful, particularly on a busy FSR. Truckers will appreciated knowing you're on the road too and are unlikely to turn you in. You asked for the legal ramifications, I tried to provide some info. I ski tour in the backcountry during the winter. Little chance of interfering with any emergency freqs in no man's land, just need to be aware of freqs. that may be in use in the area. One of the lodges I've been to a number of times now provides each guest with a Baofeng. Do they pay for 30 some licenses at $50 a shot, unlikely. But they do own & pay for a frequency for their tenure.Quote:
Originally Posted by ratherbefishin
Mike 31154 I'm thinking $50.00 a year to be legal is not that much . Now having said that what handled radio brand and what sort of power should you one get that has very good range in real distance not some fake distance that can not be achieved .Quote:
Originally Posted by mike31154
Thanks
Arctic Lake
To make your Baofeng "legal" there is now a software option----VFO LOCKOUT----- that prohibits feild programing, prevents unauthorized users from tampering or accidentally changing frequencies or options. Got a new UV 82HP yesterday and this info is in the instruction manual. Bunch of missing info in the manual as to radio operation but the "MENU" settings section is the best so far at explaining how to set the menu up. This UV 82hp was sold as a 5watt radio but tests 9.2watts. So better than any 8watt radios that I have ordered so far. On the other end I have a UV 9R PLUS 15watt radio that only tests 5.6/5.8 watts. Who knows what the put in the box???? Down load the UV 82HP manual for some good info.
I think all handhelds regardless of brand are supposed to be limited to 8 watts max. power. A vehicle mounted set is more powerful & has better range since there's generally an antenna mounted on the outside of the vehicle. You can get vehicle mounted antennas for you handheld to help the range. The big factor with any VHF radio is terrain. Depending on where you are & where the radio you are contacting is makes a huge difference in the mountains. This is why many commercial users with tenures will often have permanently installed repeaters in mountainous areas. For a group of hunting buddies, handhelds should work fine provided you're not too far apart in a mountainous area.Quote:
Originally Posted by Arctic Lake
Kenwood, have 3, all work great
I just received a UV 5R I ordered on Amazon.com arrived in about a week without a hitch... I guess some vendors check and others don’t?
Quote:
Originally Posted by CranePete
No i didnt. I gave them to a co worker that said she had the kit and would get it done! Havent heard back from her yet?Quote:
Originally Posted by Arctic Lake
1st time I've actually found anything about fines/penalties. No wonder since they call them "Administrative Monetary Penalties". Hilarous. Anyhow, here's a link. Depending on the type of violation, either Type 1 or Type 2 and whether it is an individual or corporation, things can get pricey in a hurry!
http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst...g/sf10972.html
There should be a sticky thread on this subject since it seems to crop up quite regularly....
This vid is a good summary of radio use on an FSR. Aimed at sledders, but applicable to any recreational user of logging roads.
https://youtu.be/3BxtYsIAjgY
You do not need a kit to program the radios, it is just easier to put a lot of channels in at once. That is what the key pad is for you enter in the channels you want any time any where
Sounds as though commercial users WANT everybody using the FSRs to have radios for safety’s sake...maybe the penalties are for abusers ,not users of the channels.IMO Radios are not for chat lines or social use ,but necessary communication and that would be my reason for getting something capable of doing the job.I see the highway flag people using radios,any idea what they use ?
Of course they do, no one wants a mishap or worse, loss of life. That doesn't negate the legal requirement for a radio to be licensed. Flaggers use land mobile VHFs that are the subject of this thread, probably Kenwoods not Baofengs! More info here. They pretty much spell it out for you.Quote:
Originally Posted by ratherbefishin
"The standard bank of resource road mobile radio channels is available, to those with mobile radio licenses, for programming at local commercial mobile radio shops."
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/i...communications
Hmm one, day trying to contact dispatch in remote area..true emergency situation..had 2 goof hunters chatting about the second thing they would do once home..20 minutes could not get through..grrrrr
The handheld porgramable radios are even better than most folks realize. .with some basic channels and know how one can access powerful province wide relay systems...I would never hesitate to access in an emergency..literally not a location in region 5 I could not access emergency numbers or even all landline communications. .think home telephone numbers..
SPOT.., SATPHONE, INREACH all are great for emergencies...5 watt are typically good for keeping in touch with hunting patners..seldom more than 5 km apart
Srupp
I bought the baofeng programming kit.
It came with a small cd/dvd and a cord
The cd/dvd is too small to work in my macbook and wouldn't work in my work computer.
Ended up just programming them by hand with the keypad.
We were hunting where cell phones worked fine( Kamloops) ,but I would still like to get two wayradios ,where’s the best place to get Beofangs in Canada ?