walkie talkie recommendations pls?

[Superdrazy]

Wanting to get a good walkie talkie for hunting and water sports.

So many to choose from and alot to learn, Hope someone here has experience with them and can recommend me some

Thank you

 

[Jamsie]

Anything with Motorola written on it is a pretty safe bet.

Jamsie

 

[Stevie/P]

Baofeng UV-5R bomb prof

 

[Scandially]

Yaesu

 

[zambezi]

Baofeng UV-5R bomb prof

Baofeng UV-9R is the IP67 offering in the Baofeng range and is sub £30 off Amazon.

Best part? You can configure the frequencies it uses with free software from CHIRP. [You need to buy a serial cable]

I have compiled the configuration required to turn one of these radios into a marine VHF using channels compatible with the UK frequency allocations [excerpt below]. Not tricky. I then tested the radio back to back on the sea against an industry benchmark [Standard Horizon HX890] and found it performed at parity.

 

[The Singing Stalker]

Do you want license or not licensed?
kenwood, another good make. I have a pair if interested, I used them as intercoms on my motorbike. Don’t need them anymore.

 

[Scandially]

2 bean tins and a bit of string.... the original Irish mobile?

 

[Broadarrow]

I am considering a pair of baofengs -- but I can't understand the programming ...

 

[splash]

I have had icom good but not as bulletproof as Kenwood

 

[Stevie/P]

I am considering a pair of baofengs -- but I can't understand the programming ...

plenty of vids on you tube free down load CHIRP and your good to go a bit of practice you cant harm anything with the radios.

 

[vitalspark]

Motorola T92 H2O. As the name suggests it's IP67 rated and floats. It has a built in red and white torches. Good for 10km range if you've los. I use mine for kayaking when wanting to have comms with any landlubbers. I also use it on building sites as it's pretty robust too. Won't break the bank. I bought mine about two years from

Motorola TLKR T92 H2O Walkie-Talkie Twin Pack

The Motorola TLKR T92 H2O walkie-talkie is IP67 rated and submersible in up to 1 metre of water for 30 minutes.

www.radiotrader.co.uk

 

[Tugmanade]

I have 3 Baofengs, not the best but for £20 each & 100 + programmable channels, both UHF & VHF not to bad at all.

 

[zambezi]

I am considering a pair of baofengs -- but I can't understand the programming ...

What are you looking to build? You do not have to use external software. Baofengs can be programmed via the keypad. Its just more fiddly. But the accompanying manual is fairly good.

The Baofeng platform lends itself to configuration as a marine VHF very well.

Hypothetically it could be configured to run the PMR frequencies but that would not be legal in the UK as the Baofeng has a detatchable aerial and higher power capability.

If you have a UK registered frequency in the VHF range, that would be a viable project. And as a HAM, you would be legally allowed to use frequencies and power levels that accord to your certification.

 

[zambezi]

If you do set a Baofeng up as a marine VHF, remember to disable transmission on channel 70 as that is reserved for DSC data:

 

[sh1kar]

I have 3 Kenwoods from 30plus years ago. Still going strong
S

 

[Broadarrow]

I want to use as PMR - AND marine ...as in processor purchasing a boat .. ( radio exam to sit soon ) .- just want the flexibility of being able to programme various frequencies and not have to purchase separate radios etc

 

[Cris]

You need to be careful of the advice being given. Fine to do what you want but be sure you know what you are doing.
There are legal options and non legal.
If you pay for a PMR licence and get a frequency then that's legal. If you choose to get PMR 446 that is free to use, then Boefeng radios are not legal to use even if you put them on the right frequency and low power. They have removable antennas that make them non complaint for PMR446.
You can get legal PMR 446 radios but they have poor range and will disappoint despite the claims of 10km range.
Ham radio frequencies are better but again you and whoever else is using them will a need a licence and callsign issued by OFCOM.

 

[Goingback]

OFCOM now do a Business Lite package now, £75 for five years and five frequencies (you get a selection)
I have 20+ Icoms and they are great

 

[zambezi]

I want to use as PMR - AND marine

As I posted above in #13, it is possible to configure the Baofeng to perform both marine VHF and PMR roles...but...you would be in breach of Ofcom regulations if you ran a radio with a detachable aerial in the license-free PMR446 mode.

As I said, if you pay for licensed frequencies, there is no reason why you could not run those plus marine VHF on one platform. [But note that using marine VHF frequencies on land is not allowed.]

And, as you already acknowledge, operating a marine VHF requires an appropriate licence. Getting that is a doddle. HAM license is a bit more involved but entirely do-able.

PM if you want me to walk you through CHIRP editing and flashing img files onto Baofeng.

 

[Superdrazy]

Do you want license or not licensed?
kenwood, another good make. I have a pair if interested, I used them as intercoms on my motorbike. Don’t need them anymore.

I actually don't know the difference. I assume one you have to pay a subscription?