Inexpensive amatuer radio kit - the Baofeng uv-3r

[Rosesandtea]

In October 2010 dh and I took the amateur radio foundation course, and got our licenses. Unfortunately finances meant we didn't seem to be able to afford any radio kit, month after month, and I must admit I've forgotten almost everything we learned. Then we heard from some of our radio club members - at the target shooting club! - about these little hand-held radios that cost very little.

They are becoming very popular in the ham radio world, because for their size and price they are excellent value. They are usable as PMRs, as well at regular radio at 70cm and 2 meter bands. (I checked with my foundation course instructor and he assured me that they were perfectly legal in the UK if used correctly. I asked because on some forums there were questions about the use of them as PMRs.)

Here is where we got ours
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170729358098? ... 1439.l2649

As you can see they cost £29.98, and that includes postage from Hong Kong. Ours arrived in just over a week. They are marked as toys, but they are not junky at all.

On youtube we found a "Quick Start Guide" which we found helpful as the little manual is extremely limited.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9DRmv77 ... 1A53FA78DD

We bought two of them so we could use them as PMRs, and hope to buy more next year for other of our family.

[TeeDee]

I'm a radio virgin...whats PMR???

[WhiteWolf]

I'm a radio virgin...whats PMR???

PMR = Private Mobile Radio

I have These on a recomendation from lots of people including Gnoley

WW

[Rosesandtea]

I want to update this and clarify- as I misremembered something and don't want to cause anyone any grief.
My instructor didn't say they were perfectly legal to use as PMRs- that was a memory fault of mine and I apologise to you all. What he said is a bit complicated and I won't risk trying to get it all right here.

They are, however, legal for 2 meter and 70 cm use in the UK, and in certain countries the PMR function would be perfectly legal. As to whether or not the PMR function is OK in the UK, it does contravene the "no detachable antenna" rule. We did get them, though, for use as ham radio equipment and they are fine for license holders to have and use for that purpose.

I would hate for someone to think I am promoting something wrong, but at the same time I'd hate for someone to not buy this because they thought "she was wrong on the PMR bit, so I bet she is wrong on the radio bit too." I know the cost is a big reason that many people don't go for their licenses and for kit subsequently.

[Ian]

They look to be cracking kit, really value for money. I wish they had been around when we were buying handhelds, instead we went the Yeasu route and I could have bought six of those for one VX-5. China must really be hurting Yeasu and Icom.

Eham seem to like them but seem to agree that another rubber duck would help.

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9749 ... 08po4mi1s3

Can they be programmed via lead from a computer, I have found that saves a lot of time?

If you make a simple J-pole aerial you can boost the range considerably. This one you can make from an old TV/VHF 300 Ohm aerial:

http://elkhartcap.com/FLEXIBLEJPOLEANTENNA.aspx

Can you get into GB3NE which I usually monitor at the weekends?

I am M0ICM