Re: 2018 MexTrek #7, Oct 20th - 23rd 2018
If anyone is interested I have four (4) Baofeng UV-B5 radios programmed and available for loan. Both standard/stubby antennas, charging cradles and I even have two battery eliminator packs so you can plug directly into 12V acc/cig plug. No headsets though, I would just clip to my Camelback strap. The model number doesn't exactly match so Peter will need to chime in if compatiable.
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Anything that runs UHF 400-520 and VHF 136-174 will have exact matches to the Baofeng UV-5R. This is most radios out there. But we mainly stick to the channels broadcast on the FRS spectrum, family radio service (FRS/GMRS) which even the cheap little handhelds broadcast on. These work on UHF 462 thru 467 UHF. The list of channels is:
1 FRS/GMRS 462.5625 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
2 FRS/GMRS 462.5875 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
3 FRS/GMRS 462.6125 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
4 FRS/GMRS 462.6375 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
5 FRS/GMRS 462.6625 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
6 FRS/GMRS 462.6875 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
7 FRS/GMRS 462.7125 2W / 12.5kHz 5W / 25kHz*
8 FRS/GMRS 467.5625 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
9 FRS/GMRS 467.5875 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
10 FRS/GMRS 467.6125 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
11 FRS/GMRS 467.6375 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
12 FRS/GMRS 467.6625 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
13 FRS/GMRS 467.6875 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
14 FRS/GMRS 467.7125 0.5W / 12.5kHz 0.5W / 12.5kHz
15 FRS/GMRS 462.5500 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
16 FRS/GMRS 462.5750 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
17 FRS/GMRS 462.6000 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
18 FRS/GMRS 462.6250 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
19 FRS/GMRS 462.6500 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
20 FRS/GMRS 462.6750 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
21 FRS/GMRS 462.7000 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
22 FRS/GMRS 462.7250 2W / 12.5kHz 50W / 25kHz*
We just grab one randomly, not 1 or 2 or 3 due to regular use, and stick to it the whole ride. We announce before the ride starts.
On any programmable radio you just have to type in the frequency on the keypad, aka 4 6 2 6 3 7 (no need to put in the last digit...5...the radio rounds) and you are working on FRS channel 4. Press and hold the lock button so the only button the radio can use is push to talk, and you are ready to ride. Takes all of 10 seconds in practice.
I could yell, VHF...173500 and everyone in a group could switch in a matter of seconds assuming they took 2 minutes to learn the basics of radio operation from a user.
as far as using UHF vs VHF (ultra high versus very high frequency): FROM THE NET:
Iit's a trade off. But the general rule-of-thumb is if you are using the radio primarily outdoors where you will have clear line-of-sight then VHF is a better choice because it's signal will travel farther. BUT, if you will beusing your radio in or around buildings, in urban areas, or heavily wooded areas, then UHF is a better choicebecause it's signal will navigate around structures better, not being blocked as easily as VHF. The trade-off you are making is longer distance (VHF), vs avoiding possible "dead spots" in and around structures (UHF).