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Author Topic: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu  (Read 1122 times)

SOFAR

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #15 on: November 16, 2021, 01:59:39 AM »

I'm not convinced by the AA battery trays - in all the examples I've come across, the radio cuts the output power heavily on AA cells and the battery life expectancy is poor. On my FT-1D, the power available is reduced to 0.8W maximum.

Martin (G8FXC)

Need 6 AA cells for full power capability.
I had an FT-60 with a 6 cell tray.
Currently have an Icom ic-t70a, also has 6 AA tray.

With only three cells, I would try Energizer ultimate lithium.
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SOFAR

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #16 on: November 16, 2021, 02:08:44 AM »

I tried to manually program mine once, and almost used it for target practice, so chirp and a cable are an absolute must. 

Manual programming is not difficult. The included instruction manual is not well written. And some settings are redundant.

Miklor.com website has manual programming instructions.
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G8FXC

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #17 on: November 16, 2021, 02:17:23 AM »

I'm not convinced by the AA battery trays - in all the examples I've come across, the radio cuts the output power heavily on AA cells and the battery life expectancy is poor. On my FT-1D, the power available is reduced to 0.8W maximum.

Martin (G8FXC)

Need 6 AA cells for full power capability.
I had an FT-60 with a 6 cell tray.
Currently have an Icom ic-t70a, also has 6 AA tray.

With only three cells, I would try Energizer ultimate lithium.
Not so easy any more - those are both large and quite elderly radios. The trend today is towards smaller radios and 6AA batteries would be difficult, if not impossible, to accommodate.

Martin (G8FXC)
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AG6LQ

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #18 on: December 07, 2021, 11:01:13 AM »

Well, I pulled the trigger.
Bought a TIDradio kit with the programming cable, a large and small battery, drop in charger.
It's supposed to be a 3rd gen UV5R. It looks OK. But who knows? I wasn't able to determine what the relationship is between Baofung (if that exists) and TIDradio. Their allegation is that they check things before shipping. Hard to know with the Chinese.
Baofung might be a generic name and someone makes the parts and hundreds of others actually assemble them. For all I know!

I had to install the drivers for the included programming cable, and it will read from the radio but I haven't yet gotten it to upload to the radio.
What does "fake cables" mean? Is this the problem with the cable I have that needs a driver, the other cable is driverless on windows. I wonder if that's the defect?

« Last Edit: December 07, 2021, 11:03:52 AM by AG6LQ »
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KM3F

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #19 on: December 07, 2021, 09:34:14 PM »

For a dual band FM loaded with good features includuing VOX, SCAN, can tell you the channel your on, has weather band, aircraft band, light contol of the display and programable from the front panel etc. There are 18 menus to set other features you need for repeaters. You can't go wrong with an Alinco DJVX50 at about $100 depending on where you purchuse from.
It is even semi water resistant. A hand/speaker mike is avaiable and some other operating aids.
Tx  audio out and Rx in,  is very good.
The 'china' is junk compared to this one,for quality and build, if you care..
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AG6LQ

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #20 on: December 07, 2021, 09:46:46 PM »

I have this one now, so I will have to see if it meets my needs at all.
I'll have to look into that.
One thing, the programming cable for the Alinco is $48.95 and batteries are $40 at HRO.
It's hard to understand that. The radio is $90.
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KM3F

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #21 on: December 08, 2021, 05:50:20 PM »

Batteries are always expensive part of an HT.
As far as a programing cable; unless your putting in a hundred repeaters and never use even a quarter of them, learn how to program from the front buttons.
Key in the output frequency.
The off set is already automatic at .6 but can be changed.
The menu allows you to set the pl tone.
Then set to memory.
You can even turn on the voice that tells you what channel your on without even looking.
Just make a list to look at while  turning the control on top.
.
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AG6LQ

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #22 on: December 14, 2021, 06:44:15 AM »


The programming cables are also knocked off with bad chips in them. Buy a cable from a known seller.

I have a CH340 cable, which apparently needs a driver. Is that the "fake cable?" I have a lot of trouble with the CH340 driver on Windows 10. The FTDI cable is maybe driverless. Much more expensive, the CH340 cable was included with the kit.

Is that what you meant by fake?
« Last Edit: December 14, 2021, 06:47:15 AM by AG6LQ »
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W1VT

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K1FBI

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #24 on: December 24, 2021, 04:58:39 AM »

My wife and I use a pair of UV5Rs for short range communications around the marina and there is nothing wrong with the microphone or transmit audio. I talk to her face to face many times per day, so I know exactly what her voice sounds like - and the audio coming out of the UV5R is very recognizable her.

Martin G8FXC

Exactly, I have a UV-B5 and when I use it cross-band repeat through either of my Icom rigs people ask what I am running.  I get compliments on how great my audio sounds.
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WA2ISE

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #25 on: December 25, 2021, 04:41:54 PM »

Maybe you can replace the batteries with a li-ion battery module. like I did here http://www.wa2ise.com/radios/ic-u2at-batterymod.htm
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K6LCS

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #26 on: December 26, 2021, 10:13:18 AM »

The Yaesu FT-60R is about the ONLY HT that - when using the optional FBA-25 Battery Tray - allows FULL TX POWER ... if you really need it.

The FT-60R is the best feature set of ANY 2/440 FM voice HT. Has been for many years.

Clint Bradford K6LCS
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Clint Bradford, K6LCS
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http://www.work-sat.com
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KM3F

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #27 on: December 28, 2021, 01:50:35 PM »

I would still suggest replacing with a new HT.
Again, the ALINCO DJV50 is a dual band for the cost of about $100.
If battery life is a concern, purchase a second battery.
The charge cradle is designed to just accept the battery without the radio for charging.
This may be the deal you need.
The charge system is only for AC but can get around it for mobile use by using a 'BUCK" converter 10 to 25 volts DC in from the mobile power point . The deal here is the charge cradle input is 9 volts from an AC wall wort.
Adjust the Buck converter for 9 volts and you have automatic charging and can even transmit with the radio in the cradle that cannot be done from a wall wort supply.
The BUCK converter is called a DROK. Look it up and see the selection offered. It is very small and handles 3 amps with no noise of any kind.
I use this setup for mobile and portable application driving a 40-watt amplifier and have a load of fun with the station setup using the Alinco hand Mic.  Seems the audio from this radio is exceptional since nearly every contact mentions it without ever asking.
There you have it, tried and proven.
When investing in quality, it usually shows.
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K1FBI

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #28 on: December 28, 2021, 04:06:00 PM »

I would still suggest replacing with a new HT.
Again, the ALINCO DJV50 is a dual band for the cost of about $100.
If battery life is a concern, purchase a second battery.
The charge cradle is designed to just accept the battery without the radio for charging.
This may be the deal you need.
The charge system is only for AC but can get around it for mobile use by using a 'BUCK" converter 10 to 25 volts DC in from the mobile power point . The deal here is the charge cradle input is 9 volts from an AC wall wort.
Adjust the Buck converter for 9 volts and you have automatic charging and can even transmit with the radio in the cradle that cannot be done from a wall wort supply.
The BUCK converter is called a DROK. Look it up and see the selection offered. It is very small and handles 3 amps with no noise of any kind.
I use this setup for mobile and portable application driving a 40-watt amplifier and have a load of fun with the station setup using the Alinco hand Mic.  Seems the audio from this radio is exceptional since nearly every contact mentions it without ever asking.
There you have it, tried and proven.
When investing in quality, it usually shows.

You can have the best of both worlds too. The owner’s manual is printed in China.

Also, the manual states: PROFESSIONAL FM Transceiver.

So you know it’s got to be good🙂
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W8LV

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Re: Baofeng to replace my aging Yaesu
« Reply #29 on: January 26, 2022, 01:54:48 PM »

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