CUFF Meeting Wednesday December 1 at Tavern 101 in Agoura at 6 pm

Emergency Radio Communication

Radio Prep & Products: Hand-held Amateur Radios (GMRS frequencies) radio communication for emergency communications.

COME & FIND OUT MORE. No need to bring any radios or have a license. For those who want to explore more info before the meeting, feel free to explore more below....

How-to (Revised).  Hand-held Amateur Radios (GMRS frequencies) radio communication for emergency communications.

If you are certain that you want to take part, then get the FCC GMRS license now, before the meeting.  If you want to get on the air, and practice, at the meeting you will need a license.  It is a license, not a test.  It only involves paying a fee.  Get that license now.
– Tony Dolz   [email protected]

BaoFeng BF-F8HP

BaoFeng BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

Authentic Nagoya NA-771G Handheld GMRS Antenna (15.3 Inch)

***IMPORTANT**** UNDER CONNECTOR TYPE, CHOOSE [SMA FEMALE] FROM THE DROP DOWN OPTIONS. The authentic Nagoya NA-771G is a GMRS antenna and is specifically tuned for 462MHz frequencies on the GMRS. The NA-771G works with GMRS two way way radios, including the Wouxun KG-805G. It is available in your choice of an SMA Male, SMA Female or BNC antenna connector.

BL-5L 3800mAh Battery Pack | High Capacity Extended Battery

Extended Long Life replacement battery for the UV-5R and BF-F8HP Series BaoFeng Radios. The BTECH BL-5L is an essential accessory to prolong the battery life compared the stock BaoFeng BF-F8HP battery or UV5R battery. The BTECH BL-5L Baofeng battery pack, more then doubles the battery life of your UV-5R series radio, when compared to the stock BL-5 Battery. Average users can will be able to go 2 days without a charge; while light users can go a whole week without needing to charge your battery.

PC03 Programming Cable

The PC03 is the genuine USB programming cable you want for easily connecting your radio to your computer. The PC03 works with Kenwood 2 Pin connections (K1 standard) used on radios such as: Kenwood, BTECH, BaoFeng, Wouxun, TYT and many others! No Driver Issues – No old drivers needed – Plug and Play

If you want to get on the air and practice at the meeting you will need a license. It is a license, not a test. It only involves paying a fee. Get that license now.

Quick Summary – Click Button above for full instructions

NOTES:

Why General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) and why this particular BF-F8HP Baofeng radio?  Because: (1) it can handle both Amateur Radio and GMRS assigned frequencies (It is best to have that option).  (2)  It puts out 8 Watts instead of 2 or 5 Watts.  (3)  It supports simple programming via computers with “Chirp” software (free program).  (4) It is cheap.  (5)  It is popular and familiar to other people, who can then help you.

On the other hand, Amateur Radio (HAM) requires a passing a knowledge test, GMRS does not.  With GMRS one simply tunes to one of 22 “channels” instead of a very large selection of frequencies.  Both HAM and GMRS support “repeaters”, for extended range.   If you do not care for the HAM option (and option), and you don’t care the theoretical greater reach of 8 Watts instead of 2 or 5 Watts, then you can buy any GMRS radio that is made for ONLY GMRS.

Disclaimers:  Handhelds (without repeaters) are for line of sight communication reaching maximum about 2 mile radius, big obstacles reduces the theoretical reach.
Think of handheld as short-distance radio to radio communication for up to 2 miles reach, and as potentially a network of individual “satellite” handhelds linked to a portable or stationary hub (a repeater) that can extend the rage to 25-30 miles and be daisy-chained to other repeaters extending the range further.

REPEATERS: In regards to repeaters, that WILL BE phase 2 of our learning curve on radio communications, and for another day.  The first phase will be ONLY on starting with your own individual handheld radio.  The first phase is so simple that you will be communicating with others following a 30 minute presentation or shorter.  Once we are familiar with individual handhelds, weeks or month later,  will have the opportunity to learn how to become mobile or stationary “repeaters” for the group (the network).  Repeaters will cost from about $1500+ to setup and can be operated from a vehicle or stationary from a high structure, tower, or hill top.

Tony Dolz   [email protected]