VHF Radios

[ironmike]

Question for everyone on these VHF handhelds from China.
What's the best one to get and what's the best way to rig them up for the Mtns.?
I heard RGM sells/programs them.

Thanks

 

[MOUNTAIN MICKEY]

There are some good reviews on this site. Newer higher wattage radios are coming out and getting good reviews. Most of the popular ones right now are in the 4-5 watt power range but the 8-10 and higher wattage ones are getting popular. Don't think you will get an answer as to what one is the best as most are pretty comparable. What determines BEST. All are about as easy to use as others. Some program easier than others. some have more or better accessories. If you carry a beacon set up they may interfere with it. You can buy pre programed radios on this site. you can also buy from Ebay, Amazon and a number of other sites. Lots of good Baofengs--Zastones are coming on strong etc. You are going to get a few different answers on this topic. Spare batteries--bigger batteries are important to a lot of people.

 

[broke'n'nuts]

Question for everyone on these VHF handhelds from China.
What's the best one to get and what's the best way to rig them up for the Mtns.?
I heard RGM sells/programs them.

Thanks

There is lots of info on the site about these. Of you're a do it your selfer u can probably save some money, buy one on line and program it your self. I don't have the time or inclination for that. Ordered mine from Ray. Preprogrammed and set up. Clip and go. Fast and easy transaction. To each their own. We were able to hear the highway truckers while riding around sicamous. All in all pretty happy. Find a cover/screen for Mic is next on the to do

 

[Zrock]

Boefang is the popular one but retevis and a few other brands are made by the same company and are the exact same radio. You can order yourself a kit off ebay that includes the radio, longer antenna (sometimes harder to find in the package), mike, heaset, and everything else you need to get running. Programming is simple and takes about 20 min the first time since you are making up the original file. After that any changes you want to make only takes minutes.

 

[LID]

The setup from RGM on this site has a great radio, all the accessories you need, and all the channels you need already programmed in. Turn it on and use it

Quick turn around and great price. You might think save a few bucks, program yourself, and go right off amazon. Better to have the thing ready to go when you get it instead of having it just sit around while you try and figure out the programming

I bought a few from him so that I had extra quality radios when people bring crap

 

[Slamnek]

I bought 2 of the new BF-F8HP with shoulder mic right off the Baofeng website (it goes through amazon) and it cost me $260 shipped. if you can dial a phone, you can program these radios