Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
-
- Regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 19:05
- Location: North London
Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
I am looking at purchasing a few PMR446 compatible radios for use on road trips in the UK and Europe.
I have been looking at the both the Baofeng UV-5R and 888S but not sure which would be better.
I would like the radios to work with each other on the PMR446 frequencies. I assume I can do this by configuring the first in Chirp and then copying the config to the other radios.
BUT, in certain circumstances I would also like the radios to be compatible with the Cobra MT975. I am assuming that although the Cobra will be on the same 446 frequencies but their CTCSS codes will be different.
Does this mean I need the handset to be capable of 16 settings e.g. 8 at 446 frequencies with DCS (for less intereference) when only using Baofengs and 8 at 446 frequencies with CTCSS for compatibility with the Cobra ?
Also, there are 8 analogue 446 frequencies but this may be increased to 16 imminently. Is this correct and would the UV-5R be a better future proof purchase than the 888S ?
Thanks for your help.
I have been looking at the both the Baofeng UV-5R and 888S but not sure which would be better.
I would like the radios to work with each other on the PMR446 frequencies. I assume I can do this by configuring the first in Chirp and then copying the config to the other radios.
BUT, in certain circumstances I would also like the radios to be compatible with the Cobra MT975. I am assuming that although the Cobra will be on the same 446 frequencies but their CTCSS codes will be different.
Does this mean I need the handset to be capable of 16 settings e.g. 8 at 446 frequencies with DCS (for less intereference) when only using Baofengs and 8 at 446 frequencies with CTCSS for compatibility with the Cobra ?
Also, there are 8 analogue 446 frequencies but this may be increased to 16 imminently. Is this correct and would the UV-5R be a better future proof purchase than the 888S ?
Thanks for your help.
- Admiral
- Legend
- Posts: 10108
- Joined: 08 Mar 2011, 21:20
- Call Sign: 26TM157
- Location: MK-UK
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
Both sets can be configured for all 446 channels and CTCSS and DCS codes, so will be compatible with each other and the Cobras with proper programming.
I would be more concerned about taking and using non-CEPT radios over the water, their gestapo may not be as friendly as ours to illegal radio operation.
I would be more concerned about taking and using non-CEPT radios over the water, their gestapo may not be as friendly as ours to illegal radio operation.
Winner of the 2017 IBTL 'Summer Sizzler' competition
-
- Regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 19:05
- Location: North London
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
Thanks Admiral. I am a bit of a noob so forgive my ignorance.
What is CEPT ?
Also, I was under the impression that the PMR 446 frequencies are unlicensed in the EU as well as the UK ?
What is CEPT ?
Also, I was under the impression that the PMR 446 frequencies are unlicensed in the EU as well as the UK ?
- Admiral
- Legend
- Posts: 10108
- Joined: 08 Mar 2011, 21:20
- Call Sign: 26TM157
- Location: MK-UK
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
They are licence free, but you can't be using 5w dual band sets on there, there is set of protocols to make sets complaint, as I said, OFCOM may turn a blind eye to such practices over here, but them European authorities may not be so friendly.
Winner of the 2017 IBTL 'Summer Sizzler' competition
- Metradio
- Radio Addict
- Posts: 603
- Joined: 28 Apr 2016, 19:10
- Call Sign: G7HID
- Location: Box 500, Slough UK
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
Especially now we are giving them the bird..Admiral wrote:.... OFCOM may turn a blind eye to such practices over here, but them European authorities may not be so friendly.
Connect Systems CS750 and CS800, Hytera PD-365, Motorola DP4600.
Raspberry Pi 2 and DV4Mini HotSpot.
AOR AR-DV1 Digital Voice Receiver / eSPY on ARD V1.
Whistler WS1088 / TRX-1 / Whistler Q / UBCD3600XLT / WTR Browser.
Raspberry Pi 2 and DV4Mini HotSpot.
AOR AR-DV1 Digital Voice Receiver / eSPY on ARD V1.
Whistler WS1088 / TRX-1 / Whistler Q / UBCD3600XLT / WTR Browser.
-
- Regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 19:05
- Location: North London
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
We were in France last week and the police pulled up a couple of us for being slightly over the speed limit. They issued a small fine but said after Brexit (yes, they used the word Brexit) the fine will be a lot more !!
-
- Regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 19:05
- Location: North London
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
Just to confirm, the 888S has 8 or 16 programmable channels ?
- Admiral
- Legend
- Posts: 10108
- Joined: 08 Mar 2011, 21:20
- Call Sign: 26TM157
- Location: MK-UK
-
- Regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 19:05
- Location: North London
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
Thank you.
Given 16 is enough for me, are there any other benefits to the UV-5R over the 888S ?
Given 16 is enough for me, are there any other benefits to the UV-5R over the 888S ?
- Admiral
- Legend
- Posts: 10108
- Joined: 08 Mar 2011, 21:20
- Call Sign: 26TM157
- Location: MK-UK
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
If you have a group of many, then if you contact someone like 409 with an order of say 20 or 30 888 units then you should get a good discount and get them for maybe six quid a unit, el mucho programming for someone, but an excellent price and the lack of buttons for non-radio people to fiddle with and mess up.
Winner of the 2017 IBTL 'Summer Sizzler' competition
-
- Regular
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 22 Apr 2013, 19:05
- Location: North London
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
Funny you mention the lack of buttons, that is exactly what I was thinking.
I am happy to clone them all using Chirp but was thinking that all it takes is someone to play around with the buttons and hey presto...."my radio is broken !"
I am happy to clone them all using Chirp but was thinking that all it takes is someone to play around with the buttons and hey presto...."my radio is broken !"
- thedeerhunter270
- Top Poster
- Posts: 1248
- Joined: 13 Nov 2009, 18:47
- Location: Nr Consett County Durham
Re: Baofeng UV5 or 888 ?
Oh course they will. But as tourism has fallen dramatically in France - can't see it being the best plan.Spy wrote:We were in France last week and the police pulled up a couple of us for being slightly over the speed limit. They issued a small fine but said after Brexit (yes, they used the word Brexit) the fine will be a lot more !!
Operating in South Northumberland and Weardale.