7/17/22
These items and links are purely for information and for the convenience of anyone interested.
Baofeng UV-5R Radio
Boafeng UV-5R extended battery 3800 mA-hr
RT Systems Inc. (Baofeng UV-5R programming software and cable)
The Chinese Radio Documentation Project
Plain-English Guide to the UV-5R radio, "reverse engineered".
NOTE- If you have questions or comments about one of our upcoming sessions or related to this material, please leave a comment on the appropriate blog post and I will try to address it here. You're probably not the only person with this question, so having Q&A here on the blog will be helpful to others. (As opposed to using email).
Study Guides for the Technician Class Amateur Radio Test
There are a number of guides out there. All of the ones I've seen are good, the best one for you may depend on which learning style works best for you.
Gordon West study guide - More of a Cliff's Notes guide, with less explanation than the ARRL guide.
KB6NU's No-Nonsense Study Guides (free PDF download)
NOTE- If you have questions or comments about one of our upcoming sessions or related to this material, please leave a comment on the appropriate blog post and I will try to address it here. You're probably not the only person with this question, so having Q&A here on the blog will be helpful to others. (As opposed to using email).
7/13/22
Basic Radio Information
Suggested reading, sources of information, helpful facts
Amazon links (as of 7/13/22) for suggested radios.
Baofeng UV-5R with extra battery ($40)
Radio Frequencies (MHz)
MURS1 151.820
MURS2 151.880
MURS3 151.940
MURS4 154.570
MURS5 154.600
FRS1* 462.5625
FRS2* 462.5875
FRS3* 462.6125
FRS4* 462.6375
FRS5* 462.6625
FRS6* 462.6875
FRS7* 462.7125
FRS 8 467.5625
FRS 9 467.5875
FRS 10 467.6125
FRS 11 467.6375
FRS 12 467.6625
FRS 13 467.6875
FRS 14 467.7125
GMRS15 462.550
GMRS16 462.575
GMRS17 462.600
GMRS18 462.625
GMRS19 462.650
GMRS20 462.675
GMRS21 462.700
GMRS22 462.725
Basic Radio Operator Qualification Card
Rev. 062016
Equipment
Required equipment:
1) Baofeng UV5R or similar multiband radio.
2) Spare battery/batteries for radio
3) Ear bud and microphone for radio
Optional Equipment:
1) Directional VHF/UHF antenna
2) 15” whip antenna for radio
3) Magnetic base mount antenna for radio
4) FRS handheld radio, one per adult.
Knowledge Factors
1. Explain the difference between the radio's FREQUENCY mode and its CHANNEL (memory) mode.
2. List the 14 FRS radio frequencies. This may be done from a “cheat sheet” carried with gear, from a reference manual, by memory, or by using frequencies pre-programmed into the radio's memory.
3. Explain the practical and legal differences between transmitting on unlicensed (FRS) frequencies and licensed (Amateur, GMRS) frequencies, for an individual who is not licensed by the FCC.
4. Describe the circumstances under which it is legal for an unlicensed person to transmit on licensed radio frequencies.
5. Recite the ITU/NATO phonetic alphabet from memory.
Radio Practical Factors
1. Set the radio to a particular simplex FRS frequency (e.g. FRS Channel 7).
2. Using a Baofeng UV5R or similar radio, perform the following tasks:
a. Turn radio on/off, adjust volume.
b. Replace the battery.
c. Switch the radio from CHANNEL (memory) to FREQUENCY mode, and from FREQUENCY mode to CHANNEL (memory) mode.
d. Make a simplex radio-to-radio contact on the FRS portion of the UHF band.
e. Use the radio to call in a training situation report to another radio station.
f. Monitor two radio channels simultaneously e.g. FRS Channel 1 and FRS Channel 7.
g. While monitoring two channels, use the A/B function to transmit on one frequency, followed by a transmission on the other frequency.
3. Set up a VHF/UHF radio for field use:
a. Turn off radio backlighting
b. Turn off radio voice confirmation
c. Adjust radio transmit power from HIGH to LOW, and from LOW to HIGH
d. Turn off “Roger beep”
4. If supported by your radio, copy one radio’s memory into another radio in the field with a cloning cable.
5. Walk through/simulate using a USB computer programming cable to program your radio, using CHIRP or RT Systems software.
6. Wipe the radio (reset all menus, erase all VFOs and memory channels) ->Menu # 40
Further Reading and Resources
Brushbeater RTO Basic and Advanced Classes
Brushbeater - Squaring Away Communications Basics
Everyday Marksman articles
“Now is the time to get an amateur radio license”
Overview of all kinds of unlicensed radios of interest to preppers:
Tactical Wisdom
Tactical Wisdom Books (recommended)
