The programming cable will greatly help you as well as the free chirp program, while bulky an upgraded antenna will greatly help with range, Nagoya NA-771 is one of the better long range antennas, they are about 15" long but help. Be advised though you really need at least a tech license to be legal on these radios.
@reneestump Good deal, they are a pretty good radio for the price, although you can not transmit on them right now you are legal to listen on them, I would look up what local repeaters you have in the area and you can listen in on what is going on around you. You also have the ability to listen to the local/ regional weather broadcast as well.
A agree with @Akonaste, Ham Radio Crash Course is a very good reference to have. Something to keep in mind is that getting your tech license will not make you proficient in ham radio it just tests on a basic knowledge, the real learning comes after when you get to do practical application, if you can it helps greatly to find an experienced Amateur or a club to learn from and most are more than willing to impart a whole lot of information to help you.
I wish google still had "Hangouts". I'm thinking the seasoned hams(pun intended) would be great at showing us noobs how to program and listen properly. I have 2 uv-82 hp's but no ticket(license) yet.
Yeah, I got my GMRS license... there's no test. Just a fee. And the whole family can use it. I'm eager to learn but still very much a n00b. I at least have my radios programmed for simplex.
The programming cable will greatly help you as well as the free chirp program, while bulky an upgraded antenna will greatly help with range, Nagoya NA-771 is one of the better long range antennas, they are about 15" long but help. Be advised though you really need at least a tech license to be legal on these radios.
Thanks. We got a package that came with the cable, a CD, extra batteries & 771 antenna.
We are planning a license. These are strictly SHTF right now.
@reneestump Good deal, they are a pretty good radio for the price, although you can not transmit on them right now you are legal to listen on them, I would look up what local repeaters you have in the area and you can listen in on what is going on around you. You also have the ability to listen to the local/ regional weather broadcast as well.
Some useful videos... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeXKrKEaeiI&list=RDCMUChAu6Cof9KlfFxSbL9ytosQ&index=2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyHwAq7w9QE&list=RDCMUChAu6Cof9KlfFxSbL9ytosQ&start_radio=1&t=11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZMRKJy6HBA&list=LLc8xUo6iZj49NIG4OOBrHrw&index=2&t=0s
A agree with @Akonaste, Ham Radio Crash Course is a very good reference to have. Something to keep in mind is that getting your tech license will not make you proficient in ham radio it just tests on a basic knowledge, the real learning comes after when you get to do practical application, if you can it helps greatly to find an experienced Amateur or a club to learn from and most are more than willing to impart a whole lot of information to help you.
Thanks everyone. I know this was the right place to ask. We are excited to continue learning.
I wish google still had "Hangouts". I'm thinking the seasoned hams(pun intended) would be great at showing us noobs how to program and listen properly. I have 2 uv-82 hp's but no ticket(license) yet.
Yeah, I got my GMRS license... there's no test. Just a fee. And the whole family can use it. I'm eager to learn but still very much a n00b. I at least have my radios programmed for simplex.
And congratulations on the newest acquisition @reneestump
I found using the Chirp program (free to download) was the easiest way to program mine.