After volunteering down in E. TN and W. NC I will say that a good comms plan and the ability to use them is paramount. I went down with a simple UV5R and basic knowledge. I am completely revamping my setup and comms plan after putting my gear and my stupidity to the test.
@@Ef554rgcc In case you do not get a reply here is what I have learned listening to others who also volunteered in that region recently 1. Get a good antenna. Radio is immensely affected by antenna 2. Get a better radio than a UV5R. You want ruggedness and some waterproofing. At least get a backup for the UV5R because they break. Ensure you have all the right chargers and extra batteries too 3. Get a PTT so you can work and talk without having to pull out the radio 4. Learn how to program repeaters and how to front program your radio you never know when someone is on a different frequency and being able to quickly store that in a memory channel without CHIRP or computer software is critical 5. Consider a mobile setup even if it is just laying there with a temp cord through the door with a large antenna. It is a force multiplier and dramatically improves reach with the larger antenna and power 6. Consider technologies like digital especially DMR since those are pretty popular and a lot of people are running digital 7. Be prepared to operate on UHF/VHF as well as GMRS/FRS. Some radios require a MARS mod to be able to run GMRS/FRS, so if you have just 1 radio, you may not be able to work with GMRS/FRS which are what a lot of the bubble pack box store radios people have.
aye, this was a great overview of gear's pros and cons. very useful. some gits elsewhere in the comments moaning that yer man doesn't understand radio frequency, and me thinking “that's not the point of the video at all, good grief” :)
"Comms is one of those things that, if you don't have it set up right, there's not really a point in having it." Very well said. I should mention, the accessory connector that the ailunce radio uses is called the motorola M5. It's become popular with chinese manufacturers who make waterproof radios because it's more robust than the kenwood plug. I use a retevis NR30 radio with the m5 accessory plug, and I hate to say I prefer it over the ubiquitous K1 plug. 5:43 you articulate a suspicion that I've had: motorola creates new accessory plug standards for their radios to keep ahead of cloners as the patents expire. They charge a LOT for "official" on-brand accessories. Factor in how they make radio programming exceptionally difficult, and you see that motorola not a civilian-friendly company.
Good intro video to get people to look at comms as a useful tool. Everyone bypasses comms and it’s probably the most important aspect to being prepared. New(er) tech like Beartooth and Mesh networks are really progressing as well.
The Baofeng BF8HP is a very solid radio that holds up to a lot of abuse. Paired with a Nagoya 771a antenna, this radio works really well for most applications. I use a Disco 32 PTT and Comtac headset. Great setup. The Retevis Aillunce HD2 offers encryption, gps, chat groups, and 10w of power. Very reliable, durable, and secure. A simple adapter allows you to use most PTT's and headsets. These radios are VHF/UHF and use ham 2m/70cm bands, plus the gmrs bands.
I am searching for the digital radio for that role. Yaesu vx6 is the radio for analogue duties in my kit. Hytera and grey market Motorola are quite expensive but durable and capable... How is the Retivis for waterproofing and durability
Have you tried the silenyx earpro/coms? They are ear pieces/plugs. Just a thought, might have more versatility if going back and forth from hat to helmet?
The Baofeng may not be the Best Secure Radio, But it Definitely Operates on WAY MORE Frequencies Then FRS, or "Walmart kids radios" (I don't know who told you that) it works on a huge Range from VHF or UHF, and with the right antenna is more than enough for doing 'Minuteman' or Disaster/Rescue/Relief operations. You will just need a basic HAM Radio License Outside of Emergency Situations. Or GMRS/FMRS License if choosing GMRS/FMRS Freqs to be legal and less hassle (No Testing or Studying)
I actually say this in the video. Most people that use them for recreation, airsoft, training etc. use FRS to avoid doing something illegal, but they are capable of a lot more.
@@oriontraininggroupllc2782 Technically splitting hairs, but it's worth noting for anyone who is hyper-concerned with legality - its technically illegal to transmit on FRS frequencies on the Baofeng or any other HAM radio (regardless of if you have a license or not). These radios aren't certified on FRS/GMRS/etc. bands and can only legally be used on the ham bands. I don't see any scenario that would make this an issue unless your Baofeng was producing a ton of interference on the FRS frequencies.
I know getting my license is the goal and should be priority. As of right now, I want to get my GMRS license so my wife and I have another layer of comms. Can someone please tell me the most powerful GMRS radio they would recommend? I don’t want cheap crap. I know with everything there is a low, mid and high tier. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I made a portable COMMS box with a harbor freight box and a 50 watt ANYTONE 578 DMR Mobile radio, 2- 20ah LIPO4 Batteries. I even used some adapters to run an offline tablet that has ATAK maps cached. For the antennas I used a 15’ folding tripod and and a TRAM omni directional antenna that reaches up 18’. I keep the antenna in a 6” diameter Blueprints tube but you could use a section of 6” PVC pipe and paint it. At ground level, coastal VA, I get about 15 miles using GMRS (UHF) frequencies. I’m sure if I could get the unit up on top of a building, I could easily get a lot more with 50 watts and increased line-of-sight. For handheld mid tier, I’d look at the ANYTONE 878 DMR radio or just get a dedicated Baofeng GMRS radio. They have one that does GPS also.
Motorola is really ticky about who is "allowed" to program radios purchased from them to the point that it is nearly impossible to get programming software for radios made in the 1990's that have been obsolete for 20 years. Then there are other companies - notably body armor companies - who refuse to sell legal products to anyone except law enforcement for some idiotic reason. Which is fine - I have alternative products I can buy from companies that don't suck blue babyfluid by the tanker load. Everyone that is "banned" from purchasing these products should not seek ways to get around their stupidity to buy it anyway. Just don't give them your money. I use Yaesu, Icom, and Anytone radios, and there are tons of body armor companies that make products just as good as the "LEO only" fudds. There are even reasonable alternatives to TAK systems if that's your thing, some even use frequency hopping just like the military gear if you think that prevents you from being RDF'd for some reason. Fact is though - radio discipline > fancy gear. Not that any of us should be spending that kind of money on gearing up for combat.
Sorry bud, like the channel, but your video is dangerously MISINFORMED. inaccurate, and at best applicable to single building range Law Enforcement Operations. (Which I know is your background/And Part of mine-outside 35yrs Military)
If a person tells me in the first 10 seconds of the video that they don't know about the subject I'm not sure how interested I am in watching the next 20 minutes...
I gave out very little information beyond what the radios are and how they are arranged on the kit, and some of the pros and cons of the various setups. Not sure what is dangerously misinformative there, but feel free to elaborate for everyone reading.
That's exactly why that disclaimer is there. This is for folks who are curious about what is out there and how people are using it, it's not a technical video for people who specialize in comms equipment. I am glad that the disclaimer worked for you.
@oriontraininggroupllc2782 I wasn't trying to be an A$$. And I heard and took your disclaimer into account. I am no Comms God or guru either. But telling the audience that the Baofeng is basically like the bubble 2 pack radios you buy at Wal-Mart is completely false, or misleading at best. The way you barely explained the license needed to Xmt and not explaining that the Baofengs will Xmt on FRS, GMRS, UHF, VHF to a wide range of freqs, BUT you need a license for xmting during non-emergency times did Not come across. And the take away was it's just a complicated bubble pack radio was misleading. The techniques of how to best wire headsets and antennas was helpful for beginners. Especially explaining the need for both helmet headset use and earpiece with caps use for long ops or movements. Spiritus Systems just put out a similar video as well.
After volunteering down in E. TN and W. NC I will say that a good comms plan and the ability to use them is paramount. I went down with a simple UV5R and basic knowledge. I am completely revamping my setup and comms plan after putting my gear and my stupidity to the test.
Can you share what you're changing and why?
@@Ef554rgcc In case you do not get a reply here is what I have learned listening to others who also volunteered in that region recently
1. Get a good antenna. Radio is immensely affected by antenna
2. Get a better radio than a UV5R. You want ruggedness and some waterproofing. At least get a backup for the UV5R because they break. Ensure you have all the right chargers and extra batteries too
3. Get a PTT so you can work and talk without having to pull out the radio
4. Learn how to program repeaters and how to front program your radio you never know when someone is on a different frequency and being able to quickly store that in a memory channel without CHIRP or computer software is critical
5. Consider a mobile setup even if it is just laying there with a temp cord through the door with a large antenna. It is a force multiplier and dramatically improves reach with the larger antenna and power
6. Consider technologies like digital especially DMR since those are pretty popular and a lot of people are running digital
7. Be prepared to operate on UHF/VHF as well as GMRS/FRS. Some radios require a MARS mod to be able to run GMRS/FRS, so if you have just 1 radio, you may not be able to work with GMRS/FRS which are what a lot of the bubble pack box store radios people have.
Unga Bunga Breacher man was taking them notes in my classes 😂 Good job boss!
aye, this was a great overview of gear's pros and cons. very useful.
some gits elsewhere in the comments moaning that yer man doesn't understand radio frequency, and me thinking “that's not the point of the video at all, good grief” :)
"Comms is one of those things that, if you don't have it set up right, there's not really a point in having it."
Very well said.
I should mention, the accessory connector that the ailunce radio uses is called the motorola M5. It's become popular with chinese manufacturers who make waterproof radios because it's more robust than the kenwood plug. I use a retevis NR30 radio with the m5 accessory plug, and I hate to say I prefer it over the ubiquitous K1 plug.
5:43 you articulate a suspicion that I've had: motorola creates new accessory plug standards for their radios to keep ahead of cloners as the patents expire. They charge a LOT for "official" on-brand accessories. Factor in how they make radio programming exceptionally difficult, and you see that motorola not a civilian-friendly company.
Good intro video to get people to look at comms as a useful tool. Everyone bypasses comms and it’s probably the most important aspect to being prepared. New(er) tech like Beartooth and Mesh networks are really progressing as well.
Thank you so much, this is exactly the video i've been looking for the last couple of days
The Baofeng BF8HP is a very solid radio that holds up to a lot of abuse. Paired with a Nagoya 771a antenna, this radio works really well for most applications. I use a Disco 32 PTT and Comtac headset. Great setup.
The Retevis Aillunce HD2 offers encryption, gps, chat groups, and 10w of power. Very reliable, durable, and secure. A simple adapter allows you to use most PTT's and headsets. These radios are VHF/UHF and use ham 2m/70cm bands, plus the gmrs bands.
I am searching for the digital radio for that role. Yaesu vx6 is the radio for analogue duties in my kit. Hytera and grey market Motorola are quite expensive but durable and capable... How is the Retivis for waterproofing and durability
Good video..otto noizebarrier tacs are also excellent
Have you tried the silenyx earpro/coms? They are ear pieces/plugs. Just a thought, might have more versatility if going back and forth from hat to helmet?
Thanks guys…
The Baofeng may not be the Best Secure Radio, But it Definitely Operates on WAY MORE Frequencies Then FRS, or "Walmart kids radios" (I don't know who told you that) it works on a huge Range from VHF or UHF, and with the right antenna is more than enough for doing 'Minuteman' or Disaster/Rescue/Relief operations.
You will just need a basic HAM Radio License Outside of Emergency Situations. Or GMRS/FMRS License if choosing GMRS/FMRS Freqs to be legal and less hassle (No Testing or Studying)
I actually say this in the video. Most people that use them for recreation, airsoft, training etc. use FRS to avoid doing something illegal, but they are capable of a lot more.
@@oriontraininggroupllc2782 Technically splitting hairs, but it's worth noting for anyone who is hyper-concerned with legality - its technically illegal to transmit on FRS frequencies on the Baofeng or any other HAM radio (regardless of if you have a license or not). These radios aren't certified on FRS/GMRS/etc. bands and can only legally be used on the ham bands. I don't see any scenario that would make this an issue unless your Baofeng was producing a ton of interference on the FRS frequencies.
Beofeng $30 radios produce spurious emissions, Wouzun $160 radios do not. I have both.
Don't forget to add Meshtastic and ATACs
Maybe what you meant but UHF will generally have shorter battery life than VHF. Antenna length within a band doesn’t have much effect on battery life.
Can you post the link to the comms online training.
So how does someone get the software required to program the Motorola you referenced?
I honestly have no idea. Lyndsey may know but that is a sketchy subject that is often not discussed besides face to face.
@@oriontraininggroupllc2782 that’s the vibe I get. Thanks for following up
(Boof wang)
Check out the Quansheng. Same price point as the Baofeng but has customizable firmware and is far more versatile.
Never actually boof the wang. That’s what the chicoms want you to do.
I know getting my license is the goal and should be priority. As of right now, I want to get my GMRS license so my wife and I have another layer of comms.
Can someone please tell me the most powerful GMRS radio they would recommend? I don’t want cheap crap. I know with everything there is a low, mid and high tier. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
I made a portable COMMS box with a harbor freight box and a 50 watt ANYTONE 578 DMR Mobile radio, 2- 20ah LIPO4 Batteries. I even used some adapters to run an offline tablet that has ATAK maps cached. For the antennas I used a 15’ folding tripod and and a TRAM omni directional antenna that reaches up 18’. I keep the antenna in a 6” diameter Blueprints tube but you could use a section of 6” PVC pipe and paint it. At ground level, coastal VA, I get about 15 miles using GMRS (UHF) frequencies. I’m sure if I could get the unit up on top of a building, I could easily get a lot more with 50 watts and increased line-of-sight.
For handheld mid tier, I’d look at the ANYTONE 878 DMR radio or just get a dedicated Baofeng GMRS radio. They have one that does GPS also.
Motorola is really ticky about who is "allowed" to program radios purchased from them to the point that it is nearly impossible to get programming software for radios made in the 1990's that have been obsolete for 20 years. Then there are other companies - notably body armor companies - who refuse to sell legal products to anyone except law enforcement for some idiotic reason. Which is fine - I have alternative products I can buy from companies that don't suck blue babyfluid by the tanker load. Everyone that is "banned" from purchasing these products should not seek ways to get around their stupidity to buy it anyway. Just don't give them your money.
I use Yaesu, Icom, and Anytone radios, and there are tons of body armor companies that make products just as good as the "LEO only" fudds. There are even reasonable alternatives to TAK systems if that's your thing, some even use frequency hopping just like the military gear if you think that prevents you from being RDF'd for some reason. Fact is though - radio discipline > fancy gear. Not that any of us should be spending that kind of money on gearing up for combat.
Sorry bud, like the channel, but your video is dangerously MISINFORMED. inaccurate, and at best applicable to single building range Law Enforcement Operations. (Which I know is your background/And Part of mine-outside 35yrs Military)
If a person tells me in the first 10 seconds of the video that they don't know about the subject I'm not sure how interested I am in watching the next 20 minutes...
I gave out very little information beyond what the radios are and how they are arranged on the kit, and some of the pros and cons of the various setups. Not sure what is dangerously misinformative there, but feel free to elaborate for everyone reading.
That's exactly why that disclaimer is there. This is for folks who are curious about what is out there and how people are using it, it's not a technical video for people who specialize in comms equipment. I am glad that the disclaimer worked for you.
@oriontraininggroupllc2782 I wasn't trying to be an A$$. And I heard and took your disclaimer into account. I am no Comms God or guru either.
But telling the audience that the Baofeng is basically like the bubble 2 pack radios you buy at Wal-Mart is completely false, or misleading at best. The way you barely explained the license needed to Xmt and not explaining that the Baofengs will Xmt on FRS, GMRS, UHF, VHF to a wide range of freqs, BUT you need a license for xmting during non-emergency times did Not come across. And the take away was it's just a complicated bubble pack radio was misleading. The techniques of how to best wire headsets and antennas was helpful for beginners. Especially explaining the need for both helmet headset use and earpiece with caps use for long ops or movements.
Spiritus Systems just put out a similar video as well.
@@wolfpack2486 I appreciate the explanation, but I would say that labeling baofeng as a low performance radio is not “dangerously misinformed”. 🤙