Comms Question

[Zahntrilogy 2]

Hello! I'm looking into buying a set of walkies for myself and few others. I've heard that there are a ton of varieties and different squads use different brands.

 

What I'm wondering is: is there a walkie or brand that is used predominantly or is more widespread? I'm hoping to not have to get another set in the future if I join up with a squad or team.

 

Thanks!

Fred

[AMS Solo 56]

Bafoeng is the standard, though the cheap motorola will work....sometimes. I would recommend a website called Miklor.com

This will get you started into the world of HAM radios. If you really have some $$'s, go for a Toy Soldier brand.

[Blackbird 278]

Cheap motorola bubble pack walkies will work at smaller venues. Your local field, or some of the smaller MOUT site style venues that AMS and other promoters use are often serviced just fine by the stuff from wal-mart.

Baofengs really start to shine at an AO like d-day adventure park, where it's so big and hilly, you need a pretty badass radio to stay in communication.

My team uses the baofengs, in a mix of the UV-5r, and the uV-5ra. they do have a bit of a learning curve, and you will want to buy the programming cable when you order them (order on amazon... stupid cheap, cheaper than motorola if done right) then start reading up on how to program them and get them configured.

We have two programming files we use for games, one that is the whole of the AMS comms matrix, and another that is just standard FRS/GMRS frequencies so that on regular weekends we can talk to guys with wal-mart radios. These are uploaded as needed, and all the comms gear you could ever need is available for the baofeng radios. Headsets, handmics, throatmics, whatever coolguy stuff you want to use.

Also: Seconded recommendation for Miklor.com

 

[Run N. Gun 1]

Go with Baofeng radios and you can program them with Chirp software (if you buy the special USB cable). 

[Big Candy 321]

Bubble pack radios will no longer work for anything that is not inter-team communications.  CoST, CDF, and UFS all have custom communication matrices that exceed the capabilities of bubble pack radios.

So, if you want to be able to communicate with squads, leadership, etc, you will need something like a Baofeng.

[Guest Specs]

+1 for Baofeng radios. UV5R or UV82 are both strong options. Recommend pairing with a nagoya whip antenna. Mic preference is yours.

[Downs 99]

Here's a shopping list for you. Keep in mind these radios are capable of transmitting over a wide range of the radio spectrum and it is possible to accidently wind up on public service (LEO, Fire, ect), or HAM bands where you don't want to be. You really don't want to wind up messing around on public service frequencies. Stay on FRS,GMRS, MURS and the itinerant frequencies that AMS now uses for comms. While the baofeng isn't type certified for FRS,GMRS and MURS it works fine on those (remember to run Narrow Band if using FRS and some of the MURS frequencies or you won't wound right to those running bubble pack radios) and no one is going to come looking for you.

Baofeng. 30 dollars. You can spend 60 on the High Power one if you want. It gives you an extra 4 watts. But remember those extra 4 watts (ifyou run it on high power all the time) will cost you battery life. So run Low or Medium power unless you need the extra power to conserve power.

UV-5R
http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-Dual-Radio-Black/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464015982&sr=1-4&keywords=baofeng+uv-5r

BF-F8HP
http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BF-F8HP-Two-Way-136-174MHz-400-520MHz/dp/B00MAULSOK/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464015982&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=baofeng+uv-5r&psc=1

The antennas that now come on Baofengs are actually pretty good compared to the older tapered dome shaped ones so this is an optional step but the longer 16 inch antenna can help out with transmission and reception.
http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-NA-771-15-6-Inch-SMA-Female-BaoFeng/dp/B00KC4PWQQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464016235&sr=1-1-spons&keywords=baofeng+antenna&psc=1

Programing Cable
http://www.amazon.com/Authentic-Genuine-Programming-Cable-BaoFeng/dp/B00HUB0ONK/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1464016442&sr=1-3&keywords=baofeng+programing+cable

Spare Batteries

This is the standard size one. Some prefer the long one with larger battery capacity which I will link below.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00L6JTVC2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il?ie=UTF8&m=AA3MGRC7F9EI2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00L6JTVC2&linkCode=as2&tag=btek-20

Long Battery with 3800mAh capacity and my personal favorite the 2200mAh battery can be found at the link below. You can find the long Battery on Amazon but they're hit and miss on quality. I've dealt with BaofengTech a few times and they have solid customer service. When you go to this link click on the UV-5R accessories button on the left.
https://baofengtech.com/accessories

And you can go here for the CHIRP programing software. Don't bother with the BAOFENG factory software. It works but CHIRP is better and can program a whole range of radios.

 

http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/download

[Downs 99]

double tap.