Car to Car progress?

[russtik]

Mark, so have you got a bespoke antenna from your 'man' and did you use it in the road trip?


BTW if anyone is looking to dip their toe into the radio gear then I suggest buying a radio and cheap headset, forget antennas for now.

Radio + USB cable: £26.99
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UV-5R-BAOFENG-Dual-Band-UHF-VHF-2-Way-FM-Ham-Radio-Free-Earpiece-USB-Cable-/151379783892

Headset you can mount in ear defenders or helmet: £14.49
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zeadio-Half-Helmet-Earpiece-Headset-for-Kenwood-Radio-VEV-3288-TK373-TH79-etc-/181711647788

[SteveRST]

Russ - what's the USB cable for and should we each have one? I mean it is something I'd be likely to need/want?

My radio arrived this morning (Baofeng BF-F8+)

[kenton]

Russ, why not use these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zeadio-Overhe ... 1711647788

[russtik]

Russ - what's the USB cable for and should we each have one? I mean it is something I'd be likely to need/want?

The radios don't come pre-programmed with the PMR channel frequencies. You can either do this manually using the buttons on the handset (laborious and not obvious how to do it) or you can connect it to a PC using the USB cable and some free software called CHIRP (much easier/quicker).

I've got an import file you can use with our settings on.

[russtik]

Russ, why not use these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Zeadio-Overhe ... 1711647788

1. I often wear a helmet so want the option of using the gear in that.
2. Those aren't proper ear defenders, just cheap headphones and will probably do a terrible job of blocking out the background noise.
3. PTT button is inline so you can't mount it somewhere like your gearstick.

Have a look at the range of defenders at Screwfix, I quite like the look of the 'Howard Leight Leightning L1 Defenders' for £14:

http://www.screwfix.com/c/safety-workwear/ear-defenders-ear-plugs/cat850380

[kenton]

Ah ok.
Was mainly thinking of a spare set to take to the mountains next month.
I suppose an ear defender would be better, If T can wire his up it cant be too hard.

[Tony B]

Russ - what's the USB cable for and should we each have one? I mean it is something I'd be likely to need/want?

My radio arrived this morning (Baofeng BF-F8+)

Steve, great if you can program it via Russ's file, if not don't worry as we can manually set it up on the train......