(Part 2) Best two-way radio accessories according to redditors

You can buy the same headphone receivers for $10, and reddit will upvote it to the top

Get a BF-F9 V2+. There's a lot you can do with it. Get another antenna and a bigger battery for it. You now have a really versatile analog HT. You can reliably hit repeaters 15-ish miles away with it, depending on terrain, and in narrowband mode, probably a bit more. It has a DTMF keypad (DTMF = touch-tone phone keypad), so you can do some fun things with repeaters that have internet links and other little oddities. Get a programming cable and CHIRP, and you can do lots of fun and convenient things like program all your local repeaters and simplex calling freqs into it, and train it to swear.

Get a 12-volt power kit, a headset, and a mag-mount antenna, and now you have a halfway-respectable mobile rig. With that antenna, you'd be VERY surprised how far that little radio can reach out. I've talked to repeaters 25 miles away with my little BF-F9 and a mag-mount, and had no complaints about sound quality.

The point is, don't go crazy with expensive-ass kit right now (cue bot appearance in 3... 2... 1...). You're still very new to the hobby (I'm at the point where I'm kinda new), and you don't quite know what you like. I didn't think I'd care very much for longwave DXing and all that, and for the most part, the idea of having a "shack" doesn't appeal all that much to me, but I'm getting more and more interested in mobile HF. Just noodle around, talk to people, go to field days, etc.

Molded Earpeice for Walkie Talkie Headsets like this

Kenwood TM-D710GA. Best turnkey dual band + APRS + GPS mobile solution available IMO.

Tram 1182 Tram 1180 for the antenna. Cheap, well performing, and well built.

A Yaesu person will be along shortly to recommend the FTM-400XDR...

Maybe not the answer you want to hear, but do you have a computer programming cable? IIRC, Amazon sells (or sold) a relatively cheap fairly universal programming cable.

Run that with the free program Chirp, and you have a pretty inexpensive computer programming option.

I've found that sometimes when I'm almost ready to hurl my radio at a brick wall, programming software makes setting up the radio a breeze.

I've also found that when all else fails, the computer option is often the kick in the nuts a uncooperative radio needs.

Link to download Chirp.

Cheap programming harness

Good luck!

I added this antenna to my 550 and it about doubled my ranged from ~5nm to ~10 nm. Cheap add on that is definitely worth it.

A few things come to mind in addition to what others have said.

Change the belt to a darker one ( i cant tell if your pants are navy or black though).

Maybe a prop of some kind or a gun holster on your hip like a guard would have.

Also grab one of these http://www.retractable-badge-reels.com/i/retractable-badge-reels-swivel-hooks-12.jpg for your ID card

And this for your ear. http://www.amazon.com/Twist-Replacement-Acoustic-Radio-Headset/dp/B0058JB0EI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377398714&sr=8-1&keywords=security+ear+piece


If I see you at NYCC I will def shake your hand

Some ideas here:

A better whip antenna (others had some suggestions).

Magnetic mount antenna for the vehicle. MFJ-1721 or 1729 are cheap options. Diamond or Comet for higher quality. The Baofeng uses a SMA-male antenna connector so you'll need a SMA-female to BNC-female or SMA-female to SO-239 "pigtail" adapter cable. I don't recommend using a rigid adapter because the antenna cable can put mechanical stress on the radio's connector.

DBJ-2 antenna, a nice portable option for stationary use. Throw that in a tree and you'll get much improved range.

A speaker mic, then he can mount the radio at a fixed position in the vehicle. Makes it easier to use while driving.

Programming cable — makes it much easier to manage the list of stored frequencies and repeaters.

Extended battery — in addition to the increased runtime, this makes the radio fit my large hands better

Battery eliminator — powers the radio from a vehicle.

AA battery holder — replaces the rechargeable battery pack.

Some kind of bag or case to hold everything.

Here’s the Amazon links for the battery and the cord.

The battery is well reviewed, the cord slightly less so, but I have no complaints so far.

OK, so I think I'll be keeping my rucking setup simple to keep Cadre happy. That being said, here's my hiking setup with a TH-D74 (or any HT) in case anyone comes along in the future. (In both cases below, I'm routing the external mic/speaker up to my shoulder.)

If you don't anticipate rain/wetness, just use an external radio pouch. I use this one mounted to the side of my GR1: 5.11 Radio Pouch

If you're looking for something more discreet (ask me about that one time walking by the White House with a small HT visibly hanging off my bag -- lasers in my face and lots of stern looks) or water resistant, I'm burying the HT deep inside the bag and using this to mount the antenna externally:

• MOLLE Antenna Relocation Mount
  
• SMA Male-to-Female Extension

https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-Handheld-Speaker-Baofeng-KENWOOD/dp/B00JGNGQTQ/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1484951026&sr=8-3&keywords=handheld+speaker+mic

Disclaimer: I haven't tried myself, so I don't know if this would work without additional equipment.

The two pins are 3.5mm and 2.5mm. The 3.5mm is for the speakers and the 2.5mm is for the mic. With a 2.5mm female to 3.5mm male adapter/cable, you might be able to use any speaker microphone with the same pin setup as your mic. I'm not sure if it would always be on or if pressing the talk button would work. It's something I'm considering trying myself just for fun.

I am doing one that is fairly easy, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, basically got a charcoal suit, some aviators, got an agent style earpiece, made an shield id, and have a pistol and hostler from my other costume should be good to go..

could try something like that

Is this your first time? I have been post finish line for the Chicago Marathon the last two years and use these with a speaker mics. I used to ware them when I worked concert security, and they worked well even in that noise environment.

You could use a battery eliminator to power it without the potential of damaging the battery by being on the charger all the time. You would have to buy a 12v adapter then.

Eliminator: BaoFeng BL-5 12V Battery Eliminator for BF-F8HP, UV-5X3, and UV-5R Radios https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KZ6VGUW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_rHCDAb16QWHX5

12v adapter: AC to DC Power Socket Adapter Converter,Car Cigarette Lighter Socket Power Adapter Charger,Household Cigarette Lighter,With USB 2.0 interface(110~220V Mains to 12V ) (Classy White) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0779V1PVB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_kLCDAbDXETXMJ

Ah. Sorry to hear. Well this is the one I've had for a long time. Check it out maybe.

MaximalPower RHF 617-1N 3.5mm... https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0062FZ32C?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf

http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BL-5-AA-Battery-BF-F8HP/dp/B00LAPTWE4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1457702513&sr=8-1&keywords=uv-5r+aa

Plus, I don't know about those Li-Ion batteries from China. If this is being stored in my car, I'd rather use primary Energizer lithiums or NiMh.

https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-SRH805S-SMA-F-Antenna-Baofeng/dp/B01BDAKDJS

Yea i just programmed my local SARnet repeater and have been getting some traffic there luckily. I have a relatively small antenna right now (Nagoya NA771) but will get this on Thursday.

Assuming your coax has a PL-259 connector, you will need something like this. It's an adapter with female 3/8-24 and SO-239 jacks on it. There are others like it on Amazon and other sites, so may want to look for the best deal.

If you need a way to attach the whole thing to the flagpole, you could use something like this mount.

You might even be able to find a mount like that which comes with the SO-239 / 3/8-24 adapter.

Hopefully that helps.

These are two different items connected by standard molle strap system

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KN66QRQ/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0019MM1NC/

I put some foam in the top and bottom of the big case, and cut a slit down the smaller case to allow the sticks to stick out. The pouch in the front is big enough for the charger. It could, perhaps, fit a spare battery or 2 instead.

Would post more pictures but imgur is being weird.

Something like this?

>BaoFeng BL-1 3.7V 1500mAh Battery Pack with USB Port Power Supply for BaoFeng BF-888S & Retevis H-777 Two-Way Radio Walkie Talkie Transceiver, Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JYJCNU2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_ZH66ybRHG1SY1

Or like this?

>BTECH USB Smart Charger (9-10.8V) Transformer Cable for BaoFeng, BTECH BF-F8HP, UV-82HP, UV-5R, UV-5X3 (CH-5, CH-8, etc. charger base compatible)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H2HN1KO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XI66ybDJN7TRX

Get one of these: SO-239 to 3/8", drill the appropriate hole in the bucket, and screw it on.

Standard T-connector very common in two way radio.

https://www.amazon.com/AOER-Connector-TM-G707A-IC-F1010-IC-F1610/dp/B00ZF2H006

Or MFJ makes nice cables. I have an MFJ-5512 I think that I used in my install recently.

I'm using this for my hf antenna ...

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005OEB3IA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

max is 60 watts for vhf around and while pricey ... did allow me not to drill any holes outside.

Im running the Code Red Headsets Signal 20-K speakermic on my shoulder, where I have my Fox Listen only earpiece plugged into my Signal 20-K running across the front up to my other shoulder so I can hear through it and talk through the Signal 20-K. Whole system works great.

I use the Code Red Signal 21-K and am happy with it. A little spendy, but it's water and dust resistant and has great sound in and out.

Here. Haven't put it through particularly rigorous testing, but the form factor is nice.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZF2H006/

That's similar to what I use. I use a Retevis PTT (Which is shit) and Howard Leight Impact Sports. Works pretty well for the price. A nice Code Red PTT would be great.

I've used this for years to get through sliding glass doors and windows.

CTC-50M Original Comet Window Feed-Thru Jumper

Frequency Range: DC-1300MHz; Connectors: SO-239

Length: 15.75 inches - Impedance: 50 Ohm

Max Power: HF 100W PEP, VHF: 60W FM, UHF: 40W FM, 900MHz–1.3GHz: 10W FM

VSWR: <500MHz 1.3:1, >500MHz 1.5:1

Loss: DC-500MHz 0.5dB, 500-900MHz 1.3dB, 900-1300MHz 1.8dB

I have that satellite mount set up at my house which is a townhouse. I mounted the J-Mount to the side of the roof on the fascia (wooden siding) I mounted it there so I didn't have to mount it to the roof singles and worry about sealing it to keep moisture out.

I have a dual band (2m-440) mobile antenna on the top of the mount. I purchased a ground plane kit, which has hose clamps and mounts that wrap around the mast. It also has 4 radials for the actual ground plane. I ran to coax down the center of the mast pipe & out the bottom. It works great and I can take it down easily in case of a hurricane (Florida). I don't have a photo of the set up, I'm at work right now.

http://www.amazon.com/TRAM-1465-Mobile-Ground-Plane/dp/B004PGMFGM

https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-Charger-indicator-BaoFeng-Capacity/dp/B074H4TV3Q

> http://www.amazon.com/TRAM-1465-Mobile-Ground-Plane/dp/B004PGMFGM

Thanks for the reply, can you give me the ELI5 of this ground plane it?

For race track comms you would not need the updated gear. It is for pulling in weak signals from farther away. But if you really want them:
https://www.amazon.com/DHT-LLC-AD075-Convert-Adapter/dp/B00CVQK466/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1539919285&sr=8-3&keywords=baofeng+bnc+adapter&dpID=512eaHTlUAL&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=srch

and

https://www.amazon.com/Antenna-HYS-771N-BNC-Handheld-Radio/dp/B01N5Y8H9L/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539919513&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=2m+%2F+440+antenna+with+bnc+connector

This one: https://www.amazon.com/N1201SA-Vector-Impedance-Antenna-Analyzer/dp/B06VVVCKN8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3UKPH65NI4Y56&keywords=antenna+impedance+analyzer&qid=1550593532&s=gateway&sprefix=antenna+imp%2Caps%2C138&sr=8-2

Will this headset work with an Xbox One (and PC)?



I invested in a surround sound system but I still need to communicate with my team.

I like the 5.11 radio pouch. It will fit lost radios and looks pretty low profile

https://www.amazon.com/5-11-Radio-Pouch-Compatible-Duffels/dp/B0019MM1NC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=5.11+radio&qid=1568955177&s=gateway&sr=8-1&utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

Code Red website

Amazon

It's a little pricey, but here's a BF888s battery with a USB port for charging. https://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-BL-1-1500mAh-Battery-Transceiver/dp/B01JYJCNU2/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1474413076&sr=8-6&keywords=Baofeng+bf888s+battery

https://www.amazon.com/N1201SA-Vector-Impedance-Antenna-Analyzer/dp/B06VVVCKN8

Just google "tactical headset and have a look around. This is what I fond after only 2 mins: https://www.amazon.com/WISHRING-Tactical-Miltary-Bowman-Headset/dp/B011AY2HG4/ref=sr_1_17?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1485605278&sr=1-17&refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin%3A2892212011

https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-Acoustic-Earpiece-Motorola-Talkies/dp/B00KRZ7I26/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001UE6MJ8