Congrats Geoffrey, now get on air will you! The rkl and rkk are too cold now, need someone to work on those repeaters to warm them up

As for SIRIM or not SIRIM, if you are getting one that you can't insert the frequencies yourself, you better get the one with the SIRIM approval since those are inspected to have programmed in with the right frequency.

I've seen a lot of really cheap China made ones with nonsense frequency programmed in it.

Citizen band is only at 477 MHz band and 446 MHz. These does not require any license to operate on.

Usually it is hard to find a good China one which is cheap but you could get away with a Baofeng UV-5R that fits your budget. This particular model lets you enter the frequency directly using the keypad in which you have total control of which frequency you are going to be using.

If you are looking for a long term investment, I suggest you find a 2nd hand original Motorola GP328 instead as they are super heavy duty, water resistant and you can have the appropriate frequency programmed into it(usually seller will program it for you).

These costs around 300 to 500 each but they can last for years and years since they are built for it. With a cheap China radio, you are lucky if they last more than 2 years or so( which means more money poured).

I can point to you to some 2nd hand Motorola units if you want or even have it programmed at a price for you if they do not provide.

btw, brand new for these is around RM 1000 each.

Do note that the citizen band is a UHF band. Never buy VHF or HF or anything else.

Motorola is overkill for the requirement.

Strictly my opinion, I think Motorola not only gives the reliability and long life but it also maintains as an asset to the owner since the 2nd hand value is still good even after years and can even be refurbished if wanted.

hmm. I guess I'll make sure they are SIRIM aproved when I shop.

But since you mentioned 446 to 447MHz is the safe range, the Baofeng UV-5R looks tempting to purchase as long as I stay in UHF band.

I have a few wireless mics running in UHF frequency inside my church so with the Baofeng I guess I also can use the range in between my wireless mics as long as I keep a safe distance?
(I think I'm using around 446.025MHz or something in the mics so if I jump to 446.2xxMHz I should be interference free?)


thanks for the help

I just realized that I have made a mistake. There are actually a citizen band on HF but then, that is usually for rigs/mobile/base stations.

Well,

For the safe range you can refer to this table. Also, it is the 446 AND 477 band. Not 446 all the way to 477.

Source: http://www.skmm.gov.my/skmmgovmy/files/att..._April_2010.pdf

It is going to interfere with the mics only if you get close to their frequencies. I suggest that you use the 477 band because that is what people typically use.

cool. Thank you so much for the research and clarification
I've been reading and not sure which part of the frequency is allowed.
Thanks for highlighting the tables in the long list

will do, I just bought my UV-5R, now need to buy an antenna . the stock one is rubbish

True indeed. I changed to a whip antenna and it finally can reach some far repeaters. Perhaps you might want to get a BNC antenna + adapter since BNC can go into any other radio. If you buy an SMA-F antenna, the options are limited and you can only use the antenna on that specific radio.

Please join in RKL(UHF, it is finally up repaired), or RKK, to hit up the repeater

73, 9W2LWK

YAY! Definitely will hit up the UHF. The channel has been in my channel pool, time to move it to active bank.
I got two UHF Mototrbo now. Motorola quite same line XiR models but still using different cable for different cable.

Wow..well done!


I just sit the exam last week...quiet tough question...hopefully will pass

I am going to build a Jim Slim antenna out of copper pipes.
Wondering if bending it instead of soldering it will work? I see that everybody is soldering it with copper elbows and such with a propane torch.

When is the result of RAE?

Wah so long. Should be out anytime soon I think.

Yeah..tired oredi waiting for the result...

Have you checked the site? Back then I got it around mid January and applied for license before Febuary.
They should deliver a physical mail together with an email with a link.

Oredi check the status...but go dissapoint

anyone have experience pack their gear for domestic flight? I thinking to bring few handy or maybe qrp transceiver, not sure hand carry or check-in

I brought 2 handy in seperated battery...so far ok