Comment on Why do radio stations all seem to go on commercial at the same time?

• Fondots@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

  Yeah, listening is totally allowed, just don’t transmit without a license. Depending on the radio there’s often a way to lock out the PTT button so you don’t accidentally key up.

  Programming the radio can sometimes be a bit of a pain in the ass, CHIRP is a free program that’s often recommended for baofengs, you’ll also need to figure out what repeaters are in your area so you know what frequencies to listen to

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  • brygphilomena@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

    Some baofangs even are sold with the ability to transmit locked out for ham frequencies now. They can still transmit in the frequencies that normal walkie talkies operate on though. I think they started using btech as the brand for the ham radio ones are now.

    Was annoyed when I accidentally bought a few of those. But they’re only like $17.

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    • JackbyDev@programming.dev ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

      I got a UV-5R, is that one of the locked down ones?

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      • brygphilomena@lemmy.world ⁨2⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

        I can’t say. I think I have uv-5r that can and some that can’t.

        You’ll have to check the listing you got it from. Maybe even go to an unused ham frequency and see what happens when you press the PTT button.

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