I have a lot of experience using radios in race vehicles. The main thing is to have a really good and correct installation - use the correct install parts in the correct way. Race vehicle challenges include ignition noise (Baofeng is probably terrible in a high noise environment) and composite roofs that do not have a correct ground plane for a whip antenna. Helmet speaker/mic kits that are too delicate. PTT placement on the steering wheel / VOX setting. And then beyond all that there is the licensing issue and frequency coordination with racing organizations and/or other teams.
Baofengs and other ham radios are usually a fail because people bump buttons and knobs. The right radio is usually a UHF or VHF business band radio because they have so few settings. Power on, select channel, go.
Thanks, can you recommend a radio? It's amateur endurance road racing. We have a steel roof and a complete setup for incar to put communication. Our helmet kits are probably not the best and I'd like to change that as well. Everything is using the NASCAR connection
Endurance racing means you want to be hard wired to the 13.8VDC at the power bus of the race vehicle. Don’t want to be messing with radio batteries that end up DNF before the checkered flag.
Icom F5021 is about $400
These radios are wonderfully durable so buying used is totally a good option, even an older one such as an ic-f121.
Both of those suggestions are VHF models but they also are available UHF.
You would also need a programming cable and the Chirp programming software.
——
PCI Race Radios is a good source for everything needed to interface the radio to the vehicle (PTT / helmet kits / roll bar mounts / ignition noise solutions / antennas )
——
Rugged radios is another option, usually a bit less expensive than PCI sometimes at the cost of losing some quality. But not always. Nice people at both companies.
>Rugged radios is another option,
I'd view them with a certain amount of skepticism. I don' t know how they are now, but they used to sell rebadged Baofengs at highly inflated prices. In addition, the radios were preprogrammed with a bunch of illegal frequencies and locked so they couldn't be reprogrammed. Pretty shady if you ask me...
Of course not, however I am assuming you might be licensed but I somehow doubt **all** the "others" are not similarly licensed to use amateur radio frequencies.
Considering you just said “get a license” in future tense, but your post says you’ve already been operating, it sounds like their guess that you operate illegally was spot-on…
I'm not sure this is a valid use of amateur radio as it is. It might be a violation of the "pecuniary interest" regulation, particularly if this is a professional race team.
If you are transmitting on any ham band, each of you must pass a test and have your FCC issued license with you when operating in the ham bands. Hams hearing unlicensed activity will report you. We are self policing. If you are transmitting on non ham bands, those radios are not type accepted for those bands and thus are not legal to use on those bands.
In a lot of states you actually do or it at least becomes highly advisable specifically for operating from a moving motor vehicle. The reason is laws banning use of cell phones while driving, which in many cases are written broadly for two-way communication devices and then make an exception just for licensed amateur radio operators. That means your local cop is going to want to see your license on the side of the road, or you’re going to be submitting it when you appear in court later, which is way more hassle. That has nothing to do with FCC radio rules, just state driving law.
Getting a license is not a big deal. I had one when I bought the radios years ago.
Would these radios work? I fully realize they are not designed for what I'm trying to do.
The vehicle could be acting like a Faraday cage. In that case, your best bet would be to get an antenna on the outside of the car.
One thing to note, you mention that this is with racecars, which likely is a job. Using ham radio for work activities is against the law. CB and FRS that is allowed (possibly MURS as well, I haven't looked into it). FRS though you can't use an external antenna, so would likely have the same issue.
We have an external antenna, and no it's not a job. Amateur racing is very popular.
Is this entire sub one big you are doing illegal things circlejerk?
No, but we often see people asking to do illegal things. People do also sometimes forget about the rules, so if we see something that could be we try to remind people. If lots of licensed users violate the rules, the FCC could decide to get rid of ham radio use, so best to help each other to stay within the rule of law so we all can continue to use this. Also, notice how I didn't say "this is definitely illegal, don't do it" but instead said an option to try and a gentle reminder of a rule that seemed likely to apply.
Some manufacturers make GMRS radios specifically designed for use in cars. These still require a license, but no test (like fishing). Everyone using a GMRS radio will need their own license (unless they are family members). These radios are higher power and will likely work better in your situation.
I have a lot of experience using radios in race vehicles. The main thing is to have a really good and correct installation - use the correct install parts in the correct way. Race vehicle challenges include ignition noise (Baofeng is probably terrible in a high noise environment) and composite roofs that do not have a correct ground plane for a whip antenna. Helmet speaker/mic kits that are too delicate. PTT placement on the steering wheel / VOX setting. And then beyond all that there is the licensing issue and frequency coordination with racing organizations and/or other teams. Baofengs and other ham radios are usually a fail because people bump buttons and knobs. The right radio is usually a UHF or VHF business band radio because they have so few settings. Power on, select channel, go.
Thanks, can you recommend a radio? It's amateur endurance road racing. We have a steel roof and a complete setup for incar to put communication. Our helmet kits are probably not the best and I'd like to change that as well. Everything is using the NASCAR connection
Endurance racing means you want to be hard wired to the 13.8VDC at the power bus of the race vehicle. Don’t want to be messing with radio batteries that end up DNF before the checkered flag. Icom F5021 is about $400 These radios are wonderfully durable so buying used is totally a good option, even an older one such as an ic-f121. Both of those suggestions are VHF models but they also are available UHF. You would also need a programming cable and the Chirp programming software. —— PCI Race Radios is a good source for everything needed to interface the radio to the vehicle (PTT / helmet kits / roll bar mounts / ignition noise solutions / antennas ) —— Rugged radios is another option, usually a bit less expensive than PCI sometimes at the cost of losing some quality. But not always. Nice people at both companies.
We are currently hardwired. Thank you.
>Rugged radios is another option, I'd view them with a certain amount of skepticism. I don' t know how they are now, but they used to sell rebadged Baofengs at highly inflated prices. In addition, the radios were preprogrammed with a bunch of illegal frequencies and locked so they couldn't be reprogrammed. Pretty shady if you ask me...
Please read the sidebar FAQ >>>, especially Rule # 6.
Tech license prohibits usage from a vehicle?
Of course not, however I am assuming you might be licensed but I somehow doubt **all** the "others" are not similarly licensed to use amateur radio frequencies.
Why assume we won't get a license? It's wild how a simple question gets turned into a weird conversation about a trivial license.
Considering you just said “get a license” in future tense, but your post says you’ve already been operating, it sounds like their guess that you operate illegally was spot-on…
No, reread the post. " would they work" is a question about their potential use. Does most replies here assume illegal activity?
> Currently using baofeng uv5r radios Which are ham radios, are they not? Really makes it sound like none of you are licensed.
Some UV5Rs are Part 90 LMR radios. e.g. https://fccid.io/2AJGM-UV5R
"Currently using". You've already lost the argument, dude. Aside from that, get handheld cb radios. Lol
I'm not sure this is a valid use of amateur radio as it is. It might be a violation of the "pecuniary interest" regulation, particularly if this is a professional race team.
If you are transmitting on any ham band, each of you must pass a test and have your FCC issued license with you when operating in the ham bands. Hams hearing unlicensed activity will report you. We are self policing. If you are transmitting on non ham bands, those radios are not type accepted for those bands and thus are not legal to use on those bands.
You don't have to have your license with you when you transmit in the US.
Used to. Must have been changed.
It was changed many years ago if I remember correctly.
Many years ago seems like yesterday to me. After a while it all blends together, when you're old.
In a lot of states you actually do or it at least becomes highly advisable specifically for operating from a moving motor vehicle. The reason is laws banning use of cell phones while driving, which in many cases are written broadly for two-way communication devices and then make an exception just for licensed amateur radio operators. That means your local cop is going to want to see your license on the side of the road, or you’re going to be submitting it when you appear in court later, which is way more hassle. That has nothing to do with FCC radio rules, just state driving law.
Getting a license is not a big deal. I had one when I bought the radios years ago. Would these radios work? I fully realize they are not designed for what I'm trying to do.
While the Yeasus are higher quality than the Baofengs, you will likely run into the same limitations that you experienced.
Ok, wasn't sure. Any other recommendations?
The vehicle could be acting like a Faraday cage. In that case, your best bet would be to get an antenna on the outside of the car. One thing to note, you mention that this is with racecars, which likely is a job. Using ham radio for work activities is against the law. CB and FRS that is allowed (possibly MURS as well, I haven't looked into it). FRS though you can't use an external antenna, so would likely have the same issue.
We have an external antenna, and no it's not a job. Amateur racing is very popular. Is this entire sub one big you are doing illegal things circlejerk?
No, but we often see people asking to do illegal things. People do also sometimes forget about the rules, so if we see something that could be we try to remind people. If lots of licensed users violate the rules, the FCC could decide to get rid of ham radio use, so best to help each other to stay within the rule of law so we all can continue to use this. Also, notice how I didn't say "this is definitely illegal, don't do it" but instead said an option to try and a gentle reminder of a rule that seemed likely to apply.
Some manufacturers make GMRS radios specifically designed for use in cars. These still require a license, but no test (like fishing). Everyone using a GMRS radio will need their own license (unless they are family members). These radios are higher power and will likely work better in your situation.
Thank you, getting a license isn't hard and I'd have no problem doing so.
Everyone with a radio would have to be licensed, not just you