#677 in Portable audio & video products
Reddit mentions of BTECH PC04 FTDI USB Programming Cable for UV-25X2, UV-25X4, UV-50X2
Sentiment score: 1
Reddit mentions: 1
We found 1 Reddit mentions of BTECH PC04 FTDI USB Programming Cable for UV-25X2, UV-25X4, UV-50X2. Here are the top ones.
or
- No Driver Issues - No old drivers needed - Plug and Play
- Works with the new BTECH UV-25X2, UV-25X4 and UV-50X2 Mobile Radios
- Helpful BaoFeng Guides and Programming Tips are found from Miklor and BaoFengTech
- BTECH is proud to be in the USA, which allows you to have the best available local support for any issue that may arise. BTECH only engineers and develops radio products. That brand focus allows you to have the best available radios and accessories with the most features, with real USA warranty and support.
Features:
Specs:
| Color | Black |
| Height | 0.25 Inches |
| Length | 42 Inches |
| Weight | 1.44 ounces |
| Width | 2 Inches |
A lot of people start with one of the cheap Chinese radios like the Baofeng UV-5R. Get the programming cable and you can program in your local repeaters using CHIRP. Repeaters are base stations run by the local ham clubs, installed on top of mountains and tall buildings, which re-transmit your signal so it covers a much wider area. Disaster response will center around one or more repeaters, hopefully ones that have backup power. Without a repeater, the range of these handhelds is limited to a few miles (depending on terrain).
It's hard to say whether you'll need an external antenna at your apartment. If you have good line-of-sight to the repeater(s) you want to use, then the handheld and its stock "rubber ducky" antenna might be sufficient. If there are buildings or hills in the way then you might need a better antenna to compensate. There are many options such as a longer whip antenna for the handheld, a roll-up J-pole, or a yagi. None of those would require permanent installation. Antennas are a vast subject and it's hard to know what's best without experimenting.
Some more links:
Silicon Valley Emergency Communications System
Santa Clara ARES/RACES
ARRL guide for beginners
New ham radio operator
This book has everything you need to know to pass the Technician exam. hamexam.org has free flash cards and practice exams.
KB6NU has some No-Nonsense Study Guides including a free PDF for Technician class.
Also check out /r/amateurradio. Beginner questions are welcome. If IRC is your thing, they have a channel at
irc.geekshed.net #redditnet. Freenode's##hamradiois also good.There are a ton of other resources out there. Hams seem to like making YouTube videos in particular. Ham radio is a huge subject; explore and see what parts you find interesting. Good luck and have fun!