Thread: 2 way radio suggestions

Im interested to know what guys are using and recommend as good quality 2 way radios for hunting ?
Have had a set of Cobra 4100s for a number of years and reception was reasonable ... but they had a useless on / off / volume button that always turned itself on while in day pack etc ( even with PVC tape over it ) and batteries went flat quickly !!! Also kept turning volume up or down when in use.
Now one of my set has been wet and doesn't work any more.

So looking for advice from users of 2 or 3 watt ( balance between power and battery use ) sets that are reasonably waterproof ... or at least shower and perspiration proof.
Re-chargable but also able to use standard batteries.
Moderate size and easy to see controls etc.
2 handset wanted but would like to be able to add another one or two that are compatible.

Thoughts and field experience with various locally available models appreciated.

Baofeng UV5R is what Im looking at but cant ascertain if I can legally own one from the chap off trademe. Not sure if its just his policy or legislation.

Originally Posted by JRW87

Baofeng UV5R is what Im looking at but cant ascertain if I can legally own one from the chap off trademe. Not sure if its just his policy or legislation.

Radio frequencies are regulated in New Zealand
You should be able to find all your answers here though. HomePage | Radio Spectrum Management
I'm not 100% sure, but because this set looks programable by the end user then a licence may well be required.

Originally Posted by JRW87

Baofeng UV5R is what Im looking at but cant ascertain if I can legally own one from the chap off trademe. Not sure if its just his policy or legislation.

check ali express. highly likely he is drop shipping and ordering the radio off ali express but clipping the ticket.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

check ali express. highly likely he is drop shipping and ordering the radio off ali express but clipping the ticket.

Baofeng UV5R is dual band. I suspect you may have issues importing if you are NOT a licensed amateur as it looks as if these are user programmable

VHF: 136-174 MHz(Rx/Tx). UHF: 400-520 MHz(Rx/Tx)

136-174 is land mobile and marine VHF and the upper frequency band for PRS UHF in NZ is very narrow.

If they do get thru customers then you may be fined if you get caught using them on incorrect frequencies.

I use uniden 5 watt radios on the farm they are used in the worst conditions by staff and they can handle the jandal. Waterproof, good battery life - around 7 days through calving and easy to use

Unless you are a licensed ham with a call sign, the traders in nz can't legally sell you a programmable vhf. That is my understanding, having tried a couple of times. Nothing to stop you buying one direct from alibaba or dealextreme though

Please disregard this post.

A lot of the 4x4 guys are running those.
A mixture of baofeng puxing and woxuns. Our club likes the baofeng type but are running a model up from that one. Good radios.


Sent from the swamp

Yeah I am literally going to go have a pint in a gay bar wearing paint on jeans before I join a radio club.

I think the rules are a crock of sh**, as anyone can buy a marine band VHF, despite the fact that legally, you are supposed to have sat the ticket before you can use one (unless it is an emergency).

Originally Posted by Pengy

I think the rules are a crock of sh**, as anyone can buy a marine band VHF, despite the fact that legally, you are supposed to have sat the ticket before you can use one (unless it is an emergency).

My old man is head of physical security for a govt dept and had a guy from Vodafone and another guy from MPI turn up because a headset was a XXXXa model as oppossed to a XXXXb model the rest were, factory mix up and they said they were giving them a warning and it will be find if they broadcast on that frequency again blah blah. My old man told him to F off I think.

Midland from the states work well for me

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Midland from the states work well for me

Only work between themselves though, so can't use them to talk to nz bought ones ?

Originally Posted by Pengy

Only work between themselves though, so can't use them to talk to nz bought ones ?

Doesnt matter as have 4 and hand them out to who needs them