Baystate Jeepers

For anyone who has a Baofeng UV-5R that are blocked from transmitting on FRS/GMRS frequencies, the steps below will unlock those channels.

turn off the radio, press and hold the PTT, monitor and VFO and turn on the radio while still holding the buttons, it will then display “factory”. Now the radio can transmit on FRS and GMRS channels.

NotaRubicon on YouTube, but needs to be watched at 1.25 speed.
https://youtu.be/2sg3RJf1ZEA

I unlocked it and it works now thank you.

Is this just for recently purchased ones? I have the original I got from Baystate and a pair I got about 6 months after. (still need to get those programed)

Yea, from what I understand, you should be ok. The newer radios were updated to stay FCC compliant, but the model numbers weren’t changed. If you need help programming one, just let me know, pretty straight forward as long you have the proper cable, but I have one if you need it.

Help out a guy who doesn’t know anything about these radios, FRS or GMRS, is there a benefit to do this if I only ever use it on the trail with BSJ? How does this open up the radio for alternate uses?

If you’re able to use it and talk on BSJ-1 or FRS Channel 5 then you’re good. The FCC found out and the new radios are being shipped out with the FRS/GMRS channels blocked from transmitting, these steps will allow those new radios to now transmit on BSJ-1/FRS 5.

FRS is a license by rule, meaning your free to use it all the time no matter what, so i never understood why people had so much heart burn that made the FCC force people to lock it out.

GMRS I can understand as there is a license to use these frequencies, its a pay to play license and was $70 thou there was allegedly a rule change to make it $35 but unsure of when that will actually show.

What channels do we use when out on the trails?

Thumper291 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 18, 2022 11:08 am What channels do we use when out on the trails?

They change depending on the run. This is something discussed at the drivers meeting.

I'm looking to upgrade my comms. I have my GMRS license and have Midland FRS/GMRS radios - but the volume and range are limited.

Do you all still recommend the Baofeng UV-5R radio or are there better handheld options out there now?

I'm looking at the Baofeng BF-F8HP - any thoughts?

I'm trying to keep the next radio between $50 - $100 if I can.

Thanks.

I have a Wouxun KG-935G ($150) it’s a good radio, feels solid, water and dust proof, but the speaker in my baofeng up-5r is much louder. Wouxun has a NEW kg-935G ($170) that lists “plus a louder speaker”

I like them both, but I don’t really see a $100+ value over the baofeng.

The new baofengs are being shipped with the GMRS frequencies blocked for transmitting, you unlock it by holding 3 or 4 buttons and turning it no and off. I posted it somewhere, maybe here, not looking for it.


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Derek,

Thanks for the info - I found your post about unlocking the GMRS freqs. I'll probably go with a Baofeng at first pass. Thanks again.