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Monthly Archives: November 2013

  • Happy Thanksgiving 2013 from Buy Two Way Radios!

    turkey2013.PNGThe management and staff at Buy Two Way Radios would like to wish you a happy and safe Thanksgiving! Our offices will be closed Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 28 and Friday November 29, 2013. If you need assistance please send us an e-mail, visit our Two Way Radio Forums or give us a call after 8 AM EST Monday, December 2, 2013. Enjoy the holiday and please stay safe while traveling.

  • One Week Only Special on Midland Two Way Radios!

    The holidays are fast approaching, and this year we are excited to offer something really special to our customers! BuyTwoWayRadios.com is teaming up with Midland to offer special discounts on Midland two way radios! For ONE WEEK ONLY, Take an additional 10% off our already low prices on Midland two way radios in our store! This offer begins at 8 AM ET December 2 and ends midnight December 8, 2013. To take advantage of this offer, enter promo code MIDLAND at checkout and your 10% savings will be applied immediately to your order! You can also order by phone. Call us at 1-800-584-1445 before this offer expires at midnight, Dercember 8, 2013!

    But that's not all. There is no purchase limit, either. Mix and match the models and buy as many as you need or want with Promo Code MIDLAND. The more Midland radios you buy, the more you save!

    The following Midland two way radios qualify for this exclusive, ONE WEEK ONLY offer:

    Questions? Give us a call at 1-800-584-1445 or enter our live chat.

  • The Midland GXT5000 is back in stock!

    Midland-GXT5000.jpgEarlier this month we broke the news that Midland announced the return of the Midland GXT5000 GMRS radio. We are excited to announce that it has indeed returned to the market and is now available at Buy Two Way Radios just in time for the holidays! This is truly a classy gift for anyone who uses FRS and GMRS two way radios. We have a limited supply for the end of the year, so get yours now while they are in stock!

  • TWRS-68 - An Introduction to Repeaters

    We talk about the basic concept of radio repeaters. We also review the Baofeng UV-5R High Capacity 3800mAh Battery.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:13


    Topic Discussion 1:31
    We talk about radio repeaters. We'll learn what they are, how they are used and how to find a GMRS or amateur radio repeater in your area. Resources discussed include the Desktop and the Pocket editions of the ARRL Repeater Directory.

    Commercial Break 19:27
    buytwowayradios.com 1:00

    Product Review 20:23
    Today we review the Baofeng UV-5R High Capacity 3800mAh Battery. We also discuss the new Baofeng UV-5R Ham Radio Starter Kit and the Wouxun KG-UV920P-A Mobile/Base Station Ham Radio Starter Kit

    Questions and Answers 32:02
    Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

    ,br/>
    Wrap up and Close 38:26
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2013 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

  • Tech Support for Baofeng Two Way Radios

    We receive a lot of support requests regarding the installation, operation and troubleshooting of Baofeng products, most notably the Baofeng programming cable and software. Interestingly, many of these queries come from folks who didn't buy the products from us. They may purchase their amateur radios and accessories new or used from an auction site, other online retailer or a company based in China, then contact us for support. Some find us by searching for support resources on the web, some mistake us for the manufacturer, but a surprising number of folks are sent to us by the very entities who sold them the Baofeng radios and accessories - our competitors!

    Programming the Baofeng UV-5R can be accomplished easily with the Baofeng programming cable and CHIRP software. However, if the correct programming cable and driver are not used, it can become an issue. Unfortunately, counterfeit radios and cables exist and it is not uncommon to receive a clone or counterfeit product from an unauthorized reseller. This is why it is important to verify the validity and source of the equipment before you purchase it.

    As an authorized Baofeng dealer, Buy Two Way Radios provides genuine Baofeng radios and accessories, such as the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Amateur Radio and the Baofeng UV-5R Series USB Programming Cable. The programming cable we offer comes with an original disc we created in-house that contains an improved working driver that is tested to work with Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. The CD also includes the latest stable version of CHIRP, the open source programming software which is tested by licensed amateur radio operators to work with the UV-5R and other Baofeng amateur two way radios.

    If you did not purchase your Baofeng radios from Buy Two Way Radios, please understand that we are a Baofeng dealer and are not the manufacturer. Although we do sell Baofeng products and the licensed amateur operators on our staff do test and use them, we do not design or make the radios ourselves, so there are some limitations to the scope of our support, especially if the products were not purchased from us. While we are unable to support products purchased from our direct competitors and other retailers, we do support the products purchased from us. In addition, we offer resources that are available to the general public. A few of them are listed below.

    From our blog:
    A Real Baofeng UV-5R Owners Manual
    How to install the Baofeng USB cable driver and software

    From our podcast:
    The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-54 - An Introduction To Amateur Radio (This episode features a review of the Baofeng UV-5R)
    TWRS-67 - The 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest (This episode features a review of the Baofeng BF-F9)

    From our videos:
    Baofeng UV-5R Amateur Radio Unboxing
    How to connect the Baofeng UV-5R amateur radio to the Tram 1185 mobile antenna
    How to check the firmware version of the Baofeng UV-5R

    You can also request assistance in our Two Way Radio Forum, a support community of two way radio experts and enthusiasts. The forum is online 24/7 and is monitored by our staff at Buy Two Way Radios.

    More information about CHIRP is available at http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home and complete instructions for programming the Baofeng UV-5R are available at http://www.miklor.com.

  • How to install the Baofeng USB programming cable and software

    Baofeng UV-5R.jpgBaofeng handheld two way radios are well known among amateur radio operators everywhere. Models such as the UV-3R, UV-B6, BF-F9 and the legendary UV-5R are a common staple in the modern ham shack, and with good reason. These radios are compact, easy to use, versatile and, best of all, extremely inexpensive. They are some of the most affordable amateur radios on the market. These attributes have made Baofeng a household name in the ham community.

    However, programming a Baofeng radio from a computer isn't all that intuitive and can become messy even for the most experienced ham who is not used to Chinese-made radios. The USB cable driver offered by Baofeng is buggy and the programming software made by the manufacturer is, for all intents and purposes, junk.

    Fortunately, there are other options available, and once properly installed, they are actually quite good. You just need to know where to find these options and how to install them properly. Once that is accomplished, programming is usually a breeze.

    To find and install the Baofeng USB Programming Cable driver and programming software correctly, follow the instructions below. NOTE: follow these instructions completely and in order. Failure to do so may only bring more frustration when things don't work.

    1. To start, the computer should be on and the radio should be off.

    2. Locate the correct USB programming driver for your operating system. You can download the Prolific driver for Windows, Mac and Linux at http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php. If you purchased the Baofeng UV Series USB Programming Cable from Buy Two Way Radios, the driver for Windows will be on the CD included with the cable in the USB Cable Driver folder. Insert the CD and go to USB Cable Driver > USB Cable Driver Prolific 3.2.0.0.exe. This is the correct driver.

    3. Install the USB programming cable driver. Do NOT connect the USB cable at this time.

    4. Locate the CHIRP Programming Software for your operating system. The latest stable build for Windows XP, 7, 8, MAC and Linux can be downloaded from http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download. It is also included on the Buy Two Way Radios CD in the CHIRP Programming Software folder. Choose the appropriate folder for your operating system. Install the program but do not run it yet.

    5. Plug the USB programming cable into the USB port on your computer. Plug the other end of the cable into your radio and turn it on.

    * Additional steps for Windows *
    - There may or may not be a notification after connection. To verify the connection, check the Windows Device Manager. Access to the Device Manager will depend on your version of Windows. Once in Device Manager, click on Ports (COM and LPT). It should be listed as Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMX). X denotes the COM port number. Note the number and write it down if necessary, as you will need to know it when configuring the programming software.

    - If there is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to the USB device, Windows did not install the driver correctly. To correct the issue, right-click on the device and choose Update Driver Software on the pop-up menu. Choose Browse My Computer to install the driver manually. Choose Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer. Choose Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port Version: 3.2.0.0 and click NEXT. The correct driver should install and the yellow notification should disappear from the Device Manager. Note the COM Port number.

    6. Run the CHIRP Programming Software. Click Go to Radio on the menu bar and choose Download From Radio. Choose the COM Port number for the USB cable, the Vendor (Baofeng) and the model of the radio (such as UV-5R) from the drop down lists in the pop-up box. Your radio should be connected to the computer and CHIRP should now be able to communicate with it.

    * Additional Instructions for Windows laptops *
    On some laptops, the device manager may indicate the cable is installed correctly, but CHIRP may not detect the COM Port. This may occur if Windows Power Management is enabled on the device. To activate the cable, go to the Device Manager and right click on Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMX). X denotes the COM port number. Click Properties on the pop-up menu. Click the Power Management tab. Remove the check from the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and click Apply or Save.

    To verify the connection, Run the CHIRP Programming Software. Click Go to Radio on the menu bar and choose Download From Radio. Choose the COM Port number for the USB cable, the Vendor (Baofeng) and the model of the radio (such as the UV-5R) from the drop down lists in the pop-up box. The program should download the frequencies from the radio. When it completes the data transfer, the frequency table will appear on the screen. The radio is now ready to program through your computer.

    As an authorized Baofeng Dealer, we want installation to be as easy and painless as possible so you can enjoy your radios for many years to come. If these instructions are followed correctly, you should not have any difficulty connecting the Baofeng radio to your computer. After the initial setup, future connection to the computer should be a matter of simply plugging the USB programming cable into your radio and computer and running CHIRP.

    RPC-K1-UF-1.jpgNote: If you followed the installation instructions and are still having trouble, there is now another solution available. The XLT Painless Programming Cable installs quickly and easily on computers with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Installation is automatic on many systems with little or no user interaction required. The XLT Painless Programming Cable works with Baofeng, Kenwood, Wouxun and other two way radios equipped with standard two pin Kenwood connectors.

    Update: Hear our review of the Baofeng UV-5R Programming Cable in Episode #82 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast!

  • A video introduction to Motorola Business Radios

    Motorola is one of the biggest and most trusted brands of business two way radios. Whether it's construction, hospitality, retail, or security, a Motorola two way radio keeps everyone communicating to get the job done.

    This video is an introduction to Motorola business two way radios and how they are used in various jobs and industries. Buy Two Way Radios is an authorized Motorola dealer.

  • The Motorola Talkabout MHP61 Hearing Protection Earmuff video

    Do you need maximum ear protection without blocking communication from your two way radio? The Motorola MHP61 Talkabout Isolation Earmuff is a simple solution that offers both!

    Designed for Motorola Talkabout two way radios, the MHP61 can also be used with mp3 players, cell phones and other devices so you can hear high quality stereo sound while you filter out loud or harmful external noise.

    This video from Motorola introduces the MHP61 and shows you how you can get optimal audio from your radio or other source and up to 21db NRR (Noise Reduction Rating) of protection against impulse noise and other harmful sound. The MHP61 is available from Buy Two Way Radios.

  • TWRS-67 - The 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest

    We go on location to the 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest. We also review the Baofeng BF-F9 Dual Band Two Way Radio.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:13

    Intro to Interview 1:31
    We interview Ken Tedder, a member of the York County Amateur Radio Society and Chairman of the 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest. He will tell us how he became involved with the group, some of the history of YCARS and what the Rock Hill Hamfest is all about.

    Interview With Ken Tedder 2:05
    Commercial Break 15:33
    buytwowayradios.com 1:00

    Product Review 16:29
    Today we review the Baofeng BF-F9 Dual Band Two Way Radio.

    Questions and Answers 29:00
    Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

    Wrap up and Close 33:26
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2013 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.


  • The Midland GXT5000 is coming back!

    Earlier this year we told you that the Midland GXT5000 GMRS radio was officially discontinued. This model was first available in April of 2011 and was widely considered the only "business quality" consumer GMRS radio on the market. The GXT5000 was a much anticipated radio that sold well when it was first launched two years ago, but production stopped suddenly after the Thailand based factory that manufactured it was all but destroyed by flooding. We expected it to return once the factory was back online, but after months of delays, Midland finally acknowledged that they would discontinue the model altogether.

    In September of this year, rumors began to circulate that the GXT5000 would return after all. However, when we checked up with Midland, the official word was that they would receive only a limited number of radios in one shipment that were already spoken for and they were unsure if it would ever return for sale to the public.

    Well, now we have good news! We just received official notification from Midland that the GXT5000 will indeed return! Details are sketchy at this time, but according to Midland, the GXT5000 will be back "on a regular basis" sometime in mid-December 2013!

    Of course, we've been through the wringer before on this one, so whether it will actually happen on time or not (or at all) is anyone's guess. However, at Buy Two Way Radios we are keeping a close watch on the return of the GXT5000 and as soon as the radios ship, we'll break the news. Bookmark our blog, check our forum, follow us on Twitter and stay tuned!

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