¶ Radios
These are the radios that we talk about on the air a lot. We like to buy and tinker with the cheap radios. They aren't meant to replace the more expensive radios from the big guys but they don't break the bank and you won't cry if you drop them.
Disclaimer: They are cheap chinese radios that aren't approved by W8FU
¶ Bingfu and "Shiny" Bingfu Antennas
Antennas for Most of these Chinese Radios: Amazon
If you need the other gender: Amazon
¶ The Who Cares Radio - Quensheng K5/6
¶ K5/K5 Plus
Purchase Link: amazon
¶ Retevis Version
Link: Retevis Website
¶ K6
This is the radio that we nicknamed "The Who Cares Radio" after most members in the group purchased one. This radio is nice in that it has a hackable firmware, usb-c charging and lightweight.
Purchase Link: amazon
¶ Firmware Hack
Optionally you can modify this radio and have a nice S-Meter and other perks.
You have to be careful when install the hacked firmware.. don't go past revison 26 unless radio has > 26 firmware.
¶ The Blue Radio
The biggest attraction to this radio is that it does DMR and Analog and is very light and nice to carry around. This is a $13 radio (when on sale usually $16). It only has 32 channels and requires a special cable to program it.
It has a warbly sound in the background when using it on analog which we've nicknamed the "warp core".
¶ The Cube Radio
This is yet another good radio for nodes, as you can hack it and lower the power setting of low power to something like 75mw. It has a nice analog volume control, clockwise click turn on and adjust and counter-clockwise turn down and click off.
Purchase Links: aliexpress bangood
Software: programming hack to lower power
Notes: This radio can be programmed with CHIRP and uses the baeofeng cable (CH-340). You will have to disable the frequency hopping with the factory software first, and then you can use CHIRP from that point forward.
¶ DB-20G
Also known as the Anytone AT-779UV
Marketed as a GMRS mobile radio, it can also be switched to Ham radio mode. This is a nice little mobile radio that has a cig plug and you can move between vehicles with ease if you don't already have a dedicated mobile radio or are a guest in someone else's vehicle.
Purchase Links: Radioddity Amazon