Cheap Chinese HT

[DaveInDenver]

I am betting your not setting the transmitter offset on the radio correctly.
If you can hear the Chinese radio on the Icom when you transmit then your not on the correct freq for the repeater.

This would be my guess, since it might not have automatic (or even correct) offsets for the USA, so it's not getting the (+) or (-) offset right or even the frequency offset right. The offsets are not the same around the world and it might not have the right firmware for our market.

[kellymoe]

This would be my guess, since it might not have automatic (or even correct) offsets for the USA, so it's not getting the (+) or (-) offset right or even the frequency offset right. The offsets are not the same around the world and it might not have the right firmware for our market.

I am setting the plus or minus according to the repeater, are you saying a + offset might be a - offset because of the radios firmware? If I can get them to work with the repeaters they will be more than worth the money, they are such great little radios, very impressed.

[DaveInDenver]

I am setting the plus or minus according to the repeater, are you saying a + offset might be a - offset because of the radios firmware? If I can get them to work with the repeaters they will be more than worth the money, they are such great little radios, very impressed.

You might be doing it correctly, I was just thinking out loud that sometimes radios designed for other markets don't automatically do the correct positive or negative offset or might have a different offset frequency. For example, I understand that if you freeband most radios the firmware doesn't do auto repeater offset for you anymore because in an open mode there is no default band plan that is universal for all places in the world.

If it seems you are doing the right plus or minus 600KHz on the repeater you want, then it certainly might not be that. Next to check would be that you are doing a CTCSS tone on your TX for the repeater. There's not much else you gotta do to use the repeater.

[gary in ohio]

Not having used them, you would need to check the manual to make sure the offsets are correct. You can check the offset by using your icom and listening on the transmit freq. For example. If your listening on 147.24 the standard ham radio offset would put the input at 147.84. Your radio should be set to receive .24 and should transmit on .84. Normally the 147 range are plus 600 and the 146 are negative 600. The 145 can be both and all can have oddball offsets on rare occasion.

[kellymoe]

UPDATE: I have been using these radios for nearly a year in all conditions and have been very pleased with them, so much so that my Yaesu and Icom are getting used less and less.

The Puxing PX888 is my favorite, it's light, intuitive controls and receives FM radio frequencies. Because it's so light I throw it in my Camelback pack while mountain biking and listen to my favorite country station while riding and keep in touch with my wife through a local repeater if needed.

I initially purchased these radios to use on trips with multiple vehicles and loan them to friends, if they broke they were cheap and no big loss. Well my opinion is much different now and I loan out my Icom and Yaesu to friends and keep the Puxing for myself.

As you can tell I am very pleased. Great little radios.

[kellymoe]

Raising a thread from the dead. My Puxing radios are still going strong and are still my go to radio as I head out the door. Here is a link to the Puxing and a slew of other cheap radios but the site also has Yaesu and Icom.
http://www.409shop.com/409shop_shopc...&parentid=1426

[Hedge]

I see that there was initially a bit of difficulty using them with repeaters. Was the solution simple?

[AxeAngel]

I see that there was initially a bit of difficulty using them with repeaters. Was the solution simple?

Very interested in the above as well. If the prices still hold and I can do HAM for under $100, I may just go ahead and do this mod in the next few weeks.

-Sam

[xtatik]

Very interested in the above as well. If the prices still hold and I can do HAM for under $100, I may just go ahead and do this mod in the next few weeks.

-Sam

Well, this will allow you to "do HAM" at an entry level. If you're interested in amateur radio as a "mod" to your truck and strictly for offroad use, you might save up some add'l bucks and look at mobile rigs instead. In any case, good luck on your test and be sure to post up your callsign when you get it.

[AxeAngel]

Well, this will allow you to "do HAM" at an entry level. If you're interested in amateur radio as a "mod" to your truck and strictly for offroad use, you might save up some add'l bucks and look at mobile rigs instead. In any case, good luck on your test and be sure to post up your callsign when you get it.

Agreed, from what I've read on here for an entry level its better to not go handheld. Been scouring craigslist, next step is an upcoming HAM flea market.

Thanks
Sam