Thank you Donald, a most comprehensive reply.
I assume from your? "import" comment that you are in the USA, I'm UK based (although I have a USA licence, sorry license!- W8OSN?
used on, all too infrequent, visits). We, don't have issues with Baofengs being imported- which is, of course, a double edged sword but good?
for us amateurs.
You clearly know the Baofengs in detail, including their site. I have a few. I use Linux or Mac with Chirp (mainly Linux) for nearly all my programming
(save a few old bits of PMR kit which it doesn't cover).? As you almost certainly know, Linux copes with most? USB / 232 chips, even the clones.?
As I mentioned, I looking for an 888 ideally? to modify for use in an Allstar node. As you may know, this involves, as a minimum, picking up some internal points:
audio in/out, PTT, COS.? I also plan to reduce the power to (about) 100mW (or less) to limit coverage. Obviously the battery will be replaced by a PSU.?
Modifications for the 888 are well documented and, while I am confident I could probably work out the details for another version, why reinvent the wheel ;-)
We have a number of, what seem to be, badged Baofengs available here- too many to list. Many are sold for use on our (rough) equivalent of the FRS system - PMR446.
Technically, they don't meet the PMR446 spec but our equivalent of the FCC (OFCOM) are, to put it mildly, less than interested in enforcement.? Unless you are VERY naughty, the chances of getting into trouble are just about zero.? Not a good situation in my view.......
73
Brian
