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On this page, I've included links to a number of inexpensive Chinese 2 meter and 70 cm handhelds.
The products listed on this page are suitable only for use by licensed amateur radio operators. Most of them can transmit inside the ham band or outside of the band. If you don't have an amateur license, then this product will cause you nothing but grief. If you use it inside the ham band, you will discover that hams are extremely protective of their frequencies, and they will track you down. You will stick out like a sore thumb, and you will not go unnoticed.
Getting a license is not difficult, and there are many resources available to help you get your license. In fact, I am the author of a study guide for the beginning level of license, the Technician license. You can see the full details for my book at this link.
If you use it outside the ham bands, then chances are, you'll be using a frequency that's assigned to someone else. If it's the local taxi company, then they'll complain to their radio supplier about the interference, and the radio supplier will eventually figure out what's going on. If it's the local police department, then this process will undoubtedly be followed by some unpleasantness down at the station. In either case, you're liable for a fine in the ballpark of $10,000 per day. With other suitable unlicensed radios available, it's just not worth the risk.
Since most of these radios will physically transmit on frequencies used by commercial and public service users, some of those users might be tempted to purchase them. This is a very bad idea. You might save a few hundred dollars by doing so, but it is illegal to use these radios for those purposes in the United States, because there is no indication that they are certified for use in those services, and they are not guaranteed to meet the technical requirements for such radios. In all likelihood, you'll get away with it for a while. But if your radio ever causes interference problems and someone investigates the source of the problem, then you could very well wind up having to pay a fine of $10,000 per day. It's not worth the risk.
CVSB-J48-110V Chinese 70cm Handheld
I'm not quite sure what to make of this product, although it appears to be an extremely inexpensive 440 MHz handheld.
There is no indication that this unit is certified under any part of the FCC rules, so it is not suitable for any commercial use in the United States. But for something really inexpensive for occasional use by licensed amateurs, this radio appears to be somewhat useful.
It does appear to cover the entire 70 cm ham band, and it appears that you can enter frequencies from the front panel and/or program up to 199 memories.
If you're a licensed ham, then $80 seems like an extremely cheap price for a couple of 440 MHz handhelds. Even so, there are a couple of cautions:
There is no indication that these units are able to send CTCSS tones (also known as "PL" tones). Therefore, they cannot be used on most repeaters, since most 70 cm repeaters seem to use tones. But for simplex use, they're probably a very good value. If you need an extra handheld in the glove compartment, for working on antennas, etc., then these seem to fit the bill.
As noted above, these are not certified for sale in the United States. Since it is not legal to sell such radios, then you're probably on shaky legal ground if you decide to sell it later. However, it is perfectly legal for you to buy one or two for your own personal use (buying quantities under ten don't qualify as "importing"). And it is legal for you to transmit on the ham bands with them, since there is no requirement that hams use certified transmitters.
However, it is required that any transmitter you use meets the FCC spectral purity requirements. Chances are, these units do. After all, those requirements are not exactly rocket science. However, there is no guarantee, so you should take a look at your signal before using them on the air. It's always possible that they put out a spur on some out-of-band frequency. So you should look at your signal on the frequency you intend to use, and make sure the output is clean.
If you understand these limitations, then it seems to me that $80 is an excellent price for not one, but two, UHF handhelds. Of course, if you don't understand these limitations (or you're unwilling to take the risk that the output won't be clean), then you should look elsewhere. Also, please don't buy one of these as your only ham rig. You'll be sorely disappointed. But if you just need a spare UHF rig, then these cheap radios just might fit the bill.
Long Range Walkie Talkie Set (UHF, 110v)
And here's a dual-band HT for $52.99, including shipping:
SinoRise SR-638UA Specialized 99-Channal Digital Walkie Talkie
And here is the "Sinorise Model SR-638", a dual-band (2 meter and 70 cm) in the same category, for $52.99, which includes shipping from China. Once again, the specs on the web site are rather limited, but it has a power output of 2.5 Watts, and covers 136-174 MHz, and 400-470 MHz. All of the cavaets above still apply, except this one appears to have CTCSS capability, since it features "155 groups of CTCSS/DCS coder".
This one doesn't appear to have a keyboard for entry of frequencies, but according to the description, it is "PC Programmable", and has a USB connector (which appears to be on the bottom).
There's one review on the website, which seems to say that the USB cable is not included, but a 120 volt charger is.
Here are a few more that I've found, with even lower prices, all of which include shipping:
Hongda HD-360 70 cm HT, $38
This one covers the 70 cm band, with 5 watts, and sells for $38, including shipping. It appears to have CTCSS capability. It's billed as being sixteen channels, but there's no indication from the product description as to how the frequencies are programmed.
Rechargeable 5W 400-470MHz 16-Channel Walkie-Talkie FM Transceiver (VHF/UHF) HD-360
Hongda HD-Q6 dual band HT, $49
This one covers both 2 meters and 70 cm, also with 16 channels, with about 5 watts output power. Like the HD-360, there's no obvious method of how you program the thing. There's no mention of CTCSS capability.
Dual Frequency Handheld Walkie-Talkie FM Transceiver (VHF/UHF) HD-Q6
Hongda HD-8800 VHF/UHF Handheld, $67
This one is described as "VHF/UHF", but the frequency range is not specified. There's also no mention of CTCSS capability. It has 99 channels, and presumably one can program them from the keypad and LCD screen.
Professional LCD Display Walkie-Talkie FM Transceiver (VHF/UHF) HD-8800
Hongda HD-K99, $54
This one covers both 2 meters and 70 cm. Again, it's a mystery as to how the sixteen channels are programmed.
HONGDA HD-K99 Two Way Radio VHF/UHF FM Transceiver
Hongda HD-Q8 dual band HT, $48
This one's product description at least refers to a programming cable.
HONGDA HD-Q8 Two Way Radio VHF/UHF FM Transceiver
Hongda HD-660 dual band HT, $51
This one covers both 2 meters and 70 cm with 5 watts. Again, it's unclear how those sixteen channels are programmed.
HONGDA HD-660 Two Way Radio VHF/UHF FM Transceiver
Hongda A-88, $46
HONGDA A-88 Two Way Radio VHF/UHF FM Transceiver
Hongda HD-620, $51
HONGDA Two Way Radio VHF/UHF FM Transceiver HD-620
Hongda HD-668, $51
HONGDA Two Way Radio VHF/UHF FM Transceiver HD-668
Shouao TS-228, $51.30
SHOUAO TS-228 UHF VHF Radio
TYT-800, 70 cm, $48
TYT-800 VHF/UHF FM Transceiver
BBT-789, dual band, $35.30
BBT-789 VHF/UHF FM Transceiver
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