Walkie Talkie Static and Interference

[Frederic]

During the drive you might face static, noise, or interference on your walkie talkie. There are many possible reasons for that. I will list them as per most likely:

1) Our Frequency range is License-Free, hence it can be used by anyone. In busy areas or high altitude this can be an issue.

2) Our radios are not professional grade, and more prone to interference compared to the branded expensive ones (which need a license to buy). We see good results from the Crony/Motorola MT777 and the Kangda branded radios. The Baofengs are ok but seems to be more sensitive.

3) Your vehicle. Yes that's right, we have seen cases in which there is constant interference while sitting inside the vehicle, and this stops when exiting the vehicle. There is lots of electronics in the car which can cause this. 

 

To reduce interference, there is a setting called "SQL" on your radio which sets the "sensitivity" to which the radio will open its channel. The higher the setting the less sensitive it becomes, so you can experiment with this. It works a bit like an aperture setting on your camera lens

On the Baofeng UV5R, which is a great radio especially for that price, this model is known to be a bit more sensitive, and a hack was created a few years back to change the SQL limit from 9 into a much higher level. This involves using the Baofeng USB cable (which you can find on Amazon) and the free software called "CHIRP".

Below a description on how it works:

https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Squelch.php

Baofeng USB Programming Cable for Baofeng UV-5R,BF-F8HP, BF-888S,UV82HP,UV-9S,UV-R3 Handheld ham Radio transceiver Ham Two Way Radio with Driver CD: Buy Online at Best Price in UAE - Amazon.ae

Download - CHIRP (danplanet.com)

 

[Gaurav]

Thanks Fredy for this post, every drive I have people whose radio have lots of interference, now I know where to guide them.

[munkybizness]

Thanks so much for posting a unique topic on this @Frederic. I’ve struggled a lot with my Baofeng UV-5R on drives - including ours this weekend and once during a live recovery in which I was being assisted by @Niki. I use the squelch as much as I can when it gets bad but I fear it may be time to get a different handset soon if this continues.

Edited October 18, 2021 by munkybizness

[Thomas Varghese]

6 minutes ago, munkybizness said:

Thanks so much for posting a unique topic on this @Frederic. I’ve struggled a lot with my Baofeng UV-5R on drives - including ours this weekend and once during a live recovery in which I was being assisted by @Niki. I use the squelch as much as I can when it gets bad but I fear it may be time to get a different handset soon if this continues.

Try using the headphones provided with the handset which will make it much easier to hear. 

[Russ]

I tend to suffer with this @Frederic (I have the Baofeng). For me sometimes a simple fix is moving the radio away from the vicinity of the centre console as it is often worse there. 
Thanks for the hack on the SQL limit! 

[Frederic]

9 minutes ago, Thomas Varghese said:

Try using the headphones provided with the handset which will make it much easier to hear. 

The issue is "noise and static", the headphone has nothing to do with this.

8 minutes ago, Russ said:

I tend to suffer with this @Frederic (I have the Baofeng). For me sometimes a simple fix is moving the radio away from the vicinity of the centre console as it is often worse there. 
Thanks for the hack on the SQL limit! 

Yes, i have the same problem and only on Channel 3 if i bring my radio closer to the glovebox compartment. If i keep the radio around my neck it seems to be fine.

[Thomas Varghese]

15 minutes ago, Frederic said:

The issue is "noise and static", the headphone has nothing to do with this.

Yes, i have the same problem and only on Channel 3 if i bring my radio closer to the glovebox compartment. If i keep the radio around my neck it seems to be fine.

I didn't say the static will go with the headphones. I only said u maybe able to hear more if you use the headphones rather than the speakers of the radio. The speakers provided for the radio add more woes than making you hear clearly as these speakers produce blurred sound. Cheap speakers. 

[Alex Raptor]

25 minutes ago, Frederic said:

The issue is "noise and static", the headphone has nothing to do with this.

Yes, i have the same problem and only on Channel 3 if i bring my radio closer to the glovebox compartment. If i keep the radio around my neck it seems to be fine.

I have been trying the radio around my neck, but for some reason it makes my beard grow faster???

[Gaurav]

Motorola cost 150

Kangda cost 300

Not much for trouble free drive experience with better range, battery life and clarity of comms.

Thanks Fredy for introducing me to Kangda, so far it's amazing since almost a year now.

[Frederic]

Just now, Alex Raptor said:

I have been trying the radio around my neck, but for some reason it makes my beard grow faster???

That's OK, we have heard this happening before. I recommend putting on a tin foil hat to guide the electromagnetic interfence away from you and direct it upwards so it can travel back to the nearest Etisalat antenna.