Dirty little radio secrets - Rugged Radios (For educational purposes only)
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- Опубліковано 14 жов 2024
- So this was brought to my attention a few days ago and I felt I needed to make this video as a PSA to those who simply do not know what is legal and what is not legal to use in the way of radios and where to use radios, what requires a license and what does not, etc.
The company presented, firmware locks its radios meaning you (the end user) cannot reprogram the radios. A quick look on eBay yields the same radio for a fraction of the price and has no programming lock on it. The fact they pre-program 40 "off road" channels into these radios is grounds to hold them liable in the even the FCC decides to fine an end user..
Some of these pre-programmed frequencies are used by businesses, police and fire departments that have not gone digital yet or onto a wide area radio system due to shallow funding, etc. So IF you buy one of these radio be aware of what's in them and the fact that if you transmit you could be interfering with another service that is FCC licensed.
The Baofeng UV-5R (Rugged radios RH-5R) Does in fact require either a part 90 commercial license (Or authorization from a licensed entity using a licensed frequency) or an amateur technicians class license in order to legally transmit on in the USA. This radios IS NOT legal to use on MURS, FRS or GMRS channels.
The RM25R is am Amateur ONLY radio, it has no FCC certifications for use on part 90 or 95 and requires an amateur technicians class license or higher to legally transmit on.
The RM-60 is a VHF marine radios and is not legal to use for inland off-roading activities as this is a marine radio (Boat / ship radio) and should ONLY be used on vessels at sea, on lakes or rivers, YES the US Coast Guard monitors this band.
If you do not want to get a license and want off-roading radios then I highly suggest your look into some good name branded CB radios with sideband options and antennas tuned professionally.
If anyone has any questions about radios in general please feel free to ask, Trolling, negative and hate comments will not be posted, I do moderate this channel.
Check out Rugged Radios here - www.ruggedradi...
Want to help support the channel? - patreon.com/Elfnet_Gaming
The LATEST:
THEY GOT BUSTED - www.fcc.gov/document/eb-issues-citation-rugged-radios-equipment-marketing-violations
Now, will they learn their lesson, clean up their act and move forward doing the right thing, or will they re-brand, relocate, and move to target another unsuspecting recreational crowd?
Maybe you should by a dynamic mic from Rugged Radio so we can hear you.
Yep can't hear it tired of restraining to !
get new speakers, We can hear him fine.
Can't hear anything, volume on max on both youtube and my laptop. Looks interesting, too bad I can't hear it.
The audio on this is way too low.
On every Rugged Radios Quick Start guide, at the bottom. So they are trying to CYA...
FCC Licensing Information:
This FCC Certified two-way radio operates on radio frequencies that are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To transmit on these frequencies,
you are required to have a license. For questions regarding licensing, we recommend you contact Forest Industries Telecommunications (FIT) at 888-583-2929 or visit
their website at fcclicense.org/fit
Thanks for bringing this up because people need to know what to do before transmitting, Thus brings up a valid point of: how many people actually follow that advice? Also the FCC has pulled / revoked Baofengs and other brands part 90 certifications on several models RR sells / sold after that Americrest incident. Most of the radios on the site at the time of making this video were preprogrammed with frequencies that were not legal for a user to use without permission from the license holders , marine frequencies, and illegally on MURS channels.. Just about all the mobiles they had were ham radios illegally set up to commercial and MURS frequencies as well (Too much power, wrong bandwidth, etc.) To be fair I have no idea what they are doing now that it's been over 2 years since I made this video, nor do I care anymore, all we can do is try to advise people of the correct things to do, what not to do, and how to not get scammed into buy a $30 radio for $80..
hey bud, do you know where i can find a list of frequencies that i can legally transmit on with a amateur technicians class license ? looked on fcc but did not find, thanks, great vid
Thank you, I almost bought a rugged radio. You just saved me some $. Yes I have a licence.
What a scammy thing to do to people who know no better about radios.. $85 usd or a $30 radio and it's locked up.. What a joke.
Like the video says, yes these require a license, either HAM, business band, or gmrs depending on the model, they are not okay to use on murs or frs because they do not meet FCC qualifications and spec. for use on those services. In other words they are overpowered and their antennas are removable and can cause excessive emissions that can cause problems in other bands.
SlimFast I once spoke with rugged at an event. I asked them what benefits I would have in purchasing their radio over a baofeng branded one. Their answer was simply put, they will warranty theirs where as "you get what you get" with a baofeng purchased from most other places. As per the legality of it, it is and always will be the operators responsibility to know what they are doing. That being said, I personally have a tri power baofeng and do not transmit over legal limits. People's ignorance is no one's responsibility but their own. I believe that instead of harping on companies about such things as if it's their fault, energy would be better spent by educating the ignorant. This is not a personal attack nor do I mean to necessarily defend rugged. This is just my 2 cents.
SlimFast can the handheld be used on CB?
@@techandtoystuff You can educate ignorant but you cannot fix stupid...
@@techandtoystuff I'm just wondering why the OP has such a boner for Rugged Radios? I mean, he's gone to the trouble to not only produce, post and moderate this video, but he's also written several defaming reviews for them scattered around the internet as well. I don't even know, nor have I ever shopped at Rugged Radio, but something's not right when an adult go to these lengths to "educate" others. Me thinks Rugged Radios ought to look into a restraining order and a good attorney for the defamation suit this guy has basically signed, sealed and delivered ;)
@@lisaprice6826 You do know this video is 2 years old right?
"he's gone to the trouble to not only produce, post and moderate this video," Yeah pewdepie did a similar thing where he hired and exploited poorly educated foreigners of the 3rd world to make and display a sign stating "Death to all Jews", never mind the fact he produced, posted, and moderated that video..
"Me thinks Rugged Radios ought to look into a restraining order and a good attorney for the defamation suit this guy has basically signed, sealed and delivered ;)" - Interesting idea since RR are/were the scam artists here.. The flaw though is well who's to say the OP has submitted legit information about themselves to Google. How would a US court serve a summons to them if they have no valid physical address or live in RUSSIA as is stated on the OPs channel about page..? To me it seems to be less hassle to just ignore criticism in the public domain like this and carry on than to waste money trying to sue someone who you may or may not be able to locate and get drug into court let alone collect from.. From what I see now is this company has cleaned up it's activities some and are informing people to get a license which is the right thing to do.
Here is the frequency list: www.ruggedradios.com/PDF/Frequencies/Frequency-RH7X.pdf These are business band or government frequencies. They are not for casual usage. All these frequencies require a license.
Channel Name Frequency
1 WTHRMN 151.625
2 BFGRLY 151.715
3 BAJAPTS 154.980
4 NETWORK 151.685
5 CHECKRS 151.925
6 FAIR 150.860
7 YOKOHAM 153.110
8 RUGGED RELAY 152.960
9 CHKRS 2 151.505
10 BFGPITS 153.395
11 MAG 7 153.380
12 RESCUE 155.160
13 CORE 153.245
14 PRIVATE 156.675
15 SANDLMO 152.510
16 PCI RLY 154.515
17 BITD 151.490
18 KOH 1 157.450
This is true because I hold a BB license for 151.6250, and 151.5050 MHz. I used to have a license for 154.5700 and 154.6000 before they made them MURs
The RM-60 is the TYT TH9000D (VHF). It can be programmed with Chirp and had no problem programming Ham repeaters. Have the same concerns about the over priced radios and lack of licensing disclosure
So you picked TH9000D in the chirp software when you wanted to pull the data off the RM-60?
I wonder how Rugged Radios can get away with advertising those part 90 VHF and UHF Frequencies as license and allocated to Off Road Racing. According my knowledge, the FCC hasn't assigned a single UHF or VHF frequency for Off Road Racing. I mean how dare Rugged Radio misleads the consumers. Yes consumers should be aware even if they don't purchase radios fro Rugged Radio.
Adam Huffnagle it’s called private land mobile radio use which is under part 15 i believe.
First off, LMR and PLMR are part 90 not part 15.
Secondly the FCC ID on your radio nor your special job title is an implied license to operate on the frequencies you are on. PERIOD.
Watch this video and try to pay attention - ua-cam.com/video/MwmYWJ_Zkl4/v-deo.html
Also read this then follow up on the FCC's actual website about part 90, licensing, etc.Because public services, LMR and PLMR all fall under part 90 - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_band
It's a real gray area. They are basically saying that people can use other peoples licenses. Man, they are skirting the line. And leaving the liability on the end-user. And also deceptively not informing people. Also, they are overcharging for Korean radios.
Thanks for the info. Very useful. I found this while looking for walkies to use in an urban neighborhood. Range needed is less than one mile but with a hill in the middle. I am willing to get the GMRS license. Do you have any product recommendations or favorite brands?
I heard some of the recs at the end of the video but the audio is very low and hard to understand clearly.
Hi Elfnet I got the rugged radio RM25R. What brand makes this radio. I’m going to get my GMRS Lin. I’m in a off-road club that wants us to get Ham lin we live in Southern California so I called rugged radios they said to send the radio I have rm25r & they can unlock they need my GMRS # so they unlock it so I can talk on the repeaters. We use cbs & these radios. Thank for the video information Dave.
WOULD BE NICE IF THIS CAME WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO USE FOR THE BEGINNER. YOU TUBE VIDEOS DO NOT EXPLAIN OR HELP!!
Thank you for this video. Saved me a lot of trouble I dont need, and cash that I do need.
Holy shit. I just bought this radio. I really wish I would have watched this video before hand.
I only just started looking into these radios my self. I've found you can set these radios for 1 watt transmit power and that opens up the frequencies used for FRS radios for non licensed use. You can get a GMRS license very easily and one license covers your whole family. Then you can operate at 5 watts but only on GMRS channels 1 thru-7 and 15 thru-22...
Looks like there are other loopholes that would allow use of other frequencies without a license however these frequencies account for only a very small portion of this radios capabilities...
Problem is the technical legality of using the Chinesium radios on part 95 bands. Yeah physically you can use them but not legally because they do not hold part 95 certification. The ONLY bands in the US you can use under LBR are 11 meter 27 MHz CB, 49 MHz (baby monitor band), MURS, FRS, 900MHz ISM , 2.4GHz ISM and 5.8 GHz ISM each band has their own rules for emissions db, physical design, and power ratings that MUST be followed for the LBR (License By Rule) to remain in effect.
with a GMRS license you can transmit up to 50 watts on select GMRS frequencies. The issue of Part 95 cert. on the radio itself is real, BUT... If your radio is not causing any interference, stays in band properly, then I personally don't have a problem with using UV-5R's or any other Part 90 certified radio in GMRS, especially quality Kenwood, Motorola, Icom etc.... that are Part 90 certified as they are held to a higher standard in the first place, and meet GMRS specifications, but the manufacturer didn't submit the radios for part 95 cert because they didn't market said radios for GMRS, and don't foresee any significant sales in the GMRS market. I also agree that Rugged Radios is a bitter-sweet kind of company. They are making quality products for their headsets and intercoms, but they are branding cheap Baofeng and TYT radios with their logo, programming them with Part 90 frequencies, over charging, and putting their customers in a position of violating FCC rules and ending up with a $10,000 NAL fine if a complaint is lodged. Not a good practice Rugged...
What really ticks me off, is that resellers and Rugged themselves are openly deceptive about this to end-users. I've argued with people over this.
In our Jeep club we've moved to GMRS and there is a guy in the group who is a reseller and trying to sell people Rugged Radios and I quote
"I have been running these radios in trail and race rigs since 2011 with zero issues. I stay out of first responders frequencies and never had an issue and do not foresee one. When we are at St Anthony for UTV fest there are 100s of rigs there running them and no tickets ever issued."
Sigh. I hate to say it, but as the offroad community moves off of CB's, more and more are moving to Baofengs and what not and are unaware of licenses and whatnot.
I love how the rugged radio channel has their comments disabled and the fact he sounds like a douchey car salesman. No way I would ever buy anything from that dude.
jeep6242 ha I was thinking the same thing.
The white one isn't a marine band radio. It is a 136-174 vhf 60 watt mobile TYT TH-9000 in white. Also, not all the Baofeng UV-5R's are part 90. Only the one's that have the factory applied sticker that has the FCC ID on it that you can do an FCC ID search online to confirm it's certified. And, MURS is up to 2 watts, not 1 watt or less.
Oh. thanks, Usually white radios I classify with marine radios.
Yes I know about the FCCID sticker, I mentioned this several times in other videos and on the Baofeng Reddit. I* should have mentioned it here but just forgot.
I swear I though MURS was 1 watt and the two business band freqs (154.5700, and 154.6000) were 2 watts..
I dont keep up with that stuff much because I don't use MURS or have customers that use MURS..
I seen a great package deal on Ebay , selling a set (2) Baofeng 888s Radio's with (2) chargers , (2) Antenna's , (2) ear piece mics (2) belt clips (2) hand straps (2) rechargeable Batteries for $19.00 ..it was a nice big Ad , colorful , long list of features blah blah blah ..NO mention that they are "ILLEGAL!" even with a license due to the removable antenna and wattage output (listed as 5 , but actually maybe 3) so now i'm stuck with a set I cannot use. and I live on a wooded acre of land and got them ..so if i'm out in the woods, the wife can reach me and visa versa . and they come programmed with test frequencies (CANNOT use them right out of the box) can't use them Period!
BF-888s are legal for part 90 (Commercial) and of course part 97 (ham radio).. They will probably be the closest thing you will get to legal for GMRS use since part 90 is overkill for part 95 (GMRS).
NO you cannot use the factory test frequencies that come preset in any ham or part 90 radios, you MUST reprogram it it have it reprogrammed either by someone who knows how or the seller..
Now most baofengs come with programming cables and a CD with software to program them..
Since you are in a wooded area you are better to use VHF Hi band radios on MURS, like BTech MURSv1 or the Motorola RMM series..
Had someone track me once years ago! lol I led them right in the middle of a training event. Taking shots out at 1200 yards. I think that was the last time he came looking for anyone..
So you openly admit to leading someone to a live fire event and purposely firing at them? #Smart
I set up some of those handheld transceivers, on the video, for the local fire brigade. The local fire brigade loves them.
Well they have part 90 certification however their reliability under certain conditions is very weak and thus would not make good public quality service radios, they also lack certain features that public service analog systems may utilize like MDC ANI and signalling, OFM Approval for use in hazmat environments where there is an explosion hazard, proper water proofing seals, etc.. As a back up radio to keep in a glove compartment yeah sure, but as a mainline use radio while fighting a fire or a rescue operation, no..
@@Elfnetdesigns I set up a repeater network for the local volunteer fire brigade. Most of the hand held transceivers were this radio. The repeater was a very expensive unit. But the mobile unites and the hand held units were Baofeng and TYT. The hand held units were baofeng and the mobile mounted units were TYT. It seems they are doing fine with the radios. They purchased the radios and repeater two years ago.
@@indridcold8433 I admit, TYT is a far better radio and I would go with that brand before baofeng any day, I have sold many of the MD-390 series HT's to various commercial customers because they are affordable and waterproof. And YES repeaters are not cheap especially if you opt to go digital or run a community repeater, I know because I own 4 DMR and 4 analog commercial repeaters. Most public services however have gone or will eventually go onto a digital format like P25, IDK of any PS ents around me that use DMR/MotoTrbo but that is referring to my local area, maybe some exist elsewhere in the world..
The rules have been changed and do allow marine radios when not on a boat but you must be contacting someone who is on a boat when using it. Either way this company needs to be shut down due to their "offroad frequency" programming.
Wqnd300 from reddit.
I called these guys out on Instagram, and they claim they no longer use Baofeng as a supplier. @idahooffroad on Instagram if you're curious.
I also love the threats that a bunch of old fat guys are gonna track down people hahahahah bring it on !!! Love to see this guy take on a entire off road crew armed hahhaHHhahah
Here's the deal:
First off I apologize for the audio. yes I know it's low, No I do not need you to tell me it's low..
Now to business-
What is failed in understanding here is some people and businesses pay for the legal right and privilege to use some of these frequencies for commercial / business functions and operations. When you are not licensed and you just use a frequency out of the box you could be interfering with someone else who is on that frequency legally and that legal party has the right to report the issue to local law enforcement and the FCC and there is zero anything the illegal party can do about it. if I find an illegal user on my frequencies I ask them nicely over the radio to leave the frequency. if they come back rude or ignore me I go Fox hunting and once I locate the illegal party I get the police involved as well as the FCC so when I do confront them face to face as I have the law backing me up that way the illegal party cannot try any stupid business like wanting to fight or pull weapons out..
What it comes down to is simply who can produce a valid FCC License(s) to operate on the frequency(s) in question..
With that said the FCC is starting actually enforce the laws by first making it harder to get Chinese radios in the US and the sellers in the US will be the ones getting the huge fines. Later it is very possible that the FCC will start doing more field work like setting up and checking license credentials at off road events and so on and issuing warnings and fines if needed. We shall see.
Furthermore: The FCC has been releasing enforcement notices all this past year and any of these Chinese radios without an FCC ID is an illegal radio transmitter, period. Even for Ham radio use now (kinda surprised me since we can build a radio from old TV parts and that's fine... big government red tape..). FCCID is the key, if your radio does not have one on it it is no longer legal to transmit on in the USA.
Plain and Simple, The ONLY band in VHF Hi band you can use legally without a license (License By Rule) is the MURS band and you MUST use type accepted equipment (only baofeng you can use here is the BTech MURS-V1) and not exceed the power limits for that band. Otherwise you are breaking the law.. That's it, period
You can use a licensed frequency however only IF you are given permission by the license holder and the radio is part 90 certified.. This is how employees of a business like a construction outfit or cab company for example can use radios. The company holds the license and gives it's employees permission to use the frequencies that license is for while on the clock..
ElfNet Designs hello, I was wondering if you have a way to contact you via email?
I have a handful of questions about using these radios. I just purchased one and I’m thinking I should probably return them
google image search will find the lists they took off the pages
Good thing I have amplified speakers so I can hear what you're trying to say. Just to be sure yall are aware in the USA, the FCC takes a VERY dim view of unlicensed folks operating in our ham bands or causing interference with them. Fines typically are in the $10,000 to $25,000 range plus loss of equipment.
From an Aug 2018 Enforcement order from the FCC, one states "....fails to comply with these laws, he may be liable for significant penalties, including fines of up to $19,639 per day.", another states "Failure to take action to resolve the interference may result in severe penalties, including fines up to $16,000 per day."
The FRS, MURS, CMRS radio specs are all different, and some require (legally) a 0.5 watt Max output WITH a fixed antenna.
Are you are quoting the Amcrest incident where one version of a Baofeng HT was being sold as a commercial radio when it had no part 90 certifications? I forget the model but it was an 8 watt UV-5R or something. I remember people panicking saying ALL Chinese radios were going to be taken away and prices would go through the roof.. UA-cam...
FRS is now allowed 2 watts now on the shared GMRS channels and 500mW on the others, the 467MHz channels are no longer part of FRS, they are GMRS now and the fixed antenna rule still applies..
GMRS = 50 watts, no fixed antenna rule, license period now 10 years. And some relaxation on using part 90 equipment (The FCC knows about it and decided not to say ya or nay on it. But they recognized the lacking of actual part 90 radios, mainly repeaters, currently in service or on the market that are modern)
MURS = 2 watts, no fixed antenna rule
11 Meter CB = 4 watts no fixed antenna rule and DX limitations were removed
I don't think there has been any enforcement action on an individual for using a non part 95 radio on MURS, GMRS or FRS though at least in the past few years..
I don't really give to shits either way because I use what I use and I also use baofeng uv-5r's along with a surecom SR 328 repeater controller connected to a scanner to recieve either railroad audio or public safety and the other baofeng connected to the controller passes the audio from the scanner to the other baofeng for transmit kind of like how crossbanding works that way when I'm out of my vehicle I can still hear what the car scanner is saying as it's being relayed to my other handheld on uhf!!!!!!!!!! This comes in handy when I'm either in a building shopping or just the way from my vehicle
Yeah I don't care either what people use at this point, I just want to make people aware of whats technically legal and not.. At the end of the day people can do what they want with the radios they buy..
I have a similar setup but it is set to automatically activate only when there is a local weather alert (EAS data bursts turn it on and off) then it patched into the GMRS repeater I have set up locally. It deactivates itself when the EAS end bursts are recieved. I can patch railroad into it to but I don't bcause that is not 100% legal. The weather alerts are useful though especially for those around who use the repeater and do not have a VHF radio.. What service band are you patching into if you don't mind me asking??
I have my General license. The solution is simple, but manufactures would put up a strong fit. Simply put, you should only be able to buy a radio, which requires a license, if you have a license to operate the radio. There are receive only radios out there and people without licenses can buy those, if they want to listen. The general public doesn't know a license is required. Even if they do, many of them are using these radio illegally. I'm a perfect example. I used GMRS for years at work before I found out a license is required. We only transmit on the FRS bands now, but no one came knocking on our door. And that's why the public is getting away with it. It's not enforced, because there is no way to enforce it, except to do what I mentioned. Only sell to licensed operators.
Radio Shack near me tried that in the early 90's with ham radios and quickly found out that it was creating too much loss of sales. The old excuse "I'm studying to get my license and I want a radio to get used to for when I do get it" was common back then and the store would cave and sale a radio.
Protective HT not disagreeing with you but want to play devil's advocate.
I can buy a car, truck, motorcycle, etc, which requires a license to operate. However, not a license to purchase.
@@wbball15 Some car lots do require both a license and proof of valid insurance now.
I wish I could hear this video because I unfortunately bought a full set up from them
Send them back! Go to Ebay and order Retivis Rt27v they are MURS radios and license free also FCC certified! Cost $25‐$29 a pair
Are these radios also scanners
they have a scan feature but it is painfully slow. Look up Baofeng UV-5R online for more info
If a Part 90 license is needed you can go to non-profit association at landmobile.com
Thank you for this video! Need's to be shared, companies shouldn't be able to do this without letting users know they require a license, and to be honest, shouldn't be selling it to customers who don't have a license. I know if I got fined by the FCC for illegal use, I sure as hell would send these people the bill and sue them! I'm sure that'll shut them down for good..
I want to re-upload this video on my channel with all credit to you, could you email me at kfivedur@gmail.com so we can chat about it? Thanks.
Sure you can mirror it, I don't care because like you said, people need to know the truth before buying radios. Sellers need to at least make a note to a buyer that they should get licensed before transmitting etc.
Can't here an Elf'n word your saying nor do I read Spanish subtitles..
This is great information for the public to understand. On the flip side, I personally think that this video is bashing a great marketing strategy. Rugged Radios is not telling anyone to use these specific channels and in my opinion the end user should be doing the homework on the laws of using such radio. This is not the responsibility of a certain company to put forth by any means. Would you hold Toyota accountable for not providing training classes on driving their vehicles?
On top of that when you spoke about the higher end radio users becoming bored and finding someone using such radio, that is considered stalking and harassment. I would be one to suspect the law enforcement would side with someone being harassed and stalked over using a handheld radio. Again this is my opinion and in short this company has marketed this product brilliantly and found a way to build a company from selling these radios. The homework can only be done by the user.
Erik Herman a decent company would inform their customers that in order to use their products the end user needs to get a license. That's just the Right thing to do. Please don't justify them.
These look beofang radios... Just with a different coloring in the case...
Audio sucks!