JamesAirsofterAgent

That sounds absolutely amazing so props to whoever came up with it, definitely adds a unique dynamic to a game. 

As per title,
 
Does anybody run a handgun in place of a long on game day?
 
Bar the obvious limitations, does it still make for an enjoyable experience?
 
Not really talking hi-capa with a tank attached, more like a standard TM and a stack of mags.
 
 

CQB Yes as I really enjoy using my pistol (KJW M9 GBB) and dreamed of owning it for about 5 years, so any chance to use it is a yes yes yes. I dont think it provides too much advantage over anyone using a cqb rifle setup, if any but it does feel awfully nice  especially when reloading (even though 90% of the time my 'tac' reload involves me fiddling about trying to open the velcro, and put the mag in for what seems an eternity) 

CQB Yes as I really enjoy using my pistol (KJW M9 GBB) and dreamed of owning it for about 5 years, so any chance to use it is a yes yes yes. I dont think it provides too much advantage over anyone using a cqb rifle setup, if any but it does feel awfully nice  especially when reloading (even though 90% of the time my 'tac' reload involves me fiddling about trying to open the velcro, and put the mag in for what seems an eternity) 

A Ham foundation licence allows up to 10 watts.
That won’t be needed to keep contact with a group day out, but will help for James’ ambitions of taking up Amateur radio as a shared family hobby too
 
 
 
Breaker breaker, 19, Smokey’s eating doughnuts off the A303 *
 
* of course Ham operators don’t go in for that, they are the ‘serious’ side of radio hobby’s 

I would note that CB sets remain available, and are completely licence free now.  They operate around the 27Mhz band, notionally at 4W (but are, or were, regularly boosted way over that) and run expensive compared to the 400Mhz+ handsets.  I haven't seen handheld units for sale, although there's no reason why one couldn't be produced, the only technical issue being that the antennae need to be longer than for 400Mhz+.
 
I have no idea if anyone is still using them. I haven't used one since 1990 or so, when it went toxic and folk just started playing music or shit-talking all over the CB channels.
 
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0022/84406/citizens-band.pdf

That’s interesting to know - but I also have not had any use of a CB since probably the 90s
 
My CB memories are:
1) All my uncles had them in Orkney and would gather in kitchens playing the fiddle & accordion across the airwaves
 
2) Sat on the driveway in someone’s dad or big brothers car annoying truckers.
They never wanted to talk to annoying teenage boys, but they stayed on the channel when we had teenage girls with us. (Which begs the question as to why we were playing with CBs when sat in cars with teenage girls
 
3) Pre mobile phones we once ended up sat in a truckers cab whilst he tried to raise someone on the CB who could access a phone and call out the AA to a car breakdown 

to be honest I'm not going to chase UPS, as I have a account with them for work. If they get around to sending an invoice then I'll pay but I don't think that will happen as the time spent by UPS sorting it all out will outway the actual amount.
I spoke to Pawel from TWG quite a bit during thr lost/delayed parcel saga and he is quite happy as he got a full refund.
 
Just to recap on the whole thing:
Taiwangun were really good
Parcel force were good but slow (staff shortages are pretty well documented in Parcel Force in the media currently)
UPS were terrible. UPS support wasn't very helpful and continued to promise updates that they never delivered.
 
Am I going to chase UPS just to give them money when I used up all my patience chasing them to sort out my delivery. well no is the simple answer.

Oh, right, sod them then.  The sooner they go out of business, the better.  

That sounds absolutely amazing so props to whoever came up with it, definitely adds a unique dynamic to a game. 

Played a game many moons ago where we only had X number of ’real’ and low cap mags between each team(there was only 18 of us there) you could reload them BUT you had to take and hold one of three ammo dumps around the site to do so then once the mags where reloaded you had to Frank boff out of it . The game started out with the ammo dumps closed and you had to complete tasks to activate them , has to be said was bloody good fun ! 

Thank you both, you've been incredibly helpful. Personally I'm quite interested in the ham stuff as I know my grandad is also. I've signed up for the 3 week Essex ham course so I can learn what's required to pass the amateur exam and get the 27 pound license, so that shouldn't be an issue. I think I might go for the 8w version as mountain biking we do get quite split up if it's a longer trail with everyone going at their own pace. Just got to convince my friends to get it now and do the course so they have the knowledge too 😁
 
 
Thanks both for the help

Thank you both, you've been incredibly helpful. Personally I'm quite interested in the ham stuff as I know my grandad is also. I've signed up for the 3 week Essex ham course so I can learn what's required to pass the amateur exam and get the 27 pound license, so that shouldn't be an issue. I think I might go for the 8w version as mountain biking we do get quite split up if it's a longer trail with everyone going at their own pace. Just got to convince my friends to get it now and do the course so they have the knowledge too 😁
 
 
Thanks both for the help

I wouldn't get either, unless you're planning to play at some huge milsim site.  2W (BF-888S PMR / 88E, or basic UV-5R) is fine for most sites.
 
For hiking, well, maybe, but are you planning on talking to your buddy who's just down the trail (in which case, see above), or to make an emergency call for help?  In which case I wouldn't give advice, but would point you towards a hiking forum.
 
8W and arbitrary frequencies might mess up someone's day inadvertently, and you're getting into the actual HAM arena there.  Sorry, beyond my ken.

James:  If you're planning to use it for hiking and so longer range than airsoft use then the UV-5R would be a better choice but its more complex to use than the 888s.
Could also be worth buying the longer range NA-771 antenna.
Duno the difference between UV-5R models so you'll have to check on that.
 
As Roger stated, you'll be into HAM territory so licence will likely be required to be legal.
More research I'm afraid...
 
 
Just found this 
So you can put a face to the voice 😏

I really like the facilities at Area-66: good access road, hard standing, a generously sized safe zone, well stocked shop, hot and cold food on site, and even a functional permanent toilet block.
 
But whether I actually enjoy the day is down to the dickishness-to-decency ratio among the players who actually show up, and whether the marshals are on the ball that day.
 
And I'd generalise that to any site.  It's the people, not the place.

This definitely, theres often bulk deals around of 10/20 low cap mags that you can split with friends and it makes it a lot more interesting

This definitely, theres often bulk deals around of 10/20 low cap mags that you can split with friends and it makes it a lot more interesting

USB Cable if we go for the UV5R will most likely be thishttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Baofeng-Programming-Compatible-BF-888S-Contains/dp/B09248RC78/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=baofeng+programming+cable&qid=1625576366&sprefix=baofeng+progra&sr=8-4
 
With regards to frequencies I, I have not, I dont even really know how setting them up would work, the only radios I've ever used you just selected a channel and spoke. Beat shift, I don't believe the UV5Rs have it but then again I'm not too familiar with what it is.

Having been playing for over 20+yrs and owning an awful lot of different guns and platforms in that time , I will more than happily say bar a TM recoil the new DE mosfet guns(if all the same)are among the best performing guns I’ve ever owned , I picked up a 2nd hand 904G as a “it’s the end of the day and I’m bolloxed ! I need a lightweight gun !” Gun and first time I used it I ended up using it the entire day I think it’s THAT good ! 😱
so yea I’d say go for a totally different platform , and if not yet also change to mid caps from hi-caps so you need to do reloads in game to step up your game . 👍

Hmm, I hadn't looked into the 888, but they're really quite interesting.
 
There's an original BF-888S which runs at 2W and 400-470MHz, but they also do a BF-888S "PMR" version, aka BF-88E, with a fixed antenna but still running at 2W.  From what I can see, they've basically pre-programmed it to the 16 analogue PMR channels in the 446.0 / 446.2MHz PMR range, and called it PMR.  It's still re-programmable though, if you want.
 
https://www.baofengradio.co.uk/2x-bf-888s-pmr446-walkie-talkies-long-range-two-way-radio-license-free-with-earpieces/
 
So they're not strictly speaking PMR, and should only be used for licensed frequencies.  But I do agree that they're a smart practical choice as you won't accidentally stray off of PMR frequencies and bother anyone (unless you go out of your way to reprogram them), you'll get the extra range, and the fixed antenna makes them look indistinguishable from a PMR.  USB charging, nice. Cheap too, and even cheaper in bulk.
 
I see why you went for them, they make a lot of sense.  All the functionality of a UV-5R that anyone would want for airsoft, without any of the messing around.
 
 

From what I understand most sites have a commercial license for the marshals so you can use radios under their cover.
Can always ask your local what their radio protocol is as they'll have one or two reserved channels.
 
I just got a pair of 888s for £15 and very happy with their use at our last game.
 

We have them, ran them for years. No issues with the popo

The most common licence used in airsoft for these types of radio is the Small business licence, with no exam required - £75 for 5 years 
 
https://secure.ofcom.org.uk/busrad/
 
 
Or there is the foundation HAM licence, which is free once you have a pass certificate from  the Radio Society exam costs £27.50 
Free training resources - courses or self study:
https://www.essexham.co.uk/train/
 
Radio society exam:
https://rsgb.org/main/rsgb-examination-booking/
 
OfCom Ham licence applications:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/manage-your-licence/radiocommunication-licences/online-licensing-service


 
The business licence is the next easiest route after PMR, the Ham foundation is the second cheapest (legal) route after true PMR

must say i am going for the mags in the pocket option