Quansheng uv-k5 walkie talkie - £13.78 @ AliExpress/Cutesliving Store

The radio can do AM and FM, you can go into the menu (M button) and find "AM" (or type 48 as it's menu item 48) , press Menu again to select it, use up and down arrows to change it, and Menu again to save. Some channels will be AM some will be FM, and you might also want to play with the bandwidth for FM (narrow or wide)

Set a frequency you want to start at (e.g. 120000 = 120MHz) then press and hold SCAN (*) and it should start scanning until it finds something. If it finds just noise, you can press the up arrow to keep scanning.

These would be good and perfectly legal to use in the uk if you stick to walkie-talkie channels as follows:-
PMR walkie talkie frequenciesThere are eight 'licence-free' (PMR446) UHF channels licensed for use within the UK, and these run in 12.5Khz internals (listed here in MHz):

1. 446.00625

2. 446.01875

3. 446.03125

4. 446.04375

5. 446.05625

6. 446.06875

7. 446.08125

8. 446.09375 (edited)

Note it is is illegal to use this for transmitting in the UK without an appropriate licence.

My understanding is you can listen in to maritime, aviation, but not emergency services as digital/encypted now. On 2m(144 to 148MHz) and 70cm(430 to 440MHz) bands, you can listen in on Ham radio conversations and most areas in the UK will have clubs that use a local repeater(Big Radio Mast) to hold weekly "Radio Nets", where they discuss general stuff that's happening and help each other solve radio equipment problems. Mostly they just chew the fat and quite entertaining. You can even tune in to the International Space Station Ham Radio transmissions, if the flight path is overhead and they are transmitting. I think that's about right, but happy for other people to chip in their knowledge/corrections.
The above is listen only, unless you have foundation or above Ham licence. I think you can use the radio on the PMR (Private Mobile Radio, 446 MHz). just like a walkie talkie on 1 of 16 channels, legally without any licence. I know it should be fixed Antenna, but its fixed when screwed on! So if you had 2 you'd be able to communicate with a friend. Google PMR radio for more details and exact frequencies. (edited)

yes. I can pick up london control on 127.100 MHz and 127.875MHz

Amen to that

although id probably just plead ignorance if "caught" this is great .. thanks!

Thought this might interest you hackaday.com/202…an/ (edited)

This model is good.

You could get the UV K5(8) though, they are virtually the same things.

Oh please tell me more.....

The same has happened to me

Same here

Could come in handy if you go camping, hiking or even visiting a country park.

Can you spend 99p more?
Just posted this for you, LOL
hotukdeals.com/dea…951

yeah

yes

They claim to be water resistant rather than water proof.
However, the bandwidth does cover the marine channels, so should be fine.
At this price, put the radio in a ziploc bag and have a go!

I have Baofeng UV-5R, similar to this, but less channels to go at. After researching forums, internet, I upgraded to the Retevis RHD771. Vast improvement on original antenna and can hear radio nets from York +35 miles away. Yes that radio net was through a repeater, but the repeater was nearer to York than me. Helps to be on high ground, line of sight, etc.
Be careful, tried low cost ebay ones, which turned out to be fakes, pay a little more and use a reputable retailer/seller.
amazon.co.uk/Ret…8-3

The radio does not have bluetooth. It does come with an in-ear headset (wired) though.

I think you can only listen 🛫✈️

Because that's where they are made and sell cheaper.

There is K6 as well. I am looking out for sellers with a discounted price.