Baofeng GT-3TP vs BF-F8HP

[@ColeDedhand]

The biggest surprise is the performance of that antenna. That alone makes this radio an easy choice.

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

The GT-3TPs being shipped now are locked from certain frequencies, however you can unlock their full range! Hold down the Monitor, PTT, and VFO buttons while you turn the radio on. It was say "FACTORY" on the display, and the radio will be unlocked. The GT-3TP is still my favorite version of the Baofengs.

[@TNRonin]

I found I had sand the plug shoulder for my disco PTT to fit the radio and work. I needed a smidge more insertion to work the mic.

[@istbankodad]

Gt-3tp I have 3 of these and they work great.

[@MM-ht5ds]

Best video for sure on these radios. Awesome!👍🏻

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

Thanks!

[@exgenica]

I've seen several BF-F8HP's put out just 7W on 2m, whereas the UV-5RTP's I've seen have been 8W on the nose on 2m. I've wondered if some F8HP's were shipped with firmware that limited the 2m output to the same 7W as is spec'd for the 70cm band. With regard to the 12V battery adapters' outputs, it's possible a lot of people received counterfeit adapters. Product bundlers, and even the base manufacturers sometimes get shipments of counterfeit items and don't know it, and to keep costs down don't check such things like the output voltage from different lots of adapters they receive. Happens to the military, too. I can confirm that the internal output control chip inside the battery charger does heat up with voltages above 10VDC, although I have seen them run for extended periods at 12.0VDC...but they are running quite hot. It should be noted however, that automotive batteries are more like 13V and higher...and the "cigarette lighter" socket in the car can be over 14 volts while the engine is running and charging the car's battery. Depending on the car, it can also output incredibly high voltage transients while the car is being started. Transients that can destroy modern electronics. More modern cars tend to have better voltage regulation and protection due to all the computers most cars have these days. Really old cars can have unbelievably dirty voltage supply from the socket.

[@jfrtbikgkdhjbeep9974]

its them BaoThings ✌😊 damnnnn

[@atlas3863]

Yeah I’ve had that issue with various different 12 v dc chargers The best thing to do is get an adjustable step down DC voltage regulator To use in line with your car chargers. That way you don’t find out the hard way if the charger itself isn’t internally regulated when the vehicle is running.

[@exgenica]

It can also help reduce the impact of poor voltage regulation and transients produced by the car's systems, and the different voltages put out by the alternator depending on whether the battery is being charged or the engine is being started.

[@desmondbarrett8926]

instablaster

[@mauriziogabaglio4861]

hi the power of my new GT3-TP does not transmit 8 watts as advertised. 144Mhz: L= 1.5watt M= 4watt and H= 5.5 watt. Tested with external antenna and with dummy load. How is it possible? Thanks. IW2GKI

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

Could be a bad unit. If you bought it off Amazon, it's really easy to return it.

[@maxlumens9085]

My bff8hp tested 8 on the dot. I wonder if they're hit or miss?

[@autosyonal]

HI watch the power output wen you test the swr with sainsonic antenna i see 7 watt ????? please confirme grz thanks

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

That sounds about right. These cheap radios never put out their maximum stated power.

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Use chirp UV5R to program it! Just got one, works great!

[@arminskulj4993]

Can you explain what is that 2m and 70cm I use only in huntnig what setup is best of gt 3tp

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

2m and 70cm are wavelength bands, corresponding to 144 - 148 MHz and 430 - 440 MHz, also referred to as VHF and UHF. Since you're using it for hunting, I'd just set it up for the FRS/GMRS channels as that's likely what most other people are going to be using. If you get your Ham license then you could use local repeaters in your area as well.

[@deenunya7735]

Was looking at the gt3 .all good results so far thanks Wat model is that SWR Power Mtr?

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

Surecom. Hard to beat for the price... amzn.to/2Syx2t5

[@stevensgarage6451]

Great radio for the money

[@BeGeorgeSand]

Hi, I have the Baofeng GT-3TP. is there any Firmware that let´s it also broadcast in DMR mode, so uses digital codecs instead of just analog FM ? I wanted to have a DMR device, but unfortunately bought this device, which standardly has only analog FM modulation. I wanted to have a digital scrambler and digital codec, so not much noise... Thanks.

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

No, it can't do DMR. You'll need something like this instead... amzn.to/2LUdH59

[@YuriyDtv]

helped me chose what i want. good job what you think of uv5xp 8 watts that they have is it worth it

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

I haven't looked into the uv-5xp. There's not a whole lot of difference between these radios. They all use the same chipsets, but have slight variations in firmware or packaging. Glad I could help!

[@153SCORN]

Hold on to that GT-3TP. Its got better efficiency than newer radios. I can get 3 days standby usage on the GT-3TP as apposed to 15hours on a newer boafeng radio from 2021.

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

Good to know!

[@lalu225]

Hello, my gt-3p came with an antenna that is slightly bent, maybe 20-30 degrees and it does not seem to come back to a vertical position. Should I return the antenna? Does it affect the transmission if it's not completely vertical?

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

A damaged antenna can definitely effect transmission. I'd send it back, especially if you got it off Amazon. They make it easy...

[@lalu225]

Scorpion Ranch Thank you very much for your reply. I asked for a replacement and got a new one the next day, with a straight antenna this time.

[@EliasPerez-cf5gp]

Are both batteries interchangeable or not?

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

No, the batteries are different between the GT-3 and BF-8.

[@NorseCode.81]

They do 8 watts on full charge with the bigger battery

[@apetercharlesstudio]

I see you have a Yaesu FT-70D. Good review on the Baofeng btw. My Yaesu FT 70 D is little more than a paperweight now. Worst battery life I've ever seen in over 30 yrs of being a Ham. It's little wonder the Big 3 in amateur radio can barely sell a HT anymore when Baofeng makes essentially a throw away radio that actually works better than Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood when considering price. Yaesu should have been scolded for producing the FT 70D, AND no replacement battery with a bigger Ah rating.

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

Yep, battery life is a common complaint on that FT70D.

[@TheChico868]

Good review

[@exgenica]

I disagree with you on the SWR=2 is "usable". SWR of 2.5 or so can result in damage to radios especially at the high power settings, and if you're reading 2.0 with everything "normal" it may not take much of a change in the configuration to increase the SWR to a dangerous level...simply changing the ground plane for example. Also, compared to a high quality radio I would generally expect these cheaper radios to be easier to damage. BaoFeng's and similar are great little radios for what they do and offer...but they are cheap.

[@szaki]

Do these radios have FCC licence number? If not, illegal to use or sell!

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

These are amateur radios. The operator is licensed, not the radio.

[@szaki]

@@ScorpionRanchTX When you take out the battery, inside is a label, it has to have a FCC license #. Otherwise it's not allowed to use or sell it. >>As of September 30th, 2019 the FCC has determined that hand held portable radios capable of transmitting in un-licensed bands are now prohibited.

[@ScorpionRanchTX]

Yes they have an FCC ID. There's a lot of misinformation out there about this "ban".

[@greg6162]

Well, why don’t you call Johnny Law and stop these outlaws... thank you for informing the world that these are illegal. You’ve done your good deed on this day and I for one feel the world is a safer place with you self policing hamsters. I know a guy who ripped the tag right off his mattress in 1989!!! Reply to this comment and I’ll give you his name good sir