Baofeng K5-Plus Tri-Band radio review

[@EndEverAfter]

Press and hold “8” to change from Low to M to H power 😊

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Thank you. I have added that to the description

[@fshalor738]

I hear you about the power quick set being missing. Out of the box, for GMRS, this is a huge performer. Our 10-year old is getting the chance to learn a bit about RF and prep for a ham exam with this as a "starter". My current pair of units have the EXIT vs the EIXT feature. CHIRP seems to be completely good with the newer radios as well, and setting up channel mode vs channels feels effortless. Thanks for pointing out that 1.25 meters is a no-go out the box. No real need for it where we are, but having a family radio which can also cover the hams in the fam on 2m and 70cm is a huge plus. Ones going in every car as an emergency space!

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@fshalor738 hey way to go!! Someone in the comments noted that a long press on the 8 key (if i recall correctly) will make the wattage cycle.

[@PaoloBergamo]

Thank you for the video! Just got one. The pain of the display turning off/going in low consumption mode is real.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@PaoloBergamo if you use chirp to program the radio via computer there is a setting to keep the display lit constantly.

[@TheMajorKC]

Just got one to try out and they fixed the exit .

[@RobertHunter-zk9pj]

I liked the ability to listen to the local airport and some of the mil frequencies. Not a lot of traffic in a small town but still kind of a fun novelty I wasn't expecting when I bought it. I thought it was only the 70 cm, 2 m and 1.25 but has more than that. Don't transmit of course on those channlels so be aware of that. Good little ham radio though.

[@tmk761]

The one-touch power key is pressing and holding the "8" key. This radio also supports one-touch NOAA weather by pressing and holding the "0" key. Some Baofeng models (but not this one) display the battery voltage while holding the "1" key. The way to find these is to press and briefly hold a keypad key. If the radio immediately speaks the number, there is no long-press function. If it only speaks when you release the key, it has a long-press function. Pressing and holding the "BAND" button (above "EIXT") initiates the frequency / tone detection of a nearby transmitting radio. In that mode, the "#" key cycles between UHF, VHF, 200 and 350 bands.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Thanks Terri, thats awesome!! I've added that to the description text.

[@scottgarvy]

👍 👌

[@rogermarcoux4467]

Thanks for the one touch power button location.

[@fshalor738]

That ... WASN"T in the manual! ;) Thank you! I hate scrolling through menus.

[@tmk761]

@@fshalor738 You're welcome! Baofeng tends to use the same manual (with a different cover) when a distributor requests a new model with slightly different firmware. An excellent example of this is the UV-17 Pro GPS where the manual doesn't even mention anything at all about GPS in the manual.

[@DandyDon1]

Looking at Amazon's ad images for the Baofeng K5-Plus, seems the EXIT button labeling has been fixed.

[@DandyDon1]

When I originally purchased my Icom IC-27A/H 220Mhz transceiver in the 1980s, I really enjoyed 220Mhz. I'm looking at the manual which I downloaded and cannot seem to find information about setting a PL (Private Line) tone for a repeater. Is the terminology in the manual different? I see Burst Tone, Signal Code (S-Code). Now that I look harder I see it might be the T-CTCS (CTCSS) feature?

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@DandyDon1 yes, i have heard that from several others as well. Glad to hear it! 🤠

[@DandyDon1]

@@kobblekraftka0kao29 I have a K5 Plus in my hand, and the EXIT button is indeed fixed. However looking at the user guide, seems this only RECEIVES on 220Mhz and does not TRANSMIT? That stinks.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@DandyDon1 that was my initial impression too, but ive tested mine with local hams and it does in face transmit, or at least my early model does. Did your come with two antennas? There's really no reason to send an antenna tuned to 220 if it only receives.

[@DandyDon1]

​@@kobblekraftka0kao29 It did come with two antennas. Yes there would be no reason to send two antennas. It does seem to transmit on 220Mhz as it disrupts my computer loudspeakers, oi! I programmed a couple 220mhz repeaters which are supposedly very close to me, but could not open either one. On 2M, no problem. I've not tried 70cm yet. I've purchased an inexpensive Tinysa Spectrum Analyzer, AURSINC V0.3.1 Handheld Frequency Analyzer, Signal Generator 100kHz to 960MHz MF/HF/VHF UHF Input ESD Protected Function with 2.8 inch Touchscreen. This freq counter/spectrum analyzer cost almost twice as much as the K5 Plus transceiver. Technology, got to love it! :) I will admit the learning curve for programming from the manual is a bit steep (at first). Seems the included manual seems to be a very "generalized" version. No mention of it being exclusively for the K5 Plus. The only mention of the "M" version and the "L" version scanning of Police frequencies 350-390Mhz. On the baofengradio de website there is few more details. It's stated to be 5 to 10 watts output. BTW the regular Baofeng K5 Plus website is flagged to have spyware by Malwarebytes, but still viewable.

[@allmyhobbiesareexpensive2676]

The band grouping on the antennas is kinda... Odd. Personally I would expect there to be less of a technical leap grouping 144/220 than 144/440. (Although it does make sense from an "off the shelf" standpoint). Regardless of 'how it's labeled', I would be interested to see if there's excessive power reflection on 2 meters from the 220 duck.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

We inadvertently found out that the dual band duck doesnt work well for 220 when my son in law tried it and couldn't reach far. He thought the oddball 771-looking antenna was for 220, when thats actually the dual-bander.

[@triceychaundiva800]

I’m trying to decide between the k5 plus or the uv-5rm plus what are the differences between the 2 because they seem exactly the same.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@triceychaundiva800 sorry, i can't answer that. Not familiar with the UV5RM

[@denrenvavanaardt6989]

Does it come with the second antenna? Don't plan on using 220 only listening but would still like the antenna 😅

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@denrenvavanaardt6989 yes, it comes with both antennas. Be sure to read which is which, its written in the bottom of the connector.

[@denrenvavanaardt6989]

@@kobblekraftka0kao29 thanks man will do

[@justinkeys523]

I had mine for less than a day and the sound went out. I didn’t adjust anything… please help! Thanks

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@justinkeys523 oh my! It sounds like a quality issue. I'd go back to whoever you purchased from and tell them about it. I've had very good customer service everywhere ive gotten such radios.

[@brucecorbettn9bh398]

How is the display in the sun?

[@ferchox117]

Great video, I have a few baofeng radios, and my kids broke the antenas out of them. I am looking at where you buy your antenas from? Thank you

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Thanks! Check Amazon and anywhere radios are sold to finf an antenna. One of the best mods you can make! A Nagoya 771 would be a good start for antenna.

[@ferchox117]

@@kobblekraftka0kao29 Thank you very much

[@dmarco5396]

Thanks for the great videos. I purchased mine in a few months ago but now when I turn it on and I put in the weather channel or whatever other channel, the green light turns on like it’s receiving, but then I hear no audio. Now, if I turn on the radio AM/FM, I can hear it clearly but for some reason, I don’t hear incoming traffic. Any suggestions? How do you reset these this BaoFeng?

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Ouch! If there is no aufio on any of the frequencies i would go back to the seller. If it was purchased on Amazon they tend to have a very good diagnostic team. They may resolve the problem, and if not will likely replace the radio for no charge.

[@yepitsme6202]

If you are in air (am) mode it will not receive weather which is fm.

[@yepitsme6202]

Also reset is #42 in the menu.

[@risingequinox3093]

Got the 30 dollar extended battery and it turned this into a chunky beast.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@risingequinox3093 got pics??

[@nards656]

Can you share exactly which battery that is?

[@risingequinox3093]

@nards656 having trouble sharing link. Search for uv-5g extended battery. I found two for 37 dollars also. These are much larger than the uv- 5r extended battery

[@risingequinox3093]

‎ B0D6JXJC9F

[@risingequinox3093]

@kobblekraftka0kao29 can't reply with Picture it seems but the battery is significantly larger than the extended battery for the uv-5r to match the larger size of the k5plus. Together it makes a big radio

[@alexnikolaevich2110]

Friend, tell me, do you have a program for flashing channels? Using "chirp" it is not possible to enter both Rx and Tx frequencies at once. The radio is good for beginners. I was pleased with the frequency capture.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

I'm not familiar with the term "flashing channels". Using chirp you can program an RX and a + or - "shift" to provide a TX frequency for that related channel.

[@davebostic12]

Has anyone programmed it on chirp yet? I tried to use ODMASTER and it won’t connect.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@davebostic12 yes, chirp worked great for mine.

[@davebostic12]

Also can’t find option to leave screen on. Goes out after a few seconds.

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@davebostic12 Dave, the option to leave the screen on is only available through direct programming via computer, using a program like Chirp.

[@davebostic12]

@@kobblekraftka0kao29 yes thank you I have it now

[@timothyperez4508]

What’s the general max range someone’s been able to achieve with the K5 plus

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@timothyperez4508 range is a tough thing to guage, so many variables. Antenna quality on mine is excellent, thats a huge part of range. I've been quite happy with the transmit quality.

[@scottgarvy]

I leave my display on continuously and it lasts me all day.

[@TomRolfson]

Hey, purely constructive criticism - please get a better mic. You can get a cheap lav mic that will pair with your phone or computer for under $20-25 or go all the way up to a SnoBal for plug'n play pro quality. I had to chuckle, I'm at 3:01 and you've not mentioned you also got one with the "EIXT" key on it. I was sent mine as a Beta, told them about that defect immediately and apparently they mistook "Hurry and Fix It" for "Hurrah Ship It"!

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Thanks Tim, good idea re the mic! I got a chuckle too on the EIXT, but hey, been there and done that myself 🤣

[@DeanCox-mj3ng]

How do you get the screen to show frequency and the repeater name? Thanks in advance...Mike

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

Hi Mike, Those are settings you can easily change in chirp if you program using a computer. Or you can use menu 24 & 25.

[@TM-gv6zv]

EIXT is Baofeng language 😂

[@kobblekraftka0kao29]

@@TM-gv6zv 🤣😂