Baofeng UV-5R - Why Is A Baofeng So Cheap But Other Radios Are Expensive? Cheap VS Expensive Ham

[@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp]

What else does this stooge have to say other than that his radio costs more than the other? After 2 minutes into this stupid babbling supported with finger movements like a magician - I sincerely give a rat's ass what it is.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

and YET.. You stuck around even longer to whine and cry about it. But thanks for that because when you engage with my video with your whining and crying it really helps my channel in the KZbin algorithm! Thanks to fans like you I get more popular every day.

[@arieswg156]

"finger movements like a magician" 🤣​@@TheNotaRubicon

[@drunit8122]

I actually enjoy the magician hand movements

[@kerbalairforce8802]

Watching our friends over at Ham Radio Crash Course, they said the equipment that was saving lives in hurricane relief was handheld radios, not base stations. It stands to reason to me, that more cheap radios in more hands is the way to go for emergency prepardness.

[@patrickbodine1300]

Beats the heck outta electric chainsaws being delivered to a flood/hurricane disaster.

[@woodrowcall3158]

The UV-5R provided a huge leap for residents in terms of baseline communications, but side by side with other HTs and attempting to communicate at longer distances or hit repeaters +15 miles away you could see some of the limiting performance factors of the UV-5R. I could be 3 miles down a valley on simplex comms talking with a group up the valley and I could tell which transmissions came from a Baofeng and which came from something else. The clarity of transmission became very apparent the closer you got to the edge of the effective transmission range. Hitting the N2GE repeater, a guy right beside me was at the noise level on UV-5R with a hi-gain antenna, and I had clear comms on the repeater with a TH-K20A with a rubber duck, and a FT65R with a hi-gain was also able to clearly transmit from the same location. The UV-5R works though, and in my limited experience in Yancey and Buncombe I was not aware of it’s limitations leading to a loss of life, limb, or property.

[@tj4034]

Taco bell gives me spurious emissions.

[@canav8]

That would be spurious transmissions

[@RedneckHillbillyGnR]

That depends on if you are downwind or not....

[@tacoking5685]

@@canav8 Nah, you're not funny. OP is funny. You're not.

[@timin770]

The pintos & cheese gives me furious emissions

[@Kq4hcuDan]

😂

[@TheHillsHaveFPV]

Day One of owning a Boufwang, i scanned randomly through VFO mode finding absolutely nothing but truck sounds. Day Two i searched online for frequencies and listened to the weather. Day Three i did more digging and discovered some local repeaters. Day Four i decided i don't want to get a ham license to talk to the retirement home about the weather.

[@N2YTA]

OK

[@josephbovio3447]

Accurate

[@larryberry2436]

You could start your own group and talk about what you want to, just saying… You will have to yield to weekly nets on the repeater, 1-2 hours per week, usually in the evenings after their dinner and before lights-out at the home.

[@DinsDale-tx4br]

Listening to Nets is like reading facebook posts about food, aches and pains.

[@savagehunger3315]

@@larryberry2436 Or... using those wonderful boofwangs you can just set them on MURS and have a blast without repeaters. >.> :)

[@TheNotaRubicon]

You can get a low-cost Baofeng UV-5R Radio, here: amzn.to/48qIIUI You can get my favorite radio, the Rocky Talkie, here: rockytalkie.pxf.io/QyRrGY Check out some very good quality Wouxun Ham Radio and GMRS radios here: amzn.to/4eUJv2E

[@evhvariac2]

@@TheNotaRubicon what kind of pencil will you buy? HB? H?

[@edasm4113]

The antenna attaches to the a-hole. It's on the tech exam.

[@electrohacker]

I want ten more u5-5r to complete my shrine

[@MoxyDave]

My squirting is completely spurious. I just bought a couple super cheap Baofwang radios and I am surprised at the quality and how easy they are to program. This is a radio I could pick up after a couple months of inactivity and figure out how to hit a repeater in about 10 minutes. I find them easier to use than most of the big brands! I'm a HAM but I'm not at all SAD. Have a great day.

[@NCOUTDOORS1960]

Ham as well, you are right! Some of the bigger names are a nightmare to program, and the baofeng line is just simple.

[@evhvariac2]

@@MoxyDave that’s what she said

[@edcronin5409]

I am a Ham i have a uv5r for 6 years it works great it's clean enough

[@stevest.martin3940]

I love your reviews funny & entertaining

[@stahpit1971]

My BF8HP I bought in 2014 still works with it's original battery. MY $600 YAESU FTM 400 died after 5 years. Guess what radio I'm buying next

[@OverlandOne]

I like all my Boofwang radios. They have always worked well for me as I travel our beautiful country in my class B RV.

[@volvo09]

I love class B RV's. Enjoy your travels :)

[@OverlandOne]

@@volvo09 Thank you very much.

[@wesleycoleman8914]

So I stumbled across your videos last night and have sunk into hole of your content. I bought a uv-5r8 dual pack last night and am excited to learn from you. Videos are clever and hilarious with great information. Thank you. You’ll be hearing from me. Keep it up you’re GREAT

[@jaadow77]

The service you get with Boofwangs depends in part who sold it. Radios on Amazon are sold by many vendors. Radioddity was the seller of my Boofwang UV-9G, and they did a great job handling a problem with that inexpensive radio.

[@paulfrank8738]

Darn! I'm watching this too early to get to enjoy a pinned comment from "some people."

[@dunxy]

I rabbit holed into this channel, so very happy i did!

[@mevsme1495]

I just got my GMRS license. Let's see if I shoot for a HAM license. Thank you for what you do. I love your personality. Your videos are entertaining and educational.

[@benjamincounter418]

You constantly got a video for me to watch. Appreciated.

[@steves160]

Used your affiliate link for UV-5R. Tested 2 Nov 2024 and worked on 462.700 out of the box with no factory reset.

[@Threedog1963]

I looked at the Rockie Talkie because it got really good reviews on another website. I needed a pair of radios though. So, I bought the BoofWhangs for $40 instead of the Rockies for $400. Also, I like your presentation to include the heavily used/snapped pencil. Sometimes I notice the lead is merely broken. This time you went all out and snapped it in half. Well done.

[@John_Ai9D]

What a great video. Great life advice. Great radio advice. Even a great explanation of spurious emissions. And funny. The dating advice did hit home.

[@Huskrrrr]

My wife and I are enjoying a romantic TV dinner while watching your video.

[@evhvariac2]

@@Huskrrrr hopefully you were flirting with each other on FRS 14

[@RedneckHillbillyGnR]

I bet they were cooked by spurious emissions too!

[@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp]

Holy carp - you must be really addicted to romantic moments in your life. Keep it clean you too. No room for "sensual thoughts" on this channel.

[@DraconisMarchVII]

Nice dating advice. Also, love the radio analogies.

[@NCOUTDOORS1960]

You taught me how to program my uv5r years ago. What I can say for the radio is that between that and my wouxan, I can key up both in certain areas of my house and the baofeng will get the repeater talking everytime. Love my wouxan but it has to be in pretty good location to work. Maybe I got a dud, not sure.

[@zachcagley9519]

Always a good day when we get a new NotaRubicon video!

[@VorlonFrog]

Classic dry delivery with in-your-face humour. Much appreciated, much wow, highly enjoyed.

[@markviers998]

This has to be one of your funniest video's yet.

[@martyhickox6761]

Radio and life lessons. Thank you your Majesty.

[@eriklundquist3588]

Thanks to my cheap and spurious Baofeng UV-5R, I now have a a fun, exciting, and questionably legal new method of controlling my smart LED lights.

[@TheHillsHaveFPV]

if i were to correct you, i would be wrong. The wording was absolutely correct. It conveyed accurate information to the relevant viewers, while simultaneously providing material for the comments section.

[@mudpuppy1431]

Smoking break for the children😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@felts8031]

Still love my UVR’s but picked up a GM-30 Plus after the review here and it fills like a successor to the UVR minus being able to TX on ham freqs.

[@attribute-4677]

What a great afternoon gift from the KZbin gods

[@REXOB9]

Thanks for the life advice!

[@TheYellowTuxedo]

Picking one up for the hell of it. Radios are cool. Ill report back soon. So far this is my 2nd radio.

[@jamesbell5354]

I can always count on a good life from the video and the comments. Outstanding!

[@AndrewMRoySr]

GMRS radio and relation advice all rolled into one with your typical sense of humor sir fantastic 🥳🥳🥳🤣🤣🤣

[@UkrainianPaulie]

Booffwang sacrifices to Xenu to keep costs down.

[@mrkevin6354]

The Boo-Fwang has their own Planet. Gifted by Xenu. This planet, as it has been rumored, is where Shelly Miscavige could be found.

[@uberdang830]

I took my baofengs apart an drenched them in conformal coating to make them a little more weather resistant.

[@mariarogers9964]

MrNota thank you for the new video

[@corbindallasmultipass]

Epic video!!! End was the best

[@cjhmdm]

I miss the staring contest videos… bring that format back pls thanks

[@evhvariac2]

Great video but you are mispronouncing Baofeng and I am offended. Also your exaggerated hand movements are quite stressful. Also, here are a few bucks to buy a new pencil.

[@minigpracing3068]

You are just trying to be the pinned comment, he's too smart to fall for that. There will certainly be someone that gets pinned on this video.

[@evhvariac2]

@@minigpracing3068 ideally

[@evhvariac2]

@@minigpracing3068ideally

[@evhvariac2]

@@minigpracing3068 ideally

[@MrTakeone51]

Never thought watching a review on radios would make me laugh 😂

[@RedneckTechSupport]

I love my UV-5R. It's easy to use once I learned all the stuff that you've went over in a few videos. Works better then the motorola CLS 1410's at work. And I can listen to stuff while staying tuned into the channel setup for work.

[@RedneckTechSupport]

I also love grape kool-aid, menthol cigarettes (I did quit smoking though)

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Whoaaa whoaaa whoaaaaooooo! Let's not get all racist here! nobody said nuthin 'bout no menthols!

[@RedneckTechSupport]

@@TheNotaRubicon PFT, I mentioned it because I used to smoke menthols? Sad Ham's got ya on high alert huh?

[@mrkevin6354]

Is there a Boo-Fwang that can receive AM broadcast 540-1700 kHz? Since some can recieve FM 86 - 108 FM and NOAA weather frequencies. Would make a great all around emcomm radio.

[@davestelling]

Is there a Baofeng that can actually pick up aircraft traffic?

[@udhi_gn3893]

For airband, I think another fellow cheap hackable Chinese radio, the Quansheng UV-K5 got you covered. With some firmware mods, it could RX down from 18mhz all the way up to 1.3ghz. For medium wave AM broadcast, so far we haven't seen any Chinese HTs the could get that far down, my best bet for it is the tecsun line of handheld receivers.

[@dguiley]

@@davestellingmy uv5rm does. I have several frequencies programmed in for scanning and I just ordered the F8HP Pro because it allows different banks of stored channels/frequencies so I don’t always have to listen to all my stored ones

[@rubehickscube]

The last point is why I get the cheap radios. Easy to replace. I upgraded to that higher quality radio after I learned from my mistakes and learned exactly what I needed the radio for. Everyone should have a cheap radio phase to learn who you are, what you like to do together, and how much you're willing to risk when things get rough. Once that inevitably fails, though, you can be the best operator of your spurious emissions and know exactly how to use your antenna and maybe get cool accessories too. Or, buy a couple and have an awesome 3-way conversation with a friend. You'll eventually want to upgrade anyway so don't get too upset if your first experience is expensive. They all are.

[@cevansinz]

I like the relationship metaphor. Very good.

[@christopherhull1980]

You have taught me alot with your videos, thank you so much

[@Papaw80]

Are there any good books that help with Baofeng radios besides the manuals that come with it? Great videos btw!

[@davestelling]

I just picked one up off the Amazon...it's called the "Baofeng Bible." And...it's inexpensive!

[@2023Red]

I just bought two uv5r. Maybe I bought the wrong models. No knowledge at all on these hand held radios. Request your advice on whether a different model or type radio is a better choice. My budget is $500. My goal is to have fun eavesdropping on the radio not going on desert drives. And second purpose is communication if we lose power.

[@davidhalldurham]

Yep, I love this channel. ❤

[@e.c.8668]

It would be interesting to open each up and see if there is a difference in manufacturing quality.

[@He11Raiser4Life1]

New video. Hell yeah!

[@ahandmadehomestead]

So if you just bought the uv5r, applied for your gmrs license and only want to use gmrs, would you stick with the uv5r or return to get the uv5g plus? Or keep the 5r and get an additional gplus? Also, do you have a video on how the frs and gmrs is different? I don’t understand why you need a gmrs and license if they’re operating on the same frequencies as frs radios. Thank you for your time!

[@brianswingley7099]

Well.... my baofeng has numbers like. 462.55000 so, every time I put in numbers it would say canceled. Ugh. Did you see the ham/antenna adapter for cell phones? Kv4p

[@ScorpioSin777]

Outstanding analogies and analysis! 😂🤣🤓

[@deearchangeloracle2154]

In Canada the 2 watt Rocky Talky is $125 plus tx… Beofangs start around $60 from what I’ve see but seem to be so many different ones.

[@neab3424]

LMFAO!!!! Does the pencils get more messed up over time? LOL I love it.

[@TyMitchell1022]

I need help. I want to buy a baofeng only to listen to incoming bands. What is the best? Or a cheap HT

[@warrenscott9990]

I really like the Rocky Talkie

[@WillieJu]

Great advice, get the one I can afford - thanks sir, its appreciated. 😁

[@loadpin]

Randy is it 5 watts and HAM and GMRS capable? Good explanation though.

[@gearhead366]

One reason the Baofengs are so cheap is they have no (or very little) input filtering. When I first got a UV- 5R, I was out of town. I was impressed. It had good reception and good audio. Then I got it home, where there are military installations, defense contractors, and lots of RF interference. My UV-5R became useless. Any amount of out-of-band interference would render it useless. If you live in a clean area (RF wise), it's a fine radio. If not, you will need a Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, etc. For disaster relief, where power is out, and many sources of interference are without power, it's probably great. You can give out 10 of them for every Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, etc.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

The vast, VAST majority of normal people do not care, nor are they affected by this.

[@gearhead366]

@@TheNotaRubicon Whether someone cares about this has no effect on whether they are affected. I didn't care either, until I found that the UV-5R was worthless in the city I lived in.

[@mrkevin6354]

Hypothetical: if you have 100 Boo-Fwang radios set up to receive the same frequency and volume at 50%. One transmits on same said frequency. How are the louds? Does adding or taking away of radios effect the louds? BTW. Great vid.

[@Coyotes-Ridge]

Smelling grape and hairspray... My senior prom memories. You wove a treasure path of memories of days gone by as well as, edumacational on the radio realm realities of cheap Vs. expensive. I have a tear in my eye, so Thank You for this.

[@Microbc]

Did you receive the Rocky Talkie free for testing? If you had to pay for it, would you still say it is worth the $180.00 and would you pay that much for it?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I paid full price for my Rocky Talkie, and yes, for me, was, and still is worth it.

[@wesleyosborne2180]

Baofeng UV-25. Do a review please. Thanks. Enjoy your videos

[@biggamehunter66]

No more # 2 pencils for you! Grade schooler! LOL! Love your content!

[@robs4517]

I'm glad he pointed out the differences between cheap chinese radios and expensive chinese radios. I myself prefer a cheap version

[@minhajsixbyte]

you should link the youtube videos /blogs showing the actual rf emission tests ..

[@summerwindcharters1326]

The last 5 seconds are priceless! 😂

[@NCOUTDOORS1960]

Wondering how hard it would be to put up a gmrs repeater? I have not got my license yet because the closest repeater for gmrs is 40 miles away. I do have a 40 ft tower that I have other “happy ham” antennas on. Looking for any input!!!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

It's easy. I've put up two different ones at my house and was involved in putting up one other. Plug it in, program it, make sure the duplexer is tuned, turn it on and enjoy...

[@johndextersantos9541]

quick question, With the PTT on the left side of the radios. are they designed to be held with the left or right hand? I'm left handed and have always held them with my left hand.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I dont think it matters because no matter which hand it is in you can use either your thumb or your finger to pull the talk-trigger.

[@RisingTidesAC]

Question Randy. Have you tried a Smiley or Nagoya antenna on the Rocky Talkie and if so how do they perform compared to the stock antennas?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

No, because I like the small & compact antenna that comes with the Rocky Talkie and I only use the radio to talk with my group within a mile or so of me when i'm off-roading, i'm not trying to bounce my signal off the moon.

[@RisingTidesAC]

@@TheNotaRubicon Thank you Randy.

[@doctorcopper4844]

Love the baked in stand up comedy! 😂

[@tomwilliams8675]

Well said Randy 🤝🤝🇺🇸

[@Yonni6502]

Okay. I turned off the volume and just ASMR'd to the hands. Beautiful!

[@ram89572]

What if i dont currently own any Boofwangs right now but am curious about them and might buy one in the future.....what would I be called then?

[@Ryn_000]

I don’t have a license for uv-5r for 3 yrs and I still transmit to friends and family

[@BernhardSchwarz-xs8kp]

Why don't you copy this posting and send it to the FCC?

[@aramaicesoterica2934]

10% fewer beatings! Still laughing😂😂😂

[@nobodytoyou4887]

Personally loving my AR-5RM's they make wonderful multi-band scanners, sure a more expensive unit might have a better RX/TX but I'm not made of money and the pair of these was less than 1 of my Tidradio H8's. Sidenote, Randy seen the UV-25's? or the unlocked AR-25r?

[@rpmorrisjr]

Many are curious. At least I am…why’d you lose the music? It’s the only damned background music I liked on KZbin. Now it’s gone.

[@JosephDZaks]

Thank God 4:08

[@Vilemirth]

I need to get a quality pointer like your yellow one. The celery stick I've been using has turned brown and is kind of floppy now.

[@W2IRT]

UV-5Rs are my go-to for spotting or when I'm out of the Jeep, but on trail rides I use an installed mobile rig. The RTs are ideal for folks who just need a PHS radio (push here, stupid). Everything you need, nothing you don't, and you don't need a PhD in RadioDorkery to set 'em up. I have my XTS-5000 and UV-878+, (and a couple Icoms) for when I want advanced features. But for Jeeping? KISS principle rules.

[@randymclaughlin7676]

The "farz." I love learning the new vocabulary. 😅

[@Exlaax]

If you talked this slow in person I'd still be looking for the 2x speed button on your shirt. I cant believe you sound completely normal at 1.75x speed.

[@RedneckHillbillyGnR]

That's because he slows the recording down by .75😉

[@mrkevin6354]

Can the Rocky-Talkie use the sceret tones available for Tx and Rx as the Boo-Fwang can use?

[@BaconTtavel]

Can you please review the UV-25 with the gooseneck antenna?

[@Stetson7]

would love to get your take on the uv 25

[@dutchbeef8920]

We need some pinned comments already

[@OverlandOne]

Maybe the Sad Hams gave up? Or better yet, maybe they have seen the light and are no longer sad? Probably not.

[@joerghallbauer6595]

You're assuming that the dying baby's father is using the same frequency to call for help on as my group happens to be using. I don't know about you, but I don't typically "scan" all the GMRS frequencies as I'm driving along, so he has a 1 in 22 chance of being on the same frequency as I'm on. I guess that's better than zero, eh?

[@danbauer6871]

I appreciate the El Rusbo vibes. Let's take up a collection for a new pencil.

[@tymitchell1335]

I need help! I want to buy a Baofeng but only to receive signals. Or a cheap ham radio.

[@michaelbegay9573]

After 12hrs, the kids at the Nike tennis shoe factory n the baofeng factory trade places after 5min break for lunch/dinner/breakfast.

[@bendeleted9155]

Can the expensiver one talks with FRS/GMRS, MURS, and Marine too? I mean hypothetically. If you wanted to. In an emergency.

[@NasukeTheWolf]

The Baofeng sucks because I spent Barb’s social security checks on a $8000 radio and we had to get a reverse mortgage

[@hifiandrew]

I used to like the UV-5R, I had two, they worked for a year or two but then they both crapped out. You do get what you pay for.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

$20 for 2 years of radio-fun? I'd say that's a pretty darn good deal.

[@MaxGolden]

PSA has a good reputation. ❤

[@ZeroOne-st9bx]

Please make a video on Quansheng UV-K5(8)

[@MrAto08]

Can you do a review of the oxbow Renegade X

[@frisk151]

LOL.. I love your humor!!