BAOFENG UV-9G GMRS RADIO - Overview and Water Torture Test - FIRST LOOK

First look at the Baofeng UV-9G GMRS Radio. This radio was sent to me from Baofeng for an overview. Will it survive the Water Torture Test? Is this the best GMRS radio for under $50 USD?
Power Tests were not shown in this video but mentioned. I have since retested and got the following results:
Power-output on GMRS Channel 1: 2.5 Watts High Power, .85W Mid Power, .32W Low power.
GMRS Channel 14 Low, Mid, and High Power : .25W
I may make a commission on the following links (as an Amazon affiliate):
UV9G Radio - amzn.to/3pPSZpe
baofeng uv9g headset
amzn.to/2ZBANUU
A huge shoutout to my Channel Members! Thank You to the following Operator Status Members:
W4ORH - RON, Gordon Farmer's Forge, HamWorldOnline, Kristyanna Virgona, James Linden, Dan M0IDW, Jason N3YAZ, Don N5SKT, FEPLabs Radio, WQ9F Ham Radio
Thank You for the cup of coffee (I really do get a cup of coffee with this :) ):
Wkirby W4HKJ, Ken Kopper, Goodgame Ham Radio, Vern - WW8VS, Andy Cowley, Steve K04AFL Ham Radio
#BAOFENG #GMRS #HAMHARDER

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Thank you for no longer being a sad ham!

[@chadbruce8534]

Your the one that's always sad and grumpy

[@briantheminer]

😂

[@ipdjbt]

@@chadbruce8534 You're*

[@mooseknucklegarage8439]

@@chadbruce8534 ok Paul blart

[@CFOJobs]

I'm a happy ham. But it made me laugh after coming across NotaRubicon videos yesterday. I was scanning repeaters close to me last night and they were recommending your NotaRubicon channel to other Hams :)

[@jamisoncook4220]

Its a good thing that Baofeng is doing this. This radio in the hands of a GMRS licenses op is nice. I own the UV-9R Plus and it is one of the better Baofeng radios.

[@chrissewell1608]

Good review. I first saw this radio reviewed on the Notarubicon channel. I appreciate the comparison to the UV-9R Ham radio (which I own and love!)

[@kennym2035]

Thanks For the video just got my GMRS License A newbie But I definitely respect you ham operators in the schooling testing that you do When all else comms fail look to the hams for help 👍✌️

[@TheNoCodeTech]

HLTW TeamReplay for the win. Glad to see you are now a happy Ham. Great video man. thanks.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Great water test 73s back at ya bro

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

The GT-3WP is also the same radio from baofeng glad to hear your no longer a sad Ham 😂 2:00 @Ham Radio Dude

[@terryhopkins8059]

What GMRS radio would you recommend for backpacking? The main criteria for me (I think) would be water resistant/water proof and not too heavy. As they say "every once counts".

[@thetravi1348]

I’m still having fun with my UV5G

[@benjosevilla]

Just got my unit and used the CPS. No option for removing extra DYI channels. Have you figured it out.

[@jawkdna]

Ordered this Sunday when I saw it pop up on Amazon. This video will most likely determine if I'm keeping it or if it goes back...

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Thanks for watching the video! Hopefully you enjoy. Let me know what you decide. The video is basically a quick overview of the features and a water torture test

[@jawkdna]

@@HAMRADIODUDE Looks like I'll keep it... Somewhat similar to the BTECH GMRS-V1 with added waterproofing and "DIY" channels. I wonder if using that radio choice in CHIRP would work?

[@jawkdna]

Update: Using the BTECH GMRS-V1 does not work in CHIRP. Looks like we will just have to wait for Chirp to update.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@jawkdna baofeng radio spoke to me last night and advised they're working on getting it supported. Thanks!

[@MikhelKovak]

How do you program a repeater?

[@bah5310]

I used the screw from the back of the radio that was replaced when the button for the belt clip was installed. Then you don't need to remove the one on the radio cover.

[@SM0R3S]

Purchased the double pack from Amazon in Nov 2023. Discovered that Channel 15 does not transmit at all. And I had to use chirp to edit the NOAA channels to the correct frequencies.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Wish The UV-9G had bigger batteries vs there standred 1800mah 4:38 @Ham Radio Dude

[@WanderlustDigest]

Got this as my first radio. Don’t really understand the lockout feature for GMRS? Can I still use this as a scanner?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

The government makes silly rules to prevent people from doing silly things. You can use it as a scanner within the frequency range, absolutely

[@northmanproject4007]

It sucked but I still liked the vid. I bought a couple of these for my kids they're pretty decent for the price. I'm going to do a little overview video that will probably suck as well on my channel pretty soon. If you watch it please let me know if it sucks or not. Thanks man.

[@thestateofreal2533]

Bought a pair of these after watching Notarubicon Production’s channel and on channel 1, my wife on the front porch and me in the truck with the sunroof and windows open…was inaudible at 1 mile…Hershey PA. Returned them same day.

[@thestateofreal2533]

@@solargeneral 😂

[@JEREMIAHS_TARANTULAS]

I just got into gmrs a few weeks ago an just got a set of the uv-5x radios with upgraded Nagoya antennas. After seeing this video I feel like it’s a no brainer that I ordered this radio. I wish I would have ordered 2 of them. I don’t think I like that belt clip though. I feel Iike the radio will swing back and forth on my hip. That will be annoying.

[@shawnlively4753]

I bought 2 UV9G's and within 2 weeks both belt clip buttons came unscrewed and the radio dropped to the floor. I agree the belt clips are trash...

[@daveN2MXX]

Serious question.....why do you wear those big headphones when you are recording content and not streaming? Are you listening to something while you are recording?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I listen to my audio feedback while recording

[@gustavniedhammer3045]

Does it work in vhf between 149 and 156 MHz?

[@chrissewell1608]

I think you did not mention that all the channels, on the original model, have came preprogrammed with a ctcss tone. Which may need to be cleared off before you can tx / rx with another radio.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

That's true. It's not really a problem since the radio comes with a cable

[@JayBirdrx]

@@HAMRADIODUDE Can the ctcss tones be changed by the keypad or do you need to use the programming cable?

[@shawnlively4753]

@Jason Osborne Yes you can. However Baofeng added the Noa channels to the scan list from the factory and you can not change that without using software.

[@ΛεωνίδαςΣιδηρόπουλος]

Hi! Ι've just order the GMRS! IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE IT IN LOWER FRQNSES? ACTUALLY MAKE IT WORK LIKE 9R?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Nothing I found to do so. Most likely something in the firmware. Thanks!

[@jj-zy6gc]

You can Use the TIDRadio Bluetooth dongle to unlock dual band TX

[@Ixquick979]

Are the new uv-9r plus coming firmware locked to the amateur band like the new UV-5r`s?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I can say the uv9r and plus were both unlocked

[@armandolazcano8500]

Hi @HAM RADIO DUDE I bought a baofeng gmrs 9-r radio and I can't get it to transmit 😭😭😭, I don't quite understand if it's because of the channels or if I'm configuring it wrong, nobody in my community has any idea how to program this model. HELPME!!! 😓 PLEASE 🙏

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

What frequency are you trying to transmit on and what happens, any LED lights on the radio?

[@buck2552jr100]

When trying to change anything on the default channels on that software, it automatically changes it back for me. Including the ctcs codes and channel names. I am using it on the uv5g(x) but same software. Any ideas? You also cant change the band on any channel unless you do it on the radio. However, when you read jt from radio, it sets it all back to default.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

When did you get the radios? There's a firmware released around April that resolves the ability to not change the ctcss

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Oh sorry, I was looking at / thinking of the UV-5G. I gave this radio away but I believe Randy at notarubicon productions has addressed this issue and recieved a response from baofeng

[@ExploreJimnyDK]

If i buy that? Will i be able to talk to my buddy with a Baofeng X3 Plus radio?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

A x3 plus it's a triband ham radio and this is gmrs radio. Provided they are both frequency locked, you won't be able to talk to either.

[@terryhopkins8059]

Also, should have added USB-C charging would be nice too.

[@jonjeffries3265]

Wow, yer smiling.. how nice..

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Yes.. Because I'm no longer a sad ham

[@toml.8210]

You press the button on the side of the belt clip to get the radio off!

[@paulhastings3109]

Great show me how. It's just I have a Wouxun KG-UV9P SO I can put it to scan country Public Safety 73 KQ4CD Paul

[@dginta7932]

Would this be suitable for travelling logging roads in BC?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

That's a good question. I'm unsure of the terrain for logging roads in BC. Is it typically flat, hilly, curvy, etc? Also, would you be talking to other drivers or looking to connect to repeaters? I'll be more than happy to look into it

[@dginta7932]

@@HAMRADIODUDE We just need to advise of our location at every mile marker, and also listen for oncoming logging trucks and/or traffic. We generally have mountainous, treed, curvy roads when travelling these roads. I know guys do use the 5 series, but was wondering if these may be a bit better.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@dginta7932 internally, they are similar radios. Being the recieve sensitivity and transmit power (depending on which 5). If you're looking for an improvement from the 5 series, I would consider an external antenna. A decent antenna with a good groundplane (the vehicle) will typically improve your reception and transmit capability more than anything else.

[@esincl52]

They've added this radio to Chirp also

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@ubergeek318]

I still can't seem to pass my GMRS exam

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

True story though, What a PITA the FCC website was. it crashed about 40 times before I finally got registered

[@ubergeek318]

@@HAMRADIODUDEsome say the Fcc is still ran by DOS on the computer from war games

[@gunyoda2356]

It took me an hour of clicking stuff to find the form to fill out.

[@waynewood8840]

Filling out the form at the FCC site is a test in itself.

[@ubergeek318]

@@waynewood8840 it was a joke bubba

[@bettersaferadio]

Now try it at 1m and the ingress pressure that comes with that depth. ;) Not bad for $40 though. Note that the FCC grant only allows 3W ERP, which means it should only really output about 2 or so Watts. It's also only certified for narrow-band, which makes it a fancy FRS radio. :)

[@RescueEMS]

You can change Narrow to Wide band. The mfr is issuing a software update to fix that.

[@bettersaferadio]

@@RescueEMS Yes, I watched the video and I’m aware of the features. What I’m saying (which I guess I’ll say again) is that the FCC has not authorized this radio to operate on “wide-band” at all. Unless they have the unit retested and add to the grant application, it won’t be legal for FM operation no matter what the radio can actually do. It makes me wonder why they didn’t test it for such.

[@slowmo7500]

@@RescueEMSspeaking of sad hams..😂

[@crykiller09]

I cant use a Headset for this ,right?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

They do make one, but it's not the standard baofeng two pin headset.amzn.to/3zoKnYg

[@crykiller09]

@@HAMRADIODUDE Thanks

[@357Muzzleblast]

The review should begin with a discussion on which antennas fit the damn thing. I have a drawer full of antennas: Nagoyas, Abbrees, knock-offs of every sort and type. None work. Why no mention of this antenna problem? The only antenna that fits is the one that comes with it. Fortunately, the radio (as is) transmits _more_ than ten miles simplex.

[@matstaley388]

There is a video where a guy uses 80 grit sticky back sandpaper wrapped around the base of the factory antenna and reams the hole out just enough to fit the Nagoya 771

[@Screamingtut]

you should use can Air to blow out the water

[@chrissewell1608]

Very gently, because air pressure can often blow off or rip, the thin layer of water proofing film, that are inside these radios. The film covers the speaker, mic. And maybe keypad. Thus blowing water inside the radio case.

[@dreamstate207]

There is a second screw in the box.

[@brett271]

Why not 5W for GRMS

[@reddon1969]

Because it’s $40 and there really isn’t a noticeable/useable difference if you add a watt

[@Soladaddy]

LOL, no longer sad.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I have the GMRS bug now, just saying..

[@Soladaddy]

@@HAMRADIODUDE Doesn't help the wallet that there's a new radio every month.

[@toml.8210]

I think if you are dumb enough to let it fall into a creek or pool, or whatever, that you don't deserve to have the radio. The worst that that wou;ld happen with me is that a few drops of rain would get to it, while I get under cover, or get out an umbrella.

[@BigE36]

LOL sad ham!

[@bren9594]

I have a question for anyone who knows about radios: Are Baofeng or Ham radios dangerous???

[@normand-simoneau]

I.'m not an expert but you can find information about that topic. Handheld radio could be "dangerous" especially for you eyes if you have high power and holding it right in front of your eyes.. It's recommended to have external microphone in order to keep the radio away from your head. Please, take my comment as a starting point to get better informations about that topic.

[@johndowd7010]

Ch. 15 does not transmit..junk.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I want to test these out again, to see if something has changed and maybe help correct it. Did you get it from Amazon (So I make sure to purchase the same one others are).

[@travelswithtrekkers1326]

It's was corrected by the manufacturer ages ago...Before you speak, it's a great practice to make sure you are not completely wrong before you run your mouth about things you know nothing about...