BAOFENG - JUNK OR NOT? Baofeng BF-T1 70cm HT Review

[@mostlypostie1]

I have a couple of these - I removed the "built in" antenna and added a 1/4 wave of black insulated wire, straight out of the top (I drilled a small hole in the top for the wire to exit neatly). It works extremely well indeed - performance with the 1/4 wave antenna is as good as you could hope for, a HUGE improvement from the standard antenna.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Nice tip! Thanks for sharing it.

[@carlh2007]

I am looking at a pair of these mostly use for wife and I to communicate while I reverse caravan in. I currently have a pair of UV-5R but the batteries have failed and are swelling quite a bit. These look great as they can both sit in the glove box no worries.

[@theoldhobbit3640]

Hi Ricard, just a short follow up after winning this little radio. I have now managed to source the programming lead and software and have now programmed in a few of my local repeaters. The radio really is working incredibly well for what it is and others have been really impressed with the TX. I am very pleased with it and would just like to thank you for the review and give-away. Take care and be safe. Gary M6KVK

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Glad that you are enjoying it!

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

Now programmable using CHIRP, and volume correctable by adding a resistor.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

The software that the manufacturer supplies works fine too.

[@haggar11]

Very Useful professional testing, thank you.!

[@richardcorfield9926]

It's obviously handling the wind well too.

[@JennyEverywhere]

I have one in my bag that I keep for emergencies because it can be charged on the fly with a standard 5v USB power bank. Also, Chirp now supports this radio, so it's relatively easy to program. The volume is a pain. IT's TOO LOUD, even on the lowest setting. This seems endemic of the Chinese handhelds. It can reach a large number of local repeaters in my area (Philadelphia suburbs), and is reported to have full quieting to "a little hiss", and good audio. I like the thing because it makes a good emergency radio. It can talk to about 8 different repeaters in my area, including two wide-area linked repeater networks that cover several states. It can be charged with the same battery bank I use to charge my phone, and I can get broadcast FM on it for emergency news. The torch (what we Yanks call a "flashlight") is an added bonus, but I typically wear a RovyVoy Aurora A7 USB-charged 550 lumen (max bright) torch on a chain around my neck, even in bed, so it's not a major issue. It's no Kenwood or Yaesu, but the T1 works better than my UV-5r, and cost a lot less. I picked up a bundle of two of them, with two programming cables, for $35 on Amazon. I paid that for ONE UV-5r. I paid considerably more than that for an Alinco DJ-C5T "credit card" dual-band handheld that has only about half a watt of output (on a good day, with a tailwind), but the Alinco is better looking and can be programmed from the front panel...laboriously, but it can be done. The worst part about the Alinco is that the charge port is this stupid proprietary charging tray with a dual pogo-pin arrangement, and a TERRIBLE coaxial power jack that gets worn over time and ceases to charge reliably. I wish they'd just put a small coaxial jack on the darned radio. I try to keep ALL of my emergency gear chargeable using some flavor of USB power if possible. The T1, my torch, my phone, and other pieces of gear use USB power, and I have solar and thermoelectric generators to recharge the bank if necessary, so I'm rarely out of charge options. I'm working on some options for running QRP HF gear, but it isn't ready to share yet.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Baofeng never seemed to have nailed the audio levels. Still it's kind of a neat radio!

[@PWRSLV]

@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures there's a neat little audio mod online for this that works well m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/qH-ukmdjp7yrbtE

[@jurgengunthner7683]

Why do you need a flashlight on our body in bed? I would hate to have something arround my neck in my sleep. But thanks for you comment. Vy 73

[@GoA7250]

Love the idea of it. Just can't see where I would use it in Australia...

[@2e0bgb]

I absolutely loved your T1 Baofeng test, I no longer watch TV, videos like yours keep me interested..2E0BGB..Thank you.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Glad you like them!

[@michalstopka7695]

Wow i'm very imprested from the reciving quality of this smalle thing😁

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

It works pretty well for something so cheap!

[@imhidingintheshop8889]

great for dropping in the pocket, thank you!

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

It's quite a handy little radio.

[@GokhanKaya]

Good summary I was looking for. I like how you concise most important features in a short video.

[@7no696]

XzF86

[@wmb2292]

Richard, many thanks for this review. I have been looking at other reviews for these little 70cm rigs and was still uncertain as to whether to buy one, until I saw your review. You convinced me to order a pair on eBay. Cheers, Michael VE3WMB P.S. I had a though on increasing range, especially for SOTA. There was a QST article years ago where the author built a rather novel dual-band V/U Yagi for FM Satellite use. Instead of using driven elements he attached a small bracket and mounted a dual-band HT right on the boom in place of the driven element. He also omitted the reflector. I think that one could build a very portable 3 or 4 element 70cm Yagi (with director elements only) using the same idea to get a little more gain. You would of course need to purchase a speaker mic for the rig (there does seem to be a mic available on eBay that is compatible with this radio). I think that the "Cheap Yagi" designs on the web would be a good starting point.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Quite satisfied with mine. I hope that yours will be useful.

[@samithakalana]

Thank you Mr. Richard. This is very useful.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Glad you found it useful.

[@donne9uk]

Hello I got one but I noticed don't have a very good receive on it

[@pedersteenberg2010]

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ONE

[@wisteela]

Very impressive. I know they are surprisingly capable for the small size and low power. I've still got to give mine a good testing. Subscribed. 73 M7TUD

[@eduardodbannister4410]

I want that redio

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

very good content Richard

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Thanks.

[@paultrussy]

Agreed!

[@kpc5]

You can program VHF channels into the radio as well as UHF. in the programming software program UHF channels first in the list thsen put VHF cannels in.

[@DirtRoadie]

Programming is one thing. Actually using them is another.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Pretty poor on VHF I suspect!

[@P2416CNL]

433 is the best freq for this T-radio

[@joeytharp8890]

Can't use the VOX Funktion, habe you some tip?

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

No. Unfortunately I don’t.

Can it be used to work legally on PMR446?

[@roypunay]

Nice review. May I ask Whats the app called? Is it available on IOS as well?

[@Gaz888]

Great video cheers!

[@paolomattiolo]

Hello I've a report of low mic or modulation level through a multiprotocol repeater, my channels are set to wide. Did you have this problem? 73 de in3aqk

[@illusioon1569]

Good review

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@godkid7684]

Can you show me how to program for that ?? I can use only not more than 100 meter..we don't have repeater near of my place ..can you help me how to do for long range ?? I need emergency ..thaks

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Hi Sarv I just followed the instructions in the instruction book. It seemed pretty easy to me. Maybe there is someone local to you who can assist?

[@1337flite]

Was that a UK spring?

[@WelshLad52]

As I'm not a licenced ham user and a newbie to radio's can they be used as walkie talkies for my neighbourhood watch.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

These ones can only be used by licenced operators. Other types are available that you can use.

[@BigDuke6ixx]

Do you need a license in the UK?

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Yes you do.

[@Morcego538]

You are having very good results with that radio! I have two of those, but they don't comunicate with each other more then 100 meters, and I receive transmisons from radio repeaters more then 10 kms away, but nobody hears me! I really don't understand whats happening here! I've programmed them with the CD that comes with them and tryed woth chirp to but stil the same...😒 Can you help me? I really want to use them!

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Not sure that I can help that much. Bear in mind that communicating one to the other will always be quite poor. in the video I am contacting ststions with much better equipment.

[@Morcego538]

@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures huum ok thanks

[@haeak11]

I like your video,

[@nxesr]

How does compare to Baofeng uv-5r and above??

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

No idea. I don't have them.

[@zvjezdaniput6121]

Excuse me sir! This little radio can reach 70 km distance with the 0.5 W(or did i hear 1W?) of power? That is impossible! Just can not believe it! Was it directly or you have been used some repeater in near? I mean, if that is true i wanna buy some!!!!! Please respond as soon as you can. Greetings from Croatia(Hrvatska) Stay well.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

No repeater. Direct!

[@P2416CNL]

433. is the best for thi radio?

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

There are a great many much better radios.

[@D4RR3N_]

What's the range..?

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

1000km + if there’s nothing in the way

[@Tofik-89]

jaką moc można ustawić największą 2w czy 3w czy 5w ?

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

I think it’s about 1 Watt

[@Tofik-89]

@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures you can use uhf and VHF rx tx?

[@oscaropont]

Who won?

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

See video description

[@okhamradio]

I want to buy this one.Thanks a lot for this video! I've subscribed. let's be friends😁🌎🌞👍

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Stay connected

[@okhamradio]

@@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures I will

[@michaelmontisfortis]

Vu !

[@forgetyourlife]

I won one of these on a Trivia Net. Sold it on eBay immediately.

[@JennyEverywhere]

Because it's Baofeng? It actually works a lot better than most Baofengs, though it is counter-intuitive for it to be so, as it's the cheapest Baofeng in practically every way.

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

It's pretty good value for money really.

[@forgetyourlife]

Gwen Patton nope, bc I cant program it without a PC.

[@alanstevenson7402]

Very nice handy, G6LSW ALAN

[@misterpj1974]

È un giocattolo! 😅😅 Lo possiedo appena superi qualche km non si sente e non riceve più 😐

[@g3cwi_Radio_Adventures]

Not what I found with mine.