GT-3TP Baofeng 8 watt review, test and programming

[@Valkyrerider]

FYI: I was shocked to find the GT-3TP monitors two channels at the same time and if you are listening to the FM radio it will break in with the monitored changes and transmit without switching back. So cool! Haven't tested the other models yet.

[@mikelee9149]

I use the GT-3TP, it is a good radio all round, cant realy complain about it. I am glad I got it compared to others.

[@scuba_steve73]

Just bought one. My first radio. Very informative. Thankyou

[@sreagle9430]

CHIRP software works GREAT by the way and yes it lets you open up the Frequencies to 130-177 and 420-521 additionally you have extended options of setting the squelch settings parameters for each level more on that on the CHIRP web site

[@phbob-5547]

Excellent! Thank you! Answered more questions in 16 min than I found most of the afternoon...and efficiently. Well done!

[@phbob-5547]

And, I assume that saving the channel/frequency etc file will facilitate loading the set of frequencies/wattage etc to additional units via the pgm cable, correct?

[@ericletts4072]

Do not waste your money, they will not stand behind their product ! I know as I bought two They are junk !

[@tevansnc]

The Baofeng GT-3TP (Triple Power) can be programmed through CHIRP using the existing support for the BF-F8HP. No issues as far as I can tell.

[@johnrambo1755]

scrambler possible?

[@rickadrian2675]

Interesting that if you go to the Sainsonic website and download the software that is noted as specifically for the GT-3TP it shoes as the UV-5R when you open the application to the 'Other' menu. A year later there is still not a release for this radio that includes the tripower facility.

[@stevensgarage6451]

I bought 2 of these when they first came out and ive used and abused them and they still work great and the original batteries still hold a good charge.

[@stevensgarage6451]

@Lonnie Saint87 Since 2015ish

[@jmooney2010]

Thanks for showing the software update on your PC. Most helpful.

[@ghastlytales]

7:25 - "Last coupla days have been a bit of a blow for me: I found out yesterday... [switches off radio]" I wanted to hear what happened yesterday, dammit!

[@ahlekloh1233]

BF_888S

[@user-neo71665]

I wanna know what Edna had for supper

[@BF1GUN]

@Ghastly Tales Apparently he found out that people were listening in on his conversations.

[@bradbbs7738]

What a great informative video. Thanks. Wasn't sure if I should buy this radio but you answered all my questions so I ordered two.

[@lgroschiensalle]

Cool Radio! lol, text file on desktop named "Passwords". Awesome!

[@18dmedic]

I just purchased two Baofeng GT-3TP's, two speaker mics, programming cable, disk, and 12 volt charger on Ebay all for $40 including shipping. The bad is they are coming from Hong Kong. But that is one hell of a deal not to pass up. Will be added to my already growing commo stash: four UV-5R's, one BF-F8+, one BF-F8HP, one UV-82 Camo, one UV-82HP, one UV-82C, one KG-UVD1P that I personally own, and one KG-UV6D V2 that is issued to me from county emergency management. Should be getting them in around the end of the month. These will be the first GT-3's that I have purchased.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Coming up, the review of the Sainsonic RST599 5 watt handheld and programming.

[@Barefoot808]

CHIRP can be used to program it but u have to select model BF-F8HP to program your GT-3TP

[@ANYTHING-AND-EVERYTHING.]

Can you also unlock 480-520mhz on the gt3 model using the bf-f8h software?

[@Re_Kitty]

just tried it on my day old baofeng; it no longer works. i have the latest CHIRP. programs corrupt frequencies.

[@Nightfly1957]

Well, my device works now with chirp. And i can use it up to 500 MHZ

[@Jademyheart]

Nightfly1957 Hi Nightfly, Could you please say how you did this? Many thanks

[@Nightfly1957]

I used the software of the cd.Because i had no time to search the web. It installs with many ????. If You click in the rigth corner on one of these ? , than comes Englis. Click on it. The rest You will find,

[@HamRadioPrep]

Great review! Baofeng makes great stuff! :)

[@stephenszabo2361]

Does this have any weather channels?

[@precisionballisticspeciali420]

I just got this radio and I got the software from the sainsonic website. That is where the GT3 specific software is located...

[@Alen188]

What distance in normal area is able to comunicate, and what is in city ?

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Hey Chris I like your new music in your video now the new introduction I like it a very nice little radio man Chinese coming out with some really good radios I bought the UV 21r it has tried band

[@WJ6FRadio]

Just used CHIRP on 1/10/2018 and it works perfectly!

[@Shaft6868]

Have you used the car charger and is it really a tight fit to add the computer data cable onto the device itself?

[@frinkemon]

I'm still in shock that I have a duel band radio for 35 quid. It's mad. It's gone from bodging up crappy ex PMR radios that are just awful to a new and pretty good radio for 35 quid. Fantastic!

[@bev8200]

Thank you for this review it randomly popped up and now I'm going to get my ham license and this radio I think it would be good for hiking.

[@dewdude]

Oh man, i almost freaked out when you flexed that antenna...but wow...it's pretty flexible; mine just showed up.

[@mikekaufman3569]

At least one ham on the QRZ site has a warning against using the cigarette lighter cable that is sometimes included as an accessory to power the charging base from your car voltage. The problem is the charging base wants to see 10 VDC input. But apparently there is no voltage drop circuitry within the cigarette lighter, and the full car battery voltage will be presented to the input of the charging base. The car voltage can easily be 13.7 VDC, which is substantially higher than the charging base can safely handle. The result for the ham on QRZ was his charging base literally melted. If you must try to charge using your car voltage, first use a volt meter to confirm that the voltage from the cigarette adapter is not over 10 VDC. If it is, perhaps open the cigarette lighter and put 5 or 6 diodes in series within to drop the maximum 13.7 VDC to something closer to 10 VDC. (I do not own this HT but have researched it for a friend.) K6VCI

[@UnderTheBigOak]

Excellent intro and video! Great review, I love Baofeng radios.

[@ccartmel]

G4EST - very useful video. just purchased the GT3 (basic) and learned a lot as the manual is a tad short on information. 73

[@stephenmoore3492]

Thanks for taking the time to produce a very informative video.

[@LoftechUK]

Can the GT-3 be turned into a 8 watt

[@raymondcalleja8959]

I liked the video, Eric. It is very informative - thank you for sharing your knowledge. Cheers, Ray

[@jamesvfreetage6014]

Hey... I know you said CHIRP doesn't work, but have you tried the latest daily build and then download the radio image using the BF-F8HP settings? I think you'll find it works. The key is to download the image first, before changing it. 73 W8JVF

[@brienb1770]

the headless review is weirding me out. I just ordered a pair of the GT-3TP and I’m anxious to grt them and set them up. Please put your head back on

[@NWIE76]

So is the GT-3TP actually a UV-5R as in a newer version? Thanks in advance ♡

[@BeGeorgeSand]

Hi, 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.

[@Vegan123]

This is an Analog Radio - for Digital go to www.baofengradio.com/collections/catalog-digital

[@Alamodem]

Whats the difference between the GT-3TP Mark3 and the mark 2?

[@patgar1956]

The mark II is the GT-3 ............the mark III is the GT-3TP also have a car power connection. cheers

[@bp9266]

thanks for the reply Eric. i can't even get the software to download...it is a RAR compressed file and it won't open even after downloading RAR. be more than happy to pay you for your time. i have many radios to program so I can do one and hopefuly clone the others. do you have a way to talk privately on email etc...

[@janetelizabethburrows1354]

I just bought this radio to listen to emergency services when I’m stuck in traffic and would like to find out how long I’ll be waiting. I’ve the Baofeng GT-3TP. WILL IT ACTUALLY do what I want out the box?????

[@bev8200]

So what do people do buy the base model, and replace inferior components then resale under a different model num?

[@onefunnyfatguy]

I was thinking about getting this radio to monitor other things plus I am a volunteer fireman. Can you program this without a computer and software?

[@onefunnyfatguy]

PS I am going to get my ham radio license as soon as this coronavirus thing is over

[@digbyroberts4248]

@@onefunnyfatguy you can program them from the radio direct but chirp software is easier. KZbin shows how to do it. Yes you will need a Ham licence to transmit/

[@oudotcom]

Thanks for the good video. Does it also have a scrambler that can be configured in the programming menu ? Many thanks.

[@levanmoxley7685]

Good review. I have a question. The picture of the radio that is on the box and pictures that I see online show the radio display as black and the readout as white digits. The radio you show in the video has a lit display with black digits. Can you switch the display in the settings or are there choices between the two displays when you purchase?

[@ColeDedhand]

I got 7W vhf and 6W uhf on mine. I also checked spurious and I got -56dBc on the 2nd harmonic. No other spurious seen.

[@andrewhowden5826]

That's Mac's for you!!!,I have other radios on the computer.my uv5rc I'm very happy with but it's quiet round here . keep us posted.

[@alch3myau]

So with that software, You cant say... mimic the 2way screen on the computer monitor and feed audio through the pc?

[@Freakon850]

got this to run in chirp using the uv-5rx setting since i could not get the software from the site listed to run

[@shqiptarbardhi1180]

Hi, can you use it out of the box without programming, so you just switch them on and start communicating? I am planning to buy two of them so I can communicate when camping and hiking. Thanks!

[@FarmRanchHomestead]

They will likely need to be programmed, but you can program them from the keypad. Unfortunately, in order to access all the features, you will need to program them with a computer using the programming cable. Also, the frequencies programmed into the radio at the factory are probably not legal for use where you are, as that's the case in most areas. In the U.S., these radios are only legal for transmitting on the "two-meter" and "seventy-centimeter" ham radio bands, and then only by a licensed amateur radio operator. There are no legal frequencies that these can be used on by an unlicensed operator.

[@jefferyzell4459]

can you put a video out a bout downloading the baofeng software

[@rooke1152]

So what's the deal when you can hear someone but they can't hear you. And does the offset has to be determined by what your listening to I'm first opening this thing up and I don't know the difference between the bottom frequency and the offset opposed to what makes your transmission hit their listening frequency, like how would I know that?

[@adamson1707]

To stop accidentally transmitting on a Baofeng (GT-3) as far as I know it's not possible to lock out the PTT button, please correct me if I'm wrong. Can the PTT button be programmed so that if pressed it transmits nowhere? Or transmit garage? Or can it be programmed to stop if from transmitting from certain local frequency?

[@MrLimeGrass]

can it pick up normal walkie talkie siginals

[@richcampoverde]

Yes

[@ioanapolgar3591]

i don't have Other on my program, and i have same radios like you in video, how do i program to 8Watts if i don't have the option in it?

[@nok1888]

How do you get the white on black screen colour

[@andrewhowden5826]

Got mine yesterday in the UK,I don't know if the spec is any different.

[@orphix9001]

I've just got one I've heard nothing !

[@anderson0315]

Is it worth to add a Nagoya NA-771 to increase its range?

[@Hominid999]

I've ordered this radio just today, and have 2 questions: 1) I'd like to order a longer antenna... what connector type is it? SMA female? 2) I can't seem to find where to buy a second battery for it... would you happen to have a URL? Thanks in advance! ---jim

[@sreagle9430]

firmware for the gt3-tp is on Chirp under BF-F8HP

[@ANYTHING-AND-EVERYTHING.]

Can you also unlock the 480-520mhz on the gt3 using bf-f8h as the software.

[@ANYTHING-AND-EVERYTHING.]

Can you also unlock the 480-520mhz on the gt3 using the bf f8h as the fimware

[@jonasamadeolucas1801]

Great video, thank you for doing this. I have a 80 acres animal sanctuary (El Hogar ProVegan)and use fron long time the 888s (good price for a radio that the volunteers can use and lost and broke...) but I am thinking to get some of those to have more strong bodie and options. Cuestion: There is any way to use a radio as a door comunicator? I mean: that somebody, in the entrance use as a Doorbell to send a sign to the radio? or be able to comunicate? The problem is that most of peaple are not familiarized with twoways radio and is a need no have to be pushing while is talking and release to receive the mensage... Or maybe do you know a doorcomunicator that transmit in a frecuency that I can programate in the GT-3TP... Thnk you for any help.

[@IBoostedSS]

I am just getting into ham radio but have not got my license yet but did order a Yeasu VX-8DR cause of all it features but was thinking about picking one of these up for an extra, i was looking at the UV-5R + but heck for $20 more I can get this one

[@MAXhomesteader]

I found one pretty cheap from radioddity dot com.Does anyone have experience with this seller?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

MAX Yes, Radioddity is a great company, a bit slow in return for email, however, they are usually the first to release the new units before they hit ebay and amazon

[@marjamada]

Good content, thanks. Link to Baofeng is old/dead. Strange that the GT-3 is not on their site. I flipped through 16 pages of HTs and didn't see it. Also, programming software for it is missing - most listed are for the UV series. I'm planning to get the GT-3, so I'm interested to find the software that is up--to-date. any ideas?

[@TheHologr4m]

Thanks man! Great review. Just bought two.

[@gopherbar]

Hi can you program this radio to use UHF 350 onwards

[@toneyrandolph9534]

I LIKE SO MUCH MY FIRST TIME USE IT

[@johnolson229]

I realize that this is probably a dumb question but I am ignorant as it relates to radios. Once you complete the instructions above, (which I have not), do you adjust the frequency on the radio to same frequency ex: (462.7125 mhz/ channel 7 on Midland/Motorola) to talk to other radios ?? How do the A/B and or Band buttons come into play for this? Thanks for all your help.

[@crash2332000]

So this one is still a dual band that covers 2 meter and 70 cm?

[@donaldgoldsmith6804]

Just got my GT-3TP & I have tried the software you recommend it loads and runs but all "Headers" words print is all Question Marks and some small graphic squares trying to guess how to work software package is impossible. tried chirp but Under Radio Header Upload to radio command line is dimmed out and does not work

[@trek98597]

is there a plug in mic that has programmable numbers on it?

[@jorgevazquez9153]

i just got my radios and i been trying to do what you are showing on the video and its not working

[@groundhog7652]

I can no longer transmit in HIGH power. Just LOW and Med power. It is simply dead on transmit when I hit the # and go to HIGH. It got hot when I talked on HIGH very much, so I guess it simply burned up.

[@dondon4274]

new GT-3TP arrived today ver BFP3-23 downloaded software from Baofeng site as said. As soon as software opened I get the following flag can not read or write to radio Run time error '8020' then radio lights up like it's down a power down and power up with ?? ?? ?? across where the menu options are clicking ok shuts it down I have a UV-3R+ and UV-5R, they work ok with both 3R and Chirp tried the GT-3TP on chirp using BF-F8HP, doesn't like it any ideas ? not a computer person, still learning.

[@ajeshpm123]

Thanks mate, the video was very useful, I have managed to do mine. thanks a lot

[@botsle]

Tx for this video It help me with my new radios!

[@markhaley100]

One radio was on A frequency and the other was on B sorted it now, Thanks, could do with some frequency numbers for repeaters round Leeds and surrounding areas, last one I had said, echo and next channel would be wf and cctv and there was 30 channels like that but it didn't give me the frequency number just a name any help would be appreciated

[@TrailHaunter]

Does this use the same earbud/headset as a UV-5R?

[@leystate]

Do you know if they can use same antenna as the uv-5r?

[@williambelcher8637]

Hey buddy - whats battery life like on these? Average standbye etc.

[@martinezsinclairnonis6467]

May i know what is the max range in an urban area on vhf...

[@michaelhutin5451]

Would this radio be suitable for a beginner?

[@becky2235]

Good question

[@scottmota2963]

hi i cant down load from the baofeng website as it downloads as a itunes file ?????? i am rubbish with computers so if you know the aswer please tell me in layman turms thanks

[@BackwardTravisty]

I really like the look of the GT3 series, but the BF-F8HP being compatible with all of the UV-5R battery and antenna accessories makes the GT3 TP pointless as a viable option. If the GT3 TP antenna threads weren't counter sunk below the outer case like the GT3 MKII is, AND I could get a AA battery case, I'd buy several. What they really need to do is get busy crafting some GT3 battery option accessories.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Understood. I agree. I'm posting a review of the UV-5rTP tomorrow. I bought the extended battery for it as well.

[@BackwardTravisty]

HamRadioConcepts Looking forward to seeing that. Hey, in order to show the practical value of the 8w radios vs the usual 5w-ers, how about you and a buddy take two 5w and two 8w radios to test out the simplex comm distances starting at .5 miles (increasing @ 1/2 mile increments) to see what the 8w can really do.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

RETiredGM The reason i didn't do that is because the terrain and conditions are always different. I can talk to a buddy 2 miles away radio to radio, but the first person that has difficulty reaching this distance will call me a liar. Plus, I KNOW how they operate at certain ranges, but how does the viewer know i am exactly the same distance as they were... Just causes rude comments. If i showed it is 8 watts, the rest can be decided by the user themselves.. 73

[@BackwardTravisty]

Well I think you should do it in the name and spirit of science and discovery. Screw the nay sayers! They hate you 'cause they ain't you! Lol! I understand that under each individual situation, milage will vary, but no one is legally binding you to your claim. Only children think in terms of absolutes. If you've got the gear and the time, try it, record what happens, and report your findings. 'Merica!

[@MAXhomesteader]

HamRadioConcepts I am eagerly awaiting your review of the UV-5RTP. I want to buy one but I am waiting for more reviews.

[@jeffpriddin5952]

This may be a daft question but will this radio pick up the aircraft bands as well .

[@FarmRanchHomestead]

No, it won't. Although it could probably be programmed to tune aircraft frequencies, it won't receive them as this radio is FM only. Aircraft bands are broadcast in AM.

[@k4rgd]

Got the GT-3TP and followed instructions as closely as possible. My programming cable shows in device manager as a CH340. When I plug in and try to read from the radio, I get the following error: Fail connect with transciever, then Communication Fault. I'm running Windows 10 and ran the program as administrator. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 73 de K4RGD

[@martintenev1169]

+k4rgd in case you are still struggling with it just make sure your cable is plugged in fully. I had the same problem but when pressed and held the connector against the radio it started reading as normal. Looks like the plastic of the connector is not molded properly.

[@Listopia10]

+k4rgd do some trimmings in the connector like martin said..... did u installed the drivers properlly...... go to device manager, update the driver by chousing automatic..... will work fine ....... when using chirp select the device as F8HP

[@richardbarnier4086]

What about the disk that comes with it??

[@trooper2221]

I'm awaiting arrival from amazon for my radio the gt3, but hoping in the future as u mentioned they add the long lasting battery, or atlas a battery pack that can be changed out, and Id sure like to see them add AM or medium wave to the radio, like the yaesu vx3r. other wise i know they r good radios for the price!

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Look on eBay, they do have the extended battery pack now, due to popular request, for this gt3 radio

[@trooper2221]

Ok I should have looked. But at he price of these radios I can afford another lol

[@HamRadioConcepts]

The batteries are less than 10 bucks including shipping

[@trooper2221]

Ah I just can order a battery eh? Ok. Do You find they r really good long lasting?

[@maldog4303]

Great video & helpful programming tips. The only thing I couldn't do after following all your steps. I try to save my work and it says invalid file name, or something like that. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Dan from Las Vegas, Nevada ( I have a Baofeng gt3 tp).

[@kc1bse682]

Great video. How do the UV5R(s) compare with the GT3(s)? (The new versions of each). I don't see much difference except that the UV5R radios have an extended battery, and possibly run without a battery of an adapter, and the GT3(s) don't? The GT3 had a better manual than the UV5r but that may have changed now with the improved UV5RTP? And incompatibility (they don't fit the new recessed connector) with the older antennas. By the way I use Chirp with my GT3. Not sure if any of their software works with a Mac either.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

True. UV5R has the battery eliminator, better antenna connector and the extended battery. GT3 has dust/water resistant, different backlit screen with the white letters on the colored screen. Better manual for GT3 as well.

[@joeframo3347]

Eric I misjudged the Chinese radios play me them easier to program then years ago the newer models are easier to program I got a uv-3r and it works perfectly easy to program wow

[@edincalif]

I followed your instructions but after the install the program comes up in Chinese and I don't see a way to get it to show English, have you seen this? thanks, Ed kk6wgy

[@jeepman1244]

I heard that you can receive weather channels on this radio. Thinking of getting for emergency back up radio. just wonder all the radio can do if needed? Dave wd8mbz

[@miked7923]

you can receive the NOAA frequency I belive. look up what your look frequency is

[@matt79hz]

very very good. Was able to program channels on the gt-3tp with your instructions - on windows 10. Complete newb questions .. set on a particular channel I only got about 500m before it cut out. Should I be using repeater channels for my local area ? Or are there a multitude of other factors. Also, fm radio works on one unit, but doesn't seem to work at all on the other.. hmmm

[@danielgandara5102]

+dirtybishop help me please. I have windows 10 and the uv5r goes on a boot loop and I have to restart my computer and uninstall it from the secondary administrator profile.

[@matt79hz]

Oh shit.. I just realised I've just updated to w10 since my computer crapped itself and I upgraded all hardware. So I don't know if I can help. I'd just suggest to try again on a friend's computer ? I manually.keyed in over 40 channels and I've lost that file. Doh. .

[@doublehelix.]

Hi, i purchased this radio and it came with the BFP3-23 firmware version. Do you know where i can find the version you have?

[@edgardogtumang]

Is there a TOT option?

[@setofirons]

You didn't show how to use the software for programming the repeaters. How hard is it compared to chirp?

[@HamRadioConcepts]

+setofirons I sure did. Watch the video again please.

[@kodiakandgrizzlybears3787]

I've read that 8 watt of output is feasible on 12 factory pre-programmed channels (140 - 150 and 430 - 440 Mhz) only!

[@HamRadioConcepts]

When i tested it on 450mhz and outside of the VHF bandplan on 154.6 business band, the power was about 7 watts.

[@andor7330]

Hello I wonder which radio is better. The BF UV82HX (8W) or BF GT-3TP Mark 3 (8W) I want to get a good talk range and clear voice. What do you think? Thank You!

[@HamRadioConcepts]

8 watts is 8 watts. Now if one radio has better circuitry and design, then that would make the difference. If they were both equal 8 watts with same structure, it wouldnt matter.

[@andor7330]

So are they totally the same stuff?

[@andor7330]

I want a pair radio into the cars to talk at motorway on PMR446 freq. Which one would be the better choice? Thank You!

[@HamRadioConcepts]

well, i havent had the uv82hx, but from my past history of having almost every baofeng, they are the same, unless you talk about 4 watt versus 8 watt.. Other then that, they use the same stuff, maybe a component change from here to there, but all the UV5r series from the original to the latest are all the same.. All the GT3 series are all the same, except for power levels again...

[@andor7330]

So interesting. Should I buy the much cheaper UV-5R one? Would it be the same for me? What do you think?

[@estgary1]

I purchased a couple of Baofeng GT-3TP radios. I update to the new USB driver, but I can't connect to the radio. I've also tried all the models of radio in the pull-down menu. Any ideas how to make the CHIRP app?

[@eduardodiaz9354]

estgary1 still having issues?

[@bigbadlouroma]

Which is the best baofeng radio?

[@Waboche]

Thank you so much for your video ! I've been able to unlock all the frequencies. My only hick-up now is that i don't know how to switch to FM. In the manual they say to press the call button, but nothing happen. In your video i saw you pressing many buttons to get to the FM Can you please tell me how ? Thank you very much in advance.

[@tvbox6955]

Does 200-260 mhz work with this radio?

[@JamminJim42]

Got all the software installed no probs. I have the GT-3TP here to set up. I want to hit the repeater in town. It is 147.060, negative offset, ctcss 100. (146.460 tx freq) How would I put all this in? (Im not great at doing this yet....lol) THANKS

[@HamRadioConcepts]

Easiest way is to press menu, then press 2 6.. Then press 2 5, then press 1 3... Menu 26,25 and 13 are your offset, shift direction and tone... Fastest way to program on the fly.

[@unikalifestylecompany6262]

Do you know anything about the waterproofness of this radio? I was told by Niceone that they are waterproof, but i cannot find any information on that being true

[@FarmRanchHomestead]

While I've never submerged mine, I seriously doubt it's waterproof. For starters, there are too many openings where water can get in (ear/mic ports, keys, etc.). For what it's worth, I did have a UV-82, which I expect would be comparable, get submerged when it got wet while in storage. I have no idea how long it was in the water, but when I pulled it out and cleaned it up, surprisingly, I was able to get it to work again. I had to disassemble it as far as I could, and had to clean it thoroughly. Once I did so and re-assembled it, it worked. Some of the keys were a little sticky, and I'm not sure how well it handles voice input, but I can tune a channel and hear the broadcast. Overall, I was surprised that I was able to revive the radio. I guess that speaks to the hardiness of it. With that experience, I wouldn't worry too much about using the radio in the rain, or if it were to get sprayed with water accidentally. I would dry it off immediately, but after that, I don't think it would be seriously damaged by such things.