New for 2024! Baofeng/BTECH BF-F8HP PRO Review and Features

[@sproutpits]

FYI, BTECH is a California-based company that retools and resells cheap Chinese radios. Baofeng (actually renamed Pofung recently) is a Chinese company. Unlike Baofeng, BTECH offers support (U.S.-based) for their radios, and includes manuals written by native English-speakers.

[@MattCoversTech]

No wonder the manual was so good! I thought there was a US connection when it came to BTECH but I wasn't certain. Thanks for the info!

[@brettjohnson7486]

They're based in South Dakota but still a US based company that seems to know their stuff.

[@SpiritOfTheHeretic]

The firmware updates makes me hopeful that someone will eventually come out with an easy to use custom firmware.

[@DMRSurvival]

That second 146.500 reading is because you have the SA setup to display the Delta - notice that marker 2 is designated as 2-Delta-1, or the difference between 1 and 2... So, marker 2 is 146.500 + 146.500 = 293.000 -- if you set a scale at the bottom of the SA screen, you will see that marker 2 is directly over 293.0 MHz

[@MattCoversTech]

Thanks for the info. I'm waiting to test again until I get a new Tiny SA, probably an Ultra. It turns out the one I purchased is often returned, I'm thinking because buyers are finding the same issues with it, that I did. Inaccurate readings on known good radios that tested clean elsewhere, and I'm talking about Japanese brands (I tested this independently of any video) that shall remain nameless here. Frankly I don't trust the Tiny SA readings at this point based on those findings. I may update my findings in a future video.

[@sacredmacabrecrew6007]

Thanks for this video! What’s that little device you connected to the radio to check the levels?

[@MattCoversTech]

Two different devices. One is a power meter, the other was a Tiny SA. The Tiny SA is the little brother of the Tiny SA Ultra. I wish I had gotten the ultra as this one seems to be unreliable at this point. I won’t be doing any spectrum analysis until I get a replacement.

[@brucemurray2520]

Can you scan within a zone? Or during scanning does it check all 1000?

[@MattCoversTech]

Great question. Mine only scans within the zone.

[@brucemurray2520]

@@MattCoversTech Good. That is what I was looking for. Thanks for the video.

[@juanmoscoso6782]

Good morning, how can I program the new bf-8 HP pro for another regular BF 8HP?

[@MattCoversTech]

The best way I've found to copy channels from one radio to another is through CHIRP, since it works with so many different models of HT.

[@orangeford77]

So what is the range of frequencies that can TX?

[@CrowDazzle]

Just got this radio and love it so far. What antenna upgrade do you recommend for both VHF/UHF? Or which one are you using with the BNC adapter?

[@MattCoversTech]

I ended up using the antenna I have linked in the description, the Nagoya NA-320A due to the fact that it is a triband antenna. Normally I use a BNC Signal Stick from signalstuff.com but they don't have a triband model because it requires coiling they don't have the machining to make. The owner there says he uses the NA-320A for triband, so that was good enough for me.

[@jeremymoore16]

I use the ZBM2 Industries Foul Weather Whip antennas. Very good build quality. However, the SWR on the GMRS monoband antennas was horrid. I had to "Tune" the antenna using a good ground plane. Which made a massive difference. Now, I understand the limitations of trying to tune a HT antenna. However, getting the SWR "Close enough" was my goal. Going from a 9:1 SWR to 1.2:1 SWR was a massive gain of function from the antenna. I have not tested the 2M/70M dual band foul whip antenna. However, I suspect they will perform better than the monoband GMRS antenna.

[@mikeerstad3705]

Great Video....Baofeng is out of stock (Nov. 12, 2024), but I was able to order on on Amazon for $60 bucks....

[@axi6ne8us]

Is there a BAOFENG Tri band that can pickup HF bands signals?

[@46camper50]

Wish BETCH would have made it IP-67 . I like the idea of 1.25 band , for my use and in my 1.25 meter isn’t highly used . Kind of security through obscurity

[@alee2969]

I have to ask ... can it also do GMRS and program with CHIRP ?

[@MattCoversTech]

Yes to both, but it seems Chirp is currently limited in how you can program zones, and it does not recognize Mid power on any of the channels. I created a profile in Chirp adding channels, uploaded it to the radio. Opened the radio in the supplied CPS (which is actually pretty good) applied mid power to the channels I wanted, moved channels to zones, then saved in the BTECH CPS. When Chirp is updated, I should be able to download from the radio, then modify it in Chirp 100%.

[@terrykennedy3296]

​@@MattCoversTechYou'll need the CPS to update the firmware, change the startup picture, install alternate voices (7 are supplied in addition to the stock factory voice, and you can add your own). None of that will be in CHIRP as its goal is to support as many radios as possible, not provide every feature for every radio (per the CHIRP developers). BTW, I wrote the CPS for this radio.

[@MattCoversTech]

@@terrykennedy3296 Very cool. I did end up using the official CPS, and it was a great experience. Additionally the dev at Chirp worked out the power issue with me, but zones are by far easier to set up on your software.

[@andyburger6398]

@@MattCoversTech Zones in Chirp are easy to program. Zone 1 starts at memory bank 001, Zone 2 starts at memory bank 101, Zone 3 at bank 201 and so on. Then in the bank names section of Chirp, they are listed 1 through 10, rename accordingly to 101, 201, 301, 401, etc.

[@escomag]

Ok here is my problem. I can't run Chirp next I still have Windows7..not listed in legacy. Any hacks or other ways around? Haven't even been able to connect the radio to computer except to change the voice.

[@BajaWRX]

Since you read the manual, did you notice that there's a Bluetooth icon in the icon description section? Possible future feature in a software update?

[@MattCoversTech]

I did! Couldn’t figure out why, maybe you’re right. It would be nice.

[@frankswaim]

Besides the watts and flashlight/GPS, what are the available TX frequency differences between the new BF F8HP PRO and the BF AR-5RM? Both are UNLOCKED HAM radios and seem to TX on the exact same frequencies. Please advise. I am hoping to pull the trigger and buy one this before Thanksgiving. Would the TD H3 be a better option to have as far as the number of frequencies that can be accessed to transmit?

[@MattCoversTech]

As far as I can tell, the AR-5RM transmits on the same bands, 70cm, 1.25M, and 2M. The biggest difference is that the BF-F8HP Pro has the GPS, and will get upgradeable firmware. The TD-H3 will not cover as many frequencies on transmit, only 7cm and 2M for that one.

[@Robert-cd5zr]

Does this have "audio relay" feature?

[@MattCoversTech]

The manual refers to a relay mode, but this refers to repeater frequencies, not audio.

[@46camper50]

I would check it on a different meter

[@MattCoversTech]

Absolutely. I’m going to get a Tiny SA Ultra and re-test it. I’m not happy with this particular Tiny SA right now.

[@MrTaylorfenoglio]

Can you explain on how the gos works? Do you have to be within range?

[@MattCoversTech]

Yes you do have to be within range of the other radio you want to send or request GPS information from. Each radio gets its positioning from GPS, then sends that data via radio signal to the other radios.

[@MrTaylorfenoglio]

@@MattCoversTech would be cool to see a real world test on that in a video.

[@LoftechUK]

Can you post what board version it’s on

[@MattCoversTech]

I’m not going to crack it open to confirm, but software says Firmware v0.29, Hardware v1.0

[@danjones9248]

Just purchased also just got a Technician license. Are there alternative methods to test out the radio? I don't have any test instruments. How else can one know if you get a good radio?

[@MattCoversTech]

Unfortunately the only way to test is to use testing tools. If you don’t have any, ask around in your local HAM clubs. There’s usually someone who’s eager to help.

[@guyjaxn]

What antenna would you recommend for this?

[@MattCoversTech]

For a Tri-band I would start with the Nagoya NA-320A. I’ll add a link to the description up top.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

Great that the radio has 10 zones of 100 frequencies each. I use zone 1 for my home frequencies. I use zone 2 for the my vacation geographical area. I use zone 3 for the area that my group uses for hunting hiking and ATV riding . I use the remainder of the zones for the large cities near me that I might visit maybe once a year or so. With 100 frequencies in each zone you can put in your MURS, FRS and GMRS channels and all of the local repeaters in each zone.

[@guyjaxn]

@bulldogbrower6732 can you select what is in what zone? Looks like it's auto groups them. I haven't figured out yet how to if you can.

[@MattCoversTech]

@@guyjaxn You can with the BTECH CPS. Conversely on if you use CHIRP, Channels 1-100 are Zone 1, 101-200 are Zone 2, 201-300 Zone 3, etc.

[@guyjaxn]

@@MattCoversTech nice.. where can I find this cps software?

[@johnnyheavens2136]

Two Question: Spare/Additional batteries? Also, my fam and I are getting radios for everyone as part of our family readiness plan. Would this be a good one to standardize on and if not what one would be?

[@techcores]

get your technician licenses and learn how to use them before an emergency! This would be great. You could group repeaters into "zones" based on location, so like "home, in-laws, bug out location" etc. One battery but it's USB-C so you can just carry a battery bank OR buy a 2nd battery for less than $14. Standard UV-5R mic would work - also like $13 for two of them. Can get upgraded Nagoya 320a antenna triband for $21. This will also let you see the GPS coordinates and direction of anyone pre-programmed in your team with the same radio. Good for family groups.

[@MattCoversTech]

Agree with everything, well said. The only hiccup is that I don't think spare batteries are available just yet, they probably will be soon, but as you mentioned, with USB C you can just take power banks with you.

[@bigpicturethinking5620]

The battery is the same as any other bf battery which are now usb c rechargeable. Make sure your folks know how to use the radios as well, because it’s not intuitive. It bears saying it’s not legit to transmit on these radios without a license.

[@WhiteTrashTennessee]

@@bigpicturethinking5620 yea had hams driving up and down my private road tracking me just threw a bunch of nails out in the way 🤣 🤣

[@kchaney56]

Cool, but the Tidradio TD-H8 is still the bomb. Also, the antenna on ALL HT's should be the Signal stick.

[@MattCoversTech]

The TD-H8 is a great device. A little pricey these days, but it fluctuates. Regarding antennas, for all dual band HT’s I 100% agree with you.

[@rockymountainjazzfan1822]

@@MattCoversTech I have two TD-H8's. They are really deaf to weak signals, especially on 2-meter. Their scan speed is glacial, and charging the batteries is glacially slow. I've tried numerous different antennas on both radios. They still suck. The TD-H3 is somewhat better at weak signal reception and its 440m reception is pretty decent. Scan speed is still glacially slow. The Quansheng UV-K5(8) outperforms all of them. I don't know how the radio reviewed here will perform.

[@danjones9248]

I'm buying this radio as a new ham. How does one check out a radio for issues like in your review.

[@MattCoversTech]

You will need a Tiny SA and a power meter, or a friend who has one. Check with your local ham radio club, someone usually has one and is willing to help out. I've also added affiliate links to both items in the video description. They're good tools to have.

[@DanSnipe-k8o]

How would it compare to a Baofeng UV-25?

[@MattCoversTech]

I have a UV-25, and I prefer this. My UV-25 is only dual band, this is tri band. This puts out 11 watts, the UV-25 only puts out 9 for me. This has GPS location sharing, the UV-25 does not.This is much easier to carry. The UV-25 appeals to me for nostalgia, and it has a big battery (that takes a long time to charge) and is harder to carry. The BF8HP Pro is a much more practical model with more features baked in.

[@davidcameron1792]

Im not savy on these but what is it is it like a CB radio or is it just for listening to police and other things

[@MattCoversTech]

This is an amateur radio that requires a license to use in the United States and elsewhere. Getting a license requires you pay a fee and pass a test. For a quick understanding, the only radio services in the United States that don’t require a license are Family Radio Service (FRS), and CB.

[@jacobeckardt479]

Is the battery compatible with the uv-9r?

[@MattCoversTech]

No, completely different design, but still charges by USB C.

[@djoverspingaming2733]

I need help and I'm trying to find someone who can tell me how to program these radios and what I'm missing! I'm getting pissed off right now, because I ordered 2 radios and I'm not even getting a quarter of a mile range on any settings I used. PLEASE HELP!!!

[@MattCoversTech]

Are you using the CPS software from BTECH? That’s where you should start. Also, the small rubber duck antennas aren’t the best for range, and range can be cut off by buildings, mountains, any kind of obstacle. Programming in a repeater near you can get you out much further than radio to radio. Just some starting tips.

[@djoverspingaming2733]

@@MattCoversTech This is something I need help with, because I don't know anything on how to do anything with this. I'm willing to do a call through discord to figure everything out and what all I need to get these radios to work for long range work.

[@tonsofguns850]

Anyone know how to designate zones using chirp ?

[@MattCoversTech]

1-100 is Zone 1, 101-200 is Zone 2, 201-300 is Zone 3, etc. This is from one of the devs of CHIRP. I was working with them on this radio, because the power levels weren't being recognized correctly when programming with CHIRP. It all works now.

[@tonsofguns850]

@MattCoversTech can you be little more specific? Sorry I'm new to chirp as well as the radios. Where does that 1-100 go to specify the zone? I don't see a difference in the programming options between the f8hp and the f8hp pro

[@LoftechUK]

You’re lucky you got a good radio. I’ve got two and is filthy.

[@MattCoversTech]

I have read that there are build quality issues unfortunately. It’s brand new, so sometimes you play early adopter roulette. If you can find a clean one, you’ll like it, I think.

[@MechanicalMercenary]

could you please review the btech uv-pro ip67? I've been looking for something to replace my uv5r and have been considering a yaesu ft60. I really appreciate your reviews and have subbed

[@MattCoversTech]

Looks intriguing. Thanks for subscribing!

[@CrankyCronos]

I'm not too fond of it and am sending it back.

[@MattCoversTech]

Sorry to hear that, I really like mine.

[@chris.eskimo]

Why ?

[@nickbernstein]

11 watts is a lot next to your head. 😅

[@MattCoversTech]

Facts! I run all of my radios on medium/5 watts. The marginal gain in signal isn't really worth killing the battery, or boiling my optical orbs.

[@brianbarker2551]

An uncrappy Chinese radio, well then.

[@youreright7534]

Kind of like the yaesu ft65. Chinese made, but still decent