Watch This Before Buying A Baofeng Ham Radio... Or Another One

[@trevormurphy7041]

I dropped mine in a bucket of water and it did survive but I didn’t turn it off for like a month and let it dry out looking at it right now still works perfectly fine I suggest everybody who’s thinking about buying one of these radios just go out and buy one they’re complicated but you’ll have a blast The way society is going today I don’t know why people don’t have more I know for a fact governments don’t like that a normal person can get one and program it whatever happened to a CB radio growing up in Newfoundland every single family member had one in their car my grandma had one of those police scanner clock radios next to her bed Memories

[@TheNotaRubicon]

I "love" my Boofwang UV-5R !

[@d.b.cooper]

That’s so Randy! 😂

[@d.b.cooper]

And thank you, it’s because of you I studied the last 14 1/2 months and finally passed my GMRS exam. (Realizing I don’t have to study)

[@d.b.cooper]

Hey man still looking for a newbie ride or tour for someone with a stock TRD off-road premium with stock tires.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Hahah.

[@1MinuteFlipDoc]

stop petting that thing! you'll go blind!

[@FuZhixiang]

I always recommend starters to play with Baofeng for trying the hobby. If their passion wears out fast, the sunk cost will not be a big deal. Otherwise, one year later, they will probably want to change a rig. Then I'll recommend them to buy better ones, letting Baofeng be backup radios.

[@mctscott123]

One year? I didn't last a month on Baofeng. 😂

[@miijjk]

why you can't download anything you have to need a computer how come you can't have a simple radio that you put a frequency in and turn it on every video is the same you have to download chirp which is pure BS

[@petertyrrell6690]

I been involved in amatuer radio since the early 90s. It nice to have a cheap radio with you when you're "out and about".

[@miijjk]

@@petertyrrell6690 the problem is I'm renting a room from an elderly lady there is no computer accessibility there's no wi-fi she didn't have cable in the house and what's frustrating is trying to get the frequencies download I cannot find one company I can send it to and pay money to do this

[@adamarzo559]

@@miijjk Can you not budget a laptop in somewhere? If you aren't using it for gaming/gfx/high processing you can't pick up a used laptop that will do the jobs you need fairly easily. As for internet, if you have a phone then tethering is a very viable solution for you. I personally lucked out and managed to get on a plan with 500GB monthly data at 4G/5G speeds. So I am using nothing but tether as my main source of internet as NBN(Aus "Fibre" lol) in my area just doesn't cut it. Even "regular" plans with like 40GB of data per month is enough for things like CHIRP. I am not experienced in using Windows tablets, but maybe there is a possibility those are cheaper than a laptop and you can use that to program your radio? Something worth looking into if budget is a big factor in why you can't have a computer. Good luck mate.

[@RyanKudasik]

My issue with moving up from Beofang is that I'm indebted to the accessories. I don't want to have to deal with another charging cable, earpiece, antenna connectors, USB cord, battery eliminator, etc.

[@LWRC]

Looks like you're stuck in the mudpit then Ryan!!!

[@RyanKudasik]

@@LWRC haha. They're that bad? I just got my license a few months ago and only listen really. I guess I'm stuck for a while then.

[@LWRC]

@@RyanKudasik It's all good Ryan. You gotta start somewhere! I still have my UV5R but it doesn't get much use nowdays! I've since moved on to Motorola for both mobile and handheld radios and have never looked back.

[@TheAmazingPaulrus]

Out of the radios I have, it's been hard to beat the two-pack of UV-5R8W (8-watt version) pack I bought on Amazon. Performs about the same as my first BF-F8HP, which was all that I could find in stock when I made that purchase, and was $30 cheaper per unit. On UHF, they outperform my 5 watt GMRS radios by no small amount, despite being about the same price.

[@devincarter801]

Thank you for letting me know about the UV-5R 8W. I have been thinking about getting a 2 pack of them and I didn't know if they were going to be good or not.

[@sdaly5391]

I bought a baofeng as my handheld hiking radio and to start off. I don't even have my license yet, but I like to sit back and listen to local repeaters. But when I get my license I plan to put a rig in my truck as my mobile base.

[@bobsradio6025]

Sean - If you intend to use the HT as a "handheld hiking radio" but you do not have your license yet, what are you planning to do in the event of an emergency? Violate the law? Your mention of a "mobile base" reminds me of some lefty talking about a "fully automatic, semi automatic assault weapon." Keep studying and learn the terminology before making inappropriate statements.

[@50shadesofcerakote]

@@bobsradio6025 In the event of an emergency, laws go out the window....

[@ToolFan68]

@@bobsradio6025 Wow, what an arrogant douche nozzle. Jesus, lighten up there ARRL hero. ;-)

[@sdaly5391]

@@bobsradio6025 well I know in an emergency, of life or property it is legal to use the radio without a license. I did say mobile base, and I meant station. That is on me for not exactly being sober when typing out my comment.

[@bobsradio6025]

@M. S. - READ the First Amendment. It is about freedom of religion and to not be shut up about it verbally (speech) or in writing (press.) The words "freedom of speech have been taken out of context.

[@IrregularInterest]

I finally upgraded to a Yaesu FT-65 last year after getting my feet wet with the UV-5R and have been loving the radio. Does everything I need it to do and the documentation and build quality inspire a lot of confidence in me as a newer ham.

[@themueth]

Thanks for the check back to earth, I'm new at looking and it was so easy to take off with all the "better" stuff.

[@turkeytrailhoneybeefarmgeo6292]

If you are listening this you are the resistance.

[@ScottGodwin-lf6ns]

Please keep putting out the well thought out videos to the ones of us that are looking to get in the ham radio field. You make it ease to understand how to help us build what we want . Thanks a lot😊

[@gonesurfyn]

When you go to radiocity, just make sure your antivirus is up to date. They have more pop-ups than a 90's porn cite. The discount code won't work so don't bother and get ready to pay $10 extra in shipping for your $25 radio.

[@markr9895]

I got my $15 discount and no shipping or sales tax. And I got out with no viruses. Not sure how I did all that, but I feel good about my purchases.

[@jamielee8991]

I started in the hobby many years ago. My first radio was a yeasu vx-5r. Love that radio. So I picked up a uv-5r as a backup, I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of this radio. I did pick it up in a bundle kit, but my programming cable is a real beofang cable. It does the job.

[@snuffle2269]

I sold my Yeasu when I left California and now I am in the Baltics and probably won't understand the language of Ham radio operators here but bought a Baofeng to just listen in to content. Renewed my license on-line and will watch a lot of YT to get this one going. Yes, I loved my Yeasu and getting on the Thursday night net in Fontana.

[@DETROIT_CANNABIS]

What do I have to do to make my UV-5R work with a BF-888s??? I can hear their messages but they can't hear my response?? Chirp and PC?

[@jamielee8991]

@@DETROIT_CANNABIS sorry for the delayed response, have you checked the the ctcss tones to make sure that the radios can talk to each other properly. Like connecting to a repeater

[@kta1540]

it is cheap, it does what it supposed to do, and many aftermarket upgrades/cosmetic goods available, very easy to use. it is very good for entry-level for sure.

[@kchaney56]

I took your word about programming cables and antenna's, I bought nagoya 771 and a top cable. Thank you for that advice. The Antenna really helped and the cable has been flawless.

[@juricivan]

How one can know which cable is top cable for baofeng uv16pro?

[@kchaney56]

@@juricivan Messi Peloni

[@SLACKPLAN9]

As far as CHINESE radios, my favorite, at this time, is the AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus. Granted, we are talking DMR, but, on an Analog side, even if shunned the DMR part, the analog aspect is still solid.

[@joshholtan6901]

I’m a bit obsessive about new hobbies so I started listening on a baofeng uv-s9 plus 8w and 3 days later picked up a yaesu ft-4xr from ham radio outlet. In the past I trained as a pilot and I really enjoyed radio work when I was flying. I’m studying for my general and listening at the moment. I love the call signs, it reminds me of aviation so much. I had to call my tail number all the time. So far I very much enjoy the hobby even as a listener.

[@willdrums7493]

just a note, i have a uv10 (literally no different to a uv5r) i just like baofeng radios anyway i was using the 10r and my friend borrowed my uv5r while we were riding our motorcycles and we were in a bush after really heavy rain and it was mostly flooded and we needed to go through a trail that was quite deep in water so we got out the radios and one of us walked through the water to make sure the water was no deeper than the air filters on our bikes (most commonly just under the seat on a dirt bike) and as we were talking over the radios about the water i slipped and dropped my uv10r under about 10 inches of water i grabbed it back out just as fast as i dropped it and i continued to use it and it was fine when i got home i opened it up and dried it and still works to this day well over a year later.

[@willdrums7493]

@@DylanClements98 wow you have no life xx

[@afinelad3673]

is there any difference at all between the uv5r and the uv10? If no practical difference, any little thing you know of?

[@lancefisher]

Thanks for the video. I got a couple UV-9R Pro radios for $28 each and got into ham radio. I wanted the waterproof models for rafting. I ordered a Baofeng programming cable from Amazon, and it worked fine with CHIRP on Windows 11 with no other drivers.

[@ntag411]

The UV-5R is the Swiss Army knife of HAM radios IMO. Like the Swiss Army knife it doesn't do any one thing very well. Yet, because of the small form factor, having it with you is better than the superior tool elsewhere.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The Swiss Army Knife of ham radio is definately the ICOM IC-705

[@michaelpage4199]

I truly love your reviews but more importantly your honesty. I am running a 15 year old ICOM IC-V8. It’s two meters but I still love it. But I want to try hitting some 440 repeaters so again I appreciate your comments. 73’s.

[@leokelly359]

I'm a disabled veteran and I am considering dipping my toes into the world of armature radio and being able to study for the test and take it online is a plus for me

[@mikebelanger4165]

Leo, I think you should at least consider it; I've been interested in the hobby since high school back in the early 70s (when Morse Code was required, but it isn't any more) and didn't do anything until I got my Technician in 2014. I've since upgraded to General and then Extra Class and semi-regularly use our local club's station for contesting (that's just me - you don't have to do that unless that's the aspect of the hobby that interests you). I'm also a Veteran (USAF, CO ArNG and USN) and am enjoying the hobby quite a bit. I'm also a Volunteer Examiner with our club (Yavapai Amateur Radio Club in Prescott, AZ) and help to administer the tests to others.

[@wingsofebeggin1002]

Imagine commenting "I'm a disabled veteran" as if there was some reason to throw that in there😂.....

[@jerry_satcom]

I’m retired military with some service-connected disability ratings. Jump on in, the water is nice. Ignore the Summer’s Eves like Christopher. If you worked specifically with radio in the military, amateur radio will feel natural. I was AF SATCOM (2E171) and a RF Transmission Systems Technician (3D173), but no matter what AFSC/MOS/Rating you were, I’m sure you had some radio training. Take a look at the $20 RTL-SDR V3 dongle and also the website at websdr dot org and you can hear amateur radio traffic live all around the world.

[@davesleight5799]

@@jerry_satcom “Ignore the Summer’s Eves like Christopher” got a belly laugh from that one 😂😂. USN, USS Ranger CVA-61 ATC.

[@redskyz483]

@@wingsofebeggin1002 There seems to be a huge number of disabled veterans watching KZbin.

[@DS75921]

I started with Alinco and quickly went to Yaesu now have a Yaesu FT DX 101MP setting on the bench

[@ku4uv]

The first UV-5R I purchased had a bad internal microphone. I bit the bullet and bought another one, and it has worked great. I have worked the crossband repeater on the ISS with my UV-5r and and an attic 1/4 wave homebrew antenna.

[@ruizhou9612]

This was a common issue out of the box with firmware bfb 307 to 311 due to poor quality jacks. The jacks need to be closed to put the internal microphone into circuit.

[@pattersonlax48]

I have a Anytone mobile AT-D578 and a Baofeng UV5r. I ran over my Baofeng in my tahoe on accident. lol. It still works. I still play around with my Baofeng and I am still learning it. I know quite a bit about it. But I use it when I go for a walk in the woods and just let someone know I am exploring and to listen for me. Usually looking for stolen cars or hunting. Cell phone service in my neck of the woods is almost non existent, and I live in NY.

[@Buzzygirl63]

I bought a UV-5R+ last year as a backup for my Yaesu FT60R. I mostly use the Baofeng to listen to local weather radio, a local fire dispatch and a couple repeaters. The Baofeng I have actually has a pretty good receiver, and pulls in all the same stuff the FT60R does. Both have aftermarket Nagoya antennas. I bought it mostly because it was cheap ($25) and I wanted to play around with CHIRP. I'm not a prepper type but we're heading into severe weather season where I live so if one HT's battery dies, I'll have another ready to go.

[@thinmizzy365]

I have the Yaesu ft70. The battery is garbage. I use It as a scanner. Pretty much the opposite of you. 😂

[@rogerrabbit80]

Check out the available battery packs for the UV-5R. For $5-$10 you can get a case that allows you to run a UV-5R on AA or AAA batteries. Toss the radio and a 24 pack of alkaline batteries in something waterproof, and there's your backup communication.

[@MauriatOttolink]

Jackie LaVaque Perfectly true. The UV-5R is very sensitive and will hear everything that the FT60 does but it will cave in, in the presence of a nearby VERY strong signal, which your FT60 will handle OK. I mean nearby in frequency and/or nearby in distance. The problem can be solved (very well) by the use of a band pass filter screwed into the Baofeng before the antenna but it's another piece of gear. You may have to make one because they rarely appear on sale and cost more than the UV5-R if they do.

[@sarfios]

Can you share the attena details here?

[@rgbking488]

@@sarfios yeah, would be nice to have the antenna details

[@theodoreroberts3407]

Too late, I bought two a couple of years ago. The second one was returned twice, because it motor boated. And it still does. (Meaning: it switches from tx to rx continuously by itself). So, I have one uv-5r and an Icom that works.

[@kyleduffer8898]

We use the 8w in my hunting club. We get the bulk by from Amazon that comes with all the extras. Yup, the programing cables are crap. I have several, none work. I have one good one I've had for years, works great still. I can clone these easily with chirp. We lose them, it's $20. We do drop them in water, mud, dog pens, deer blood, leave them sitting on dog boxes and take off down the road to have them skid off, we throw them loose in the seat and floorboard and they get stepped on. My kids use them around the house and farm. They are pretty tough. The 8w does have a little extra range, maybe a few hundred yards in the woods, 1/2 mile clear. But that can be all the difference in effective communication. We have a 40km license for the club for up to 150 units. At the cheap price, these radios fit for us. Thanks for the info.

[@johnadams673]

Are your kids licensed hams? Might want to keep them off the air

[@kyleduffer8898]

​@johnadams673 apparently you don't understand how group license works. I stated that my hunting club has a license for this entire area. We can use them for 40 km from a certain address, I'm well within the zone. Covers up to 150 radios. We not only use them for the hunting club but also for our Farms.

[@johnadams673]

@kyleduffer8898 respectfully, you are dead wrong. That's not how a group license works at all. Individual users still need to be licensed operators but they an use the groups call sign. They can also allow other individuals to use radios as long as a licensed ham tech is within arms reach. It's possible you have a group gmrs license? That exists for some companies, however it is illegal to use a baofeng or any 8w radio on gmrs. It sounds like you are in violation of federal law and admiting it publicly as well as incriminating your children on a public forum.

[@kyleduffer8898]

@johnadams673 this is an industrial business license. It authorizes the use of the frequency for up to 40 km and a power output of up to 60 watts. For up to 150 units. Hunt Club eligibility is 90.35A. So no, nothing illegal is being done.

[@calebcarano5928]

Why is it so serious to use one .​@@johnadams673

[@willipic]

I bought a Baofeng cable off of Amazon for my UV9RPlus which did not have any type of cracked/hacked drivers and programmed it with Chirp with no problems.

[@SatomiForward]

This clears up so much for me with amateur radioing

[@mimiseeyou]

Thank you gah! I’m not going to give myself choice overload by reading the comments lol. I’m definitely looking for entry level and inexpensive. I appreciate this very much!

[@fomabourne]

I have 3 Baofeng's, 2 UV-5Rs, and the DM-1701 - they all work great. The Feng's totally got me into the hobby, and I still use them the most of all my radios on 2m & 70cm

[@mohammadbararti5443]

hi Foma I have a question: is there any difference between UHF frequencies?? for example, I mean is there any difference between 410.5 MHz vs 470 MHz?? I'm a mountain climber and I have purchased a uv82. now I want to know which frequency should I use in mountains and forests to achieve the most range? and also which frequency should I use in outdoor(such as deserts) to achieve the most range? or there is no difference between 410 & 433 & 470 MHz at all !??

[@the1spyderryder]

Those signial stick antennas and Negoya antennas are a piece of Piano wire or speedometer cable there is nothing more there no coils or caps added just a piece of wire attached to the connector. I have disassembled them.

[@boredinczechia4382]

I use Baofeng for airsoft and I am very suprise what it was already able to sustain. Dropped it several times, used it in heavy rain when I was soked through, etc. It is so much, for such a low price.

[@floppinfish]

What do you use it for in airsoft? Do you have a license to talk into it? Because it's not legal to use as gmrs.

[@alphasheep99]

​@@floppinfish I would guess they probably use it as it's intended as a radio. It has settings that are completely legal and even if you use the 'illegal" channels or whatever how do they know you don't have a gmrs license? They're not going to track you down and it doesn't matter they're not hurting anyone by using gmrs unless they're on the same channel as emergency services and close enough to transmit and receive to them

[@BuckingFuffalos69]

@@floppinfishits against the law the break the speed limit and i bet you do it everyday

[@maxlumens9085]

​@@floppinfishi use mine to break the law. Come and get me.

[@griftinggamer]

​@@floppinfish 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@socwyvern9745]

took some UV5R's hunting, they do great when its -14 and snowing.

[@lain4231]

I've never delved into radio channels on youtube. I work full time as a radio technician (repair/rework) and I am so disconnected from the community. This is great stuff to listen to

[@KeystoneInvestigations]

Yea, it's a great place for a laugh!

[@irishn8]

I will attest to the uv-5r surviving a dunk in the water. I left it in my little fishing boat, i went to sea for 2 months while my boat filled up with rain. I got back and found it soaked in the bottom of the boat. Removed the battery, that was bad but after letting the radio dry for a week i out a new battery in and it still worked flawlessly!

[@christophersmith1155]

the UV5R cant drop on the sidewalk. i use mine here in nyc and they break. GET the Baofeng BTECH UV82HP. It has a commercial case and higher power. everyone at the high rise construction sites use it. Or spend $800.00 for a Motorola.

[@DanielHallmark]

I second the UV-82HP. My first ham radio, and I still use it today. If you want to be able to communicate with non-hams, BTech also has the GMRS-V1 and MURS-V1 with the same form factor and all the same batteries and accessories are compatible.

[@JamesSmullins]

I've got the same one, works out here in the hills of Texas where the 5r falls short.

[@maxlumens9085]

Why not just spend the 800 bucks?

[@pulpfiction2122]

I have 10 UV5-R's, I also got a set of 2 for all my neighbors, and programed them, for Christmas last year. A bunch of us has kids too young for a cellphone, so the radios are great when they go off to play in the woods.

[@nativetexan9776]

I have a UV5R and a F8HP and I am very pleased with them both but I would trade them both for another Yaesu FT-65r. The BaoFengs are nice to sit around and tinker with when I come across new VHF/UHF frequencies but when it comes to events, the FT-65 is my go to HT.

[@maxverstappennonofficial]

Yeah but the price difference is about 2-3 times bigger. I guess for begginers , an baofeng is just good.

[@realtyrocks1969]

You'd trade 2 $20 radios for a $100 radio?!! Wo! Didn't expect that. I love my 2 BMX bikes but I'd trade them both for a Rolls Royce.

[@HammerHeadGarage]

We plan on using the cheap radio to listen for a bit. Then study and find a test. Think it would be fine for that.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes, that should be fine.

[@billbolen8115]

I picked up a couple of tri-band Baofeng's, that I use for hiking with my boys since nobody is on 1.25M. My go-to HT is still my Yaesu FT-60.

[@patthesoundguy]

I love my UV-5R but I ordered a Retevis RT-85 and like it as much if not more and they test clean from what I have seen for just slightly more than the UV-5R. That being said, I would still buy some UV-5R for say a gift or something for a young person wanting to learn about radios.

[@mourneris]

Long before I got any license, I picked up a UV-5R. I listened for almost 2 years before I finally pulled the trigger. Right now, I can't afford to upgrade and yet this cheap little thing allows me to participate in the community and have some amazing contacts and such. It's an amazing piece of tech to let people get a taste of radio.

[@superbee6270]

Hi i am just new to this pages , but what you guys using that radio for ?

[@tonyv8925]

For a mobile 2m/440 try the Juentai 25watt mobile. I paid $80 and am pleased with its performance. It has the Bao-Feng internals and programs the same as the UV-5R. I have had this mobile for a few years and it still works great!

[@jakewright4394]

@@superbee6270 personaly: *A back up emergency comms unit (when in areas with no cell signals), *To maintain contact with the person i am a carer for (incase they need an ambulance or have an accident, if i am not in close proximity - as they always are pawning their phone, so some form of regular comms device is needed), *To maintain a means of contact with my girlfriend when we are out in the wilds, and we get seperated for any reason as more often than not - there is usually no cell signals. *Intended for a comms device if SHTF *Listening to other operators via repeaters at home. **Do i intend to get a license? - yes, so that I can also join in with the wider community. and no when i do get my license and go active with the community, i will not tolerate a military style bollocking from any git just because i get some technical term wrong - just because we use radios does not make us the military etc, (yes i heard that take place several weeks ago on a repeater and was discusted with it, as i have seen many complaining that they want more people in the hobby)...after that happened - the repeater went dead for weeks - i sat there and thought to myself "and they wonder why only a few get into it?"

[@maxlumens9085]

Does your mom know you're "super happy " like the Flintstones?

[@tonyv8925]

I have two UV-5R's. One I ordered on line, when they first came out. It quit working about 20 days later, so I sent it back and got a replacement...years later, still performing flawlessly...I got a good one, repeater signal reports are excellent audio, good clean signal. Then I bought a second one from an ex security guard...let's say it is different than the first one I purchased...it works just beautiful. I have 2 different model Alinco's that turned out to be junk. One kills batteries (won't even last a year), and the other one just works poorly off of repeaters. I later purchased a Juentai (Bao-Feng internals) 25W mobile. Wow! works and sounds better than my Yaesu 1500M! Thanks for this video.

[@warrenphillips69]

I've got the UV-9R, the splash proof version. I've got that cable and I've had no issues with it and chirp.

[@max19970]

same here, plug and play

[@timmack2415]

Throw it in a river and see how "splash proof" it is.

[@jeepstr73]

I bought a UV5R when i got my license in 2013 carried that every day for 3 years till the volume started to go in and out making hard to hear without playing with the volume to make it louder. I bought a UV82HP from Btech on Amazon. bought a singal stick antenna and been carrying that radio everyday for the last 3 yrs and having the same exact issue as the UV5R. I did buy a Btech 25x2 mobile to use in a UHF/VHF go kit I am still planning to make. I just put that in my Rav4. I am thinking about getting the Anytone HT since we got a lot of DMR repeaters in my area. have not heard too much on their reliability yet for EDC. The cheaper Yeasu radio might be better but still researching.

[@deanwaters8097]

I have a couple of Beofang UV5R! I use them backcountry snowmobiling with them. I need to learn how to program my radios and tweak them so I have clear transmissions and no static. Where/how can I learn this

[@patriot9455]

I have a dual band and a triband Baofeng. They are both good radios, I do not compare them with a Kenwood anything, but they work, and the radio works well on the repeater.

[@petertyrrell6690]

Great video. The nice thing about Baofengs is that they are simple to use and because they are so affordable, if the unit gets lost or broken, it's no big deal. I leave my Japese portable at home (Forgotten how to use it.) and grab a Baofeng. Thanks for sharing.

[@miijjk]

No it's not I cannot get any frequencies in mind it's like you have to download a program how come you can't just simply put the frequencies in there and save them

[@petertyrrell6690]

@@miijjk on KZbin there is a video that shows you how to program your Baofeng.

[@miijjk]

There is not one channel on KZbin that shows you how to do a tide radio td-uv5r

[@highdesertdrew1844]

So I drank my haterade just before your video popped up in my recommendations this morning. A few quick notes: FTDI can DIAF, rather than dealing with their piracy problem, they just made it so their drivers wouldn't work with older firmware versions. Just get the CH340 cable. There are a ton of other things that use the CH340, Arduino boards, stuff from SEEED studio, and others. I got my ticket in the mid 2000's, I bought Japanese radios and was constantly disappointed, after spending about $600 on the VX-6 with accessories, I felt burned. Battery was always dead, bad form factor, I had a lot of complaints. I'm not going to act like the Baofeng is the be-all-end-all, but the Japanese manufacturers should look harder at that radio and see what it's doing right.

[@TheBluebird65]

KB7UVZ Thank You for this clarification on Baofeng radio. I have been a Ham for over 30 years but mostly inactive on the air for the last 10 years due to work schedules and equipment breakdowns. My son is a truckdriver and apparently bought two or four of these for scanner and hunting or something but could not figure them out and so sent me two of them about two years ago. I opened one of the boxes and started reading the programing info (UV-5R-MK5) but not having a computer at the time put it back in the box and forgot about them. Now I guess I'll try to locate them and see if they will warm up. Thanks again for the re-awakening. Nolan G

[@jasonpetty3786]

I purchased a 4 pack of UV9R radios (water proof) that came with a surface mount programing cable. it was plug and play with windows 10. I didn't have to download anything for the cable. I plugged the cable up and programed with chirp no problem. I have since purchased a UV5R because I wanted a smaller handheld (and the Nagoya antenna I bought didn't fit into the the UV9R) I also purchased the BTech programing cable for it and spent over an hour trying to find the correct drivers for it to work. Just my 2 cents. Thanks for the videos.

[@greglawrencemusic]

We put a the Diamond/Nagoya 14" whip (I bought one, too) on a NanoNVA and it was horrible...but better than the stock rubber ducky.

[@priyansutank]

Will you please make a video on your journey into ham and when first you decided to select ham as a hobby?!! It'll be very inspiring and guiding for beginners...

[@Dubsinsauce]

Honestly I bought one of those 8 dollar cables off Amazon, someone left a comment in his Amazon review for where to find the driver and I had my radio connected in less than 5 minutes with no headache. BUT. If you're not familiar with downloading and installing drivers, just pay the extra. It could be a massive pain if you don't know what you're doing. I just didn't want to spend the same on the cable as I did for the radio and it worked out just fine for me, but I've done this kind of thing before.

[@txfotog]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! for the recommendation on upgrading to a mobile rig fairly quickly...if possible. I do the same any time I get the chance. I started with a Baofeng UV5R, and have an BHF-8+%$& and I have the tri-band model as well. I really don't have an issue with them. I agree with all your points here. I know that doesn't fit everyone's style and that it's a personal preference (hiking, EMCOMM, tactical, etc.) to use an HT and uses vary for different parts of the country and how you use them. But I hear so many new hams trying to get on repeaters and their signal strength is there but their audio is so low that we have to ask them repeat things 2-3 times. I hope they understand we aren't doing that to be mean, and we're trying to explain to them what might be happening but I think some get frustrated and sometimes give up on the hobby. So thank you, as a mentor for so many, for trying to explain about upgrading and not sinking your whole budget into the cheap gear. I hope it helps them. Great content as usual. 73! -Michael WA5AZQ

[@Sjackson2369]

Just purchased a UV5R8W at the Boone IA convention this past weekend. Mostly as a backup radio/something to just give someone if we need person to person comms and I don’t want to give them my primary

[@d.b.cooper]

Bought my third UV-5R from Amazon and it was delivered to someone else in my neighborhood. Amazon immediately sent me one to the correct address. If it had been from eBay or Wish I would’ve been out that money. Very good that you pointed out Amazon level of customer service.

[@pancakewsx]

It's hard not to agree with your comments, I think the old UV5R is as good as it gets for its price. And I bought a whole package 7 years ago (for equiv. of $60) with cable and headset, never had an issue, the original cable works like charm (with Chirp of course). The most important thing about these little radios is their low price tag at the time they showed up. Maybe in US it doesn't make such a dramatic difference, but in Central Europe these were a big game changer when it comes to availability/affordability of the UHF equipment. And I totally agree it is a great thing to start with and explore the hobby.

[@BeyondF1]

Dipping my toe into ham radio. I found this video interesting and informative, thank you.

[@wackeldackel9813]

I can’t believe, but my Baofeng UV-5R has equal reception but better modulation for FM than my new Yaesu FT-70. Also I compared the signal with my SDR-Play at the beginning of TX the Yaesu shifts little and then gets stable frequency, the Baofeng is Rock solid. Everyone says Yaesu is much better, I cant agreee…

[@kove]

Thank you for pointing out the problem with the waterproof versions and the connectors. I wouldn't have considered that, plus saved me $15 and gained confidence. If you need advice with lawn care at some point, I'd be happy to return the favor. 👍

[@alandecowski5945]

Got me a 9R plus because it's the waterproof one. I'm a first responder and it's bring your own radio to my squad. I've dropped it, I've been in heavy rain, I've dropped it in decent sized puddles, and it's saved our behinds a few times (usually because our rig mobile stopped working). Our dispatch can hear it loud and clear. No complaints!

[@phlemdog]

I was cleaning under my bed a couple days ago, and found a baofeng under there. Had have been under there for at least 5 years, and I don't remember buying it. Only thing I can figure was it came in a battlebox way back when I tried it for a few months.

[@duaneshuster6366]

It's like finding a McDonald's french fry under car seat throw it out and birds still 3wt it . Just keeps working recharge .

[@AidanShourds]

I just got 3 UV9R plus models and one of them came with the value pack. the cable worked perfectly. Just be aware there are lemons but some still work fine!

[@PaulGriffith]

I have several Baofengs, and they tend to go deaf before my Yaesu FT60R, but I still use them. One thing I've learned, I use my 2m mobile setup as a base at home much more than my HTs.

[@MrRadioRover]

Lots and lots of good advice and solid wisdom here. Well worth watching. Well done Josh!

[@chrisquick7160]

I love my Baofengs. I don't care what people say.

[@BigT683]

I just started the technician class and have a couple Baofengs to use for my entry into the hobby along with being financially constrained for the time being

[@tylerclark1801]

the fed doesnt want you to have baofengs.....buy baofengs

[@KeystoneInvestigations]

No, but the Chinese government does!

[@Srp_-_f]

EMS, police officers, etc would probably rather you didn’t. It’s scarily easy to (1) transmit and (2) that too on very restricted frequencies. I do however agree that in a life or death situation the baofeng will probably save you since you can transmit on the same bands as the people you want to talk to. Even if the FCC were to fine you (which they wouldn’t given the context) you would probably rather be alive Idk how much ham bands are monitored in that kind of situation. Seems like a roll of a million sided dice. P.s. I’m working towards a technician license so there may be actual info on emergency situations - more experienced hams are welcome to correct and critique

[@KeystoneInvestigations]

@@Srp_-_f The vast majority of public service agencies are on digital trunking systems and your little piece of garbage Baofeng is NOT going to operate on their systems.

[@whiskey2dna]

You get what you pay for. I would rather cry once and spend more on a Yaesu/ICOM HT. While parts for those radios are made in China as well. The build and performance is worth the price, and will provide a cleaner and more reliable RX/TX, drowning out the the cheaper knock offs. YMMV 73 😉

[@burnzy3210]

I bought a UV-5RIII during lockdown as a foot in the door to a new hobby.

[@iosoi3145]

Me too :) Learning what I can. But there's barely any activity on local repeaters, so not sure what else I can learn and do with it.

[@burnzy3210]

@@iosoi3145 become the activity, you never know who's listening (broadcast at a regular time). Try listening for the ISS too :)

[@bobsradio6025]

@@burnzy3210 - Broadcasting on Amateur frequencies is illegal. Hams transmit, not broadcast.

[@bobsradio6025]

Burnzy3210 - The best "foot in the door" to this hobby is an ARRL License Manuel. It makes no sense to buy something before you learn how to use it.

[@patrickgerth4570]

@@bobsradio6025 We all know the FCC definition of broadcasting. But most people use it as a term for transmitting. So quit being a dork and just have fun with the hobby. I run into clowns like you all the time on the air.

[@Tom-qx5nl]

I've got all kinds of portables, mobiles and base radios......the Baofengs are the ones I use the most.

[@swbusby]

When I was just getting started, buying my UV-5R was perfect. I don't use it very much these days, but it is my go-to radio for casual VHF/UHF scanning when I am away from my station. Now my HT radios include a Motorolla XTS5000 radio for P25, and an Icom ID-31A for D-Star, and a GD-77 (with opengd77 firmware) for DMR. But I have never had any problems at all with the UV-5R, and always found it quite easy and intuitive to work with.

[@mikegunthner7040]

I’ve been a ham since 1994 with a icom v8 and a yeasue 70dr and found beafang easy to program

[@maxlumens9085]

Right on, just like I found your mom.

[@gahvno]

The UV 5R was my very first radio when I got my tech about 10 years ago. I wore that one out and got another one after a couple of years. A couple of years ago I got the Btech UV-5X3 because I wanted 220, don't ask me why lol. Even though I got my general just a few weeks after my tech it was just too expensive in both time and money to go into HF, but since I retired last year I hardly ever visit VHF anymore. I have a bBtech UV-25X4 sitting on my desk in the shack hooked up to power and a roof tri-band base antenna, but it's mostly for listening to people chat. It's more like CB than hf, but it's very polite CB hihi. I moved on to Icom and all that fun stuff and that's where I'll stay, but your thoughts on these little cheap radios was pretty spot on. Thanks.

[@C010rbl1nd]

You make so wonderful videos, quality content on youtube is a gem. I have a few UV-5R, I love them, then I have normal 446mhz radios(super cheap once). They are a great tool when riding bicycle with the kids. Instaid of screaming "watch out", just calmly use the radio. "there is a truck about to pull out, stop and wait". Or when we play hide and seek with radios, so much fun. I cheated once and used a camouflaged net, the kids god so bored unable to find me, they went inside and got an ice-cream.

[@blahblah3786]

Thank you for your videos. I appreciate you teaching. I love to learn.

[@Ibelieve218]

I own a radio shack handheld frequency counter , swr/power meter and 2 spectrum analyzers and an rf signal generator so I have tested boafengs I own.

[@mrssamwinchester100]

Thanks, Josh! I have had a ham license I since 2010, renewed it in 2020, and finally got a radio last Christmas. But there are no instructions on how to set it up, grrr. So as I was looking for those instructions, I found this page. And mine is a Baofeng UV5R. I subscribed and hopefully will get it set up and use it. Thanks for your opinions.

[@PeterLawton]

I ran across an Amazon page recently that had a download link for the free PDF manual. You might want to look for that.

[@mandaloresmercy]

Picked up my first amateur radio and it's a Baofeng UV-S9 Plus. Maybe it's new? Chirp recognizes it as a BF-F8HP It's basically a UV-5R, uses same programming cable, adds some waterproofing, adds a USB charging cable option which I LOVE for being on the go for days at a time and I want to take them kayaking and outdoors. Found for $27 on Amazon. UV-5R online support and Baofeng has introduced me to this hobby on a good budget. 👍

[@W1NGO_Wadio]

That MTR4Bv2 is lookin mighty fine in the background there.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

ThAnks for noticing.

[@Michael-nd7gh]

Ain't that little red devil a sexy beast?

[@DMF716]

I learned how to program the baofeng by hand. Even the GT3WP. I WRITE DOWN THE METHOD OF EACH STEP IN THE MANUAL. JUST FIND A VIDEO ON KZbin, THEN WRITE IT DOWN. I've owned Yaesu, Kenwood and TEN TEC. And I've lost the Kenwood and yaesu from thunderstorms. The TEN TEC survived. So now a TYT wp mobile and 2 baofeng. Manual programing works. OG stuff

[@pale_2111]

They brought me into the hobby. Got a few of the Baofeng HT's, mostly the dual band and a tri band. Picked up an FT3D last year after Thanksgiving Black Friday sale and a hotspot a few months ago. Now I enjoy YSF/Wires-X, depending on what I have my hotspot set up for, I do D-STAR as well on my ID-5100A and IC-705. The Baofeng radios i have now are pretty much retired after I got better radios. I'd like to get an 8w Tri Band version, to see if I can hit a few more 220 repeaters in the area. So far, I can get into one with the 5w tri band. Might need a better antenna for 220.

[@dark30welderwelding11]

To each their own … I don’t want 8 watts of 220 in my face ? Especially with a good high gain antenna

[@maxlumens9085]

​@@dark30welderwelding11don't fly on an airplane.

[@enriquediaz7547]

Agreed. I have a Kenwood thd74a & 2 baofengs. The baofeng holds charge really good! & I can program them all with the serial cable. I bought the it USB charging cable for travel charging.

[@WitchidWitchid]

My first VHF/UHF handheld was a Yaesu FT-470 dual bander that I got back around 1989-1990. State of the art for its time it was a true dual bander, crossband repeater, and loaded with lots of other awesome featured. In those days VHFF/UHFF was busy around here with repeaters buzzing and simplex frequencies busy almost all day and night. It was rare you could turn the radio on day or night and not contact someone. These days VHFF/UHF is all but dead around here. Except for a few nets and drive-time activity the repeaters and frequencies are mostly quiet. Around 2015/16 II got a Baofeng UV-5R. I was curious as to how big a piece of junk it was going to turn out to be. On the contrary I was quite impressed. While not quite as feature packed as my old FT470 the Baoifeng was a pretty awesome radio for the price. With a decent antenna it puts out a respectable signal, I always get excellent audio reports, and the reception quality is remarkably good for an el cheapo. It does get somewhat hot during long QSO's particularly when you make moderate to long transmissions. I suspect the heat sinking is not as good as some of the more high end handhelds. However, battery life is pretty good. And after all these years it still works just as well as it did the day I got it. I have dropped it onto hard concrete numerous times and incurred no damage. My main interest in ham radio lies in HF. These days I mainly use the Baofeng for monitoring VHF/UHF public service and utilities. Occaisionally I'll check into a net or jump into a QSO on 2m or 440. Oh yeah, the built iin FFM Bcast receiver has come in handy a few times as well.

[@zapalskic]

The price is key. In the marine industry, I use UV-82’s. 1. Dual Ppt, we use 1 for the ‘marine vhf 1 for the FRS internal communications. 2. Cheap-if they break who cares. 3. No VFO button. My crew cannot mess it up easy. On board we have a ICOM M801 and IC 7300 plus 50w vhf (I think they are).

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I do like the UV-82 for the dual ptt.

[@vintageguitarz1]

Great video as usual, I started in HAM when I was 10 on our family farm in Illinois with my Grandfather, 5 Grand Uncles and my dad (farmers have always been big in HAM, some cases the only comm on farms 80 years ago), I'm 73 now. My 3 different Baofengs ( UV-5R, 8HF, and UV-5R +PLUS) Have been beyond faithful for 7 years for the oldest, and the Tx spectrum is more than good 'nuff for a handheld that sees some rough duty like hunting and 5 day hikes. So, I disagree with your assertion that the Baofengs are only a beginner radio, if it's been faithful WHY move up? Yeah my wife bought me Yaesu handheld, feels a bit nicer, looks nicer, but it doesn't do anything more than I and probably 60% of handheld users need 99% of the time! So .........

[@maxlumens9085]

Awesome. Hope you're still around. It's awesome to get an older persons opinion. Past all the hype and all. Down to brass tacks. Works fine without the extra coin even when you have a pricier one.

[@porkyfedwell]

I've been active on CW for five years, am pretty fast (27 wpm) with head copy. Recently got a couple of Baofeng HTs, and I am having a blast with these $25 radios. I can have one in each vehicle. Programming with CHIRP is effortless. I am starting to like voice communication!

[@troyr57]

We use the UV 82 version at the Local Volunteer Fire department, along with our Kenwoods, they can handle a little water with no problem.

[@kellyblackmon2805]

UV-5rx3 is the one to get. Get the 220 band with your radio.

[@FeriteKnight]

I bought two UV9R-ERA Baofeng Radios, largely because they offered the greatest range and battery life of the ones I was looking at, and of all of the radios available, they looked fairly legit. They also have the ability to pick up FM, and the batteries seem to last pretty well when not in use. Still looking at 2 bars on the one I have infrequently tested since I got them, after putting it at full charge, and it's been about 7 or 8 months they've been sitting around with the batteries connected. Overall, they seem to be a pretty sturdy unit, though I haven't managed to pick up much chatter with them the few times I've left them on and scanning. I don't have my Radio Operators license, so that's about all I can do for the moment. The best I picked up was some brief chatter while driving through my neighborhood, which I assume was being picked up from about 4-5 km away, as that's the most likely area someone would have been using a Radio at the time. I haven't had the chance to take them out into the Mountains, or near logging roads, or even just around some local SAR training exercises or something similar, but I did drive a couple hundred km one day, and leave it on for part of that. No hits at all that time; had me wondering if it even worked until I picked up the chatter in my area later. Still have to take the time and learn more about it too; I've got basic functionality down, and that's about it.

[@maxverstappennonofficial]

How its still going?

[@tonyv8925]

I bought an antenna adapter and microphone for my UV-5r and run it off a home brew 1/4wave mag mount on my car. I have managed to make solid connections to repeaters 25 to 30 miles away. I then upgraded to a Bao-Feng (a different name on chassis) 25watt mobile with excellent long range contacts on 2meters. This mobile even has a cooling fan on it. Years later it still outperforms my Yaesu 1500M.

[@Ro2006Ro]

Hi, Josh. That was a good Video. You seem to know your radios so I wanna ask you for some advide or input. I'm not into amateur radio, but we use them for work and normally rent them (usually Motorolas) because what we need I believe is called two way radios. So a few year back, agains my recommendation, my boss bought these little toy radios that didn't really work for what we need and ended up throwing them away. I have a new boss now and I want to take up again the radio issues because renting them ends up being an unnecessary expense. So I was looking at the UV-9R, so I was wondering if I could get your input/opinion/recommendation for the right equipment to get. We would only use them once a month and we only need 5 channels tops. Im looking into local available bands and whatnot so as to not disrupt official frequencies or emergency frequencies and so on and it doesn't appear to be a big deal. Thank you in advance!

[@ke8mattj]

This may be what I'm planning to do with family members who are interested in more privacy when talking on two-ways. Since they're not into it for the hobby, it may just be better to get them into amateur radio instead of wasting money on FRS, GMRS, etc. when they can just take a few nights to study for the tech license, pay the money to take the test, and pay for cheap for the UV-5R to get on a particular VHF frequency when say for example when they are out hunting or doing some other work in the woods.

[@nordicwolf8808]

Thank u for such a simple and to the point explanation. For someone like me who is just curious and want to see if i like this stuff, ur video was very helpful. Thanks

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thanks Nordic!

[@OutOfNameIdeas2]

All they are innovating is new ways to lie about wattage, battery size and range. Can't they just show me which one is actually the best? Instead of ordering something nice I'm just going to stick with the cheapest uv5r...

[@kdawson020279]

Baofeng was the shallow end when I got my ticket. I have an Icom 706 mkIIg as a base station with the external tuner and an old Army Signal Corps phenolic base straight key, an Ft-2780 for my daily driver, and some relatively disposable cheap radios for my job which is about to take me all over the state and if I can get around the Prolific PL 8303 driver compatibility problem with Windows 10/11 with a Windows 7 virtual machine, hopefully I will be able to get my DMR fully set up. But, I carry 2 Baofeng UV-5Rs [compliant] because they're simple, cheap, unremarkable, but they work and will run on standby with the extended battery for a long long time.

[@timothyparryjropen]

Lots of Hams have no other hate towards baofeng other than it’s “Chinese junk” but they can’t tell you why it’s Chinese junk, they just heard it is so they hate it because another ham told them to and so on….

[@MarkPentler]

It’s essentially a good bit of generational racism I think.

[@rickyschadel1333]

@@MarkPentler I love my baofeng but it absolutely is Chinese junk. Throwing the word racism around doesn't change the fact that cheap Chinese stuff is lower quality, it just makes you look like a sissy

[@stacyadiaz]

My UV-5R lasted about a year. The volume potentiometer started to fail then the output on the transmit side started getting weak and I couldn't hit my club's repeater from the same place over a period of time. So, from my personal experience as a ham with this radio, the Baofeng was Chinese junk.

[@Gruuvin1]

Might as well be honest. Most of the radio gear is from China.

[@capivaraofwar]

Well yeah, and when it's sold in the us by us companies if they are "chinese junk" they are still "Chinese junk" you can't imagine how displeased i was when I discovered that the radioddity GA-510 was just a Baofeng BF-H6 rebranded and costing double. Great radio by the way, but if i knew that I'd buy direct from baofeng in china.

[@donnakano282]

RT Systems sells a programming cable for the GT3WP series radios that does not require a separate driver. Also, the TYT TH-UV88 comes with a programming cable that does not need a special driver. Again, the RT Systems cable will also work with Chirp w/o a special driver.

[@scottcoash1462]

I new to it and just did my GMRS license. Not doing the Ham thing, but it seams like a lot of the GMRS radios also double as Ham. I will be attempting the whole Chirp programming very soon. I appreciated our site and your knowledge.

[@wasylbakowsky5199]

That's the reason I got a Baofang, to see if I'm interested in the hobby. Haven't got my license yet, so haven't been transmitting. Once I get it (knock on wood), I'll give it a go, and am willing to go more upscale if am enjoying the hobby and want to continue.