BaoFeng UV-5R 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band DTMF CTCSS DCS FM Ham Two Way Radio

[Bob98SR5]

On sale on Amazon for $40. Does anyone have this? I just bought it. Gonna try it out and return it if it sucks. Can't beat the price!

http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480-Dual-Band/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_1?t=slickdeals&tag=slickdeals&ascsubtag=KT9KQLDwEeKAtpIUqMwukQ0_IYcX3_0_0_0&s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1367239184&sr=1-1&keywords=BaoFeng+UV-5R+136-174%2F400-480+MHz+Dual-Band+DTMF+CTCSS+DCS+FM+Ham+Two+Way+Radio

Users recommend this Chirp software:
http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download

Various opinions on replacement antennas. Need to do some more homework. Anyone with a recommendation?

Ken: I just bought one for you with the cable. My wedding gift to you. Guys get shafted on wedding gifts, so I understand.

[Good Times]

I've got two of em. :) Just get your license and you're golden. Great for on the foot radio!

[Bob98SR5]

lance, did you keep the stock antenna or replaced it? If replaced, what did you get?

when you say "on the foot radio", do you mean I just can't turn in your direction and talk to you and that we'll have to be nerds and use this radio instead? :)

[Good Times]

The menu function is pretty easy to use. Lots of YouTube videos on how to program it via buttons on the front of the radio. I haven't tried the software so I don't know but I'm sure that'll make life easier rather than manually programming freqs.

Antenna... still using the stock. It's my throw in the backpack to comm with others radio. You can easily just get an antenna for your vehicle and then connect it that way but keep in mind your radio is limited to 5W vs 50W on mobile radios so transmission is not going to be awesome. Just a heads up. :) still better than cb though...

[Seanz0rz]

I have the UV-5r+ (metal case, not much different though)

we used it in Mojave. it worked great. I will be buying a second.

I just got my cable, and you can borrow it if you need to program it just once or whatever. I still haven't programmed mine yet, just got side tracked with other stuff.

We had no issue using the radios in a vehicle for short distance contact (less than 1/2 mile).


for me, my planned trips are going to be ham only. after such a miserable experience with the CBs in Mojave, I am done with them. I will still keep mine, but will only use it on the smaller trips, etc.

[paddlenbike]

Ken: I just bought one for you with the cable. My wedding gift to you. Guys get shafted on wedding gifts, so I understand.

SWEET, Bob, you're awesome! That's one less purchase I will have to justify, haha!

[paddlenbike]

for me, my planned trips are going to be ham only. after such a miserable experience with the CBs in Mojave, I am done with them. I will still keep mine, but will only use it on the smaller trips, etc.

Ditto, I removed my CB from the DIN slot (replaced with a 2M ham) and last weekend finished by removing all of the antenna and coax...I'm done hearing foul-mouthed trucker talk and the guys clogging the airwaves with 1,000 watt systems in Alabama. No offense, of course.

[corax]

Is it a male SMA connector on the radio like the Wouxuns? Powerwerx.com has longer/high gain reverse SMA (works with the male SMA connector on radio) antennas here for $23 (http://www.powerwerx.com/wouxun-radios/high-gain-dual-band-handheld-antenna-reverse-sma.html). Before they had the reverse SMA antenna, I bought a super flexible 15" whip with a female-female adapter to use on my Wouxun - use it all the time in the woods, and while it isn't nearly as powerful as my rig-mounted mobile, it's served me well.

BTW, if you're looking for a radio holster, this company has several and are quality American made: http://www.mooremfg.com/radioharness.htm

This is the one I use on rally weekends - the longer antenna runs up hoops in the front strap so it's kept vertical and out of the way. the remote speaker/mic cable runs up the back strap and clips into the lapel mic holder. I didn't want an across-the-chest one as you either have to take it off or adjust it to not sit under a seatbelt when driving (think broken sternum if you get in an accident).
http://www.mooremfg.com/images/USH300info_view.JPG

[Seanz0rz]

some antenna info over at ExPo: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/87102-UV-5R-Antenna-recommendations

[troyboy162]

some antenna info over at ExPo: http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/87102-UV-5R-Antenna-recommendations

I have that Cheap deal extreme antenna they are talking about. I have not tested it for range, but I get more static on 2m then before. I think thats a good sign over my stock antenna

[4x4mike]

If only there was some information here on UY. Oh wait: http://www.ultimateyota.com/showthread.php?9894-Yaesu-FT-60r-Handheld-UHF-VHF

Programming radios aren't that hard. I've tried cables and Chirp but have the best luck just punching stuff in. It's a good skill to have as well because learning how to use your radio, especially in an emergency, on the trail is not good.

For the most part new HAMs don't even know what to program into their radio. I've helped others with their radios that had been programmed or cloned by others and it's a sh!t show.

Buy the radio, use it, figure out what you want and need on it and then program it. Setting squelch breaks, power, frequencies, etc are much easier once you have some understanding of what is what and how the radio works.

[Seanz0rz]

the programming sequence for the Baofeng is unnecessarily complex. I got the cable so I could put the local repeaters in, as well as repeaters I might use on a trip (I might reprogram if going to a specific location, say Oregon/Washington).

Beyond those repeaters, I am not sure what to put in the program besides the wx channels and our commonly used channels on the road.

[troyboy162]

Wouxon are anoiying to program with the buttons too. I'd need a cheat sheet for my Kenwood as well though at this point lol.

[Seanz0rz]

I keep user manuals in the vehicle too. Always nice to have around.

[4x4mike]

I made mini manuals for my radios along with mini repeater books for multiple states. They live in a folder under the seat.

[Crinale]

I may have to swoop on this $40 HAM... after hearing how clear and nice Sean's was in the desert, I now officially hate CB as well... haha.

[Seanz0rz]

yep! you need to pick one up! everyone does!

[Seanz0rz]

this site is a must as well:

http://www.miklor.com/

[Jaydee914]

I drank the kook-aid as well. I have the same radio, and I'm practicing up for the license test right now...

[Seanz0rz]

about time! good on ya JD!

[paddlenbike]

I hope to find a licensing exam next month. VHF is so impressive after dealing with CB crap all this time.

[troyboy162]

http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480-Dual-Band/dp/B007H4VT7A/ref=sr_1_1?m=A3H7GPL9U124TQ&s=merchant-items&ie=UTF8&qid=1385111152&sr=1-1

$29.90 with free shipping

Thats crazy cheap now. Its been out for awhile and I haven't heard anything bad about it. The ones on the Coyote flats trip sounded great.

I saw this too. its a huge friggen battery. I thought this might be nice to have for underground so I'm eyeballing a Baofang lol.
http://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-3800mAh-Battery-UV-5R-1-UV-5R-2/dp/B00ATTVKFQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385111324&sr=8-1&keywords=Baofeng+battery

[4x4mike]

People are loving these radios. Only problems I've heard are with the antenna. Stock rubber ducks aren't all that good and most replacement high gain antennas cause problems with the radios. I have a UV-3R and haven't experienced it but I guess it's more with the 5R's, which are more popular.

The radios experience RX overload. The circuitry doesn't give it much of an RX so when coupled with a gain antenna it clogs the RF port. You can TX but your RX stops or is greatly decreased. One on simplex doesn't pose as much of a problem as multi radios in a group and repeater use.

I like the high capacity battery. I always have my spare but one large one would be nice when on the go.

[Seanz0rz]

I picked up the metal clad version for 36 a month ago. At that price, it's way too hard to pass up!

[troyboy162]

BaoFeng UV-82 dropping in price....I still would get a uv-5r myself I think
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E4KLY34/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=

[Seanz0rz]

The 82 is suppose to be a (slightly) better radio. I will be picking up at least one more uv5r, just to have.

[slosurfer]

My uv5r is broke, completely bricked out of the blue. That uv82 is really cheap right now. I was going to get another 5r but maybe I should get the 82. What's the difference between them? Also will the cable for the 5r work for the 82?

[Seanz0rz]

Cable should work for both.

Since you had the UV5R, I'd stick with it that way your old battery will work with it, charger, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C83AU9S/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3UY59XYQ19VG7

[slosurfer]

Thanks! Didn't even think about the battery/charger, would be nice to at least salvage the battery out of my broken one. Good call! Still going to try to reset it once I get a cable. Supposedly there is a way to reset it that way.

[Seanz0rz]

I have a cable you can borrow if you need one. Just PM me your address.

[slosurfer]

Thanks Sean, I think I will just get one when I buy a new radio. If all goes well, in the end, i will have two working radios and a cable. Will probably wait until the first of next year. Need to use any extra $ (haha, like I have any) for any guns I need to get before the end of SSE and almost everything falls off "the roster"

[Seanz0rz]

Sounds good. If you change your mind, let me know.

I plan on buying another soon, especially with the price so low. It's great when working on the house and needing to communicate 50 feet to say that, YES, THE PIPE IS LEAKING!!!

[4x4mike]

Another vote for the 82. Much better radio.

Actually go for the 82c. It's on Amazon for $55 and is about the best Baofeng radio you can get. It;s electronics are more robust and most likely more resistant to whatever messed up your current radio.

Did you say you were going to have someone flash your current radio? Any luck with that?

[troyboy162]

You know what they say, "You get what you pay for" " buy once, cry once". Rugged radios is posed to take advantage of idiots that live by those mottos. These radios are obviously 2.5 times better then the baofengs... Free ear mic included so you dont have to source that $1.99 (+free shipping) piece yourself from dealextreme
http://www.ruggedradios.com/images/radios/handheld-radios/RH5R-CAMO/RH5R-CAMO-MD.jpg
http://www.ruggedradios.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1506&zenid=1a4igmrhuu6amvr8mijp1b6pn3

[4x4mike]

I'm I missing something about the RH-5R? Other than being camo and pre-programmed it's $50 more than a regular UV-5R.

I recently bought a UV-82 and UV-82C. The C wasn't going to work out and now I understand a bit more about the FCC compliant issue and where they would work. I thought you could over ride some things with programming but that wasn't the case. I sold it locally on CL for what I bought it for so no harm. The regular 82 though for $37 (or the camo version for $45) is very impressive.

I've been playing around with it for about a month now and I like it. So much I sold my Yaesu and am going to buy at least one more 82, but most likely 2 more. The one I have actually receives better than the Yaesu and has more features that I need. It's much lighter duty but I was never rough with the more commercial one so I'm hoping I'll be ok. For what I got for my FT-60 I bought a UV-82, spare battery, battery eliminator, 771 antenna, SMA adapter and speaker mic with $50 left over.

[troyboy162]

I'm I missing something about the RH-5R? Other than being camo and pre-programmed it's $50 more than a regular UV-5R.

not missing anything really. They even talk about all the accessories THEY have had made for the radios lol. A sucker is born every minute and our sport if full of them. Sometimes I think about buying some MV-50s and painting them Land rover green. Have a new label to slap on them and watch people line up to buy my "expo rated, super high volume, deluxe, electro-mechanical, tire filler."

[paddlenbike]

Sometimes I think about buying some MV-50s and painting them Land rover green. Have a new label to slap on them and watch people line up to buy my "expo rated, super high volume, deluxe, electro-mechanical, tire filler."

Paint it Imperial Jade Mica and put a 4Runner emblem on it and then we can talk. :-)

[4x4mike]

^^ha.

I've seen some Baofengs poop the bed real quick and others rock out. I do like the fact you can get tons of accessories and not break the bank. We're road tripping with two cars for the holiday and I have my wife's car set up with an HT. There is a 1/4 wave mag mount on the roof with the coax run under the carpet. Her center console has a power outlet so the HT is using it through the battery eliminator, coax run under the seat to the console and a speaker mic coming out from the notch in the console lid. No muss, no fuss. All anyone can see is the mic and the radio turns on with the ignition so she doesn't have to worry about button pushing. Now we have coded TX and RX comms.

[troyboy162]

There have been two 5R that lost function among my mine friends, but at the price point its kinda expected and they are in harsh conditions to boot. The two problem units had issues early and the ones that are good to go are still doing well.

kinda drifting off topic but the HP version is interesting. Its supposedly 8watts on high. Not enough to double your range, but its nice to see it available although a little pricy yet. I assume it has the 82 guts, but its hard to say.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PTJ3LCG?psc=1

[4x4mike]

I'm not sure what guts it has but I hear it plows through battery. I've used 5R's but haven't owned one. The ones Ive used get pretty hot and I assume the 8 would too. Heat kills radios of all types.

[Seanz0rz]

All of my UV5R+ have come with the ear piece in the box!

So far so good with mine, even after being used in the rain, heat, left in the sun in a hot car, etc. If my old one died today, I'd buy another immediately.

[slosurfer]

Mine died after not being used for a few months. Worked fine, then didn't use it for awhile. Turned it on one day and it was bricked. Mine mainly was used as a scanner and had one trip to the dunes. Then again, I paid next to nothing for it

[Seanz0rz]

I programmed my 2 new radios and reprogrammed my old radio to all match. I think these radios are severely limited without a programming cable. It is as necessary as the charger or antenna.

[troyboy162]

Haha yeah same with my wouxon. You can program it by hand and you can also mow a lawn with scissors