- 25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable
- Channel Step: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25KHz
- Frequency Range: 136-174 / 400-480MHz
- 128 Channels 50 CTCSS and 104 CDCSS
- Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display, Dual-Standby
You definitely will need the programming cable as the included directions are not enlightening for programming the radio with the keypad. The programming software for the radio is a minimal spreadsheet program. There are better free aftermarket alternatives (there is an active Yahoo group devoted to this radio, there are plenty of Youtube videos, and there is an aftermarket programming package called CHIRP which is a better software program). Make sure that you firmly attach the cable as failure to attach the cable properly will lead to frustration.
The stock antenna is ok if you live under a repeater. For those not living under a repeater an aftermarket antenna is a good upgrade.
For operational purposes the radio transmits and receives quite well and will operate for quite some time on the rechargeable battery that is included with the radio.
For $62 you also have a radio that if it should fall into a lake, get lost or some other calamity strike you can replace it.
Buy BaoFeng UV-5R 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band DTMF CTCSS DCS FM Ham Two Way Radio Now
The Baofeng UV-5R is not an APX7000, so if you're expecting that, you're not going to be impressed. If you want a good, reliable inexpensive dual band HT that is in fact a COMMERCIAL (it IS FCC part 90 certified) Radio, this is for you. Out of the box, it comes complete with a good 1800mah lithium ion battery, belt clip, hand strap and drop in charger. If you're familiar with commercial radios, you'll feel at home programming the UV-5R with the free software, but you'll need to purchase a USB cable if you don't already have one (this radio uses the same 2-pin Kenwood LMR style cable that Wouxun, TYT and many others use). The cables are less than $20.You get 128 channels with any combination of VHF or UHF channels. Another plus is the radio ACTUALLY SUPPORTS NARROWBAND, INCLUDING SPLINTER CHANNELS. This is a HUGE plus if you want to use the radio to listen (or transmit, if you're authorized) to public safety after 2013 when the FCC mandates narrowband on VHF and UHF. Many agencies are also going to channel steps most ham radios cannot properly tune (e.g. 154.8225). The UV-5R uses DSP, so it has great audio on both transmit and receive. Reports I got about my transmit audio were great, and I noticed if I spoke loudly, the DSP did a good job of attenuating the voice to a tame level.
The display is fairly easy to read, and for it's size the keys are easy to press. What I really like is the large volume knob with integrated power switch, no accidental turn off of buttons! The PTT key is easy to actuate and you don't get fatigue for long conversations. Speaker is loud, though I don't think it has the 1 watt of audio the specifications state. It is loud enough to hear in a crowd or driving down the road with the window open. Construction of this HT is solid, does not feel like a $50 radio, more like a $150 radio.
The only downsides are the poorly written manual, but hey, this is a $50 radio not a $500 radio. If you've used LMR type radios, you'll be able to get around in the software, the menu system also lets you control many of the radios' features. It does have an FM radio, which actually has great sensitivity, and the flashlight feature is easy to actuate using the lower side button and actually comes in handy.
All in all, this is a great ham HT that has the unique ability to LEGALLY operate on part 90 (commercial) frequencies (for those duly authorized), has great performance, and a long battery life. For the price, you cannot go wrong with it. I would buy another and probably will.You get what you pay for. Not for a newbie when programming since the instructions are half a step above useless, and definitely translated. Some of the voice prompts are still in Chinese (low battery). You can get help from some internet user groups specifically for this radio. Programming the repeater offset in memory mode is not what I expected, and not in the instructions... you program the channel twice, once for receive, another for send. You really need to program the channels from a computer. I spent the extra money to get a USB programming cable to match, and downloaded the programming software from one of the user groups. From what I read it was worth getting the genuine cable. Some others commented they bought cheaper versions that turned out not to be compatible with the USB drivers.
I do like the voice prompts... you can use it in the dark, or one-handed without looking at it.
I wanted an inexpensive backup, and that is what it is. Seems to be sturdy, and does the trick, but my 25 year-old Kenwood still outperforms it on 2M.
So far, I am still glad I bought it for a backup.
Want BaoFeng UV-5R 136-174/400-480 MHz Dual-Band DTMF CTCSS DCS FM Ham Two Way Radio Discount?
Be advised that a particular seller (that claims to be the actual distributor for Baofeng based in KY) advertises the original UV-5R radio but then ships the UV-5RA instead. Normally this would be no big deal, as the UV-5R series of radios are exactly the same inside and have no additional features except one the "newer" UV-5RA unit has a different front plastic face plate but that newer faceplate causes additional problems the design of the newer faceplate on the UV-5RA does NOT allow you to use the normal Baofeng 3800mAH battery (nor the cheaper 3600mAH generic clone battery that the same "distributor" claims (and lists) as an actual Baofeng 3800mAH battery. They claim their generic battery will work unmodified on the UV-5R series of radios (their justification for the switch), but it doesn't. See my Baofeng Extended Battery review for more info).Yes, you can modify (on your own) the Extended Battery so it will fit the UV-5RA (or the other series of UV-5R radios with modified faceplates), but if the "distributor" lists the UV-5R (but then switches your order to whatever they have in stock instead of what they have listed) and then ships (in the same order) a generic clone Extended Battery that isn't the actual Baofeng AND doesn't work/fit with the radio they shipped, why is it your job to modify their items to make them work?
In addition, when you (as an Amazon customer) point out their multiple listing errors (shipping a non-Baofeng battery, shipping a less than advertised 3600mAH model (vs. the actual Baofeng 3800mAH model that was advertised on the listing), and shipping an Extended Battery that won't work on the UV-5RA radios that they switched your order to and shipped with them in the same box), they claim that:
a) Baofeng doesn't even make an Extended Battery (funny since I own several already with Baofeng Electronics' label on the inside of the case and Baofeng's name imprinted into the back of the plastic battery case), and that
b) if I'm not happy I should pay to ship my order back to them (this is how they treat a customer that ordered multiple radios, extended batteries, and programming cables all at once and paid over $117 in shipping fees)?
None of these issues may bother some folks, especially those that either don't care which model of radio they get and/or never plan to get an Extended Battery as an accessory, but I wanted folks to know what customer service issues you may face in dealing with this Baofeng "distributor" in KY.
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I'm no expert on HAM HT radios, but for the price, this is a fantastic little radio. I have another common Chinese brand and I think this one beats it hands down. It is smaller\lighter and looks better. Sound is clearer\louder. Reception is stronger. And it has better features. I would highly recommend it. But, purchase a programming cable and download the PC software. That is a much easier way to program the radio.
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