Baofeng UV-5R

mostly22lately said:
The Chinese handhelds, in the vast majority of cases, cannot receive AM or SSB, and, they can't receive signals on those frequencies.

I will spare you my extremely qualified opinions about these radios.
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can't, or aren't programmed to from the factory?
 
DrScaryGuy said:
can't, or aren't programmed to from the factory?
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Cant. The Banofeng radios are geared around the 124 MHz and the resonant 440MHz frequencies, Furthermore they are designed as an FM transceiver, wity variants of AM, eg. SSB used outside of that band.

The physical hardware to receive and detect signals at those disparate frequencies and modes is very different.
 
DrScaryGuy said:
can't, or aren't programmed to from the factory?
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There are handheld radios that can, but, not the ones you're talking about.

Honestly, the Baofeng and similar radios are truly technically awful.
The fact that they export them here tells you a lot about the latent disrespect the Chinese have for us.
 
DrScaryGuy said:
can't, or aren't programmed to from the factory?
Click to expand...
mostly22lately said:
There are handheld radios that can, but, not the ones you're talking about.

Honestly, the Baofeng and similar radios are truly technically awful.
The fact that they export them here tells you a lot about the latent disrespect the Chinese have for us.
Click to expand...
My first ham radio, a handheld, Kenwood TH-F6 has a receiver that will receive the lower frequencies and can detect the AM style modes. It looks like they now have a 6A version, which isn't surprising since I got mine in 2016. The price difference is that the Kenwood cost me ~$300 and a UV-5R costs about $25. The real difference is in performance.
 
If you're an experienced ham who is trying to get the very most out of handheld VHF radios and require the very very best in receiver performance, then a $25 Baofang is likely not the best choice.

If you're a experienced ham and just want something to yack on repeaters , the BF is a good value.

If you're new to radio and not sure you want to burn $300 on a hobby you're not certain you're going to continue in, then the BF is a good choice.

If you're out and about and dont want to drop your $300 radio in the lake while fishing, the the BF is a good value.
 
hp468 said:
Like them or not, cheap vhf/uhf handhelds like this have likely saved the hobby. Iā€™d have never gotten my ticket if I had to spend $300 on a handheld to wet my feet. They arenā€™t ā€œgreatā€ but they have become the gateway drug of amateur radio.
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I got one sitting on my desk staring at me and giving me a daily reminder that i should be learning new stuff
 
DrScaryGuy said:
I got one sitting on my desk staring at me and giving me a daily reminder that i should be learning new stuff
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146.910 and 444.400 are the two main local repeaters. 444.400 is linked in to the Carolina 440 system throughout the day. Those two freqs will give you local nets to listen to in the mornings and at 1900 every day as well as a tech net on the weekend.
 
My Kenwood TH-78a dual band handheld cost $469 in 1995. Still have it but leaking capacitors damaged the PC board.
 
We use these radios during the Run n Guns. Each stage, the director and the Start/Finish line all have radios. They work very well. Aftermarket antennae makes a big difference
 
You can get an external antenna and a hand mike for your baofeng that will get you out much farther. I can barely hit the local repeater with the included antenna, but with an external antenna I sound as clear as the base units.
 
Car0linab0y said:
can barely hit the local repeater with the included antenna, but with an external antenna I sound as clear as the base units.
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The device that comes on the Baofeng from the factory isn't an antenna. It's an attenuator.
 
JohnFreeman said:
If you're an experienced ham who is trying to get the very most out of handheld VHF radios and require the very very best in receiver performance, then a $25 Baofang is likely not the best choice.

If you're a experienced ham and just want something to yack on repeaters , the BF is a good value.

If you're new to radio and not sure you want to burn $300 on a hobby you're not certain you're going to continue in, then the BF is a good choice.

If you're out and about and dont want to drop your $300 radio in the lake while fishing, the the BF is a good value.
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Hey John. Coms is on my "next list". Is the BaoFeng BF-F8HP at $70.00 the way to go? I get that communications (like everything) is multi-dimensional and purpose driven on the expectations and intended use, any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Amazon product ASIN B00MAULSOK
 
I dont know if this is the place to ask, but if not maybe you guys can get me to the right spot.
I have the baofeng uv-5r gmrs, and they work great, I also have the btect ptt mic hooked up, i want to hook up my Walker razor headphones, i have the connecting cable, but when I hook them up I can hear but when I push the PTT button on the btect mic it won't work. So I can hear but not talk.
 
I just picked up this package deal for $58. 3800 batts, flexible antennas and wireless programmer.

BaoFeng Radio Supported Phone Program High Power Ham Radio Handheld 144-148Mhz/420-450Mhz Upgraded BaoFeng UV-5R with Rechargeable 3800mAh Battery Walkie Talkie with Wireless Programmer (2 Pack) https://a.co/d/dtv7mXz
 
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