BAOFENG UV-5R Upgraded Version 8W ham Radio, 2rd gen UV5R (UV5R Upgrade Version) 2 Pack, Black

The BaoFeng UV-5R is the best radio ever made. That may sound ridiculous for a $20 handheld but stay with me for a minute.There is no other radio that offers all of the basic features you might want in a handheld at this price and honestly I would recommend the UV-5R over any other radio under $100, because any additional features you would get out of another radio in that price range won’t be enough to justify the increased cost over the UV-5R. Honestly the only real reason I can see to get a more expensive handheld is for something a bit more durable or something capable of digital modes like DMR or P25.This radio isn’t perfect but it gives you everything you need to get started with radio communication for less than I would pay to eat out for dinner once, and while it’s not the most durable, if you do break it you’re only out $20. There is a lot of value in the fact that I don’t have to worry about breaking or losing it, which is something you don’t really get from any other radio. I say it isn’t the most durable but that doesn’t mean it’s flimsy either, I was really surprised when I picked mine up for the first time and found it surprisingly heavy. The plastic the radio is made out of doesn’t feel flimsy at all either.The UV-5R isn’t perfect, the stock antenna isn’t very good, but for another $20 you can get a Nagoya 771 antenna that works great with it, and if the battery it comes with isn’t lasting long enough for you, you can get an extended 3200mah battery that will easily last you all day (they also make the radio look a lot cooler). The keypad also isn’t great, it feels fine but it’s very easy to accidentally double press a button which is a little annoying.If you have ever been so much as curious about radio communication, definitely pick one of these up and play around with it. Maybe watch some youtube videos on how to set it up though, the instructions aren’t great.

Ordered from Radioddity on 2/10/24. Arrived 2/11/24. Works well and battery was fully charged out of the box. Came with everything advertised: UV-5R, belt clip, battery, charging dock, hand-sized lanyard, and earpiece w/ microphone. Yes, this new UV-5R does unlock as you'd expect. Factory setting works well. I don't have an SWR or power meter so I can't help there. For $18.50 I don't think this radio can be beat.

These new Baofeng's come "locked" in such a way that you cannot transmit on GMRS frequencies unless you know how to unlock them. A quick search of the internet and you will find an instructional video on how to unlock the ability to transmit. However, in order to legally transmit on certain frequencies, you need a GMRS License. (At least you do, in the USA.)You can get a GMRS License by paying a fee (just search the internet for how to get it) which makes it legal for you to broadcast on GMRS frequencies, for 10 years. (and includes immediate family members) No test is required, for this particular license. You'll need to use your Call Sign to transmit on Repeater Frequencies.Range is amazing for the price point of this product. You can easily reach one mile with crystal clear voice communication. Up to two miles with good line of sight, and possibly further with a longer antenna and good line of sight.You can program these radios with Channels for FRS/GMRS using a free app, called CHIRP (Search the internet, the danplanet website). You will also need to purchase a USB Programming Cable, to do so, which can be found on Amazon. Easy enough to do, using Windows or Mac, but Linux might be a little tricky as Ubuntu and related variants may have an issue related to the 32-bit libraries needed by CHIRP.I have purchased the higher power 8W Baofeng radios but I find that I mostly use this 5W model, as it is smaller in size and performs well enough, in comparison to higher power radios.For vehicle to vehicle communication, I run a smaller aftermarket antenna (from Amazon) which helps me only to pick up signals transmitted within a ~1 mile range.Just be sure to abide be your local laws, before transmitting. You can listen, legally.FRS requires no license but has a 0.5 Watt limitation, to transmit. These radios operate from 1-4 Watts. So, even at the lowest RF Setting, you're going to be over .5 Watts. Hence the reason they are "locked" from transmitting, from the factory.I would highly recommend these radios to anyone who is looking for quality 2-way communication, near or far, in an affordable package.

I used this as a scanner for the Railroad and not as a two way ham radio. This radio picks up miles better than any other portable scanner I have, and I have a bundle. The downside of that is, it often picks up garbled faint transmissions that you can't really make out, but if you are using at as a railroad scanner as I was, thats' ok, it still gives you a heads up that something is coming. The battery life is great, and it charges fast.Now, here's the caveat. Radios made in the USA have certain channels that are restricted from transmission. Railroad, Police, etc. Since these are not made here, there are no restrictions. Transmitting on a restricted channel can get you in some big trouble - even arrested - and even if accidental. There is software out there ( chirp ) that you can download and block out certain channels from transmitting, but it's a crap shoot. I have a Mac and a Windows machine, and it worked on neither one. You need a special cable to do it but even that didn't work for me. In the end, I put it on the shelf as I didn't want to take the chance of an accidental push of that transmit button.Bottom line, this is cheap and a great radio for listening. If you are a licensed ham operator and want it for transmitting, well I can't speak to distance, clarity or any of that. You will have to check other reviews.

Es un excelente producto, relacion costo beneficio, compre 2 unidades , su programacion , se puede realizar de forma manual o por pc , hay muchos videos en youtube que explican las funciones del menu y programacion de canales, este equipo no es para escuchar bandas de bomberos policias etc , es recomendable agregar canales libres FMS Family Radio Service, permitidos en mexico usa etc, y las demas frecuencias para la escucha o recepcion , excelente equipo para iniciar en el mundo de la radiodifucion

buen producto a buen precio

Probados en montaña y funcionan de maravilla, nos dió alcance superior a los 5km

Funciona muy bien. Hasta ahora ningún problema ,de buena calidad.. estoy muy contento con la compra , en otro momento pienso adquirir dos equipos más

Hace tiempo que queria comprar uno. Es un gran producto pero solo para quien se aventure a programarlo. no es de prender seleccionar un canal y hablar. Magnifico producto para quienes somos aficionados a la comunicacion por radio.