Is this Baofeng as good,or close to the top brands ham radio
1010584
If you get one of the later versions. For the money it is a good deal. Mine is a UBV-5RA. Configuration on programming is different and I'm not that good at it. The later versions (think it is 291) are easier and can be programmed on the computer. For what I use it for (Corner flagging at Driver/Education events) it works very good. The plug-in for a headset is a kenwood plug. Pops
1010585
Honestly, I've never had a Ham radio before, but I can refer you to my colleague who turned me on to this radio which he uses for Ham and we both use for 2-way for work. His e-mail is N9HEP@sbcglobal.net Good luck and please let Bill know that Dusty referred you to him. Cheers!
1010586
The answer is: it depends. The key question is whether it will meet your requirements. If you want a straightforward radio that basically does FM voice and maybe a little packet and APRS, then this rig is likely a great place to start. What you get with the Japanese radios (Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom) is easier programability and additional features. You can buy two Baofengs for the same price as the least expensive Japanese radio. I have one (bought right here on Amazon) and haven't found any problems. It does have quirks, which I explore on my blog at ke0og dot net.
1010587
I would say so. With the right antenna, it is just as good in a pinch as my yaesu vx8r. It is also 1/3 the price
1010588
This radio (UV-5R+, avoid the other versions) is the biggest bargain in ham radio handhelds today. I have one and it is the best money I ever spent.
1010589
I agree. I bought a better antenna and it works as good as any handheld I've had or had experience with. WELL worth the money!
611969
a Baofeng radio is a Boafeng radio, no matter where you get it from. so as long as it is as pictured, yes it will work.
1209064
I don't think but go to baofengs website hard to navigate but might find a answer
1905323
yes it is the same for BAOFENG as is for KENWOOD... confirmed on my two brands!
840395
They say it is only made for the Baofeng. I usually stay with OEM equipment. It will save you money in the long run.
1578161
The UV-B5 is not approved for commercial use in the US; it's sold for amateur licensee use, though it will transmit outside of the amateur bands. There is one cheap Baofeng model that has FCC approval for land mobile use, which includes public safety and business radios. But that still needs a license. I don't know if that unit is approved for the General Mobile Radio Service, which is a sort of 460 MHz licensed CB band, but that's probably the most apprpriate category. Family Radio Service is unlicensed 460 MHz but the power limits are lower than this radio supports.
1098805
Yes, it is. The problem that i have it is that the radio came with allot of problems. Dont buy this cheap radio, there are better radios in the market
1336521
I am not a techie, but no way it is reaching its stated watts. Maybe 4 watts. If you look at other Baofeng model reviews, you will see HAM operators who have tested earlier versions, you will see this to be the case. I love the radio and it hits the repeaters here in NYC.
1494413
This portable,handheld radio is very nice.I understand what your asking in your question and this is true it is pricey,however its worth it.This radio can't compete with most am/fm handheld radios alone,plus you have NOAA weather on this with an alert system.The other big plus is the reception,this lil yellow radio can pull in some real weak stations as well. I am very impressed with the AM stations @ night time that it brings in.FM is also good and if your outside or by a window your going to be happy with the reception.True its higher priced however you get what you pay for ,and in my opinion this this one nice radio to own. This portable,handheld radio is very nice.I understand what your asking in your question and this is true it is pricey,however its worth it.This radio can't compete with most am/fm handheld radios alone,plus you have NOAA weather on this with an alert system.The other big plus is the reception,this lil yellow radio can pull in some real weak stations as well. I am very impressed with the AM stations @ night time that it brings in.FM is also good and if your outside or by a window your going to be happy with the reception.True its higher priced however you get what you pay for ,and in my... » Read More This portable,handheld radio is very nice.I understand what your asking in your question and this is true it is pricey,however its worth it.This radio can't compete with most am/fm handheld radios alone,plus you have NOAA weather on this with an alert system.The other big plus is the reception,this lil yellow radio can pull in some real weak stations as well. I am very impressed with the AM stations @ night time that it brings in.FM is also good and if your outside or by a window your going to be happy with the reception.True its higher priced however you get what you pay for ,and in my opinion this this one nice radio to own. « Show Less
596584
I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume control on it. I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume... » Read More I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume control on it. « Show Less
2216566
Not too sure about AM - appears to be very good with limited usage, but FM is amazing in quality -- am very happy with this radio
770070
Yes, it works quite well for listening to all 8 US Amateur Radio Bands that are below 30 MHz. In addition, it has a very good Single-side Band (SSB) filter to pick out amatuer operators who use that method of modulation to more efficiently use their transmitter power. The simple long wire antenna that comes with the kit improves reception of ham broadcasters dramatically. It's a great radio for the price.
2153957
I have not tried every pocket radio out there but I am a DX AM and Shortwave hobbiest of 30 years. I was a subscriber of Passpoart to World Band until it folded 10 years ago. I have owned nearly all of the top pocket and ;arge portable radios and still have the famous Sony IFC 2010, had the Grundig Satellite 700, have the famous Yatchboy 400. This radio is actually a CCRANE ordered modified Redsun RP300. I've used a Chinese Redsun RP300 for several years and I now own the version Redsun makes for CCRANE. I have dealt with CRANE & its products for years, spoke to Bob Crane several times. It is not the company it was when Bob ran it. Bob did not crossly exaggerate like the MDAs at CCRANE do now and he would never have branded the cheap Chinese garbage pocker radio with timed recording capabilities CCRANE still sells. I stopped taking CCRANE seriously after buying that radio a few years ago for over $125. You cab barely hear it even with earbuds! I decided to try this SW Pocket radio after selling it listed on Amazon. I could easily return it if I found the Redsun version better. I like the Redsun, considering the best pocket sized radio out there. I got it for $25 & free shipping directly from China. It took a month to get to me and really has no warranty as I must pay return shipping to China. I was surprised by what I got! The CCRANE version is clearly improved over the original Redsun RP300, even the push button volume control is improved. It goes one step lower than the original, which has a fault of push button volume controls. The reception is very good, better than any pocket radio I've ever seen. And the AM noise cancelling is exceptional. Keep in mind. Reception is only so much the radio and largely the antenna, I am impressed the AM is as good as it is with such a small radio antenna!
1804358
It should work fine. At the price, it sure doesn't hurt to try one out. Technically, the BaoFeng will match up just fine with your Motorola.
2025995
if the repeater is in the back yard, so to speak, a mile is good. Usually repeaters can be any distance as long as line-of-sight is clear-no mountains in the way. My Baofeng gets repeaters about 20 miles in one direction and about 12 miles in the other direction and up a canyon. So does my HTX202! I can make direct contact with the Baofeng without a repeater over 20 miles-weak but clear. The Baofeng is good-go for it. You'll get all the repeaters in Indianapolis without a problem.73's, Happyham
644623
The Gigabyte price is from $125 to $175 more than from other Amateur Radio stores. And it's not eligible for Prime. Excellent Radio and suggested list is $850. I wish Amazon could query some ot the Brick and Mortar Ham stores and get the price comparable.
787633
I have both, and for $27 (on sale -$5 coupon), the Baofeng UV-5B, cannot be beat. but I did purchase two, just in case one dies an untimely death :-)https://hamgear.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/whats-the-best-chinese-dual-band-ht/