Baofeng UV-5R+ Plus, 2m/70cm HT, At first glance, and beyond

[crudos]

Just received my Baofeng UV-5R+ Plus radio yesterday. It's a micro-sized dual band radio. Can transmit/receive on 136-174 mHz, 400-480 mHz, and receive only on 65-108 mHz. Weighs in at around 6.8 oz., construction seems really durable, and not at all flimsy or cheap. Included some pictures from the internets of the unit. Operation seems pretty straightforward, though for me without any previous HT experience, there will be a little learning curve to the ins and outs of 2m/70cm bands. Bought this radio from eBay (seller: nicheone) for under $50 shipped from China. So far, my I've been monitoring different public safety frequencies around my area (police, fire, etc), also gets NOAA weather stations, and the FM band could also be very handy in gathering more info in a shtf situation. Only had this for less than 24 hours, but am very happy with the quality construction and performance so far. For the price, you can really beat it and not worry about messing up a fancy, more expensive radio. Based on what I've seen and heard so far, would like to get at least one or two more of this radio, plus a couple extra batteries. Next month I am planning on taking my Technician Class amateur radio operator test to be able to transmit legally on the ham bands. Will update this thread with more information and testing results as I learn the radio and it's capabilities.

More in depth reviews of the radio here.... http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/10349

The Plus version is the latest greatest of this radio. From previous versions, it updates the case material and firmware. Also the rest of the package and manual is better looking. Can see below what all comes with this version. Doesn't seem to be alot of difference in pricing from older versions and this one, so I'd suggest getting the Plus version.

Think this would be a fantastic budget choice for a BOB/EDC carry radio. The 1800 mAh batteries are under $20 and there is a extended battery 3800/4000 mAh also available for even longer run time.

Radio much smaller than I imagined it being (good thing), my rough measurements put it at 4.25" length without antenna, 2.25" width, and 1.1875" depth. With antenna, total length is around 8.5"

edit: Also has a built-in led flashlight.  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[special-k]

Any luck programming it from the key pad?

[crudos]

Doesn't seem too hard through keypad. You can also program it through a windows xp machine, but need to buy a separate programming cable though for that. Will probably stick to programming via keypad, which should be fine for my purposes at this point.

[crudos]

Another useful link for your UV-5R....

http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/

[JohnyMac]

Thanks Crudos!

I need to take my Technician amateur radio exam too. What book or program are you using?

Thanks again

[crudos]

Thanks Crudos!

I need to take my Technician amateur radio exam too. What book or program are you using?

Thanks again

Just got this one.... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0872590976/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

Also using this site to take practice tests. Able to get 70% without any studying so far.... http://www.qrz.com/ht/

[JohnyMac]

Thanks  [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[APX808]

Thanks for the review, I'm planning to buy one of these.
Please guys if any of you find a way to recharge this with 12v tell me how
Also it would be great to see how the unit responds to harsh use, like using it under the rain

[crudos]

Also found an excellent Yahoo Group for the radio....

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/baofeng_uv5r/

[crudos]

Source of accessories for the UV-5R

http://www.uv5r.com/

[JohnyMac]

It's to bad that one of the accessories isn't a battery attachment that you could use AA or AAA batteries. I have a MINWA MW 5798N battery charger that works on: D, C, AA, AAA and 9 volt rechargeable.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008VTG948/ref=asc_df_B008VTG9482206232?smid=AMEAQY81R6T0Z&tag=dealtmp52162-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B008VTG948

It comes with a 12 Vlt plug and a 110 Vlt plug with transformer. I use the charger with the 12 Vlt plug plugged into my 12 VLT system.

As a side note:

I received my charger and it worked for one charge and then failed. I sent it back and received a brand new one. Well that one failed too. So I took it apart and found out that one of the wires had come loose from a poor solder job in China. I re-soldered it and it worked great until it didn't again. Well I took it apart and found another solder point that had come undone. Fixed that point and since then it has worked as a champ.

I have slowly replaced all of my store bought batteries with Powerex Ni-Mh batteries. They are not cheap but they seem to last longer than your typical rechargeable battery and 'store bought... use... than throw away' batteries.  Here is a link if you are interested: http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=342

Sorry, I got a little off topic. 

[Fuzzy]

Look at the Wouxun radios!
Tougher and about the same price.
Even has a 12v charger and an battery pack that will accept off the shelf batteries!

I lean towards a very diverse power sources.

Also car chargers and many other fun gizmos

I looked very hard at the Baofeng and The Woxun and the latter won out. Check all the addons.Same basic throw away radio but a better radio and the guy is one of us!

http://www.wouxun.us/index.php

Might be a few dollars more over the other but a better/tougher radio.


Check out GUERRILLAGEEK a few posts below.

Self Reliance Comm Gear Update, Extreme Value, Wouxun KG-UV6_ Dualband Radio review, Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/my_subscriptions?feature=mhee&s=y3f5C-R1iU3cfm9UeeN5PfRgEY7kB9s5VCgvg3lOoEE

[crudos]

For the price I paid, (under $50 shipped), still think the UV-5R is a quality deal. Case design and strength seems on-par with other HT's and wouldn't feel bad about rough use with it. And the biggest thing is how small it is, where every ounce counts, but don't think I'm sacrificing vital features for that small size. I am looking at the non-HT Wouxon's for options in my truck and as a home base station. So yeah, thanks for the info and the YT links, will definitely checkout GUERRILLAGEEK's vids.
 [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[APX808]

@Fuzzy, hey man that guerrillageek channel is pretty good I suscribed, thanks for sharing

@Crudos, I found a 12v charger for the UV-5R, check it out

http://www.jointchoice.com/goods-420026-12V-DC-Car-charger-for-Baofeng-UV-5R-Wouxun-KG-UVD1P-KG689-CIGARETTE-LIGHTER-plug-Car-charger.html

Can you see a plug for it in the unit? Or that 12v plug should be used together with the base? I think that charger would be pretty useful, it sucks the seller doesn't provide a better product description

[crudos]

@Crudos, I found a 12v charger for the UV-5R, check it out

http://www.jointchoice.com/goods-420026-12V-DC-Car-charger-for-Baofeng-UV-5R-Wouxun-KG-UVD1P-KG689-CIGARETTE-LIGHTER-plug-Car-charger.html

Can you see a plug for it in the unit? Or that 12v plug should be used together with the base? I think that charger would be pretty useful, it sucks the seller doesn't provide a better product description

Looks like the car charger plugs into the base that is included with the radio. no where on the radio itself it would plug into. Probably a good idea to pick-up another base, though that is pretty annoying. Here's another option...

http://www.uv5r.com

Scroll down to find the Baofeng UV-5R/UV-5RC 12v Battery Eliminator. Again, not the most elegant solution, but that's what we have to work with.

[APX808]

Thanks for the confirmation Crudos

Yup I saw that one too, isn't too elegant... but for the price you cant ask much more. I'll get one as a backup

[JohnyMac]

Crudos,
does your new radio have a location you can fasten an antenna wire if I wanted to string one?

[crudos]

Crudos,
does your new radio have a location you can fasten an antenna wire if I wanted to string one?

No, you'd probably have to get some kind of adapter to hook up bare wires as an antenna. Or mod an existing antenna somehow.

[JohnyMac]

Does the antenna unscrew? If so you probably could use a coax connector (PL 7 I think they are called).

[crudos]

Does the antenna unscrew? If so you probably could use a coax connector (PL 7 I think they are called).

Yes, you can put other types of antennas on. Connection on radio side is SMA male, and the antenna is SMA female. With various co-ax connector(s), you should be able to connect just about anything for an antenna.

From the internets, here's a close-up of the antenna base....

[JohnyMac]

Cool no worries... I can adapt a coax cable to that. Thanks man! [URL=http://www.smileyvault.co

[Fuzzy]

Just a word of warning on the Baofeng chargers.
Do not leave them plugged in unintended.
There have been 4 unconfirmed reports of them starting on fire. Unconfirmed means I have not seen the fire dept report but have had 1 user tell me his started burning as it was sitting on the end of his reloading bench while he was sitting there. (not reloading at the time but charging a radio)

[crudos]

Thanks for the heads up. I usually charge mine while sitting on the computer, so I keep on eye on it pretty good. Heard there might be lose solder joints in some chargers, but unsure which batch of UV-5R's they are from.

[thatGuy]

How does it sound? You listening to any Commie Propaganda?

[crudos]

How does it sound? You listening to any Commie Propaganda?

Sound quality is good. Been listening to local repeaters, and public service stuff. No commie propaganda yet, lol.