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Reminder: you need an FCC license for each radio service that you use this radio for. It is NOT like CB radio. I wish that I had this 10 years ago. The Amateur/Ham radio 222 MHz band is not as well used as the others but when you need it it is nice to have a Rx/Tx with a decent power output. Before buying this one I had 2 Wouxun dual band hand helds & used them very hard. This BTech Baofeng is better than the Wouxuns and my Alinco hand helds. The optional Li-ion higher capacity battery is icing on the cake during extended heavy duty use when you can not recharge. Definately get the computer cable for ease in programming, especially if you have a lot of repeaters available to you. The extended receive (& Tx) is excellent during emergencies like hurricaines when multiple radio services become unavailable. Those other radio services can be programmed in prior to emergencies. The memory capacity is sufficient for all the Ham radio frequencies AND the other services frequencies so you can be always prepared. If you go to or live in a city with major events, like the Indianapolis 500, the extended FM radio frequencies go low enough to pick up the transmissions between the event broadcast truck and the TV or Radio station that is handling the broadcasts for the event (usually 72 to 76 MHz). Antennas are available to cover multiple radio service bands simultaneously. I keep one extended frequency antenna on my BTech and in my car I plug it into my cigarette lighter socket and my car's multiple frequency antenna in less than 60 seconds. -N9MJB-Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
If you want to use this device you better get some training. Know your ABC about this little powerful HAM. If you put time into learning the device it will be worth it. Otherwise buy some walkie talkies.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I made the mistake of not doing proper research on these transceivers a year ago before buying what appeared to be a Baofeng UV-5R that turned out to be a dangerous, defective, and poor quality clone. This clone was dangerous because it gave me a few annoying electrical shocks after its first charge or randomly while handling it. While trying to manuslly and program it with the cable and software it would transmit on its own without touching the button which could have gotten me into serious trouble. Disappointed and angry I tossed the clone into the trash. After that first experience I wanted nothing to do with any cheap radio ever again. Not long ago a amateur radio enthusiast friend who I trust 100% told me to buy a Baofeng UV-5R for my first FM entry level transceiver while studying for my license. So I did my research on various websites learning more about the Baofeng UV-5R. Reading many great reviews which still did not impress me. So I went and talked to more people I trust who are licensed amateur radio enthusiasts and got their opinions which were all positive so I ordered this one. By all appearances and according to my research it is 100% genuine. I did my best to manually program it by watching videos on youtube because it did not come with the programming cable. I am enjoying learning more about it and looking forward to getting my license soon so I can legally operate. I would recommend buying this model for anyone who wants to get licensed. I would recommend this model as a gift to a friend who is licensed so they can have a backup. I do not recommend this model for anyone who has no respect or common sense. I do not recommend this model to anyone who is not willing to learn because this transceiver is not a "walkie talkie" or a toy. If in the wrong hands this could be dangerous causing serious legal problems along with fines and jail time. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
For the price of ~ $30, almost no aspiring ham can pass up the opportunity to get on the air. Quality and capabilities are far beyond what the price would indicate. Max 5 watts output is sufficient for both local as well as repeater contacts. It's kinda tricky to program but there are YouTube tutorials. Solid radio to hold - the heft is surprising although most is the battery, I wish there were more antenna options - rubber ducky's have major limitations. Great radio for a beginning school club!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
Gi1 VYZ Well cheaper that a battery pack for my CTE 1600. Very good value for money . you only get what you pay for .Plenty off set to play with once you get it programed . (The Program LEAD Should come with it no a extra.) Be Warned about Programing it . Still Working on this side of It . Having problems programing the set getting the set to talk to the computer through the USB / SERIAL lead .WAS reading reviews on the lead that programs the set and the chip set it use .It was saying the the chip set in question was prone to faults and a lot of errors on programing ( I AM No Expert 20 years ago was the last time .) (Pactratt 232 eproms ) on IBM XT or Atari 520 ST That was not yesterday . Well programed some memory channels in manually from the key pad as you need the memory programed to get the best out off the set . Well i set out the program for the memory channel is the first 25 2 meter Amateur Band . The Channel was 100 to 117 was the Was the Ship to Shore freq. Well i live half way down Belfast Lough and about 1km from the water . And 120 to 127 Channels 70 CM Band PMR 8 off walkies talkie channel Well 50 to 60 ? That's where i put in the 70 CM simplex and duplex Channel . Well i have the ready to send to the radio it getting the radio to see the serial lead . Will get that sorted out shortly . Well at a quick guess that leaves about 55 channels well that cover most people interest and for avg sum off £30.00 from china .I cost more for fuel for a week shopping in the car . I read some report about the radio , The way they described it and complained about it comparing it with a ICOM or YEASUE it cost the same money. Well you could buy 5 to 6 off these radio's for the price off them other names .And on guy said you do not worry about taking it out in the wet or losing it .They are a through away radio .( Well get a Icom engineer to look at a radio and it will cost you the price off 4 UV%R .) So you have a handy little radio which is not scare of out side use .I No good having a pricy radio that you are scared to take out that defeats the purpose off portable radio. You now can enjoy the full use of radio and not scared to damage it drop it get it wet or stolen . As i would spend a lot of time by the water edge on a remote harbor were mobile phones do not work that where the radio is hand in case off emergency .There always plenty off big boats passing by for call relaying to the coastguard . AS the coast guard has checked with us at the harbor as wee see what goes in and out ,as last year a boat was phoned in missing or over due. We were able to tell the coastguard it was in 2 hours ago before dark . Yes do a lot off fishing of harbors . Well that why it is such a handy radio with the 5 watts out you would have about 15 mile range .line of sight . Well getting back to the bad side of the radio the instruction sheet are useless . It leaves nearly everything to guess work . There should have been a power lead for the car as 5 watts output not very long TX on the batteries but they sell a double life battery think 3 time the storage of the original one. Well worth the money . Very good value . A lot off Radio for the Money. have fun playing with it outside . The Only Down Side is Programeing it from the computer . And the instructions on how to program and operate the Set .Read full review
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