Baofeng vs. Wouxun

wouxun-vs-baofengTrying to decide between a Baofeng and a Wouxun HT? Here are some thoughts…

The good:

  • They are super-cheap
  • They are usually dead-on frequency and stable through temperature change (better than most Japanese radios)
  • The Receiver sensitivity is usually better than the .2 uV specification at 12db SINAD
  • They always produce at least as much power as advertised
  • The Wouxun is excellent at harmonic suppression and adjacent channel selectivity

The bad:

  • The Baofeng usually is pretty bad on harmonic suppression sometimes as bad as 20db
  • The Baofeng has terrible adjacent channel selectivity and is easily interfered with in busy RF environments

Overall, all the Chinese radios are decent, but in my experience, the Wouxun is excellent compared to the Baofeng.

The Wouxuns I have personally tested gave the Japanese models a run for their money, at about a quarter of the price.

Chris Hite, AJ1Q, is a special contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Florida, USA. Contact him at [email protected].

10 Responses to “Baofeng vs. Wouxun”

  • PAT/K8LEN:

    i HAVE A wouxun DUAL BANDER KGUVD1P WORKS LIKE A CHAMP, EASY TO PROGRAM AND WELL BUILT.
    POB/K8LEN

  • G.F. Keith/ka5qfi:

    I have also found that the stock antenna that comes with the Baofeng are not the best. I was ready to trash 2 HTs, until a friend suggest that I use a different antenna. Problem solved.
    Wishful thinking…I am waiting for Wouxun or another maker to come up with a D-Star!

  • G.F. Keith/ka5qfi:

    P.S. I own 4 Wouxuns and 3 Baofengs. My choice of the two is the Wouxun.

  • KB5TJI:

    I bought a Wouxun HT when they first started shipping to the US.
    It’s been an excellent radio. The only thing that doesn’t work is the flashlight and
    that’s likely my fault. I’ve dropped it several times over the years.

  • Matt W1MST:

    I get to try a wide variety of radios and I’ve rarely been disappointed (excepting several Wouxun KG-UV3D radios which had memory loss issues).

    My current “everyday carry” back pocket radio (to borrow a term from the concealed carry crowd) is the Baofeng UV-82C. This radio has the quality feel of a more expensive Wouxun for about a third the cost (~$55 shipped).

  • Fred PA1FJ:

    I have the Baofeng BF-UVB2 Plus a verry good porto!

  • KC2TFI:

    I have both and use them a lot, we use the GMRS and FRS never had a problem yet, knock on wood

  • John 'Miklor':

    I have both Baofeng and Wouxun. When this came up recently, I remember a series of tests that were done. Here is the link.
    https://hamgear.wordpress.com/2013/01/30/baofeng-uv-5r-spectrum-analysis-revisited/
    Also, several of the Baofengs have been certified by the FCC Testing Labs and given Part 90 Commercial certification.

    John
    http://www.miklor.com

  • Gerry Sherman VE4GKS:

    I have 2 Wouxuns – no problems with either. My favorite is the KG-UV9D (Plus). I might add that I hardly ever use my other FM rigs – even at home. The HT is too handy to bother with the base station.

  • Ken Smith K5XOM:

    I have a Baofeng UV82 it was my first radio when I got back into Ham radio in 2015. I had lain out for a number years and my old radios were crystal controlled. So I decided to go with something cheap at first.
    Anyway, the problem is, the microphone is not very sensitive. I even enlarged the mic hole in the plastic case. That didn’t help. When I transmit I am always told that the audio is weak. I have to hold the radio right up to my mouth when I speak into it to get a good report.
    I am looking to buy another HT. Maybe I will have some success this go round.

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