The BaoFeng UV-5R is often seen as the ham radio that punches well above its weight; in a word, an underdog! A small but high-performance transceiver that has proven itself to many hams worldwide with its dual-band capabilities. More than a decade on, and whether you’re an experienced ham or just getting started in the world of amateur radio communications, then yes — the BaoFeng UV-5R should be added to your list. This ham radio review will cover all the reasons why beginners should consider this one, including its standout qualities and unbeatable price.
First Impressions: Little Radio That Compact but Capable
First up is that you can tell the BaoFeng UV-5R is a small and lightweight design, which means it’s highly portable so dragging around won’t feel like a chore. It weighs just under 8 oz on the other hand and is one of the most portable ham radios next to a smartphone in size with excellent performance. It is compact and could easily fit into your hands, perfect for trips to the outdoors or emergencies where large gear cannot follow. It feels solid, despite how small it is and the thick plastic housing means you’re unlikely to hurt this thing by slinging across a desk.
The rest of its interior, however, is fine (and that’s OK since this radio won’t be entering any beauty contests. The minimal, utilitarian design prioritizes functionality above beauty. But don’t be fooled—the BaoFeng UV-5R is anything but simple in terms of performance. This ham radio review will demonstrate how this little device may outperform even more expensive rigs because of its extensive feature set and dual-band capabilities.
Wow Factor Features
What blew me away, especially for the price of this radio is that it comes with a whole host of features. Find out in this ham radio review what the key features that enable you to regard This Little Radio as an indispensable piece of test gear for any would-be radio operator.
Dual-Band Flexibility
One of the most incredible features about the BaoFeng UV-5R is that it can offer simultaneous duty in both VHF and UHF bands (but on different channels), And due to this, they are known as dual band radios. This versatility makes the Skyworks device usable in a wide variety of communication scenarios spread over different bands. It works with VHF (136-174 MHz) as well as UHF frequencies (400 – 520 Mhz), so you are actually getting two radios in one. This is critical whether monitoring emergency frequencies on VHF, or in the middle of a conversation with another operator on UHF. The instant band changing did make for endless communication avenues to explore.
What is a radio band, anyway? If you want to learn more about different radio frequency bands, just click here to get the details.
128 Memory Channels
The BaoFeng UV-5R can preset up to 128 distinct channels. This means you can save all of your favorite frequencies and contacts for easy access. Imagine being able to switch between conversations or monitor various frequencies with the push of a single button. It’s similar to having a speed dial for the airwaves, which is much appreciated by both casual and expert hams.
Built-in Flashlight
Yes, it is true– BaoFeng UV-5R has a built-in LED torch. Though it is by no means the brightest flashlight, its shine will help you either find your emergency kit during a power outage or signal to someone. It turns out to be quite handy, especially for someone like myself who uses radios in the great outdoors while hiking or camping.
FM Radio Capability
Enjoying a brief respite from the continuous chatter of the ham bands can be nice sometimes. Features: BaoFeng UV-5R FM Capture Whether you plan to have news updates, music, or a simple conversation, having this adds up the versatility of the radio.
Long Battery Life
This BaoFeng little boy got a 1800mAh of high capacity battery, which is just great. From my personal experience, it takes me almost a full day without any break and without needing to be recharged. Obviously it depends on how far and how hard you are communicating. That makes for reliable, long-term performance. Plus, the battery is swappable and rechargeable of course, so if you run out of juice during a long journey there’s always the option to bring another with you. Combined with its small size and power output options, you are going to be impressed by the BaoFengs battery life.
Experiencing battery problems? Draining too fast? This is real now. Troubleshooting your batteries!
Performance: Does This Little Radio Live Up to the Hype?
Operating a radio, what were real world experiences for Assessment ham radio review Although it is one of the cheapest models, you get a decent performance that beats some products costing much more than BaoFeng UV-5R.
Clear Audio on Transmit and Receive
The UV-5R audio is good on transmit & receive, this is a must for using it with casual QSO´s and in any emergency contacts. The audio quality may not exactly blow you away, but it is more than serviceable for most applications. For the price of this radio, customers have said both bands provide strong and crystal clear communication for them.
Customizable Power Settings
Customizable power setting is the most popular function in devices like UV-5R. We can set the transmission power higher which is 5 watts or lower which is 1 watt according to our requirement. Switching to low power for short-range communications is good if you are looking forward to saving on battery life. If you do need to get a bit more range, though–perhaps out into the ‘burbs with no quiet repeater in sight—you can easily raise that power.
The UV-5R has a significant range of kilometers in the open space, which is suitable for taking it to outer locations such as on trails and camps. Though, remember metropolitan situations with a lot of obstruction like tall buildings can limit the range Because of its price, the overall performance offered by this device is tough to beat; offering a quality level and functionality not unlike hardware costing two or three times as much.
Programming the BaoFeng UV-5R: A Bit of a Learning Curve
The BaoFeng UV-5R’s user interface and programming process are its weakest points, if there is one. To clarify, it’s not hard, but it’s definitely not the easiest radio to set up, especially for beginners. Early programming is tough because of the small buttons and maybe confusing instructions.
Fortunately, the amateur radio community offers plenty of resources and support to address any questions or challenges you might encounter. Many users recommend using software like CHIRP to program the BaoFeng UV-5R, as it makes the process much easier. Once you become familiar with it, programming the radio becomes straightforward, allowing you to fully utilize its 128 memory channels.
The Stock Antenna: Room for Improvement
Another disappointment is its low-cost roots, as evidenced by the included stock antenna on the UV-5R. This version comes standard with an antenna that works but is not going to impress anyone in a performance challenge. If you require additional range and performance from this radio, look into getting a more stout aftermarket antenna (e.g. the Nagoya NA-771). Often a simple modification like this one can make all the difference in sending and receiving better.
It’s important to note for this review of the 2024 Best Ham Radio, many find that an upgrade well worth it — especially for outdoor / off road enthusiasts & emergency response situations where communication range is humorously a proven asset.
Does setting up an antenna really extend the range of your walkie-talkie? Curious to know? Click here to find out.
The Price Tag: Unbeatable Bang for Your Buck
Much of the allure surrounding the Baofeng UV-5R has to do with its drastically affordable price tag. For about $30 I think it is hard to argue that this radio does not provide good value. Dual-band capabilities, long range, power levels can be set and you will get some other soft features that are only available for two or three-time higher price radios.
The UV-5R is a great radio for new ham operators. It is inexpensive, so if you find out that Ham Radio is not for you it cannot do too much harm economically. For those more experienced users, the UV-5R is a great backup or carry radio; stuff one in your outdoor pack, bug out bag etc. To conclude, this ham radio review has shown the BaoFeng UV-5R to provide a great deal of value for its price.
Are you just starting around the ham radio world? Looking for a basic starter model? Check out the BF888S—affordable and functional. Click here to learn more.
The Quirks: What Could Be Improved?
Of course, no ham radio review is complete without mentioning some of the UV-5R’s idiosyncrasies. Despite its small size and remarkable performance, this radio is not without problems and restrictions. As previously said, the user interface may be awkward, particularly when manually programming. The buttons are tiny and not ideal for folks with bigger hands.
Another typical concern is the rather simplistic appearance. It works but lacks the sharpness and legibility of higher-end radios. The screen might be difficult to see in direct sunlight, which may be a problem for individuals who intend to use the UV-5R outside regularly.
Final Thoughts: Little Radio, Big Potential
So, the BaoFeng UV-5R shows that excellent things can indeed come in small and reasonably priced packages. Although it does not contain all the features of more expensive radios, for its price range, this budget radio performs well and is a reliable experience that beginners or veteran FPV pilots can use. Ideal for chatting with friends, using during outdoor activities and having on hand when SHTF the UV-5R punches well above its price-tag.
Our review of the BaoFeng UV-5R has shown it to be a very capable little radio, along with its fair share of weaknesses as well. To conclude, for all intents and purposes any person in need of a low priced yet good quality radio with a shade amount of complexity will find a very happy home along your belts possessing the BaoFeng UV-5R. You will most likely not regret the service and value for your money, so you might as well order yours today.
