What do you think of Baofeng?

[AudioShockwav]

How is everyones overall impression with Baofeng?

I am looking at the New F-11, as a replacement for the radios we use at work.
About $70 bucks each and now they comply with FCC Part 90 requirements, what do you guys think about these being used for VHF business band?
We use vhf ht`s at work and the radios we have are old enough that we are seeing worn out mic/earphone jacks, worn battery connections/shorter battery life and we have been tossing around the Idea of replacing them.
Sure we do not need 1/3 of the features, but for the price why not?


Opinions?
Comments?
Ideas?

73
Jeff

 

[2RT307]

I don't have the F11, but I'm thinking m42duster bought one. I have the UV-5R and 5R+. They have both been great so far. I'm not sure how well they will hold up to heavy duty commercial use, but for my needs they have been fantastic. Seems like the price is creeping up, as I got my 5R for 38 bucks delivered. Chirp makes it easy to program while I'm on the go... just pull up the local repeaters and reprogram it for wherever you are. The locals have told me that if I hadn't told them I was on an HT, they wouldn't have known. All in all, no complaints from me.

73,
Brett

 

[Mudfoot]

Concerning Baofeng...

I had the UV5R and UV5R Plus.

Now I have the UV-82L. So far, it's my favorite of the bunch.

 

[Mudfoot]

I used to use Alinco, ICOM and Kenwood HT's at work. A few other guys did the same. Our official handhelds were always Motorola rigs. I rarely carried our issue radios. My partner would carry one instead.

On EMS days, I'd wear my HT on my duty belt. It would always get beat up on door frames and dropped on various surfaces.

On fire days, I'd wear it on my chest. They survived hundreds of fire entry's. If it was a real hot one, I'd slip it inside my turnout pocket.

I retired in 2005, so these Chinese jobbers weren't around. Having owned the ones I do now, I wouldn't hesitate to carry one @ work.

 

[w9cll]

I have had a UV-5R for two years now and have never had an issue with it. I did replace the stock antenna with a better one though. I would and will buy another Boafeng any time, the other guys need to step up their game and lower the prices on the stuff. The thing i would say is if you get one get the programming cable and Chirp software. Way easier to program this way.

Oh btw the F-11 is nothing special it's just a repackaged 5R with different firmware. Just get a 5R off Amazon for $30 or the v-82 for $40.

 

[fogdog]

I have had a UV-5R for two years now and have never had an issue with it. I did replace the stock antenna with a better one though. I would and will buy another Boafeng any time, the other guys need to step up their game and lower the prices on the stuff. The thing i would say is if you get one get the programming cable and Chirp software. Way easier to program this way.

Oh btw the F-11 is nothing special it's just a repackaged 5R with different firmware. Just get a 5R off Amazon for $30 or the v-82 for $40.

What w9cll said.

 

[AudioShockwav]

Thank you gentlemen, your input is appreciated.

73
jeff

 

[Carl]

i would buy my 5r+ 30 times over again. its been solid and never failed me. only thing i broke on it was the retention tab on the battery when it fell off the fridge. there all over the area now and even the local club uses them for door prizes at meetings. my buddy and my cousin just took there technician licences and received there yellow uv5r's today after messing with mine. programming is easy with a cheap $5 cable from ebay and chirp (free). no it doesn't sound as good as my kenwood mobile radio but if it had a good mic im sure it would.

that new gt3 looks pretty cool, seems like an upgraded waterproof dustproof uv5r.

 

[NorthStar]

Run as fast as you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mudfoot]

Run as fast as you can!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This ain't eham...

 

[NorthStar]

Why would anyone want a radio that has no selectivity in the RX? You get what you pay for.

 

[w9cll]

Why would anyone want a radio that has no selectivity in the RX? You get what you pay for.

Why? Because when I press the ptt the person on the other end hears me just fine and I hear the repeater just fine as well. You are correct though the RX section is not the best and yes you do get what you pay for... a perfectly usable dual band HT for $30. I will buy one every time.

 

[dksac2]

Junk, but if all you have is $40.00, they are better than nothing. Be smart, save $150.00 and buy a Yaesu FT-60. Tough as nails and they work fantastic, 5 watts on UHF also. I do have one a UV-5R and never use it. It's just a back up, but with the FT-60, it may never get used.

73's John KF7VXA

 

[NorthStar]

John I totally agree!

 

[w9cll]

Junk, but if all you have is $40.00, they are better than nothing. Be smart, save $150.00 and buy a Yaesu FT-60. Tough as nails and they work fantastic, 5 watts on UHF also. I do have one a UV-5R and never use it. It's just a back up, but with the FT-60, it may never get used.

73's John KF7VXA

Not junk, clearly not the best but they do what they are suppose to do. Yes a $150 Chinese made FT-60 is better but I can buy a lot of Baofengs for that amount. Oh and don't think the many of the parts in a FT-60 are not from China.

If you have the means then get the FT-60, if you don't get the Baofeng. In the end they will both do the same thing.