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Good Enough? & Which One?

Jake Mok

New Member
Mar 30, 2015
14
5
3
31
Guangdong, China/Leeds, UK/US/HK
Hi all,

I was asked to decide to buy these radios. Ham here of course so feeling struggling to decide. I have been looking at Amazon and found the price and features of these two seem to meet the given requests. They get high-capacity battery and I think this is what I prefer.

No HF/VHF/UHF mode rigs wanted.

Still, not sure which to buy. (I understand that handheld transceivers aren’t good starter radios)

Not sure if here is the right place to ask but I would like to have a try and am looking forward to listening to your voice. What do you think about them? Or do you have any other recommendations.

What we use it for (with amateur radio licenses): mainly emergency communications and public service
Budget: around $60 for one is fine

(1) http://amzn.to/1UDQlbP (Baofeng GT-3TP Mark-III Tri-Power 8/4/1W with 7.4V 3800mAh Battery)

(2) http://amzn.to/1Ou7Mtx (Baofeng GT-3 Mark-II with large capacity 7.4V 3800mAh Li-ion Battery)


2112218.jpg


Thanks in advance. If this is a wrong/improper discussion here, I will say sorry about this. Please feel free to let me know.
 

Just to throw you a curve ball, I really like the Baofeng UV82. No extra life battery, but I bought a spare one and keep it charged. The ht stays cooler than the UV5R on long keydowns, and the display doesn't get winky either. It is ergonomically much easier to use as well. Pricing should still be in your budget even with an extra battery.

73,
Brett
 
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Thank you for sharing BJ. I will forward these to my leader then we will have a look.

I found if I bought from their website, It will be cheaper. Hope they have the same warranty and free shipping as Amazon.

Sorry one more stupid question:
Do user always have an extra battery for the radio? (You suggested a battery as well)
 
Just to throw you a curve ball, I really like the Baofeng UV82. No extra life battery, but I bought a spare one and keep it charged. The ht stays cooler than the UV5R on long keydowns, and the display doesn't get winky either. It is ergonomically much easier to use as well. Pricing should still be in your budget even with an extra battery.

73,
Brett

Thank you!

Could you please tell me where you bought Baofeng UV82 (if you still remember)? Do you own an UV5R as well?
Yes, we do need those are easy to use.
 
Thank you!

Could you please tell me where you bought Baofeng UV82 (if you still remember)? Do you own an UV5R as well?
Yes, we do need those are easy to use.

Things have changed since I bought my first UV5R, UV5R+, and UV82. There is a US distributor that sells them on Amazon, but I'm not sure you are in the US. The UV82 has a very large amount of aluminum in the frame vs. the UV5R, and it stays a lot cooler on long keydowns, vs the UV5R that gets pretty darned hot. When it gets hot, the display gets weird and doesn't display properly. Battery life is very good with both units. Looks like they do offer a triple A battery pack for the UV82 now.

Amazon product ASIN B00NKVXX0K
I just bought an extra "regular" one and keep it charged as a backup.

73,
Brett
 
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Thank you for sharing BJ. I will forward these to my leader then we will have a look.

I found if I bought from their website, It will be cheaper. Hope they have the same warranty and free shipping as Amazon.

Sorry one more stupid question:
Do user always have an extra battery for the radio? (You suggested a battery as well)

I like the "GT": Mrk III's. I have purchased 2...They have a surprising receiver in them!
I ended up giving them as gifts...Both to young soon to be hams in my family.
I then purchased the newest model UV-82....I like it also.
Now to answer your question:
Yes a second battery is always desirable if the radio is to be used in heavy service in a short time duration. These batteries last a good amount of time in just receiving operation, however when transmitting it shortens the amount of hours they will last. Nothing is more frustrating then being in the middle of a conversation during heavy usage and having the battery fail, thus a "spare pack" is a low cost "insurance" policy to make sure your not out of operation during an event.
I suggest purchasing the programming cable (USB to radio) as these can be tricky to program by hand. They are much easier when programmed with software which is available on-line and via your computer.
As to whom to buy from, I will leave that up to you and your group. The site I gave you is basically the Manufactures USA rep...but as you have found there are many suppliers and accessory packages available for a given cost.
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB
 
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Things have changed since I bought my first UV5R, UV5R+, and UV82. There is a US distributor that sells them on Amazon, but I'm not sure you are in the US. The UV82 has a very large amount of aluminum in the frame vs. the UV5R, and it stays a lot cooler on long keydowns, vs the UV5R that gets pretty darned hot. When it gets hot, the display gets weird and doesn't display properly. Battery life is very good with both units. Looks like they do offer a triple A battery pack for the UV82 now.

Amazon product ASIN B00NKVXX0K
I just bought an extra "regular" one and keep it charged as a backup.

73,
Brett

Thank you so much!

It sounds that UV82 is more stable.

Maybe this one? http://www.amazon.com/BaoFeng-Warranty-Dual-Band-Radio-Transceiver/dp/B00NUDY5CI

Will have a look at the battery as well. Thanks!
 
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I like the "GT": Mrk III's. I have purchased 2...They have a surprising receiver in them!
I ended up giving them as gifts...Both to young soon to be hams in my family.
I then purchased the newest model UV-82....I like it also.
Now to answer your question:
Yes a second battery is always desirable if the radio is to be used in heavy service in a short time duration. These batteries last a good amount of time in just receiving operation, however when transmitting it shortens the amount of hours they will last. Nothing is more frustrating then being in the middle of a conversation during heavy usage and having the battery fail, thus a "spare pack" is a low cost "insurance" policy to make sure your not out of operation during an event.
I suggest purchasing the programming cable (USB to radio) as these can be tricky to program by hand. They are much easier when programmed with software which is available on-line and via your computer.
As to whom to buy from, I will leave that up to you and your group. The site I gave you is basically the Manufactures USA rep...but as you have found there are many suppliers and accessory packages available for a given cost.
All the Best
Gary/W9FNB

Thank you for you opinion and suggestion.
I think we will take your advice and get a "spare pack".

Regarding to UV82, if I were right, I also found it in Amazon:
Amazon product ASIN B00J4FHTA6
Yes, for UV82, it seems that we need to buy a separate USB programming cable (it does not come with it).

Thank you anyway. We gonna work on this.
 
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Not that I know much but I think radio you just posted is a Pofung and not a Baofeng. Here is the Baofeng uv-82 on Amazon. They look the same so idk what the differences are as far as quality goes. I'm sure BJ or 2RT307 will let you know. Just reading through the post and got curious. Have a good one.
 

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Not that I know much but I think radio you just posted is a Pofung and not a Baofeng. Here is the Baofeng uv-82 on Amazon. They look the same so idk what the differences are as far as quality goes. I'm sure BJ or 2RT307 will let you know. Just reading through the post and got curious. Have a good one.

They changed their name.
http://www.baofengradio.com/en/shownews.asp?id=28

73,
Brett
 
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http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/index.php?cPath=360

I just bought a UV5R from R&L. Prefer to buy from a radio dealer, than from someone who just imports and resells.
Rich

I would normally agree, but the ht's are so cheap I wouldn't ever send one in for repair. I just look for the cheapest price and free shipping.

On edit, looks like R and L has good prices and free shipping!

73,
Brett
 
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Not that I know much but I think radio you just posted is a Pofung and not a Baofeng. Here is the Baofeng uv-82 on Amazon. They look the same so idk what the differences are as far as quality goes. I'm sure BJ or 2RT307 will let you know. Just reading through the post and got curious. Have a good one.

Thank you for your advice.

In my mind, Baofeng is the same as Pofung. Not sure the reason why they have 2 different names (sound very similar though).

Thank you anyway! Will buy a good one! :)
 
http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/index.php?cPath=360

I just bought a UV5R from R&L. Prefer to buy from a radio dealer, than from someone who just imports and resells.
Rich

Thank you for your suggestion.

May I know the reason why you prefer to buy from a radio dealer than from Amazon. I think Amazon they will have warranty as well. Right? We can easily send back and get fixed or get replacement?

Maybe some people will think radio dealers can provide closer and more customized service? :)
 

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