Used UV-5R, any mods worth considering?

[MCH170]

I may be getting a used baofeng uv5r for free in the next couple of days, are there any mods worth doing on it? I am decent with a soldering iron and don't mind if it ends up not working in the end.

Thanks.

 

[AudioShockwav]

I believe most of the uv5r radios just require holding a couple buttons and powering up the radio.....



73
Jeff

 

[w9cll]

The 5r is not worth getting

 

[9C1Driver]

It's a 25 dollar radio, nothing to solder or mod in those. Watch some youtube videos and have fun with it. If it breaks or you drop it buy another one. At some point you can look into a Yaesu or Icom HT radio. Much better quality and performance.

 

[AudioShockwav]

The 5r is not worth getting

Actually......
I have 3 UV5R radios at the moment.
I have one programmed for local public works, Sheriff, CalFire, Medical and my wife likes to use it to monitor those , along with the FM radio.
The other 2 have GMRS, FRS and some local stuff programed, I live in a tourist town and we get lots of people traveling through using both during the summer and it's a riot sometimes listening to that.
They sometimes get put to use traveling with a group and I am not too worried about family using them.
If they drop it in the creek or lose the radio it's only $20.
For me they are useful.
YMMV

73
Jeff

 

[doffo]

I always found the UV-5R's modulation very low. There is a mod to increase that and make it so one doesn't have to yell into the radio.

Baofeng UV-5R Modulatino Mod

 

[Cable Guy]

I always found the UV-5R's modulation very low. There is a mod to increase that and make it so one doesn't have to yell into the radio.

Baofeng UV-5R Modulatino Mod

I find the external mic to be much louder than the built in mic.

 

[brandon7861]

I always found the UV-5R's modulation very low. There is a mod to increase that and make it so one doesn't have to yell into the radio.

Baofeng UV-5R Modulatino Mod

That's cool! If those radios were worth enough to justify it, I would offer that as a mail-in service. That's a 5 minute job. Maybe if someone had 10 of them that needed modding, might be worth the postage.

 

[Shadetree Mechanic]

Basically the same thing I think.

Baofeng UV-5R Modulation Modification

The Baofeng UV-5R is probably the best selling HT from China to date. In spite of its popularity this hand-held is not perfect, but most people don’t mind – it’s all about the bal…

hamgear.wordpress.com

 

[FlyBoy50]

I did the steps to unlock GMRS radio on mine but haven't programed the channels in yet because I'm afraid of making a mistake and not knowing how to reverse it. I'll get there someday when I have time.

 

[AudioShockwav]

I did the steps to unlock GMRS radio on mine but haven't programed the channels in yet because I'm afraid of making a mistake and not knowing how to reverse it. I'll get there someday when I have time.

I have this Bluetooth programmer thing that I picked up that is good for these, download the free app on your phone and you can upload everything in one shot.
It was about $12