This this ham radio better then the baofeng 5rplus
787627
If this is your first radio, then go with this Yaesu. The menu/interface is much more user friendly and the quality of Yaesu is outstanding. Yaesu's are made in Japan while Baofung is made in China and while you may find one that last ten years, quality control is really poor in China and most likely it won't.Now if this is a secondary radio, then by all means try the Baofung out, everyone says they are a great value for what you get. Just everyone I know that has one already has a Yaesu/Kenwood/Icom, etc.
787628
For one thing, it has 5 watt output vs. 4. Menu/programming is much easier, manual much clearer. Baofeng allows broader frequency receive and will transmit on freqs that are not amateur (may be/probably is illegal in US for you). Yaesu is super-solid, reliable, high-quality Japanese-made radio. Baofeng is not. You get what you pay for most of the time.
787629
In my opinion, yes. But, I am a Yaesu fan. I looked at purchasing one when I bough my Yaesu, but the reviews and comments that I was seeing did not paint a good light on the baofeng. A new ham here in town purchased one of the baofeng because of price and has had problems programming it, operating it, etc. Hope this helps.
787630
I've owned Yaesu HT's and mobile rigs since 1990, and wouldn't change...I'm a Yaesu fan.
787631
From what i have heard it is easier to program but have no experiencewith the Baofeng 5r plus.
787632
While it is more expensive, it is much more rugged than the Baofeng and much, much more easily operated. It has greater functionality as well: you can listen to the aircraft band (118-153 MHz AM). The Baofeng cannot. Further, if you look around, you can find the Yaesu for $149 + free shipping. At that price, you can get the Yaesu *and* the Baofeng.
787633
I have both, and for $27 (on sale -$5 coupon), the Baofeng UV-5B, cannot be beat. but I did purchase two, just in case one dies an untimely death :-)https://hamgear.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/whats-the-best-chinese-dual-band-ht/
787634
By far, programing the radio is easy with software and the radio can withstand being dropped and still work, trust me the baofeng can not, I've lost two of them this way. Plus the radio and do echolink in a round about way. This radio is by far the best HT I've ever own and I've had more then a few.
186665
Only slightly better, but it is more flexible. The UV-5R Quallete and UV-B5/B6 already come with an antenna that is much better than the original UV-5R antenna.
2230927
It's not that hams hate the questions, it is that there are so many variables the answers are greatly varied. First, in terms of FM, 5w is pretty low power. Secondly, the antennas that come with these radios are very low efficiency. That isn't a fault of the radio, that's just a practical matter of design. You can't fit high efficiency antennas in your pocket for VHF and below! The easiest answer, given VHF frequencies typical methods of propagation, is that it can communicate a few miles (2-20) assuming you have a clear horizon and mostly a line-of sight to the others you're communicating to without a repeater. This will be the same basic performance with every HT of this sort (5w FM class). Could you go further? Sure, but it will be inconsistent and rely on other variables. Here's a great primer to just this question: http://www.hamradioschool.com/ham_radio_101/08/hr_101_081012.html Andy K5PO
1585422
Here's a couple of web pages that might be useful in answer to your question. http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?374064-Baofeng-UV-5R-models http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/
201886
As a technician class Ham operator, I enjoy using this radio quite a bit ;-) as far as a general class, I would assume that it will work out very well for you. Providing you're not looking for anything below 6 meter to play on, as that's about as far as it will transmit ( HF wize anyway)
1272305
Depends on what you're looking for. This is a great little radio and I happen to like it a lot. I am an FM Dxer and this radio can receive stations up to 100 miles away on FM or more regularly. As far as shortwave radios go, there are better ones on the market. If you are willing to shell out the cash for Sangean 909x. That is the best shortwave radio out there. I would consider sticking with Grundig, Tecsun, Sangean. They are the best brands for this.
1120504
Yes n better radio,guaranteed receive n transmit is great on long range.up to 30- 50 miles.on both.
180091
The AM and FM reception is very good with the use of the Shark Antenna. I'm pleased with it.
1240033
I have owned two of these radios and would give them both five star ratings. I can't say why some folks would rate the unit one star. The quality I value most is its ability to pick up distant AM and FM stations with weak signals. It has excellent sound quality and offers dual power. I would not suggest any changes to make it better, except perhaps to have an ipod plug.
1676649
I have no personal experience with either of those models, but Baofeng hasn't changed this since the UV-2, so I would guess it would be fine. In any case, it's not a big investment...
596584
I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume control on it. I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume... » Read More I just received my Baofeng UV5R+ today and it has firmware BFB 297. A good friend programmed it with all our area Emergency frequencies used by both the Search & Rescue as well as our Emergency Radio Communication group for our Whatcom County volunteer personnel; he uses the very reliable RT Systems programming with its' accompanying radio specific programming cable. I got an excellent quality mike for it from my favorite supplier (located in Portland, OR); the mike cost more than the little transceiver, lol. But it was worth the expense because the little Kenwood mike has a great volume control on it. « Show Less
237724
The answer is no. The reason why, is that this radio operates on the VHF/UHF frequencies. These are line of sight (FM) frequencies. They are very very good for short distances between two or more radios. On the amateur frequencies, there are repeaters that can receive the transmission from one of these radios, and using it's location re-transmit the signal and send it many more miles.For communicating with Hams in other countries, you need an HF (low band) radio that operates at much lower frequencies, from 10 meters to160 meters.Ken P. Canton, Ga.
381075
I have multiple of each model and as far as I can tell the only real difference is cosmetic. Though the antenna on the uv5ra+ Recieves much clearer and is also more discreet and durable than previous models. The programming and what not is identical on both
596585
Actually very good question. I got two radios, one UV-5R+ and one UV-5R. The UV-5R+ is version BFB293; the UV-5R is version BFB295. Seems like the older radio as the latest firmware... To check the firmware on your radio: turn it off; press 3 and hold while turning it on. Wait 2 seconds and you will see the radio firmware as BFB***.
1280171
i really don't know what the difference might be. However, "IF" you buy a Baofeng radio, save the box and all of the papers. Some are shipped in non-working condition!!
572646
if you buy the programming cable also, or have one from other BAOFENG radios, then it is a good buy. without the cables you may be on illegal frequencies that are in ues by public service departments.
972734
This radio has a better ability to fine tune what your controller does with the RC than any of the ElCheapo stock radios I have seen. It also can bind up to ten ($7.9) receivers without hacking a thing.Channel3 by the way is not proportionate, it's two position toggle, potentially set to momentary. Hacking your radio can do wonders, but can also leave you with a club, remember that you risk ruining it if you hack it.