Baofeng UV-5R: Waccom UV-5R 5W Video

409Shop has put out a video of the Waccom UV-5R. I did not see any difference between the Baofeng and Waccom, but the Waccom is still advertised as 5W. A quick search of the 409Shop site does not show any other Waccom radios - just some accessories that are shared by the Baofeng version.



Hat tip to Nate who let me know about the video.

Baofeng UV-5R: Video - Adding a Repeater to Memory

As a follow-up to the written instructions for adding a repeater into memory, here is a video from gwcfeb03 that demonstrates the procedure.Note,  I changed to the transmitting frequency before going back into menu #27 the second time. It sounds like it took his change, but I would rather see the frequency in the display instead of hoping I keyed it correctly.

Baofeng UV-5R: US Sellers

Chris, NH7QH, has added the UV-5R to his website at HawaiiRadioSales.com, but won't take orders until they have FCC approval - which should be coming soon.

Ed, of ImportCommunications.com, sent out an update saying that he had ordered several hundred UV-5Rs, but there has been a problem with a transfer of the funds. Apparently his money is lost in China, so he's having to work that out.

Baofeng UV-5R: Waccom UV-5R 5W

Steve points out that the 409Shop has a Waccom UV-5R for sale. The description says the unit is 5W. We've seen the other versions of the UV-3R (Magiksun, Comtex, Zastone), but the specs were normally the same. I still want to know if the UV-5R is a Baofeng product or if they are just re-branding some's hardware like they did with VeroTelecom and the UV-3R. Clearly, it is similar to the TYT TH-F8.

Baofeng UV-5R: Adding a Repeater to Memory

These instructions* are courtesy of Ed (wouxun.us, importcommunications.com, and now uv-5r.com) via the UV-5R Yahoo Group. Some people have had problems doing this - including me. I found that it would not allow me to add the memories from VFO B. I just happened to be on VFO B when I started testing, but I tried several times and couldn't figure out what was wrong - it would never give the confirmation that the REC FREQ was stored. I flipped to the VFO A and it worked the first time.

*Very slight modifications by me - changed "prompts" to "confirms" in a couple of places.


To program repeater 146.985, minus offset, 100 Hz tone, low power level, into Channel#010

Turn on radio.

If in Memory Mode switch to VFO Mode (VFO/MR)

Select 5 KHz Step - (MENU + 1 + MENU) (Use the ↑ ↓ key for 5K) (MENU + EXIT)

Enter 146.985 (The receive frequency)

Press [MENU] + 2 + [MENU]
Use the ↑↓ key to select Low Power

Press [MENU] + [EXIT]
To accept and exit

Press [MENU] + 5 + [MENU]
Use the ↑ ↓ key to select Wide Bandwidth
Press [MENU] + [EXIT]
To accept and exit

Press [MENU] + 1 + 3 + [MENU]
Use the ↑ ↓ key to select 100 Hz Tone
Press [MENU] + [EXIT]
To accept and exit

Press [MENU] + 2 + 7 + [MENU]
Enter 010 or Use the ↑ ↓ key to select 010
Press [MENU] + [EXIT]
This stores the Receive Frequency - Radio confirms that REC FREQ has been stored

Enter 146.385 (The transmit frequency)
Press [MENU] + 2 + 7 +
[MENU] + [MENU] + [EXIT]
Radio confirms that TX FREQ has been stored
       
Return to Memory Mode (VFO/MR)

Baofeng UV-5R: Introduction to Controls

The video is from an Android phone and a little shaky, but the content is good.

Baofeng UV-5R: eHam.net Reviews

And the eHam.net reviews have started for the UV-5R.

Baofeng UV-5R: Ship Times

I ordered my UV-5R the night I heard it was available. It took longer than other shipments from 409Shop. I much prefer ordering from the US suppliers just because of the shipping uncertainty alone when coming direct from China. I would have done it again, but I was anxious to try the UV-5R out. I can't believe it took nine days to get to Knoxville from New York.

2012-02-22 Ordered
2012-02-28 Order Confirm with tracking - indicated that it shipped on 2/29
2012-03-02 Processed at sort facility in Hong Kong
2012-03-03 Processed at sort facility in New York
2012-03-12 Delivered to Knoxville

Baofeng UV-5R: Stock Antenna

I had only been listening to my UV-5R sporadically and, for the most part, I just left it on the desk. This afternoon I was showing it to a fellow ham and was holding it in my hand. There was an awful lot of noise/interference that I hadn't noticed earlier. I quickly realized that the problem only occurred while I was holding the radio. If I set it down, the problem went away. I don't get the best signal on any of my HTs inside my office, so I went outside and the problem still existed if I had it in my hand.

I was extremely disappointed by this discovery. What good is a handy talkie if you can't hold it?

I was comparing it to my Wouxun and my buddy suggested trying the antenna from the KG-UVD1P. Voila! Using the Wouxun antenna solved the problem. Even without any fancy equipment and testing, I'm thinking I may look for a replacement for the stock radio based on this problem alone.

Baofeng UV-5R: Size Comparison

On the left is my Baofeng UV-3R. In the middle is the Baofeng UV-5R. On the right is a Wouxun KG-UVD1P.

Baofeng UV-5R: Alphatags

We saw it in the software...

And now that I have the radio, I've seen it on the display, too. I should add that I had to do the alphatags via the software and that my programming cable from my Wouxun KG-UVD1P worked.

Baofeng UV-5R: Delivered!

I got mine today! More to follow as I have a chance... real life is taking priority right now.

Baofeng UV-5R: Pictures

Moleculo has his UV-5R and has posted several pictures on the WorldWideDX forum. Here is a sample to get you going.

Baofeng UV-5R: Availability

Looks like several people have received their UV-5R. I am still waiting on mine. And Matt @ AmateurRadio.com discovered that Import Communications will begin selling them next week for $65. Others are reporting that the Chinese dealers like 409Shop are currently out of stock.

Baofeng UV-5R: DTMF Confirmed

VK2AEC confirms via a post on the UV-5R Yahoo Group that the UV-5R has DTMF.

Baofeng UV-5R: DTMF

Impossible to know for sure until someone gets their hands on one, but it really looks like the UV-5R will have a DTMF capability.

First, we have this form in the UV-5R software:

And from the manual, we have these two sections. The first from the list of menu options and the second the detail about that menu option.

Baofeng UV-5R: Manual

Ed (ImportCommunications) published a copy of the UV-5R Manual. I've not had a chance to read through it to see if there are any interesting bits.
UV-5R User Manual

Baofeng UV-5R: First Look Video

Baofeng UV-5R: Menu Options and Language

Interesting comments from Ed via the Wouxun Yahoo Group about the UV-5R:

"This radio appears to be a replica of an HT that TYT is preparing to market. TYT is testing it now. The only visible difference is that the TYT does not have a flashlight (at least at this time it doesn't).

This radio has 43 menu options, but beware of buying one of these unless you speak Chinese. The ones for sale in Guangzhou only speak Chinese and they say English versions are not available yet. So inquire what language it speaks before ordering."

The 409Shop product page does list the manual as being in English. As with many new products, earlier adopters may be in for a quirks.

Baofeng UV-5R: Yahoo Group

There is now a Baofeng UV-5R Yahoo Group.

Two comments...

1. Quelle surprise! Hams love their Yahoo Groups!
2. That didn't take long.