Baofeng UV-5R: Now Available

Hat tip to PA2OLD who first posted a comment with this link.

Also, thanks to someone for the anonymous comment to the 409Shop link.

The 409Shop has the UV-5R for $56 USD. It says it is a dual band radio and is 4 Watts. in one section is says it comes with a dual band antenna, but package contents says a 400-480MHz antenna.

More to come!

Baofeng UV-5R: Battery Eliminator Wiring

Baofeng UV-5R Battery Eliminator Wiring - inside the battery eliminator.

Baofeng UV-5R: $32

I've lost track, so is this the lowest it has been?

Baofeng UV-5R for only $32!!!

(Shipping is free with Amazon Prime or if you are willing to wait.)

Via Mark WB3CAI (@marksenk)

Baofeng UV-5R: CHIRP Bug

I have been kinda busy the last few days, so I missed a little tempest in a teapot when a new release of CHIRP started bricking UV-5R radios. There was a flurry of messages regarding squelches that would not close, no transmit/receive, no FM, etc. The problem was reported as bug #210 to Dan. The good news is that he was extremely responsive, found the problem, and got a new release out, and posted instructions for fixing the problem are here.

Baofeng UV-5R: Lightning Deal

Baofeng UV-5R for $31 (Free Ship) as an Amazon Lightning Deal - only about an hour left.

Via Hank Curmudgeon on the Baofeng Amateur Radio Network (BARN) on Facebook

Baofeng UV-5R: Desk Stand on Instructables

I'm surprised I don't seem more ham radio stuff on the instructables site. Here is a desk stand for your UV-5R (or other) HT.

Baofeng UV-5R: Bad Batch?

Hans is hearing that some of the latest versions of the UV-5R are having problems. He's looking for data, so if anyone has done some measurements, please head over his way and let him know about your findings.

Baofeng UV-5R: BF-F8+

Baofeng has introduced a new BF-F8+. It looks very similar to a UV-5R, but they advertise an enhanced LCD screen:

BF-F8+ series two-way radio are the newest styles by BAO FENG, it has multi-functions, such as dual band, dual display, dual watch, its performances are excellent, the shape is fashionable. The background is very unique, make it look elegant and luxurious.

It looks good. The only problem is that the listing on 409Shop ($51 USD) doesn't have the same screen. The radio is marked as a BF-F8+. Somebody is wrong.

Thanks to Hans for pointing out the BF-F8+ to everyone.

Baofeng UV-5R:

John passes along the following:

"The (Chinese) Radio Documentation Project has just gotten its latest update by Jim KC9HI.
If you are the owner of a UV5R (or any of it's cousins) this IS the manual.
A copy is available at http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/UV5R-Manuals.html"

 It is a great resource (and in a convenient PDF file). If you have a UV-5R, you will want to snag a copy.

Baofeng UV-5R: Giveaway at American Radio Supply

Win a Baofeng UV-5R at American Radio Supply.

Via AmateurRadio.com

Boafeng UV-5R: Tests for Common Problems

From Jaap via the UV-5R Yahoo Group:

Off frequency receiver test:
-Tune in to a station with a known transmit frequency
-Note original receiving frequency
-Set the step size to 2.5 khz
-Increase receiving frequency until squelch blocks signal
-Note (upper) frequency
-Decrease receiving frequency until squelch block signal
-Note (lower) frequency
-Add upper and lower frequency and divide by 2
-Compare outcome and original  receiving frequency
-If they are not the same, your radio has the bug

Overheating and blurred display test:
-Set the radio to HIGH power
-Start regular communication 
-The radio might get hot; first noticeable at the top screws at the back of the radio
-The display might get blurred when the radio gets hot

No CTCSS low frequency scanning test:
-Program a channel with a CTCSS decode of a tome below 100hz for a known receiving frequency with this tone encoded
-Start scanning
-When the radio stops at the receiving frequency during reception of an encoded signal, the bug is not there

Baofeng UV-5R: Alphatags 7 Characters Hack

Six characters not enough for you on your UV-5R display? Despite a limit in the current version of the software, you can manually edit the .dat file and add a seventh character. I recommend adding the first six characters via the software and then only editing the file to change the extra character.

All credit for this hack goes to Szombathely-77 Zoli (http://frekik.hu/) who was kind enough to post this information in a comment. The instructions are here in Hungarian and English!

[[[ UPDATED 2012-04-09: Google Cache Link to the Instructions UPDATED ]]]

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.

Import Communications: Exclusive and New Baofeng Versions

I had not previously posted anything about the Baofeng F-11 from Import Communications. It is a custom version of the UV-5R specially made for Import Communications with an exclusive firmware (USA349). Some have been critical of the F-11 for being slightly more expensive and having no real difference from the UV-5R (see this thread). I've not got one in my hands, so I can't say it is any better, but I would also remind them that part of the price is the service you get with it. (For example, I have seen where Ed is updating the firmware on the Anytone AT-5888UV radios he sold.)

In any case, the reason for my post is that Ed says he is about to have a 2M/220 version of the F-11:

"I will have a 2m/220 version of my Baofeng F-11 in a couple weeks."

I know that will make some people very happy.

He goes on to say that he will have a new Baofeng HT to compete with Wouxun and TYT:

"I will also have a new dual band HT from Baofeng using the more expensive chip, which can provide more user features than the present Baofeng radios. This will put the radio more in line with the Wouxun and TYT models."

Did I mention it sounds like it will be a fun summer for radios?

Baofeng UV-5R: Amazon Lightning Deal

I'm not really sure how this works, but there is an Amazon Lightning Deal on the Baofeng UV-5R tomorrow at 11:50 Eastern (16:50 UTC). It is currently showing for $39.99 USD with free shipping. I'm assuming that the price drops to some impossible to resist number when the deal starts.



Deal seen first on AR-15 forum
About Amazon Lightning Deals

Breaking the Law!

Sorry for the lack of radio posting. I had been running my pirate radio station (2 x the legal limit!!!) using my UV-5R and an FCC SWAT team raided my house. They confiscated my radio charger and mouse, so it really has hampered my ability to get on the air and to post.

Seriously, this post was 100% inspired by Hans' last two articles:

2013, Narrowbanding and Ham Radio

and

UV-5R Group for Illegal Users

I commented on the first by saying:

"It seems like people forget about 50+ (100?) years of history when they start talking about rule changes. I don’t think all the war surplus rigs that my father-in-law has will magically become compliant with every mandate. Nor will all the stuff he designed and built. Unless you are being a real jerk and causing interference, I don’t see the FCC breaking down your (US) door to confiscate a Chinese HT."

Maybe my rule should be a) don't be a jerk and b) don't be dumb - then you shouldn't have to worry about the FCC SWAT team.

Baofeng UV-5R: Reverse Scan

I was doing some catching up on the UV-5R Yahoo Group and found this thread that says you can reverse the direction of the scan by pressing the down arrow.

Does it work on the other Baofengs? I've not got one handy to try.

Baofeng UV-5R: eHam.net Reviews

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

Baofeng UV-5R: High Capacity Battery

Want a higher capacity battery? Want your UV-5R to look like a Zack Morris phone? Why not do both!

Try the 7.4V 3600mAH Ultra High Double Capacity Battery from RadioShop888.

Baofeng UV-5R: Officially Old News

Roberta X has a Baofeng UV-5R, so we can now officially say that it is well past the cutting edge phase and is quickly moving toward whatever the modern equivalent of a boat anchor is.

;)