Ham Radio UV-5R Pro 8Watt Dual Band Two Way Radio with Ham Radio and Handheld Speaker Mic and Antenna 6Pack

We originally bought these radios to get longer distance coverage and safer footprint of communications in the field than the standard walkie talkies. Little did we know about licensing.First, from a reception standpoint, wonderful radio. Combined with the CHIRP software, was able to get up and listening to all sorts of local repeaters and even monitored several IRLP sessions and FLDIGI for over a month while study for the Technician exam. Also really like the dual band capability of playing FM radio stations and cutting into VHF/UHF transmissions as they come in. The scanning feature is great bonus, just make sure to skip stations not in the frequency range and/or digital.Then transmitting. once license started really learning about the value of this radio. it can work 8W on High mode and still have enough battery to last the afternoon. Not normal, but I am able to hit a repeater on top of a mountain from about 36 miles away in my hunting stand. Talk about a safety net and being able to call home should cellular no longer be an option. of course, this is with a whip antenna and NOT the rubber duck that it comes with. Use the 771 to get started and then moved to HYS tactical 800mm.i still use this radio as my primary throughout the day even after purchasing the Yaesu FT-991A. That is saved for serious night time operations.All in all, you cannot get a better performing radio that is easy to program for the money. Beats all of the Baofeng in my opinion hands down. Same platform, probably same electronics. I just really like the extra 3W.Thinking of buying a few more to keep at multiple locations without spending a fortune!

Nice. Wanted longer range but 5 mi is cool for my son around the corner from his school. Went on Tiktok to gather information on how to use it. Great information.

These radios replaced a few that quit working. This is the 3rd set for me in 12 years. These Baofeng radios are great for repeater work & short distance queso's. I started on amateur radio with a Baofeng uv-5 in early 2012 & I still use them. They last a surprising amount of time. For the money, these Baofeng radios are very hard to beat! These radios are low enough priced so if one breaks or is lost, it's not that big of deal. I've cross-banded with a mobile radio as well as a base station. The 8 watt claim is close. It can push 7 watts. I must add that you MUST have a VALID FCC Call Sign and not use if for anything but uhf & vhf. The fines can hurt or kill your bank account!

I mean its a rebranded baufang. it works great and all the name brand options parts and accessories work with it. battery life is amazing and range with a extended antenna is unbelievable. has gotten wet and dropped and still works like new. good little radio package

The replacement radio works fine. Thanks Amazon !I looked forward to owning this radio as I needed a spare 2 meter band radio. Note, this is a hand held ham radio. You need a license to operate it on ham radio frequencies. A Technician license will be fine for this radio. Check with your local ham radio club for test locations and times.Configuration for using it with the local 2 meter repeater is no problem.However, the ham radio spear only works when the radio is horizontal. When I pick the radio up, the speaker cuts out. I can still hear people talking on my 2 meter base station.To double check the speaker, I press the red call button, which switches over to FM music radio for listening only. No matter what position I holds the radio in then, sounds comes out of the speaker just fine. This appears to be a bad wire, or loose connection, between the ham radio part and the speaker.The charger works fine.Since I bought this as a spare to use out hiking and camping, it doesn't do me any good. So I highly suggest not buying it.edit: I contacted Amazon and they are sending me a replacement. I'll update this review further when I get the replacement.

The good:* Functional* Inexpensive* Versatile (in terms of certain features)* So inexpensive, that if lost or broken or stolen, you really won't even care.The not so good:* Lower end materials and construction. For example the LCD, while absolutely readable, is harder to read than most.* Pretty rotten speaker mic. You sound poor to others and the speaker in it is pretty awful. The actual radio mic and speaker though are alright.* Using these around "some people" may cause you to be negatively stereotyped.* Possible poor performing as relates to spurious emissions (suppression of harmonics while transmitting). I say possible because historically these series of radios have been a mixed bag when tested/measured. Odds dramatically improve with more expensive (even just moderately so) radios and is of almost not concern with top end brands.Want something that works but is super affordable? Consider this and it's type of equipment. Don't mind spending more for better? If so then maybe pass on these, unless you plan to use/store them in harsh ways where you won't cry if they break.