From eham
Even if it was twice it’s $50.00 the UV-5R would be a great radio for value\features\performance. I have the “ Full combo plate” ( 3600 Mah battery, hand mic, MFJ 1717 ant., progamming cable ) and am well pleased with my set up. Even without all the extra’s it is a capable radio system. The standard battery lasts a long time,Fit and finsh rival more expensive radios, the audio and TX is more than good, and the other features ( dual watch ) make one wonder why the Japanese companies are not worried. We’re talking $50-60 here not $100-300+. The radio looks good, construction is very good ( especially the Plus model) and the darn thing just works well. Yeah..., it’s VERY easy to program with the cable and software but do not listen to the whiners about manual programming... just go to YOUTUBE and look at the tutorials.Manual programming CAN BE DONE
If.. as people say ...,the Chinese GOVT. is subsidising Baofeng in order to penetrate the hand held market, I have no problem with that. Heck, we’ve been doing that for decades with US agricultural products to penetrate the world food market . That’s capitalism and just old fashioned business. To see a non-capitalistic country ( China ) practice capitalism is refreshing proof that our model of subsidies is not bad business Why pay more just to support overpriced Japanese radios? Buy two UV-5R’s and enjoy an affordable and competent radio. How can you go wrong for the price?
Can the BaoFeng UV-5R run on external power like from a cigarette lighter using 12 volts? BTW, I have an HTX-202 Two meter handheld from Radio Shack.