Baofeng Radio UV-5R MK4 8W Extended Ham Radio Handheld Starter Kit VHF/UHF 144-148/420-450 MHz with 3800 mAh Battery, Handheld Mic, Baofeng Programming Cable and Software for Walkie Talkies

I am writing this as purely a listener as I work on getting my radio license. This review is based solely on using it without transmitting.This UV-5R kit was purchased as a Lightning Deal for about $50. Even at the regular price of about $70 it appears to be a good bargain. When it arrived it was a bundle of shrink-wrapped individual boxes with a sticker informing that it was sold as a kit. I'll take this moment to say that we need to limit plastic packaging as much as possible (or eliminate it entirely) because that wrap goes immediately into the trash.The kit comes with several components including a charger, large primary battery, smaller backup battery, external microphone, programming cable, and another which appears to be for plugging into external speakers. There are also requisite manuals.The UV-5R radio is extremely popular with plenty of other reviews. First impressions are pretty good. The radio feels solid and decently made. The casing lines up, no gaps around plugs, switches do not wiggle, etc.. It is plastic, however, and probably would not survive too large a fall versus some of the other industrialized equipment I have. All said, no faults with the workmanship.Using the device is also pretty simple. I did a Google search for popular channels (NOAA, EMT, etc.) and was able to tune them in pertty easily. Programming these into the unit was also easy enough *once I found a YouTube video that explained the process*. I had some difficulty following the instructions (I'm old and slow) but the videos got me through it.Now for programming: From a CentOS Linux laptop, I downloaded the CHIRP software. With the USB programming cable attached and specifying the correct USB port, I was able to see the device. After reading the configuration then saving, I was then able to program it with a bunch of other useful channels. This was probably the hardest (and ultimately easiest) way to program the device. Harder because of locating the software, but easier because once installed and some tinkering with settings, it was so much faster than manual programming.Other thoughts: Battery life is very good so far, even using the smaller battery. It was on for over a day listening and still seemed fully charged. Sound was very clear for the NOAA and weather service channels.

I've been a Ham/amateur for many years, using a number of different handheld and mobile radios--Yaesu, Kenwood, Motorola, etc. I thought I'd finally give BaoFeng a try, figuring at the least it'll be a good backup/go-bag HT. Really nice kit and while I wasn't expecting Yaesu quality I will say that I'm really impressed with this handheld--at a fraction of the cost! Manually programmed a few 2m simplex and repeater channels and all works great. The 3800 mAh battery is very welcome. I have the programming s/w link from Mirkit (fast response) and will give that a try. I'm going to order a couple more of these kits to keep in the car and in my emergency bag. I know Chinese manufacturers are masters of producing inexpensive electronics, and you don't give up much with this radio compared to higher-end handhelds, IMO.

I love the radios.. They are affordable but if you don't know much about Ham Radio or walkie-talkies in general.. You may wind up sending them back.. Because of the programming.. It would be nice if Mirkit could pre-program these radios based on the location of the purchaser at thier request.. Or develop a software program that specifically programs the radio.. I know about Chirp and other software but the other programming nessesities escape me! So I'm not sure if I'm going to keep them.. I just don't know the lingo.. And yes I need them to be ready out of the box!! Don't mind paying for it either.. Send me a CD to program these radios.. Thank you

The only downside is. The range is not great. But I knew that going in. Make sure you unlock the radio when you get it.

The radio works fine. Some points that are a little aggravating: When in the scan mode and you lock the keyboard it will stop scanning and you cannot turn the scan function back on. The programing cable that came with the radio will only work when I put a rubber band around the radio to hold it in, although this seems to be getting better, it may be something on the plug. The plug for the mike and earpiece work fine. When programing the radio using CHIRP, you have to use the BF-F8HP radio it you want to include medium power setting in your programing. The UV-5R setting doesn’t have medium available. The manual that came with the radio is very small and hard to read so I downloaded the BF-F8HP Manual from the Boafengtech website. It’s essentially the same radio and the manual is easier to read. I am waiting a testing session to come up to get my license again. I let it expire in 1998. I took it to a friend and he hit a repeater that is probably 30 some miles from his house. We were on his deck that’s probably 20 feet or so up. It hit the repeater on 5 and 8 watts. I have a Nagoya NA-771 on it now so I might get a little better reception. Something that you have to watch out for; the radio is very unstable standing up, a lady bug flying at high speed could knock it over especially with the longer antenna. All in all I am pleased with what I got. As soon as I get licensed again I’ll give it a good work out. I’m also going to fire up my FT-101ZD HF and get back on HF.

Not included are programing cable and handset...sent back for credit.

I purchased this radio as a communication source while on search and rescue missions. I chose this kit because of the price and included options.I needed a radio I could program several channels into as we use different repeaters for different areas in the county.Our search and rescue group is also a volunteer part to our local city & county emergency management department. Depending on the call to duty, I needed a reliable radio to communicate with city & county law enforcement. Several other members of the group use this brand of radio so that’s why I chose it.I do wish however that the external mic that came in the kit had a plug in for an earpiece.More information on how to program the radio and a more detailed owners manual would be helpful as well.