Your First (Ham) Amateur Radio - Should You Buy A Cheap Baofeng Handheld Walkie Talkie?

Your First (Ham) Amateur Radio - Should You Buy A Cheap Baofeng Handheld Walkie Talkie? That's the question.

A lot of people don't like these radios as they claim they are poor quality, transmit spurious signals outside of the amateur bands and have a really bad receive which gets overloaded easily when near a strong source of RF.

In this video I offer my opinion of this ultra cheap, entry level radio and its fit for purpose in amateur radio not just for the new-to-radio enthusiast but all operators in general.

#Baofeng # Handy #Walkietalkie #uv5r #amateurradio #hamradio #vhf #Yaesu #Flex6300 #SSDR #SmartSDR #uk #M0XMX #uhf

[rtfdroney]

Sorry Mike, i love your videos but you should really get rid of the music..

[craigbaldwin]

What the best anntna for baofeng uv9r plus

[jamiew]

Ive just bought a baofeng 10W radio, can anyone help me with the little adaptor that mike talks about to put the better antenna on? what one do i need??

[luc]

As a newly licensed ham who's done his homework I advise against Baofengs.
They have spurious emissions, emit out of band, no ham should use them. Also they have rubbish antennas.
Once you've paid £30 for the radio, £15-20 for an antenna you're awfully close to the £60-ish Yaesu FT-4XE which is a great radio out of the box.
Imho you should redo this video..

[JamesDC]

Could I also apply this to getting a radio just for listening and practicing on with NO PTT? I'm curious about the hobby and trying to learn.

[theoldhobbit]

I have two main handies and one that is in my grab box. Two are Baofeng's and the other is my Yaesu VX-6 and its my Baofeng GT3-TP that I use most. If I'm honest, yes I have had a UV5R that was totally useless on TX in that the quality of audio was so quiet no one could hear me, but otherwise I have not had any problems with them. Is it a good radio for a beginner and is it value for money, absolutely. Thank you for sharing.

[markgjvy]

Like the graphics with the presentation running behind you in this video Mike - Nice work 👏👏

[EiiP]

I'd never buy a handheld as a first radio, no point due to activity, just get a second hand shack in a box, 857, 706, 7100...

[davidweatherill]

I just wondered what your Baofeng of choice is Mike? They seem to do more models than Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood combined!

[dafyddr]

Great video Mike. My first was a Baofeng GT-3TP. Qualified last year (Foundation) and never looked back. Definitely agree with the Antenna's though I use Retevis & Nagoya NA-771. Stay Safe. M6ULU

[rosscopeeco]

Which model should we go for as a first HAM?

ALSO, please can you reconsider the use over music over your videos, it makes it very hard to watch. Imagine being in school and the teacher plays annoying music slightly louder than they are speaking. You will struggle to pay attention

[halosrusty]

I’m a bit confused, so these cannot be used without a licence even as a standard walkie talkie between 2 people say whilst out hiking? I do plan on getting a licence but I cannot guarantee on getting it before I plan on going camping.

[discomikeyboy]

Regarding a licence, does anyone know if holding an RYA VHF certificate and/or a GMDSS General Operator's Certificate are legal for use on land? Or am I still breaking the law unless I get a Ham license?

[simonj]

Don't forget that you can now join RSGB affiliated online clubs now, like www.oarc.uk who use discord/zoom as their main tool for interaction.

[beneomr]

Mike.Great video, however the audio quality was a little poor on this one and yes the music is a definite no no. Overall though keep them coming.

[DrHWO]

Great content, shame about the audio. Maybe its my old ears and maybe the music degraded the quality of the sound. Either way, my preference is clear speech. Thanks Mike, 73. 2E0HWO

[nicolaspike]

Please ditch the music. What is the huge "studio mic" all about?

[DavidUnderhill]

Title should be:
Should I learn how to pronounce BAOFENG!