WRUI917 Posted September 3, 2022 Report Share Posted September 3, 2022 I know it’s technically a ham radio, but am wondering if anyone has any experience with it.. is it better quality than the BF-H8/BF-9G? I have tried both of those and they seem to have some weird behaviors like being unable to tone scan.. and intermittently crappy reception that magically improves if you press the menu button. The intention would be to use it for GMRS primarily.. I can’t justify spending $150+ on an wouxon HT when I can get their compact 20w mobile product for like $190 (likely my next purchase) and prefer the more feature rich models. FreqieRadio 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted September 3, 2022 Report Share Posted September 3, 2022 I don't own this model, but your question inspired me to research a little. It seems this radio is functionally the same as the prior version BF-H5, which I found a good deal on the big website, so I think I will be purchasing one. Thank you for the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelLAX Posted September 3, 2022 Report Share Posted September 3, 2022 11 hours ago, WRUI917 said: I can’t justify spending $150+ on an wouxon HT when I can get their compact 20w mobile product for like $190 (likely my next purchase) and prefer the more feature rich models. Have you looked at the $99-$109 20 watt mini-mobile Radioddity DB20-G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV GMRS radio that opens to 2 meters, 70 cms and MURS? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted September 3, 2022 Report Share Posted September 3, 2022 2 hours ago, MichaelLAX said: Have you looked at the $99-$109 20 watt mini-mobile Radioddity DB20-G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV GMRS radio that opens to 2 meters, 70 cms and MURS? I have the Retevis RA25 version of this, and I really like it. I paired it with Nagoya UT-72G, since I mostly bought it for GMRS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelLAX Posted September 4, 2022 Report Share Posted September 4, 2022 Good choice, although having played with the Retevis CPS software, it is not interchangeable with the Radioddity or Anytone CodePlug, so I generally do not recommend the Retevis version. For Example, I have posted the Codeplug on the PAPA System for the Radioddity and/or Anytone versions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUI917 Posted September 4, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2022 Thanks for the feedback, it just arrived yesterday and I’m really impressed. The build quality and functionality is night and day from the other baofengs I mentioned. I’m hitting a repeater from about 20 miles away through thick woods and suburbs with the help of a na- 771G and a little elevation with my office being on the second story of my home and my area being very flat (note the authentic 771G is outperforming the 15.6 inch 771 clone that came with it for GMRS when I compare the two). I can believe this thing only cost $50. I have the UT72-G on my truck and it’s a lot better reception compared to using the 771G on mobile. I have not done any tests on actual wattage or SWR but compared to the other Baofengs on the same antenna it’s shooting a stronger signal with clearer transmission. don’t sleep on this radio.. it’s not like other HTs. only downside I’m seeing so far is that I don’t love the buttons (they seem a little firm, but will hopefully loosen up) and the battery (2200 mah) does seem to be consumed quickly when transmitting. That said I don’t have a good frame of reference compared to other HTs (seems like you would get about 3-5hrs transmitting on high) but keep in mind at this price you get two batteries. Note: I’m using the chirp like programming software from the baofeng.co.uk site made for the exact model and it works really well with the added benefit of teaching you Chinese through the menus -- I now know the symbols for “get phone data” and “write to phone” WRUK711 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted September 5, 2022 Report Share Posted September 5, 2022 20 hours ago, WRUI917 said: it just arrived yesterday and I’m really impressed Which model? The BF-H6? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUI917 Posted September 7, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2022 Yes sir, and man I’m really impressed with it! Not like the other baofengs quality is a lot better and the range I’m getting Is notably better than what I was getting from the H8 and 9G models for the same location with the same Nagoya 771g. the value of this thing for $50 with programming cables, spare battery and accessories is Insane. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 I got my orange BF-H5 for $33, but is was only the radio and charger. I do think the sound quality is good. In fact, I may order another. Any idea what the power on GMRS frequencies may help? I doubt it is ten watts, but maybe six or seven? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelLAX Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 So this is like the TYT-88UV but has 10 watts?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KAF6045 Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 I might be concerned that a 10W HT could be getting close to, if no already, exceeding RF exposure limits... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRUI917 Posted September 13, 2022 Author Report Share Posted September 13, 2022 from what I have seen from tests online it seems to get around 8 watts as a true output on GMRS frequencies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreqieRadio Posted December 15, 2022 Report Share Posted December 15, 2022 Does it transmit out of band in order to use it on Gmrs freqs? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
back4more70 Posted December 17, 2022 Report Share Posted December 17, 2022 On 12/15/2022 at 12:57 PM, FreqieRadio said: Does it transmit out of band in order to use it on Gmrs freqs? I have the BF-H5 which is essentially the same radio, and the H5 transmits HAM, MURS and GMRS. FreqieRadio 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreqieRadio Posted December 23, 2022 Report Share Posted December 23, 2022 On 12/17/2022 at 3:55 PM, back4more70 said: I have the BF-H5 which is essentially the same radio, and the H5 transmits HAM, MURS and GMRS. I just got the H6. Way better than my 5g and my bf-f8HP. I had some trouble programming. I needed to use the tidradio version. Other than that, fantastic cheap radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bande1 Posted December 25, 2022 Report Share Posted December 25, 2022 On 12/23/2022 at 7:32 AM, FreqieRadio said: I just got the H6. Way better than my 5g and my bf-f8HP. I had some trouble programming. I needed to use the tidradio version. Other than that, fantastic cheap radio. You can also use radioddity GA-510 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreqieRadio Posted December 27, 2022 Report Share Posted December 27, 2022 I use that on chirp. Exactly. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRVL956 Posted December 28, 2022 Report Share Posted December 28, 2022 Just wanted to chime in and say that the tone scanning feature is super cool but only works in VFO mode. Same thing with modifying tone frequencies and splits. A little annoying to have to switch back to VFO and change settings then resave to memory, but other than that it is very nice radio. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreqieRadio Posted February 15 Report Share Posted February 15 On 9/3/2022 at 4:05 AM, WRUI917 said: I know it’s technically a ham radio, but am wondering if anyone has any experience with it.. is it better quality than the BF-H8/BF-9G? I have tried both of those and they seem to have some weird behaviors like being unable to tone scan.. and intermittently crappy reception that magically improves if you press the menu button. The intention would be to use it for GMRS primarily.. I can’t justify spending $150+ on an wouxon HT when I can get their compact 20w mobile product for like $190 (likely my next purchase) and prefer the more feature rich models. This was my first high power ht. The only one I like better is the H8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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