Baofeng 5rm ar-5rm difference?

[LeeBo]

15 hours ago, WSEK643 said:

which chirp cable are you using for the ar-5rm? can't find much info it.

Amazon.com: BTECH PC03 FTDI Universal Plug & Play USB Programming Cable, Baofeng, Kenwood Radios - Compatible with UV-5R, BF-F8HP, GMRS-V2, UV-82HP & More - Easy Setup, No Driver Needed : Electronics

[WSEK643]

Thanks I appreciate the info.

[LeeBo]

10 hours ago, WSEK643 said:

Thanks I appreciate the info.

I'm using that same cable on Baofeng (2 models), TID Radio (2 models) and an Explorer QRZ-1.  Works just fine.

[Guest Jim]

On 7/31/2024 at 10:34 AM, Guest UV-5RM question said:

Question about the UV-5RM radio, does it allow for GMRS transmition?

I have been looking and can't figure out if it is GMRS and HAM?  Need help    I am trying to decide which would be the best choice for my first GMRS/HAM radio

 

I appreciate each and every recommendation.

The GMRS locked versions usually hav a little round sticker in the battery compartment that says GMRS on it.  That's the easy visual way to tell them apart.

 

If you want to only transmit on GMRS channels & be legal, get the locked GMRS radio.  If you want to transmit on other channels, get a ham radio & a ham license.

[Crabby]

The AR-5RM is a mean black radio that no one needs for hunting or self-defense.  The founding fathers could not foresee this dangerous radio being developed when they spoke of the right to bear AR-5RMs.  You may be a law-abiding citizen with outstanding morals, but these items should be controlled so only criminals can have one.  

Crap, I was wearing the wrong hat when I read and posted. (Takes off NRA hat and puts on radio nerd hat).

I like my AR-5RM.  I just got one (well two) and I have been sitting around learning how to program it with Chirp and listening to local amateur repeaters.  Sitting for my tech licenses on the 9th.  Can't wait to hit the transmit button.

My only complaint would be that Boofwang needs to change the color of the menu letters.  It is fine to read indoors, but not outside in sunlight.  They need white letters. 

[Guest Newly licensed for GMRS]

So the original question was about 5RM vs AR-5RM.  Here is my experience. Only the AR-5RM is fully unlocked.

I’ve bought two batches of AR-5RM over a couple of months, and they were fully unlocked.

That said, if you are reading this years later, that may change.  Like the UV-5R and several other Baofeng radios, the FCC has required the newer versions to be locked. I’m not sure why the AR-5RM is out of the box unlocked, but I consider it a blessing to have found it.

My suggestion is to buy from Amazon, because you get a 30-day no matter what return option.

I would also suggest that you buy (or find a friend with one) one of those $40 power SWR meters you can find also on Amazon. 

The one I bought was a SW-33 Plus.  This way you can test forward power and reverse power (SWR) on each frequency.  It is the best way to verify that your radio is unlocked. It is also a good tool for finding bad antennas. 

Since we are on myGMRS, I wonder if the main reason you want an HT is for GMRS, then you may want a locked GMRS radio from Baofeng.  I don’t know all the models, but they do have a “G” in the model number. The reason I suggest this is that these radios don’t require complex programming.  

If you want to use an AR-5RM on GMRS, you will need to program it, and not all the programming software is user friendly.

If you are able (or have a friend who is able) to manage all the programming (cables and software) issues, then I recommend the AR-5RM.