3 Pack Ham Radio Handheld (UV-5R) Long Range UHF VHF Dual Band 2-Way Radio with Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Handheld Walkie Talkies Complete Set with Earpiece and Programming Cable (3 Pack)

As a “brand new” HAM Operator, I bought the BaoFeng BF-F8HP because BaoFeng Tech (aka Pofung) radios and their accessories were recommended as great “starter” dual band (2M/440 MHz) handheld transceivers (HT) for a new HAM Operator’s “first radio”. BaoFeng HAM radios and accessories cost significantly less than most other Amateur HT radio brands with equivalent dual band (2M/440 MHz) capabilities. The BF-F8HP model can also transmit more power (~8 Watts) than most other brands that transmit the more or less “standard” HT maximum of 5 Watts. How BaoFeng managed to produce almost 8 Watts of power out of such a tiny radio simply amazes me.This 3rd Generation BaoFeng BF-F8HP radio can also be programmed to receive commercial broadcast FM radio stations and National Weather Service (NWS) NOAA All-Weather radio broadcasts (here is an Internet website URL address to find NWS NOAA radio stations in your area - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/coverage/station_listing.html). In addition, FRS and GMRS radio service frequencies can also be programmed into this radio (note - the BF-F8HP radio is not FCC approved to transmit on FRS or GMRS channel frequencies).This radio’s large 2100 mAh rechargeable lithium-Ion battery powers it for many more hours than you would think is possible. Battery use time also depends on how much time is spent transmitting at its 1, 4 or 8 Watt setting with lower transmit power use obviously allowing the battery to last longer. My BF-F8HP factory package came with the radio, the 2100 mAh battery, an optional belt clip, an optional wrist strap, an improved BaoFeng V-85 antenna and a 110v desk battery charger with a wall-wart “plug-in”. A bonus accessory (also in the box) was a handy earpiece speaker/microphone cable that incorporates a tiny microphone with a push to talk (PTT) button and a lapel clip on the cable. I haven’t quite figured out how to install the included foam ear pad on it (it doesn’t seem to have an opening) but this “over the back of the ear” hook design works for me even though I use “in the ear canal” hearing aids. This apparently “bonus” accessory did not show on the box and it wasn’t on the User Manual’s list or pictured under “What’s in the box”.The 78-page User Manual that came with my BF-F8HP radio made it relatively easy for this “new” HAM Operator to learn how to program it for both Simplex and Duplex (i.e., repeater) communications. I would have come up to speed more quickly if I had followed the included BF-F8HP User Manual more carefully. At the bottom of the first page the Manual states “PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USE”. I highly recommend that buyers of this radio follow that instruction step; especially guys like me who typically only read the pages we are interested in reading (erroneously believing that we will be able to “crank up” a new radio and use it more quickly that way). Had I followed the Manual’s advice, I would have more quickly learned how to manually program my BF-F8HP. I also would have avoided some frustration I experienced when I initially attempted to manually program it “incorrectly” using the lower display (only use the UPPER display to manually program this radio!). I would have preferred that the manual was more intuitively sequenced to reduce the need to page-jump back and forth during the learning process. Otherwise, the manual is excellent and will tell you everything you need to know about maximizing the capabilities of this well-designed dual band HT radio.If you buy a BF-F8HP radio, I highly recommend that you also buy the optional USB Programming Cable that BaoFeng makes for it (the cable does not come with the radio and must be ordered separately). With that USB cable you can more easily and more quickly program the BF-F8HP radio using a Windows computer. Even though the BF-F8HP manual teaches the manual programming process, using a computer to program this radio makes programming it much faster and easier. The computer programming option also allows a 7-character “Name” to be entered for each channel (for example, personal names for Simplex channels and Repeater locations for Duplex channels). Channel names cannot be programmed into the radio manually, but the radio will display the computer-entered Channel names if “Display Mode (A)” and/or the “Display Mode (B)” under “Settings” is changed to “Name”. I set my “Display Mode (A)” to “Name” (the upper display) and kept the lower display “Display Mode (B)” setting at the default setting as “Frequency”. By doing so I can display both if I put the same channel on both displays. If the Channel “Name” is left blank during the computer programming, the channel’s Frequency will display even though the Display Mode for that display is set to “Name”. BoaFeng also sells the software necessary to use the USB Programming Cable but I chose to download the free CHIRP software that is available from Miklor.com. The CHIRP software for the BF-F8HP radio is very easy to download, understand and use. In my “new HAM Operator” opinion, I agree with the recommendations that the BaoFeng BF-F8HP is a great radio to start with for new Amateur Radio Operators.It is also an inexpensive (and more powerful) backup radio option for “old” HAMS that currently only have “standard” 5 Watt HT radios. In addition, the BF-F8HP also seems to be a perfect all-in-one “bug-out” radio package due to its dual band (2M/440 MHz), FM Broadcast, NWS NOAA, FRS/GMRS and emergency services frequency capabilities coupled with its powerful 2100 mAh factory battery and optional 3800 mAh battery. I have thoroughly enjoyed my BF-F8HP so far and I plan to use it with my homemade “Tape Measure” 2M antenna during Fox-Hunts and my general dual band HT radio needs. In my opinion he BF-F8HP radio is well made (my XYL accidentally dropped mine on a hard tile floor with no damage other than the battery released with no damage to it either).The BF-F8HP radio is sold as a complete “ready to go” package as it comes from the factory. There is also a large variety of optional accessories for this radio that greatly extend its utility. I bought two different larger (higher gain) attachable antennas, the larger 3800 mAh battery and additional power options for mine. The attachable 15-inch Nagoya dual band antenna I bought allows me to easily work a 2M Repeater 18 miles away. The larger BaoFeng 3800 mAh lithium-ion battery is about an inch longer than the factory battery and is designed and shaped to fit the radio like a glove. I also bought the BaoFeng 12v cigarette lighter cable that enables “plug-in” vehicle power. If you plan to use the BF-F8HP with dual band vehicle and/or base station antennas, be sure to buy a flexible antenna cable to minimize the physical stress on this small radio’s antenna connector.Antenna cables for the BF-F8HP require a FEMALE SMA connector to attach to the radio and whatever connector fits your vehicle or base station antenna cable on the other end (typically a FEMALE SO-239 connector). I also bought BaoFeng’s handheld microphone and cable so I could use my BF-F8HP in my vehicle without having to hold the radio attached to the antenna cable to transmit while driving. The BaoFeng handheld microphone comes with a lapel clip on the cable which makes it virtually “hands-free” with the BF-F8HP clipped to a belt or attached to the top of a backpack to get the antenna higher in the air.Unfortunately, the inexpensive BaoFeng speaker/mic reportedly produced extremely muffled audio on the receive end when I tested it so I will not be using it. I've ordered a codeRED Signal 21-K speaker/mic that cost almost as much as the radio to use instead. Otherwise, my “new" HAM experience with the BF-F8HP radio indicates that this dual band HT radio was indeed the perfect choice as my first Amateur Radio “rig” considering its low cost, reliability, expanded frequency options, all-in-one bundle from the factory packaging, higher than standard HT radio power and the large number of less expensive accessories available to enhance its utility. I highly recommend the BF-F8HP for new as well as more experienced HAM Operators.73!

Why did you pick this product vs others?:The reviews Range:Awesome Reception:Great

Ammended 01Jan21:-----------------------Okay, got the replacement and all of that was as expected, excellent service from Amazon and etc.However, this one was packeaged differenetly, fully relabled some other Baofeng "dba" with labels litterally one pasted over the other. I have no problem with that, BTech, Greaval, Baofeng, Profung, etc. -- I don't get it, but not my issue. However, in this one, again, the box, as shipped took a hard shot on it's end corner where the Radio sits and accordion-ed in a bit; the plastic tray the radio sits in was buggered, but otherwise all "looked" okay.-- However, the Mic, again, not working. This time the button appeared okay, just not working. It keyed up the radio when installed the plug end, "transmitted", until seated, then -- nothing, no speaker, no mic.Also, in trying all the buttons and switches I noticed the likely to be "heavily" used Up [^] arrow didn't work all the time. It took several pushes and hard to activate. The Down [v] was fine, crisp and immediate.So, when I went to return this one - prepared to try yet again, or apply the credit on Amazon to immediately apply then to a replacement, -- nope; return only and refund to the original payment method. I am perfectly fine with it that way. And, I believe I am allowing allot of room for issues, "bad luck" of the draw in a mass produced item; but, it's New and not really any less expensive than any other model, -- just came with all the accessories (which do look less than the radio, so sketchy in a bundle like this, in my opinion).I am not sure how much the +3 Watts up from 5 W this 8 W effectively is in terms of value or "need" to have. As I am digging in deeper every day, -- it may not be a 63% increase in transmit power more than bandwidth and a noisy signal. (8 W from 5 W is 63%) I get the difference.Now the 5 W versions are even more attractive to buy and could have two for the price of this and yet none of the accessories that may not be used, or functional as expected.So, as "new" to this, - it's allot to navigate and just note my process and context of review. If I was (and will be) a FCC Lic'd operator and could fully test it and compare with experience to gage, I'd be detailing that.For a "Prepper", it looks like this or the 10 Meter may be the ones or 1 of Each to have if using for Emergency Prep Communications for a "Katrina" or "911" event where all com sys are off line.I hope that helps someone.=======================Initial review/comment:New to UHF/VHF in this context, but not "new", generally speaking, - it appears as good value.It's hard to determine if purchased separately, - if same quality at non-bundle price how great a value; nonetheless it reasonably appears as a good way to go as a first purchase in this period of time.The OEM box took a solid "shot", with accordion folded end, - then packed and arrived in the outer box pristine, -- however, it made look close at the contents, like a "puppy with a coconut" for all I knew I was looking at. And, as luck would have it, the "Handset" mic that plugs in, looked very lightweight/cheap and sure enough, the "Button" was broken. So, all must have slammed against that. Otherwise, I would not have known, -- definitely not going to "PTT", key up.- Otherwise, it all looks like reasonably good quality, generally speaking.I have no way to check the spec/ratings, - but there seems to be plenty of folks who have already.So, I used the usual great service from Amazon to do an Exchange and will likely get the replacement today.When I progress, if I have anything significant to add, I will. However, again, - it seems there are plenty of highly proficient folks who've vetted this all out as well as it can be engaged. (Yes, I am proceeding with the Technician FCC Lic., and too as a "preparer", nevertheless, exploring the HF, and etc., SSB's as allowed, freebands, - since there are so many frequencies to then get lost within, there needs to be a Base of "base" initial call/contact frequencies with TSHTF stuff. For me, the only reason to engage this. But, who knows, once Licensed, there does seem to be allot to do otherwise, -- again.)