Baofeng BF-F9+ V2
Source: FOSCAM
I admit that I find Baofeng models very confusing. I recently ordered the BF-F9+ V2 through Amazon. I thought I was ordering through BAOFENGTECH, but found I was ordering from FOSCAM—a camera company. Such is Amazon. When I look up the images, however, the model I received looked more like the Baofeng UV-5R+.

Still it had 1, 4 and 8-watt advertised capability. The UV-5R+ has only 1 and 4-watt power. I was familiar with how to program it already, so I was ready to go.

When I received the unit, I eagerly opened it up and set it up to charge. While it charged, I dug into the manual which was much better than the manual for the UV-82. It could be that I understand more of the terms and specifications than I did when I ordered the UV-82. The 3800mAh battery took longer to charge than I am used to, but that was expected.

Once charged I picked up the radio to try it out. The battery remained in the charger. I tried a number of ways, but I could not get the battery mechanism to latch.

DISLIKES

The color. I ordered the camouflage model, but the camouflage was a bright green instead of the dull color of my UV-82.

When I removed the screws for the belt clip, they felt wrong. I realized that I was working with a cheap aluminum casing. After installing the belt clip, one of the screws ripped out.

LIKES

I must say that FOSCAM has a good customer service program and immediately took care of the problem. That, unfortunately, meant sending it back. I was disappointed that I had to send this one back.

The radio had a good feel in my hands. I had the CHIRP program ready so I programmed it quickly. The radio seemed to work as advertised although it did not give me much better performance in my apartment than my UV-82. This could be because of the antenna.

This unit had the VFO button on the front to switch between Frequency and Channel mode. This is a desirable feature over the UV-82.

OVERVIEW

The radio seems to work as advertised. The disappointment was the manufacturing defects. I probably could have—I was strongly thinking of—modifying the battery to lock into place. This, of course, would have voided any warranty. I don’t know if a different battery would have worked.

To try to re-secure the belt clip would have been an different matter altogether.

I recommend new Ham operators avoid this Baofeng model. It appears that quality control is lacking at the manufacturer.