SOURCE: BAOFENG TECH

I have ordered from Baofeng Tech on several occasions. Their technical support group is quick to respond via email and they have always helped. They are answering my tech questions on the UV2501 as I write this article.

I purchased this radio for a specific purpose. My hope is to make an emergency field radio. I want to use it as a base unit, as well. I am experimenting with portable power supplies to test the unit. I am trying to put the money together to get a unit with HF as well as UHF/VHF.

I purchased the Nagoya UT-72 mobile antenna with the UV2501. I hope to design a better antenna in the future. The antenna is important, but the UT-72 should serve my test purposes. I used it with good success with my Baofeng hand helds.

I also had to order a new PC04 programming cable because the programming for the Baofeng handhelds have a different connection. I highly recommend getting the appropriate programming cable for whatever Baofeng you purchase because it makes things easier. You should be aware, however, that the CHIRP program does not currently support the BTech UV2501 or UV5001. You will have to download the program from the Baofeng web site.

John Miklor has reviewed both the UV2051 and UV5001. He gives both good reviews.

There are only a few Amazon reviews from users. One stated, “Microphone feels really cheap (in the bad way).” Otherwise the user gives it a good review. One stated that he had problems with the CTCSS function.

As for the microphone and the unit, it feels pretty solid. At this point in the article, I have not plugged it in and tested it. The microphone feels good to me, but bear in mind that I am a rookie Ham operator so I haven’t used a lot of mobile or base equipment.

One thing I did find out is that fuse holder on the power plug says that a 5A/250W fuse is called for. Baofeng provides a 7A/250W fuse. I contacted technical support and they said that it was an engineering change because the UV5001 can sometimes provide up to 60-Watts of power; 10-watts over the advertised rating. Of course my goal is to create an emergency pack that works. Not to drive the unit to its limits. I might do that later when I have spares to play with.

In the next article I will continue with the other equipment required for the project.