Baofeng UV-82
Source: BAOFENGTECH through Amazon.

Before I even obtained an FCC amateur radio license, I had heard of this tremendous Baofeng radio. Indeed they have become all the rage because of their low cost. The people I know were buying the Baofeng UV-5R mostly because it came per-programmed from their source with what they needed.

I began to work on obtaining a license and ordered the Baofeng UV-82 which was advertised as the upgrade to the UV-5.

When it arrived I immediately studied the features of the radio. It is pretty solid. It is a VHF/UHF radio with an FM radio to boot. It seems to be of solid construction. I have dropped it a couple of times and it still works. Like many other brands, including Baofeng, it can monitor two frequencies.

DISLIKES

The UV-5 has one feature over the UV-82 that I immediately liked. It has a button on the front to switch between VFO and Channel modes. With the UV-82, you have to hold the MENU key and turn the radio on to switch between these modes. This is inconvenient when you are trying to manually program the unit. Once I programmed it with CHIRP, however, I usually stay in Channel mode so it is not a problem.

Another thing that I noticed is that while I can monitor two frequencies, I can only transmit on the B channel. This could be that while I was playing with the manual programming, I set something that might be causing it. I tried making several changes in the CHIRP program, but nothing seems to work.

This unit, like all others from Baofeng, came with an ear piece microphone which allows me to transmit on either channel with dual push-to-talk (PTT) buttons. This was convenient until it started to give me a buzz in the ear. I mean actually shocking me. The unit itself is supplied with a dual PTT button to transmit on either frequency and there are dual PTT microphones available.

The belt clip does not hold well. I usually wind up carrying the unit in a pocket rather than trying to keep the belt clip attached to my belt.

LIKES

I may be a new ham operator, but I know what I like.

The price of Baofeng cannot be ignored and has led to the popularity of the radio. The price is in the budget of any new Ham radio operator. It has dual-power 1 or 4 watt capability—though I have not tested this. I have not tested the range of simplex operation, but it works well with repeaters.

Initially I tried manually programming and through YouTube videos on the UV-5 and other sources, I learned to manually program. When I worked with the CHIRP program, it seemed that I could not get through no matter what I did. I contacted my source, BAOFENGTECH, via email and was surprised at the quick response. Their Tech Support worked with me on several solutions. Ultimately I found that the repeater was not working. Once I got the unit programmed, everything opened up. I learned a lot from my first experience with this radio.

I purchased a microphone/speaker separate from the radio and, eventually, a mobile antenna for the VHF/UHF range. Even with the rubber duckie, I was able to make the repeater and communicate from inside my apartment. It currently serves, mostly, as my base unit until I can upgrade.

I purchased the camouflage version and the pattern is good and the radio seems durable. I take it in the woods when I walk my dog. I get good radio operation, but I am only two-to-five miles from the repeater. In my car with mag-mount antenna, I seem to reach about 13-miles when traveling to Flagstaff. Of course, there are obstructions in-between. Traveling toward Ash Fork I would probably do better. I have reached a repeater in Seligman about 35-miles away when I position just right in Williams, but with a weak but readable signal.

The FM radio is useful, at times. While listening to the radio, a call on VHF/UHF will interrupt the radio function. After a short duration, it will return to FM mode.

The radio also has a flashlight function with a strobe for emergencies.

Many people buy these to use as low-cost scanners. You can program in local first responder frequencies. You do not need a license for this and you can set it up so that it does not accidentally transmit on those frequencies. If a local emergency arises, this could be a good source of information for you.

PROGRAMMING

I was able to learn how to program it and load frequencies into memory in the VFO mode. I practiced this while waiting for my license. Once you get the hang of it, it is easy to do.

I recommend, however, if you plan to use this or any other radio that you get a cable and download the CHIRP program. There are several complaints about the manufacturers program that you can download for your particular unit from Baofeng. I have never tried it, but you can see the reviews online.

One thing to check with the CHIRP program is whether or not your radio is on the list. The information on the CHIRP program can be found HERE. This, of course, means buying a cable.

OVERVIEW

Interestingly my source no longer offers the UV-82, but the UV-5 still sells strong. I have seen two UV-82s offered for the price that I paid for one on Amazon—but in black, not in camouflage. I am so impressed with this radio I am considering purchasing the two as back-ups.

The battery seems to last. I run it all day a couple of days in a row before requiring a re-charge. I turn it off at night for obvious reasons.

The reception on the FM radio is better than other radios I have experienced. There is some static in some of the stations. Of course I did not purchase it to listen to FM radio. In the CHIRP program you can disable it. I have accidentally activated it and the alarm, as well.

Baofeng is popular because of its price with UV-5s running around $30 on average. This unit cost me around $68. I later had to purchase the programming cable for about $15. I added a plug-in microphone/speaker. I obtained two for around $6. Shipping, of course, is additional. I would recommend checking into a belt holster rather than depending on the provided belt clip. I bought a Naoya UT-72 mag-mount auto antenna to be used with another radio that I purchased for around $16.

For about $100, a new ham can get on-the-air with this model. This model rates 4 hams.