BaoFeng UV-5RA, UV-B5, UV-82, and Yaesu VX-6R Comparison
A few thoughts about each radio:
The
UV-5RA is still my favorite among the BaoFeng’s.
I think it’s the most versatile, it has 2.5KHz steps, a small size,
lots of accessories, FCC part 90 certified (so this can be used on
Business Bands with an FCC license). My main complaint with this (and
all BaoFeng’s) is the slow scan and difficulty programming by hand.
(As far as I can tell the UV-5RA, UV-5RB, UV-5RE, UV-5R, BF-F8+,
UV-5R+, etc. are the same radio other than minor cosmetic and firmware
differences).
The
UV-B5 is the best radio I’ve seen from BaoFeng.
If I could only have one radio and only had $30 this is probably what
I’d get. It is shaped perfect and easy to hold. This has the best
receiver of the BaoFengs. I tested the receivers by transmitting
slightly off frequency and it would open up the other two BaoFengs but
the UV-B5 would still stay quiet. Also, there have been several times
the UV-B5 will pickup a weak signal the other two BaoFeng’s didn’t.
Scanning is also faster than the UV-5RA and UV-82. The channel encoder
knob makes changing channels or settings so much faster! Also this is
the only radio that allows you to operate in VFO mode on one display
and memory mode on the other. It’s only shortcomings are that it’s not
FCC certified so it can’t be used on business bands, and the channel
steps don’t go to 2.5KHz (which really is not a big deal, I don’t think
I’ve need to be that precise for awhile). If it was FCC certified it
would take the place of my favorite from the UV-5RA. (Note:
UV-B6 is just like the UV-B5, except the 6 has a flashlight instead of the channel encoder knob).
