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Monday, December 28, 2015

A Product Review, Baofeng UV-82HP

Hello Everybody, Frank here.

This is a product review of the red Baofeng UV-82HP. In this article I'm going to tell you about the radio, my likes and dislikes, a little bit of technical stuff from my perspective, and how I got to this point in life. Ready? Good. But first, some legal stuff. To do this review I was sent the UV-82HP and was told that I could keep it, so there was some compensation, a free radio. Let's understand that upfront. Otherwise I have no affiliation with any product or link mentioned in the post, except that I have bought and used some Baofeng products. 

Now, a friend of mine sent me a link to a radio dealer's site that I was not familiar with. He mentioned that they were looking for people to review radios in exchange for a free radio. He uses this radio as his primary handheld, so he thought that I might be interested also. By the way, he belongs to a group of people that use radios in their activities, and this is 
the one that he recommends to all of his colleagues. He is highly pleased with the UV-82. His is not an HP, but the only difference between the UV-82 and the UV-82HP is the power output. I emailed the company, they had a certain criteria that needed to be met. We did the paperwork game back and forth. The main stipulation was that I would include a link to their website. Here it is: BaofengTech.com  Again, I have no affiliation with this company at all, except the free radio. Now for the review.  


First the negatives. Let's understand that this is not a $200 - $300 radio. The HP version sells for about $60 - $70. The regular model, non-HP, sells for $30 - $40. This is a basic, inexpensive, commercial radio. I found nothing negative about the radio at all. Yes, that is nothing. For it's intended purpose, it does a great job.

Now for the positives. It will do anything that any of the low cost, handheld radios will do. One large positive, the speaker puts out more power, therefore, more volume. This is important if it's windy or you're in a noisy environment. This radio puts out more power, therefore, the transmitted signal goes farther. I could not tell a major difference in 4 watts and 7 watts of power. I have two repeaters that are 20 and 25 miles distant from my house. I could hit both repeaters with 1 watt comfortably, with some white noise, but 4 watts was more than adequate to reach both repeaters with zero background noise. I did not use this radio during a torrential downpour, but I'm more than confident the 7 watts would drive better than the lower wattage.

Not mentioned above, but the transmit button has a built in toggle allowing you to transmit on Band A or Band B. No extra buttons to push, nothing to unlock, just push the top of the toggle and you're on Band A, press the bottom of the toggle and you're on Band B. For my usage, this feature doesn't mean much, but for folks that need immediate contact on two different frequencies, this feature could be a life saver. My buddy mentioned up above, he loves being able to switch between Band A and Band B. So, I would seriously look into this feature if you think you might need quick accessibility. 


So, let's see. Inexpensive, loud speaker, more power, instant access to 2 bands. These are quality features, but there are other features also. Cosmetically, they come in different colors, so if you're fire department, EMT, or S&R types, different colors can come in real handy. It is a semi duplex radio, which means you can hear on Band A or Band B, but not both at the same time. I'll be glad when Baofeng comes out with a full duplex radio. This is the one I'm waiting on.


Now, in my humble opinion, besides all the features mentioned above, the best is the location of the transmit button. It is at the top of the left hand side of the radio. Well, most transmit buttons are on the left hand side of the radio, but not at the top. I have a large hand, I use my radio in my left hand, and I use my thumb to push the transmit button, which means I have to hold the radio farther down toward the bottom. With the transmit button at the very top, not on the top, but at the top of the side, I can hold the radio more comfortably, and more securely. To me this is the biggest asset of the radio for my purpose.


When the radio came to my house, I took off the factory antenna and applied a 2 1/2" stubby, or sometimes called a highly flexible, rubber ducky. Reason being is, we use our radios not just for emergencies, survival or ham radio purposes, we use them for everyday work around the little farm here, which includes birthing animals, moving hay, gardening, chicken house and assorted chores like that. So, I wanted it to function under realistic conditions, which means it got dropped, it got dirty, but it did the job and it worked real well.


It also has a nice little light on top, it will receive FM commercial radio, comes with a belt clip and all the stuff you expect a radio to come with. The manual for the UV82-HP is far superior than the previous Baofeng manuals. That doesn't necessarily make it any easier to hand program, but it does make it a whole lot easier to figure out how to do it. If you're going to program with the computer, you will need the programming cable which is a standard type. My buddy mentioned above, uses the Chirp radio programming system, and finds that more than adequate. For my purposes, I use the RT system, which I bought from the RT folks for this purpose. I like the RT system, I use it for all of my radios. This is not an RT review, but if you want a system that is easy to use, works well and has excellent technical support, check out the RT folks. Now, they do charge for their product, that's the way the free enterprise system works.

Back to the Baofeng UV-82HP. It is a good radio, solid performer, aesthetically pleasing, and well worth the money. I currently use the Baofeng UV5R+, but if I were starting out new, I would seriously consider the UV-82 series. I like the way it fits in my hand. It's like a lot of things, when you pick it up, you want it to feel right.


So there you go, Ladies and Gentlemen, this is my review of the red Baofeng UV-82HP. I would recommend the radio. By the way, a man down the road from me liked the radio, so I gave it to him, along with the RT system, in exchange for a used stainless steel sink to use in our outdoor kitchen. Great trade! Please look at the UV-82HP if you're looking for a good radio. Thank you for your time.

We'll talk more later, Frank

18 comments:

  1. But does it spew harmonics all over the place like its previous models? They are notorious for that... really dirty signals. Thry CAN be heard on the higher freqs.

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    1. I like the radios, they work well, they do the job that we need them for. Our local search and rescue uses them, and our local emergency coordinator has boxes of them. That's what we use, and haven't had the problem you make reference to. Thank you for commenting.

      Frank

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  2. Hey Frank, good review. I am currently using the 5R myself for weather reports only, have yet to take the tests. After the recent(last night/yesterday) storms here in NE Texas, my son wants to get a radio and take the tests as well. How well would the 82hp work with the 5R? I figure you and fern were using the 82 and the 5R as you said you got 1. Keep up the good work and website. I read it everyday.

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    1. Hi, Randy. The 82 and the 5R are very compatible radios. Any VHF or UHF radio within the frequency range will communicate with any other VHF/UHF radio. A commercial radio like these mentioned, will also work for police, fire, public service, GMRS, FRS, MURS. They fall within the frequency range. These are things you will learn as time goes on. Don't be intimidated or afraid to ask questions.

      Go back and read Frank's Radio Communications in the right hand column. Lots of entry level information. If you're going to take your ham test, go ahead and study for the General and the Technician at the same time. Both tests are on the same intellectual level, just a little more data. The study guides on my site are outdated, go to the Romanchik website, download the information for the Technician and General, go to QRZ.com, register, sign in and take the free practice tests. The information about how to get there is also in Frank's Radio Communications. Become affiliated with a local ARRL club, do a Google search for ARRL. Most of the guys there are friendly and helpful. On occasion you'll run across a jerk, just blow it off and find somebody else. Most of the guys are eager to help.

      Take care. Best of luck.

      Frank

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  3. Interesting observations about your new Chinese radio test, Frank. But after reading the article twice, I still don't know what frequencies or user band it is licensed for. And, I believe, transmitting radios do need a type acceptance to be legal for use in the U.S.

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    1. Hi Vern. The UV-82HP, the V stands for VHF, the U stands for UHF, the 82 is the model number and HP means high power. If you will click on the link to their website, they give detailed information about the frequency limits, power and the class of the radio. Hope this helps.

      Frank

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  4. Thanks Frank for the review, I find myself looking for a good radio for my use in Civil Air Patrol as we do S&R and my job is flightline. I will look more into this....Rob

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    1. Hi Rob. Check out Radioddity.com They have lots of inexpensive handheld radios. I primarily use the Baofeng UV5R+. It meets my need. But, like I said in the article, if I was just starting out, I would look at the UV82 also, non-HP model. I just don't need high power for my use. I'm a little bit leary about having extra wattage right next to my head.

      Also check out the RT system, it has some great features, especially the ability to cut and paste. Their site is well done, it has multiple tutorials. If there is an issue, their technical support is first class.

      Thanks for reading, and thanks for the comment.

      Frank

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  5. Thanks for this review. I just ordered one. I had decided not to get my license because I didn't think I could afford the cost of radio and accessories, but this I can afford. Now I will get that license.

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    1. Hello. While you're getting your Technician, go ahead and get your General. On the right hand of this blog, look at Frank's Radio Communications, lots of entry level information. Hope you enjoy your radio. Don't forget the RT system, it's optional, of course.

      73s, Frank

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  6. Hi Frank, thanks for the review.
    Just wondering if you have reviewed the Yeasu FT270R hand held yet? If not and would like to I have a brand new one, never used that I would send to you for a review. Let me know, mike.yukon@yahoo.com

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  7. Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging,
    Juice Newton

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  8. I found your blog from a link to your "the line has been drawn" posting. My wife and I would agree with what you write. We are conservative Bible believing Christians. I almost commented after reading that post. But regarding this post I have some comments and questions.

    I've never owned something like this. I want to get something to use to communicate with my wife and a few other friends that have walkie-talkies if we should lose cell phone use. I would carry it with me and my wife would keep one.

    Part of our planning is that I would make it back home and while she stays at home. I work about 20 miles from home. In your article you say:

    "I have two repeaters that are 20 and 25 miles distant from my house. I could hit both repeaters with 1 watt comfortably, with some white noise, but 4 watts was more than adequate to reach both repeaters with zero background noise."

    I don't know what a repeater is, but I am assuming we would be able to communicate twenty miles. Is that a correct assumption? Your review was helpful and I am thinking about purchasing two of these. Can you talk with other brand walkie-talkies?

    Thanks again for your writing. I appreciate your worldview and take on the times in which we live.

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  9. Cool, thanks for the review. I have been looking for a beginner radio to get me into HAM.
    God Bless and Happy Thanksgiving

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  10. Hello, i just brought 2 of this 82HP. my problem is that the battery life is only 24 or less just at listening and very minor TX.

    Is this normal? i have the battery save mode on "3" but for me is poor battery life.

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  11. Thank you Guys for your review of the UV82HP, im in UK and limited to where i can buy one of these radios, i already have a GT-3TP and love it but want a radio that's bigger and easier to see display , keep up your great work 73s M3BSF

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  12. Almost three years after your review was posted,I bought myself a uv82hp in black for around $28. Its probably the best Baofeng radio for the money at this point,in my humble opinion.

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