BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery

As a “brand new” HAM Operator, I bought the BaoFeng BF-F8HP because BaoFeng Tech (aka Pofung) radios and their accessories were recommended as great “starter” dual band (2M/440 MHz) handheld transceivers (HT) for a new HAM Operator’s “first radio”. BaoFeng HAM radios and accessories cost significantly less than most other Amateur HT radio brands with equivalent dual band (2M/440 MHz) capabilities. The BF-F8HP model can also transmit more power (~8 Watts) than most other brands that transmit the more or less “standard” HT maximum of 5 Watts. How BaoFeng managed to produce almost 8 Watts of power out of such a tiny radio simply amazes me. This 3rd Generation BaoFeng BF-F8HP radio can also be programmed to receive commercial broadcast FM radio stations and National Weather Service (NWS) NOAA All-Weather radio broadcasts (here is an Internet website URL address to find NWS NOAA radio stations in your area - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/coverage/station_listing.html). In addition, FRS and GMRS radio service frequencies can also be programmed into this radio (note - the BF-F8HP radio is not FCC approved to transmit on FRS or GMRS channel frequencies). This radio’s large 2100 mAh rechargeable lithium-Ion battery powers it for many more hours than you would think is possible. Battery use time also depends on how much time is spent transmitting at its 1, 4 or 8 Watt setting with lower transmit power use obviously allowing the battery to last longer. My BF-F8HP factory package came with the radio, the 2100 mAh battery, an optional belt clip, an optional wrist strap, an improved BaoFeng V-85 antenna and a 110v desk battery charger with a wall-wart “plug-in”. A bonus accessory (also in the box) was a handy earpiece speaker/microphone cable that incorporates a tiny microphone with a push to talk (PTT) button and a lapel clip on the cable. I haven’t quite figured out how to install the included foam ear pad on it (it doesn’t seem to have an opening) but this “over the back of the ear” hook design works for me even though I use “in the ear canal” hearing aids. This apparently “bonus” accessory did not show on the box and it wasn’t on the User Manual’s list or pictured under “What’s in the box”. The 78-page User Manual that came with my BF-F8HP radio made it relatively easy for this “new” HAM Operator to learn how to program it for both Simplex and Duplex (i.e., repeater) communications. I would have come up to speed more quickly if I had followed the included BF-F8HP User Manual more carefully. At the bottom of the first page the Manual states “PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USE”. I highly recommend that buyers of this radio follow that instruction step; especially guys like me who typically only read the pages we are interested in reading (erroneously believing that we will be able to “crank up” a new radio and use it more quickly that way). Had I followed the Manual’s advice, I would have more quickly learned how to manually program my BF-F8HP. I also would have avoided some frustration I experienced when I initially attempted to manually program it “incorrectly” using the lower display (only use the UPPER display to manually program this radio!). I would have preferred that the manual was more intuitively sequenced to reduce the need to page-jump back and forth during the learning process. Otherwise, the manual is excellent and will tell you everything you need to know about maximizing the capabilities of this well designed dual band HT radio. If you buy a BF-F8HP radio, I highly recommend that you also buy the optional USB Programming Cable that BaoFeng makes for it (the cable does not come with the radio and must be ordered separately). With that USB cable you can more easily and more quickly program the BF-F8HP radio using a Windows computer. Even though the BF-F8HP manual teaches the manual programming process, using a computer to program this radio makes programming it much faster and easier. The computer programming option also allows a 7-character “Name” to be entered for each channel (for example, personal names for Simplex channels and Repeater locations for Duplex channels). Channel names cannot be programmed into the radio manually but the radio will display the computer-entered Channel names if “Display Mode (A)” and/or the “Display Mode (B)” under “Settings” is changed to “Name”. I set my “Display Mode (A)” to “Name” (the upper display) and kept the lower display “Display Mode (B)” setting at the default setting as “Frequency”. By doing so I can display both if I put the same channel on both displays. If the Channel “Name” is left blank during the computer programming, the channel’s Frequency will display even though the Display Mode for that display is set to “Name”. BoaFeng also sells the software necessary to use the USB Programming Cable but I chose to download the free CHIRP software that is available from Miklor.com. The CHIRP software for the BF-F8HP radio is very easy to download, understand and use. In my “new HAM Operator” opinion, I agree with the recommendations that the BaoFeng BF-F8HP is a great radio to start with for new Amateur Radio Operators. It is also an inexpensive (and more powerful) backup radio option for “old” HAMS that currently only have “standard” 5 Watt HT radios. In addition, the BF-F8HP also seems to be a perfect all-in-one “bug-out” radio package due to its dual band (2M/440 MHz), FM Broadcast, NWS NOAA, FRS/GMRS and emergency services frequency capabilities coupled with its powerful 2100 mAh factory battery and optional 3800 mAh battery. I have thoroughly enjoyed my BF-F8HP so far and I plan to use it with my homemade “Tape Measure” 2M antenna during Fox-Hunts and my general dual band HT radio needs. In my opinion he BF-F8HP radio is well made (my XYL accidentally dropped mine on a hard tile floor with no damage other than the battery released with no damage to it either). The BF-F8HP radio is sold as a complete “ready to go” package as it comes from the factory. There is also a large variety of optional accessories for this radio that greatly extend its utility. I bought two different larger (higher gain) attachable antennas, the larger 3800 mAh battery and additional power options for mine. The attachable 15-inch Nagoya dual band antenna I bought allows me to easily work a 2M Repeater 18 miles away. The larger BaoFeng 3800 mAh lithium-ion battery is about an inch longer than the factory battery and is designed and shaped to fit the radio like a glove. I also bought the BaoFeng 12v cigarette lighter cable that enables “plug-in” vehicle power. If you plan to use the BF-F8HP with dual band vehicle and/or base station antennas, be sure to buy a flexible antenna cable to minimize the physical stress on this small radio’s antenna connector. Antenna cables for the BF-F8HP require a FEMALE SMA connector to attach to the radio and whatever connector fits your vehicle or base station antenna cable on the other end (typically a FEMALE SO-239 connector). I also bought BaoFeng’s handheld microphone and cable so I could use my BF-F8HP in my vehicle without having to hold the radio attached to the antenna cable to transmit while driving. The BaoFeng handheld microphone comes with a lapel clip on the cable which makes it virtually “hands-free” with the BF-F8HP clipped to a belt or attached to the top of a backpack to get the antenna higher in the air. Unfortunately the inexpensive BaoFeng speaker/mic reportedly produced extremely muffled audio on the receive end when I tested it so I will not be using it. I've ordered a codeRED Signal 21-K speaker/mic that cost almost as much as the radio to use instead. Otherwise my “new" HAM experience with the BF-F8HP radio indicates that this dual band HT radio was indeed the perfect choice as my first Amateur Radio “rig” considering its low cost, reliability, expanded frequency options, all-in-one bundle from the factory packaging, higher than standard HT radio power and the large number of less expensive accessories available to enhance its utility. I highly recommend the BF-F8HP for new as well as more experienced HAM Operators.73!

So far so good, my advice to buyers spend the $20 on the correct programming cable. Utilize the CHIRP software and you'll be able to easily program your radio automatically as opposed to manually; it's a HUGE time saver. I'm studying for my Technician's license now so I can get the chance to transmit and make contacts but for now I'm just listening to taffic in my area. Invest in a better handheld antenna(dual-band) and one for your vehicle and you'll have more flexibility and fun with this radio; I purchased the Nagoya NA-771 and a Tram BR-180 respectively.For the new HAM the CHIRP software has access to repeater resources such as "RadioReference.com and RepeaterBook.net". Repeaterbook.net has the most current public accessible repeaters listed in the US. While in CHIRP select the "Radio" tab, then "Import from data source", then select "RepeaterBook". Then a pop up window will appear and you can then select from the state, county, and frequency band. Each repeater out there is setup differently and this is where the programming cable becomes very useful. Once you've selected your inputs you can then select the repeaters you want access to.VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: If you decide to import repeaters from, let's say 2 meters and the 70 cm bands, each time you access these bands for an area they will be listed 1 through however many that's. listed. Once you've imported the repeaters for 2 meters the 70 cm band will list 1 through how many that are listed. There will be a conflict with your memory channels if you utilize the same channel numbers for the 2 bands. So whichever band you decide to program first start with 1 and then annotate the last channel used in that band. Once you start to download the next band begin that sequence with the number after the last one you just programmed(If you stopped at channel 10 on 2 meters start with 11 on 70cm). You do this from the list of available repeaters from the "Import from file" pop up. You will see the following tabs at the top of the page: Inport, To, From, Name, Frequency, and Comment. Start by unchecking all the boxes from the "Import" tab then find the repeater(s) you want and and then double click in the number field of the "To" tab and change the number in sequence starting from the number after the last number saved in your previous frequency band i.e. 10 for 2 meters, so this set for 70 cm will begin with 11 and so on. Once you have changed the numbers to the repeaters you want saved then select the corresponding repeater by selecting it from the "Import" tab(recheck the box). Once you have all the repeaters you want then click "OK" at the bottom of the page. This will then load the repeaters sequentially back to the main page. From here you will then need to secure the programming to your radio and then click on the "Radio" tab at the top of the page then select "Upload To Radio", the software will then prompt you to do a few things with your radio, it basically comes down to you powering on your radio, ensuring your radio is not tuned to an active frequency, and then it asks you to remove the antenna. Once you've completed these tasks click OK or upload. You will see a blue or green light appear on your radio which indicates the information is being uploaded. Once everything has finished loading disconnect the radio cable from the radio ONLY. Reconnect your antenna and select your memory channels by pressing the VFO/MR button on your radio to verify the channels have been saved and then scan or scroll through them to see if you can hear any traffic in your area. Don't be discourage if you don't hear anything right away because ther may not be anyone chatting at that time. But if you have time just hold your scan button until it's start scanning in your memory settings and sit back and wait, you'll hear something soon.Just a few more steps, Go back to CHIRP and save your imported data by selecting "File" at the top left corner of the page and click "Save" if you want to keep the file named as is or click "Save as" and name the file yourself. You are now finished with programming your radio. This may sound like a lot to do but you would have to multiply this process by each repeater you would want to load manually.One more quick note if you want to make any changes afterwards reconnect your radio to the programming cable and your PC, select the "Radio" tab and then select Download from radio and go from there. I hope this helps someone. If you get the programming cable and download the CHIRP software and follow these instructions you will be good to go to in getting started with access to repeaters and listening to traffic. REMEMBER, YOU CANNOT TRANSMIT UNTIL YOU'VE EARN YOUR TEXHNICIAN'S LICENSE. Good luck, I hope this was a help to many.

Rugged and well built. Since I use this radio for security work and wear it attached to my belt and under my shirt, it would be nice if the antenna was shorter. It is very difficult and arduous to program without a "Patch Cord" to connect it to a PC. In the documentation, it appears that programming is only compatible with a PC, not a Mac. That is disappointing. Fortunately one of the members of my team had a PC with the App for offline programming. Still a good unit, well built, and would recommend it. Just be aware of the programming issues.

Update 1/2025 I sent the battery and charger in on warranty and they either replaced one or the other, didn’t say so no idea what was wrong. Just glad the issue was fixed. I had to pay for the shipping to send it in.I bought this in July 2024, the battery had a charge and I messed with it then put on the charger then put away because I needed to get my license to really mess with it. Took it out and reread the manual and it squawked saying low battery, which should have been fully charged. So I put it on the stand with the provided cord and after a few days it's still NOT charged.Contacted the seller/manufacturer and was told I needed to mail the defective parts to them at my cost. BUT since I do not know if it's the battery or charger or cord. I doubt the radio itself as I am assuming it that it doesn't have anything to do with it not charging.However being the type of battery it is and being hazardous material the shipping to return it might cost a pretty penny. I need to check with the Post Office here this week.Beyond frustrated!!!!