BAOFENG BF-F8HP PRO (UV-5R 7th Gen) 8W Tri Band Two-Way Radio - VHF/1.25M/UHF, IP54, 1000 Channels, GPS, Aviation Band Scanner, NOAA Weather Mode, USB-C Rechargeable Battery

From what I read online, this is basically a UV-5RM/K5 Plus that gets built in a separate line, with extra quality control by BTECH and actual fine tuning and individual testing of each radio unlike a regular baofeng. That and a custom firmware designed in the US that can be upgraded with new features and fixes. The case plastic does seem a bit different and higher quality than my other radios. It does seem to receive a touch better than my other ~6 bf radios I have, and the squelch is actually effective. The firmware *on the radio* is fantastic. Being able to group channels into zones and then do some specific scanning is super helpful. You can set it to show zone, channel#, frequency, and CH name all at the same time (awesome). So it's basically a baofeng with firmware that makes sense and the common issues fixed. It does seem to relieve and transmit better and smoother than my others. Things like the S-meter actually work bs pegging out at max for every signal, stuff like that.They have already pushed an update to this radio and it hasn't even been out a few weeks. Updating through CPS is easy. Chirp has no way to rename/organize zones at this time, and the CPS software won't let you cut and paste into it from CHIRP either, which is a huge bummer (I'm sure this will be fixed eventually). Currently, I make a channel list in CHIRP, upload to radio, then open CPS and organize them into zones. Annoying because I have to redo my zones each time, but again I'm sure that will get fixed down the road, and really there might be an easier way to do it, but I haven't found it yet. I would also like to see them add a front panel/sk1/sk1 shortcut to switch zones instead of menu based (hit menu 3 times will let you switch zones currently, which is pretty fast as is). I think it's priced a tad high, but for the performance, the ongoing updates, the nicer firmware, it's pretty decent deal for what you get and is my nicest radio to date.

I have a couple of Baofeng radios, so when I saw this B-Tech (supposedly a different line at the Baofeng factory that manufactures their high-end versions of the Baofeng radios) I had to order it. The screen is nice and clear and easy to read. This has become an every day carry radio for me due to it's ease of operation, excellent range and super sound quality. Easy to program using Chirp or the BF-Tech Pro CPS software (if you want to take advantage of using the different zones, you must use the CPS software). 10 Zones with up to 100 channels/zone make this a very versatile radio that allows easy organization of your channels. Being a tri-band radio, the 1.25M band is a nice addition. While not that popular in my area yet, you may also consider that an asset! Also, being able to listen to AM frequencies starting at 108Mhz is a nice touch and allows me to listen to my local airport traffic.While this isn't an Icom or Yaesu or Kenwood, it is a reasonably priced radio that packs a lot of features into a nice compact HT. Works well with both of the included antennas (one is for the 1.25M bands) and being able to charge via USB-C is also a nice feature. The speaker is quite loud and sounds pretty clear even when cranked up a bit. Also, this radio has FCC Certification which means no more spurious emissions like some of their previous models.I would recommend this HT if you want a decent radio at a decent price! I also own a Radioddity GS-5B, a Yaesu FT-70D, Yaesu FT-5D, Baofeng UV-5R and a Baofeng RD-5R DMR radio.

Nice radio, well put together from the feel of it. Looks and feels like a proper upgrade to the old models. Works fine... Internal software--menu from keyboard, programming repeaters--a nice advance over older Baofeng.It is NOT 8 Watt, but I knew this would be so... I measure 6.1 watts peak on 2M, and 5.1 watts on 1.25M and 70cm.The color screen is nice but there seems to be no way to brighten it. It's fine indoors or outside in the shade, but in the sun it's unreadable. I HAVE CONTACTED btech tech support (3 days ago) about this and have received no response.

YOU CAN USE BANKS WITH CHIRP!I wanted to preface this review with a tip on how to use the memory bank features within chirp. All you have to do after you copy the radio, is treat every 100 channels as the different banks. Bank 1 is 1-100, bank 2 is 101-200, etc.. just leave the channels in between blank if you dont want to use them, and simply name the banks (zones) on the radio.My favorite feautre has to be the usb c charging. The fact all you need to charge the radio is the same cable as your phone is a major plus, no need to carry around nonsense bases, huge plus for me.The build of this radio is easily seen, you can tell the quality control and better materials are there, especially in the speaker. Its the only baeofeng that has a speaker that doesn't ruin the functionality of the radio. If your receive signal is clear, you will hear perfectly with this speaker. Even on airband AM signals, which sound notoriously bad on other radios like the k5 plus.The new menu is very intuitive and easy to use, the settings are sorted very neatly, and all of the buttons have clear uses. Plus the ability to customize the two side buttons is a major plus. I just wish the software was a tad more customizable, like if I could set the buttons to change which zone im using, or be able to turn off the green light flashing during scanning. But that's all little things that they can add with their software updates. As of today, 4/11/25 the radio comes shipped with the newest software (November 2024)

Huge upgrade from your old UV-5R. It has everything you can ask for a handheld HAM radio, dual band, high power, two antennas, USB-C charging, GPS, colorful LCD that readable outdoor, airband scan that is not an afterthought, easy programming with CHIRP, FCC compliance. I sold my Yaesu because of phantom battery drain, and I need a new radio. I can tell you this is probably the best $60 you can spend.