Is The Baofeng UV-5R Legal For GMRS? Did The FCC Ban The UV5R? Will You Get Caught Using A Baofeng? 

An innocent UV5R? Have you measured the harmonics and spurious that that radio gives? Buy yourself an oscilloscope and when you measure it you will be able to speak with knowledge of the facts. Do what you want in the USA, but if in Europe we have not approved this radio in some bands it is for a reason. Its sale in civilized countries should be prohibited. Let the Chinese deal with it.

Dude, you are the FIRST person to make radio sound remotely approachable. Hats off to you for keeping it real.

I lost my UV5Rs and my guns in a boating accident.

As a 80 year old retired law enforcement officer I can tell you we really appreciated any and all information we received on Ham Bands during an emergency and many many had no call signs that did the transmitting, A long over due THANK YOU everyone helped. I have never met a Ham Police guy walking around searching for a violator!!!!!

FCC shot my neighbor twice in the back of the head for using this radio. Then they proceeded to throw eggs at the hurst during the funeral & charged his estate 1.5 trillion dollars for using this radio. 🥺😎

Ham Radio operator here. Last week the FCC summarily executed a 12 year old that borrowed his friend’s cousin’s UV5R and transmitted the nuclear codes to Polaris ICBMs.

I'm not licensed nor do I even own a ham radio, I just watched the videos out of curiosity. This is by far one of the most funny videos I've seen about the legalities of ham radio operation. Absolutely loved it

Let me tell you a story about the FCC. Years ago I worked for a cable company and there was a Radio operator that would transmit near our antennas and knockdown several local channels in the area. The company filed a complaint with the FCC and it took not 1 or 2 but 7 years for them to act and do something about it. In the end, really all they did was tell them to knock it off. Just like every other government agency they move extremely slow and don't want to do their job. I really doubt if they would ever go after someone for using the wrong radio. Let's get serious!

I love this guy! I'm licensed ham operator K5NX and so far everything he's been saying is spot on. Keep up the good work

I inadvertently transmitted on GMRS with my UV5R and I turned in to a duck.

I called the FCC to report this...they told me I was racist, said get a life and to never to call them again

OMG- I just found this guy and this is the content I want to see. Not encouraging breaking the law- but putting the facts out there! Good stuff!

The FCC had power limits for the CB band of 5 watts. It was fairly common for people to have base stations that output 1000's of watts. I never heard of one being shut down.

I tear the tags off my mattress and I use the UV5R as a gmrs. Come get me law man!!!

I am a Ham operator from way back. In my day we took a an old vacuum cleaner and bits from a junk Model-T and built our own radios from scratch. And we liked them.... You kids get off my lawn !!!

I used my baofeng during my service as a volunteer fire dept and it actually out performed the named brand radios. The dept was short of radios and it was used as a back up for emergency services.

It never ceases to amaze me that there are so many people out there who will have no problem with dispensing legal advice without actually being a licensed attorney, but they have a huge problem with someone using some obscure radio frequency without the appropriate FCC license.

I like your clear approach and well spoken videos. Nicely done covering the legailities up front. Well said.

The third person with a telephone reported Alexander Graham Bell for not repeating his call sign every 9.9 minutes..

This is like back in the 70's we all thought we were rebels for running around talking on our CB radios in our pickups without a FCC license. Thought we were really getting one over on the 'man'. Glad you made this video, I have 2 UV5R+ that I was using for FRS on my property since it's advertised as FRS capable.

Thanks for introducing me to GMRS and FRS! I applied for my GMRS license yesterday. Yes I know the fee will go down, but I’m ready to get going. You’re tied at #1 as best RU-vid channel. I did a scientific poll in my head, so it is confirmed as 100% true.

I just got my GMRS license. I previously thought I may want my technicians license, but after getting a little better idea of the attitude coming from some of the HAM community, I don’t think I want to be in their circle. I love your videos.

This just in Trump s last pardon was for the uv5r.

I am a long time licensed ham operater. I find your videos very refreshing. I have a uv-5r plus. You have helped me tremendously conquer the uv-5r. Thank you.

Ok, I'm hooked. I came to learn about the UV-5R but am staying for dry sarcasm and wit. You're informative at the EXACT level is was seeking. How do I get the countless hours back from watching over or underwhelming videos on this subject before I found this? Cheers!

My mother didn't "approve" of my girlfriend when I was younger. We've been married 41 years.

I've been using this radio without a license for years. Didn't even know it was required, bought 10 on Amazon for use in airsoft. What's more, I frequently come into contact with forest service, blm, and sheriff's deputies curious about a group of men in combat gear in the woods. Never once did they ask about the radios. Whoever said that are knuckleheads. keep up the good work.

Awsome video!! Thank you man. I remember when I was in high school in the 80's and from time to time I would my motorcycle to a ham radio store and the group of sales reps along with customer all looking like they belonged to AARP would eyeball me constantly made me uncomfortable and not one sales guy would ever ask me if I'm interested in ham radios. That is why I gave up. They all thought that they know their stuff pretty good.

You totally helped me learn about my radio, programming it, and taking the path towards my GMRS license. I care less about HAM stuff and use mine mainly for airsoft right now, but I'm excited to use it for outdoor things as well.

This guy is great, he is straight to the point and calls out bullshit were he sees it. Keep up the great videos.

I am a "HAM" and an avid GMRS radio operator. Everyone must remember that the FCC is an administrative bureau. The FCC makes RULES, not LAWS. The rules set forth by the FCC were not enacted by Congress. Can the FCC levy fines for violating their rules? Yes they can; but as you pointed out, this is a very rare occurrence, and is usually reserved for egregious conduct. Let's remember what the purpose of these rules are; which is to permit the maximum number of people to use the airwaves with the least amount of interference (speaking of all of the Personal Radio Service bands). So using a non Part 95E (or the old 95A) radios, while not causing harmful interference IS keeping within the spirit of the law, if not the letter of it. "No harm, no foul", as it were.

As someone who just started using radios for work (forest service) I definitely enjoy the approachable information and humor! Our radios suck, and I've heard of a few guys who have these as a back up.

Thank you profusely for not only this video, but your channel. Been looking into this activity for a while and I'm continuously repelled by the radio-version of fudds, and statists who have drank the 'privilege' kool aid. Good to see a channel dedicated to the listener as a student, and not the content-creator as a wannabee celebrity or "look at how much I know" show off.

Simply way to get around all of this ... My ham radio self identifies as a Toaster .. the fcc doesn’t regulate toasters

Because of this video, you now have a new subscriber.

Dud I love your channel and your sarcasm. I have learned a lot from you in just a couple of days. Please keep up the good work.

Love your videos and thank you for taking the time to explain in detail of everything you put out!

I've been a licensed ham since 1990 and completely agree with this videos message. Fcc got better things to do than go after common folk that are not being malicious.

This guy really loves his Baofeng UV-5R

Wow! Just stumbled onto your channel, and listened to the entire video. Those who believe the FCC is coming to the door of all offenders need to recall how much effort and manpower they exhausted on cleaning up CB. Well done my friend!!!

Just started watching your videos after I recently got my HAM and GMRS license. Not only is your videos informative and that I'm learning a lot, but as well I find it entertaining to watch and listen to while I work nights. WRPL210 out =)

I love this! I have both a ham radio license and a GMRS license. I have legal GMRS radios, mostly for setting a good example (and perhaps so I have a radio I can point to if someone were to ever accuse me of using an illegal radio), but most GMRS operators I've met do not use "legal" radios -- many are using Baofengs, but the ones with a little more cash are using Motorolas or other commercial radios. I care much more about how you use the radio, than what sticker it might have on it. If you're being respectful, and following the meaningful rules, no one will be able to tell if your radio is a BTECH GMRS-V1 or a Baofeng UV-82/UV-5R. I've used my Baofeng's on both ham and GMRS repeaters and I've used one of my Yaesu ham radios on a GMRS repeater as well (which is just as illegal as using a Baofeng). It didn't hurt anyone. No one has had any idea, on the rare occasion that I have used an illegal radio, because I was following all the meaningful rules and you can't hear the sound of an FCC stamp. I do have legal radios and I generally use the appropriate radio for the service I'm communicating on, but as someone with both an amateur radio license and a GMRS license, I think it's ridiculous that I'm supposed to use two different radios when I have multiple radios which are capable of transmitting on both services. I don't look down one someone for using a Baofeng. I think they're great. In fact, I probably wouldn't have either a ham or GMRS license if it wasn't for Baofeng. My first ham radio was a Baofeng (UV-82). When I heard that you could get a ham radio for less than $30, I was incredulous! I bought one immediately, started studying, and got licensed. I think it's a great entry into radio and a nice cheap backup rig, even now that I have better stuff. A Baofeng radio costs about the same as a spare battery for one of my Yaesu HTs! If I had to choose, I'd rather have a second radio (with its own battery) than just a second battery for a single radio.

I just bought a uv-5r after watching this video!

Love your videos, I just bought a baofeng uv-5r for airsoft, haven't used it yet, but it is much much cheaper than my hyt TC-508. Just can't justify paying over 200 for radios I'm using while playing airsoft or hiking or driving. Love your videos keep up the good work.

I’m glad I’ve found your channel! It’s one of the most informative and funny ones I’ve found in a long time. I truly enjoy watching your work!

I have both ham and gmrs licenses. I also have several uv5rs. I use them all over the place they're great. They are what got me into radio in the first place. Without running my baofeng for 3 years as a pirate I wouldn't have any licenses and would just be running a CB.

As a complete newbie to my UV-5R and contemplating the hoops necessary to jump through, I appreciate your candor and honesty. Thanks and well done.

Im just getting into the GMRS game. I'm an offroader and me and my friends have purchased a few of the radios on Amazon. I'm loving your channel and thanks for the information. Love your humor/sarcasm!

Love you're videos!!! We use the Baofeng radios all the time when we're overlanding and never had and issue.

This JUST in..........we have bigger problems than worrying about this man and his radio.

If anyone ever listened to some of the HF frequencies you would know the FCC don't even monitor the Ham Bands anymore much less GMRS... ie 7200. The FCC monitors GMRS to the same extent they monitor CB Radio Channels. They don't!

I just ordered 3 of these for myself and family. They came in today. Since ordering them, I have been learning more and more about what I can’t do with them. I didn’t know much about them when ordering. I hope we can implement them into our lives properly.

Sir you have made the best description of legal ramifications of the baofeng. I'm a current ham radio operator for 30 years. Most hams violate fcc rules all the time on their own bands. Retevis manufactures great GMRS equipment and ham.

Enjoyed the video. As a licensed ham operator and Jeeper, I know there are many of us that take some things way to seriously. Life is too short to get bogged down in the "little things"! As Jeep Jamboree now is using GMRS as their official comms, I will be getting my GMRS license and at least one legal radio when the FCC drops the license fee to $35 or before my Jeep Jamboree attendance in July which ever one comes first. Safe travels and God Bless!

My man! You just gave us another hit. @6:57 when you mocked them typing had me 🤣🤣! Great video! I’m a big fan.

Came across your video via a broad baofeng search and liked it. Weird sexual innuendo with an electronic object aside, your delving into facts is appreciated. You gained yourself a subscriber sir. Thank you.

I joined a ham Facebook group to try and learn more about ham radio and gmrs. I was so confused for a week, they told me i needed a big expensive radio and I needed to take a class. Until I found you now it all makes sense.

Finally. Someone who outlines what happens when a non licensed person presses the hallowed button that shall not be named. Prior to this the best answer I could find was "welllllll just don't do it" "why not?" ".......because bad things happen. Just don't do it." And as I suspected, probably nothing will happen.

I love the way you put this! You put the legal information up front, and leave it up to adults to make decisions based on the possible consequences. It does seem like many people these days have struggles adulting. To me being an successful adult often consist of a lot of right and wrong, with some gray sprinkled in.

I’m new in the world of radios . Learning about ham radios and wanting to get my license . Thank you for the very informative videos that you produce. I have learned so much in just three videos I love the BAOFENG radio. Of course I don’t have my ham license yet but the radio is great in it’s simplicity I have not spoken a word on it but it seems to be well laid out and user friendly . Thank you for what you do , the videos are very informative please keep them going.

Thanks for your videos man, my search for airsoft milsim comms has led me to your channel, and its super helpful!

We have been asked nicely By. Licensed HAM to please move up a couple of Frequencies because we were to close to a repeater and causing it to key from bleed over, so we did and FCC never knocked on my Jeep to give me a Fine.. 🤣🤣 Great Videos We try to watch all that you produce.

A bunch of old wind bags. Mine non ham friends love the UV5R! I help them program them on the MURS freq. So FCC come and get me! Great video brother!

I'm loving the UV-5R and always looking forward to the next NotaRubicon Productions video. Keep up the good work. Keep telling it like it is.

I love the content on your channel. Great information your putting out. Keep up the great work!

I love how you started this video. The entire thing was great!

I think I’ll keep using my uv5r on gmrs

Great video! I love my UV5R+. Maybe not quite as much as you love yours ;) - but it's a great little radio. And it's the funniest thing - 5 minutes into reading the comments, and I already spotted two of the very people you were talking about. :D

Love this video! I ended up picking myself up a tenway uv-5r a few weeks ago!

🤣🤣🤣 keeping in real. Truly enjoy the real of your videos. Hope to see you on the trails one day or even make contact over the radio.

Thank you sir. Because of my interest in various electronics I have been peripherally aware of this radio for a while, as well as the potential for problems. You cleared up a lot of things in a very entertaining way. Well done.

Dude. I absolutely love your style. Plus, the background music. Man, I would love for you to review “RU-vid shorts”. Keep on rolling!

Dude, you must be a Vet. Your videos are absolutely informative and entertaining.

Thanks for the info :D got a UV-5R as part of the study/test package my local ham group had :D And I just got my call sign TODAY :D

Great video and info...never realized how comedic you are 😂👌🏻🤟🏻

Hallelujah. I finally found it. The Holy Grail. This is where it all started. This is where our favorite but puny 4x4 channel becomes the #1 HAM radio channel on the RU-vids. Thank you SO much, to the HAMs who made it possible. I know, I know. You are not fans. You're just monitoring.

Great content!! :D You just earned a new sub! I just bought the UV-5R for airsoft and to use at my mom's camp so I can keep in touch, as cell phone tower reception sucks, and I never even knew you needed a license for these kind of radios :) I am curious about being licensed though, as I am ex-military and would love to get into Search & Rescue. So having a HAM license would be useful.

Thanks for the video. I just bought a pair of the UV-5R III. Learning more every day, and kinda bummed about the GMRS restrictions on the UV5R's. I am studying for the Technician license, so guess i'll just be "listening only" until then. 😉

This was a great video so glad someone finally said what needed to be said.

Just purchased two 9f the very same radios you are talking about! Thanks for the info, because I have no intention of obtaining something I should he able to use without the government telling me what I can or cannot do wirh a simple two-way radio!!

The UV5R can be programmed to not transmit on GMRS and FRS frequencies, and still allow you to monitor those frequencies. Loved the video ... it was entertaining and informative ... just subscribed and hit the bell ... looking forward to seeing more ...

I just found your channel and subscribed! You are very informative and entertaining. Don't worry about the haters, a person without a sense of humor is a stick in the mud and they have no soul! Thanks for having your channel and I look forward to more great videos!

I’m glad you did this video, I’m tired of these trolls telling us we’re going to jail or shipped to Syberia if we transmit on these radios.

Very informative video. This answers all my questions in a nutshell. Thank you Sir!

Awesome video! Love it when you point out those “Ham heads”! Been using it for years and have been responsible and respectful, and not one problem!

you are my hero. this is exactly how I feel as well

I'm not a licensed ham radio operator but I can be whatever I want with my UV5R

I'm new to civilian radio stuff, but after this video, I'm subscribing to you. Thanks for the info, looking forward to watching more of your videos!

My knowledge of the UV-5R as dramatically increased due to you. I can easily program it now. Just picked up the 8 watt version as well. Keep up the good work. Screw the Sad Ham!

I was always always a CB guy, had some of the best CB's ever and could sit in my front yard and talk to Cananda. Then I got interested in HAM, still haven't to take my test THANKS RONA. I have quite a few 5R's, UV82's, and my favorite the UV5XP. Hopefully soon I can test out for my ham license.

About 6 months ago while using my UV5R I heard a knock on the door, it was a man in a black suit and sunglasses that said he was from the FCC. He asked me if I had been using a UV5R on a GMRS frequency recently. I told him I had then he proceeded to kick me in the kneecap. After I quit hopping around from the pain he demanded that I bring him all my breakfast cereal, I complied of course and he left without saying another word. So in short you can get a visit from the FCC for using a UV5R on the GMRS frequencies and you will end up missing the most important meal of the day...you've been warned, use a UV5R on the GMRS frequencies at your own risk. -- Tim

Love your videos. In contrast to the comments you reference these videos are actually very helpful.

Dude, you are hilarious! That almost lick to the radio was fun-nee! Straight-faced the whole time, very impressive.

I miss RadioShack 😢🤣🖕. This Video makes me feel like I wanna go donate a bunch of UV5Rs to a bunch of skate borders 🤣😂👍

I love the term "avalanche of stupidity!" Great video, thanks!!!!

I have the radio uv5r and just started using it with your help thank you!

Thank you for the great info. I was given one as a retirement gift and had no idea anything about them. Just subscribed to your channel today.

“Are you racist?” Lol this video was the best!!

Got a permit for that freedom, citizen?!

I'm getting my ham licence on the 19th.ill finally be able to use my UV5R. I love your videos.