Should You Buy A More Expensive Ham Radio Or GMRS HT? Or Is A Baofeng UV-5R Good Enough? 

I own Baofeng and Icom and everything in between. Get the better radio and don’t look back. It costs you more to cheap out.

I have a HAM license, and realized after I got it, that there's not anyone I want to talk to.

Signing off with the Roger beep to make "some people" explode was the best! Too funny!

All I care about is it has a Roger beep or not.

Two patients I work with in the group home recently got UV-5R's to talk to each other between the two homes they reside. I don't care: I unlocked them and programmed the GMRS channels on the radios so they talk to each other. UV-5R's are extremely versatile. The patients use the top display to talk on while the bottom is scanning the local Fire/EMS/Police frequencies.

I've never been a ham for over 40 years

I have a uv 5r, used as a scanner at work. Bigger battery and larger antenna. Totally happy with it.

I can see the display on the cheap Baofeng UV-5R in the bright sun. HUGE plus!

My ranking for portable radios is 100% based on the wrist strap, and whether said strap is FCC compliant.

The UV-5R takes care of all my needs for a handheld radio. It has also served as a temporary mobile radio for my truck and a temporary base station in my house. It is great for radio enthusiasts on a budget and it is great for those who want a radio they won't feel bad about losing if it gets destroyed while engaging in outdoor activities.

GMRS is pretty neutered up here in Canada. I'm working on my HAM license and the UV-5R seemed like a good 2M radio to screw around with for a little while. Upgrade incrementally as you can afford it. My father has been a HAM operator for 50 years and when I gave him a UV-5R he was tickled pink that it was so compact and inexpensive.

No. Owned top of the like Yaesu, Icom DSTAR, and Motorola radios. Used to have four mobiles in my truck. Spectra, two ham rigs and CB. And owned pile of handhelds, analog, DMR and a slew of BRS radios. I don't want to think about how much money I gladly threw at radios. But I have reformed. I still cry thinking about the day I threw away my insanely expensive GE UHF trunk mount rig. All I own now Is a $25 Boufeng handheld and a $50 mobile. And a great Midland CB. This is all I need. This is all I ever needed. Probably have a hundred bucks in it.

You pretty well nailed the entire reasoning to buy the cheap but fully functioning walki-talkies. I own a few of the cheap and expensive ones, but the cheapies are my go to due to the simple fact they work and are easily and reasonably replaced. Just my bought experiance!

Man I went camping a few months back and my tent got flooded out and my uv-5r was in it and needles to say it got soaked. It had some issues but after a day or so of drying it out without rice or any special methods i could confirm with my sdr and other radios that it was and still is working just as well as when I bought it and let me tell you it certainly has plenty fars

Top Ten Reasons for Buying a Boo-Fang Radio; 10: It makes Ham experts sad 9: Antenna tuning is a thing of the past 8: Boo-Fang sounds so much cooler that Wouxun Ocean 7: A real man doesn't need 50 watts for full penetration 6: Narrow band is for sissy's 5: FCC approved wrist straps baby 4: CB radio's suck 3: 5 radios and a 6 month supply of Viagra is cheaper than 1 Motorola 2: Superheterdyne is so over rated And the number one reason to buy a Boo-Fang Radio, Chicks dig SPURIOUS EMISSIONS!

Thanks for the video,, First of all I've been ham for 43 years and I'm a cheap ass,,, I have 3 UV-5R's and only one needed a little mod. the hole for the mic didn't line up and you have to drill out the hole a little,, no big deal !! That's because I've been a ham for 43 years !!! Also I'm happy to spend the $25 on a UV-5R because I ran out of money buying all those other ones,,, you can spend a lot on radios after being a ham 43 years. I'll take and use a UV-5R anytime .

But you have to admit the "fake radio," AKA Boefeng UV-5R, is almost as good looking as the "real radio" when attached to an extended battery and a "real antenna" that you definitely need to buy.

Love my UV-5Rs and got a UV-9G and love it even more. I dont take my FT3DR out 4 wheeling because it would suck to break it. Boofwangs are for people that are fun. Expensive radios are for people that polish their radios with a diaper whilst slapping themselves with fruit rollups.

My favorite handheld "ham" radio is a Kenwood NX-210 that was at one time a railroad's radio. I programmed it for 2M ham frequencies and bought a resonant antenna for it. I still have plenty of Baofengs though, perfect for situations where there is a likelihood of destruction because for $20, I'll buy another one if I break it.

"Need" isn't the same as "Want".

I have never had my ham license. I have always owned kenwood. Back in the day that's all i could find in my local radeo shacks. Radio shack would get so upset if they found out you didn't have your ham license and wanted to buy a ham radio. But they had to sell it anyway. Now that we have so many nice cheap radios like the UV-5R i never turn on my "high end" radios. UV-5R is the best thing that has happened to "amateur" radio.

I gotta say man. I have a couple fancy Yaesus and just recently got around to getting a UV5R..... And I think I like the UV5R better, lol. It does all the stuff I want without a bunch of extraneous crap.

I have a Boofweng UV-9, ponied up for a Abbree antenna. Got myself a license from the FCC. My curiosity and hobby is leaning towards a good base radio.

I’ll tell you, even though you didn’t ask, I have been a ham since 2010. I had rather use the UV-5R than a Motorola. I’m really more into GMRS lately. So there you are.

i got my " some people " fix and an education on coms. thanks Randy!!!

Ham license? We don’t need no stinkin ham license 😂

I’ve been a ham radio operator for well over 20 years. You’re welcome. I’d get a GMRS license, but if I don’t have to take a test, it can’t be worth it. Bah Beep!

Thank you-Great video, you’re cranking them out lately😎 I have always been a believer in get something entry level, get it wired…then move up in quality a little. I have a couple of cheap Chinese radios & they have worked well on GMRS…the coax, antenna/antenna location are more important I’d say. (I run browning 400/Ed Fong antenna…works great) The real plus of a nicer radio is probably sensitivity/selectivity, especially when there’s a lot of signal close by.

You can have both! I'm fairly new to the HAM world...fairly-fairly new. But the best bang for the buck is the Wouxun KG-UV9PX HAM version from BSR. Beside's being a great radio, I think is cool that it's a HAM that you can easily unlock and access GMRS, in case of emergency of course. Well worth the sub $200 price point! Thanks for the vidios Nota

I got the uv5r already and I got today my new Quansheng UV-K6 and wow with a few mods it can do soo much ! love it

Well... I am a "happy ham" and have been licensed for 126 years or so... I have tested the UV5R and others on a spectrum analyzer and can attest to the fact that they do suck when it comes to spurious radiation. That being said, I own several Boofwangs for SHTF events and admit that they are great for BS'n with folks when running amok in the woods and such. They even have the ability to reach from the basement to people out in the s**thouse and even some repeaters that are many fars away. Bottom line - you can buy about 200 Boofwang radios for what one Motorolla radio costs, and about 25 of them for what the average name brand ham radio costs, so IMHO, the Boofwang is a great option for the average Joe.

Another great, informative and funny video to start my day with. Thanks for the laughs and for explaining the differences.

I have been an expert for well over three years. I own a fine, top-end, Japanese handheld ham radio that can monitor GMRS. For a few bucks, I can have a tiny resistor removed so that it can also transmit on GMRS. For the life of me, I cannot think of why I should submit my fine, top-end, Japanese ham radio to such an indignity, but just know that I could. However, I have three Baofengs of three different configurations. While most ham radio operators end up acquiring a Baofeng at some point (rolling a wino, searching the pockets of some dead guy in the alley out back, or received one as a gag gift) I now own three-- coincidentally, for those exact same reasons. With that said, after recently discovering the proper method of turning on a Baofeng from a RU-vid video, I can attest to the content provider's accuracy in what he so laboriously details in this video. In short: If you are into GMRS, just buy a Baofeng. It plays FM radio, has a flashlight nearly as good as any ham radio, and allows you to talk about what plastic duck someone left on your four-wheel drive vehicle when parked at the WalMart -- on the GMRS frequencies, of course. What more do you need?

“If it is stupid but it works, it isn't stupid. (a Shin'a'in saying)” ― Mercedes Lackey, Owlknight

Your My Favorite Radio Guy On RU-vid!! Thank You For All These Videos!!

Excellent Randy! As always you do a good job of explaining things. David in Eugene, Oregon

Personally, I like a radio that provides the highest of spurious emissions possible....The higher, well, the better. I can hit any mountain top antenna this side of the Mississippi. Thank you.

No matter how durable "real radios" claim to be, I'd rather accidentally drop a $25 radio while at the top of a 50 foot tower, off a cliff or over the side of a boat. All radios have a place depending on how and where they are being operated. I have a selection of cheap to expensive radios and all serve their purpose. No point in being a radio snob. If it's does the job then use it!

Love the Shirt Randy @NotaRubicon Productions

That is the best ever comparative radio review I have yet heard. Thank you

love the channel and your obvious experrt experience...just looking to get a good radio....thank you for your experience and knowledge

You and Kemp Wireless have had a major impact on my life… Thanks for another great video!

Simply enjoyed the light and dark hands show describing the radios. You are class apart, Randy - really love your videos and voice too. I have my UV5R among others which I got it almost half a decade ago and, it still works like a charm. Cheers! VU3TQT

Yet another wonderful video to help enlighten "sad hams". Keep 'em coming!

$20 Boofwang works fine for my wife and me on gmrs. Of course, I'm a cheapskate. Thanks for another great video, and thank you for using the correct Roger beep on the end.

You'd be lucky to hear a spurious emission from a Baofeng 100 feet away if it's plugged into the stock (or any other non resonant antenna for that matter).

The only thing I noticed, is that my yaesu vx-6r, seems to receive signals a bit better than my uv5r. Other than that, I love the uv5r. Always reliable, never let me down. Thanks, Randy, for another informative review.

Dude, I just found your channel and my God I love your reviews

Hey the Wouxun still has the screen protector. If only I could be the one to remove it. I would so so slowly peel it off... Ohhh yessss!

I am a ham and got my start on a Baofeng UV5R. I have since moved on to slightly better quality radios but still own two Baofeng UV5Rs as loaners. I have had several Baofeng radios fail on me (yes they are cheap and disposable but I dont want the inconvenience of having a radio die on me when I am in the middle of using it) and had them affected by overload interference..and yes ,I prefer using a radio that isn't dirty. My EDC radio gives me more features, is less susceptible to overload, and yes, is clean. A UV5R is a good starter but it is not all that and a bag of chips no matter how much you want it to be. Use whatever you want, you do you but embellishing it is just as bad as the elitistist hams that lie about how bad it is.

My husband got me hooked on your channel. You are extremely funny and entertaining! I love your videos. (I don’t care about radios and understand more than I care to admit because of your videos.)

Happy ham here. My dad and I own several Baofeng radios each. They work great. Love your gideos

I love you're brutal honesty and sense of humor👌😅

good information simple and strait. oh! btw the wouxun still have the plastic on screen🤓

Perfect example is the quansheng uv K5 radio... Clear audio 7 band radio, sturdy and it costs 30 bucks... It beats the a36plus in terms of filtering and beats the uv5r in features but according to "some people" it's still "cheap Chinese junk" which is pretty stupid to say since not 1 radio is made in America. The quansheng is proof of quality at a cheap price point and it charges with a usb c cable in a pinch... Most expensive radios don't have that. Thank you randy for making this video ✌️ not everyone cares about certain features they just need a solid radio to make it through the day. Boofwangs may have a negative connotation with them in the radio community but you can't beat the price and the versatility of a uv5r

It only is this my favorite channel but your followers are the best also.

love the the tekmat, Randy

Yes. Use a PLB or inreach then use radio to communicate with rescuers . Thanks for your awesome witty videos. Brilliant

Excellent, didn't know about the XTS 5000

"Irregardless"...😂😂😂 I love your show brother!

And the line from the movie Aramgoden comes to mind... American components...Russian components.... All made in Twian Sorry about the cruddy spelling..I spell kat with a "K"

I've never regretted purchasing Baofeng GT-5R's, I own FOUR of them: Add the Amazon seven dollar Battery Eliminator, the twenty dollar duoband mag mount antenna, set that in a cup holder, and you're mobile for very short change indeed! "The enemy of "Good Enough" is "Improved." Keep your money in your pocket. 73 DE W8LV BILL

"The point is mute." - _notarubicon_

Love your content man

Always love your take on the hierarchy of radio and you are correct, if it works for you then it works just fine. Quite an admission from this self proclaimed professional radio snob.

Best part of the video is the all important roger beep! Otherwise, how would I know that the video is over? 😁

I really appreciate it this rundown I think everyone in the comments is right if you just want some friendly fun you get a high quality CB radio great antenna and do side band you can make quick contacts far away your transmitting some good power if you get an HF ham radio unit tuned to cb forget all these people I've been a han for many years it's dead out there and very informal when you actually make contact God forbid you make a mistake You're frowned upon

Front end overload COULD be a problem in areas with heavy UHF FM use. However, I live in Pittsburgh where all of our public service users (Police, Fire, EMS, etc..) are UHF-FM and I have NO problem with my UV-5Rs. The heavy use of good old (analog) UHF-FM by our public services also means that the UV-5R can be used as a decent (but slow) "police scanner" here. A nice little bonus! "s o m e p e o p l e" revel in over spending. My Honda CB-750 does everything a Harley does except it won't give me "cool biker" status. I don't care!

Great picture in back 😂

I live 1 mile from an airbase and I accidentally took down a USAF f-15 with my boofwang. I’ve been a ham for 348 years😬

The UV-5R will do just fine. - Good enough for me as I just want to talk to my close 4x4 buddies

This is the most awesomely funny Ham Radio vid ever. Love it! :) Stop doing these videos and become a stand up comic. You will rule! :) Seriously, it wouldn't matter what you are talking about. You are funny as hell! I have NEVER hit the notification bell until you.

I must say, I'm disappointed. Thought for sure there would be a picture of an F35 in the background.

Having fun , just getting started. Thanks for the knowledge. Where are the antennas?😅

Great video

Very very sad I can't talk to random men from my basement on my UV-5R :(

Thank you!!

Nice video my American friend.

I have been a happy HAM for about 1.5 years but have been using HT UHF CB's for about 30 years. All HT's have about the same Farz, but it's a lot easier to hear them on good quality radios, especially now with old hearing holes. Haha👂😂👂

How in the heck have you been able to avoid peeling the prophylactic on the screen of the Wouxon (Ocean!) HT!!! You have great fortitude, my friend!

UV5R is all I will ever need. Well, that and my 3 gmrs radios. My friends wish they had my spurious emmissions.

Brand new ham. My first radio was yaesu ft5d. Love it. Baofeng waaay under performs compared to my yaesu

I have used my baofeng uv-5r on gmrs for 6 years with no antenna. Little fucker works great nerds!

"SOME PEOPLE"!

I've been a HAM K4TXN for a shit-ton of days! Get whatever radio within your budget you fuqn want.

Not sure about your sturdiness evaluation, my UV-5R doubles as a hammer in a pinch.

Spend the extra $30 and get the Yaesu FT4XR, no Chinglish manual, and you can practically program it in your sleep (no programming disk guaranteed to crash your computer) my Baofeng is now a paperweight!!! 🎉

5wt tx on a cheap radio could spread the total output over a harmonic range causing lower output on the desired frequency, that being said I only own cheap 2 & 70cm radios and I'm happy.

You're the BEST!!!!

I bought an RLT-SDR, and I will say, the only radio I saw spurious transmissions was with a POS frs radio from Amazon that we got my son, and the spectrum looked like a picket fence, and all of my radios picked it up 🤣

Definitely more expensive! I got a UV-9R . It cost $30 (20% more) but is waterproof and charges via USB-C. Works with Chirp. 5/7 with rice

Any radio that gets you on the air or gets you interested in the hobby is a good radio. I became a Motorola nerd due to a friend who's an even bigger Motorola nerd and that's all I use now. Yes, there's a learning curve with programming. Yes, they have amazing audio. Yes, you can use one to literally beat someone to death. And yes, there are definitely hams out there who will scream at you for using an "illegal radio!" (it isn't) or using an "unauthorized mode!" (P25, also perfectly ok). Politely request that after they provide you with the FCC rule they claim you're breaking, that they go shit in their ICOM hat.

Definition of an (exspert ) , an (ex) is a has been and a (spert) is a drip under pressure !

What a great Informative Video Randy Appreciate the Knowledge @NotaRubicon Productions

🎵 Bring back the cool background music.

This is my widdle buddy's channel.

What I have found with my UV-5R is that it has almost zero input filtering. If you're operating in an environment with little EMI, the UV-5R is fine. If, however, you're in a high EMI environment, like say near a military base or police station, you will experience a LOT of static.

When can I get a GMRS license plate. Need to start showing up them ham plates

I don’t know chit about radios but I laughed the whole time 😂

If the radio is FCC type approved for sale on the US market for use in the GMRS band, the manufacturer will have demonstrated to the FCC that the unwanted emissions (spurious and out of band) are below the required limits. Totally agree that 5 W into the same antenna should get you the same distance regardless of whether the radio cost $35 or $350. You're better off spending a bit more on a quality antenna than worrying about 5 W versus 4.89 W output other small differences. That said, I've noticed that there are differences in the quality of the audio received at the other end from radio to radio. Some box store FRS/GMRS radios that I've purchased for family use had absolutely horrible and barely understandable audio. Don't know whether this was the microphone and audio section of those radios or the modulator portion but I ended up throwing them away. Another discriminating factor is lag from push to talk to transmit and from receive to breaking squelch. One set of radios was about unusable in short talk applications like talk in while backing up my trailer. My father in-law, a retired fire fighter who was used to high quality radios like the Motorola, really struggled with having to press the PTT button and wait a second for the radios to open up the communications audio. Again, box store FRS/GMRS radios - tried several sets and never had a good experience. Never had similar issues with any of my ham handy talkies. Would really like to try a reasonable quality GMRS radio one of these days as I have plenty of uses for times when I want to communicate with non-licensed folks. Again, totally agree with respect to the RF sensitivity and selectivity discussion about the receiver front ends. For most applications out and away from RF rich environments the lower cost front ends will be fine. The difference becomes quite obvious when you try to use the radios in a metropolitan setting with high power repeaters and TV / FM transmitters on many roof tops. That is where the higher quality (and cost) of the commercial quality radios like Motorola shines.