Baofeng UV-17, UV-17R, UV-21PRO and Radioddity GC-5. A look inside!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
- Baofeng UV-17, UV-17R, UV-21PRO and Radioddity GC-5. All very similar radios in performance and on the inside. Only one radio is actually free from spurious harmonics!
In this impromptu video, we take a look at the harmonics on these four radios and then crack them all open to see what's inside.
I refer to "manufacture date" when looking at the main boards. I should have specified that was the date of the board revision!
**Radioddity has reached out indicating that they are working on fixing the harmonics on the GC-5. I will post a follow up video on the GC-5 with more complete review when available. **
Links to Items in this Video:
Baofeng UV-17 (link for the one in this video) -- amzn.to/48nnd66
The above link is to the radio I purchased, this is the one where I received
the radio shown in the video. I cannot guarantee you will still get the older
radio. You may get the newer UV-17R as pictured.
Baofeng UV-17R (link for the one in this video) -- amzn.to/3vjL4oG
Baofeng UV-21PRO -- amzn.to/41UkQ8I
Radioddity GC-5 -- amzn.to/4aJLnJO
-- www.radioddity.com/products/r...
Use my Code for $15 discount: radioddity.refr.cc/neverwitho...
Amazon links are affiliate links where possible.
0:00 Intro
5:18 Where are the Lights?
6:21 UV-17R Harmonics
9:16 Radioddity GC-5 Harmonics
11:11 UV-21 Pro Harmonics
12:57 UV-17 Harmonics
15:25 FM Radio and Weather Capabilities
17:34 Disassembly Begins
26:50 Magic!
27:26 Quick Tip
28:50 Summary - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
Exceptional video! Loved the format and the review of the harmonics, hard to find from other reviewers. Would like to request a similar video on TYT radios such as the MD-UV390/UV380 DMR and the Plus version. Keep posting. New subscriber here.
I will see what I can come up with. I don't currently have any TYT radios. I think a buddy might have one. I'll see what I can do! Thank you for the comment!!! 73
Great teardown of the radios showing the internals
Brother! Thanks so much for giving an ACTUAL review with real data. I can't tell you how long I scrolled trying to find specs/details on uv17 pro max or comparable. I'd love to see if there is a difference in the UV21 pro v2 that I'm seeing now. Maybe a revisit with the old one there for comparison. Thanks for your time and thorough deep dive into the details!
Thank you for your comment! Well I just ordered a UV-21R from Amazon to see how it compared to the UV-21Pro in this video. The radios were identical except for firmware version. The harmonics were horrible just like the radio in the video. :( I don't see a specific UV-21 Pro V2 on Amazon, only on Aliexpress or ebay. I did see another TH-camr do a review of the UV-21Pro V2 and it also looked the same with horrible harmonic problems. In general I think I would stay away from this model series.
Excellent video! Thank you!
Thank you! Much appreciated. 73!
What a great Video super informative on the displays as well as showing how 3 of them have super bad harmonics
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting!!
@@KC4NWK your always welcome
Thank you for a very in depth comparison, any plans to test the UV-17 Pro GPS to see if it's any better than the other UV 17 models?
Awesome video! I really like the RF spectrum analysis part since that is a piece of equipment a beginner like me doesn’t have. Perhaps you can include the BFTECH F8RT in one of you spectrum assessments. It is supposedly 4th generation UV-5R with a new chipset. I would be very curious to know how clean it is on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th harmonics since i have this HT
I'll see if I can come up with one. I did a quick search on Amazon, but it was ~$65 for the radio. Which is a little steep for these radios. If I come across one, I would be happy to check it out. Thank you for watching and commenting!!!
Wow, excellent video production buddy!😮
Very comprehensive and in detail with the info, graphics and microscope close-ups.🏆💪
The only Baofengs I have are the older S9 and 9R. I am clearing out my packed lock lab for a radio shack and will soon be testing all my HT's, too. My eyes aint so good anymore. Can I ask you what microscope you are using?
Cheers, Don 🍻🤠🇦🇺
de VK1DON 73
Much appreciated! Thanks for watching and commenting!! The microscope that I use is an AmScope SM-4TPZ link: amzn.to/3TJlCTB or amzn.to/49Q1fcR This is the camera that I'm currently using on the scope: amzn.to/3Tqm47H Good luck on setting up your radio shack!! 73s
Great Video BTW!
Thank you! Appreciate you watching and commenting!
It is worth looking at the filtering components in detail between the two radios. There may be different value components and inductors. It was difficult to see in the video but are there a different number of turns on some of the inductors?
I was thinking this exact same thing when I watched my video back. I might open the radios back up and take some pics to compare more closely! Thanks for the comment! 73
@@KC4NWK Also a capcitor is mising on the filter, where the inductors are different.
Great vid
I was so certain that when you opened up the radios, that there would be a "cost reduction" in the filter stage. The fact that there isn't intrigues me. Awesome video! Perhaps, as one other person commented, the difference lies in the poorer quality of the components used. It would be interesting to go over that final stage with a near field EMC EMI probe attached to your spectrum analyser to see if there is a coupling that is happening in one board that is not in the other. 73 de DC4DC.
Thank you for commenting!! That would be interesting. I think I will look into getting a probe to check this out. If not on these radios, possibly some others in the future. Thank you!!
The volume knob Trick to take the antenna nut off works with all baofengs i have noticed including the 5RH and 5RM as well as the UV-5G Plus radios 27:43
For some reason the volume knob on this UV-21 wouldn't work. The notches were there, but it wouldn't fit over the SMA connector. I had to grab a trusty UV-5R to get them off. :) 73s
@@KC4NWK aww okay I got you. Yeah some of them don't work with there own knobs very well
I’m about to purchase a Baofeng from overseas ; how do I make sure I make the one that goes over 40dB down ? I cannot return it since I’m in Argentina
Checked out your video, appreciate the teardown and frequency scan test. Seems like the "plain" UV-17 is a great "upgrade" or even alternative to the clean Radioddity GT-5R. I also checked out another Ham Radio YTuber's (Tech Minds) review video 9 months ago, his tests showed the plain UV-17 as clean as well, and found some official literature from BaoFeng's German site.
Seems like the "defining" difference is the 2022 board with the GigoDevice ARM chip and blue-colored display UI (vs the others' black UI).
Anyone looking for "clean" BaoFengs should try to grab the plain UIV-17 a.s.a.p., I know I would.
Thanks for the video 👍
I haven't had a chance to compare the CPU specs between the two. I obviously will only transmit on a CLEAN radio, but the display on the newer ones is nice, and the added NOAA is also nice. Just too bad I'll only use the older one! :) Thanks for watching and commenting!
I just got my hands on the older UV17 unit, will be sticking to that as my daily driver and worksite carry and leave my QuanSheng UV-K5(8) as my desktop unit with a speaker mic attached.
The UV17 feels good in hand, not as "fragile" feeling as the UV-5R or the UV-K5(8).
Again, thanks for the review video, much appreciated.
I think it is all where you get these radios. Some are clean some are not . I test mine and if they are not I send them back . I do not accept a dirty radio. My uv21 pro did well . I do not have the stuff to test them myself but I do take them to people that have them . My nanovna is not the right testing equipment for this . Great video !
Thank you! I'm in agreement!!! I wont use a radio if it doesn't comply with Part 97!
Awesome tear down, I have really enjoyed watching your videos.
I am working on a project with Baofeng radios, and would like to ask some questions and run some experiments by you to get your thoughts and input.
Thank you!
Thank for watching and commenting!! You can send an email over with your questions, I will do my best to answer. I do have a "day-job" also, so my free-time is sparse. :) 73s
@@KC4NWK
I can not find your email address, please let me know how I can find it.
Thanks
@joshuawbaumgartner2091 Sorry I thought it was listed in my channel description, is it not?
@@KC4NWK it is not, I sent you a message on Facebook with my contact information.
Thank you for the video review. Just a quick question for clarification. Is the uv-21 pro the same as the uv-21r? I only see the uv-21r on Amazon.
I believe you were the one that commented on the TD-H3 video. :) I'm not 100% sure if the UV-21Pro and the UV-21R are the same. The UV-21Pro in this video performed horribly on harmonics. I have a UV-21R on the way, and I'll see what it looks like. Thanks for the question! 73s
Update: the UV-21R is just as bad as the UV-21Pro in this video. I would avoid!! The UV-21Pro came from Temu this UV-21R I just received was from Amazon. Radios are identical except for firmware version. UV-21R is 0.11 and the UV-21Pro is 0.08.
@@KC4NWK awww I was hoping. Thanks for the information.
I have a Balcony UV -17R which is branded under the battery. But the radio firmware ID says that it's a UV-17L. What's going on at Baofeng?
ony=Baofeng
Great video about th ose models! The two things I have been searching to find info on is
1. Why does my UV-21 Pro make a *snap* sound when using a speaker microphone when I receive a signal AND when I turn it on
(*snap* beep beep power on tones)
2. Using Baofeng's software I can not get a logo image to display properly (tried all bmp settings) others have experienced the same.
If ANYONE knows I'd sure love the help. 73
is there airband on the uv21 pro Thanks.
Its interesting that the UV21 Pro had the same screen as the others but turned sideways. I don't physically have one to look at, but from just glancing at it in your video, it looks as though they made a beefier plastic outer housing and had to turn the screen sideways in order to allow more cushion around the outer edges for drops and impact. Since its firmware and harmonics are basically identical to the UV-17R and GC5, then for me the 'pro' simply means I am paying a few dollars more for the durability, which would not be a horrible thing IF it was a clean radio.
It is odd that they turned the screen on this radio. You might be on to something. The board is still full width side to side in the metal frame, which is overall narrower than the others when you compare, but the overall OUTSIDE width of the radio is the same or a little wider than the others. Maybe that is what they were shooting for! Too bad the actual radio has harmonic issues!!! Thanks for watching and for commenting!!!!
Hi. So, do you recommend tu buy the plain UV-17 instead other versions?
It all depends on what each person is looking for. For me, if I want a clean radio, from this bunch I would only consider the radios without spurious emissions. Depending on your price range, there are plenty of other choices in radios that are better in both performance and feature set.
SO, where can we find the UV-17 you're talking about?...
KD4YDC Robert here. I have that blue screened UV-17R. Bought on Amazon for $23.00. Now I see why it was so cheap. Go back and look at 30:46 in your video. In the upper right corner on the left there is a big solder blob. But not on the other unit. Maybe a transmit jumper to open up the radio? I know mine will not transmit out of band but have seen others with the black face that will. Is that the case with yours? I know sometimes when units are opened up their specs change. Is the one on the left a true 17R? Maybe desolder that blob (if that is the dirty transmit 17R) and see if that changes it? Would love to upgrade the firmware to get the black face. Already used the blue face in the sun and it is terrible.
Thank you for the comment. Unfortunately, the timestamp in your comment is from the end of the video. I will take a look and see if I can find what you were referring to. My blue screen unit (the one I refer to as a UV17) will transmit out of band as is. 73s!
There seems to be a chip missing on the bottom center of the dirty board vs the clean board.
When I get a chance, I'll try to confirm, but that is usually in the location where they place a dedicated FM broadcast reception chip. I'll have to take the radio apart again to confirm, so it probably wont be right away. Thank you for watching and commenting!! 73
Hello, what kind of software (oscilloscope) do you use to measure harmonics?
A Spectrum Analyzer. :) The one that I use is a Siglent. You can also use the very popular TinySA as well. I have a couple of those that I like to take out into the field rather than carrying the larger unit if its just a quick test. You can check out the TinySA here: amzn.to/49o36p3 The ultra has a larger screen and better performance.
Thank you for the information. I think the TinySA Ultra is sufficient for my purposes. The Siglent is too expensive for me, so I'd better buy a new radio 😉Vy 73 de OE9GTV @@KC4NWK
Zijn er wel goede baofeng handheld?
Can’t find the Baofeng UV-17 Pro GPS from any of the US sellers. What gives ?
I had the same issue. I was trying to find the one with the deep male voice. I saw another video on this radio and wanted to test it as well.
I have multiple HT's and they are only for camping or to bring on road trips where I have other family members in other cars that are going the same way.
Nice! We don't often get to see inside these.
I did a teardown of the Baofeng UV-5RH. It's video # 0132 on my channel if anyone wants to see it for comparison. It starts minute 10 of the video.
I just went over and watched your video! I also saw several others that I'll be catching up on. I like your content so I also subscribed! Thank you for watching, and for commenting!!! 73s
@@KC4NWK Thanks! I subscribed to you some time back. I like your technical approach. 73s
UV-17L , UV-17E , UV-17R what is it with all the letters ?
What cable do i use for programming. I haven't been able to find any information for the uv 17 pro max.inside the radio it says uv 17 r.
I actually haven't programmed any of these UV17 radios yet. From what I can tell you need a special CPS software. I know that I haven't been able to program these with my Tidradio wireless programmer. I did find another video that showed programming one with a modified CPS version 1.2.4g (modified by Terri Kennedy). Good luck and 73
UV-18 Pro Max uses standard USB to serial Baofeng cable (UV-5R) so I think these radios do as well but a special CPS software has to be downloaded
Hi please perform a harmonic & power test on the UV-18 Pro Max. I just received mine. TY😀👍
I will have to see if we can get our hands on one. If anyone would like to send one it we'll take a look at it. Thank you for watching!! 73
Not a same setup with calibrated tools, but TimySA Ultra shows ~-17 dBc on second harmonic so a fail as well.
I have to wonder, if the hardware is the same, in other radios there is a swiching between VHF and UHF filtering, maybe the new firmware does not switch to VHF filter
Or did they re-work the filters to include 1.5m band and the 200-300MHz is now unfiltered?
Love the teardown videos 30:00
I like tearing them apart! :) Thank you for watching!
@@KC4NWK I totally understand that I'm a Automotive Tech And Comouter Tech and business owner and love Tearing things apart to learn and Fix them it's a Urge just have to do it Also cool to see different Circuitry and talk about how the Circuit could of been made better
Which UV 17R should I buy? The multi and or tri band? Is there much difference?
Well I wouldn't necessarily buy the UV 17R unless they fix the harmonics issue. Only the OLDER blue screen unit in this video was free from spurious emissions. Thank you for watching and commenting! 73
@@KC4NWK I ended up purchasing the UV 5R.
Baofeng UV-17L Upgrade of UV-17R/UV17R?
Uv21 pro v2 have problems programing on chrp any idea
I've seen posts on CHIRP site as recently as 3 months ago that says you can select the UV-17Pro model in CHIRP and it will work with the UV21. I have not confirmed this yet. I'll try to check it out when I'm home. Let me know if you've tried this already. 73s
Does the battery from the UV17 fit the UV21 Pro?
It does not.
Thx
Do any/either have group or channel scan function?
My 21 has channel scan as well as frequency scan
Good 👍 thank
Thank you!
My uv21 pro v2 has a c port and a charging base
if you dont have USB-C charge, one can buy such battery as option, its not model dependant, 73 Levi -- (there are a TON of variants of these radios, pretty much the same radios)
Interesting video. Last night, at our club's station I took my spectrum analyzer with me and tested four Baofeng UV-21PRO's. All three showed
the exact same results.
Third harmonic was only down 20 db and the fifth harmonic was down 40 db.
More Chinese scrap. Why they are even let into this country I will never know.
Barry, KU3X
Glad to see others testing out these radios. Thank you for watching and commenting! 73s
the UV-17 if it has the female voice and the vox on the (4) key it is not the pro. there are many sellers on ebay and aliexpress that are selling radios as the pro and are not
This is good information. Thank you!
I got a uv17 R with GPS , FW 1.28
Is this the one with the deep male voice?
When I got my 17r radio just for kicks I sweep the radio with an IFR-1200s/a service monitor and it was well withing spec to work ham radio on 2m/220/70cm...Not sure what to say...:) For a $25.00 radio it's worth buying...
Sweet, good to see some of those older service monitors still doing their job. I have and IFR1000 and a Motorola R2600B that are both going strong as well. :)
@@KC4NWK I just got it back from the service center minor repair and calibration.
Would Be Supercool if You would describe what the values should be and that would bbring in much more people in to your videos because they would learn something new. :)
my friend was like, WHAT ARE YOUW ATCHING THERE? And He Did Not Understand Any of It, Nothing About The dBc Or Harmonics :D
Thank you for the comments! I do like your idea. I might have to make a video about the basics of what harmonics are and some other fundamentals. Then I could refer people back to that video in the future. 73s!
@@KC4NWK Jup, Excacly :)
That soldering work is a total mess! I really wonder how do these radios even work after seing that poor workmanship inside???? Thank you for opening these radios
I agree, the inside of some of these radios is unbelievable when it comes to horrible soldering! Thanks for watching and commenting!! 73
@KC4NWK always pleasure watching your videos! Really interesting and not boring. Just out of interest, if you compare internal workmanship on these radios, which brand will be the winner in your opinion when it comes to quality of components and how they are put together? Baofeng, Tidradio, Radioddity, Quashengs.........Thank you
I will have to start looking more closely. I'm not sure I've opened one yet that I said "WOW, this looks amazing!" :)
You ever heard of the new radio it came out Red witch came out with a new radio HA1G Ailunce GMRS, you just take a look at that and tell me how you like it and tell me what the the bad things you don't like about it and what's a good thing you like about it
I have heard of this radio. If we can get one sent to me, I would be happy to take a look!! Thank you for watching and commenting! 73
I think I got scammed bought one on temu (my fault lol) but I got something called a UV17 pro max, looks weird under the battery had all the frequencies ranges and says 10w like it’s just saying it too say it and on a sticker that’s coming off.. has a cheap looking antenna as well. Anyone else see this one?
That does sound "interesting." I have actually purchased a couple radios from Temu without any problems. If you are uncertain about the radio you can always return it (if within your return window.) I have had zero problems with returns to Temu. One of the first CLEAN UV-5R radios I tested was from Temu. :) Best of luck and 73
Nothing much to see inside any more. Every thing is on the chips. Why I don't take to much apart any more.
Baofeng has a bad habit of passing multiple versions of a model under one FCC compliance sticker.
CPU on uv17 is a stm32 knockoff. I belice it can be easily hackable.
I will refrain from buying chinese products as much as possible, but obviously, there are many things one cannot avoid. I have an old Icom W32, which is hard to use but will keep for now.
Thank you for watching and dropping a comment! I enjoy looking at some of these radios to see how they perform and compare to the much more expensive "main stream" radios. :) 73s
Not rocket science.. 1 factory in Shenzen makes all these.. it will rebrand based on moq.. they make incremental feature updates.. I used to import from China ..
I Would Gladly Take Them off YTour Hands If You Want To Sell Them :)
Im Poor And I Cant Afford Any radios ThatT Are Such Like This, I have Some Old Old Baofengs, But They All Are Half Broken :(
Thank you for the offer, none for sale at the moment. But as some point I might have to looking into cleaning out the inventory. No plans for now, but maybe something in the future. 73
Your sound is poor and clipped due to ‘squelch’ effect.
10watt real is uv21 pro?