Baofeng BF-F8HP testing for FCC ham radio compliance
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ต.ค. 2024
- Be sure to check out the previous Baofeng testing video: • Is my Baofeng UV-5R le...
Don and I test several radios using his spectrum analyzer to see if they comply with FCC regulations part 97. Tested radios include: Baofeng UV-5R, Baofeng BF-F8HP, Kenwood TH-F6, TYT MD380, Wouxun KG UVD1P. Will the new Gen3, Baofeng with 8 watts pass, watch and find out.
Links to products shown:
Wouxun KG UVD1P: amzn.to/2tms215
TYT MD-380: amzn.to/2RV7BSY
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Why is this a problem? Here's one reason: the third harmonic of your VHF transmitter may interfere with other licensed users on other bands, including other amateur radio operators.
For example: there is EME, satellite, CW and SSB in the 432-438 MHz segment. A lot of this is extremely weak signal work, particularly EME and satellite, and the third harmonic of these out-of-spec radios may significantly interfere with other amateurs using these modes. 144 * 3 = 432. 146 * 3 = 438.
It's like a flashlight in a dark movie theater.
Very well explained!
So, so what. Its s cheap emergency radio. Dont care if its too powerful.
So when you key up on 144 at 8 watts, you're actually keying up at 432 at about 1-2 watts as well?
Like a flashlight in a dark movie theater... as opposed to a laser? :P
razorseal right principle but wrong levels, in the 1 millieatt region on the harmonic.
The Baofeng failed, saved you 12 minutes, you're welcome
I was hoping it'd pass. I guess I'll have to give it a "good enough for me" and pretend I haven't watched this video!
Btw. thanks for actually testing this model! I'd also love to see a more detailed review and tips videos like you did for the 5R but I guess those two are similar enough for the older videos to still be relevant.
Me too.
There's no such thing as the FIRST harmonic, that's the fundamental frequency. 2nd harmonic of 126MHz is 292MHx and the 3rd is 438MHz.
Great work promoting objective information about the limitations of low cost import radios. Would love to see some intermod rejection testing.
Had mine for a while..i love it 8 watts with a diamond antenna it smokes.
@Bob Edmondson Go take a nap Bob. You're being annoying.
@Bob Edmondson Hey old timer, you really need your nap.
@Bob Edmondson Do you feel better after the nap?
@@Zombified- maybe he took a boomer dirt nap as his expiration date has probably passed.
"I just pretend to be an expert on TH-cam." -- I love this comment you made!
Every one talks about the bad harmonic's of the Baofeng radio's. I've been using them for years for all sort of things. From working bicycle rides to parades and I've never had any problems or complaints. And now the town I live in. The Police and other Emergency services now use a trunked digital system, so no more worries. And oh, if the Baofeng is so bad, why doesn't the FCC actually ban them for sale?
Would like to see an Anytone test.
A video on it finally with a scope nice! Much appreciated
I would to see results on the AnyTone AT-D878UV.
agree, that would be nice
ARRL indicated in the January 2020, that Anytone is compliant, along with the big three, and some other Chinese manufactured HT's. Only the Baofeng seems to exhibit a continual problem.
@@JamesJ7851 big 3? Which are those? TYT ? QYT?
I highly doubt that Baojeo passed any tests... And only half the zestones are stable.
@@hadrianhaine5204 Big three in Amateur radio, Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu. Sorry, I assumed anyone familiar with amateur radio would already know who they are. Since they have all had an overbearing presence in amateur radio for the last five decades.
@@JamesJ7851 sorry firstly I thought you meant Chinese brands and as TH-cam is an international forum some of these brand aren't major players in other countries. Here it's unidem, Tait, GME, and Icom, I should include Motorola.
We have strict testing and certification here and use of non certified transivers are illegal, hench these testing videos are of interest to me.
Excellent video, thank you both. I guess sometimes you do get what you pay for.
Thanks Don & Brian. Brian, you should consider testing the BTECH UV-5X3.
This is not how FCC part 15 compliance testing is done. Don't claim you're checking for FCC compliance when you're not even remotely doing it right. Try doing this properly in a full compliance chamber measuring 3 meters from the source using a proper EMI receiver. I have no preference if the Baofeng passes or not but if you're going to claim something, at least do it according to specification using the correct test equipment. This is nothing more than spreading misinformation.
We were testing for part 95 compliance and doing it correctly.
I tested a BF-F8HP manufactured in 2023 on my R&S CMU200 and it passes 97e. On high power, 2m band, strongest harmonic is 2nd at -19.50dBm. That rigol is absolutely terrible, Wouxon have EASILY identifiable spurs at around -22dBm although they still pass. "No harmonics" on the kenwood. Well there are, but again that rigol isn't picking them up. That kenwood has spurs around -28dBm.
So if Baofengs are this bad then why is everyone buying them?
BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheap, fire departments love them for that reason, would you rather toast a 300$ handheld or a 20$ handheld in a fire control operation?
$23
The United States of America must be the only nation that actually has micro compliance rules for amateur radio. In most of the planet, you can even make your own equipment. Improvised, modified, and homemade equipment is welcomed throughout the planet on the amateur bands as long as the operator is licensed and operates according to rules. I had a friend that fought in World War II that made his own HF transceiver with tubes and analogue circuits. The thing weighed about 60 kilograms. But it transmitted around the planet. I was thirteen years of age and fascinated with the ungainly device that talked around the planet. His antenna was nothing but a piece of copper line he stapled to the top of his chimney that went to the top of a mast he put in his garage. It made like a V upside down with a center support. He told me the angle of the angle of the copper line was important for the best reception. He had some bulky looking coils and a huge variable capacitor to tune the the length of copper line to a frequency. The homemade radio heated the room to rather uncomfortable levels. His room that housed the radio looked like Doctor Frankenstien's laboratory with all the lit tubes. He also made a VHF transceiver but we did not hear much on that and it was somewhat smaller. Only a few frequencies had action on the VHF. The antenna on it was only about one-third a meter long. But he said that is all the length the signal needed. He had four horizontal antennas coming from the base of the vertical wire on the VHF antenna. No fuss was ever made about the harmonics or being a perfect name brand. The radios were the ugliest, yet most interesting things I have ever seen. He had a brass key from World War II that he tapped away on certain frequencies on HF. I really miss Charlie. There is no way he is alive anymore. His kids likely threw away his creation when he died. I will never forget how the lights flickered in his house when he transmitter on the big HF transceiver.
Please test the Baofeng UV-82HP.
Yes please.
Great video , I would like to see the results for the Baofneg UV-82 and the Yaesu FT-4xr. I have and like both of these radios but would very much like to see if they pass or not. The Yaesu ft-4xr is sub 100 dollars as well. Thank you for testing the radios.
I love my UV-82!
UV-82HP
The yaesu radio will do fine it isn’t a cheap Chinese radio.
I love these tests. Makes it easier to make radio purchase decisions. Keep makin' 'em.
GD77 is another cheap DMR + analog radio it would be awesome if you could test that
Nobody really cares how many watts it puts out on medium or low power, but you told us anyway. The number one thing people do care about is if the claim of 8 watts was true, but high power was the only one you didn’t mention whether or not it met the wattage claim.
Why is this? Didn’t even occur to you in post production that you left out the most important power level’s performance? Really? Wow, it’s just mind boggling!
I tested 12 of the BF's listed above in the video with a bird watt meter. We bought the radios for SAR communications. None of the BF's put out 8 watts. The average was 6.5watts to 7.2 watts on high power. Hope that helps. That was in VHF .
I've been using the BF-F8HP and it is working fine.
Just bought the same model with accessories and protection plan and working on technician license+, will have it come in tomorrow, while watching videos and Discord discussions.
I just received my pair, along with the upgraded Nagoya antennas...
Would like to see a test on the RETREVIS RT3S it's under $100 dlls
And the AnyTone 878uv
I just received one of these units in anticipation of receiving my FCC license. The video was made two years ago, and I could not find a more recent test. My question is this: Has the tech performance of the radio improved since the video, or can I assume it still fails? If so, why is it even allowed to be sold? If it still fails, I will send it back and get a more expensive-but-compliant radio for my first.
To clarify, I am *NOT* transmitting yet, but I will once I have the authority to do so. Thanks and I like your presentation; no fluff, not too many extraneous, spurious signals, just the meat!
I was not surprised to see the Baofeng radios fail, and by such a wide margin. As Don said. They have that reputation. I've seen similar results when monitoring my Baofeng radios on the spectrum display in the Gqrx SDR software.
I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent results when testing the other two Chinese radios. Good to know!
Want a good HT for a good price? Try the Yaesu FT-70 - 2m, 440 and you also get Yaesu's digital mode System Fusion. My only complaint is the off switch isn't a true power off and the radio will drain the lithium battery in a few days, when the lithium battery would normally have half power a year later.
You can, actually program your preset stations with alfa-numeric names using programming software. Then its a setting on the radio as to which to display. Ki da clunky but it can be done.
Anyway, good to know about my radios, i officially have no usable ham radios :(
So the short answer is "Don't cross the streams" ~Ghostbusters 73s ✌️
TH-F6A is no longer in production, and it is a wonderful triband transceiver with DC to daylight receiver on all analog modes.
I just picked one up on qrz.com as I love this HT!
73...KV4YX
I've had 2 of them. Wore out the first one after 12 yrs. and got a second one, just before they stopped production. Best ht I've ever had and love the receiver on them.
Would love to see a test of the Radioodity GD-73a and GD-77.
Can you test the Baofeng UV-82 series. Bothe the 5 watt uv-82C and the 8 watt UV-82HP
Please test the Yaesu FT 3DR.
1 tip for you.a green large dot sticker for passed radio.red for failed.
I love putting radios on test equipment. Kerchunking repeaters and doing on air "comparisons" doesn't tell an end user much. Thanks for sharing !
I’m sticking to my cheap $25 Baofeng, the FCC needs to knock on my door before I give it up! I’m not spending a hundred bucks for an upgrade!
Same here ima keep it it maybe a little out but it's like Noone even cares about that
The TYT UV8000E comes with the ducky and a longer whip, is 10W, has cross band repeat, and has a 3600 mAh battery. Usually $79.99, but catch it with a discount here or there as I did and get it for around $70. With the whip it is pretty impressive. I've been asked if I was on a mobile or base. My three UV5 variants only get pulled out to monitor MURS communications at Walmart with an earbud while I'm shopping. I put it on the through the glass Tram Browning in the van and I can hit our club repeater cleanly from about 35 miles away unless in a low area with lots of building around. By comparison my Baofengs are kids walkie talkies. The Baofengs were my gateway radio to getting my ticket though. 73, K2WLF
Theoretically could cause interference on the harmonics but who’s listening in there what’s he got to interfere with ? The bands are dead and free from everyone including grumpy old men
Tory Boy I agree, besides if I’m identified as causing interference the fcc will simply tell me to cut it out and I would comply. I am sick and tired of the oldass technology, and expensive radios coming out of Japan. An example of oldass technology is the Yeasu 818 same as the old with lipstick with same or higher price tag
@Bob Edmondson and ironically if you look around the rural fire departments especially love using baofengs in emergency calls because the price difference frees up a lot of money for mission-critical equipment, maintenance, and training, as most rural departments toast 1.5 radios per person per year, so picture on a department of 20 people replacing 30x 15-20$ baofengs per year at a price of 450-600$ vs replacing 30 Kenwood/Motorola radios at 300-400$ each for a cost of $9000-12000 dollars per year.
Great video, thanks for posting.
Please test the Ailunce HD1 and other popular Retevis DMR in the analog mode. Also would be nice to check the Yaesu FT70D and the Anytone AT D878UV radios. I know they are more expensive but it would be nice to know how well they do in comparison to the Kenwood radios.
So some additional filtering before the antenna justifies triple the price of the other radios? Lol
Sophomoric humor - love it. Wait, how old are you?
So... what exactly does failing harmonics mean? As seen in use... like, does it mean that transmission will be more scratchy, recieving quality is reduced, range is over powered?
No, it means you are transmitting on ADDITIONAL frequencies OUTSIDE your band, possibly (but not very likely) interfering with transmissions of others. If you are transmitting on 145 MHz (2 meter band), then you are also transmitting a weaker signal on 290 MHz and an even weaker signal on 335 MHz. If you are transmitting on 440 MHz (70 centimeter band), then you are also transmitting a weaker signal on 880 MHz and an even weaker signal on 1.32 GHz.
@@charliefoxtrot5001 I'm new to this. If you program your radio to operate only within the allowable range would that resolve the aforementioned issues?
@@TheCaneLUVA No! The additional frequencies are due to the cheap electronics being used and can not be programmed away. One would need to add a low-pass filter to eliminate the additional out-of-band high frequencies.
@@charliefoxtrot5001 Ah ok, so if I understand correctly its hardwired into the system board. Since this is my first radio I'll use it as a learning device. Thank you.
@@TheCaneLUVA Yes. Unfortunately, this video only talks about the Baofeng not passing the FCC regulation. It doesn't talk about the impact of the failure. This is, unfortunately, a problem in the ham community. Instead of educating people, they are lecturing people.
Note that I am new to this topic as well and do not have my Technician license yet, but I do have an extensive electronics background. The $25 Baofeng is still a good model to get to know amateur radio.
You have about a 9% chance of the Baofeng passing, since that seems to be the average based on the ARRL testing at various hamfests of end users transceivers....AND Fail Fail Fail.
So what?
@@r.w.7232 So you don't understand the term "spurious emissions"? Here let me google that for you...lmgtfy.com/?q=spurious+emissions
Another good video.. it's interesting to see that all of the baofengs have similar poor performance. I'd have thought that the newer one would have been brought within spec. I'd love to see the Wouxun KG-UV9K being put through its paces. Its a dual band radio. Cross-band capable and full duplex so good for sats. Airband receive too. It's available for around £80 here in the UK so probably about the same over your side.
I have seen a lot of video's about this problem. But no one has ever demonstrated what it actually means. I use a BF F8-HP, and I have for years with no complaints from any one. Also, you need to test the TYT UV8000e, which is the radio I use now. It just seems so much better then the F8. But you probably wont.
And what is the take home? No discussion on the problem of harmonics?? Need to elaborate more so people understand what the issues are etc.
Test your new tyt that replaced the baofeng. And maybe test a tyt 8000d or e, the ones with 10w and cross band repeater. Thx
Yes please I have a TYT UV8000E. I would love too see how it fairs.
I only use my BF-F8HP to listen. Not sure why, I have an RTL-SDR.
There's a certain joy to be had from listening to a wide range of frequencies from a chunky battery powered device that fits in the palm of your hand
@@jungy537 yes there is.
Interesting video and quite an eye opener for the 1000's maybe tens of, that use the UV5R including me. Just proves as always that you get what you pay for, so cheap does mean rather nasty.
You mean affordable. They're still a great value, and of great use for those who own them.
Another great video! Well, yesterday (16 Dec 2019) appeared for the Amateur Station Operator Certificate (ASOC) exam, conducted by the Ministry of Communication, government of India here in New Delhi. The exam was for two hours for the General grade with separate test for Morse Code Sending as well as Receiving. The electronics paper was real, real tough that blew my mind off! Anyway, keeping my fingers crossed for a positive result. And last but not the least, watching your videos has familiarised me with several terminologies in the RF world that helped me a lot in the Rules and Regulations section.
Cheers!
73
I hope you get your certificate. 73
@@HamRadioInAction Thank you Sir, the results will be declared within the next one month. Until then keeping my fingers crossed and besides, will continue to watch your brilliant informative knowledge-based videos on Ham.
73
@@shandybrandy5407 Good luck OM. Might speak to you on HF one day soon. 73
@@MrSuperheterodyne Surely OM! TU, 73 :)
can you do the FT-65R and FT-4XR next? I'm sick of all the mouth breathers saying they're just rebranded baofengs.
So is a boefang not worth buying then right because of harmonics
Time to get and test the GT-5R from Radioddity. Only TX inside 70cm and 2m bands. Looked good on another video.
It would be interesting to see if the antenna(s) could provide any harmonic rejection. Also, check output power and harmonics across the bands, not only single frequencies in each band.
Interesting yes, but the FCC rule is for the signal supplied to the antenna.
They should rename that brand Baofail.
Or... "Old Farts Hate Me"
Great test and review, if you have access to a Wouxun KG-UV3D would like to know if this radio is within FCC specs.
I do not think it was a good test when the radio was designed to operate within the 144-148 MHz and 420-450MHz frequencies and the first test you make is at 292.5 MHz . Also why was the Wouxun tested on high power and the Baofeng tested on low?
Very surprising as 4 years later there are still multiple TH-cam videos praising the BF-F8HP.
My Baofeng failed the spec test. So I sent it back to BTech under warranty. Now my 5x3 works great...
These days walk-in talkies are complicated. How’s many AA batteries does that think take
While you can get 6-cell "AA" holder for the UV-5R but it doles come with a BL-5 1800 mah, 7.4 volt Li-ion battery pack. You can also get a BL-5 3800 mah, 7. volt Li-ion battery pack for extended use time.
Doubt it will pass. Same radio. Modified output amp for a couple more watts. Doesn't even output what's advertised.
Shouldn't this also take into account antenna system return loss at the spur frequencies? Even if the BaoFeng transmitters are marginal at best, the net effective spurs that are actually emitted might be well below the -16 dBm Part 97 Requirements. I'm unsure if the Part 97 definition of "Station Transmitter" includes an antenna or not.
The specs are for power to the antenna.
I'm so new I'm not even green. So what does a radio that failed this test mean to a noob? Not within harmonics? Will it work or not. Am I driving with a flat or just low on air?
What do you think about Radioddity handhelds? GD-77 and RD-5R (UV-5R platform) seem pretty interesting, affordable, and feature packed
I'm just starting in amateur radio. I bought an old Alinco DJ-G5 dual-band for £10 from a silent key estate. (Yep, £10). It is like new, I'm just wondering how it would compare to one of the modern hand-portables, and if it is a keeper.
Thinking Ooh dear. at 1:14 . Is a UV-5R with different firmware. If you get 8W out of that then doing well. the 3 power levels, medium and high the same. 4W on a good day. I had 2 like you say 3 times the price. Not 3 times as good. 1 died. No audio on transmit, took it apart and had the volume control off to put on the working one that was getting crackly. PCB labled a UV-5R and is that PCB filtered, Baofeng give a stuff back then, no!. My money on it fails and did not do 5W. Wasted my money on Baofeng stuff, All gone now, Got a Yaesu. linked on QRZ on banner photo on my home page. Noticed on holiday in mobile home type thing, (caravan park) loads in a row, UK holiday park, you know the sort of thing. Used on holiday in the main living area, Transmit. The TV program stopped, knock out the TV, as it did at home but put that as diamond colinier antenna on end of house by TV antenna. maybe but harmonics hitting TV broadcast band not help. Problem on holiday in a caravan. Baofeng now do 1 model that is FCC tested. a replacement UV-5R and everything else they do of same but different. Now starting to take notice, stick to the rules. Maybe one day will get another but do like a proper radio, not direct conversion reciever that can cause greaf is strong signal nearby. But as time goes on, microchips change again, bet lower end radios get better, for $30 good or cheap in UK but the spurious emissions, No. Now to watch, only at 1:20 in
Edited, full of mistakes, useless at typing.
I not convinced that some of what you are seeing is not modulation products within the analyser itself. It common to notch out the carrier using a filter due to the restrictions in dynamics range. Still I’m not saying your findings are wrong. Thanks for sharing.
he is not taxiing the dynamic range of the analyzer by any means. Erroneous readings usually come from overload of the analyzer. The attenuator easily controlled that. I saw no indication of overload in his tests. I typically use a notch filter when trying for numbers in excess of 80 DB or an analyzer with poor overload characteristics. His tests agree to what I have made in the past.
@@paulk8io445 Thats all I was saying regarding the use of the notch filter.
It is not important harmonics over , about radios with 5 Watts !
BIAS???? He said the BF-F8 failed at the end of the video. Not true. It passed in UHF mode, but he did not mention that. Just more BS from Baofeng haters.
My bias was that I REALLY wanted it to pass. Quality, inexpensive radios help the hobby. I am a ham because of Baofeng. As far as my fail comment, I paid for a dual band radio and only one band is usable. It fails as a dual band transceiver.
@Bob Edmondson yeah, tons of emergency services are definitely not using trunked systems.
Hello guys.
Did you test TYT radio TH-UV8000D ?
Please test the anytone 878. That would be intesting
It's disappointing that Baofeng haven't improved.
Does it work? Then don't complain.
bare junk, I am sticking with my Baofeng
yup, me too! feel free to upgrade as you get more experience, but for new hams or folks that want near disposable radios the inexpensive baofeng's are great!!
Baofeng needs to clean up their Transmitter to get rid of those Spurious Emissions!
I'd like to see the Yaesu FT-65R (also
I would bet that Yaesu wouldn't let any radio out the door no matter price point that didn't pass specs.
Compliance? No. Freedom! Yes.
Whats the fcc rule on harmonics, spurious
By the way? I’m blind, and want to know which ham radios have the best embedded speech? I would like a radio that would tell me all my settings because I can’t see the screen whatsoever! And maybe ready to also tell me what frequency I’m on? Is there any such animal! I really hate screens! I could really care less if they’re colored! Or black and white, or if the screen exists at all!
I am also legally blind. But I do have some vision. That's one reason I like the Baofeng radio's. They talk to you. And can be easily programmed using a computer and CHIRP. Hope that helps
If you can do a video on the bf uv 82 newer model and see how that one works out I'm not a ham yet doing my test in Jan 20 but I am a GMRS LIC WRBQ216 and i my uv 82 to talk on repeaters all the time with not one problem and I know a lot of hams that us all different kids of bf radios and they have no issues over the air
Is there a reason why the Kenwood was not tested on 220?
Thanks, this answers my question from the uv5r test video.
What type of attenuator (brand,specs) did you use for this test?
Would antenna selection matter at all?
Okay, in the end, what does this all mean? I have never had any one complain about my signal when using a Baofeng. So what does a "Fail" really mean, what does it effect?
Amateurs are expected to comply with part 97 rules, which includes transmission standards. If you prefer a free for all, check out 11 meters.
@@HamRadioInAction I guess I should have asked, what does it effect, transmission wise. I have and still use a BF F8-HP, and I have had no complaints about my signal quality. Yes I know there are standards and I am a Tech class license holder, but if no one complains about my signal. Thats what I want to know.
@@longrider42 The harmonics are your transmission going out on frequencies other than the one you intended, possibly causing interference outside the ham bands.
James Hart How would they know where to make their complaint?
Amtruckn The complaint would go to the FCC. Then they start doing direction finding to locate the source. Next comes the knock on your door.
Here's a new one to test: Senhaix-8800 with color display, bluetooth and under $100. www.hi-radio.com/product/rugged-waterproof-senhaix-8800-bluetooth-programming-dual-band-walkie-talkie/ Don't know what to make of the technical specs for this HT.
Hi Brian and Don. Nice video, and good to see some real-world testing with good equipment - a refreshing change for TH-cam! Can you help me out here, please?
I note the green line on the oscilloscope which represents the FCC maximum allowance of 25µW [microwatts] i.e. 1/40 of a milliwatt. All your measurements on the oscilloscope are in dBm (dB milliwatts), where 0dBm relates to 1 milliwatt. So, can you confirm that the 8 Watt Baofeng shows -06dBm on the harmonic transmission of 439.56MHz? And also confirm that -06dBm relates to ¼milliwatt? That would mean the Baofeng, although not complying with FCC regs, is only spuriously emitting ¼ milliwatt on the 439.56MHz harmonic.
Postings to your video are all over the place with erroneous suggestions that the world will come to an end if hams continue to use a Baofeng with its “horrendous” spurious transmissions.
Don - is the spurious transmission on 439.56MHz really only ¼ milliwatt, or are my sums wrong? 73. Iain.
They are using a Spectrum Analyzer not an oscilloscope.
@@jfrphoto01 Hi John - I take it that you are a troll, otherwise you may have been more helpful and contributed to this video and the question I was asking? Of course I meant spectrum analyser - tomato / tomayto. aluminium / aluminum - I suspect others knew what I really meant to say. A slip of the tongue (so to speak) my end, and late at night - the concentration was not as it should have been! Iain.
No expert here, but I would say you are correct.
FCC regulation is 25 microwatts which is equivalent to 0.025 milliwatts, which is equivalent to -16dBm and -6dBm is 0.25 milliwatts, -3.28dBm is 0.47 milliwatts (calculated via online calculator)
@@dan001427 Hi Daniel. Thanks for your reply. Just as I thought - it’s just not a great “deal changer” when you consider a Ham can get on air with a brand new Baofeng for as little as £25 ($30)! Sure, the Baofeng does not comply with the US FCC regulations, but let’s be realistic; the world is not going to come to an end with the miniscule spurious emission from the Baofeng.
Baofeng radios typically underperform US FCC specs by -10dBm, which represents spurious emission of 250µW [250 microwatts] - which is ¼ of a milliwatt. Put into context, typical Bluetooth equipment emits 2½ milliwatts - that’s 10 x more RF - yet has only a workable range of up to 30ft. Just how far do these Baofeng-haters think will be the TX range of a Baofeng when emitting ¼ of a milliwatt?
Much ado about nothing! Regards, Iain.
@@iainmeteorscan1555 I agree, It would be interesting to perform a practical test to see if the effects are actually seen in real life.
Lots of good viewpoints in these comments.
IMHO, if these low cost radios help more people get in to this great hobby of Amateur radio, so be it. My hope is that once a newbie gets more informed (with great topics like this one), they WILL purchase better quality radios. I have to wonder that if there were no such thing as under $100 radios, where would Ham radio popularity radio be today? With all the commercial and government interests around the world hungry for more frequency airspace, we need to keep our bands popular and strong by having more numbers in the hobby. We need to have lots of strong voices in support of Amateur radio airwaves and sometimes you have to think outside our guarded box.
Good comment. I agree and struggle with the poor quality vs. the low cost and getting people in the hobby. The UV -5r got me into the hobby.
I wonder how the Btech UV-5001 mobile radio would fare? That's what I'm using as my "base" radio with a 13.8V inverter and a J pole on the roof of the house.
Test the new baofeng uv9r plus 15 watt radio. There dirt cheap on wish .com
But more expensive on amazon. But it will come if bought on amazon. If you order from wish banggood Alibaba or aliexpress or dhgate it may not come. Also try the anytone uv 878.
Can you explain this.... I bought a 108CM Antenna! YES 108Cm!!! But..... my Nagoya 771 seems to work better? Even if I hold this ridiculously long antenna outside the window which basically goes past my roof, don’t pickup the frequency I always get. But there’s a catch. It does pickup the signal in a different spot. So say I’m at one end of the balcony it will pickup on the 108cm. But where I pick it up with the Nagoya it don’t all all??? So I guess I proved longer isn’t better?
Also it seems that if I fold the antenna down so it’s in its smallest form. It receives better lol? I don’t get it
@Trending Pending Hi Trending Pending. Longer CAN be better, provided tuning coil(s) are a part of the antenna. Whatever the length, an antenna needs to be constructed so it ideally provides a 50 Ohm impedance to the radio. Just making the antenna longer (without tuning coil(s) will result in lower or higher impedance - often in the region of 100s or even 1000s of Ohms, resulting in a seriously high SWR presented to the radio. That would explain why the longer antenna seriously underperformed against your Nagoya antenna.
As for your Nagoya not picking up a signal at one end of your balcony - that is most likely due to the Nagoya being in a “null” (no energy) spot of the frequency wavelength. You can hear that happening when travelling in a vehicle and the signal starts chopping.
Incidentally, I use a host of different Baofeng models and have personally found the Baofeng stock antenna to be perfectly adequate. Testing with various Nagoya antennas did not significantly improve my TX/RX, and in several tests the Nagoyas actually underperformed, and more so on UHF (400MHz range). Plus, I always think a long antenna on a handie talkie looks so Dorky and uncool.
I hope that’s all useful for you. Regards, Iain.
How many HTs did you test for freq. spectrum that met the FCC license so far? And do you have any recommendation? Other than the expensive kenwood and wouxan.
There has to be more than handful of chinese brand with FCC license approved. Is this F8HP not have it?
I think it would just be give or take when it comes to FCC approved on HTs since there can be so many factors which can affect the freq. of the radio. Though, is still reasonable to get one with FCC license approve. You just have to be mindful of power level you use.
You should test other freq. that are part FCC other than UHF/ VHF 2m and 70cm band.
Thanks for sharing!
Please stop showing best cheap junkie radio I don't care how good they look the internal parts are cheap junk stick with Yaesu Kenwood and I icom
Yaesu FT-65 and the FT-4X. Both sub $100 radios.
are there any mods we can do to make them better?
Another reason to watch the 5r is the fact I had several 5r setting on a shelf. A storm passed all of my 5r got scrambled. From a near hit.(EMP) don't trust them in your go bag unless you carry a card and know how to clear the"board" and reprogram your rig. On opening one rig I see the lack of decent shielding. No wonder it's cheep. and leeks rf
It's pronounced "woo shaun"
The FCC emissions specs are radiated. Therefor the stock antenna gain must be considered when performing a conducted test. If the stock antenna is lossy at the harmonic frequencies tested then this loss must me subtracted from the conducted TX harmonics measurement.
Now if an after market antenna is used with higher out of band gain then it will fail.
Therefor the radio MAY only be FCC complaint with the stock antenna.
Incorrect, the spec is power supplied to the antenna. 97.307e (e) The mean power of any spurious emission from a station transmitter or external RF power amplifier transmitting on a frequency between 30-225 MHz must be at least 60 dB below the mean power of the fundamental. For a transmitter having a mean power of 25 W or less, the mean power of any spurious emission supplied to the antenna transmission line must not exceed 25 µW and must be at least 40 dB below the mean power of the fundamental
You are correct. FCC 97.307e is a conducted spec. UV5R is clearly failing the FCC spec. However it keeps selling in US and people keep buying it.
@@HamRadioInAction its funny that you're worried about such a low power emission when the standard for high power transmitters is linear. I guess it's OK for the big boys to put out WAY more interference. Laughable.
2 minutes in No
Still going to get se it.
I don't see the advantage of buying a cheap Chinese radio unless your getting digital, or something. So many good used Japaneses made radios such as Icom, and Yaesu's around.
WHAT ABOUT THE BAOFENG UV-9R? What is the difference with this Baefeng, and the ones you have the UV-5R?
Very interesting, that’s why baofeng are cheaper, great job ! Thank’s
I heard the yaesu ft-65r has some Chinese parts in it... it’s only 80$. Although it’s a yaesu so it should pass!
Was this a BF-F8HP from Amazon and straight from China, or did you buy this through Baofeng Tech in the U.S.?