how did you program at a58 using chirp software? you using windows 7? Bought a cable for mine and cant get it recognize the drivers in the USB cable. using windows 10
There are a lot of fake USB programming cables out there that they don't actually put the chipset into so the computer never can communicate properly. I used Windows 10 Pro.
You have to use that back dated driver. And every time WIN10 updates, it changes that driver to the newest one available. So you have to keep changing it back.
I have the UV-9R Plus. The only differences I have seen, is the color of the key pad buttons, and maybe the shape of the body...maybe? They appear identical.
@@chrissewell1608 I've heard Nagoya antennas don't fit the UV 9R plus because of something to do with the width of their base. not sure the validity of it though, not many thorough reviews out there. There are mostly short and useless videos on them.
@@Ilost11 True. I tried a "Nagoya" antenna and it did NOT Fit (my UV-9R+) at all. And my Expert Power antennas are a tight fit. The OEM antenna is very good when compared to the upgraded ones. There are a few TH-cam videos out there, not many, on the UV-9R radios.
I just discovered the A58 models, today. I have a pair of UV-9R Plus radios (almost identical / clones) and love them. I do like that USB charging wire rig. Where did you get that USB adapter, for the base charger?
I ordered a top mic for the UV 5r but I got one with the other adaptor so now I need to get one of those radios where can I get 1 fot the best price? Thanks for the feedback on the radios
Sir i bought new BF A58 tomarrow but the output range is not more than 1.5 KM or less there is antenna with box but they have too short range Sir if i buy new antenna of high quality after that my set output range increase or not? Here use VHF
Colt, I bought a couple A58's after watching this video, thanks for the heads up. I've been programming MURS freq's manually and setting the power output to high (5 W) for each MURS channel. But, when I turn off the radio, the power returns to low when I turn the radio on. Since you are more familiar with the Baofengs than I, I'm hoping you have some positive advice for me. I agree about the belt clip, the two that I connect don't work as intended. The nub that holds the clip on got shaved off the first time I removed the clip. So, a decent radio pouch is in my near future - got any suggestions?
I don't think there's a way to program the power to stay on high manually. Try putting the power on high & then re-save the channels. If it was on low when you saved, it will always revert back when powering off. Pouches... Yes, good question. I have tried quite a few. None seem to be perfect! I plan to make a dedicated video to this. Keep an eye out for it.
Murs frequencies are only allowed to run 2 watts max....so I think the programming automatically drops the power level back down.....I have gmrs radios that also do that automatically when changing from gmrs freq to frs freq
Hey, heads up. I bought 4 radios from 'buying2199' prior to our original conversation. They contacted me and said they only had 3 to sell. They were polite and asked if I wanted the 3 and a refund for the 4th. And, not to make assumptions, but the email text was written as someone of Chinese upbringing. Not that means anything but I chose ebuying because of the US flag and I thought I read that the radios would shipped from the US. I replayed to them, through my ebay account, and asked where the radios would ship from. I can share their answer with you if you would like, once I receive it.
I have this radio and I can not get much out of it. The frequencies show regardless what mode I am in. My buddy could not program it on Windows 10, except to hand copy all of our presets in to a file just for this radio. I am honestly thinking of replacing it.
Are you using CHIRP with proper drivers & cables? I have not had one not program out of the ~30 I've handles. Only frequencies will show unless programmed with software no matter what mode you use.
@@Brotherred1 Probably a driver's or fake cable issue. Fake cables is a big problem. Buy a programming cable from a reputable source. Be sure drivers are good.
@@CallMeColtLLC I just received an eBay cable that says Baofeng in what appears to be branded lettering. Anyway, I got the same notification that this is an experimental driver, and it had all the channels with errors on them in chirp like before. I programed it anyway and it did not copy my channel presents the radio but changed my audio language to something Asian but not Chinese.
@@CallMeColtLLC thank you for responding to my question. For the money, I think I'm going to purchase this particular radio. I can always contact my buds while traveling closer to their homes. Plus, with Everything going on the world, I think one should have a radio in case satellites go down. God bless you and your family, brother!
@@CallMeColtLLC even though I'm new to the world of Hams, man, doesn't ham sound delicious right now? Back to my response. Even though I'm new to the world of ham radio, I think this particular one would be perfect for my needs. I watched your comparison video. I'm glued to this radio. Simple, affordable and does what I need. Thank you again for reaching out to me. I do the same when people are in need. I help them. It makes for a better world, indeed!
@@CallMeColtLLC Ok, I was just curious, after viewing many sites, it was clear that many found this to be a concern. GMRS this MURS that it gave me a headache. I simply want a means of comms for a small team at best (with no nefarious intent) and to monitor emergency freqs etc. The link to the BF-A58 says they are not available, what else would you advise? Thanks for your response and help.
@@gunnersecuador7515 My opinion is that if you use them responsibly that you'll never have a problem. I think there's a supply lag from COVID-19. Hopefully they will come available again. The UV9R is an option as well. As long as it has the multi-pin type connector, it will work.
After watching the entire video, you're better off with a Baofeng BF-H6/H7. If you get orange and black H7s, then buy the orange first-aid pouches on Amazon, they look tailor made for each other. The A58 looks like a brick and offers nothing better than a UV5R.
The connection interface on the side & the fact that it is waterproof with that connection being used makes it leaps & bounds above the UV5-R & is exactly why I got it & have been using it for the past few years. Most people that see these advantages have switched. This is also why a lot of the higher end companies making PTT's are making them compatible with the Baofeng multi-pin family of radios.
how did you program at a58 using chirp software? you using windows 7? Bought a cable for mine and cant get it recognize the drivers in the USB cable. using windows 10
There are a lot of fake USB programming cables out there that they don't actually put the chipset into so the computer never can communicate properly. I used Windows 10 Pro.
You have to use that back dated driver. And every time WIN10 updates, it changes that driver to the newest one available. So you have to keep changing it back.
@@chrissewell1608 I have never had that issue & my Windows 10 has been updated multiple times. One went from Home to Pro as well.
Bro chill you are smashing the radioooo huhuhuhuhuuu
Good device!👍🤝
Yes it is!
So what's the difference between the a58 and the uv9r?
I don't have a UV9R to compare so I honestly am not sure! I may get one to just see.
I have the UV-9R Plus. The only differences I have seen, is the color of the key pad buttons, and maybe the shape of the body...maybe? They appear identical.
@@chrissewell1608 I've heard Nagoya antennas don't fit the UV 9R plus because of something to do with the width of their base. not sure the validity of it though, not many thorough reviews out there. There are mostly short and useless videos on them.
@@Ilost11 True. I tried a "Nagoya" antenna and it did NOT Fit (my UV-9R+) at all. And my Expert Power antennas are a tight fit. The OEM antenna is very good when compared to the upgraded ones.
There are a few TH-cam videos out there, not many, on the UV-9R radios.
Very informative channel
So nice of you
I just discovered the A58 models, today. I have a pair of UV-9R Plus radios (almost identical / clones) and love them. I do like that USB charging wire rig. Where did you get that USB adapter, for the base charger?
baofengtech.com/usb-charger-transformer
I ordered a top mic for the UV 5r but I got one with the other adaptor so now I need to get one of those radios where can I get 1 fot the best price? Thanks for the feedback on the radios
I'm sorry, but I'm not sure what a top mic means.
It's supposed to be 10W. Is it? What does it say in the back? Can you test it?
No, it's supposed to be 5W.
Sir i bought new BF A58 tomarrow but the output range is not more than 1.5 KM or less there is antenna with box but they have too short range
Sir if i buy new antenna of high quality after that my set output range increase or not?
Here use VHF
It should work much better with a quality antenna. Terrain & things like buildings can effect range a lot as well.
How do you get two A58 radios to talk to each other?
They need to be programmed properly & on the same frequency.
Hi ! Wich adaptor it's in the antenna
amzn.to/3KV4YLa
Thanks ! Regards from Argentina !
Colt, I bought a couple A58's after watching this video, thanks for the heads up. I've been programming MURS freq's manually and setting the power output to high (5 W) for each MURS channel. But, when I turn off the radio, the power returns to low when I turn the radio on.
Since you are more familiar with the Baofengs than I, I'm hoping you have some positive advice for me.
I agree about the belt clip, the two that I connect don't work as intended. The nub that holds the clip on got shaved off the first time I removed the clip. So, a decent radio pouch is in my near future - got any suggestions?
I don't think there's a way to program the power to stay on high manually. Try putting the power on high & then re-save the channels. If it was on low when you saved, it will always revert back when powering off.
Pouches... Yes, good question. I have tried quite a few. None seem to be perfect! I plan to make a dedicated video to this. Keep an eye out for it.
Murs frequencies are only allowed to run 2 watts max....so I think the programming automatically drops the power level back down.....I have gmrs radios that also do that automatically when changing from gmrs freq to frs freq
Thanks for the informative videos! Do you have a link for the spare batteries you use?
I don't have a link because it was on eBay & it would change often. A quick search on there & they will come up if a listing is available!
Thank you for your detail.
Do you know whether the 58A has a AA battery pack? Also, was this radio disconnected?
There is no extended battery for the Baofeng multipin radios yet. They have not been disconnected. If you meant discontinued, no to that as well.
Thanks for your reply. Yes I meant discontinued. Your link to the radio is no longer supported, but I was able to purchase some on eBay.
@@richgran Thanks for the heads up. I will try to fix the link.
Hey, heads up. I bought 4 radios from 'buying2199' prior to our original conversation. They contacted me and said they only had 3 to sell. They were polite and asked if I wanted the 3 and a refund for the 4th. And, not to make assumptions, but the email text was written as someone of Chinese upbringing. Not that means anything but I chose ebuying because of the US flag and I thought I read that the radios would shipped from the US.
I replayed to them, through my ebay account, and asked where the radios would ship from. I can share their answer with you if you would like, once I receive it.
I have this radio and I can not get much out of it. The frequencies show regardless what mode I am in. My buddy could not program it on Windows 10, except to hand copy all of our presets in to a file just for this radio.
I am honestly thinking of replacing it.
Are you using CHIRP with proper drivers & cables? I have not had one not program out of the ~30 I've handles. Only frequencies will show unless programmed with software no matter what mode you use.
@@CallMeColtLLC I don't know my buddies set up. I just know that my Ubuntu could not get it. Looking on line this radio seems quite an odd duck.
@@CallMeColtLLC Yes we both use chirp. He told me that he was sure to update it before starting.
@@Brotherred1 Probably a driver's or fake cable issue. Fake cables is a big problem. Buy a programming cable from a reputable source. Be sure drivers are good.
@@CallMeColtLLC I just received an eBay cable that says Baofeng in what appears to be branded lettering. Anyway, I got the same notification that this is an experimental driver, and it had all the channels with errors on them in chirp like before. I programed it anyway and it did not copy my channel presents the radio but changed my audio language to something Asian but not Chinese.
And sir also tell how to off the lights of my BF A58 i dont like there different colours lights i just want black and white
In the options menu, 29-31 is for the backlight LED. Change them to off.
What is the connector type for the antenna?
SMA
Isnt this is a triband, while uv5r is dualband?
No, it is a dual band.
CallMeCot, can I reach a pal at around 10 miles with an advanced antenna? I'm out in flat farmland. Thanks. I'm a newbie; just saying...
10 miles, more than likely not unless you have perfect line of sight & an elevated antenna.
@@CallMeColtLLC thank you for responding to my question.
For the money, I think I'm going to purchase this particular radio. I can always contact my buds while traveling closer to their homes.
Plus, with Everything going on the world, I think one should have a radio in case satellites go down.
God bless you and your family, brother!
@@137997311ful It's a good tool to have. I just uploaded a video comparing a few of the multipin type Baofeng radios.
@@CallMeColtLLC even though I'm new to the world of Hams, man, doesn't ham sound delicious right now?
Back to my response. Even though I'm new to the world of ham radio, I think this particular one would be perfect for my needs. I watched your comparison video. I'm glued to this radio. Simple, affordable and does what I need.
Thank you again for reaching out to me.
I do the same when people are in need. I help them. It makes for a better world, indeed!
FRS channels? With detachable antenna? Hmm
He might just be listening :)
@@mrjenybean very true
Stop fedposting
Have you had any issues with FCC rules when using these radios?
No. I don't think there is record of anyone getting in trouble with the FCC for FRS rule violations. I have read a few businesses getting tagged.
@@CallMeColtLLC Ok, I was just curious, after viewing many sites, it was clear that many found this to be a concern. GMRS this MURS that it gave me a headache. I simply want a means of comms for a small team at best (with no nefarious intent) and to monitor emergency freqs etc. The link to the BF-A58 says they are not available, what else would you advise? Thanks for your response and help.
@@gunnersecuador7515 My opinion is that if you use them responsibly that you'll never have a problem. I think there's a supply lag from COVID-19. Hopefully they will come available again. The UV9R is an option as well. As long as it has the multi-pin type connector, it will work.
@@CallMeColtLLC Sounds good thanks for the information.
@@CallMeColtLLC So just to be clear, the 9R will work with the same PTT and headsets like the 8R?
After watching the entire video, you're better off with a Baofeng BF-H6/H7. If you get orange and black H7s, then buy the orange first-aid pouches on Amazon, they look tailor made for each other. The A58 looks like a brick and offers nothing better than a UV5R.
The connection interface on the side & the fact that it is waterproof with that connection being used makes it leaps & bounds above the UV5-R & is exactly why I got it & have been using it for the past few years. Most people that see these advantages have switched. This is also why a lot of the higher end companies making PTT's are making them compatible with the Baofeng multi-pin family of radios.