Get the Talkpod A36 Plus here on Amazon 👉 geni.us/B7hNfw (Affiliate) Watch this before buying 👉 th-cam.com/video/zu38fiD3Xl4/w-d-xo.html Radio locked to GMRS? Check this out 👉 th-cam.com/video/etioPDbGugo/w-d-xo.html Check out these other handheld radios 👉 th-cam.com/video/uE2duF07CyU/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=HamRadioDX
A set of parameters that I don't see compared/tested in HT videos is "boot up" time, and parasitic battery drainage over time. As an example, setting each radio to the strongest local weather band (constant readable voice), and removing battery power, I could use stopwatch to measure power-on to signal reception time (battery insertion was the easiest repeatable "power-on", with just that last "click-in" being fairly synchronous to stopwatch start). Repeatability was amazingly 0.10sec over several tests with each. Power ON to Signal Reception Time: TYT TH-350 1.4 seconds Baofeng UV-5R 3.7 seconds (2.7 sec w/ Voice Prompt OFF) Wouxun KG-UVD1P 6.5 seconds (5.5 sec w/ Voice Prompt OFF) Anytone D878UVII Plus 14.6 seconds Vertex VX-150
Boy isn't that true about the uv-5r parasitic drain. It's IMPRESSIVE how they hold a charge. Just last week we had weather sirens go of, I grabbed a uv-5r off the bench and clicked it on, powered right up with a full charge after sitting for at least 10-11 months maybe longer.
Part of the reason that the uv5r was/is so popular is that it transmits in gmrs, frs, MURS and ham bands. It's drawbacks include that is soc, and its spurious RF emissions and spurious RF output well outside the selected frequencies. There's some terrific Japanese handhelds that are clean receivers and transmitters, and you have to get MARS mods to be able to transmit in GMRS, lmr, frs, murs and other frequencies (that the FCC frowns upon)
@@неостанавливаемый I cannot. The uv5r is not, of course submersible. Marine band handhelds are waterproof, and thereby submersible. They operate within a specific set of frequencies of 156 and 174MHz. I believe the uv5r can transmit within those frequencies (hence why the FCC is against them and will not bless them)
I think you are giving the FCC far more credit than they deserve. There have been a couple recent enforcement actions, but they went after people who were being real dick heads and appears they got what they deserved. If I'm using my UV-82 (Baofeng) for GMRS on the correct frequency, the correct power, and the correct modulation (FM deviation), it is indistinguishable from a part 95 accepted transceiver. Even on a service monitor.
Thank you for the video. I currently have the UV-5r but wanted a radio that included air band, as I wanted that for my work as an AMT. As I want this for basically a scan/listen only it will fit my needs quite well. Going to have a browse through your videos for other gems of knowledge, keep up the good work.
I have a small collection of Baofengs… but ordered one of these just now because I’m tired of waiting for USB charging. It’s still inexpensive enough that I didn’t need to check my account balance before ordering; and I think that’s the breakpoint that made the Baofengs popular in the first place.
You could just get a 3rd party battery for your baofengs that accept usb charging. That’s what I did, 2 birds one stone, extended battery pack and usb chargeable
Very excited about venturing out of the regular HT brands…. Especially excited about the usb charging capability. Bought 2 green ones yesterday at $49.99 before the price increased.
@grr23624 - I like the idea of GMRS because it's dead around here. I'm not looking for random contact rag chews on GMRS. I'd like GMRS so non-ham friends could have emergency communications.
As long as it emits a clean signal I would buy this radio over the Baofeng. The screen is much nicer, sounds a wee bit better, does air band, and looks better (for what that is worth).
Nice little set - I'm sick of charging docks. USB-C all the way. I picked up a grey one. The airband recieve sounds nice and clear. I will see what my fellow hams think of it on the local repeater. Cheers VK2EMP
This sounds good, I had a Baofeng UV-5R with an extended battery, but after about 2 years of not using it, it no longer works, and fails to charge too.
That's pretty nice for a discount radio. It's come time that the technology has really gotten to the point that even the most economic of choices will get you through in a pinch. Nothing wrong with keeping something like that in each of the glove boxes of the car or truck, maybe out on the farm if you have one.. I had a Baofang as my first radio back in 2016 when I got my license because I didn't want to have $250 into something I wasn't even sure I was going to use. Of course with the vx6e the BfTech 6x2 DMR, the Yaesu 991a and ftx100m (i think) plus power supplies and 4 or 5 antennas, general class license, getting into ft8 and all the digitals with a laptop dedicated, it's gotten much MUCH more pricey than an $18 radio!! hahaha
The later Baofeng also have usb-c charging, certainly wider frequency range and equal power, 8 watts out of some for the same price I’m sure someone will come out with a usb- battery for the UV-5R soon All I’m getting at is, yes it’s a nice green radio, but the Feng still rules 😂 I’ve only just got a quenshang and not even programmed it yet as don’t have software, but it looks good too Great review thanks
USB battery makes so much sense, the cables are everywhere, battery packs are ubiquitous and I don't want to use a whole outlet for one charger that can only charge my radio
I got battery for my Baofeng UV-5R and it has USB C on the bottom. Amazon has them. neat radio. The US ones sold GMRS locked but a trick to un lock. same but different with the FCC legal UV-5R . also sold as GT-5R . 73's
Chirp will not allow for any programming other than the H (High Power) setting in the software on this A36 Plus radio. Using the latest Mac version of the software, firmware v1.19. Wonder if anyone knows about this bug? Thanks for the video.
That would be a good radio for someone to learn how to talk to air traffic control but without transmitting if they're getting their pilot's license so they know what they're saying and have an understanding
Looks like a its using soem of the features of the Jianpai 88oo+ seems to be the same menu, and voice but lacking numerous feaures of th Jianpai88oo+ but there are tons of models.. or maybe it got all that chananagang like bluetooth, and android / iOS apps, GPS etc. the Jianpai 88oo+ also got a great speaker for the price. Got two of these cheap walkies. Quansheng K5 was 17 US delivered and Jianpai88oo+ was a tad over 50 US (both incl. danish +25% VAT and shipping)..so more then 3x more then K5, but also a nicer radio but the K5 road to fame is its diversity, extremely TX/RX open and also custom fw.. personally I dont like the design of this Talkpod or the color.. looks like a babymonitor but that is taste, so it have no bearings.
You need to do a frequency coverage video. There is one seller advertising: Frequency Coverage ：TX: 136-174, 220-260,350-390,390-470,470-520MHz* RX: 136-174, 220-260, 350-390, 390-470,470-520MHz
I'll stick with the Baofeng if for nothing else other than the extra tx/rx range and I know how to use it already. It'll be replaced soon with an MD-UV390 (or 380) soon anyway.
I purchased the A36 before Hayden released the video about the Harmonic issues. The radio is a breeze to program. The issue I found was....the speaker audio is bassy (boxy), which in a noisey environment means you cannot hear it over background noise. No problem, I added a genuine Kenwood KMC-45 speaker mic (after having issues with cheap Chinese speaker mics). The audio level was reduced to a whisper, even at full volume. Oh well, another radio for the bin. Such a disappointment, I was hoping this would be a better performer than it turned out.
I believe that may be the clearest AM Aircraft I have heard from one of these Chinese Ham/GMRS HT's ever! And recorded through your mic in your camera. Very impressive if you want to listen the 118-136 Airband. I just compared it to the Quansheng/AnySecu UV-K5 and the Airband receive is terrible by comparison.
@@russellwilson5246 Does Air Band 118-136 FM very clearly. Also the BF-18H {29.95 eBay}, and the UV-17 Pro GPS (36.84 Aliexpress, out of stock), very clear Air band receive on all 3. Decent prices.
A lot of hams here moving to the TYT UV-88 and clones when it comes to disposable radios for camping and messing around in the woods but most still use one of the big 3 for daily carries around the home. I finally ordered one too of course. When I asked those with UV-88s just what's so appealing over the UV-5R (which I have beat the hell out of over the last ten years) most cite modulation the transmit audio. I have not received mine but I am going to guess they have must have added a mic-gain of some type, one of the areas the 5R falls short, especially with newer mumbly hams that still have a bit of mic-fright. Step up to the big three, we are seeing a lot of Yaesu FT-60R out there. I personally think I would spend a bit more probably and find something with C4FM, probably the most popular digital mode in my area. Ref: Area - Utah County, Utah USA ps. I am kind of surprised Baufeng doesn't update and sell a battery for the fang with USB-C. Also in this area a lot of people enjoy having access down to the 72MHZ range on the FM Receiver as the Mormon Church transmits there services in that sub band for the hard of hearing. It will be interesting to see if the the UV-88 goes that low. Oh yeah and just for giggles I picked up another NEW 5R from Temu for 3 bucks since I misplaced the original, highly mistreated 5R of Ten years or so... and it works hahaha.
You can totally charger or UV five bar over USB C. I have a couple chargers for my radio that do it, I don't think I've ever paid more than about dollars on Amazon for them
Doesn’t have half the features as the 5R. It’s not bad but definitely doesn’t replace the 5R. For racing karts we went back to our 5R’s to communicate with drivers on the track. This new one talks back to you by itself frequently 😆😆😆
Have you checked out the Radtel 470x series. Menu's and screen are just like the talkpod, and the 470x has multiband also, similar radio, works well on 2m, 70cm, 1.25m and airband receive. I do love the screen on these...I have the MMLRadio version of the Radtel 470x, programs thru chirp with Radtel 470x setting. Nice radio, similar to the Talkpod. :-)
Edited - The green one is not on Prime in the US and since i looked at it yesterday has went up to $60. For the price they are asking it should at least have a backup battery. They got a good idea with the ham/gmrs combo unit though. For some reason i didnt think that was legal. Wonder why the Wouxon UV9 series doesnt do this?
It isn't, and it isn't certified for GMRS Part 95. No one is likely to care though. Really, I'd be interested to know what frequencies it's actually locked to for US sale, and if those limits can be changed as on the Quansheng. I've also seen something that suggests it works on 222.
@@g-whiz286 There is no Part 97 certification, with the exception of power amplifiers that ofperate betwee 26 MHZ and...I forget whether it's 50 MHZ or 100some MHZ, but the practical upshot is the same. Part 95 certification requires, whether for CB or GMRS (both covered in their individual subsections) that transceivers be only able to operate on those specific channels. There's an exception for Part 90 certified radios made before some arbitrary date. But once a Part 95 certified radio is opened up for Amateur use, it's no longer certified for GMRS. Silly rule if you ask me, which no one has, because it's not really enforced apparently, and again, no one will care if you use some non-certified radio on GMRS if you're not being an ass about it.
The green one was available on the 17th on Prime for $60 and shipped from Amazon ( I have one arriving tomorrow), but on the 18th it was back down to $50, no Prime and shipped from somewhere else, like the black and crystal ones and an arrival date of mid-July to August 1st!
@@mikedodds7547 I saw it pop up and disappear again. I passed on it. I do like that they left the transmit on GMRS but honestly it would only be worth $50 on prime and would still need to include a second battery.
not sure if I saw it, but what is the Talkpod like in direct sunlight? Think I am going to get one of these when they come on Sale on a prime day as improved air and compared to Baofeng is worth the extra buy!
The screen is amasing and audio sounds great. Airband is better than the QuanSheng too. I love that colour, hard to lose. The cheapest price seems to be about AU$88, so a fair bit more than the QuanSheng. Still leaps and bounds better than the UV-5R. Needs spurious emissions tests now. :)
Don, this is getting crazy, every month a newest baofeng killer that gets ousted the next month and on and on. You get no tech support. Warranty or sevice with these sponsored radios. Black friday rolls around you can get a solid Yaesu FT4xr or FT65 and never need another radio.
@@super66craig yes, I agree but for most people who are on a budget, a compromise on value, performance and features comes into play. I normally buy quality gear but I'm newly retired and can't work so now funds are limited. Ideally for a daily HT, I want a VX-6R or similar for edc. For now, my quality HT's are the Anytone 878UVII Plus and the Wouxun KGUV9PX. I bought the QuanShengs for their wide receive capability to monitor different SHTF frequencies while using my better radios to TX on. Once I sell most of my lock collection, I want a HF radio or two and maybe the upcoming Kenwood D75A. In saying that, there will always be a Baofeng or similar in someone's kit. Lol I have a UV-9R and a UV-S9 in the cars cause they're cheap and expendable. However, I just can't ever find myself to buy the classic UV-5R though.😄👍
I immediately ordered a Quansheng UV-K5 based on your reviews, now you are on to the Talkpod! I travel on the logging roads on Vancouver Island and would like to be able to use 153+ and other Resources Road frequencies, as well as the usual VHF/UHF ham bands. I don't care about GMRS, but WB Rx is always good. I have Kenwood HTs but want something disposable with USB charging. So should I buy this one now? Not a substantial investment, I know! I have seen TO's reviews too.
hey thanks for that.i dont want but i need for paragliding to be able to have a listening watch when in the visinity of uncontolled air ports (diferent chanells) .whats my best way of making the authority happy with the least amount of money and weight and size? edit after learning a bit more i see the specifications on this radio for the chanels for air band go from 230 to 250. seems i need some thing like 110 to 130.can it be programed for that?
The A36 Plus looks like the radio that came out maybe a year ago that had the clone feature and did up to 660 MHz and I bought it. I don't remember what name it had but it wasn't this name. Let me go look because it looks identical. ABBREE Looks very similar
No go for me. Mine arrived on 6/26/23 direct from CN ordered thru AMZ with v1.9 firmware. I re-flashed to v1.18. Will not transmit on simplex 2M or 70cm frequencies. Duplex is fine. It is heading back to AMZ for refund. Can't use it with my UHF AllStar node or .52 so that's a fail. Advertised battery size was larger than the 1800ma I received also.
Hi i have some questions i would like to put forward to you or any Ham radio operators that could help first one being two of us are looking at traveling out back SA,NT,and WA on motorbikes in the near future, as there is poor phone reception in these areas and a satellite phone would not suit i have been thinking of a uhf hand held radio as some of the areas require uhf set channel, also a blue tooth dongle so we could talk to each other and other travellers via our head sets in helmets while having availability of emergency ch with a ptt switch on the handle bars what are your thoughts and ideas on this any ideas or suggestion would be very much appreciated cheers Russell
Hey mate, Yeah if you just want to communicate with each other or just up the road to truckers etc than UHF CB will work perfectly fine for that. If you're interested in longer distance communication that is where ham radio may come in, particular HF. On a motorbike it might be a bit hard, but if you stop somewhere overnight it might be handy, or in an emergency. As for UHF CB brands, probably GME or Uniden would be the two to look at, I'm sure they sell bluetooth headsets and everything you require.
Since you had it connected to the a monitor why didn't you check for serious emissions? That's important here in the US and the FCC, please amend this video
I want to get this radio but I am already pretty unsure if quality control from all of the reviews I have watched. Also pretty sure it is in no way legitimately fcc approved.
Good features, not a fan of the font or menu style though. How does this compare to the Baofeng when it's twice the price ?? I've never paid more than $25 for a Baofeng. That view of yours is crazy and perfect for ham range, is that Tassie ?? NEVER press the buttons when the radio is wet ! That drives water onto the PCB !
Try the usb-C with a cable that has the C-style on both ends, meaning that you have a true usb-C charger, and I bet it won’t work. It’s the same with most Chinese stuff. The charge chip inside is usb-A and so it can’t tell the C charger what voltage it needs.
Looks like a great radio. Have a question. My friend is using a baofeng and we do a lot of night hunting. His night vision equipment seems to interfere with his receiving. What causes that and what is a decent radio that may help fix it. I assume it has something to do with shielding? Is this RF overload?
The night vision equipment probably emits some sort of RFI and is being picked up by the radio. The Baofeng's, whilst cheap don't have the best RF shielding as you mention. YMMV on other cheaper radios. You could also try changing frequencies too just in case.
@@HamRadioDX thank you for your reply. Do you know of a better shielded radio? No need to be as cheap as the uv5r but say within a couple hundred dollars?
I have the 10watt Baofeng UV-13 PRO Dual Band Two-way Walkie-Talkie 136-174/400-520MHz. And the UV-13 charges from the USB port, Just like a cell phone. Is the Talkpod able to charge form a USB port, or do you have to carry that charge you place the radio into with you all the time.
I've been looking for the ideal radio for paragliding for a while. Been using Icoms and Baofengs for the last few years. Need something that: - has USB charging (can be away from power outlets for days) - light (every gram matters when you're hiking) - bluetooth headset and transmit button (need both hands for flying) - receives and transmits on airband VHF - programmable via mobile over bluetooth. And ability to change frequency over BT using mobile. (I know, dreaming) We've been using bluetooth dongles & Baofengs with mixed success. Audio quality sounds like you're in a dunny and the dongles are flimsy and can pop out or run out of battery. Australia requires us to transmit on Airband in certain areas which means carrying a second radio and the Icoms aren't light or cheap. Even using one radio is a struggle when you're getting thrown around in a thermal. Having to use two actually makes things dangerous. Would be really cool to have a radio that ticks all these boxes. Any suggestions?
If it does 2M 440 FMRS/GMRS - and add airband listening? Then I'm sold. Edit: GMRS locked for US. So was the GT-5R. And with a few button presses it was unlocked. :)
pretty sure I saw GMRS on the box?! Guessing not locked to GMRS??? (I bought a good spec GMRS baofeng that I'm unable to program to other channels) To 440mhz? bugger, so can it be unlocked to turn it into a cheap as chips CB (good emergency back up that can be easily locked to 446/8mhz to prevent stepping on any Ham or emergency services toes) Cheapy UV5R is about 1/4 the price of a GME haha
Baofengs have been around a lonnngggg time without very many visual, software, or hardware, updates (dont fix whats not broken, i guess). Its good to see new alternatives, within the same price range, but everything is newer, nicer looking and has more options
The Uv5R is a quarter of the price, I could buy 4 of them for the price of 1 of these. No contest the Baofeng is way ahead of it. You must be getting a kickback.
@@jaimz33So your original comment is a bit flawed then being that the "Baofeng is way ahead of it"... Yes you can buy 4 x UV-5R's for the price of a Talkpod... But you can get extra features that the UV-5R doesn't have... horses for courses
Like I need more handhelds, but interested for my usual reasons (cheap radios and how usable by blind hams.) They're all similar enough to have suspicions, but it's the differences that could be gotchas.
@@HamRadioDX He's not wrong. Actually, as far as the best spoken output in one of these out of the box, meaning not counting the GD77 and friends with OpenGD77 firmware, the best implementation I've seen is on the Puxing UV973 (or UV9R, I've seen it designated both ways). It also has the worst transmit audio, but for accessibility sub-$100, it's hard to beat. But back to the Baofeng, it was the second guide I wrote, the first being the Wouxun KG-UVD1P, the third the Puxing. In my copious spare time, I will release one for the Quansheng. Am curious how the Talkpod measures up.
hi once again sorry to be a bother but have looked at what you recommended and it all went over my head like a jet plane so question does this have the 80 cb channels already or do i have to program them in thanks R @@HamRadioDX
Get the Talkpod A36 Plus here on Amazon 👉 geni.us/B7hNfw (Affiliate)
Watch this before buying 👉 th-cam.com/video/zu38fiD3Xl4/w-d-xo.html
Radio locked to GMRS? Check this out 👉 th-cam.com/video/etioPDbGugo/w-d-xo.html
Check out these other handheld radios 👉 th-cam.com/video/uE2duF07CyU/w-d-xo.html&ab_channel=HamRadioDX
A set of parameters that I don't see compared/tested in HT videos is "boot up" time, and parasitic battery drainage over time.
As an example, setting each radio to the strongest local weather band (constant readable voice), and removing battery power, I could use stopwatch to measure power-on to signal reception time (battery insertion was the easiest repeatable "power-on", with just that last "click-in" being fairly synchronous to stopwatch start). Repeatability was amazingly 0.10sec over several tests with each.
Power ON to Signal Reception Time:
TYT TH-350 1.4 seconds
Baofeng UV-5R 3.7 seconds (2.7 sec w/ Voice Prompt OFF)
Wouxun KG-UVD1P 6.5 seconds (5.5 sec w/ Voice Prompt OFF)
Anytone D878UVII Plus 14.6 seconds
Vertex VX-150
Dang.Thank you for laying that out!!👊😎
Boy isn't that true about the uv-5r parasitic drain. It's IMPRESSIVE how they hold a charge. Just last week we had weather sirens go of, I grabbed a uv-5r off the bench and clicked it on, powered right up with a full charge after sitting for at least 10-11 months maybe longer.
This answer is the reason nobody cares about ham radio.
Just about the worst battery performance I have ever come across is the Yaesu FT-70D. Terrible!
Nice review! Can’t wait to test mine out 😊
Thanks Lewis! Look forward to seeing your video too
Part of the reason that the uv5r was/is so popular is that it transmits in gmrs, frs, MURS and ham bands. It's drawbacks include that is soc, and its spurious RF emissions and spurious RF output well outside the selected frequencies.
There's some terrific Japanese handhelds that are clean receivers and transmitters, and you have to get MARS mods to be able to transmit in GMRS, lmr, frs, murs and other frequencies (that the FCC frowns upon)
Can you name a handheld that does everything a uv5r can do and is submersible?
@@неостанавливаемыйrussian army radio much 😅😂😅
@@неостанавливаемый I cannot. The uv5r is not, of course submersible.
Marine band handhelds are waterproof, and thereby submersible. They operate within a specific set of frequencies of 156 and 174MHz. I believe the uv5r can transmit within those frequencies (hence why the FCC is against them and will not bless them)
@@неостанавливаемый Baofeng GT-3WP
I think you are giving the FCC far more credit than they deserve. There have been a couple recent enforcement actions, but they went after people who were being real dick heads and appears they got what they deserved. If I'm using my UV-82 (Baofeng) for GMRS on the correct frequency, the correct power, and the correct modulation (FM deviation), it is indistinguishable from a part 95 accepted transceiver. Even on a service monitor.
Thank you for the video. I currently have the UV-5r but wanted a radio that included air band, as I wanted that for my work as an AMT. As I want this for basically a scan/listen only it will fit my needs quite well. Going to have a browse through your videos for other gems of knowledge, keep up the good work.
I have a small collection of Baofengs… but ordered one of these just now because I’m tired of waiting for USB charging. It’s still inexpensive enough that I didn’t need to check my account balance before ordering; and I think that’s the breakpoint that made the Baofengs popular in the first place.
You could just get a 3rd party battery for your baofengs that accept usb charging. That’s what I did, 2 birds one stone, extended battery pack and usb chargeable
@@user-uq7sr9eb7v you have a link to the one you purchased?
got the Baofeng UV17 Pro V2 for £17 and it as USBC charging direct through the battery pack at the back ;)
Very excited about venturing out of the regular HT brands…. Especially excited about the usb charging capability. Bought 2 green ones yesterday at $49.99 before the price increased.
@grr23624 - I like the idea of GMRS because it's dead around here. I'm not looking for random contact rag chews on GMRS. I'd like GMRS so non-ham friends could have emergency communications.
Do these have a signal meter that works so that it can be used when fox hunting.?
As long as it emits a clean signal I would buy this radio over the Baofeng. The screen is much nicer, sounds a wee bit better, does air band, and looks better (for what that is worth).
Look at the waterfall on his radio. She is not exactly clean!
Get the GT-5R if you want a clean baofeng
Nice little set - I'm sick of charging docks. USB-C all the way. I picked up a grey one. The airband recieve sounds nice and clear. I will see what my fellow hams think of it on the local repeater. Cheers VK2EMP
This sounds good, I had a Baofeng UV-5R with an extended battery, but after about 2 years of not using it, it no longer works, and fails to charge too.
Probly a dead battery
That's pretty nice for a discount radio. It's come time that the technology has really gotten to the point that even the most economic of choices will get you through in a pinch. Nothing wrong with keeping something like that in each of the glove boxes of the car or truck, maybe out on the farm if you have one.. I had a Baofang as my first radio back in 2016 when I got my license because I didn't want to have $250 into something I wasn't even sure I was going to use. Of course with the vx6e the BfTech 6x2 DMR, the Yaesu 991a and ftx100m (i think) plus power supplies and 4 or 5 antennas, general class license, getting into ft8 and all the digitals with a laptop dedicated, it's gotten much MUCH more pricey than an $18 radio!! hahaha
The later Baofeng also have usb-c charging, certainly wider frequency range and equal power, 8 watts out of some for the same price
I’m sure someone will come out with a usb- battery for the UV-5R soon
All I’m getting at is, yes it’s a nice green radio, but the Feng still rules 😂
I’ve only just got a quenshang and not even programmed it yet as don’t have software, but it looks good too
Great review thanks
Thanks mate!
USB battery makes so much sense, the cables are everywhere, battery packs are ubiquitous and I don't want to use a whole outlet for one charger that can only charge my radio
@@SuperMrgentleman I have the UV-S9 and UV-b3 with the side charge port, yes much better especially in a vehicle
@PlasmaStorm73 [N5EVV] exactly, Baofeng radios are bargains , and still fair quality
Baofeng! until I die ! because they be cheap ! 73 Joe
Thanks for the great overview of features and build quality. I'll be sure to keep mine out of the water 🙂
Haha thanks! It’s still working and sounds great this morning!
I got battery for my Baofeng UV-5R and it has USB C on the bottom. Amazon has them. neat radio. The US ones sold GMRS locked but a trick to un lock. same but different with the FCC legal UV-5R . also sold as GT-5R . 73's
I like that it receives air band as well.
It’s not too bad from what I’ve heard. The speaker in the radio is very clear and loud
@@HamRadioDX keen to know how good or bad it is to program.
It will program with Chirp, but I haven’t done that yet. Perhaps video #2, should be fairly easy though unlike the Quansheng
That airband wasn't bad at all!
It was pretty good. How was yours?
@@HamRadioDX I don't think I'm in range of an airport at the QTH. I'll have to check it out.
UV5R $20
A36 $50
It better be better for a 250% price difference.
Chirp will not allow for any programming other than the H (High Power) setting in the software on this A36 Plus radio. Using the latest Mac version of the software, firmware v1.19. Wonder if anyone knows about this bug? Thanks for the video.
Price and availability of accessories is a major difference. For the car I got a USB rechargeable battery for my GT-5R for under $10
Exactly. Why do all these different HTs need different proprietary batteries and accessories?!
The same reason why Icom and Yaesu use different batteries and accessories?
That would be a good radio for someone to learn how to talk to air traffic control but without transmitting if they're getting their pilot's license so they know what they're saying and have an understanding
Having CHIRP support will be important as LINUX worls with CHIRP. SHTF preppers will want to use Linux as well as Money Savvy people.
6/17 version of Chirp-Next has it in the list! 😀
Looks like a its using soem of the features of the Jianpai 88oo+ seems to be the same menu, and voice but lacking numerous feaures of th Jianpai88oo+ but there are tons of models..
or maybe it got all that chananagang like bluetooth, and android / iOS apps, GPS etc.
the Jianpai 88oo+ also got a great speaker for the price.
Got two of these cheap walkies.
Quansheng K5 was 17 US delivered and Jianpai88oo+ was a tad over 50 US (both incl. danish +25% VAT and shipping)..so more then 3x more then K5, but also a nicer radio but the K5 road to fame is its diversity, extremely TX/RX open and also custom fw..
personally I dont like the design of this Talkpod or the color.. looks like a babymonitor but that is taste, so it have no bearings.
25% sales tax and no riots in the streets? Whoa
You need to do a frequency coverage video. There is one seller advertising:
Frequency Coverage ：TX: 136-174, 220-260,350-390,390-470,470-520MHz*
RX: 136-174, 220-260, 350-390, 390-470,470-520MHz
This is VERY close to the Abbree AR-730 I have done a few videos on it. Great Value overall.
I'll stick with the Baofeng if for nothing else other than the extra tx/rx range and I know how to use it already.
It'll be replaced soon with an MD-UV390 (or 380) soon anyway.
If harmonics suppression is ok, then this is a very nice radio! 👍
I bought one today in black for $49. Thanks for reviewing. USB charging will be nice.
USB-C too!
I purchased the A36 before Hayden released the video about the Harmonic issues. The radio is a breeze to program. The issue I found was....the speaker audio is bassy (boxy), which in a noisey environment means you cannot hear it over background noise. No problem, I added a genuine Kenwood KMC-45 speaker mic (after having issues with cheap Chinese speaker mics). The audio level was reduced to a whisper, even at full volume. Oh well, another radio for the bin. Such a disappointment, I was hoping this would be a better performer than it turned out.
Glad they included the antenna advice in the manual 🤷
I know right!
I believe that may be the clearest AM Aircraft I have heard from one of these Chinese Ham/GMRS HT's ever! And recorded through your mic in your camera. Very impressive if you want to listen the 118-136 Airband. I just compared it to the Quansheng/AnySecu UV-K5 and the Airband receive is terrible by comparison.
does it get 118 to 136 on airband ? specs on one of the ebay sellers says 250 and up?
@@russellwilson5246 Does Air Band 118-136 FM very clearly. Also the BF-18H {29.95 eBay}, and the UV-17 Pro GPS (36.84 Aliexpress, out of stock), very clear Air band receive on all 3. Decent prices.
A lot of hams here moving to the TYT UV-88 and clones when it comes to disposable radios for camping and messing around in the woods but most still use one of the big 3 for daily carries around the home. I finally ordered one too of course. When I asked those with UV-88s just what's so appealing over the UV-5R (which I have beat the hell out of over the last ten years) most cite modulation the transmit audio. I have not received mine but I am going to guess they have must have added a mic-gain of some type, one of the areas the 5R falls short, especially with newer mumbly hams that still have a bit of mic-fright.
Step up to the big three, we are seeing a lot of Yaesu FT-60R out there. I personally think I would spend a bit more probably and find something with C4FM, probably the most popular digital mode in my area.
Ref: Area - Utah County, Utah USA
ps. I am kind of surprised Baufeng doesn't update and sell a battery for the fang with USB-C.
Also in this area a lot of people enjoy having access down to the 72MHZ range on the FM Receiver as the Mormon Church transmits there services in that sub band for the hard of hearing. It will be interesting to see if the the UV-88 goes that low.
Oh yeah and just for giggles I picked up another NEW 5R from Temu for 3 bucks since I misplaced the original, highly mistreated 5R of Ten years or so... and it works hahaha.
I did not watch the video yet but the box says GMRS but when you show the back it shows 430 to 440. But GMRS START FROM 462 and 467
You can totally charger or UV five bar over USB C. I have a couple chargers for my radio that do it, I don't think I've ever paid more than about dollars on Amazon for them
Doesn’t have half the features as the 5R. It’s not bad but definitely doesn’t replace the 5R. For racing karts we went back to our 5R’s to communicate with drivers on the track. This new one talks back to you by itself frequently 😆😆😆
I like it for a cheap radio. Not too bad in my book
I recognise that voice on 118.1 ! I was listening in when I was in town recently.
Haha nice!
Have you checked out the Radtel 470x series. Menu's and screen are just like the talkpod, and the 470x has multiband also, similar radio, works well on 2m, 70cm, 1.25m and airband receive. I do love the screen on these...I have the MMLRadio version of the Radtel 470x, programs thru chirp with Radtel 470x setting. Nice radio, similar to the Talkpod. :-)
Edited - The green one is not on Prime in the US and since i looked at it yesterday has went up to $60. For the price they are asking it should at least have a backup battery. They got a good idea with the ham/gmrs combo unit though. For some reason i didnt think that was legal. Wonder why the Wouxon UV9 series doesnt do this?
It isn't, and it isn't certified for GMRS Part 95. No one is likely to care though. Really, I'd be interested to know what frequencies it's actually locked to for US sale, and if those limits can be changed as on the Quansheng. I've also seen something that suggests it works on 222.
@@kb5elv - Can you confirm that this transceiver is NOT part 95 accepted? Is there any reason why it couldn't be part 95 AND part 97 accepted?
@@g-whiz286 There is no Part 97 certification, with the exception of power amplifiers that ofperate betwee 26 MHZ and...I forget whether it's 50 MHZ or 100some MHZ, but the practical upshot is the same. Part 95 certification requires, whether for CB or GMRS (both covered in their individual subsections) that transceivers be only able to operate on those specific channels. There's an exception for Part 90 certified radios made before some arbitrary date. But once a Part 95 certified radio is opened up for Amateur use, it's no longer certified for GMRS. Silly rule if you ask me, which no one has, because it's not really enforced apparently, and again, no one will care if you use some non-certified radio on GMRS if you're not being an ass about it.
The green one was available on the 17th on Prime for $60 and shipped from Amazon ( I have one arriving tomorrow), but on the 18th it was back down to $50, no Prime and shipped from somewhere else, like the black and crystal ones and an arrival date of mid-July to August 1st!
@@mikedodds7547 I saw it pop up and disappear again. I passed on it. I do like that they left the transmit on GMRS but honestly it would only be worth $50 on prime and would still need to include a second battery.
I have two UV-5R 8w.
They do just fine for me. 🤗
I have the Yaesu FT4X and love it. It drives a 35 watt amplifier.
Good info for a old cb'er
not sure if I saw it, but what is the Talkpod like in direct sunlight? Think I am going to get one of these when they come on Sale on a prime day as improved air and compared to Baofeng is worth the extra buy!
The screen is amasing and audio sounds great. Airband is better than the QuanSheng too. I love that colour, hard to lose.
The cheapest price seems to be about AU$88, so a fair bit more than the QuanSheng. Still leaps and bounds better than the UV-5R. Needs spurious emissions tests now. :)
Yes, that’ll be a future test!
Agreed, surprised you didn't check for spurious! Otherwise a good review! Thanks!
Don, this is getting crazy, every month a newest baofeng killer that gets ousted the next month and on and on. You get no tech support. Warranty or sevice with these sponsored radios. Black friday rolls around you can get a solid Yaesu FT4xr or FT65 and never need another radio.
Love how everyone is so cautious about spurious emissions but walk around with mobile phones and Bluetooth headphones stuck to them all day long
@@super66craig yes, I agree but for most people who are on a budget, a compromise on value, performance and features comes into play. I normally buy quality gear but I'm newly retired and can't work so now funds are limited. Ideally for a daily HT, I want a VX-6R or similar for edc. For now, my quality HT's are the Anytone 878UVII Plus and the Wouxun KGUV9PX. I bought the QuanShengs for their wide receive capability to monitor different SHTF frequencies while using my better radios to TX on.
Once I sell most of my lock collection, I want a HF radio or two and maybe the upcoming Kenwood D75A.
In saying that, there will always be a Baofeng or similar in someone's kit. Lol
I have a UV-9R and a UV-S9 in the cars cause they're cheap and expendable. However, I just can't ever find myself to buy the classic UV-5R though.😄👍
I immediately ordered a Quansheng UV-K5 based on your reviews, now you are on to the Talkpod! I travel on the logging roads on Vancouver Island and would like to be able to use 153+ and other Resources Road frequencies, as well as the usual VHF/UHF ham bands. I don't care about GMRS, but WB Rx is always good. I have Kenwood HTs but want something disposable with USB charging. So should I buy this one now? Not a substantial investment, I know! I have seen TO's reviews too.
Yes that's what happens when we get sent radios I guess.
The Quansheng is still OK, cheaper.. and will do what you need.
Thanks for a very good review. The Talkpod looks nice, has some nice features including modern USB-C charging, and the large color screen looks great.
Thanks for checking it out and leaving your thoughts. Cheers!
I really like the display on that radio. KO4HPC 73
I love that radio I’m gonna buy that radio
So it's capable of GMRS/FRS, MURS, VHF/UHF and airband monitoring and all for $50? And wrapped in dayglow green? I'll buy it!
Only for reception.
Transmission only in emergencies....
Thanks For The Review Looks Like A Nice Radio
I have an Abbree A730 that looks much the same
It does radio stuff
hey thanks for that.i dont want but i need for paragliding to be able to have a listening watch when in the visinity of uncontolled air ports (diferent chanells) .whats my best way of making the authority happy with the least amount of money and weight and size? edit after learning a bit more i see the specifications on this radio for the chanels for air band go from 230 to 250. seems i need some thing like 110 to 130.can it be programed for that?
The A36 Plus looks like the radio that came out maybe a year ago that had the clone feature and did up to 660 MHz and I bought it.
I don't remember what name it had but it wasn't this name.
Let me go look because it looks identical. ABBREE
Looks very similar
The air band is really good 👍
Let May go directly to the point Which is the best two channel radio Which doesn't need license
TIL: IFR clearances are so much nicer there than the US.
Haha, I don’t understand the flight speak
Baofeng Now have the New -UV18R its really nice .
i cracked laughing (and coughing) with the accent lol, i wasnt expecting that
For the price and features, I'll keep my Baofeng UV-17 Pro GPS.
Very good review. Especially liked the service monitor review. I'm buying one to review for American Contingency survival groups.
Cool thanks! I'll be doing another service monitor test soon - testing harmonics from the radio.
No go for me. Mine arrived on 6/26/23 direct from CN ordered thru AMZ with v1.9 firmware. I re-flashed to v1.18. Will not transmit on simplex 2M or 70cm frequencies. Duplex is fine. It is heading back to AMZ for refund. Can't use it with my UHF AllStar node or .52 so that's a fail. Advertised battery size was larger than the 1800ma I received also.
Yeah but you can jailbreak a baofeng to cover a pretty insane range.
Hi i have some questions i would like to put forward to you or any Ham radio operators that could help first one being two of us are looking at traveling out back SA,NT,and WA on motorbikes in the near future, as there is poor phone reception in these areas and a satellite phone would not suit i have been thinking of a uhf hand held radio as some of the areas require uhf set channel, also a blue tooth dongle so we could talk to each other and other travellers via our head sets in helmets while having availability of emergency ch with a ptt switch on the handle bars what are your thoughts and ideas on this any ideas or suggestion would be very much appreciated cheers Russell
Hey mate,
Yeah if you just want to communicate with each other or just up the road to truckers etc than UHF CB will work perfectly fine for that.
If you're interested in longer distance communication that is where ham radio may come in, particular HF. On a motorbike it might be a bit hard, but if you stop somewhere overnight it might be handy, or in an emergency.
As for UHF CB brands, probably GME or Uniden would be the two to look at, I'm sure they sell bluetooth headsets and everything you require.
Since you had it connected to the a monitor why didn't you check for serious emissions? That's important here in the US and the FCC, please amend this video
@Ham Radio DX Did I miss it or did you never mention transmit unlock/jailbreaking capabilities?
Ptt plus #8 while turning on.also other numbers for other options
@@fryemfast1982 where did you get this info?
I want to get this radio but I am already pretty unsure if quality control from all of the reviews I have watched. Also pretty sure it is in no way legitimately fcc approved.
Have we found any methods to expand the frequency to include other bands?
Push ptt & #8 while turning on ,more options using other numbers
@@fryemfast1982 What is full freq range with PTT & 8 RX and TX ?
Good features, not a fan of the font or menu style though.
How does this compare to the Baofeng when it's twice the price ?? I've never paid more than $25 for a Baofeng.
That view of yours is crazy and perfect for ham range, is that Tassie ??
NEVER press the buttons when the radio is wet ! That drives water onto the PCB !
Yes Tassie
Why go to the effort of putting usb on the battery and not have that be the programming too?
Try the usb-C with a cable that has the C-style on both ends, meaning that you have a true usb-C charger, and I bet it won’t work. It’s the same with most Chinese stuff. The charge chip inside is usb-A and so it can’t tell the C charger what voltage it needs.
Did a quick check.
Costs 3X the UV5-R.
Don't have to look any further than that...
Looks like a great radio. Have a question. My friend is using a baofeng and we do a lot of night hunting. His night vision equipment seems to interfere with his receiving. What causes that and what is a decent radio that may help fix it. I assume it has something to do with shielding? Is this RF overload?
The night vision equipment probably emits some sort of RFI and is being picked up by the radio. The Baofeng's, whilst cheap don't have the best RF shielding as you mention. YMMV on other cheaper radios. You could also try changing frequencies too just in case.
@@HamRadioDX thank you for your reply. Do you know of a better shielded radio? No need to be as cheap as the uv5r but say within a couple hundred dollars?
@@Acutus3399 what frequencies or bands are you using them on? FRS, GMRS or Ham radio?
@@HamRadioDX actually I'm not good with the numbers but I believe it's like 154.000 or 156.000 walkie talkie frequencies
Looked it up 154.540
I have the 10watt Baofeng UV-13 PRO Dual Band Two-way Walkie-Talkie 136-174/400-520MHz.
And the UV-13 charges from the USB port, Just like a cell phone.
Is the Talkpod able to charge form a USB port, or do you have to carry that charge you place the radio into with you all the time.
Every ham who has ever sold their used gear is familiar with the "re-boxing" process. I have too many OEM boxes in storage for this possibility.
Haha, re-boxing videos should be mandatory on TH-cam for this very purpose
Thanks for sharing this information 👌🙏👌
In your video you mentioned it can do the Motorola roger beep sound. How did you do that? Where in the menu? Thanks!
Under Roger Beep > scroll down and it's called MDC1200 or something to that effect.
Why do aircaft mumble and breath into their mics so much? I amazed they can understand each other.
@@PlasmaStorm73N5EVV It’s only AM and the receiver is an IC-705. Nope, they really could use better mic technique and speak louder.
I've been looking for the ideal radio for paragliding for a while. Been using Icoms and Baofengs for the last few years. Need something that:
- has USB charging (can be away from power outlets for days)
- light (every gram matters when you're hiking)
- bluetooth headset and transmit button (need both hands for flying)
- receives and transmits on airband VHF
- programmable via mobile over bluetooth. And ability to change frequency over BT using mobile. (I know, dreaming)
We've been using bluetooth dongles & Baofengs with mixed success. Audio quality sounds like you're in a dunny and the dongles are flimsy and can pop out or run out of battery.
Australia requires us to transmit on Airband in certain areas which means carrying a second radio and the Icoms aren't light or cheap. Even using one radio is a struggle when you're getting thrown around in a thermal. Having to use two actually makes things dangerous.
Would be really cool to have a radio that ticks all these boxes. Any suggestions?
That radio is gmrs and the baofeng is an amateur radio, two different things. Its not a baofeng killer.
Oh no, another radio I'll probably buy lol
i have just bought the Radtel rt420 which looks identical to this but CHIRP does'nt support it, did you find any sofware for this one?
If it does 2M 440 FMRS/GMRS - and add airband listening? Then I'm sold. Edit: GMRS locked for US. So was the GT-5R. And with a few button presses it was unlocked. :)
2:41 how did the light turned on if it was unplugged? :o Regards.
pretty sure I saw GMRS on the box?! Guessing not locked to GMRS??? (I bought a good spec GMRS baofeng that I'm unable to program to other channels)
To 440mhz? bugger, so can it be unlocked to turn it into a cheap as chips CB (good emergency back up that can be easily locked to 446/8mhz to prevent stepping on any Ham or emergency services toes) Cheapy UV5R is about 1/4 the price of a GME haha
You sound like an Ozzie. That radio doesn’t cover the trucky channels in the uhf 470 area?
Baofengs have been around a lonnngggg time without very many visual, software, or hardware, updates (dont fix whats not broken, i guess).
Its good to see new alternatives, within the same price range, but everything is newer, nicer looking and has more options
What a fantastic view from your house! Anyway, as an HF aficionado thinking of buying my first handheld… Quansheng or Talkpod? 73, M7WWX
If only it were my house! I’d recommend a Talkpod over the QS if you had the money. Better screen, audio and (it appears better AM receive)
I thought the same, what a lovely view. Where abouts are you based?
@@HamRadioDX Would you still recommend it over the Quansheng after your latest vid? 😬
The Uv5R is a quarter of the price, I could buy 4 of them for the price of 1 of these. No contest the Baofeng is way ahead of it. You must be getting a kickback.
So your UV-5R receives Airband then?
@@HamRadioDX who wants to listen to air band?
@@jaimz33So your original comment is a bit flawed then being that the "Baofeng is way ahead of it"... Yes you can buy 4 x UV-5R's for the price of a Talkpod...
But you can get extra features that the UV-5R doesn't have... horses for courses
@@HamRadioDX my uvk58 does way more and that was £10 on aliexpress.
Good for you 👍
What about waterproof features ?
Actually, you can charge UV 5R with USB C. I do that already
Is this good for just receiving airband and marine.
Thanks for the vide man!!
No problem!
I think I’m gonna buy one now!
Where's the best place to buy it from Australia? Cant find any retailers.
Probably eBay, or Amazon.com.
I hate it how Amazon regionalize all their websites so it makes it difficult to buy stuff from overseas.
How would it compare to the Baofeng 9R+ I wonder ?
Like I need more handhelds, but interested for my usual reasons (cheap radios and how usable by blind hams.) They're all similar enough to have suspicions, but it's the differences that could be gotchas.
A local ham who is blind actually mentioned that he enjoys the voice synthesizer on the Baofeng as it makes it easy for him to operate
@@HamRadioDX He's not wrong. Actually, as far as the best spoken output in one of these out of the box, meaning not counting the GD77 and friends with OpenGD77 firmware, the best implementation I've seen is on the Puxing UV973 (or UV9R, I've seen it designated both ways). It also has the worst transmit audio, but for accessibility sub-$100, it's hard to beat. But back to the Baofeng, it was the second guide I wrote, the first being the Wouxun KG-UVD1P, the third the Puxing. In my copious spare time, I will release one for the Quansheng. Am curious how the Talkpod measures up.
Can you share the mic that you are using with your videos? Speaking of the wireless one with the green LED. Thank you.
Shure MV7 - geni.us/peExAzA (Affiliate link)
www.amazon.com/shop/hamradiodx
I have the same radio with a radtell brand. I wonder what factory is making these
Thanks for the help and I will look at a uhf/vhf just in case we run out of beer haaaaa and for emergencies cheers
Running out of beer is a legit emergency
hi once again sorry to be a bother but have looked at what you recommended and it all went over my head like a jet plane so question does this have the 80 cb channels already or do i have to program them in thanks R @@HamRadioDX
Look at all the random spikes splattered across the different bands