As a “brand new” HAM Operator, I bought the BaoFeng BF-F8HP because BaoFeng Tech (aka Pofung) radios and their accessories were recommended as great “starter” dual band (2M/440 MHz) handheld transceivers (HT) for a new HAM Operator’s “first radio”. BaoFeng HAM radios and accessories cost significantly less than most other Amateur HT radio brands with equivalent dual band (2M/440 MHz) capabilities. The BF-F8HP model can also transmit more power (~8 Watts) than most other brands that transmit the more or less “standard” HT maximum of 5 Watts. How BaoFeng managed to produce almost 8 Watts of power out of such a tiny radio simply amazes me.
This 3rd Generation BaoFeng BF-F8HP radio can also be programmed to receive commercial broadcast FM radio stations and National Weather Service (NWS) NOAA All-Weather radio broadcasts (here is an Internet website URL address to find NWS NOAA radio stations in your area - http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/coverage/station_listing.html). In addition, FRS and GMRS radio service frequencies can also be programmed into this radio (note - the BF-F8HP radio is not FCC approved to transmit on FRS or GMRS channel frequencies).
This radio’s large 2100 mAh rechargeable lithium-Ion battery powers it for many more hours than you would think is possible. Battery use time also depends on how much time is spent transmitting at its 1, 4 or 8 Watt setting with lower transmit power use obviously allowing the battery to last longer. My BF-F8HP factory package came with the radio, the 2100 mAh battery, an optional belt clip, an optional wrist strap, an improved BaoFeng V-85 antenna and a 110v desk battery charger with a wall-wart “plug-in”. A bonus accessory (also in the box) was a handy earpiece speaker/microphone cable that incorporates a tiny microphone with a push to talk (PTT) button and a lapel clip on the cable. I haven’t quite figured out how to install the included foam ear pad on it (it doesn’t seem to have an opening) but this “over the back of the ear” hook design works for me even though I use “in the ear canal” hearing aids. This apparently “bonus” accessory did not show on the box and it wasn’t on the User Manual’s list or pictured under “What’s in the box”.
The 78-page User Manual that came with my BF-F8HP radio made it relatively easy for this “new” HAM Operator to learn how to program it for both Simplex and Duplex (i.e., repeater) communications. I would have come up to speed more quickly if I had followed the included BF-F8HP User Manual more carefully. At the bottom of the first page the Manual states “PLEASE READ THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY BEFORE USE”. I highly recommend that buyers of this radio follow that instruction step; especially guys like me who typically only read the pages we are interested in reading (erroneously believing that we will be able to “crank up” a new radio and use it more quickly that way). Had I followed the Manual’s advice, I would have more quickly learned how to manually program my BF-F8HP. I also would have avoided some frustration I experienced when I initially attempted to manually program it “incorrectly” using the lower display (only use the UPPER display to manually program this radio!). I would have preferred that the manual was more intuitively sequenced to reduce the need to page-jump back and forth during the learning process. Otherwise, the manual is excellent and will tell you everything you need to know about maximizing the capabilities of this well-designed dual band HT radio.
If you buy a BF-F8HP radio, I highly recommend that you also buy the optional USB Programming Cable that BaoFeng makes for it (the cable does not come with the radio and must be ordered separately). With that USB cable you can more easily and more quickly program the BF-F8HP radio using a Windows computer. Even though the BF-F8HP manual teaches the manual programming process, using a computer to program this radio makes programming it much faster and easier. The computer programming option also allows a 7-character “Name” to be entered for each channel (for example, personal names for Simplex channels and Repeater locations for Duplex channels). Channel names cannot be programmed into the radio manually, but the radio will display the computer-entered Channel names if “Display Mode (A)” and/or the “Display Mode (B)” under “Settings” is changed to “Name”. I set my “Display Mode (A)” to “Name” (the upper display) and kept the lower display “Display Mode (B)” setting at the default setting as “Frequency”. By doing so I can display both if I put the same channel on both displays. If the Channel “Name” is left blank during the computer programming, the channel’s Frequency will display even though the Display Mode for that display is set to “Name”. BoaFeng also sells the software necessary to use the USB Programming Cable but I chose to download the free CHIRP software that is available from Miklor.com. The CHIRP software for the BF-F8HP radio is very easy to download, understand and use. In my “new HAM Operator” opinion, I agree with the recommendations that the BaoFeng BF-F8HP is a great radio to start with for new Amateur Radio Operators.
It is also an inexpensive (and more powerful) backup radio option for “old” HAMS that currently only have “standard” 5 Watt HT radios. In addition, the BF-F8HP also seems to be a perfect all-in-one “bug-out” radio package due to its dual band (2M/440 MHz), FM Broadcast, NWS NOAA, FRS/GMRS and emergency services frequency capabilities coupled with its powerful 2100 mAh factory battery and optional 3800 mAh battery. I have thoroughly enjoyed my BF-F8HP so far and I plan to use it with my homemade “Tape Measure” 2M antenna during Fox-Hunts and my general dual band HT radio needs. In my opinion he BF-F8HP radio is well made (my XYL accidentally dropped mine on a hard tile floor with no damage other than the battery released with no damage to it either).
The BF-F8HP radio is sold as a complete “ready to go” package as it comes from the factory. There is also a large variety of optional accessories for this radio that greatly extend its utility. I bought two different larger (higher gain) attachable antennas, the larger 3800 mAh battery and additional power options for mine. The attachable 15-inch Nagoya dual band antenna I bought allows me to easily work a 2M Repeater 18 miles away. The larger BaoFeng 3800 mAh lithium-ion battery is about an inch longer than the factory battery and is designed and shaped to fit the radio like a glove. I also bought the BaoFeng 12v cigarette lighter cable that enables “plug-in” vehicle power. If you plan to use the BF-F8HP with dual band vehicle and/or base station antennas, be sure to buy a flexible antenna cable to minimize the physical stress on this small radio’s antenna connector.
Antenna cables for the BF-F8HP require a FEMALE SMA connector to attach to the radio and whatever connector fits your vehicle or base station antenna cable on the other end (typically a FEMALE SO-239 connector). I also bought BaoFeng’s handheld microphone and cable so I could use my BF-F8HP in my vehicle without having to hold the radio attached to the antenna cable to transmit while driving. The BaoFeng handheld microphone comes with a lapel clip on the cable which makes it virtually “hands-free” with the BF-F8HP clipped to a belt or attached to the top of a backpack to get the antenna higher in the air.
Unfortunately, the inexpensive BaoFeng speaker/mic reportedly produced extremely muffled audio on the receive end when I tested it so I will not be using it. I've ordered a codeRED Signal 21-K speaker/mic that cost almost as much as the radio to use instead. Otherwise, my “new" HAM experience with the BF-F8HP radio indicates that this dual band HT radio was indeed the perfect choice as my first Amateur Radio “rig” considering its low cost, reliability, expanded frequency options, all-in-one bundle from the factory packaging, higher than standard HT radio power and the large number of less expensive accessories available to enhance its utility. I highly recommend the BF-F8HP for new as well as more experienced HAM Operators.
73!
| Item Weight | 6.8 ounces |
|---|---|
| Package Dimensions | 8.74 x 8.03 x 4.21 inches |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | UV-5R |
| Batteries | 1 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included) |
| Warranty | 30-day hassle-free return, 18-month warranty on the main unit, and 12-month on the parts as well as 6-month free replacement on the battery pack. |
