Note:
To avoid confusion in terminology used:
PTT = push to talk = push to talk
RX = Receive = Receive
Send TX = Transmit =
1. General:
The Baofeng UV-5R is a very handy radio with adequate facilities and decent quality processing. The bands used (2m and 70cm) are not to be confused with CB radio.
The battery lasts very long at reception. Battery consumption is essentially limited to sending. Offered by "The Good", the unit has been sent with a fully charged battery (in opposition to the English manual, which is a text that the battery is supplied empty).
The unit provides language and speech in Chinese and English.
Function of the buttons:
forwards:
[VFO / MR] - switch between Channel mode ("Channel Mode") and frequency mode ("Frequency mode")
[A / B] - switching between the upper and lower frequency; the selected frequency is active and is indicated by an arrow up or down
[Band] - switch between 2m and 70cm band band in the frequency mode
left:
[Call] - switch between FM radio and radio
[PTT] - push to talk = push to talk
[MONI] - (De-) activating the light-emitting diode above (on, flashing, off)
above:
Rotary switch, which controls the volume continuously and the unit turns off.
The channel mode shows the channels that were previously stored. So you can quickly switch between the desired channels, if, for example by the currently active channels studied (which speaks).
The frequency mode allows the direct entry of frequencies and the stepwise scanning of the frequencies by up / down keys.
The display has a backlight, which present themselves in blue (light) Purple and orange leaves; These settings can be respectively for certain applications (standby, send, receive) apply. To save the battery capacity allows the backlight off for certain or all applications.
The keypad is lit individually know for each key. The three remaining buttons on the front ("Band" right, "VFO / MR" on the top left and "A / B" on the bottom left) are not illuminated, but that does not bother, because the buttons are far enough away from each other, thereby properly can be identified in the dark.
The device brings an LED having on the top (not the front), the (flashing) can act as a flashlight or emergency signal.
The FM radio convinces with good reception; the major channels RS2, Energy and RTL were tested.
The antenna can be unscrewed and replaced by another (eg a larger for better reception).
The battery indicator shows up to three strokes. One remains mainly a few hours a day at reception, then extends the battery
multiple days.
The signal strength indicator in the top left shows seemingly always full swing and is therefore useless, but in a handheld radio also not absolutely necessary.
The delivery includes:
- Radio Baofeng UV-5R
- Antenna
- Battery
- Charger
- Adapters for foreign outlets
- Belt clip
- Bend, principally for the wrist, so that the radio during use can not fall down
- Earphones
For me, the earphone does not sit particularly comfortably in the ear; However, the ear hook holds the earphones firmly in place.
2) Terms and conditions:
In Germany the unit is not allowed.
Without radio license one should in any case only the "free" channels use (PMR, LPD and Freenet). If you limit yourself to these free channels and no one interferes (either by just listening in, or by talking to normal without disturbing others), then you will probably have no problems with it, to use the device in Germany.
If you listen to authorities frequencies or even send on such frequencies, then one would commit an offense; at worst, it prevents an important radio message from police, fire, etc. and will then accordingly asked to pay for the damage possibly suffered.
3) Use:
The use should be limited as described above for free channels of the PMR, LPD and Freenet area.
An overview can be found through a search engine, when you search for "PMR, LPD and Freenet".
The device allows DCS and CTCSS, both functions, which can be used to limit the circle of Mitfunker. In Germany, these functions are not necessary to my knowledge, the free channels using these features do not, which makes it easier for beginners enormous.
To receive only the frequency needs to be adjusted. To send a distinction between simplex and duplex channels channels.
Simplex means that receive and transmit at the same frequency takes place and therefore only one at the same time is possible between all radio subscribers that frequency (ie it can not send two radio operators at the same time).
Duplex means that send (ie speak) takes place on a different channel. Therefore, additional settings must be made in duplex channels, which must be distinguished in the settings between the 2m band and the 70cm-Band:
-> In the 2m band (these are the frequencies that start with 14x) the offset (Setting # 26 on the menu) must be set to 00,600. In the menu 25 (SFT-D) will still need the direction for all frequencies above 147 on "plus" (+) can be set (which should be the norm, because the frequencies below 147 no free channels have), including, it would be "minus ".
-> In the 70cm band (these are the frequencies that start with 4x) the offset must be set to 07,600. In the menu 25 (SFT-D) will still need the direction for all frequencies above 445 MHz on "minus" - are set, and at all frequencies below 445 MHz on "PLU" s (+) ().
The 1750Hz tone ringing is triggered by the way, by the [PTT] button and then holding the [Band] key pressed.
4) Explanation of the menus:
0 Squelch = Noise Reduction (0-9; at 0 hears sämtliches noise, from 1 is filtered so that you only hear the talk)
STEP 1 = steps with which the frequency is changed by the up / down button
2 TXP = frequency mode high / low (low reached less frequencies, but saves battery)
3 SAVE = higher speed saves more battery, but it may be lost during transmission words
4 = VOX voice activation instead of the activation by PTT (push to talk)
= Change 5 WIDE between 25KHz and 12.5kHz
6 ABR = Backlight Timeout in seconds
7 TDR = simultaneous listening of two channels; the channel of the first bit is located, is activated
8 BEEP = keys beeping on / off
9 TOT = transmission timeout
10-13 = DCS / CTCSS (received = receive) for RX and TX (transmit = send) to certain Hz (de-) activate
14 VOICE = Feedback votes for keystroke
15 ANI ID = Automatic Number Identification (only via software)
16 DTMFST = Dual Tone Multi-Frequency Side Tones (here is the setting "DT + ANI" (= all) recommended)
17 S-Code = PTT ID DTMF Code Selection (DTMF tones Select, can only be changed via software)
18 SC-REV = Scanning Resume Method. If you hold [* SCAN] is pressed, a scan will start for active frequencies. The setting changes the behavior when an active frequency is found. TO = Scan stop after a certain time, if something is going on a canal, CO = Scan stop after no longer on the frequency is active (is not spoken). SE = off.
19 PTT ID = When the PTT ID you want to send. BOT = at the beginning of transmission. EOT = end of transmission. Both = both.
20 PTT LT = delay of the PTT-ID (default is 5, requires active Menu 19)
21-22 MDF A / B = What to display. CH = Channel name. NAME = via software defined text. FREQ = frequency in numbers
23 BCL = Busy Channel Lock-Out (disables the PTT button on a channel that is already occupied
24 AUTOLK = Automatic keylock
25 SFT-D = direction (plus / minus for duplex, "off" for simplex)
26 OFFSET = 00 600 for the 2m band (14x frequencies) and 07 600 for the 70cm band (4x frequencies)
Save 27 MEM-CH = Channel
Clear 28 Del-CH = Channel
29-31 = Display backlight. WT = default. RX = lights when receiving. TX = lights when sending.
32 AL-MOD = Alarm mode (SITE = only speakers. TONE = "cycling tone over the air". CODE = "119 + ANI over the air".
33 BAND = [A] / switch [B] or VHF / UHF band
34 TDR AB = Dual Watch receiving priority indicator (refer to Menu 7)
35 STE = Squelch Tail Elimination + Transceiver (removes noise at the end of the transfer between two UV-5R devices)
36 RP-STE = Squelch Tail Elimination + Repeater (removes noise at the end of transmission when communicating via repeater)
37 RPT RL = the tone of a repeater delay (refer to Menu 36, recommended: "off")
38 PONMSG = what should be shown when the device is switched
39 = ROGER whether a "Roger" sound signal to be sent at the end of transmission
40 = RESET = Reset Device Settings
5) frequencies programmed as short text:
Note: Press after each adjustment and each step [Exit], since the device sometimes otherwise takes over.
1) button [VFO / MR] key until "Frequency mode" comes
2.) button [A / B] until the upper frequency is active
3.) TDR off: [Menu] -> [7] -> Select "off" -> [menu] -> [exit]
4) above (delete within the meaning of space), if it is already occupied stored data of the selected channel: [Menu] -> [2] [8] -> [Menu] -> (number of the channel enter the be deleted intended to save then this channel) -> [Menu] -> [Exit]
5.) If this is a duplex channel is (explanation see above), set the Offset: [Menu] -> [2] [6] -> (offset in Numeric Input) -> [Menu] -> [Exit ]
6. Enter) direction (with simplex channel to "off"; in duplex channel in the 2m band (14x frequency) and frequency 147 MHz on "plus" position, including on "minus"; in duplex channel in the 70cm band filters (4x frequency) and frequency over 445 MHz on "minus", including on "plus"): [Menu] -> [2] [5] -> [Menu] -> (with up / down buttons to select make) -> [Menu] -> [Exit]
7. Enter) frequency (eg, 149,100)
8. frequency to RX (receiver) Save: [Menu] -> [2] [7] -> (channel (space)) enter where you want to save, such as 01, it should be the channel previously in step 4 was deleted) -> [Menu] -> [Exit]
9) the [* SCAN] button press, this activates the "reverse mode" and displays the transmitter (TX) frequency at
10.) frequency to TX (send) Save: [Menu] -> [2] [7] -> (same channel as in step 8 to enter) -> [Menu] -> [Exit]
11) the [* SCAN] Press button to exit the "reverse mode"
12. Press) [Exit]
Now the selected frequency appears on the selected channel in the "Channel Mode", so if you [VFO / MR] suppressed and there can select the channels (presets).
6) Useful accessories (sold separately, here on Amazon, or else on the popular Internet marketplace):
- 3600mAH battery (lasts twice as long, but is also twice as large within the meaning of oblong, look for: "7.4V 3600mAH Li-ion battery for Baofeng UV-5R")
- Nagoya 771-Female 2m / 70cm antenna (twice as large, according better reception / transmit) eg: Nagoya NA-701 SMA-Female Dual Band radio antenna → KGUVD1P Baofeng UV 5R Plus
- USB programming cable (easy programming of frequencies by these done on the PC), for example: USB cable Programming cable with CD for Baofeng UV-5R Plus & UV-5R UV 5RA handheld radio
- Handheld microphone / speaker (known from state-radios, useful if you are in a bag stowed the radio) including: SainSonic remote speakers Handheld Microphone for Baofeng UV-5R handheld radio Radio
7) Conclusion:
Very favorable handheld radio to get you started in the world of radio operators. Good workmanship. My recommendation for this.
