Anybody here use the Baofeng handheld 2-way/HAM radios?

My uncle says they're all bugged by the CCP.

ok range but you must get nagoya 777 antenna. CCP cannot bug them as thier range is less than 5kms.

RAW AGENT IDENTIFIED

Not a bad radio. Once programed.

Anyone can bug anything. They've spent billions in spy infrastructure. There are listening outposts in every town. They listen to all frequencies. Don't kid yourself for one second thinking they don't

Which model?

I bought two. Gave one to my dad. Mine is still in the box.

I never did get my ham licence. Life just kinda got in the way.

*dp

Nothing wrong with a Baofeng, I might even still get one. I do really like the TYT line, gotten some really good reports off the TH-9800 that I have. A solid radio for 2m and I intend to check on the other 3 bands that it can do.

They're actually pretty good for the cost. I use them daily (listening mainly) and they've held up for years.

Range depends on lots of factors, antenna, terrain, even just moving a few feet changes things. Expect about 3-5 miles reliably radio to radio (simplex). I've done simplex over 10 miles before (once 30 miles, but the other guy was on a mountain), both with the stock ant, and worked repeaters close to 50 miles away (good line of sight) with a NA-771R. But that's not the norm.

If there are repeaters around, that'll drasticaly increase range.

Stock antennas are poor, but work; Nagoya NA-771 or Signal Stick are popular after market ones. However, "base station" or very high gain antennas like you'd put on your roof tend to overload the these cheaper radios, making them deaf.

The stock speaker mic is junk, the clip on earpiece lapel mics, and the built in mic aren't bad. Go with a Commountain for a good cheap speaker mic if you want.

Like others said, CHIRP, and a programming cable makes programming memories a breeze. Repeater Book, and Radio Reference databases are great, in addition to ham simplex (146.520, etc...), GMRS, and NOAA WX (if U.S.).

The battery lasts about a day when transmitting, weeks just listening; and there are USB charging cables and AA packs.

The built in FM radio and flashlight are nice, too.

Recent overview vid on the Baofeng: [link to youtu.be (secure)]

There's better, like a "mobile rig," or higher quality handheld, but for a handheld well under $100 it's pretty good.

I had a UV5 some years back. I tell people they are like BIC cigarette lighters. Cheap and disposable. I don't expect much for about $30 usd.
Dual band. 2 meters and .70 cm. The stock antennas are pretty good....usually. Some go out and buy whip antennas but you MUST check the Standing Wave Ratio (SWR). Some really, really bad quality control out there. Even the 'name brand' antennas are being knocked off by the Chinese. Just sayin' you might be better off with the stock stubby antenna.
Mine worked about 1/5+ mile simplex in the city. .70cm did a little better as expected.

If you seek something for prep, ask what your life is worth. Why not spend a couple dollars more and get quality workmanship, good antenna windings, a battery that hits with some amps. Nothing wrong with good
FRS walkie talkies. The GMRS ones coming out are worth the money. If you seek HAM, the brands are:
Motorola, Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom, Alinco. I found a large 'black box' Zastone I am happy with; it must be programmed. BTW, if the MURS band appeals to you on VHF, Retivis makes a plain unit in the $20 usd range. I say that as it only has 5 channels, 2 watts VHF

Totally CCP snitch

good for listening

Not so great for transmitting. It gets the job done, but they're noisy and can cause interference on different frequencies.