BAOFENG Radio Ham Radio Handheld Long Range UV-5RM 10W Upgrade of BAOFENG UV-5R, Rechargeable Two Way Radios with Chirp Compatible, 2500mAh USB-C Charging Battery for Survival Gear Camping, 2 Pack

I am new to the Ham radio world. This being said, I love these radios for my personal use. I live in a rural area with no cell service in on property. When the power goes out, we wanted to be able to contact all family members living withing a mile or 2 up and down the road from our house. These radios work very well when set up correctly and I have able to get great sound quality even in the hills and trees. Comparing these to other higher prices radios, these are worth the money and maybe even double the price!

Just got my HAM technician license, and these are a good introduction to FM HAM. Please note: no AM or CW with these radios. Very easy to programming using CHIRP software.

These radios are reasonable quality, good battery life, and very functional. Nice accessories: external mic/speaker, over-ear speaker and mic, and normal and long-range attennas. I'd buy another set. Now, the not so good. The nitpick: the foam ear-piece cover for the behind-ear speaker is useless. It's a cheeseball piece of foam that doesn't fit the earpiece and will tear easily, making it useless. The annoying: It does not work with CHIRP. I've tried multiple times, used different radio model codes, but it simply will not integrate with the app (for Mac). So, I ended up manually loading frequency information: not a big deal, but arduous and a pain to do. The little tiny-print manual is OK, but barely. It's not intuitive in many areas, and you have to kind of figure out what they mean. Just be patient and keep pressing buttons until you finally figured it out. You need to fully charge and discharge completely 3-4 times before the battery reaches maximum capacity. In all I'd say these are good value, which would be made more so for fixing the aforementioned issues.

If you're in the market for a reliable, high-performance two-way radio, the Baofeng UV-5RM might just be the upgrade you're looking for. As someone who uses two-way radios often, I was immediately drawn to the extensive features and impressive range advertised. After testing it in different environments, here's my take. Key Upgrades and Features: This radio takes the much-loved UV-5R model and pushes it further, offering 10W power output compared to the older model’s 8W. The increased power, coupled with the included 15-inch antenna, allows for a maximum communication range of 40 miles (in optimal conditions). Whether you're on a remote camping trip, hiking in the mountains, or working on a construction site, the long-distance capability is impressive. With 999 storage channels, you're never short on communication options. The color display is a nice touch—bright and easily readable in various lighting conditions—and the addition of a stopwatch, power-on password management, and one-click frequency copy function makes it a highly versatile tool for both casual and professional users. Performance in the Field: I tested those radios during a hiking trip in the mountains, and the signal remained strong and clear, even in areas where cell service was unreliable. The radio's ability to pick up multiple bands like UHF, VHF, GMRS, FM, AM, and NOAA weather alerts are a major plus for staying connected in diverse environments. The “VOX” (voice-operated transmission) feature also worked smoothly, allowing hands-free operation, which was especially useful when climbing or navigating rough terrain. For those who are unfamiliar with programming frequencies, the one-click frequency scanning feature is actually great. It allows you to quickly match frequencies without diving into complex settings, which is a huge advantage when you need to establish communication in a hurry. Build Quality and Accessories: The radio itself feels solid and durable, weighing in at 10.6oz, which is fairly lightweight for the features it packs. The included hand microphone and earpiece are excellent for improving privacy and clarity during conversations, especially in noisy environments. Charging Convenience: Battery life is often a concern with high-power radios, but the 2500mAh battery coupled with multiple charging methods (via Type-C and included charging docks) ensures you won’t be left stranded. Whether you’re charging through your car, laptop, or a portable power bank, keeping the UV-5RM powered up is hassle-free. I found the radio easily lasted through a full day of intermittent use without needing a charge. Those radios are feature-packed and high-performance that caters to both casual users and professionals. Its long-distance capabilities, ease of use, and rugged build make it an excellent choice for a wide range of applications, from outdoor adventures to more practical uses in warehouses, hotels, or construction sites. If you're looking for a versatile, dependable two-way radio, those are a fantastic option.

Really great product, Took it hunting me had zero issues. Dropped it a few times no scratches or break very durable. Was able to reach out to my partner from a couple miles away range excellent!! And quality of sound was great.

The UV-5RM radio package is an excellent product. You really cannot beat them for the price. Everythig worked perfectly. Only thing I was not aware of was the radios did not come with the GMRS channels programmed in. No big deal, using CHIR free download software, I easily programmed in the GMRS channels. I will be adding to the list of channels as my familiarity of the radios get stronger. So far, I am very pleased. I strongly recommend.

The customer services.....surprisingly very top notch! I was up in the air on these at the first go. One had personal problems with the mic. The manufacturer reached out and sent out replacements. The annoyance of an issue went away due to the great customer service, because they reached out, and did exactly what they said they would (cust. service gals name was Amy). There is nothing better than a manufacturer who backs and stands behind their products, and has quality customer service in place. This was a fantastic experience, and I could not recommend the Baofeng more. I very much appreciate it. I will say that they do feel robust, and not cheaply made as they have some weight to them. The directions were easy to read, and so far the battery life has been good. We've yet to push the distance, but we've had decent signal and reception from approximately 2 miles out (Tahoe area). I'm not a pro at radios, and bought these for hiking and camping. Highly recommend, if just for the customer service alone.

I purchased the 5RM for camping, it is lightweight and easy to carry, the 10 watts is more powerful than the 8W transmitter, and I can talk to my husband 5 miles apart in flat areas. For outdoor activities, the 5RM multi-band feature allows you to listen to NOAA, and AM channels, for the price and versatility. I highly recommend it.