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Reviews For: Baofeng/Pofung UV-82

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Hand-held

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Review Summary For : Baofeng/Pofung UV-82
Reviews: 64MSRP: 49.95 retail from several deale
Description:
Inexpensive Part 90 approved dual band HT from Baofeng / China.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.baofengradio.com/en/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00644
WB6CSH Rating: 2023-01-23
BAOFENG UV-82HP Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I ordered this Baofeng UV-82HP dual-band HT from AMZ and I like the looks and feel of the HT. But right from the beginning, I've noticed distorted receive audio when the signal level falls below a certain point, at least that's what I'm attributing this failure to - it could be something else. Suspecting that "weak signal" is NOT the problem, I took the UV-82 up to the 4th floor balcony where I have line-of-sight access to the Portland, OR area and the NOAA transmitter on 162.550 MHz. The receive problem persisted and despite the NOAA signal being full quieting on the Yaesu HT, the weird distorted audio problem is prominent and continues. Back to AMZ - in fact, there are programmed frequencies (Memory 1-21) already in the UV-82, leading me to believe this radio was previosly a returned unit! Usual AMZ manipulation!

I've compared the UV-82 to my Yaesu FT-60R and the FT-60R has no such problems even when the signal level falls into a noisey receive area. I received the "kit" group of accessories from TidRadio, and it's really a great deal for ~$45 USD (2022 prices), but this problem is severe enough to prompt me to return the whole package to AMZ (the shipper).

Michael - wb6csh
W4SJC Rating: 2023-01-06
Good for the GoBag Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a great HT for the price, I love the added power over the UV-5RA. Added bonus for me it was available in one of my favorite colors, blue! It is also available in red, yellow, camo, and standard black.

Just an FYI for everyone that uses a speaker mic, when you use the mic it will only TX on the bottom VFO (only drawback I’ve seen so far).

I do recommend not using the factory antenna that comes with it but using the Nagoya Dual Band antenna. Do yourself a big favor and buy the programming cable. This HT is easily programmed with CHIRP, I haven’t tried to program it manually (truth be known I’d much rather program it with the software than do it on the fly). The HT has great clarity in the audio I receive and my TX is far above what I expected, even beating the 5/9s I got on the UV-5RA.
W6CJ Rating: 2022-12-20
Interference Prone Junk from U-Know-Where Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The price may be right for some folks, but the bottom line is performance, and this radio is an awful performer. I would not recommend one to someone starting in Amateur Radio, because it will lead to frustration and disappointment.

Mine heard a lot of intermod, beeps and squawks in several suburban and urban locations. I put it on a radio service monitor, and it did not meet specs on receive or on transmit.

Spend a few more of your hard-earned dollars on something that won't disappoint.
N4MJG Rating: 2022-12-19
Best HT So far ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
UPDATED AS OF DEC 2022

I BROUGHT THIS YEARS AGO NOT BAD FOR A HIGH POWER RADIO BUT YOU DO NEED A CABLE TO PROGRAM THE FRQ ON HAM BANDS THE IS NOT GREAT DON'T COUNERFIT ANT GET A REAL ANTENNA A NON COUNERFIT ! WORK GREAT EVEN I HIT OUR LOCAL REPEATER ABOUT MORE THEN 11 MILE FROM MY QTH

73
Jackie
N4MJG




Great HT you do need buy cable to program this ht is not easy unless you know what you are doing ! FTDI cable is best way to program the HT !


Other then great HT for me, needed to replace uv-3R other reason I brought this uv-82 HP really love this HT !!!!


73
Jackie
N4MJG
K6ITR Rating: 2021-03-03
Well worth the money. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Mine are the Pofung UV82s, not the HPs. These radios have virtually identical software as the UV5R, so programming is the same.
The good:
Battery life.
Transmit audio quality.
Receive audio volume.
Feels substantial, fits my hand, not like the UV5R.
The not so good:
Dual PTT is a gimmick that I could do without, but some folks like it.
Can't toggle from VFO to Memory Mode without turning the radio off and on while holding the menu button.
Squelch settings don't do much.
Dual PTT speaker mics are limited and have quality issues. Single PTT speaker mics work but only trigger the lower (B) channel.

Programming is easy with CHIRP, and the squelch settings can be modified to work better. I've had these radios for several years and never replaced the batteries. For an inexpensive dual band HT, I think they're better than the UV5R. Mine can transmit out of the ham bands, which makes them useful (but not legal) on FRS, GMRS and MURS. I'm not sure how long Baofeng/Pofung will be able to sell such radios, but if you have one, hang on to it. Overall, good radio, well worth the money.
WB9VKM Rating: 2020-11-08
Its a radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I also have a UV5R. The receiver on that is much better .In scan mode the 82 will unlock squelch and start "chatter" when no signals are around and even if squelch is turned all the way up. Its a nice concept to have two channel available for quick qsy ,but to scan with it will drive you crazy.
K6PPT Rating: 2018-12-16
Not too bad Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I’ve been skeptical of many things. I do regret not ordering this radio sooner. The duel push to talk is very handy, and I always put the primary repeater on the lower one of course. One thing needs to be pointed out. The two screws that hold the belt clip on the back do not come with any lockwashers. After a couple of hikes, One of the screws had backed out almost falling. Didn’t have the correct size lock washer so I used a dab of silicone rubber Sealant on the tip of the screw. (Do not use Loctite) It’s staying right on there no problem now. Also on the RF connector keep an eye on the spanner nut. Brand new out-of-the-box one of those were completely loose under the antenna. I have two of these radios, and the other one was fine. Other than that, you get what you pay for obviously. I would purchase another one tomorrow if I need it.
So don’t be a procrastinator like I was, and order one for yourself today.
PAUL TRETIAKOFF in Tucson, Arizona
KW2B Rating: 2017-11-17
UV-82HP - just ok Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Bought a UV-82HP through an authorized online retailer about a year ago.

Pluses: Inexpensive so if I lose or break it it's not a great loss. 8W tx. Standard features for a dual band HT. Will rx FM broadcasts ok. With CHIRP & the right cable it's easy to program. The manual is fairly well done. The rocker tx switch for 2 channel use is convenient. It's light and compact. The white LED is handy.

Negatives: Can't configure the LCD backlight to stay off - if you tx, it lights up and that's just the way it is. The earbud / mini-mic is junk - maybe it's just me but this design never fits or stays on/in my ear. After only a few uses the mic/spkr jacks failed which resulted in no tx with or without the ear/mic plugged in. So I got to experience their rude US support, but I did get a replacement in fairly short order once I confirmed where to send the failed HT for repair/replacement. Tx range even with an upgraded Nagoya antenna is not what I expected from an 8w HT. For reference, I have two sub-watt Alinco HTs that have similar range even without upgraded antennas. The worst thing is that I and others have received rf bites off one of the battery terminals when tx-ing - has happened on numerous occasions on both the original and replacement HT. The original battery needed some shaving in key locations & the electrical contacts of the battery & the charging dock needed some sandpaper to get the thing to fit into the dock properly and charge reliably.

Summary: It's inexpensive and you get what you pay for. Even at this price I would not buy another, I just can't trust it to last or perform when I might need it most.
WA7SGS Rating: 2017-03-05
Good antenna makes all the difference! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The stock antenna is not a very good one. I went with the RH-660S and it turned this HT into a decent performer.

How I rate my HT's:

ICOM V-80 with an RH-660S scores a 10.
ICOM V-80 with stock rubber duck scores a 9.
UV-82 with RH-660S scores an 8.
UV-82 with stock antenna scores a 6.

I discovered this telescopic antenna on the miklor website. It was the best one by far according to them. They were right!

Accessories: Tha handmike is junk. There is no AA battery pack available. At least a cigarette lighter adapter that replaces the rechargeable battery can be had.

Programming: I can manually program this HT but that is akin to mating elephants and herding cats...LOL! Get the cable and do it the easy way.

Bang for the buck, the Baofeng UV-82 delivers!

Rick
KD8VMR Rating: 2017-03-05
great little ht Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I currently own 2 UV 82 models. These are a great radio for the price. I also have 4 uv5r. I highly recommend the 82. Its is more rugged than the 5r. These are great. Audio performance is pretty good also.