Congrats on the Kenwood HT ! Out of my price range but I've heard nothing but good things about them. As a Tech I'm saving my money for my HF rig once I pass the General Test. So for now I'll stick with my Yaesu FT-70DR. I hope you enjoy your new Kenwood. 73 KI5HII
I have a wouxun KG-UV9 plus that is a nice full duplex radio that works great for Satalite operations all at $140. Granted, it doesn't have digital modes but then again doesn't cost $500.
A great comparison and I'd agree with your list of low/medium/high value features. For a solid general-purpose 2m & 70cm handheld, the good old Yaesu VX-6 is cheap, waterproof (almost bomb-proof!) and easy to use. It has a very wide receive range - from 0.5 to 999 MHz, FM and AM, so good for airband and marine reception. It's a great step up from the Baofeng.
I completely agree. I purchased the VX-6R first years ago, then last month bought a UV-5RPT just to see what the hype is about. I like the UV-5R and enjoy using it. For features, functionality and range I’ll throw the VX-6R in my bag for serious communications.
This isn't a comment on the video but the HAM community. I dont get all the hate for the Baofeng. Its so cheap its essentially a free radio. Honestly everyone should be thankful. Its easy entry into HAM to see if you are even interested in doing it. If it wasn't for Baofeng there would probably be at least half the amount of people using HAM and who's gonna fund the repeaters? Also you can buy about 25 Baofengs vs 1 Kenwood and the Baofeng does everything you need. Even if you don't have a license its a $25 safety net that can save your life in an emergency when there is no cell service.
Artby2wenty That’s like saying we should all buy illegal cars that have no pollution controls on them and bring the smog back to LA. If you don’t care about being legal, then you can save lots of money on lots of things.
Sit down and be quiet. Guys like YOU are what's been wrong with/have been trying to kill the hobby/take it to the grave with you for 40 plus years! I remember buying a brand new 200 buck Alinco HT in 1991 and the PLL going SOUTH in 90 days. Sent it in to be repaired. 6 months later, pll probs again. errand had a Kenwood HF...A perfect setup. SWR at 1:1. P OS radio was at the repair shop mote times his first year than he had it at home! The RS stuff he bought all broke within a year. My RS HT lost PLL in 6 months sitting on my desk at home. Bo fangs work as radios. PERIOD! I get better reports ten years after purchase than so many others with overpriced name brands. The FCC hates dealing with amateurs that complain about minutia all the time
Somehow, I feel that this video has been created to discourage Hams from buying the Baofeng handheld radios. It would have been better if the Kenwood was compared with Yaseau or iCom. For most Hams across the world, the Baofeng handheld is affordable since it does not burn a hole in one's pocket though...
Maybe you should watch more of his videos and see how much he talked about how he liked baofeng radio's and how many of them he has and then the two videos where he tested them and found that they don't comply with FCC regulations.
He had some excellent videos on the Baofeng. It was encouraging since that's the one I currently have. I also (for now) live in the city without a car so I'm still looking for an upgrade
@@timholtzclaw8930 Kenwood is good but it has a battery issue as it drains off energy too fast. I have zeroed on to the Yaesu FT3DR but currently it is not available in my country. Though some vendors have it but are charging a bomb. Not in a hurry, will wait for the appropriate time as currently have few other VHF & UHF HT rigs. Meanwhile, with regard to the Baofeng HTs, must admit that they are pretty good in waking up the repeaters located more than 39 kms from my QTH with a mere 2 watt or 4 watt of RF power . All this is possible with an external VHF/UHF Diamond X300 antenna. Unlike in the US where the FCC has clamped a ban on the popular Baofeng UV5R series including many other HTs from the same staple for belting out spurious signals, fortunately in my country including several European, African and Southeastern countries such rules does not apply and Hams are having ball-of-a-time coming live on air by hitting the local repeaters for a daily VHF net and ragchew both in VHF and UHF bands. Cheers! 73
I can program the uv-5r and the up grade version in a blink of an eye. Very easy not need computer. I do a lot of off roading and I rather have a $22 value radio instead $500 and so far baofeng had been great. I own a few of them. When you are in the middle of no where you don’t need all of those features. and so far baofeng been performing great. My own opinion. Very unfair comparison. Its just my opinion. Thanks
Correct! And the most important part is that the Baofeng handheld radios has enabled new Hams across the world to get into this hobby. They are well built with all necessary features and looks sleek too. As per the FCC, emission standard of harmonics may not apply in other parts of the world though. Brands like Kenwood, iCom, Yaseau, etc are super great radios but the reality is that only a small segment can afford them. So the bottomline is that, no matter how much one would like to criticise the Baofeng radios or other Chinese products in the Ham accessories, one cannot do away with them... Cheers, 73
Really bad comparison all around, you picked the most expensive ht on the market with all the bells and whistles, the yaesu ft70dr would have been a much better comparison
This is probably a silly question but from the technical point of view (electronics), apart from the fact that those harmonics pollute the band unnecessarily and also probably cost a bit of power, why else does FCC not approve of them? Thank you for your informative videos sir!
I love my little Baofeng BF-F8HP. Page 61 of the manual specifically states "This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules." Don't know about the UV-5R. But I will continue to use my F8HP. I also use a Radioddity GD-77. It's a nice DMR radio, but it does have some issues hearing frequencies on the 2 meter band without the monitor active. the F8HP just works.
I'm still working on getting my license and have a UV-5R that I listen to once in a while. I got that radio because it isn't a bit investment into something I may or may not use. If it's going to be a problem transmitting on that radio, what would you suggest as another cost-effective solution? $500 seems a bit high for something that I don't even know if I'm going to enjoy. I think I'll enjoy it, but I just don't have a cool $500 lying around to go buy an HT.
The yaesu ft-4xr is a dual band radio for about 70 dollars. It would be a well built radio and it wouldn't have the problems that a boafung might have.
I'm bummed out that I've seen so many great reviews on the TH-D74A....only to find out that Kenwood has discontinued it. I'd love to have one, but I refuse to pay full-price on eBay for a used one...
Wow, that is an amazing leap to jump from the Baofeng to the Kenwood which cost ~21 times as much money. You said you don't care what the name is on the radio as long as it does what you want it to do.. Are you being real? Are you sure you didn't spend all that extra money at least in part for the name? I'm curious though, how many other HTs did you look at that had the upgraded features you want that landed somewhere in between in price? There are a lot of good HTs in the $100-$200 range. If you did do a lot of comparisons for wanted features before making the choice I would love it sometime if you would do a video about that describing your required features, and the HTs that you considered. TIA
I am curious as to your opinion (or anyone else's for that matter) on having such an "all inclusive" albeit much more expensive solution such as this Kenwood model vs separate components or even multiples given price disparity. For example I read the specs on the Kenwood which touts APRS stand alone capability but what can it actually do within the radio ? GPS coordinates and transcieve of them and messages to what extent? Is the screen robust enough to display anything further or would a tablet or similar device still be needed to be connected ? I admit not familiar with some of this capability but been reading so not trying cherry pick and be lazy .TNC only required given the internal aspect or if no software solution ,as am i incorrect in saying even the lowly baofeng can do aprs with nothing more than a cable for transmit and receive tones and an app on any smartphone to which most have such a piece of equipment even an older model as not required to have cell service on or be in range for that matter? i.e. one of my ruggedized older smartphones would fit the bill nicely given battery life and waterproof and unusable as phone on 3g.My particlular phone also has mapping gps standalone w/o service like most do , barometer compass and altimeter and graphing weather trends etc.built in also not dependent upon cell or wi-fi. Please correctif wrong me but seems could be perhaps more versatile in some respects especially if the Kenwood will be hooked up to phone and or tablet as well. I have read about spurious emissions issue and fully understand not appropriate to transmit typically in normal context but for emergency or backup use etc.. thx for any input.
AMEN! A good mobile rig for 400 or less with digital or a slightly used HD rig. Sometimes Yaesu has a sale on the full 100 watt FT 891 in a qrp-sized package. for under 600. This Kenwood is like a BMW...High priced and quite unreliable. My UV 5R is 10 + years old. It's been beat to smithereens. IT continues to work just fine and the lithium battery still holds a charge. I doubt the "spuriousness" of 4 watts is going to be noticed more than 20 feet from the radio. The majority of "spuriousness" is coming from that same group of A-hole Elmer's that think a good ham is one that only buys from the unreliable, overpriced big three and are constantly having to fix./have repaired. The same ones that want to take the hobby to the GRAVE with them. I tell them "leave the hobby, just go fertilize a tree" I'm 67 and it makes me want to reach thru the radio after those that blame Bo'fang users for every problem from sunspots to rrpa6or breakdowns after 25 years of no maintenance/neglect.
I would like to make a suggestion, after going through the comments, you could have very well turned people away from any form of digital mode. Might I suggest a comparison with the yaesu ft70, it has a much better chance of getting people into digital mode and is much easier to program by the keypad if you happen to go somewhere and don’t have access to a computer, and as an added bonus it cheaper than my yaesu ft60 which is only analog 😃
I tell people that I have 2-1/2 HT's. The reason is that I won't transmit on the UV5R. Why? For the exact same reason you won't. I also have a RIgol DSA850 spectrum analyzer and found the same results, dirty harmonics. So I use either my THD74A or my TH F6A. Nice video. Now to only get all hams that own a UV5R to watch it and learn. Barry, KU3X
Those Bo'fangs sound just fine on the repeators compared to those inconsistent icons and kraping-out Kenwoods who have had QC issues from Day 1! A Kenwood is like a Porche Fun to drive. Fun to have. No one wants to pay to have them constantly worked on though. Three weeks in the shop for every week in the road. If Bofangs and QYT get banned, call the undertaker because HAM will be DEAD.
Enjoy your new radio, it is very nice upgrade to have. :) Thanks for sharing your observations. Would be interesting if you can tell how long the battery last with GPS and APRS beacon active and whats the battery capacity. 73!
It’s a good question, wish I could give a good answer. I have only used a couple radios between the high end and low end. I will offer some advice. Decide if you want digital/analog or only analog only first. Then if you want digital, which format. After that figure out what is most important for you like battery life, screen, size and other features. That should help you narrow down your choices. We are lucky to have so many options at pretty affordable prices. Good luck, 73.
Would you consider reviewing the BF-F8HP? I'm getting one for Christmas and I'm wondering what improvements were made over the 5R (except the increased wattage), like the harmonics, scanning speed, etc... It'd also be good in general to get the opinion of someone experienced like you on this. Great video as always!
Yes, I've had a BF-F8HP for a few years now, and no one has ever complained about my signal. I now have a TYT THUV8000E, its a 10 watt HT, and yes it will put out 10 watts under the right situations.
The main difference is moral......does it matter to you the Baofang is a product of intellectual property theft? Kenwood electronics manufacture it's electronics in Chinese factories. It's the same story for many US products that show up on Walmart shelves as off brands.
Apples to oranges here. There is no comparing the two radios, its an insult to the Kenwood radio to have it in the same video with the baoturd. Maybe compare the baoturd to another shit box radio from China and see which one has worse spurious emissions.
@@br0k3nilluzion Yaesu FT-60R, Yaesu FT-65R, Alinco DJ-VX50T. Only Chinese radio worth buying is a Anytone AT-D878UV. The have acceptable spurious emissions levels.
In Europe, we don't have 220 Mhz, but even though, you get: Full APRS (not only a position beacon, but also a great packet receiver, messaging capable, ...), D-star, 999 channel memories with groups, fast scanning, skipping channels in scan, band edge scanning (repeated scan from-to), airband reception including 8.33 kHz step, AM/FM/SSB/CW receiver from LW through MW, SW up to UHF, GPS that can tell you locator grid square, KISS, way better user interface (keyboard shortcuts, etc.), yeah, recording is useful too, SD card support, USB cable support, ... Of course, D74 also offers better RX, does not get overloaded by near strong interference for what UV-5R is famous... They are simply incomparable... Both are questionable whether they are worth of the money -- D74 because it's expensive and UV5R because it's so crappy that you should avoid it and buy something better even if you need FM repeater access only...
Just can't get into Beofeng. It is my first radio but it's a bit frustrating. Not sure I can do a $500 upgrade though (yet). Any suggestions in the $100-$200 range? Thanks. 73
TH-D74 is similar to the ID-51. The ID-51 has a monochrome screen. It does not have APRS, but D-star has an equivalent function, so if you use D-star, it can transmit your position. If you use a D-star repeater, you position will likely get injected into the APRS system. It does receive airband, and I use that feature. While the ID-51 does not receive shortwave, it does received AM and FM broadcast. There is no internal bar antenna, but I have an SV2CVF external ferrite antenna. It turns out that it is best to use a short coax jumper to get the antenna away from the ID-51 because the ID-51 display puts out some hash in the AM broadcast band.
For digital most people recommend the AnyTone AT-D878UV. Most people are really liking it and it's right at $200. No Air Band though. Not a wide band like the Kenwood.
Built-in TNC? That's huge to me, not medium. But of course it depends on what you're using the radio for. A backup WinLink option would be worth easily $100 to me. Even $200.
Baofeng is easy to program manually if you can follow instructions I program my baofeng frequencies manually and with chrip but I want a different ham radio but I'm not trying to pay 500$
@@bobdillashaw4360 sorry if I said it wrong but that is how I set it up from the radio and it's kind of easy if you have your frequencies and offset information
Curtis Jeffers no problem dude, just the baofeng is nearly impossible to program manually, and I had got one not realizing I needed a computer to program it, which turned me off, so I spent I think $160 for the yaesu ft60 and for me the extra money was worth paying because of how easy it is to program, and when I leave the state it makes it great to program on a fly.
@@bobdillashaw4360 how do you like your yaesu I was thinking about getting one I need to look into them and find a nice model do you have any suggestions.
Curtis Jeffers if you are needing to go cheap, I’d look at either the one I have the ft60 or the ft70dr, ironically the 70 is digital mode as well as analog and I believe cheaper than the ft60. I do plan on getting the ft70 but for simplicity I love my ft60, very solid, well made. You will feel a big difference in quality.
If you can actually AFFORD to buy the Kenwood, fine, but Who actually wants Dstar & APRS on a budget radio? Why not do a video on the comparison between a Ferrari and a Honda, or Rolex to an Invicta watch?The whole basis of this daft video is disproportional garbage.
Why in the world would anyone compare a $30 radio to a $500 radio... This isn't buzzfeed, obviously there are substantial differences to buying something better than a ricebox. IF you're going to compare a baofung to something, why not compare it to a low-end DMR portable or something? You know maybe in the same wheelhouse/price range.
Brian - F.Y.I. someone posted this in a dmr group. Today the FCC passed the certification for the Anytone AT-D578UV dual band mobile Should be available for purchase soon. Love your content (You went from loving the baofeng to putting on the breaks within two episodes) yea i am looking to upgrade asap.
I Just got a Yaesu FT2DE it looks like I’ll be reading the 100+ manual for a while lol. What antenna have you got on your baofeng it looks a good one ?
Just made a similar leap from the Baofeng uv-82 to that Kenwood, punch to the bank balance, but absolutely worth it, found it on sale for a good price where I was paying about MSRP by the end with the added benefit of two additional years of warranty beyond manufacturer's warranty. Which seemed to certainly be worth it with the investment I'm putting into it. Also bought a case for it. Can't be too cautious when hovering around the half a grand ballpark for cost!
The FCC does not approve radios for part 97, because amateurs can build their own. It is the responsibility of each amateur to ensure their radio is within the specifications of part 97.
@@HamRadioInAction A year or so ago, the FCC banned importation or sale of the radios without an FCC id on them. Mine does not have it. Just wondering if you had tested one with the number as I wanted to know if the radio itself was improved.
A better question might be, "what don't you get if you buy the Kenwood instead of the Baofeng?" answer: $500!
Congrats on the Kenwood HT ! Out of my price range but I've heard nothing but good things about them. As a Tech I'm saving my money for my HF rig once I pass the General Test. So for now I'll stick with my Yaesu FT-70DR. I hope you enjoy your new Kenwood. 73 KI5HII
The interesting thing not listed is range. So I assume they must be similar. That’s great as I just got my Baofeng and am trying to learn the hobby
I have a wouxun KG-UV9 plus that is a nice full duplex radio that works great for Satalite operations all at $140. Granted, it doesn't have digital modes but then again doesn't cost $500.
A great comparison and I'd agree with your list of low/medium/high value features. For a solid general-purpose 2m & 70cm handheld, the good old Yaesu VX-6 is cheap, waterproof (almost bomb-proof!) and easy to use. It has a very wide receive range - from 0.5 to 999 MHz, FM and AM, so good for airband and marine reception. It's a great step up from the Baofeng.
I completely agree. I purchased the VX-6R first years ago, then last month bought a UV-5RPT just to see what the hype is about. I like the UV-5R and enjoy using it. For features, functionality and range I’ll throw the VX-6R in my bag for serious communications.
This isn't a comment on the video but the HAM community. I dont get all the hate for the Baofeng. Its so cheap its essentially a free radio. Honestly everyone should be thankful. Its easy entry into HAM to see if you are even interested in doing it. If it wasn't for Baofeng there would probably be at least half the amount of people using HAM and who's gonna fund the repeaters?
Also you can buy about 25 Baofengs vs 1 Kenwood and the Baofeng does everything you need.
Even if you don't have a license its a $25 safety net that can save your life in an emergency when there is no cell service.
Artby2wenty That’s like saying we should all buy illegal cars that have no pollution controls on them and bring the smog back to LA. If you don’t care about being legal, then you can save lots of money on lots of things.
Sit down and be quiet. Guys like YOU are what's been wrong with/have been trying to kill the hobby/take it to the grave with you for 40 plus years! I remember buying a brand new 200 buck Alinco HT in 1991 and the PLL going SOUTH in 90 days. Sent it in to be repaired. 6 months later, pll probs again.
errand had a Kenwood HF...A perfect setup. SWR at 1:1. P OS radio was at the repair shop mote times his first year than he had it at home! The RS stuff he bought all broke within a year.
My RS HT lost PLL in 6 months sitting on my desk at home.
Bo fangs work as radios. PERIOD! I get better reports ten years after purchase than so many others with overpriced name brands.
The FCC hates dealing with amateurs that complain about minutia all the time
Somehow, I feel that this video has been created to discourage Hams from buying the Baofeng handheld radios. It would have been better if the Kenwood was compared with Yaseau or iCom. For most Hams across the world, the Baofeng handheld is affordable since it does not burn a hole in one's pocket though...
Maybe you should watch more of his videos and see how much he talked about how he liked baofeng radio's and how many of them he has and then the two videos where he tested them and found that they don't comply with FCC regulations.
He had some excellent videos on the Baofeng. It was encouraging since that's the one I currently have. I also (for now) live in the city without a car so I'm still looking for an upgrade
Are you going to get the kenwood?
@@timholtzclaw8930 Kenwood is good but it has a battery issue as it drains off energy too fast. I have zeroed on to the Yaesu FT3DR but currently it is not available in my country. Though some vendors have it but are charging a bomb. Not in a hurry, will wait for the appropriate time as currently have few other VHF & UHF HT rigs.
Meanwhile, with regard to the Baofeng HTs, must admit that they are pretty good in waking up the repeaters located more than 39 kms from my QTH with a mere 2 watt or 4 watt of RF power . All this is possible with an external VHF/UHF Diamond X300 antenna. Unlike in the US where the FCC has clamped a ban on the popular Baofeng UV5R series including many other HTs from the same staple for belting out spurious signals, fortunately in my country including several European, African and Southeastern countries such rules does not apply and Hams are having ball-of-a-time coming live on air by hitting the local repeaters for a daily VHF net and ragchew both in VHF and UHF bands.
Cheers!
73
25 Baofeng, or 1 Kenwood.
Where's the value?
I can program the uv-5r and the up grade version in a blink of an eye. Very easy not need computer. I do a lot of off roading and I rather have a $22 value radio instead $500 and so far baofeng had been great. I own a few of them. When you are in the middle of no where you don’t need all of those features. and so far baofeng been performing great. My own opinion. Very unfair comparison. Its just my opinion. Thanks
Correct! And the most important part is that the Baofeng handheld radios has enabled new Hams across the world to get into this hobby. They are well built with all necessary features and looks sleek too. As per the FCC, emission standard of harmonics may not apply in other parts of the world though. Brands like Kenwood, iCom, Yaseau, etc are super great radios but the reality is that only a small segment can afford them. So the bottomline is that, no matter how much one would like to criticise the Baofeng radios or other Chinese products in the Ham accessories, one cannot do away with them...
Cheers,
73
Shandy Brandy If you don’t care about laws, there are a lot of things you can do that you can’t do otherwise.
Really bad comparison all around, you picked the most expensive ht on the market with all the bells and whistles, the yaesu ft70dr would have been a much better comparison
This is probably a silly question but from the technical point of view (electronics), apart from the fact that those harmonics pollute the band unnecessarily and also probably cost a bit of power, why else does FCC not approve of them? Thank you for your informative videos sir!
I love my little Baofeng BF-F8HP. Page 61 of the manual specifically states "This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC rules." Don't know about the UV-5R. But I will continue to use my F8HP. I also use a Radioddity GD-77. It's a nice DMR radio, but it does have some issues hearing frequencies on the 2 meter band without the monitor active. the F8HP just works.
Just ordered the Kenwood TH-D74A today. So damn excited!!!
But the battery just drains up too fast
Yes I've heard that
I'm still working on getting my license and have a UV-5R that I listen to once in a while. I got that radio because it isn't a bit investment into something I may or may not use. If it's going to be a problem transmitting on that radio, what would you suggest as another cost-effective solution? $500 seems a bit high for something that I don't even know if I'm going to enjoy. I think I'll enjoy it, but I just don't have a cool $500 lying around to go buy an HT.
The yaesu ft-4xr is a dual band radio for about 70 dollars. It would be a well built radio and it wouldn't have the problems that a boafung might have.
Good video!
I have a UV5R and an FT-60R
I just received today my Diamond RH77CA BNC antenna that is going on both of them.
I have Baofeng UV-5RIII which has the 220 band.
I'm bummed out that I've seen so many great reviews on the TH-D74A....only to find out that Kenwood has discontinued it. I'd love to have one, but I refuse to pay full-price on eBay for a used one...
Wow, that is an amazing leap to jump from the Baofeng to the Kenwood which cost ~21 times as much money. You said you don't care what the name is on the radio as long as it does what you want it to do.. Are you being real? Are you sure you didn't spend all that extra money at least in part for the name? I'm curious though, how many other HTs did you look at that had the upgraded features you want that landed somewhere in between in price? There are a lot of good HTs in the $100-$200 range. If you did do a lot of comparisons for wanted features before making the choice I would love it sometime if you would do a video about that describing your required features, and the HTs that you considered. TIA
I am curious as to your opinion (or anyone else's for that matter) on having such an "all inclusive" albeit much more expensive solution such as this Kenwood model vs separate components or even multiples given price disparity. For example I read the specs on the Kenwood which touts APRS stand alone capability but what can it actually do within the radio ? GPS coordinates and transcieve of them and messages to what extent? Is the screen robust enough to display anything further or would a tablet or similar device still be needed to be connected ? I admit not familiar with some of this capability but been reading so not trying cherry pick and be lazy .TNC only required given the internal aspect or if no software solution ,as am i incorrect in saying even the lowly baofeng can do aprs with nothing more than a cable for transmit and receive tones and an app on any smartphone to which most have such a piece of equipment even an older model as not required to have cell service on or be in range for that matter? i.e. one of my ruggedized older smartphones would fit the bill nicely given battery life and waterproof and unusable as phone on 3g.My particlular phone also has mapping gps standalone w/o service like most do , barometer compass and altimeter and graphing weather trends etc.built in also not dependent upon cell or wi-fi. Please correctif wrong me but seems could be perhaps more versatile in some respects especially if the Kenwood will be hooked up to phone and or tablet as well. I have read about spurious emissions issue and fully understand not appropriate to transmit typically in normal context but for emergency or backup use etc.. thx for any input.
Not everyone can buy them. If I had the money for the kenwood.. I'd go buy a good mobile rig instead.
AMEN! A good mobile rig for 400 or less with digital or a slightly used HD rig. Sometimes Yaesu has a sale on the full 100 watt FT 891 in a qrp-sized package. for under 600. This Kenwood is like a BMW...High priced and quite unreliable. My UV 5R is 10 + years old. It's been beat to smithereens. IT continues to work just fine and the lithium battery still holds a charge.
I doubt the "spuriousness" of 4 watts is going to be noticed more than 20 feet from the radio. The majority of "spuriousness" is coming from that same group of A-hole Elmer's that think a good ham is one that only buys from the unreliable, overpriced big three and are constantly having to fix./have repaired.
The same ones that want to take the hobby to the GRAVE with them. I tell them "leave the hobby, just go fertilize a tree"
I'm 67 and it makes me want to reach thru the radio after those that blame Bo'fang users for every problem from sunspots to rrpa6or breakdowns after 25 years
of no maintenance/neglect.
Sorry, but there is no way I can afford $500; so none of the "benefits" you gave for the Kenwood makes it worth my very limited money.
I would like to make a suggestion, after going through the comments, you could have very well turned people away from any form of digital mode. Might I suggest a comparison with the yaesu ft70, it has a much better chance of getting people into digital mode and is much easier to program by the keypad if you happen to go somewhere and don’t have access to a computer, and as an added bonus it cheaper than my yaesu ft60 which is only analog 😃
So you're comparing the cheapest BaoFeng to the "moderately" expensiive Kenwood. Very fair comparison.
I owe the Baofeng UV-9R ERA. Much better than the 5R and even the 9R Plus😀😀.
Wow, you really compared a $23 radio to a $500 radio?? That's useless.
Or the Baofeng DM-X??
Baofeng does make a tri band radio, but like you mentioned. 220 MHZ is pretty much non existent.
I tell people that I have 2-1/2 HT's. The reason is that I won't transmit on the UV5R. Why? For the exact same reason you won't.
I also have a RIgol DSA850 spectrum analyzer and found the same results, dirty harmonics. So I use either my THD74A or my TH F6A.
Nice video. Now to only get all hams that own a UV5R to watch it and learn.
Barry, KU3X
Those Bo'fangs sound just fine on the repeators compared to those inconsistent icons and kraping-out Kenwoods who have had QC issues from Day 1!
A Kenwood is like a Porche
Fun to drive. Fun to have. No one wants to pay to have them constantly worked on though.
Three weeks in the shop for every week in the road.
If Bofangs and QYT get banned, call the undertaker because HAM will be DEAD.
Enjoy your new radio, it is very nice upgrade to have. :) Thanks for sharing your observations. Would be interesting if you can tell how long the battery last with GPS and APRS beacon active and whats the battery capacity. 73!
You had me sold. But unfortunately it looks like they no longer make the th-d74.
Hey Brian, I know this is an old video, but I was just wondering what you would consider a good middle step between these two radios might be.
It’s a good question, wish I could give a good answer. I have only used a couple radios between the high end and low end. I will offer some advice. Decide if you want digital/analog or only analog only first. Then if you want digital, which format. After that figure out what is most important for you like battery life, screen, size and other features. That should help you narrow down your choices. We are lucky to have so many options at pretty affordable prices. Good luck, 73.
Very well put on the review thank you
Would you consider reviewing the BF-F8HP? I'm getting one for Christmas and I'm wondering what improvements were made over the 5R (except the increased wattage), like the harmonics, scanning speed, etc...
It'd also be good in general to get the opinion of someone experienced like you on this.
Great video as always!
Yes, I've had a BF-F8HP for a few years now, and no one has ever complained about my signal. I now have a TYT THUV8000E, its a 10 watt HT, and yes it will put out 10 watts under the right situations.
My first transceiver.
The main difference is moral......does it matter to you the Baofang is a product of intellectual property theft? Kenwood electronics manufacture it's electronics in Chinese factories. It's the same story for many US products that show up on Walmart shelves as off brands.
What specific IP is being / has been infringed?
A radio costing $22.95 is an upgrade for a UV-5R
Apples to oranges here. There is no comparing the two radios, its an insult to the Kenwood radio to have it in the same video with the baoturd. Maybe compare the baoturd to another shit box radio from China and see which one has worse spurious emissions.
do you have a midrange one in mind? Is there one that is in the $150 to $250 range that is worthy ?
@@br0k3nilluzion Yaesu FT-60R, Yaesu FT-65R, Alinco DJ-VX50T. Only Chinese radio worth buying is a Anytone AT-D878UV. The have acceptable spurious emissions levels.
In Europe, we don't have 220 Mhz, but even though, you get:
Full APRS (not only a position beacon, but also a great packet receiver, messaging capable, ...), D-star, 999 channel memories with groups, fast scanning, skipping channels in scan, band edge scanning (repeated scan from-to), airband reception including 8.33 kHz step, AM/FM/SSB/CW receiver from LW through MW, SW up to UHF, GPS that can tell you locator grid square, KISS, way better user interface (keyboard shortcuts, etc.), yeah, recording is useful too, SD card support, USB cable support, ... Of course, D74 also offers better RX, does not get overloaded by near strong interference for what UV-5R is famous... They are simply incomparable... Both are questionable whether they are worth of the money -- D74 because it's expensive and UV5R because it's so crappy that you should avoid it and buy something better even if you need FM repeater access only...
All Internet-based features are unusable if the grid goes down. If the grid is up, just use your iPhone.
I recently got a new fr-4x and looking to get a gd-77 both to "replace" my uv5r
Just can't get into Beofeng. It is my first radio but it's a bit frustrating. Not sure I can do a $500 upgrade though (yet). Any suggestions in the $100-$200 range? Thanks. 73
TH-D74 is similar to the ID-51. The ID-51 has a monochrome screen. It does not have APRS, but D-star has an equivalent function, so if you use D-star, it can transmit your position. If you use a D-star repeater, you position will likely get injected into the APRS system. It does receive airband, and I use that feature. While the ID-51 does not receive shortwave, it does received AM and FM broadcast. There is no internal bar antenna, but I have an SV2CVF external ferrite antenna. It turns out that it is best to use a short coax jumper to get the antenna away from the ID-51 because the ID-51 display puts out some hash in the AM broadcast band.
Any suggestions on a bit more affordable upgrade? maybe around 200$
For digital most people recommend the AnyTone AT-D878UV. Most people are really liking it and it's right at $200. No Air Band though. Not a wide band like the Kenwood.
JJ Thanks for the answer i actually bought an Anytone AT-D878UV+ around a month ago and i really like it. So god suggestion :-)
Built-in TNC? That's huge to me, not medium. But of course it depends on what you're using the radio for. A backup WinLink option would be worth easily $100 to me. Even $200.
Super nice setup loving it keep up the good work!😍
Baofeng is easy to program manually if you can follow instructions I program my baofeng frequencies manually and with chrip but I want a different ham radio but I'm not trying to pay 500$
Curtis Jeffers if you’re using chirp, you’re not programming it manually, you’re using a pc, manually would be by the keypad on the radio itself 🤦🏻♂️
@@bobdillashaw4360 sorry if I said it wrong but that is how I set it up from the radio and it's kind of easy if you have your frequencies and offset information
Curtis Jeffers no problem dude, just the baofeng is nearly impossible to program manually, and I had got one not realizing I needed a computer to program it, which turned me off, so I spent I think $160 for the yaesu ft60 and for me the extra money was worth paying because of how easy it is to program, and when I leave the state it makes it great to program on a fly.
@@bobdillashaw4360 how do you like your yaesu I was thinking about getting one I need to look into them and find a nice model do you have any suggestions.
Curtis Jeffers if you are needing to go cheap, I’d look at either the one I have the ft60 or the ft70dr, ironically the 70 is digital mode as well as analog and I believe cheaper than the ft60. I do plan on getting the ft70 but for simplicity I love my ft60, very solid, well made. You will feel a big difference in quality.
Appreciate your honest style. Going to pull the trigger on the Kenwood.....and the Baofeng for the reasons you talked about at the end.
500 is half my monthly disability check. Not worth it.
Nicely done! Helpful. Interesting. Thank you!
If you can actually AFFORD to buy the Kenwood, fine, but Who actually wants Dstar & APRS on a budget radio?
Why not do a video on the comparison between a Ferrari and a Honda, or Rolex to an Invicta watch?The whole basis of this daft video is disproportional garbage.
Yes that's the problem I have with color screens. Battery goes way to fast.
Why in the world would anyone compare a $30 radio to a $500 radio... This isn't buzzfeed, obviously there are substantial differences to buying something better than a ricebox.
IF you're going to compare a baofung to something, why not compare it to a low-end DMR portable or something? You know maybe in the same wheelhouse/price range.
Because I thought people might want to know the difference between a ham radio Yugo and Ferrari. Unfortunate you did not appreciate.
All Baofeng is garbage
The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.
Brian - F.Y.I. someone posted this in a dmr group.
Today the FCC
passed the certification for the
Anytone AT-D578UV
dual band mobile Should be available for purchase soon.
Love your content
(You went from loving the baofeng to putting on the breaks within two episodes) yea i am looking to upgrade asap.
Kenwood is quality gear. Baofeng is junk!
what is your opinion of the Icon or Yaesu dual band hand held u have researched
I, for one, will not be buying anything from China unless it’s absolutely necessary
I Just got a Yaesu FT2DE it looks like I’ll be reading the 100+ manual for a while lol. What antenna have you got on your baofeng it looks a good one ?
It is good. A Diamond dual band, link in the description.
Thanks.I am looking for a HF radio ASAP
What antenna is that? The amazon one seems longer
It costs 13 dB more
Dumbest question
By the way, another great video
Great for 4 to 5 hundreds more 👍
How doing a show on DMR.
You get what you pay for.
Just made a similar leap from the Baofeng uv-82 to that Kenwood, punch to the bank balance, but absolutely worth it, found it on sale for a good price where I was paying about MSRP by the end with the added benefit of two additional years of warranty beyond manufacturer's warranty. Which seemed to certainly be worth it with the investment I'm putting into it. Also bought a case for it. Can't be too cautious when hovering around the half a grand ballpark for cost!
Is the UV5R you tested an approved model with the FCC number?
The FCC does not approve radios for part 97, because amateurs can build their own. It is the responsibility of each amateur to ensure their radio is within the specifications of part 97.
@@HamRadioInAction A year or so ago, the FCC banned importation or sale of the radios without an FCC id on them. Mine does not have it. Just wondering if you had tested one with the number as I wanted to know if the radio itself was improved.
In other words, the FCC doesn't care ( but want to still sound authoritative!)
HD1
Anyone have the Abbree AR F8??
I have one Abbree ar f 8 5 watt gprs radio
Excellent video. Thanks. Just bought the Yaesu FT3DR and wish I would have come across this video before my purchase.
Yaesu I would think is better than the kenwood tbh. Plus my area has the more of the yaesu bands
We can unlock the 220 on UV5R ;o)
Anyway you could tell me how!!!??
gary jr 1977 G mail
I'd really appreciate it!! Thansk
@@garylee7774 Hello Gary, your mail doesn't work, write to me sebaj28 gmail com
I would go for a icom handheld
1:35 seconds in I've heard all I need to know to not have the Baofeng.
WOW... no longer using the baafeng because of 'specious emissions' but spending $500 more just because of that... you got to be Fn kidding
Steven Harris yet leaves up multiple videos about transmitting on uv5r 🤦♂️🤦♂️
This video is sponsored by Kenwood. Because he did not have to pay for it. This use to be a good channel for the advantages of the AFFORDABLE radio
Not sponsored by Kenwood, spent my own money on it.
You mentioned the HAM receive capability. What bands can the D74 receive? Thanks
D74 has a huge receive capability. A built in bar antenna lets you listen to ham HF bands (not great antenna).
you dint tell us the kenwood have FM ???????