Baofeng UV-5RE+ (UV-5RE Plus)
The Baofeng UV-5RE+ was my first amateur radio equipment. It’s a very popular portable transceiver among beginners, mainly due to its affordable price.
Features
- Bands: VHF (144-148 MHz) and UHF (430-450 MHz)
- Power: 5W (high) / 1W (low)
- Modes: FM
- Display: Dual LCD to monitor two frequencies
- Battery: 1800mAh (Li-ion)
- Features:
- 128 memory channels
- Frequency scan
- VOX (voice activation)
- Built-in LED flashlight
- Commercial FM radio
Why start with a Baofeng?
The Baofeng UV-5R is often recommended for beginners because:
- Affordable price: Allows entering the hobby without large initial investment
- Functional: Despite low cost, performs basic functions well
- Learning: Ideal for learning basic operation concepts
- Community: Large online community with tutorials and support
Limitations
It’s important to note that the Baofeng is entry-level equipment. It has some limitations:
- Not very selective receiver (may suffer interference)
- Reasonable but not exceptional audio quality
- Factory antenna is not the best (upgrade recommended)
However, to start and make first contacts, especially through local repeaters, it’s an excellent choice!
This was the equipment that allowed me to take my first steps in amateur radio, listen to local repeaters and learn basic operating procedures.