Let’s get this out of the way: it’s not a perfect radio.

But for under 30 bucks? It’s almost impossible not to recommend the Baofeng UV-5R.

I’ve had mine for years. It’s been dropped, tossed in go-bags, loaned out to friends, and left in glove compartments. It still works. Every time.

Why It Works:

The UV-5R isn’t flashy. It doesn’t have APRS or digital modes or even a particularly intuitive UI. What it does have is:

Dual-band VHF/UHF

Solid battery life

Swappable antennas

Wide accessory support

A community that’s basically mapped every corner of its firmware

It boots up, grabs repeaters, and gets on the air. That’s all it needs to do.

What Makes It Special:

The magic of the UV-5R isn’t in the radio itself—it’s in what it enables. It’s an entry point. A tool for learning. A way for people to get into HAM without needing to spend hundreds of dollars just to pass go. I remember my first rig with my dad was a small handheld i believe from Kenwood?!

For a lot of us, the UV-5R was the first radio. And for many, it’s still in rotation.

I’ve used mine for:

-Backup comms during off-grid trips

-Monitoring during emergency drills

-Quick check-ins with local nets

-Listening to airband and public service chatter

-Teaching others the basics of HAM

It’s versatile. And it doesn’t ask for much.

What I Recommend:

If you pick one up (and you should), do yourself a favor:

Replace the stock antenna with a Nagoya NA-771

Program it via CHIRP (don’t suffer through manual entry)

Label your battery and keep a spare on hand

Add a speaker mic and belt clip—makes it more usable in the field

Final Take:

The UV-5R isn’t a high-end rig, but it’s reliable, hackable, and shockingly capable for the price. Whether you’re a new ham, a field op, or just want a burner radio in your kit...it earns its spot for sure.

Every shack needs one, or two.

— Eric / KD6TFS