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Baofeng UV-5R Narrowband VS Wideband

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pyro424

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Aug 23, 2011
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So I have programmed in channels both Narrow and Wide but honestly can not tell any difference on the RX end anyways. I am wondering if it actually makes any difference programming wide VS narrow or is it just for show. Has anyone done any testing to prove whether or not the bandwidth selection is even functional? I can not tell any difference just from my receiving.
 

nd5y

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Yes it makes a difference, at least on mine.

On transmit narrow mode is 2.5 kHz deviation and wide mode is 5 kHz. I can easily hear and see the difference when sending DTMF, 1750 Hz and CTCSS tones to a receiver with a scope or voltmeter on the audio output.

Go to VFO mode on a vacant frequency and open the squelch. Then switch between wide and narrow. You should be able to hear the audio level of the white noise get louder when set to narrow. Something changes in the receiver between wide and narrow but I can't tell if it really changes the bandwidth or just the audio level.

Here is a review here where they say only the receive audio is louder on narrow but the selectivity doesn't change: Baofeng UV-5R review (UV-5RE) | PE1RQM

Since the UV-5R is a SDR there is no IF and no IF filters. Receive bandwidth is done via software. Some functions and features could possibly change in different firmware versions.
 

pyro424

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Aug 23, 2011
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Ok thanks that is very interesting. I actually had no idea the uv-5r was an SDR! It is good to know that it acutally does transmit the proper bandwidth. Doesn't really matter to me as I only use it for amateur use as far as TX goes but it is good to know anyways. Thanks.
 

Elfnetdesigns

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Jan 25, 2014
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UV5B or "B5" as I call it IMO is a much better radio, I like it because it has an actual channel knob or as hams say "A VFO knob". To me it says more about the radio when it has a volume/power knob and a channel knob.
 

danzan77

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Apr 28, 2012
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Location
Findlay Ohio
just picked up one of these radios uv-5r and was wondering the same thing, I left mine default to wide.band. in the software. I can't figure out why when i enter a freq into channel memory the offset doesn't show up. or both show up for some reason. I can only get it to work in vfo mode. I tried both the software and manual programming. I know you have to confirm several steps for each freq. ? am I missing something..
 

Elfnetdesigns

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Jan 25, 2014
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Offset only works in VFO mode.
You can't program an offset into a memory channel, you have to program recieve and transmit ftrequencies separately.
See Baofeng Pofung Programming Memories UV5R UV82 GT3

This is true with just about all of the Chinese breed radios with exception of those without displays.
I favor the Wouxun KG UV series and have a small fleet of them in non ham service in Nevada. To maintain legality with the FCC I had to set them all up so a user cannot get into the menu and change things and set them to narrow band. Yes I had the radio model verified by the FCC to ensure they were legal for Commercial duty and passed the narrow band requirements.

The BF UV-5r model radio we didn't like due to obvious cosmetic reasons, meaning it lacked a channel rotary knob on top. The ones we got for demo purposes I gave away to the local ham club and ordered the UV-B5's.
 
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