temchik
Member
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2014
- Messages
- 34
Hi All,
I am a new ham but wanted to share my thoughts on two HTs I have used for the past month. I know, there's loads of reviews and opinions on those handhelds, but there are some quirks that I discovered that are not discussed much but may be useful to other newbies trying to decide where to spend there $35
It seems it is universally accepted that the newer UV-B5 is a better version than the tried UV-5R, but my usage did not yield the same results.
- I like 5R's body better, it feels better constructed, even though B5 is claimed to be somewhat whaterproof. I wouldn't count on that thought
- While layout of B5 is a bit more ergonomic, the display, however, cannot be compared to the 5R. I name my stations by location and band, so FRAMV and FRAMU look almost identical on the B5 low resolution display.
- Stock antenna looks a little better on B5 (at least it is 1/4 wave UHF length), but here's the catch - None of my Nagoya antennas fit on B5! The socket is just too deep into the body and connectors don't seem to reach. I get no RX with 771 and barely any with 701. My Nagoya antennas are from BaofengTech with white letters and fit perfectly on both 5Rs.
- There is a bug in Chirp that always resets the Beep option to On upon upload to B5. Not related to the radio itself, but still a nuisance
- Weak signal RX is better on 5R. B5 will be silent in parts of my house on 2 distant repeaters, but 5R will receive legible voice. Played with Squelch setting, that does not seem to do much at all apart from setting 0. 1-9 seem to do the exact same thing in my case
- Random squelch problem on UHF is still ever so present on B5 as it is on 5R. Dual channel monitoring is basically useless on both of them as it will randomly switch the "preferred TX" to the UHF channel. Even during a conversation on VHF I had to constantly check the arrow to make sure I am still on VHF.
- B5 Menu system got more complicated, I prefer 5R's Menu button to B5 Menu and "AB" buttons system
- I have read that B5 is better at intermod rejection (well, that it actually rejects), but I have not experienced this yet, so I cannot comment. If you are having problems with strong signals overloading your HT on either one of them, please comment.
All in all, I would choose 5R over B5 any day, just my newbie 2c, I hope these comments help someone
Cheers!
I am a new ham but wanted to share my thoughts on two HTs I have used for the past month. I know, there's loads of reviews and opinions on those handhelds, but there are some quirks that I discovered that are not discussed much but may be useful to other newbies trying to decide where to spend there $35
It seems it is universally accepted that the newer UV-B5 is a better version than the tried UV-5R, but my usage did not yield the same results.
- I like 5R's body better, it feels better constructed, even though B5 is claimed to be somewhat whaterproof. I wouldn't count on that thought
- While layout of B5 is a bit more ergonomic, the display, however, cannot be compared to the 5R. I name my stations by location and band, so FRAMV and FRAMU look almost identical on the B5 low resolution display.
- Stock antenna looks a little better on B5 (at least it is 1/4 wave UHF length), but here's the catch - None of my Nagoya antennas fit on B5! The socket is just too deep into the body and connectors don't seem to reach. I get no RX with 771 and barely any with 701. My Nagoya antennas are from BaofengTech with white letters and fit perfectly on both 5Rs.
- There is a bug in Chirp that always resets the Beep option to On upon upload to B5. Not related to the radio itself, but still a nuisance
- Weak signal RX is better on 5R. B5 will be silent in parts of my house on 2 distant repeaters, but 5R will receive legible voice. Played with Squelch setting, that does not seem to do much at all apart from setting 0. 1-9 seem to do the exact same thing in my case
- Random squelch problem on UHF is still ever so present on B5 as it is on 5R. Dual channel monitoring is basically useless on both of them as it will randomly switch the "preferred TX" to the UHF channel. Even during a conversation on VHF I had to constantly check the arrow to make sure I am still on VHF.
- B5 Menu system got more complicated, I prefer 5R's Menu button to B5 Menu and "AB" buttons system
- I have read that B5 is better at intermod rejection (well, that it actually rejects), but I have not experienced this yet, so I cannot comment. If you are having problems with strong signals overloading your HT on either one of them, please comment.
All in all, I would choose 5R over B5 any day, just my newbie 2c, I hope these comments help someone
Cheers!