• To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:

    Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.

    If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.

    To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.

    The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.

    For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).

    This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.

Baofeng UV-5r vs Waccom UV-5r 5W

Status
Not open for further replies.

highcenter

Member
Premium Subscriber
Joined
Apr 29, 2012
Messages
3
Location
Sacramento, CA
Hello,

I am just getting into Ham, searching for a starter radio on a relatively tight budget, and have decided to go with something I can afford now vs saving for several more months. While I've done quite a bit of research, I cannot seem to find any posts here or elsewhere describing the diference between the Baofeng and Waccom UV-5r / UV-5r 5W radios available from 409shop.com. They appear to be the same rigs with the only noticeable differences being the Waccom is rated at 5W vs Baofeng 4/1W, and of corse the brand names. My concern is that most of the available reviews and documentation I have found is for the Baofeng and I do not want to get caught with a difficult to support Waccom (in the US) product if it is not interchangeable with the Baofeng. That said and for the price (same), I am leaning toward the Waccom - if for nothing more than perhaps an updated version and an extra W.

Waccom - WACCOM UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio x 1pc - 409ShopUV-5R www.409shop.com
Baofeng - BAOFENG UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio x 1pc - 409ShopUV-5R www.409shop.com

I sure wish I could afford a fancy, rugged new (or slightly used) Yaesu VX-8DR, but that's just not in the cards at the moment.

In any case, thank you in advance for your knowledge.


Looking forward to sharing the air vs just listening in :)


ps - please forgive my likely ignorance - I am a noob
 

mongovb1

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2012
Messages
5
Location
VA Beach
Hello,

I am just getting into Ham, searching for a starter radio on a relatively tight budget, and have decided to go with something I can afford now vs saving for several more months. While I've done quite a bit of research, I cannot seem to find any posts here or elsewhere describing the diference between the Baofeng and Waccom UV-5r / UV-5r 5W radios available from 409shop.com. They appear to be the same rigs with the only noticeable differences being the Waccom is rated at 5W vs Baofeng 4/1W, and of corse the brand names. My concern is that most of the available reviews and documentation I have found is for the Baofeng and I do not want to get caught with a difficult to support Waccom (in the US) product if it is not interchangeable with the Baofeng. That said and for the price (same), I am leaning toward the Waccom - if for nothing more than perhaps an updated version and an extra W.

Waccom - WACCOM UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio x 1pc - 409ShopUV-5R www.409shop.com
Baofeng - BAOFENG UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio x 1pc - 409ShopUV-5R www.409shop.com

I sure wish I could afford a fancy, rugged new (or slightly used) Yaesu VX-8DR, but that's just not in the cards at the moment.

In any case, thank you in advance for your knowledge.


Looking forward to sharing the air vs just listening in :)


ps - please forgive my likely ignorance - I am a noob
I am in the same boat as you and have been considering the Beofeng 5R to get the ball rolling. I look forward to others responses.
 

gewecke

Completely Banned for the Greater Good
Banned
Joined
Jan 29, 2006
Messages
7,452
Location
Illinois
Just don't drop your shiny new toys or get em' wet, or all the little oriental guys will fall out! :wink:

73,
n9zas
 

k8sar

Newbie
Joined
Jun 24, 2012
Messages
1
Location
Columbus, OH
Baofeng vs Waccom

FWIS, I have both of these radios. They are identical except for the one additional watt claimed for the Waccom. The accessories are interchangable and the programing software is the same for both radios. If forced to decide I'd give the edge to the Waccom for the 1 additional watt. They both have same capabilities and I enjoy working the low earth orbit satellites with them both through the Elk handheld log periodic antenna. Do not believe you can go wrong with either.

73,
Steve
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top