I am a new ham (General Class), and I am preparing to buy my first radio. Specifically, I am looking at Baofeng radios. Please don't suggest the Yaseau FT-60R or more expensive radios because I just can't justify putting that much into a radio at this point in time. In the future, maybe. I know it is a better radio, but as I said, I just can't afford putting that much in a handheld at this point in time.
I have narrowed my list down to the Baofeng UV-5R V2+, Baofeng 997-S, and Baofeng BF-F8HP. I live in a rural area with only one repeater for our county which I suppose is 15-20 miles from my QTH as the crow flies. I know that without a doubt I will have to replace the stock antenna. But what worries me is the power. The Baofeng UV-5R V2+ is only rated at 4 watts which it may or may not actually achieve. The 997-S is rated at 5 watts, but it's drawback is that it is incompatible with UV-5R accessories. Finally, the BF-F8HP is 8 watts and can use the 5R accessories, but it costs substantially more, and I'm not sure what it has more than the UV-5R other than transmit power.
So what would you advise among these three radios? I have studied them – even reading their manuals – and my head is swimming over which would be the best. I do realize that this is a petty question because these radios are so cheap that it's tough to go wrong, but I really would like to get it right and have a decent first experience.
I have narrowed my list down to the Baofeng UV-5R V2+, Baofeng 997-S, and Baofeng BF-F8HP. I live in a rural area with only one repeater for our county which I suppose is 15-20 miles from my QTH as the crow flies. I know that without a doubt I will have to replace the stock antenna. But what worries me is the power. The Baofeng UV-5R V2+ is only rated at 4 watts which it may or may not actually achieve. The 997-S is rated at 5 watts, but it's drawback is that it is incompatible with UV-5R accessories. Finally, the BF-F8HP is 8 watts and can use the 5R accessories, but it costs substantially more, and I'm not sure what it has more than the UV-5R other than transmit power.
So what would you advise among these three radios? I have studied them – even reading their manuals – and my head is swimming over which would be the best. I do realize that this is a petty question because these radios are so cheap that it's tough to go wrong, but I really would like to get it right and have a decent first experience.