Quite a nice handset, comes with a small but decent antenna, Mic+Headphone headset, a manual and the charger.What I liked about it is:1) Slick design with clear display buttons and LCD screen2) Easy to switch bands between UHF and VHF using a button3) A/B makes it easy to switch frequency between 2 desired channels, very handy when talking on 2 separate conversations.4) Good plastic quality I’d give it a 7/10,5) PTT button on the side which is the good old standard6) There is a light on top that can be activated, I didn’t use it much but it’s there in case needed.7) Scanning is pretty easy, by holding the scan (left or right) buttons the system does the job.8) The Range was pretty decent, walking on the street I could pickup signals mostly on UHF,9) FM Radio can be received on the system in case required (read only).Items not so much (or hoping for one day):1) The system has been locked up to work with other channels, I wish I could scan bands within the 18.500 range.2) The VHF band didn’t perform as good as the UHF band, I could receive but not send clearly.3) Charging must be done with the bulky PSU and holder, I wish I could do that from a USB port where most of the devices these days are powered.Overall; I was pretty happy with the performance of the handset. I thought it did the job quite well in the end.

I can’t get mine to work. I’m thinking about returning it. When you turn it on you expect to hear people talking, especially on the calling channel. But nothing! I’ve tried an external aerial. I have tried going out and using it in various location. But nothing. Maybe it’s been wrongly programmed but it doesn’t come with a programming lead.

Great

This upgraded GT-5R is misdescribed as LEGAL simply because it cannot transmit outside the approved amateur bands. Earlier models and many other similar transceivers are capable of out-of-band transmissions that can interfere with emergency services and other communications systems and land you in court facing a fine. It is also illegal to use amateur radio equipment on the PMR446 band due to the strict limits on power output and restrictions on adding external antennas. This GT-5R version does not cover 446 MHz.As a licensed amateur, it amazes me how many people assume they can buy a couple of these cheap two-way radios so they can wander up a hillside chatting to their mates. They even go as far as to mention this in a review, so other people are led to believe it’s perfectly legal.As far as the actual radio is concerned, they are fairly robust but not that easy to use or program, especially for use with repeaters. This isn’t helped by a poor display and a questionable menu design.At this end of the market, you definitely get what you pay for. The quality of the Baofeng’s emissions is not ideal, there are some spurious noise issues, and the range of the supplied antenna is quite poor. Leading brands (such as Yaesu et al) deliver much better features in a more professional package.Unlike better quality radios with USB Type-C charging sockets, these cheap units cannot be charged other than via the base station.On balance, many might agree that this is a cheap way to get into the wonderful world of amateur radio. As long as you don’t transmit illegally without an amateur radio licence, you can browse around the VHF and UHF amateur bands but might soon begin to wonder if your antenna is faulty.

Quite a nice handset, comes with a small but decent antenna, Mic+Headphone headset, a manual and the charger.What I liked about it is:1) Slick design with clear display buttons and LCD screen2) Easy to switch bands between UHF and VHF using a button3) A/B makes it easy to switch frequency between 2 desired channels, very handy when talking on 2 separate conversations.4) Good plastic quality I’d give it a 7/10,5) PTT button on the side which is the good old standard6) There is a light on top that can be activated, I didn’t use it much but it’s there in case needed.7) Scanning is pretty easy, by holding the scan (left or right) buttons the system does the job.8) The Range was pretty decent, walking on the street I could pickup signals mostly on UHF,9) FM Radio can be received on the system in case required (read only).Items not so much (or hoping for one day):1) The system has been locked up to work with other channels, I wish I could scan bands within the 18.500 range.2) The VHF band didn’t perform as good as the UHF band, I could receive but not send clearly.3) Charging must be done with the bulky PSU and holder, I wish I could do that from a USB port where most of the devices these days are powered.Overall; I was pretty happy with the performance of the handset. I thought it did the job quite well in the end.

I can’t get mine to work. I’m thinking about returning it. When you turn it on you expect to hear people talking, especially on the calling channel. But nothing! I’ve tried an external aerial. I have tried going out and using it in various location. But nothing. Maybe it’s been wrongly programmed but it doesn’t come with a programming lead.

Great

This upgraded GT-5R is misdescribed as LEGAL simply because it cannot transmit outside the approved amateur bands. Earlier models and many other similar transceivers are capable of out-of-band transmissions that can interfere with emergency services and other communications systems and land you in court facing a fine. It is also illegal to use amateur radio equipment on the PMR446 band due to the strict limits on power output and restrictions on adding external antennas. This GT-5R version does not cover 446 MHz.As a licensed amateur, it amazes me how many people assume they can buy a couple of these cheap two-way radios so they can wander up a hillside chatting to their mates. They even go as far as to mention this in a review, so other people are led to believe it’s perfectly legal.As far as the actual radio is concerned, they are fairly robust but not that easy to use or program, especially for use with repeaters. This isn’t helped by a poor display and a questionable menu design.At this end of the market, you definitely get what you pay for. The quality of the Baofeng’s emissions is not ideal, there are some spurious noise issues, and the range of the supplied antenna is quite poor. Leading brands (such as Yaesu et al) deliver much better features in a more professional package.Unlike better quality radios with USB Type-C charging sockets, these cheap units cannot be charged other than via the base station.On balance, many might agree that this is a cheap way to get into the wonderful world of amateur radio. As long as you don’t transmit illegally without an amateur radio licence, you can browse around the VHF and UHF amateur bands but might soon begin to wonder if your antenna is faulty.