Baofeng UV-17R Review: The best $25 radio that you can buy.
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- Опубліковано 8 сер 2023
- My review of the impressive Baofeng UV-17R. The best $25 radio that you can buy.
Product links:
BAOFENG UV-17R (AliExpress)
www.aliexpress.us/item/325680...
BAOFENG UV-17R (Baofengradio.com)
www.baofengradio.com/collecti...
UV-17R Programming Software
www.baofengradio.com/pages/do...
Specter Gear MOLLE Compatible
Baofeng UV-17R / UV-17 PRO
Radio Pouch
www.spectergear.com/ProductDet...
Specter Gear Belt Mounted
Baofeng UV-17R / UV-17 PRO
Radio Pouch
www.spectergear.com/ProductDet... - Наука та технологія
I would like to see the hacks to open up the radio. I want to carry one radio that can do ham bands as well as GRMS bands.
Tidradio h8 , only issue is you lose your settings switching to ham-gmrs.
With the h8 you can connect it to your phone and save the settings on your phone. It would still kinda be a hassle to reload the setting every time you switch but it’s better than nothing
I thought the UV5R flashlight was dumb until I was inside a home depot during a severe thunderstorm, and all the lights went out.
Great replacement for the UV5R. USB would be the deal killer for me, I hate having charging cradles all over the place or having to find the right one. I have several UV-13Pro/TP--8Plus radios I keep in the cars for weather and local repeaters and the USB is why I got them. The same charger as my phone and when they sit for a few months I know I can still use it.
my uv-17r has a usb-c at the battery 🤷♂️ got it from temu
My second UV-9R from Amazon came with a USB C battery
Got the PRO today from aliexpress for 29$ shipped! Got a 6 dollar coupon from Honey and wow cool! Thanks for the video! I have two UV5R 8watt models and I like the new updated version of that radio with the 17R. Helpful video as it helped me decide to purchase this radio! Cheers!😁
Great review of this radio, thanks! Could you possibly do a video on how to manually program this radio? A step by step for setting up a repeater frequency and then saving it to memory would be great.
I really enjoy listening to your videos. In fact, I bought the Yaesu VX-6R based on your review and operating videos. Keep up the good work!
Same here. I'm going to use his series of videos to learn how to use it.
I purchased the 17R after watching numerous videos, and I am not versed in radio but I do really like the inexpensive model I have, didn't think I would be all that interested in the topic, now though , I think it's really cool. Have become more interested and watch all of the radio reviews, fascinating.
Excellent video! I hope to see UV21 from you.
I have a UV-17 "Pro V2" now, about the same except has USB-C on the battery (and also has the charging cradle). Character size is the larger style in both VFO and memory modes. Very pleased with it. Way more sensitive than the Quansheng K6.
Have you found a way to program it with software?
I found the right software.
where did you buy Pro V2 ?
@@coastalpoodlerescue I got mine off eBay. A UV-17L Pro V2
I got mine off Aliexpress for £17, as USB-C on the rear and a cradle@@coastalpoodlerescue
Interesting comment on the font in channel mode. My baofeng BF-18H does this as well and I imagine the reason the font is smaller is that you usually name the channels in channel mode and if you used a large font then in a lot of cases the name wouldn't be able to fit on screen hence the small font???? Not sure but it's a possibility I reckon 🤔 Great vid by the way, very comprehensive and tells it like it is which is why I love your channel. Keep em coming! 😎😎😎👍
The restaurant you were referring to where the waiters were carrying radios, they're most likely using the MURS frequencies which do not require an FCC license
According to the Amazon listing, the UV-17r I just ordered does have USB charging capability.
I just purchased a couple of these. They're a replacement for a couple of old UV82's. Mine came with USB C charging. Don't get a hand held without it. The backlit keypad is as good as they get. RX audio is pretty good, too, but it's no hi fi rig on FM broadcast. It definitely has a piezo electric speaker. Selectivity on FM broadcast isn't anything to write home about either. It's a little "broad banded", for want of a better term. TX audio is fine on UHF simplex but I haven't given it a go on 2m. I live in a low RF environment so the receiver works fine in my location. Your mileage may vary. Stock antenna is pretty average, at best. I have the Baeofeng "Abree" copy which was optioned and it is a big step up. The radio is not small, by any stretch of the imagination. It's takes up a fair bit more volume than the 82 or the 5R. This is not a "pocket" radio. It could definitely be smaller. Battery life is yet to be determined but my initial impression is that the 82 is better, and I don't think that I'm wrong. I haven't performed any harmonic testing or power testing. If rumours are true, I'm too scared to test for the former. That said, power levels seem to be more than adequate so I wouldn't even bother testing those. The screen is adequate, but it's not good. You will quickly know whether it's time for a visit to the optometrist or not.
Front keypad programming is easy but I don't know how easy it is to programme using software as the programming cable that I ordered with the radio never turned up!
The usual features of dual watch, dual frequency display are still there and in my opinion, the Japanese need to take note. And as much as the broadcast radio isn't good, it's a lot better than nothing. Japan, take note, once again. These things are a long way from perfect, but they're by far and away a lot further away from being bad. If it's toy money that you're spending, not grocery money, you wont be disappointed.
I think few years ago, the Senhaix 8800 probably pioneered the flashlight at the bottom of the radio.
Thanks for the nice review.
Long press doesn't give you Moni....gives you open squelch.
Moni is squelch closed + ctcss or dtcss off.
Got started with the uv5r and never looked back… it still ticks and I sometimes hook it to a mobile antenna in my beater and make contacts but other than that it collects dust. After seeing this radio I think I’ll buy a couple to sit as a distant back up to my yaesu Vx-6r
Nice treatment, thank you !
I could not see the display.
Hoping you would open the case, have a look at the pcb and component layout, maybe some chip numbers.
All the uv 9 Rxxx are the same on the inside, and very hackable.
The uv s9 is arguably thier best radio.
$25 bucks is a large amount for me.
Cheerz.
nice video,, the screen and the navigation characteristics are almost the same as my Radtel rt-470..it does the same thing with the font went switching to vfo mode,, press and hold the "menu" button .. looks like a nice radio ,, again "your best bang for your buck" from fang!
Nice video , hopefully your review the 17Pro soon , thanks
It's on the way. Should be here a week to ten days.
Thanks Scott
Thanks for the review, and 73!
The Radioddity GS-5B has the flashlight on the bottom so you can see where you are walking as you are using the radio.
Geeezzz, now I gotta have one! Another Baofeng I don't need but I do!!
The black on white display on the UV-5R is more useful to me because with daylight you can see it all the time without any interaction. Transflective displays are a very efficient design which does not have to be changed. But I understand the industry. The displays are there for decades and optically they may seem old.
I have a smartwatch with transflective design. Much more convenient than the OLED displays that have to be switched on/off all the time.
Exactly!!!
My UV-17R battery has an USB charging port just above the mounting screw. And it cost $29 plus tax from Amazon on 8/23/23 when ordered. It is just as heavy as my IC2AT, which is a real change in quality from the clunky UV-5 series. And no, I haven't ordered a spare battery yet because I see no need for one. I have several Baofeng models to fall back on from the UV-5 series to the BF-888 with spare batteries for all. I think I've supported China's militarization enough.
Great review. This radio is now supported by Chirp Next.
Great review, may have to think abt getting one!🤔😃🇺🇸
Needs to be unlockable for gmrs and chirp capability. I'll snatch it up in a heartbeat. Thank you for the video. Right now, GT-5R for the win.
Why is the GT-5R better? is it opened up?
Same three key sequence as the others and It's the "FCC Compliant" version of the UV-5R. Less spurious emissions. Cleaner sound.
Thank you!!! Good save on the NON waterproof AND NON usbc!!! What's your recommendations for cheap emcom waterproof dual tri usbc? 17pro?
The lights on the bottom of the radio is a great idea. Can this radio run on a scan mode. ???
You should take a look at the Baofeng UV G30 V2, it's a very interesting radio😊
However various tests show that uv17r only has about 5 watts peak output but the uv13r v2 had close to 10watts....
All I need to know is: does it have SYNC option to display freq & channel name simultaneously?
my 17R doesnt have the same font issue between VFO and channel mode just tested it. (mine says firmware 1.04 and hardware v01)
does anybody know what’s the difference between the normal search and the one you press and hold the blue button? it says search search on the display
Do you have a video on how to program this radio with their software?
Got this same radio today and the software must have been updated as the frequency font is larger now in VFO and memory. Takes up most of the screen on upper and lower options. Great little radio its about the same size as the Wouxun 935Plus GMRS with a 1.5 inch screen. CHIRP and RT Systems is yet to support programming.
is there any news about when chirp would support this? wouldn't it be fairly similar to the others from the same brand.?
@@mikethomas7138 not sure as I just got the radio and info from Amazon says they just released this radio for sale in June. There is software to load from Baofeng but it won't support Windows only Mac.
TL;DW.. is there a way to lockout channels from the scan via the front panel and can you tell me how fast is the channel scan??? With 999 channels I would hope these features are there.. are channels in banks at least that can be locked out?
doesit recive and transmit on air band?..if no to transmit can it be un locked scott?..thanks russ
I think the only benefit of the 5r over the 17r is how easy it is to unlock it to also transmit on gmrs channels
I got my 17 a couple of days ago, but to my surprise the radio was a UV-17BK (BK?)! never heard of that model before!, though it looks just the same as the 17R, works ok, think 4 or 5 bands? - but the Airband sux, and yes, i know the Quangshen has superb Airband now with alll updates, but i can listen to the planes with an app in my phone! - and i am good with this 17! -- 73, Levi in Sweden ( i have USB-C charging in the battery)
I just got a pair of UV 17r"s from Amazon it came with two antennas, what are they for? One says FM/136-174/400-520MHz, the other says it is an ABBREE antenna FM /136-174/400-520Mhz. the first one is 8" long and the other one is about18" long
Ok ,ok ,but what about tx and Rx ,any spurious emmision still there??? Like uv5r ?
Can The GMRS channels be programmed into the 17f?
I have the UV 17 not R not pro it has a different display and usb C port on the battery for charging. but I cant find programing software to work with it. tried the UV17R and chirp no go.
Have you tested it for harmonics? Its the wirst radio in the 17 series
Which one is better, this one or the UV5RH / BF5RHM?
Hi, I ordered this radio after seeing this video and when it arrived it to my surprise the manual says BF-17. This is my first baofeng so I am no expert but I was wondering if anyone knows anything about the BF-17? The build is quite similar to the UV-17R.
The new Baofeng is a lot like Hytera in style now.
Looking for a 10 miles range walkie talkie. Do they do the job ?
Yes. The UV-5R is not the best-looking radio out there. But to me, the UV-5R is the Volkswagen Beetle of the ham radio world.
The jumbo battery will keep the uv-5r popular. Those batteries last for dsys
The non-expedient battery change is the deal killer for me. It seems like Baofeng has to include at least one built-in deficiency with every radio they produce,
Buy two ;)
Nice improvement the last thing i need is another Bfeng radio I’m going to order one now
what improvement? the 17R is loaded with harmonics
Other than the spurious emissions, they don't seem bad
Is there a tri-band version?
On my radio the number 5,6 and 7 keys don't work, and neither does the torch/flashlight.
What’s the distance in talking with someone?
I got the UV-13 Pro V2 WHOLLY BECAUSE ITS USB C. Complete non-starter nowdays if its not USB C
Brilliant idea to buy the 17pro replacement battery with built in usbc
I certainly agree. USB C charging is great, especially for preppers.
If Baofeng could speed up that scan speed, I’d buy one this very instant. That has been my main complaint about Baofengs.
& btw, once again, I'll say an EXCELLENT review, but I did wanna say I've never heard anyone say, while on the air (including myself) that they had a "Bay-O-feng"; instead, it's always "Bow-feng," LOL! Of course, it's just pronouncation & no big deal! (Heck, maybe all of us have been saying it wrong!) 😃🇺🇸
I already had the UV5R and I just got the UV17R. Unlike the one you're showing, mine has the usb-c plug-in and cable. It's not the 'pro' or'plus' model, just the UV17R. I was also able to program all the GMRS, FRS channels right out of the box. One more thing, if I long-press the flashlight button, there is a very loud siren! I'm very much an amateur and on my way to getting my license. I wonder why the difference between my 17r and the one you're showing. Hmmm
What vendor on Amazon did you get your YV-17r from? I just ordered a pair of the UV-17r’s from Amazon. How did you program GRMS frequencies in it?
I have not got my radios yet.
Looks like several changes have been made to these models recently.
@@eagleviewhd I looked up on the internet what the GMRS frequencies are and then input some of those frequencies into the radio's according to the instructions that came with the radio. Yes, there have been changes. By the time you get your radio, another change has been made. You probably have it all figured out by now, as your post is over a month old, but good luck and have fun!
The uv-5r older ones are unlocked I have both of them they both have their uses I do like my uv-17 pro gps much more but that one was $31.83 shipped to my house my uv-5r was $15.45 shipped aliexpress they take forever to get here uv-17 is a different animal
oh boy! cant wait to buy one so my ham folks keep complaining I can't transmitt and the frequencies should only be used for boring stuff!
Is the speaker port on the top? If so that could be nice in a pouch
it is in the keypad
Why the handheld devices don't use 2 18650 cells?
Should we ask for this?
That is a really, really good question. Yes, it's a good question.
Baofeng UV5R is still the best baofeng. If you are a beast user you might want something hackable where you can open all bands. This is not Baofeng, but same price and a beast and a devil where it comes to amateur radio.. Im not gonna share more info because it might not be legal in your area, but if you are enthusiast you will know what to search for and 100% you will find it!
He was not having lunch with the flashlight guy
I bought one from Amazon, the second harmonic was only 17dbc down from the carrier on 2m. Totally illegal to use in any country in this world without using external filters. I ended up sending it back and getting my money back. Baofeng needs to take their engineering serious and not cut corners with the harmonic filters.
Mines bad too.
yes and the first harmonic minus 15db from the fundamentaj...its a piece of junk
S9 plus radio bought and sold the same month. Never liked it. Buying this radio tomorrow.
looks good just ordered one need another HT like a hole in the head hehe
I will take an A36Plus any day over this. Why? Well the A36Plus can be legally used as a GMRS or Ham radio. It also has frequency copy, which is a must have feature in my opinion. The A36Plus wins, and there really is no debating that. You give me the choice a billion times, and I am taking the A36Plus a billion times.
You can talk to your doctor about getting your meds switched up . I’m sure it will help with your obsessive behavior .
@@panchopistola8298 Yeah because you getting angered over a differing opinion is not obsessive. You're a goof. Grow up!
@@chrisgullett4332 I’m not angry but okay ….
Regarding chirp programming, does anybody know what vendor and model to use to download/upload to this radio?
I can’t program mine. A little desktop computer icon comes up on the screen and then on my computer it says Failed! (Using the software from miklor)
Thanks for the update, hopefully it'll be decoded in the near future by the team at Chirp.
@@tonykoop that would be great!
Now available on chirp
My UV-17R came with a USB-C charging port on the battery.
I would personally prefer they remove the flashlight and FM radio from these devices. Frankly, I don't reach for my ham HT when I need a flashlight or want to listen to FM Broadcast radio. Having those features usually indicates cheap hardware.
I always hated my Baofeng 88. Felt Cheap my wife is an amazon Vine reviewer and got me the 17R for free. I was like. "Yea baofeng is junk (The part I said to her was) "Thanks honey!" but when it came. WOW. I always loved my Wouxon because it was a heavily made plastic tank. The 17r is so nice. 25 dollars is throw away good too. Watch that screen. I had one came with a big scratch on it. Currently looking for solutions to put a screen protector on it. Even if I have to use trimmed to size packing tape.
Like the packing tape idea, it's the 21st century replacement of duck tape with a 1002 uses. It does cause me a bit of anxiety thinking of doing it with out the wrinkle sneaking in on final smooth down, so trim after placing?
check the 17R for harmonics. its a piece of junk
I'm not familiar with the acronym "mcom" - what does it stand for?
EmComm - short for Emergency Communications. This covers tasks such as ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services), SKYWARN, Search & Rescue, or any usage wherein your radio is part of your personal survival kit.
@@KS6DAY Thanks for the explanation. Have a great day!
Since your video, they raised the price....
You are correct. $28.99 on Amazon. Still 24.99 on Ali and Baofeng Radio but it appears they are poised to go up to 29.99. Makes my thumbnail a bit obsolete. I figured it would eventually go up in price, but I didn't think it would do so in 4 days. I must ponder my next move. Thanks for the heads up.
Enjoyed the video! Can you charge the battery off the radio or does it have to be on the radio to fit in the cradle? Keep up the good work 👍 73 kd5dxn
Also interested.
@@wanderingcalamity360 I decided to order one, I hope to have it in a few days. I will try to let you know. Update... battery will non stay in charger without being on radio
Has anyone found a TX unlock for this?
I'm also interested.
@@wanderingcalamity360 Me too
Following
Would be nice
I have watched so many videos on this that I can't remember who said it, but they claimed to have talked with Baofeng, and were told it is locked in the firmware due to them nearly losing export to Europe (because of all the out of band abuse). I received mine today, and I am not impressed. I have a UV-5R and several UV-82's (my favorite). More memories is nice, but no banks= no bueno. Plus not supported by Chirp yet.
Amazon says this radio is IP54 rated
Wow. Was sounding great until no usb-c charging. Basic oversight I reckon.
the range dosent go as high as the uv5r . i wouldnt be able to hear the police channels in my area. im sticking with the uv5r
where do you live that police use unencrypted radios?
@@rhards Not everything is encrypted so i can still hear alot. i live in pa
I can accept everything you say abour UV-5R but not that it is ugly. You just can't say that. It is cheap, poor quality, flimsy, clunky, it will break apart when you drop it etc. The UV-5R is classic now, not ugly.
What do people use these for? I have a uniden p25 digital scanner for police and fire. If this isn’t digital then what is everyone listening to?
It's not a scanner. It's an amateur radio transceiver (2 way radio). People use these for communicating with others on the 2m/70cm amateur radio bands.
@@KS6DAY gotcha. Thank you!!
So, could I talk to a friend who lives far away?
The small lettering in memory mode a deal killer for me…poor vision.
Hey mate, I got the same radio, but firmware v1.08 hardware: v01 and the letters are the same size for both modes. I ordered from the official store.
CAN YOU USE THIS AS A SCANNER????????
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Scott, I don't mean to be rude, but only Americans call it "Bay o feng".
It's "Bow Feng" just like Bao bun.
This display looks like it would be very difficult in sunlight.
i've only heard u-tubers call it
" Bay - o - feng " or " Bay - o - fang " .
And the "bow" is not pronounced
as if it were a ribbon tied on a
gift box , but rather as related
to a dog barking " Bow-wow " .
( rant : )
Our education systems are a
faint shadow of what they were.
Etymology is no longer taught ,
& the spelling & grammar of
most Americans , I now find
cringeworthy. Its sad when even
English Teachers say , and *_write_*
"would of" instead of
"would have" or "would've" .
We weren't allowed to use simple
4 function calculators , even in
college. Sucessive generations got
to use scientific calculators to
solve their engineering equations ,
& now recently I've encountered
young people who *can't* even
*use* the calculator on their
smart phones ; they _don't_ know
_how_ !🤯! They _google_ it 🤦♂️.
@@rythemzlatin All the UA-camrs you've heard pronounce it are wrong. I went to school when they still taught real English and Math, not interpretive spelling.... SIGH
That's why I said Bao bun because it's pronounced correctly not like hair or arrow & bow.
Baofeng UV-17proV2 is The best $25 radio that you can buy.
This video is used in the product videos on Amazon lol
I didn't know that. Interesting.
The smaller characters is probably if you save a channel by name you can get a longer namn visable?
What's VFO?
Variable Frequency Oscillator. In basic terms, it's the tuner which changes the frequency.
Is this a confirmed/official Baofeng radio? I have seen reports of the other UV17/18 variants as builds for other companies (Socotran, iirc).
Nice review. I just purchased a new charger for my uv5r and should’ve just sprung for one of these 🤣.
It came straight from Baofeng Radio to me. That's as official as it gets. The website that it came from is the one associated with the programming software link.
@@KS6DAY Thanks for confirming! I do see the 17r listing now. I may have been looking too hard for the Pro which is not on Baofeng Radio.
Looks nice but is it legal from the spurious emissions standpoint?
No flashlight! I'm out. Dose it use Glock mags?
It has 2 flashlights but unfortunately uses Kel-Tec P11 mags.
Nope, high point all the way 😂
Nice radio with the price and USB C. Great review as well. Are we sure that with the present situation with the CCP, that this is not going to place malware on your pc/home network? Don't know if it is worth the risk tbh.
The screen/font on the 17 Pro model is way, WAY nicer. That alone might be worth the extra 15 bucks for people.
lf they give me one for free it will go straight in the trash, worst radio bf have ever made,piece of junk loaded with harmonics
It's $25 because demand is down. Reason being, people aren't buying radios without RT Systems or Chirp support. The Baofeng CPS doesn't even have support for inport/export of CVS files. And writing codeplugs without Excel is a pain in the ass.. No 2 ways about it. With that said, the A36 that you don't like shines in that department.
Darn I just bought a yaesu ft-65
You did just fine with the FT-65. It's in a different class altogether.
@@KS6DAY good to know
Not really an apples to apples compare. While the Yaesu FT-65 is still has an SDR receiver (just like a Baofeng), it is at least 4-5 times the price.
baofeng does not use an SDR receiver lol @@g-whiz286
Some people don't realize many vendors can sell the same product on Amazon. The Amazon vendor I got my 17r from sent me a radio that looks like this radio. However the display is not the same. The menus don't even come close to matching what is mentioned in the manual. It was open box, without bags sealed, no protective film on the glass, and the manual had obviously been used a bit, called had been re-wrapped. Given those factors it was obviously open box, despite being listed as new.
Just be careful.
You got ripped off mate, search UA-cam for "Which UV-17 are you really getting".... There's THREE models...