![Baofeng BF-F8TD](https://i0.wp.com/ki5wkb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/IMG_1829.jpg?resize=263%2C467&ssl=1)
Baofeng BF-F8TD, an 8-Watt HT Ham Radio.
This is my first radio, the Baofeng BF-F8TD. I actually got it in a two pack from Amazon. This is a variation of the Baofeng UVR5, a radio as ubiquitous as a DVD player in the 2000’s. They are practically giving them away on Amazon. If you are looking to get into HAM radio, this is a great place to start. There is tons of information on using them, and the cost is a very low barrier to entry. The advantage of this one over the UVRB is that the BF-F8TD is supposed to be able to transmit at up to 8 Watts of power. I don’t have equipment to test that claim, but I’ve been told the actual output is close to 6.5 watts.
This radio will let you do several things. You can speak on the UHF/VHF bands either in Simplex mode (think Peer to Peer) or on a repeater. A repeater is an antenna, usually placed very high, that captures the signal you send to it, and re-transmits at higher power, allowing you to talk to people over a larger area. If you happen to be operating your Baofeng in range of an EchoLink enabled repeater, you can use the keypad to dial into any EchoLink node in the world. I have spoken to people in Australia right from this very radio.
Talking on Simplex, you cannot expect to transmit very far. My experience has been only about a mile. Your milage may vary if you are on top of a mountain, or somewhere else very high, but in a typical ground level setting, it just does not get out very far.
You use a program called CHIRP, to program the radio with all of the frequencies you want to talk on. You can query the repeater frequencies of your area directly in the CHIRP program. While you can program the frequencies directly onto your radio by hand, I have found it is a lot more time consuming and prone to error. The program does not work at all with the Baofeng if you are using a Mac. I have had to use another computer to do this. There is a probably a workaround for Mac, but I have not had any success with it.
The radio does have a flashlight on top which can be kept on or blinking. Its not very bright, but it can be a bit handy at times. It is also supposed to be able to receive normal FM radio, but I have not ever been able to get it to work. Lastly, if you push and hold the call button, it turns on a pretty useless chirping alarm. Not sure I will ever need that feature, but you never know.
The radio does come with two sets of rubber ducks antennas, but I went ahead and upgraded mine to the Nagoya NA-24J. I like this Nagoya antenna, because i can roll it up in a coil shape and make it easier to stow in my backpack. The antenna is a dual band antenna allowing you to use it on 2m and 70cm bands (UHF/VHF). You can go with a more rigid antenna of approximately the same length, the Nagoya NA 771, but I prefer the NA-24J because it is somewhat easier to handle if you are in and out of the car alot or stowing the radio in a bag.
![Nagoya NA 24J dual band antenna coiled for storage](https://i0.wp.com/ki5wkb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Nagoya-NA-24J-Antenna-Coiled-1.jpg?resize=225%2C300&ssl=1)
Nagoya NA 24J dual band antenna coiled for storage
Finally, the radio comes with a cradle style charger, a belt clip, a lanyard, a Kenwood style USB connector, and a earpiece/microphone which can be used on VOX mode for hand free operation.
Like I said, you can spend more money for a Kenwood or Yaesu HT style radio and will probably reap the benefits, but if you are just getting started in radio, the Baofeng is a great way to go. For around $80 bucks you can start listening on the HAM bands and talking as soon as you get your FCC License.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]