Baofeng Tribander HTs

For owners of the new Baofeng Tribander HTs (UV-5RX3)

We have identified three accessories which we think most owners will find very useful.

Spare Battery (28-020-114) identical to the battery that comes with the HT
7.4 volt, 1800 mAh, Li-ion, model BL-5
Tri-band Antenna (28-120-144) a single antenna that covers all three bands
144/220/430 model RD-301
Shoulder speaker-mic (28-020-112) with clip for shirt collar.

Each of these items is available from:

www.radioddity.com

For about $10 each plus shipping.

Note #1 – The Tri-band antenna comes with a tiny rubber washer and instructions in Chinese. The illustration leaves little doubt as to where it goes. Careful – it’s easy to lose. IMHO the washer should have been much thicker and probably should be supplemented with one or two extra rubber washers. I don’t believe these HTs make any claim to be water-tight so the extra washer is entirely optional.

Note #2 – If you can get hold of a model RD-371 antenna it will be a better choice. Unfortunately, according to the Radioddity website, it is only available in the European market.

Note #3 – Li-ion batteries do not take kindly to a trickle charge. A trickle charge after they are fully charged will shorten their life expectancy. Recommendation: put the spare battery in the charger and set a timer for an hour or so. Repeat as necessary to bring the battery to full charge, then remove the battery from the charger. Repeat once a month but use a half hour charge interval to top it off.

Thomasville Amateur Radio Club

Some users of the Baofeng UV5R have very weak transmit audio, I’m sure you’ve noticed that. Most likely it’s because the UV5R is set to Narrow Band mode. Here’s how to check it and change it to Wide Band mode if needed.

1- Press MENU at the upper left corner of the keypad. Voice will say “MENU”. (hopefully in English!)

2- Press the Number 5 on the keypad. The display will show either NARR or WIDE.

3- If the display shows NARR, press MENU. Voice will say “CHANNEL BANDWIDTH”. (If the display shows WIDE merely press EXIT)

4- Press either the UP arrow or the DOWN arrow on the keypad, the display will then show WIDE.

5- Press MENU. Voice will say “CONFIRM”.

6- Press EXIT.

If this procedure doesn’t cure the low transmit audio the user should speak louder and make sure the microphone (behind that teeny tiny hole to the left of the speaker and above the A/B button)

is directly in front of and close to the user’s mouth. Sometimes during assembly the piece of foam that holds the

microphone element in place gets dislodged and may partially cover the microphone element, that usually requires disassembly. Sometimes that teeny tiny hole needs to be reamed out ever so slightly. Don’t go very deep or the the microphone element will be destroyed, and a speaker mike is the only recourse from then on.

Please don’t assume the radio has a mechanical problem. Try the NFM to WFM solution first.

ANDY NX4AC