Baofeng 2013 Newest Dual Band VHF and UHF 5W Walkie Talkie Baofeng UV-B6

• 1. dual vhf uhf UV B6
• 2.CTCSS/DCSS
• 3. Noise Reduction
• 4. 1750HZ Relay Forwarding Confirmed
• 5. Freq. range:136-174 & 400-470MHz

One of the primary "knocks" against the UV-5R series of radios (made by the same company Baofeng) is that their receivers in these little radios are as wide as barn doors. Sensitive, yes, selective no way. Yes I know they can transmit from 136-174 and 400-520 mHz (even though other reviewers aren't aware of this apparently), but up until now selectivity (the ability of the receiver to ignore things that you don't want to hear) has been, well, wanting to say the least.

Until now. The B6 series (when set to narrow-band mode) simply blows away any UV-5R series receiver period. One word of caution, however, you'll won't see much difference in the receivers (between the UV-5R series and the B5/B6 series) if both radios are set to wide-band mode (the default setting on both rigs). When you change both receivers to narrow-band it's like comparing black and white tv to HDTV, you just can't believe the difference.

One of my close friends is an EE specializing in RF design. When we compared the two radios (in wide-band mode) he wasn't too impressed with either of them (to say the least), but when we re-ran the tests with both radios in narrow-band mode he couldn't believe the difference on the B6 and checked his instruments again just to make sure he hadn't made a mistake in the measurements.

For most folks considering a radio purchase the narrow-band receive capabilities of this radio will simply be wasted, as many will use it for prepping, scanning, FRS, or GMRS (legal or not), and for those folks (most of which barely understand how to program it let alone what narrow-band is), either radio (UV-5R or B6) is a quantum leap ahead in technology vs. the poor FRS/GMRS bubble-pack radios available in warehouse stores. For those folks that need a radio that truly can do both Part 90 transmit AND receive, this B6 may just be the low priced unit that they have been looking for. By the way, the B5 model is the same radio without the built-in LED flashlight, otherwise the units are identical.

I own both radios, so let me explain some of the differences of the two different series units so you can decide which one is "best" for your needs:

Standard Battery Size:

1800mAh (UV-5R) 2000mAh (B5/B6)

Battery Size / Options Available:

3800mAh Extended Battery, AA 6-Cell Pack, AAA 6-Cell Pack, & Car Battery Adapter (UV-5R)

NO Battery Options available for the B5/B6 (although the radio is new, so Baofeng may eventually add some options)

FM Commercial Radio Receiver Memory Channels:

None on the UV-5R (although you can direct enter one FM frequency at a time to listen)

16 Memory Channels on the B5/B6 Series

Total Programmed Frequency Memories Available for "Talking":

128 (UV-5R) 99 (B5/B6)

Number of available alpha-numberic spaces (to name your displayed frequency):

6 (UV-5R) 5 (B5/B6)

Colors of radio available:

Black, Blue, Camo, Red, Yellow (UV-5R)

Black Only (B5/B6)

Transmit Frequency Range:

136-174 mHz (VHF)

400-520 mHz (UHF)

Both radios support this.

There may other differences I'll discover as I use the B6 longer, if so, I'll revise the review and post them here.

In short, if you want the maximum number of options available, you'll love the original UV-5R series. If you need narrow-band receive capabilities, you'll love the receiver in the B5/B6 series and will (for now at least) have to give up some of the options the UV-5R series folks have already. My choice was easy, I got both.

I can't wait to see what the newest UV-82 series will have (available soon)!

Buy Baofeng 2013 Newest Dual Band VHF and UHF 5W Walkie Talkie Baofeng UV-B6 Now

I'm not going to bore you with statistics, instrument measurements and things like that. I'm going to give you my working knowledge of this radio.

My overall assessment: It's a great radio for the price. In my case the 70cm side works better than the 2-meter side.

First, I live in the mountains. My house in Arizona is at 5,400 feet. My nearest repeater is 17.2 miles away on a mountain and at 9.800 feet. The tower has both a 2 meter and 70cm repeater, running the same specs. I have a direct line of sight of the tower from my house and can see it with my own eyes, unaided, because of the reflection off the metal (I live in a rural area). This mountain is visible around the area -in many cases up to 50 miles away. I am using just a stock antenna.

First, the 2 Meter portion works well, however, the squelch needs to be off. I was 1.2 miles from the repeater tonight, looking directly at it from the bottom of the mountain it is on. I saw the green light on showing receive, but couldn't hear audio until I turned the squelch off. At my house, 17.2 miles in direct line of sight from the repeater, this is also true. I have to turn the squelch off.

The flip side of this is, on the 70cm side, the squelch works fine. I can run full quieting at my house and still hear and talk on the 70 cm repeater. In fact, I was in a town 50 miles away this weekend and still had no problem hearing and talking on the repeater with the squelch on. This has been true everywhere I've been (Las Vegas, Phoenix, San Diego). It's been my experience that 70cm on this unit works better than the 2m does.

I've also talked simplex on 70cm to someone in my town 11 miles away without much problem. I can't get more than 2 miles on 2m.

Again, for the price, it's a great unit. I can't complain.

Read Best Reviews of Baofeng 2013 Newest Dual Band VHF and UHF 5W Walkie Talkie Baofeng UV-B6 Here

If you see all my reviews of Baofengs you will see I have them all, The difference with this one is the ability to go to 512 MHZ which is what I need. I am a radio nut, but not a techie, so all of my reviews are based on ease of use, reliability, and function.

YOU MUST GET THE PROGRAM CABLEIt is possible to program without the cable, but time consuming. Also when programming with a computer you must make sure the version of radio, matches the version of software. In addition, if you have programmed other Baofengs on a particular computer,and have trouble programming a new one, use a different computer. I found this to solve my problem when I had an issue programming. I have a $600 Yaesu which became a paperweight after I got the Baofeng. I am not convinced they are really putting out the watts they claim, but for point to point communication, they are awesome.