My review of the Baofeng UV-21R. Please be sure to visit www.spectergear... Your patronage there helps support this channel. Product link: Baofeng UV-21R www.amazon.com...
Great radio for the price really! I have ordered and programmed at least six of these for club members and friends. They all were open transmit and they all came with two antennas. The long one is a Tri band. I think the bottom button under the PTT is transmit power.
I have had mine since December. It is the " tactical " one they sold . It came with a. Folding abbree antenna. Along with the shoeter one . I like it. Compared to my uv5r . It is nice that lots of my stuff will go back and forth . I have headsets and things .
check the settings using chirp, I'm pretty sure you can change those buttons. I am pretty sure I disabled mine. I got 2 from amazon months ago and they came unlocked. I had to use the UV17R setting in chirp to program it as I recall. I have updated chirp many times since I programed mine so maybe it now has its own option? thanks for the video.
I really wish they would start adding scanlists and/or banks into these things, it's great that channel counts are rising but you need some way to properly organize them. That's why I generally use one of my DMR radios even for analog, the very nature of DMR requires zones, which double as a great way to organize analog channels into meaningful groups.
Really enjoying your channel, really appreciate all the work you are putting into reviews and instructional videos. $50-60ish budget, haven’t bought a HT in a few years and want something newer to play with. Would you recommend this, a TD H3 or H8 or something else. Capability to use GMRS in emergency is important. Best feature/quality bang for the buck? Thanks!
Great review. I am going to get one for father’s day. I am also getting the Nagoya tri band antenna and spare battery. My icom ic-v8 is getting old like me. Plus would be nice to work 440 and 220 repeaters. 73’s
I ordered 4 off amazon 2 weeks ago. They are all unlocked. One came with firmware v0.03 hardware 01 which has a scramble function. The other 3 have firmware 0.11 hardware 01and no scramble function.
Hey Yeah the new Baofengs from beginning 2023 look great and functionality is also improved. Check out the UV-18 Pro Max. Its really nice, has USB C charging on the battery, Zones, 999 channels, air band, NOAA, alpha numeric keypad, GPS, customizable sound effects for functions.
I have the 17R and the 21R, I agree the 21R is a better radio. It's interesting that you have a locked 17R, I have yet to buy a Dual baND Feng that was not wide open when it came. The only Dual Band Feng i have bought that was not unlocked, nor can I figure out how to unlock in the UV13Pro. The GMRS radios do come locked to GMRS channels but the other are open.
How do I change bands on this. You made mention VHF 1, VHF 2 and UHF but not where or how to change bands. I just about wore out the little instruction manual. Thanks
It would be nice if they could put a neodymium magnet in the bottom to add weight to the bottom (lower the center of gravity) and also to stick it to steel, such as a vehicle rooftop.
I have the 21r in the GMRS version and the lower side key (short press) controls transmit power. A look at the display can confirm if it works the same on the ham version. Would like to see the center front button, which has no function on the GMRS, control the display light. 22:19
I have a 17R Pro GPS (orange) radio, and either I unlocked it with the UV-5R key combination or it came unlocked, I can't remember which. Anyway, mine will transmit on 2M, 70cm, and FRS/GMRS. And it has multiple memory banks. Unfortunately, it's still a Baofeng lol
This largely depends on the frequency being used and the service that it falls within. The short answer is no, buy and use it only if you are licensed to use the frequencies it covers.
Does this radio have a receiver inside it or just a transmitter? Practically all CZcams reviewers of radios seem to forget to even mention how good the receiver is, SINAD measurement etc.
FWIW, all of the inexpensive Chinese radios have rather poor, single-conversion receivers with very little intermod filtering. That's part of why they can cover such a broad range of frequencies at such a cheap price. Which doesn't mean they're not useful and fun (I have a bunch!) just that it's the wrong radio to take to the repeater site...the front end would crumple up like an origami dragon! Take that old 16 channel Motorola instead...
I have this one and the UV-17 pro. Both are fully unlocked. but the UV17 pro is the better one, it has zones (Banks), GPS that the UV21 doesn't have. The menu structure on the UV21 is terrible. All in all I stick with the UV17 pro
I bought two orange UV-21R's recently. Programmed with Chirp. I prefer the body of the 17R with flashlight on the bottom, but like that this radio is "open". 17R and 21R both have muffled voice announcements, but clear fm/NOAA/ham reception. I like the 999 memories. That being said, I like the Tidradio TD-H3 better. Display is brighter, Bluetooth programming while traveling is a breeze ...if it had 999 memories and banks, it would dominate the market, in my opinion. @KS6DAY 73, Brett K5WXP
Baofeng has Notorious issues with the usb c charge port on the batteries Causes interference issues causing other hand held radios to go deaf when being charged within 100 feet of another radio when plugging the Battery into a usb c charge cable dosen't matter the power sorce issue is with these Listed Radios I did Videos Showing the interference there no noise supression added to the usb c charge circuit its a very dirty Charge Circuit. UV-21R the UV-17R, UV-21Pro GPS, UV-5G, UV-5X, UV-5G Plus, 5RH, 5RM 16:23 @KS6DAY
I’d like to see a ailunce hd2 review Anolog/DMR(digital) Ip67 Text message SMS USB-C TRI band uhf/vhf 220 (136-174MHz 222MHz-225MHz 400-520MHz) AES-256 encryption Front panel programmable Proper multpin waterproof accessory/speaker mic port. (Motorola m3)
I purchased (4) of these radios and they are all open. I really like them and using CHIRP to program them all the same.
Great review! Congratulations on 10k subscribers! Your channel has excellent content! Cheers
Great radio for the price really! I have ordered and programmed at least six of these for club members and friends. They all were open transmit and they all came with two antennas. The long one is a Tri band. I think the bottom button under the PTT is transmit power.
I have had mine since December. It is the " tactical " one they sold . It came with a. Folding abbree antenna. Along with the shoeter one . I like it. Compared to my uv5r . It is nice that lots of my stuff will go back and forth . I have headsets and things .
check the settings using chirp, I'm pretty sure you can change those buttons. I am pretty sure I disabled mine. I got 2 from amazon months ago and they came unlocked. I had to use the UV17R setting in chirp to program it as I recall. I have updated chirp many times since I programed mine so maybe it now has its own option? thanks for the video.
I really wish they would start adding scanlists and/or banks into these things, it's great that channel counts are rising but you need some way to properly organize them. That's why I generally use one of my DMR radios even for analog, the very nature of DMR requires zones, which double as a great way to organize analog channels into meaningful groups.
Really enjoying your channel, really appreciate all the work you are putting into reviews and instructional videos. $50-60ish budget, haven’t bought a HT in a few years and want something newer to play with. Would you recommend this, a TD H3 or H8 or something else. Capability to use GMRS in emergency is important. Best feature/quality bang for the buck? Thanks!
I have the uv21 R in orange and it handles very well I have picked up a lot of people all over the place it really holds up to its name
Thank you for this detailed review and comparison of these! I'm looking at getting some for our emergency kits. Your review is a great help!
Great review. I am going to get one for father’s day. I am also getting the Nagoya tri band antenna and spare battery. My icom ic-v8 is getting old like me. Plus would be nice to work 440 and 220 repeaters. 73’s
Yep. Big issue with the lack of Banks.
I ordered 4 off amazon 2 weeks ago. They are all unlocked. One came with firmware v0.03 hardware 01 which has a scramble function. The other 3 have firmware 0.11 hardware 01and no scramble function.
Scramble ?
@@coreybabcock2023 Yes Voice scramble. It is a form of encryption featured in a lot of Chinese market radios.
Were do you ck for firm were at in menu?
@@30pvfd In the menu number 45 will list the firmware.
Hey
Yeah the new Baofengs from beginning 2023 look great and functionality is also improved.
Check out the UV-18 Pro Max.
Its really nice, has USB C charging on the battery, Zones, 999 channels, air band, NOAA, alpha numeric keypad, GPS, customizable sound effects for functions.
I have the 17R and the 21R, I agree the 21R is a better radio. It's interesting that you have a locked 17R, I have yet to buy a Dual baND Feng that was not wide open when it came. The only Dual Band Feng i have bought that was not unlocked, nor can I figure out how to unlock in the UV13Pro. The GMRS radios do come locked to GMRS channels but the other are open.
Can it catch air band? 108-137 MHz?
How do I change bands on this. You made mention VHF 1, VHF 2 and UHF but not where or how to change bands. I just about wore out the little instruction manual. Thanks
No need to switch bands, just program it with the frequencies of interest.
I just need 4 radios for moose hunting. What baofeng do you suggest, IP67 would be nice. Baofeng uv-9r pro. What are your thoughts thanks mate. 😊👍
Filtering? IMD?
It would be nice if they could put a neodymium magnet in the bottom to add weight to the bottom (lower the center of gravity) and also to stick it to steel, such as a vehicle rooftop.
Superglue is your friend. 😁
just so you are aware, Amazon Canada does not sell that model!
What would you recommend for an Offroad motorcycle rider
My problem with this is the FCC. Is it type accepted? Loosing my license and the fine kinda sucks. And yes the FCC is busting people these days.
If you would, please advise how you know this. Cite A case.
@@baronedipiemonte3990 FCC rules and regs in America.
Interesting how the link you gave lists it as a dual Band not a Tri Band Radio 13:15 @KS6DAY
what is the difference to the Evo-1 10W CE? looks exakt the same
I have the 21r in the GMRS version and the lower side key (short press) controls transmit power. A look at the display can confirm if it works the same on the ham version.
Would like to see the center front button, which has no function on the GMRS, control the display light. 22:19
You are indeed correct, the lower side key toggles the transmit power on short press. Sorry, I blanked out on that.
I have a 17R Pro GPS (orange) radio, and either I unlocked it with the UV-5R key combination or it came unlocked, I can't remember which. Anyway, mine will transmit on 2M, 70cm, and FRS/GMRS. And it has multiple memory banks. Unfortunately, it's still a Baofeng lol
Is there an FCC permit required or can it be used as a regular walkie talkie?
This largely depends on the frequency being used and the service that it falls within. The short answer is no, buy and use it only if you are licensed to use the frequencies it covers.
Does this radio have a receiver inside it or just a transmitter? Practically all CZcams reviewers of radios seem to forget to even mention how good the receiver is, SINAD measurement etc.
It would have to Have a receiver in it or it would only transmitt to others but wouldn't hear anything Coming back
@@AntonioClaudioMichael you don't say! 🤦♂️
@@Chris-hy6jy maybe you should read your first sentence I'm not the one that wrote it Sounding like a moron
FWIW, all of the inexpensive Chinese radios have rather poor, single-conversion receivers with very little intermod filtering. That's part of why they can cover such a broad range of frequencies at such a cheap price. Which doesn't mean they're not useful and fun (I have a bunch!) just that it's the wrong radio to take to the repeater site...the front end would crumple up like an origami dragon! Take that old 16 channel Motorola instead...
Is the Earmor MilPro review coming?
I have this one and the UV-17 pro. Both are fully unlocked. but the UV17 pro is the better one, it has zones (Banks), GPS that the UV21 doesn't have.
The menu structure on the UV21 is terrible. All in all I stick with the UV17 pro
What type of range are you getting?
Cannot find the single 21R in Amazon. They show 2 pack of the radios.
Click on the link in the video description box.
@KS6DAY Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't expand the description by clicking the '...' It's $30 today 6/6/24. A good price.
@@jdock32778 Happy to help.
how many Watts max ?
What are your thoughts on this one vs. the Tidradio TD-H3?
That very comparison is part of a video that I'm currently working on.
I bought two orange UV-21R's recently. Programmed with Chirp. I prefer the body of the 17R with flashlight on the bottom, but like that this radio is "open". 17R and 21R both have muffled voice announcements, but clear fm/NOAA/ham reception. I like the 999 memories. That being said, I like the Tidradio TD-H3 better. Display is brighter, Bluetooth programming while traveling is a breeze ...if it had 999 memories and banks, it would dominate the market, in my opinion. @KS6DAY
73,
Brett K5WXP
Sounds like it also does Air Band Frequencies 3:40 @KS6DAY
Cool, it does 220. Probably wouldn't consider it if it didn't.
Baofeng has Notorious issues with the usb c charge port on the batteries Causes interference issues causing other hand held radios to go deaf when being charged within 100 feet of another radio when plugging the Battery into a usb c charge cable dosen't matter the power sorce issue is with these Listed Radios I did Videos Showing the interference there no noise supression added to the usb c charge circuit its a very dirty Charge Circuit. UV-21R the UV-17R, UV-21Pro GPS, UV-5G, UV-5X, UV-5G Plus, 5RH, 5RM 16:23 @KS6DAY
I’d like to see a ailunce hd2 review Anolog/DMR(digital)
Ip67
Text message SMS
USB-C
TRI band uhf/vhf 220 (136-174MHz 222MHz-225MHz 400-520MHz)
AES-256 encryption
Front panel programmable
Proper multpin waterproof accessory/speaker mic port. (Motorola m3)
If they charged maybe $60 for this radio, maybe they'd be able to put better filters inside it and pay their staff a living wage??
Two radios for 59.99 Amazon
@@jamesdavidson1036 yes so two badly filtered radios made by unpaid workers. Great! 🤦♂️
Charge my uv5r once a year never died on me
The good old CV.
Mine came the same way
It's pronounced bow (as in take a bow) fung. Yeah, it's weird, but that's the Chinese pronunciation.
Yeah, I've heard that before. It comes up in the comments section every time I review a Baofeng.
Boofwang
No it's definitely pronounced bow-oof-wang. You need to fire your mandarin teacher.
@@conorfoster2337 My mandarin teacher great up in mainland China. Her last name is Chen, and Chen is pronounced Chun.
No. @@levi5548
Just bought one using your link I’ll let you know in a day or so when it arrives thanks KD0EBF
Yes mine Will transmit unlocked all three bands