Baofeng BF-F8HP
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| Frequency | TX: 136-174 MHz (VHF), 400-520 MHz (UHF), RX: 65-108 MHz (FM broadcast) + TX bands |
| TX power | 1 / 4 / 8 W (Marketed 8W; independent calibrated testing measures ~7.4W VHF / ~6.3W UHF - the most honest power figures of the budget Baofengs. Three levels: 8/4/1W.) |
| Modes | FM (wide/narrow) |
| Battery | Li-ion 2100mAh / 7.4V |
| Weight | 260 g (9.2 oz) - Approximate ~260g with battery. UV-5R family form factor. |
| Connector | SMA-Male on the radio body - takes SMA-Female antennas |
| Year | 2015 |
| antenna | SMA-Male on the radio body - takes SMA-Female antennas |
| speaker mic | Kenwood K1 style 2-pin (2.5mm + 3.5mm) |
| charging | CH-5 desktop charger (included) |
| power req | 2100 mAh 7.4V Li-ion battery (included). CH-5 desktop charger + 110V adapter included. Compatible with BL-5 battery pack/eliminator. |
Estimated (unverified): AMATEUR (ham) radio - FCC Technician-class license or higher required (NOT GMRS/license-free). Analog FM only; marketed 8W, measured ~7.4W VHF / ~6.3W UHF. 128 channels; FM broadcast RX; NOT waterproof. SMA-F antenna; Kenwood 2-pin accessory; ~2100 mAh battery (3800 mAh extended available), cradle charge (not USB-C). Note: ARRL testing found most UV-5R-family HTs fail the stricter Part 97 spurious-emission limits. ~2014-2015. US-supported via BTECH.
A popular UV-5R variant for new licensees. The V-85 high-gain 7 in antenna is a real upgrade over the standard UV-5R rubber duck. It has a tri-color customizable display and a 2100 mAh battery (30% more than the UV-5R), with full UV-5R accessory backward compatibility. The 76-page manual is unusually thorough for a budget HT, and BaoFeng Tech offers USA support. It is CHIRP supported, with an earpiece included, at a budget price.
The 8 W marketing runs a shade high: independent testing measures about 7.4 W on VHF and 6.3 W on UHF. No IP rating. No digital modes. Basic receiver selectivity (UV-5R platform). 128 channels. No USB-C (desk charger only). No GPS or APRS. The BF-F8HP PRO (7th gen) adds tri-band, GPS, NOAA, 1000 channels, IP54, and USB-C, and is worth considering if budget allows. Build quality reflects the price.
A commonly recommended UV-5R variant. The BF-F8HP is what many experienced hams suggest instead of a bare UV-5R: a better antenna, larger battery, tri-color display, a 76-page manual, and USA support justify the modest premium over the UV-5R. The 8 W rating reads a little high on the bench (~7.4 W VHF / ~6.3 W UHF), and the V-85 antenna makes more real-world difference than the last watt. For a first HT on a budget, it is a frequent recommendation.
The Baofeng BF-F8HP is the legitimate, US-supported high-power member of the famous UV-5R family, sold by BaoFeng Tech (BTECH) with an English manual and US support, which sets it apart from the gray-market clones. It is an amateur (ham) radio for the 2-meter and 70-centimeter bands and requires an FCC Technician-class license or higher to transmit; despite how cheaply it is sold, it is not a GMRS or license-free radio. It is analog FM only, with the familiar UV-5R layout of 128 channels, dual watch, an FM broadcast receiver, and a flashlight.
Its claim to fame is power, and unusually for a Baofeng, the claim mostly holds up: marketed at 8 watts, independent calibrated testing measures around 7.4 watts on VHF and 6.3 on UHF, the most honest power figures in this budget class. It runs three power levels and ships with a 2,100 mAh battery, with a 3,800 mAh extended pack available. The antenna connector is SMA-female and the accessory jack is the common Kenwood two-pin, so the vast aftermarket of UV-5R accessories fits.
One caveat applies to the whole UV-5R family: ARRL lab testing found most Baofeng handhelds fail the stricter Part 97 amateur spurious-emission limits, so a clean signal may require an external low-pass filter. As an inexpensive, high-power first radio for a new ham, though, the BF-F8HP is a sensible pick. For comparison, the UV-9R Plus trades some of that honesty for a waterproof body, and the tri-band BTECH UV-5X3 adds the 220 MHz band.