BAOFENG GT3 II - A REVIEW

Hello and welcome back.... I've been looking on eBay for a while now for a radio that will perform well but not cost the earth.

There seems to be a huge market of Chinese radios available with names like Baofeng, Puxing, Crystal, Wouxun, Kydera, Tokmate and a string of others.

Some look like toys and some look pretty good.

One company that seems to be making some half decent radios is a company called 'Baofeng'

One radio that didn't look like a toy was the the Baofeng GT3 II (Or Mark 2)

Seriously some of the claims are too good to be true

FM Radio Receives = 65Mhz to 108Mhz.. Wait 65Mhz??... (yep, almost like a scanner).
Receive and Transmit VHF = 136mhz - 174mhz (Amateur radio, Marine radio)
Receive and Transmit UHF = 400mhz to 519mhz (Amateur radio, UHF CB, Railroad)

That's right, you can Transmit on any frequency on UHF with your choice of 1w or 4w... Obviously, you would have to be a dickhead to think that you can dial in a police ch and start transmitting over the top... Yes.. you can do it, and YES.. you will get caught by the ACMA and then ruin it for other radio hobbyists.
If you do get the urge to transmit, tune into UHF CB and go nuts... Its a very clear transmission by the way.

You can also store in frequency's like a scanner and when finished press and hold the Scan button and away it goes (slowly).

CHECK THIS OUT....

Radio Frequency IC has been updated from the GT3 (original)

1. Upgrade SQ to enhance the anti-interference ability
2. RDA1846S add an new tail tone elimination function,when transmit and receive signal between 50Hz with 55H
3. Improve the receiver AGV switching noise when signal strength changes severe

As has the Frequency-Modulated Chip Receiver .... See Below

The RDA5802N has a powerful low-IF digital audio processor, this make it have optimum sound quality with varying reception conditions 

1. Frequency Range:

136-174 / 400-519.995 MHz

2. Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display,

Dual-Standby

3. Output Power: 4 /1Watts

4. 128 Channels 50 CTCSS and 104 DCS

5. Built-in VOX Function

6. Burst Tones Press PTT+ A/B to generate 1750Hz Press PTT + Band to generate 2100Hz

7. FM Radio (65.0MHz-108.0MHz)

8. LED Flashlight

9. Large LCD Display

10. Hight /Low RF Power Switchable

11. 25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable

12. Emergency Alert

13. Low Battery Alert

14. Battery Saver

15. Time-out Timer

16. Keypad Lock

17. Monitor Channel

18. Channel Step:

2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25KHz

19.Roger Beep  Add to this, its also Dustproof, Waterproof, Anti-Interference and Cold-Proof (up to -10 deg) and with a transmit range between 3 - 8kms ALL THIS FOR JUST $50 - $70-80.... Seriously?? MY THOUGHTS ---------------------- I  was a bit hesitant at first, i mean , if something looks too good to be true then it often is. I did some research on this unit, The Baofeng GT3 II, Firstly its better than the first model (GT3), The new Antenna is a Sain Sonic 2.5db (23cm) whip type and looks to be flexible, in fact when i saw it, i thought it looked like a kids toy... But looks can be deceiving. I was able to pick up Sydney Buses on 471.000 clear as day, if fact, it put my Uniden UBC396XLT to shame. Using a UHF 1/4 antenna, the Uniden scratched in and out of receiving while the Baofeng was clear.

So I Got One....

First thing i must say, I'm Impressed.

For around $68 Delivered from China (took about 2 weeks), this amazing little radio not only looks good but works above what i expected.

The battery life is pretty impressive, i have already programmed (manually) 70chs, transmitted on UHF CB for a few hours and its only moved 1 spot (still on it factory charge)

Programming was fairly easy, once you get to know the radio.... It involves pressing the Menu button (alot) - You can also program via computer (needs a link cable (some online deals come with this cable))...
I will do a post shortly on how to program :)

What i don't like?, not much..
To be picky, prob the chrome power button (looks cheap and tacky)
The belt clip (that's one tight spring, pretty hard to clip on something)
Power pack is Chinese (adapter from $2 cheapy shop fixes this, Power rating is 110 / 240v), Instruction Manual (needs a bit of work)

Apart from these minor things, it real value for money

For me its a 9/10

SO WHERE DO YOU GET ONE?

Ebay has a slather of Baofeng radios... for me, I used a buyer called 'tool_nerd'... I found the service to be excellent, pricing was brilliant and they answering my questions quickly with very fast delivery.
I would highly recommend this seller.
I have no connection with this company, just a happy customer.

LINKS

http://www.ebay.com.au/usr/tool_nerd?_trksid=p2047675.l2559

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Baofeng-GT-3-Mark-II-USB-Cable-Kit-V-U-136-174-4-00-520MHz-Ham-Two-way-Radio-/310969090188?hash=item486733c08c:g:wpoAAOxy9dVTkZMg

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/AU-Baofeng-GT-3-Mark-II-Speaker-USB-Cable-VHF-UHF-2M-70CM-Ham-Two-Way-Radio-/311357515813?hash=item487e5aa825:g:sQ0AAOSwBahVUED3



BAOFENG GT3 REVIEW & COMPARISON  (Thanks to HamRadioConcepts for the video)



BAOFENG GT3 - UNBOXING AND FIELD TEST  (Thanks to knoxieman)



#Baofeng
#Baofeng GT3
#NSW Radio & Communications