Models

These handset show up in several advertisements, with different model numbers and restyled cases. There are many different Baofeng UV-5R handsets and it seems like every month there are new models to find..:
source
 

Baofeng

  
  
  
  
  
  UV-5RA
  UV-5RA+
  UV-5RB
  UV-5RC
  UV-5RD

 
  
  
  
  
  
  UV-5RE
  UV-5RE+
  UV-5RG
  UV-5RI
(2014)
  UV-5R

 
  
  
  
  
  
  UV-5S
  UV-5RT
  UV-5RU
  UV-5R 1to4
  BF-F8

 
  
  
  
  
  
  F-11
  UV-5R1
  UV-5R2 1to4
  UV-5R2a
  UV-5R4

 
  
  
  
  
  
  UV-5R6
  UV-5RO
  UV-5R+plus
  UV-5RTP
  UV-5RS

 
  
  
  
  
  
  BF-350i
(2014/2015)
  BF-530i
(2014/2015)
  UV-5S
  BF-E500
(2013/2014)
  A52
(2013/2014)

 
  
  
  
  
  
  FF-12P
(2014/2015)
  UV-E5
  UV-5S
  UV-5RK
  UV-5RQ

 
  
  
  
  
  UV-5X
(2014/2015)
  FF12P
(2014/2015)
  GT-3
(2014/2015)
  BF-A55
(2015)

 
  
  
  BF-UVB2
(2015)
  inside
the radio

 

Chipset

= RDA5802E (old) / RDA5802N (new): FM radio receiver
= RDA1846- (old) / RDA1846S (new): Transceiver
= TDA2822- (old) / TDA2822L (new): Audio
 

Display


 

Frequency limits (nice to know..)

These radios have different frequency limits.
Specs are: 136-174MHZ and 400-520MHz. (TX/RX)
Old models: 136-174MHZ and 400-480MHz. (TX/RX)
 
WARNING:
use these radios ONLY on frequencies that one is licensed for!
 
Several Baofeng UV-5 models are available with extended model names, like UV-5R-UU. They work in the range: 136-174MHz and 400-520MHz (TX/RX). UU models are the same as the PLUS or + models.
 
RF power is programmable: about 1,5 Watts (low) or 3,5 to 5 Watts (high).
 

Style

The classic style UV/BF/F radio is available in an upgraded version with new front-end design, chipsets and some restyling (f.i. by SainSonic).
This made it to firmware BFB297 and higher.
 

Display

Classic style UV/BF/F radios have a 3-color display and their backlight is programmable to red, violet or orange, depending on the function of the radio (receive, transmit, stand-by).
Some models have a black/white (only) display in stead of the color backlight.
 

Colours

Some UV-5 model radios are available in mnay different colours and they have the same electronics inside. Sometimes the firmware version differs. Last 2013 firmware version is BFB279.
A.f.a.i.k. there are no new options to find in this firmware, except the flashing light option. The UV-5RA version is IP65 (I've read somewhere on the internet..).
 

 

Brands

Baofeng also produces their radios with a new brand name: Pofung. Actually, these are the same radios.
The next models are different branded (rebranded) models of the classic Baofeng/Pofung radios, or maybe the Baofeng is the different branded radio..?
 
- Tonfa models can be found on eBay.
- Mitai modelsare sold at Aliexpress.
- Kenwood models are sold in Russia.
- 409Shop sells: Waccom (WUV-5R) and TYT (TH-UVF9).
- TYT model is sold in one range only (vhf or uhf).
- Ronson model can be found on eBay.
- Polmar has different specs
- Retevis (RT-5R / RT-5RV)
- Soontone (ST-929)
- Zastone (ZT-V9)
- Tonfa (TF-Q5)
- Kenwood (TK-F8) is a one range only (vhf or uhf).
 
There are models to find with different options, like FM broadcast receiving on 88-108 MHz and 2x 128 memory channels, Vibra-call etc.
All the above models are to find by comparing technical specs. You can do it yoursef, search for: 127 presets, 7,2 Volt battery, keyboard layout, display layout etc.
 
Some models do have a slightly different layout of the frontpanel.
 
Tonfa
UV-985
Kenwood
TK-F8
Kenwood
TK-UVF8
Golden Spring
GS-UVF9

 
Mitai
VT-UV3
Waccom
WUV-5R
Polmar
DB-4
KSUN
KS-8R

 
TYT
TH-UVF8D
TYT
TH-UVF8
TYT
TH-UVF9
TYT
TH-F8

 
Ronson
UV-8E
Tekoo
TK UV-2
Zastone
ZT-V8
Zastone
ZT-V9

 
Misuta
Samurai
Misuta
Hero
Misuta
UV-5R
Retevis
RT-5R

 
VERO Telecom
UV-E5
VERO Telecom
UV-E6
Juentai
JT-UV007

 

New radios (2015 and up..?)

New radios are equipped with new firmware and specs can be different.
F.i., they can have higher output power: the earlier models were 1 - 5 Watt and now this can be (switched) between 1 - 5 - 8 Watt.
 

Antenna

Some UV-5R models have different antennas, UU model antennas are a bit longer:
Basic
model
UU
model
Kenwood
model
F11
model
TYT
model
 
The antenna has a SMA-female connector, just like most new Baofeng radios. Early models have other connectors, more info can be found on the internet.
 

Squelch

A squelch function is available and adjustable, although it isn't very sensitive.
The Chirp software can modify this, and let it work again...
There's more info to find on the Miklor site by John Miklor (K3NXU)
 

VOX option

Transmitting can be switched on with PTT (Push To Talk) switch and/or VOX (Voive Operated) switch.
Sound can be used to switch on transmitter.
The sensitivity of this VOX level triggering is adjustable from 1 to 10, where..
- 0 - VOX should be switched off
- 1 - VOX level is very sensitive
- 10 -VOX level is not sesitive at all
 
So VOX should be adjustable but I can assure you that with this UV-5.. model, when adjusted to 1, it's still not sensitive at all.
 

Battery (UV-5R versions)

Most original rechargeable Baofeng UV-5R batteries are 7,4 Volts, 1500mAh capacity (Kenwood says it's 1800mAh).
A larger size rechargeable battery has 3800mAh capacity . A battery holder for 6 alkaline batteries (6 x 1.5 = 9 Volt) can be bought on eBay or at different eBay shops.
 
  
  
  
radio with enlarged
3800mAh battery
3800mAh
side view
3800mAh
front view
 
  
  
  
original small
1500mAh battery
  unit for 6x AAA
size batteries
  unit for 6x AA
size batteries
 

Baofeng site

The Baofeng site can be found here
 

 

The voice inside

Many functions of this radio can be guided by a voice..
This option can be switched on or off and changed to Chinese or English. Here is a link to Jing Fei, the lady behind the "Baofeng Voice".