I love when they "ban" things ... It pretty much tells me I need to own those things.

Cutting the other sides ability to communicate is the first thing the enemy does in battle.

Still being sold on Amazon as of January 14, 2020.

Nearly one year later after this video was made, Baofeng still rules Amazon with tons of models and accessories. I've got a UV-5R-Plus and a Pro, 4-watt, 8- watt models. Everything is still readily available, so I'm still unclear what is happening with these.

One more freedom lost a crime no matter how small

Free software called Chirp for programming,cable and a better antenna!

Hey, Bryan- Here's a hoot for you- when I was in the U.S. Army my job was "electronic warfare morse intercept operator" 😂😂😂 That should give you an idea how long ago THAT was!!! Anyway, anything you could bring to the channel regarding the licensing process of these radios and the tips on becoming proficient with them would be greatly appreciated. ATB to you & yours!

I bought 2 UV-5R radios last week. I know very little on how to use them. I would love to see more videos on basics.

Congratulations on passing your test!!! There must be literally millions of the UV-5R's out there now, good luck stopping them being imported. Extremely popular radio here in Australia.

So the FCC won't let me be or let me be me so let me see... they tried to shut me down on MTV, but it feels so empty without me.

Yep they are banned. Just like crack rocks, heroin, meth and running at the pool.

Wow I just watched a video from Canadian Prepper talking about 6 items that may be banned he was spot on.

Unelected "officials" in Calif recently decided to begin charging exorbitant fees to repeater stations. Look into that attack.

Amazon still has them for sale this morning, the first day the ban went into effect.

The reason as I understand is because their broadcast power is way to high to transmit on the FRS band. I'm guessing baofeng is just going to update the firmware on new models

Congrats on getting ur Ham License! General class, awesome. Also, I'd like to encourage all your viewers to get their license, you'll learn a lot of interesting stuff and always be "connected" during disasters etc. Thanks for the video from a fellow Ham (AE4OO) in Kentucky :)

Thanks for the tip I bought mine yesterday📣👍👍🚨

As of almost a year after this video, they are still available on amazon, just bought mine the other day and am awaiting to ship

Thank you for making this video. I did not know anything about this new law. You're awesome, Brian.

Ban? I just bought (Dec. 2019) two UV-5R radio's off Amazon. They shipped directly from China (free shipping) and arrived at my door two days later.

Please do a "how to" video!! I have one for emergencies but really dont know much about using it.

Yea, do the video on the ham radio licensing process.

Thanks so much for this video. After seeing this, I finally committed to get my license and I ordered a uv-5ra. Didn’t know a radio could be affordable. Got the tech license in November, and have been going to my local radio club meetings. I’m now connected with a whole bunch of new people who are fellow self-sufficient DIYers. Cheers!

I’m a general ham. Getting a ham license isn’t hard at all. Download the arrl test prep app and study. It’s word for word on the test as the app. It’s cost 15 bucks to take the test. Get a abreee 18 inch folding antenna for the uv5ra or uv82, a hand mic, programming cable, chirp. Makes a huge difference.

I recently bought several of these radios from Amazon. I just renewed my Ham Radio OPERATORS license. I let my license expire when I was in the Navy during the Vietnam War and I retired in 2005. But I was able to purchase the radios without a license. I have every accessory and a Ham Radio Base stations for my vehicles and house. Advice for all of you on KZfaq LEARN MORSE CODE NOW!

Great video. I’ve had a couple of these for 5+ years. Didn’t know the sale of em was about to be illegal. Glad I watched your video. Gonna grab a couple more ASAP!

Bryan, I bought two sets through your Amazon link - four older children and their spouses. I will keep two units at home and two in our cars. Thanks for this info. My wife and I are part of CERT in Seminole, FL (Community Emergency Response Team). With these radio sales being banned, I let them know so they might purchase them before the end of the month. There was a later release of the same regs, sorry I put my hands on it, while the last day as you stated is September 30, 2019. Since I will have these radios and would like to program them like you did, having one of your tutorials would be great on how to use these. I will then share with each of my kids and their spouses. Thanks...Abe Azar

I have these. As you said, comms is a high priority in the prepper community. The best thing I like about these and similar brands, they are manually programmable for most of the functions, certainly the functions I need. No computer software needed in a grid down situation, if programming needs to be changed. The other vital asset of these, they can be recharged of any 12 vdc power source. This is critical to all my comms gear, in a grid down situation. Tried and tested. Thank you for sharing. Great video. 👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺

I was thinking about getting a radio to listen in on the ISS. I always had an interest in NASA and space in general.

I just searched and they are available on Amazon still.

I'm so glad you decided to make a video about this stuff. I wanted to get more knowledge on the subject from an amateurs point of view since there were alot more sophisticated and overwhelming sources out there. I wanted to get myself one of these radios a while ago for the same reasons and was turned away when I found out how strict they can be about licensing and use over licensed required frequencies. I look forward to the coming videos!

I just got 2 UV-5R off of Amazon here in late November 2021. So far they are still selling them. 👍

You can get them on amazon still

It'a October 18th, 2019 and I just ordered 2 of them on Amazon.

Congrats on getting your Ham Ticket. I've been licensed for 45 years KD5OM. I also bought the six pack a year or so ago and I keep 3 of them in a Faraday Shielded box with redundant shielding hoping they survive an EMP when it happens.

19 MAR 2022 I just ordered a 2-pack from Amazon (although the capabilities may have changed to make it legal). They’ll be here tomorrow. No proof of licensing at all. The FCC doesn’t give a crap. They won’t care unless they decide they care. Thanks for the awesome video and information.

There is a reason why the FCC is cracking down on these. First, FRS and GMRS equipment need to be type accepted by the FCC. For example, FRS rules state power output must be 0.5 watts (1/2 watt), must have a non detachable antenna, and must operate in only narrowband mode. They do this so someone can’t buy a bubble pack radio and hook it up to a 15db gain beam antenna on a 100 ft tower and talk 40 miles. There are many many other reasons why the FCC is cracking down in these, but that is just one example.

Just bought mine. Would love a detailed how to, what to do and not do. Thank you much!

Handhelds usually run at about 5 watts because the antenna is near your eyes and your eyes are sensitive to RF radiation. some radios will go over that if you feed it 13.8 vdc external power it is assumed your running an external antenna also SAFETY

Brian they can still sell if the block off licensed frequencies. Then you down load the soft ware for the total range and that's called a work around,

10/24/19 you can still buy on Amazon not sure of capabilities. I'll order one and find out.

A few notes. GMRS is licenced. If used in an emergency, PLEASE use the FRS frequencies only, for simplex (radio to radio) Now, if in an emergency you are trying to reach a ham operator on 2 meter thats another story. But just get your ham licence regardless. MURS frequencies are also unlicensed, but like FRS, power limited.

Yet here it is Corona 2020 and I just bought one the other day (late April 2020) and it is still available and still has all the channels. Cost me $24 on Amazon uv-5r. Good video. Thanks. Gonna buy another now, they might have delayed the ban until this year.

Hey Bryan- Great video as always! Many years ago I was licensed however I let the license expire. Both my dad and I are looking to renew our licenses now. These little Baofeng radios are perfect for us guys trying to get back in to HAM then upgrade to a Yaesu, Kenwood, etc later. Looking forward to more HAM related videos from you in the future!

I called Baofeng, and they confirmed that they are planning to continue selling these radios on Amazon after September. I guess we will see if they get fined.

I’d love to see a “how to” video! I just got my Baofeng radios, and I’d love to hear your take on it.

Thanks Brian, it's 27 September and I just bought two boufang radios, also I bought a book for the ham license, I am a prepper also and we are on the same page will be looking forward to your videos on the test also programming the radio, have a nice day

The issue with these radios has nothing to do with FRS. The issue is that they can be programmed for use on licensed frequencies (e.g. public safety, business band, etc.) From the front panel. Radios for use on public safety & other (non-ham) licensed frequencies must only be able to be programmed by dealers in order to be type accepted by the FCC. The front panel programming feature causes these to be in violation of the FCC rules.

i thank its because their affordable and nobodys buying the over priced name brands so they either payed or talked the guvment into banning them so they can try to rape yur wallet with their name brand radios

just bought one gunna get a roof mount antenna and set it in my truck with a 12v charger in my glove box

You can still buy them today hits 2021

Thanks Brain picking up one for me & the wife. Because that all in one package is best bang for the buck. Also share the programming of those. The licensing process would also be great info.

that ruling pertains to a few FRS GMRS HT's that have to much power output not the baofeng's

What a crock! Hopefully they'll keep selling the batteries after the ones I have wear out.

KG5ETF here. The reason for the "restricted" sale due to being able to operate on FRS- unlicensed, GMRS- Licensed, and Amateur Radio- Licensed, is because on FRS & GMRS the power to transmit is set at 1 watt or below. The baofeng radios operate between 2 & 5 watts. Per FCC this would exceed the power output restrictions set by the FCC for the "Blister Pack" radios. As you can tell, the restricted sale never happened. I just wanted to clarify why there was such an uproar about them being sold.

They are still for sale on e-bay, walmart, and other sites. Whether they are updated or not, not sure.

I really love that these radios exist because it is the perfect inexpensive "Entrylevel Drug" for those who are getting in touch with this form of communication for the first time, without wasting too much money and also getinspired to make the HAM radio operator license to use it to the fullest.

Yes, please make a “how-to”

Survival on Purpose - the main Reason the Baofeng radios are banned is that #1 they can Transmit on Public Safety frequencies and Interfere with Emergency Radio Comms and Repeaters, #2 - they can Interfere and jam HAM radio Repeaters , which sometimes Public Safety uses. #3 - they can Illegally transmit on the VHF Air band which you need to be a Pilot and Licensed to operate radio equipment. Most Baofeng radios are incorrectly Programed to operate Correctly in the HAM and other bands. as such, they can jam Repeaters , they can interfere with other HAMs communicating. and most users DONT bother to program the Baofeng radios correctly.

Congrats on your General ticket! I have some Baofeng HT's. There is a difference between a Baofeng and one of the Icom, Kenwood, or Yaseu HT's, but you get what you pay for. For the $'s, I always suggest new Hams starting with a Baofeng. They aren't bad for a basic analog FM HT. I do a lot of Off-Road activity and I use the Baofeng's because if I drop one on the rocks, it is better to lose a $30 radio vs a $400 radio. Also, look at the preset band width of the 2 meter ham band in the menu or via the computer software... all of mine only went down to 145 mhz on the low end. I had to reset that to 144 mhz, because it would not allow me to xmit on repeaters in the low 145 range with the Neg offset. 73... KA5IVR

They are a great radio. I own one myself. For those who don't hold an Amateur Radio operators License, you can only transcieve on FRS to talk to others for a short range. With Amateur Radio, you can use local repeaters and communicate other licensed hams many miles away using repeater systems. Without a call sign nobody will acknowledge you and it would be illegal to transmit. Become a licensed ham and enjoy the benefits of all the other bands and modes it has to offer.

4:28 someone forgot to tell Amazon. January 2020

There is a 8 watt version of this radio, just bought two. Thanks for the tip. I will relay this info to others.

I love how you respond to as many comments as you can. No matter when the video was uploaded.

Congratulations on the passing of your amateur radio license general awesome hope to hear you on the air. De kb7zpb peace from Montana

would love a video on licensing and programming ... thanks for the great vids

Never call police on your HAM radio for help! They will come to your home and take all your guns...

We use those on our hunting trips. I have used mine in camp and talked to my son about 4 miles away. He thought I had come up on the mountain where he was hunting. I am a licensed ham radio operator, been one since 1996. I am an Extra class and got my license when the FCC still required CW (Morse code) copying to get the General and Extra. The UV5R is an okay radio and would be more useful to a ham radio operator since ham radio VHF and UHF frequencies use repeaters. Repeaters give you greater communications distance. Juddie WD8WV

Takes you over 4 minutes to "cut to the chase".

Get a GMRS license. It covers anyone in your house!! That’s what I did.

I got my unblocked UV-5R delivered to me a few weeks ago. I'm in Canada though.

$ years later, Baofeng is still selling strong. Mine is FCC approved. I got one with the larger, longer battery.

Anyone here remember when linear CB radio's were banned???

I've been a ham since I was 12, lord 48 years - wow! Holding the general license. Those handhelds (ham term folks) are truly made to keep your family together when we have a SHTF day. You want the different parts of the spectrum. This units lowest freq. is the 6m ban, vhf in the range of and your longer antenna is about a 1/4 length for that frequency. NOT a bad choice to a group traveling within 4 miles of each other. Then you have the entire 2 meter band which has thousands of repeaters across the country, expect to get 6 miles from a repeater, with understandable audio into the repeater. And remember, the repeaters can easily broadcast 15 -20 miles, so just cause you hear them super loud and clear (5by5) doesn't mean it can hear you. and talking low power (QRP) I worked all 50 states and 150 countries with 4 watts on a Heathkit Morse code (CW) I built myself probably around 13. The solar activity was incredible then, I had daily chess games on 10m band (just above CB radio) with the Soviet Union, England, South Africa. Absolutely zero signal on the radio, but we heard each other perfectly. Of course, we haven't had any solar activity, which charges our atmosphere and allowing radio waves to once again rise like a Phoenix. I was solid at 40wpm Morse code (receive) anyone can slap out 40wpm on a keyer. It's cool with code, first you hear individual letters, that's 5wpm, then you hear words pop in your head and at 40wpm you are hearing sentences, just popping into words. I'm sure you were proficient to the degree the Scouts wanted?? Keep us informed, I'm sure a good percentage of your views are ham. There's no better bug-out thing than a 3.5m to 10m solid state radio, don't go with tubes because you can't recapture the energy fast enough. Oh... tip of the day: If you fall and get separated from your phone up to about 20 feet away. To your phones trigger word, you can do this:" HEY SIRI, CALL 911 ON SPEAKER" the ON SPEAKER allows you to hear the person loud and clear and they can hear you. Hope that's helpful to your subs!!

We are trying to set up an emergency GMRS repeater here where I live in East Tennessee.

I bought one earlier this year and started listening to local ham repeaters. That inspired me to get my Tech license so I could transmit and I highly recommend getting your license. You can download apps on your phone to study so the test is really easy. I've really had a lot of fun participating in local ham radio nets. Having your license is really fun and allows you to test using your radio in different areas to see what kind of range you get etc.

Lots of ham radio clubs around and they will help you get licensed !

I can still get them now and today's date is 10/30/19

Still being sold on Amazon and its September 15, 2020

I bought one of those radios three years ago. Programming it is a small learning curve and I was supposed to buy the longer antenna and cable for the computer.

got one and like my ar will never be given .....

Please encourage your viewers to get ham certified with a "Technician" license which is the easiest of the 3. Also, did you know that you can obtain a GMRS license for everyone in your house and your extended family for$70 from the FCC? There is no test involved for GMRS, just pay the fee and wait a week for your email with the license. Good info, but we need more info on the ham and GMRS license process 😁

They aren't banning the radio, or changing the firmware.. They just can't be MARKETED as an FRS radio... Two FRS rules that this radio breaks right off the bat... FRS is limited to 1/2 watt (low on the UV-5 is 1 watt) and FRS doesn't allow for a removable antenna.. But again, what they are enforcing is how they are marketed... Can't sell them as FRS/GMRS, can't sell them as MURS radios.. Can't sell them as Marine VHF radios.. Although they can, and will continue to be perfectly functional on those bands, although, not technically legal.. Hope this helps clarify..

Good Video. Ham License is for transmitting on HAM Frequencies. Ham license is different and needs a test compared to GMRS license which you just buy from FCC site. GMRS will cost 70 bucks for your whole family that way your entire family can practice gmrs legally before any situation arises. For transmitting on HAM freq you'd have to give a HAM test worth 15-20 bucks n certify online. It's better to have license and practice with family before a bad situation, than to be in a situation and have the Radio, but don't know how to lol. Not to mention incase you have these radios, Learn to equip them with counter poise for better performance. GL.

Large parts of The CB radio community has been operating illegally since the 70’s with almost no enforcement.

This isn't a government conspiracy. It was pretty common in the past for cheap bubble pack GMRS radios to be able to transmit on the FRS bands. Unfortunately folks don't obey the wattage restrictions.

Just bought two in camouflage, $20 each on eBay. Thanks for the heads up. An instructional video would be great

On ebay the radio carries a licensed patch but still for sale .

They work just fine without a License ! Enforcement is practically NIL!

mafia making it tougher to communicate without their oversight/eavesdropping. Gee, I wonder what they (mafia) got planned that citizen communication would be a bad thing? Good luck folks, peace

They now send them out with the illegal channels locked. But you can unlock them stupid easy. I have 7 now and they all may or may not be unlocked. I like the Bluetooth programmer, I can program them on the fly with my phone or iPad.

Just remember, if your going too use one of these radio's, get a License! Also, they dont have the range people think they do, unless you go through a repeater. A complaint was filed with the FCC by high end HT sellers, because they could not compete with Baufeng. You can still own them, I own two, not like the FCC knows I have them and use them. Also, please do not use the Baofeng on FRS and GMRS frequencies, its actually illegal. Amazon still has lots of them for sale. FYI, the UV5R, has limited range, of maybe 3 to 4 miles on simplex.

Please do the video on the ham radio licensing process.

2021 they 20 bucks

A year later: And they are still selling on eBay, Amazon an even walmart.com pretty safe to say this didn't haapen.

After three years of when this video was made.... The greatest little HT ever made is still going strong in sales in the USA.... in fact, you can add up every other HT out there in sales and the UV5R still outsells everything!

Congratulations on passing both tests! Let us know your callsign in a future video. We welcome you to the hobby! Lake Cumberland Amateur Radio Association KY4BDP

to be truthful the fcc cracked down on them due to presure from motorola kenwood ect because they were selling less 800 to 3000 dollar hand helds and heads up the antennas are not nagoyas they are a knock off. i have a few and they are still good antennas and oct first there will be a hack for them or someone fugered out how to free band them

Great video subscribed and will subscribe to your news letter. Great advice on the radio, I have a couple 5’s and 8’s. Great little starter unit and good for backup.

You can still get Baofengs from Amazon.