Baofeng UV-82HP vs BF-F8HP

Are you seeking a dependable and long-lasting walkie-talkie with far more range than an FRS or GMRS radio can provide? Do you have any prior experience with ham radios? Then this review may be of interest to you. The purpose of this comparison is to see how the Baofeng UV-82HP and the Baofeng BF-F8HP compare in terms of pricing, functionality, and other attributes.

 

Comparison – Baofeng UV-82HP vs BF-F8HP

 

Setup

Before setup and usage, both the Baofeng UV-82HP and the Baofeng BF-F8HP require some assembly. Both versions’ antennas are detachable, so you’ll have to attach them to the portable units first. Be cautious not to over-tighten them since this might harm the connections. Before you can attach the belt clip to the handheld device, you’ll need to remove a pair of parallel screws using a screwdriver.

Fortunately, you won’t have to do the same with the battery pack installation. Simply slip the battery pack into place after aligning it properly along the back of the radio. To remove it, just press a button located above the battery pack to release it from its grip. Before turning on the walkie-talkie, make sure the battery is completely charged.

Once you’ve completed the assembly, you’ve completed the simple part. Now comes the far more difficult portion. After you’ve successfully turned on the walkie-talkie, you’ll need to reprogram it and lower the wattage before using it in the United States. You will need to download the CHIRP program to do so. You may also use the VFO/MR mode key to switch between channel and frequency modes. If you pick the frequency mode, you’ll need to enter six digits to configure the frequency channels.

A user’s handbook is included with both the Baofeng UV-82HP and the Baofeng BF-F8HP. This can be used to assist you in the configuring process.

 

Waterproof

There’s no information available on whether the Baofeng UV-82HP and Baofeng BF-F8HP are waterproof or water-resistant. Avoid getting these walkie-talkies wet if you want to be safe. These may be constructed of tough material, but there is no way of knowing if they will tolerate dampness or splashes from rain, let alone a submersion in water.

 

Power Source

A 7.4v 2000mAh lithium-ion battery powers the Baofeng BF-F8HP. This battery is significantly bigger than ordinary walkie-talkie batteries. It, on the other hand, lasts a lot longer. This battery type allows the Baofeng BF-F8HP to run for up to 24 hours after a single charge, depending on the power level used. The Baofeng UV-82HP, on the other hand, has a 7.4V 1800mAH lithium-ion battery, which is also bulkier. The battery life of the Baofeng UV-82HP, like that of the Baofeng BF-F8HP, may last up to a day, even three days, according to some users.

A BL-8 battery and a CH-8 charger are both compatible with the Baofeng UV-82HP. The Baofeng BF-F8HP, on the other hand, works with a BL-5 battery and a CH-5 charger. Both radio versions’ batteries may be recharged while they are still connected to the device. All you have to do now is connect the walkie-talkies to the desk charger that comes with the kit.

 

Range

The Baofeng UV-82HP’s maximum range, according to the manufacturer, may reach up to 50 miles in optimum conditions. That’s a big promise. This estimated maximum range is seldom if ever, met, as it is with practically all walkie-talkies on the market. Despite this, the Baofeng UV-82HP’s range under typical conditions is still outstanding, reaching up to 10 kilometers. The range of this walkie-talkie is 2 miles in less than ideal conditions.

The manufacturer’s warranty for the Baofeng BF-maximum F8HP’s range, on the other hand, is up to 25 miles. Still, like with the Baofeng UV-82HP, the Baofeng BF-maximum F8HP’s range, when used in normal settings and even in less-than-ideal situations, compares favorably to competing radios.

Frequencies

Both the UV-82HP and the BF-F8HP are Baofeng ham radios. As a result, compared to GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) and FRS (French Radio Service), both radio types can reach a greater variety of frequencies and channels (Family Radio Service). The Baofeng UV-82HP can transmit at VHF frequencies of 136 to 174 MHz and UHF frequencies of 400 to 520 MHz.

Around 255 channels are covered by these frequencies. The Baofeng BF-F8HP can also broadcast on VHF and UHF frequencies. There are three frequency ranges available: 65-108 MHz for Rx alone, 144-148 MHz for Rx/Tx, and 420-450 MHz for Rx/Tx. It also has the capacity to hold up to 128 channels. The CHIRP software may be used to reprogram both of these walkie-talkies.

However, keep in mind that, according to the Federal Communications Commission, operating a ham radio requires an amateur license (FCC). A license is also required to transmit on GMRS channels. The only way to transmit without a license is to use channels dedicated solely to FRS. As a result, when programming or reprogramming the Baofeng UV-82HP and Baofeng BF-F8HP walkie-talkies, considerable caution is required. You should also keep an eye on the amount of electricity you’re distributing to avoid inadvertently breaching any federal laws.

 

Features

Standard features for enhanced walkie-talkies shared by the Baofeng UV-82HP and Baofeng BF-F8HP include a built-in flashlight, keypad lock, VOX hands-free capability, and frequency scanner. The frequency scanner looks for signals in the VHF and UHF bands. It also has a channel memory that can hold up to 128 channels. Both have an orange, purple, and blue backlit tri-color display. The fact that the Baofeng BF-lighting F8HP’s time is so short makes it difficult to read the display, a little annoyance.

Both the Baofeng UV-82HP and the Baofeng BF-F8HP contain a 7-inch High Gain V-85 antenna, which enhances the range and improves reception quality. The Baofeng UV-82HP also has a louder speaker that runs at 1 watt, as opposed to the Baofeng BF-700mW F8HP’s speaker.

You may set the Baofeng UV-82HP to one of three power levels: high (1 watt), medium (5 watts), or high (10 watts) (7 or 8 watts). Its PTT button also has two settings, allowing you to communicate on two different frequencies: Frequency A and Frequency B, all of which may be customized to your liking.

This implies you may be able to monitor two frequencies at the same time. In the event that both frequencies broadcast incoming calls to your device, the Baofeng UV-82HP will prioritize the frequency that made the call first. If you don’t need to broadcast on two frequencies, you may easily configure the PTT button to function as a single-option PTT button. The PTT button on the Baofeng BF-F8HP has only one setting.

The Baofeng UV-82HP and Baofeng BF-F8HP come with a walkie-talkie, a battery pack, a detachable antenna, a desktop charger, an adapter, an earphone, a wrist or hand strap, a belt clip, and a user’s handbook.

Price

Both the Baofeng UV-82HP and the Baofeng BF-F8HP are priced between $60 and $70. Is the price of these radios justified? If you’re a seasoned amateur radio operator, yes. If not, a more basic FRS/GMRS walkie-talkie may be a more cost-effective option.

 

Conclusion – Baofeng UV-82HP vs BF-F8HP

The Baofeng UV-82HP and Baofeng BF-F8HP are both fantastic amateur radios to pick from if you are an experienced amateur radio operator. Both are highly programmable and constructed using the newest Baofeng chipsets. Both have a wide range of frequencies and a crystal-clear reception. The Baofeng UV-82HP has a dual PTT button, which is an advantage over the Baofeng BF-F8HP.

Both models are accurate to say that they are jam-packed with advanced features. If you aren’t familiar with using ham radios, you won’t be able to make use of these capabilities.