Baofeng just launched the UV-50X3 triband mobile radio and it looks like a jab, cross and left hook to the established japanese manufacturers who were caught dreaming about DMR, C4FM, D-STAR and other leprechauns.
Yes, the chinese manufacturers aren’t creative, but they are really good at copying stuff and manufacturing it for a fraction of the price, so the resemblance to some japanese models shouldn’t surprise you.
| Or maybe the Yaesu FTM-350AR ? |
| Kenwood TM-d710 looks a bit similar, don’t you think ? |
The tri-band FM Baofeng UV-50X3 can transmit in 3 amateur radio bands (2m and 70cm at 50W, 1.25m at 5W) and can also receive 0.5-1.71MHz AM broadcast band, 76-108MHz FM broadcast band, AM air band plus other segments inbetween (see specs below). It is full-duplex and can be programmed via the popular (and free) CHIRP software.
Here are the specs released by Baofeng:
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
BTECH UV-50X3 Main Frame
Front Panel
DTMF Microphone
Suction Cup Mount
10′ DC Cable
15′ Panel Cable
Bracket
Fan Kit
Manual
FEATURES
25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable (Wide/Narrow Band)
XBand Repeater (Cross-Band)
FM Radio and AM Radio
Aviation Receive
Large LCD Display (8 Selectable Colors)
High /Mid/Low RF Power Switchable
50 CTCSS/ 104 DCS Tones
Dual Receive (Full Duplex)
PC programmable
Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)
UV-50X3 Weight: Main Chassis 2.1kg (4.6 lbs)
Chassis Size: 5.5″ x 1.8″ x 6.0″ (140 x 46 x 150mm)
Control Head: 6.3″ x 2.6″ x 6.0″ (157 x 66 x 33.5mm)
UV-50X3 MOBILE SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency range:
[RX]: .5-1.710MHz (AM Radio), 76-108MHz (FM Radio), 108-136MHz (AM Aviation Band), 175-250MHz, 300-399MHz, 480-520MHz
[RX/TX]: 137-174MHz, 222-225MHz, 400-480MHz
Channel Capacity:
1000 Channels
Channel Spacing
25KHz (wide band)12.5KHz (narrow band)
Sensitivity
≤0.25μV (wide band) ≤0.35μV (narrow band)
Operation Voltage
13.8V DC ±20%
Frequency step:
2.5KHz/5KHz/6.25KHz/10KHz/12.5KHz/20KHz/25KHz
Antenna:
Antenna Connector: SO-239
Stability:
±2.5ppm
Output power:
5W/20W/50W (1.25M 5W Max)
Audio Power Output
2.5W X 3 Speakers
3 Loud Speakers (2 – Panel, 1 – Main Frame)
AUX Audio Out Jack
AUX Audio In Jack
Best thing about it though, is the price. It’s already listed on Amazon for a decent US$339, considerably lower than the Kenwood or Yaesu counterparts:
Few more images below:
More details (and images) you can find on the Baofeng website.
View Comments (9)
You're kidding. That's easy programming? OMG.
Kind of reminds you of those medical commercials where the announcer tells you that taking the pill to reduce your headaches can cause 50+ other conditions, including death. Not sure this manual programming is worth the time, I'll wait for RT Systems to support the radio with software.
CHIRP supports this radio.
kinda lazy there craig! I always learn how to program a radio the hard way so i'll know how to use the radio!!
Why would you wait for RT? Chirp is free and works better.
"Kenwood TM-d710 looks a bit similar, don't you think ?, Or maybe the Yaesu FTM-350AR ?"
Are you serious? If it looked any more like the FTM-350, it would actually have the word "Yaesu" written on it.
I was disappointed when Yaesu discontinued the FTM-350. The FTM-400 may have digital and a touch screen, but it's missing a whole lot of things the FTM-350 had. Actual buttons, just for starters.
I hope the BaoFeng UV-50X3 turns out to operate as good as it looks, I wouldn't mind picking up a new FTM-350 clone.
Maybe someone at Yaesu created baofeng as a way to sell the same technology under their brother in law's chinese subsidiary at a lower price point.
The UV-3R is a copy of the VX-3R
The UV-5R is a copy of the VX-5
And now the 50X3 is a copy of the FTM-350AR (350, 503...)
Oh and the UV-2R.. no wait they already licenced the VX-2R through "ZANTONE"
See the pattern?
Jess
Why only 5 watts max on 220...WTF why not the same as on the other bands...i'd need to add a 220 amp to get more power on 220....
Need an equivalent to the ft857d with a 2din head, CD/mp3 player to be a nice replacement for my car radio CD player! Failing that, jut a bare '857 clone