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As promised, here are my recommendations for the Baofeng UV-5R and it’s accessories. I feel that I can recommend them because I have personally purchased and vetted these items over the last few years. These accessories add usability, functionality, and versatility to your radios.

Disclaimer: these radios and some of the accessories can be “hit or miss” meaning that they may arrive fully operational and other times they may arrive in a non-functioning condition. This can be upsetting when ordering directly from overseas and a return or exchange seems impossible or months away. Amazon’s 30-day return policy, good prices, and Prime shipping are hard to beat. (These are not Amazon affiliate links and I am not making money from them at this time)

Please let me know if there’s something that I may have over looked or if you have personal experience with an accessory that has worked well. I’ll consider adding it to the list.

Baofeng UV-5R Radio & Accessories

• Baofeng UV-5R Radio: (Link) This radio comes with a 1800mAh battery, charging base, wall plug, PTT microphone /ear piece, and stock antenna. I suggest only buying the standard UV-5R. All subsequent models are essentially the same radio with added gimmicks. Stick to the original, it has the longest reputation, the most internet support for troubleshooting and, it’s the cheapest!
• Programming:
  • B-Tech USB programming cable: (Link) This cable is absolutely essential for programming your radio. To alleviate future headaches do NOT buy the cheapest one you can find. Download and use CHIRP programming software with this cable.
  • B-Tech APRS Cable: (Link) This cable allows the UV-5R to be used on various digital modes including APRS. (Future article)
• Spare Batteries:
  • Standard Battery: (Link) This is for the standard 1800 mAh battery that the radio usually comes with. For about $8 this battery is strongly recommended because having at least one spare battery is extremely important.
  • Extended Battery: (Link) The extended 3800 mAh battery is a great addition to your radio. Not only does it increase your run time but it’s larger size makes the radio feel less like a toy in your hand.
  • AA Battery Shell: (Link) This is the clam shell that allows AA batteries to power the radio. Rechargeable batteries produce less voltage per battery at around 1.2V which when combined in the battery shell is a total of 7.2V and is fine for the radio. Standard onetime-use batteries produce 1.5V which when combined in this shell produce 9V which will allow the radio to power on but will not transmit. ***Make sure your shell comes with a dummy battery like this shell for using Alkaline batteries***
  • AAA Battery Shell: (Link) This shell doesn’t appear to be available on Amazon so I’ve linked to a source I use quite often: 409shop. Their AAA shell indicates that it does come with a AAA dummy battery as indicated above. If memory serves, I may have had to use some sandpaper to get this battery to fit correctly. Purchase knowing it may need to be slightly altered.
• Antennas:
  • Short Antenna: (Link) When wanting a very small discreet package I use the standard battery and one of these rubber stubby antennas. Remember that this is a compromise antenna because the radio needs an antenna over a foot long. to work properly. The designers took that wire, coiled it up, and shoved it into this small form factor. Good on receive, don’t expect a ton on transmit.
  • Long Antenna:
    • Name Brand/ Expensive: (Link) When using a full size antenna I prefer the this whip style. I find it to be the lightest and to exert the least amount of pressure on the antenna connection point. The flexible nature makes it perfect for folding over or routing through loops or straps to keep it out of your face. This is for the Original Comet SMA-24J 144-149/430-450 MHz Dual-Band Antenna – SMA Female
    • Off Brand/ Cheap: (Link) I have found this Nagoya product to be just as good, if not better for 2/3 of the cost.
  • Slim Jim Antenna:
    • Standard [Ham 2m/70cm]: (Link) These N9TAX Slim Jims are excellent antennas. They’re handcrafted here in the US by a true professional and their 5/8 wave design shoots your signal at a low takeoff angle toward the horizon. I prefer to buy them with the 16′ coax and a PL-259 connector for more versatility. The SMA-f connector would be ideal if you don’t plan to use in on other radios. Check out the great reviews on this antennas at eham.com. Put one in each of your comms kits with some 550cord and a fishing weight for ease of deployment.
    • Standard [MURS/ GMRS]: (Link) Just like the antenna linked above but the “sweet spot” on this dual band antenna is in the middle of the MURS band and the GMRS band. This is perfect for those that may use these bands more frequently than the Ham bands.
    • Compact [Ham 2m/70cm]: (Link) This is the perfect antenna for when you want Slim Jim j-pole performance but you need it it in a small form factor. Similar to the above mentioned antennas but a fraction of the size. For the Baofeng radios you’ll need the SMA-f connector.
  • Vehicle Magnet Mount Antenna: (Link) A vehicle is a metal box that acts like a faraday cage to block your signal. If you’re in a convoy and only speaking to the vehicles in front and behind you may not need this. If you want better reception and transmission distance you will need an external antenna. You get what you pay for… I recommend the Comet M-24M. The magnet is strong, the build quality is great, it isn’t too long, and it works really well. You will need an antenna adapter to connect to your Baofeng. (See below for SMA-f to SO-239)
  • Versatile External Antenna: (Link) For an extremely broadband antenna that has good gain and low SWR on the Ham 2m, 70cm and on Land Mobile frequencies (GMRS, MURS) I recommend the Comet CA-2X4SR. I’ve linked the PL-259 version that I use on my truck but there is also a NMO version. I recommend a permanent mount for this style of antenna.
• Antenna Adapters:
  • Solid (all in one): (Link) This is the all in one SMA-f to SO-239 adapter that will allow you to connect antennas with PL-259s to your Baofeng. This all in one connector will have less loss but it will put more stress on your antenna connection. This adapter is more suited for when the radio is in a fixed location.
  • Pigtail Adapter: (Link) Just like the connector above this will allow you to utilize a majority of the antennas on the market especially vehicle magnet mount antennas. This is the flip side of the coin where there may be more loss but it will take the stress off of your antenna connection. This adapter is more suited to a location where the radio may be moved around a lot. (I have both in each kit)
• Speaker Mics:
  • Cheap: (Link) Speaker mics add a lot of versatility and come highly recommended. Add a 3.5mm listen only earpiece to take it to the next level. This link is for the cheapest mics that you an buy in bulk and toss in your car kits or hand out to your neighbors when the SHTF.
  • Midgrade: (Link) These are a little more expensive but are supposedly water and dust resistant. Its a chinese product so who really knows. It looks and feels more robust. It also has a 3.5mm aux port for a listen only earpiece.
  • Field-use: (Link) This is what I would use if I knew that I was going to be in a “field environment” and needed something to withstand a sustained down pour. This is what I have on my SHTF zombie rig. It also has a 3.5mm aux port for a listen only earpiece. The listing doesn’t state Baofeng but it had the Kenwood K1 connector which is compatible.
  • Volume control: (Link) The baofeng radios use a Kenwood style connector and thus most Kenwood brand items work with the radios. This particular Kenwood speaker mic has a really cool volume knob for adjusting the volume if the radio is in a rear pouch or in a back pack. It also has a 2.5mm aux port for a listen only earpiece.
• Power Solutions:
  • 12V Plug: (Link) Whether attempting to charge batteries in your car or from your off-grid solar panels this 12V plug will come in extremely handy. This plug will allow you to use your charger base to charge the battery on your radio or a spare battery by itself. ***Be aware that multiple reviewers on Amazon had failures. This is because they were using their original bases that cannot accept 12V-13V. See below for a replacement base.***
  • 12V Charger base: (Link) This base charges just like a standard UV-5R base but allows the user to charge directly from a vehicle or 12V power source without the risk of damage or fire.
  • Battery Eliminator: (Link) This product is for those that are hoping to mount a radio in a location such as in a vehicle where a battery isn’t needed but constant power is. This product removes the battery and connects directly to 12V DC through a cigarette lighter plug. The plug and be clipped and any other attachment used such as Anderson Powerpoles.
• Manuals:
  • Miklor: (Link) This manual is translated from Chinese-English to just English. A printed version for reference is strongly recommended.
  • Nifty: (Link) This is a great tool and belongs in every kit containing a Baofeng radio. The manual is reduced to just the most important items and produced in a very small package.
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