Radio Reviews
Baofeng UV-5R Review: The Prepper’s “Gateway” Radio
The Baofeng UV-5R is likely the most famous (and controversial) radio in the world. At roughly $25, it has made Ham radio accessible to everyone. But is it reliable enough for a real emergency?
Frequency: VHF/UHF (Dual Band)
Power: 5-Watts (Enough for local area)
Value: Unbeatable price-to-performance ratio.
Why Every Prepper Needs One
The UV-5R is small, light, and highly customizable. It allows you to listen to local police, fire, and emergency services (if they aren’t encrypted) and communicate across several miles with other Ham operators.
The “Mandatory” Upgrade
The “rubber ducky” antenna that comes with the Baofeng is notoriously poor. If you buy this radio, you must replace the antenna with a Nagoya NA-771. This simple $20 upgrade can effectively double your range.
Top Recommendation
Get the Baofeng UV-5R 8-Watt version for slightly better range and the Nagoya antenna for the best results.