Ham Radio Baofeng UV-9R Pro 8W Long Range VHF UHF Dual Band Tri- Power Waterproof Rechargeable Handheld Two-Way Radio Walkie Talkies with Type-C Charging Cable for Camping Hunting Survival Gear

Not sure why folks want to spend $39 and then are angry when the $39 radio isn't as good as a $300 Yaesu or Icom.That said, the UV-9R Pro is a fairly good all use radio. It is a UV-5R under the hood and that means no learning curve for Baofeng users. I have the long whip and speaker mike installed and as a package I like it very much. Send/receive is excellent, audio from mike and radio is very acceptable...no issues. IP67 rating test will have to wait for a test as I just cannot bring myself to dunk any radio into a creek.Have had it with me for a month in Western North Carolina after Helene for monitoring relief efforts. This radio is performing as well as my Yaesu VX5 ever did in austere conditions. It's been knocked around some, but I haven't done the drop test either.I really like this radio. No, it's not a $300+ Yaesu or Icom, but for $39 it's a solid, disposable radio that works real well inreal world scenarios. Battery life is very good and I charge this using 100% solar.Great value, great performance, programs the same as UV-5 series radios so short learning curve. Feels heavy/sturdy. In short, a great piece of kit.

Baofeng makes great products for the price. I am shocked they can sell these as cheap as they do. The radio is a bit heavier and thicker than the typical UV-5R. But I guess that is the cost of making it waterproof. One thing to note is that it uses a different CHIRP connector cable than the UV-5R. UV-5R uses a cable with 2 male prongs that plug into the radio. The UV-9R (this model) uses a flat connector with a screw to attach it to the radio. So, I had to buy another cable ($10 on Amazon). The cable worked perfect. I haven't tested the waterproof capability yet and probably won't TRY to test it. But I plan to have this on my kayak. So, it will definitely get splashed. I will update the review once I have better info

I bought this radio as an entry level into the world of ham radio. I have found it to be fairly easy to use and works as I intended.It is small, lightweight, but doesn't feel super cheap. It came with the charger, antenna, and battery needed to use it right away. The battery was already charged.1) The built in "flashlight" is really not that useful in my opinion, but I suppose it could come in handy in an emergency for Morse Code or other signaling.2) The FM radio is a nice bonus and it receives very well for me. I can pick up more stations that I can with my vehicle. Be aware that not all these radios have that feature. Make sure to read the fine print.3) Buyer beware that there is a STRONG bias against Chinese ham radios, especially BAOFENG. There are technical reasons for this, but it is basically that they bleed over into other frequencies when transmitting. I have not had any hams complain about this in my experience. Just something to be aware of.4) The charger works well enough, but out of everything in the package this is the one item that feels cheaply made. I have several of these radios at this point and all the chargers are the same. So far they all work fine, but sometimes it is a struggle to get the radio seated properly in the cradle. And they seem to fit rather loosely. Again, they work and I have had no failures, but this is the one area I am concerned with.The antenna seems to be well made and works well. There are a LOT of third party antennas for these radios. Some might "fit", but will not be waterproof, and some just do not work even if they fit. If you get one, make sure they are the right connector and pay attention to the reviews!It took me a bit to figure out the programming and channel selection using the provided instructions. I would highly recommend YouTube Videos. This radio did not come with the software or cable to program it. Something to consider.Overall, this is a great beginner's ham radio. (make sure you have your license before transmitting!) It has been waterproof for me, so I have no issues with that claim.

Plenty of features to get you an introduction to amateur radio (even more features in Factory Mode). It is a great value for the price. The sound quality is good enough, the range is fine. It is small and easy to carry, yet still easy enough to use the keypad. Being able to charge the battery via USB C is convenient. And it's easy to afford a few of them to play around with.

Some people don't like these, due to China. However, if that's not a deal breaker for you, this is basically an upgrade to the UV-5R.Much sturdier. The rubber duck antenna was okay, but I put a Nagoya whip on it, and significantly increased the signal clarity.One thing to keep in mind is that this radio DOES NOT use the same upgrades or equipment as a UV-5$ radio from Baofeng. You will need a new programming cable or shoulder mic. It also has a different charging cradle - although I usually charge mine via the USB-C port.Battery life is outstanding. Took it on a camping trip where we used it almost nonstop, both to listen to NOAA, and for comms. It took an entire weekend to run it down. Recharges to full on a good USB plug in about 4 hours.If you do buy a programming cable for it, it's CHIRP compatible. I was able to upload the same image I use for my other radios pretty quickly.