Getting the most out of a baofeng uv-82 is what we will be covering on this post. What accesories we need and how to explore great features included in your radio.
You have invested some money on a new or used radio, now you need to understand how to get the most out of it.
Getting the most out of a baofeng uv-82 – Learn to use it
A few years ago a good friend of mine gave me a piece of advice related to a digital camera that I will never forget:
- Read the whole manual once
- Use the camera for 6 months
- Read the full manual again
It was day and night for me. Ever since, I apply the same concept to any new electronic device I get my hands on.
The same applies for your Baofeng UV-82, if you want to get the most our of your radio do this:
- Read the whole Boafeng UV-82 user manual once
- Use your radio for about 6 months
- Read the whole Boafeng UV-82 user manual again
Sometimes we don’t know we can and we can’t do with our radio. Reading the manual, then experimenting with it for some months and then reading the manual again will elevate your level of awarness on what you can be achieved.
Give it a try and judge for yourself if this works for you.
Getting the most out of a baofeng uv-82 – Going beyond the ptt button pushing
I have been in the radio field of more than 20 years and have seen many, many friends and colleagues just pushing the PTT button and that’s it, that’ all they need.
I think that you have to go out there with your radio and start using it beyond pushing the ptt button. What do I mean with this?
This are some basic stuff I believe you should learn to master your Baofeng UV-82:
- Configuring a repeater wiht tones
- Set the power Output
- Adjusts Squelch levels
- Using different types of Squelch
- How to move from VFO to Memory Mode
- How to lock/unlock your radio
- Setting a battery safe mode that works for you
- Using dual watch/ dual reception
More important, get out there and start using your radio.
If you do this, you will be far beyond the average user of the Baofeng UV-82 and, also, you will discover that this radio’s menu is a nightmare to understand. This leads us to the next point, learn to program a Baofeng UV-82.
Getting the most out of a baofeng uv-82 – Learn to program it using a computer
I have written a lot here about programming the Baofeng UV-82 on Windows and programming the Baofeng UV-82 using Mac.
If you followed the previous concept, now you know that manual programming of this little radio is so complex that so times you just want to give up.
I think, the best way to configure and program this radio is using a computer, any computer will be just fine for this job. You will need a piece of software called chirp and a programming cable.
Using a computer will save you hours and hours of recording repeaters on the radio. By using chirp, you can automatically import the repeaters around you or for any location you want just by typing the name on the software.
Besides, you can program some advanced features only available through software.
There are tons of programming cables that you can buy on Amazon, Aliexpress and Ebay to program your radio, but I think that there is a better investment.
You don’t know which radio model you will have in the future, so why buying a programming cable for a specific model?.
My recommendation is go and get a 8 in 1 radio programming cable that, probably, will cover other radio model you buy in the future.
I have reviewed one of this cables but almost each model out there are copies of the same cable. Any model will do just fine.
Getting the most out of a baofeng uv-82 – buy a good antenna
The stock antenna included in the Baofeng UV-82 is far from being the best antenna for a hand held. I recommend you to buy a better antenna for the radio so you can achieve a few more miles range.
A well known antenna within the Baofeng user community is the Nagoya NA-771 which I personally own and have gained a few miles using it. The problem of buying this antenna, and many other accesories for Baofeng radios, is that there are tons of counterfeit products out there.
I think the safest way to buy this antenna is to go and buy it directly from Amazon insted of buying it from eBay or Aliexpress. If you have a problem with an antenna bought on Amazon you will have more chances to return it and get a redund.
The other antenna I recommed if you plan to use the Baofeng UV-82 in a car is the Moonraker MRM-100P. Just check the following video.
Getting the most out of a baofeng uv-82 – additional accesories
Of course there are some accessories that I really like you to consider for the radio.
First of all a car charger. There is nothing worst that running out of battery without a replacement one or without any way of charging it.
There are car chargers on Amazon and Aliexpress so review each one and choose what fits your budget and needs.
A second battery will also be a great add if you plan to go out there without any access to a power outlet. In my case, instead of buying a second battery I ended up buying this Anker foldable solar panel. This little panel can charge the battery of my Baofeng UV-82 without any problem.
Other accessories I consider great are an external microphone and a good pouch (buy it on Amazon or Aliexpress) which will protect your radio on the go. This radios are not built with the greatest materials available so a little protection will extend the lifetime of your Baofeng.
Hope this post have helped you understand why getting the most out of a baofeng uv-82 is important. If you have questions feel free to leave a comnent or post on the Baofeng User Group Forum.
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