Review on 📻 BaoFeng BF-F8+ Dual-Band Two-Way Radio Transceiver- Black, 136-174/400-520 MHz Range by Travis Oetting

This has to be the best radio at an affordable price. I can't believe the functionality for less than $40. It covers rx/tx on the 2M, 70CM HAM, Marine bands and FRS/GRMS, MUR and most commercial bands. The icing on the cake is that I can receive NOAA weather and local FM radio stations. Difficult to program by hand and the manual does not properly explain how to program repeaters in memory with offset, CTSS tones etc (private tone tones required). also for GRMS). I was able to do this with some help from the internet and more instructions. What made this really nice and easy was the $6.95 USB cable and CHIRP software (free) that I downloaded off the internet. This radio has 128 memories and I was able to program via a windows 8 computer and save the image to upload to another radio I had just ordered as a backup. I would strongly recommend the PC programming route instead of the manual option. I have several Midland GMRS 36 channel radios that we use when we go to theme parks, hunting, RV's etc. I was able to program Baofeng on all 36 GRMS channels, program local amateur radio repeaters, NOAA receiving stations, etc. maritime non-commercial stations and emergency stations. others that are further away outside). I bought a higher gain antenna that claims to increase RX/TX by 40% and will wear it when I'm at a remote campsite. In general. a lot of. Can't comment on reliability yet, but I think it's cheap enough to be disposable. I think at the price you can't go wrong. If you are a new radio amateur and want to get started cheaply, this is highly recommended. The new display is crisp. All others please note that you must have an appropriate FCC license to transmit on this radio on all frequencies except the FRS frequencies. I have a GRMS and HAM license. I don't have a boat license but if I ever get in trouble while fishing on the high seas. I will risk it. I love them so much I just bought a third one to keep in my truck.