 |
Review – BTech UV-5X3 TriBand Handheld
19 August 2016 | by by John ‘Miklor‘
.
.
UV-5X3Although the case design is familiar, the radio inside is not. BTech has recently introduced the new UV-5X3 to the US Ham Radio market. This radio is a true triband transceiver with internal filters specifically configured for triband operation.The firmware in this radio has been reworked to include several new features not found in similar appearing radios.
.
In the Box
Included with the radio are the:
– 1500mAh Li-Ion Battery **
– 85 page User Guide – English
– Charger base & AC adapter
– Hand strap
– Belt clip
– PTT Earpiece / Microphone
– Antenna (1) – VHF / UHF 6 3/4″ (17cm) A-V85
– Antenna (2) – 220 MHz 6 1/4″ (15.5cm)
.
** This is the identical battery that is commonly mislabeled as 1800mAh on some handhelds.
.
Tri-Band – VHF 220 UHF
The UV-5X3 was specifically designed as a Tri-Band transceiver. The internal filtering allows not only the traditional VHF and UHF frequencies, but also includes the 222-225 MHz Ham band for the US.
The UV-5X3 was specifically designed as a Tri-Band transceiver. The internal filtering allows not only the traditional VHF and UHF frequencies, but also includes the 222-225 MHz Ham band for the US.
. 
Case Design
The UV-5X3 has the traditional case design, which allows me to use my high capacity BL-5L 3800mAh battery with no alteration to the base. Accessories such as my mobile battery eliminator, Spkr/Micr, etc. are fully compatible.
.
Transmitter
The frequency range is VHF 130-176 / 222-225 / UHF 400-480 MHz, supporting both Wide and Narrowband with 2.5kHz steps.The radio’s filtering scheme allows for full power on all bands. My OTA audio reports have been clean with clear with mellow audio. Power levels are respectable using a Bird VHF/UHF Termaline.
Case DesignThe UV-5X3 has the traditional case design, which allows me to use my high capacity BL-5L 3800mAh battery with no alteration to the base. Accessories such as my mobile battery eliminator, Spkr/Micr, etc. are fully compatible.
.
Transmitter
The frequency range is VHF 130-176 / 222-225 / UHF 400-480 MHz, supporting both Wide and Narrowband with 2.5kHz steps.The radio’s filtering scheme allows for full power on all bands. My OTA audio reports have been clean with clear with mellow audio. Power levels are respectable using a Bird VHF/UHF Termaline.
.
|
DTMF / IRLP Access
Something new also appearing on this model is a DTMF gain adjustment, allowing me to adjust the DTMF audio to the transmitter to a comfortable level for both repeater control and IRLP access.
.
Tone Burst
If you are in a area that requires tone burst for repeater or network access, the 1000Hz, 1450Hz, 1750Hz, and 2000Hz burst are accessible by pressing the PTT along with one of the four pre-assigned keypad keys.
If you are in a area that requires tone burst for repeater or network access, the 1000Hz, 1450Hz, 1750Hz, and 2000Hz burst are accessible by pressing the PTT along with one of the four pre-assigned keypad keys.
.
Receiver
The receiver sensitivity is excellent, and the audio quality is clear, loud, and undistorted. Along with the 3 TX/RX bands, the receiver also includes the traditional commercial FM radio band. (65MHz-108MHz)
.
Tone Scanning – The receiver also has the ability to identify the tone of a repeater being transmitted by a received signal.
The receiver sensitivity is excellent, and the audio quality is clear, loud, and undistorted. Along with the 3 TX/RX bands, the receiver also includes the traditional commercial FM radio band. (65MHz-108MHz)
.
Tone Scanning – The receiver also has the ability to identify the tone of a repeater being transmitted by a received signal.
.
Scan Add / Delete
This feature gives me the ability to add / delete channels from the scanning list using the keypad. No longer a software only function. The more I can do from the keypad, the better I like it.
This feature gives me the ability to add / delete channels from the scanning list using the keypad. No longer a software only function. The more I can do from the keypad, the better I like it.
.
Scanning
A Long Press of the [*SCN] button will start the scanning process.Channel Mode – When scanning with the Display Sync set to ON, the upper and lower display will scan together. This is explained below under Display Synchronization.Frequency Mode – When entering Scan, the image below will appear on the screen. Enter the first 3 digits set the range start, the second 3 digits sets the stop.
Example: Entering 146 : 146
Start the scan range at 146.000
Ends the scan range at 146.999
A Long Press of the [*SCN] button will start the scanning process.Channel Mode – When scanning with the Display Sync set to ON, the upper and lower display will scan together. This is explained below under Display Synchronization.Frequency Mode – When entering Scan, the image below will appear on the screen. Enter the first 3 digits set the range start, the second 3 digits sets the stop.
Example: Entering 146 : 146
Start the scan range at 146.000
Ends the scan range at 146.999
.
AntennaI found two antennas included with the radio. One was the standard upgraded A-V85 antenna, and a slightly shorter one for the 220MHz band.
Antenna (1) – VHF / UHF 6 3/4″ (17cm) A-V85
Antenna (2) – 220 MHz 6 1/4″ (15.5cm)
The separate antenna specifically tuned for 220 MHz is a great addition. The SWR shows 1.3 which is excellent. No compromise. I labeled my 220 antenna, as they are very close in appearance.
.Display
The radio has a tri-color display, allowing the color options of the blue, orange and purple. The LCD can be formatted in either of three formats. Choices are Frequency, Channel number, or up to 6 Alpha Characters.Display Synchronization
The UV-5X3 supports display syncing, which gives ability to track both the upper and lower LCD. I keep mine set to display the channel name in display A, and the frequency in display B. When you change the channel, both the upper and lower displays move together.
.Programming
Manual programming is pretty straight forward once you enter a few channels. A programming guide can be found at Manual Programming with a Menu Definition summary available at Menu Definitions.
.
Software
The software support for the UV-5X3 can be found in the Latest Daily Build of CHIRP. There are a few new options that will be added to the 5X3 in the near future. One is the ability to Stun, Kill, Revive. This gives you the ability to disable your radio remotely.
The software support for the UV-5X3 can be found in the Latest Daily Build of CHIRP. There are a few new options that will be added to the 5X3 in the near future. One is the ability to Stun, Kill, Revive. This gives you the ability to disable your radio remotely.
.
3rd Generation Chipset
The new chipset (RDA1846S and RDA5802N) provides reduced AGC switching noise and a low-IF digital audio processor for improved sound quality.
The new chipset (RDA1846S and RDA5802N) provides reduced AGC switching noise and a low-IF digital audio processor for improved sound quality.
.
Programming Cable
The programming cable requires a traditional two pin Baofeng / Kenwood style. There are several cable available. The generic cables may require special drivers, due to the use of cloned chips. For Plug and Play, a cable using an FTDI chip is recommended.
Conclusion
The UV-5X3 firmware has obviously been reworked to include:
– Tri-Band Support: VHF/1.25M/UHF
– D-ANI (Display incoming DTMF Tones)
– Synchronized Displays
– DTMF audio gain level adjustment
– Add / Remove Channels from Scanning list via keypad (LCD Dot Indication)
– On the Fly scanning by Frequency Range
– 4 Tone Burst options
– Remote Stun, Kill, Revive
The programming cable requires a traditional two pin Baofeng / Kenwood style. There are several cable available. The generic cables may require special drivers, due to the use of cloned chips. For Plug and Play, a cable using an FTDI chip is recommended.
ConclusionThe UV-5X3 firmware has obviously been reworked to include:
– Tri-Band Support: VHF/1.25M/UHF
– D-ANI (Display incoming DTMF Tones)
– Synchronized Displays
– DTMF audio gain level adjustment
– Add / Remove Channels from Scanning list via keypad (LCD Dot Indication)
– On the Fly scanning by Frequency Range
– 4 Tone Burst options
– Remote Stun, Kill, Revive
.
It appears that BTech has once again managed to stay one step ahead of the curve. With the 220 MHz ham band operation back on the rise in the US, this radio hit the market at the right time. Even if 220 isn’t popular in your area, the additional new features still give it an edge over the traditional dual band series.
.
.
3 Responses to “Review – BTech UV-5X3 TriBand Handheld”
Please support our generous sponsors who make AmateurRadio.com possible:
 Ham Radio Deluxe |
 Ham Radio Prep |
 Ham Radio School |
 KB3IFH QSL Cards  Hip Ham Shirts  HamRadioAuctions Reliance Antennas Enigma Shop |  morseDX  Ni4L Antennas  R&L Electronics antennas.us Ears to Our World |
- Matt W1MST, Managing Editor
It’s a shame that BF-Tech didn’t ask Baofeng China to spend a few pennies more (when designing the radio) to add some additional memory (I happen to live in a state with a lot more than just 128 repeaters). I do agree that this is still a large step forward for Baofeng.
I’ll probably end up getting one soon if for no other reason than to test it against the new Wouxun KG-UV8E tri-band HT (which comes with one tri-band antenna, a color display, and 999 memories). It will be interesting to watch the market decide if the additional features of a $120 Wouxun is worth it compared to the cheaper $65 Baofeng.
In either case, if Kenwood thinks their $350 TH-F6A tri-band didn’t need a price refresh, they certainly better rethink that now.
I wished they made a 6m 2m and 440 ht I would be much happier with having 6m 🙂
I received mine today. So far, I can hardly believe it. Also works perfectly with CHIRP. I must have a the cheap programming cable as I had to fight with Windows 10 to install the 3.2.0.0 driver, but it’s good now. It’s 1:10 AM. I need to get some sleep, but I just had to program and check it out. No anomalies, none. I love this thing. I just can’t see how they are able to put this much in a radio that works this well for $65.00. (ordered mine from AMAZON) My most desired change would have been that they include a single Tri-Band antenna, but it’s a small irritation, I’ll order the Nagoya Tri-Band. CON: The one thing that bothered me a bit is that the SQUELCH control is still about useless like the other UV-5R’s I have. But over all, I think I’ll order another one for a spare. Maybe make an EMP box for it. 🙂