Baofeng UV-5R Mini
The original Baofeng UV-5R became one of the best-known budget amateur radios ever made. Now there’s a smaller and considerably more modern alternative – the Baofeng UV-5R Mini.
It’s a compact 5W VHF/UHF handheld with a colour screen, USB-C charging, 999 memories, airband reception and – unusually for a radio at this price – Bluetooth programming from a smartphone.
We’ve bought one and been putting it through its paces. So, is the Baofeng UV-5R Mini a worthy successor to the original UV-5R, and does it make sense as a first radio for a newly-licensed UK amateur?
Here’s our hands-on Baofeng UV-5R Mini review, including programming, features, specifications, UK use and where to buy one.
Baofeng UV-5R Mini – what’s new?
- Smaller size – more compact than the traditional UV-5R without making the keypad awkward to use
- Colour display – a clear 1.44-inch colour screen
- USB-C charging – useful when travelling or charging from a power bank
- Bluetooth programming – frequencies and memories can be programmed from a smartphone using the OLA Radio app
- CHIRP support – useful if you already manage your radios using CHIRP
- 999 memories – far more than most operators are likely to need
- Dual PTT – separate PTT buttons for the two displayed frequencies
- Airband receive – AM reception of the civil aviation band
- Custom startup logo – replace the standard startup image with your own
Baofeng UV-5R Mini – our verdictWe like it. For the money, the UV-5R Mini packs an impressive amount into a small handheld. USB-C charging and Bluetooth programming make it considerably more convenient than the original UV-5R, while the colour display, airband reception and 999 memories are useful extras. For a newly-licensed amateur looking for an inexpensive first handheld – or an experienced operator wanting a cheap radio for portable use – there’s a lot here for the money. Best for: First handheld, local repeaters, portable use and inexpensive spare radio |
Baofeng UV-5R Mini first impressions
The first thing you notice is the size. The UV-5R Mini is noticeably more compact than the original UV-5R, but it hasn’t been shrunk so far that the keypad becomes difficult to use.
The colour screen is also a significant improvement. The original UV-5R display does the job, but it now looks fairly dated. The Mini’s screen is clearer and makes the radio feel like a much newer design.
For us, though, one of the most useful improvements is USB-C charging. Older Baofengs generally mean taking a dedicated charging cradle with you. Being able to top up the Mini from the same USB-C supply or power bank used for other gadgets makes much more sense for a radio that’s likely to be carried around.
The other feature that stands out is Bluetooth programming. Anyone who’s spent time entering repeater frequencies, offsets, tones and channel names using a small radio keypad will probably appreciate being able to do the job from a phone instead.
How small is the Baofeng UV-5R Mini?
The radio measures approximately 108 × 52 × 37mm without the antenna and weighs around 200g including the battery.
Despite the “Mini” name, this isn’t a tiny novelty radio. It’s still large enough to have a full keypad, useful display and conventional controls. It’s better thought of as a more compact version of the familiar Baofeng handheld format.
Baofeng UV-5R Mini price and availability
Another attraction is the price. As with most Baofeng radios, prices can vary considerably depending on the seller, bundle and delivery time.
When we bought ours, UV-5R Minis could be found on AliExpress for around £18. Prices and bundles change regularly, so check exactly what’s included – particularly the battery, charger, antenna and any programming lead.
Baofeng UV-5R Mini availability |
Baofeng UV-5R Mini specification
Specifications appear to vary between markets and possibly between versions, so check the specification of the particular radio you’re buying. The radio supplied to us had the following specification:
| Transmit coverage | VHF: 144-148 MHz; UHF: 420-450 MHz |
| Receive coverage | FM broadcast: 76-108 MHz; Airband AM: 108-136 MHz; VHF: 136-174 MHz and 220-260 MHz; UHF: 350-390 MHz and 400-520 MHz |
| Output power | High: approximately 5W; Low: approximately 2W |
| Memory channels | 999 |
| Display | 1.44-inch colour TFT |
| Size | Approximately 108 × 52 × 37mm, excluding antenna |
| Weight | Approximately 200g including battery |
| Battery | 1600mAh on our version – other versions may differ |
| Charging | USB-C charging connection on the battery |
| Accessory connector | Standard two-pin Kenwood-style connection |
Does the Baofeng UV-5R Mini receive airband?
Yes. One useful addition is AM airband reception covering approximately 108-136MHz.
This means the UV-5R Mini can also be used to listen to civil aircraft communications. That’s a useful extra if you have an interest in aviation, although a dedicated scanner or communications receiver may offer better performance if airband listening is your main interest.
Remember that the airband facility is for reception only. Amateur radio equipment must not be used to transmit on aircraft frequencies.
What does Dual PTT do?
The UV-5R Mini can display and monitor two frequencies, normally shown as the A and B frequencies.
Rather than selecting one and then pressing PTT, the radio has two PTT buttons. This means you can transmit directly on either displayed frequency.
It’s a small feature, but quite handy if you’re monitoring a repeater on one VFO and a simplex frequency on the other.
How to program the Baofeng UV-5R Mini
There are several ways to program the radio, which is another area where the Mini improves on older Baofeng models.
- CHIRP – the UV-5R Mini is supported by CHIRP
- Baofeng software – dedicated programming software is available from Baofeng’s download area
- OLA Radio app – program frequencies and settings wirelessly from a compatible iPhone or Android phone using Bluetooth
- Keypad – frequencies and settings can still be entered directly on the radio
How to program the Baofeng UV-5R Mini with CHIRP
Connection to a PC uses a programming lead plugged into the radio’s microphone and speaker sockets.
The USB-C socket is for charging, not PC data programming.
Our old Baofeng programming lead worked perfectly with the Mini.
As with older Baofeng cables, you may need the appropriate USB serial driver. Our cable uses the Prolific chipset and driver version 3.2.0.0 worked for us. Your cable may use a different chipset, so don’t automatically install a Prolific driver unless that’s what your programming lead actually contains.
How to program the Baofeng UV-5R Mini using Bluetooth
Wireless programming is one of the Mini’s most useful features. Using the OLA Radio app, you can connect to the radio over Bluetooth and change frequencies, channel settings and other parameters without needing a programming cable or computer.
That’s particularly handy when you’re away from home and discover that you haven’t programmed a local repeater into the radio.
For a large collection of memories we still prefer CHIRP on a computer, but for quick changes the smartphone option is very convenient.
How to change the Baofeng UV-5R Mini startup logo
A slightly less essential – but rather fun – feature is the ability to replace the startup screen with your own logo.
This is done using the Baofeng programming software. Under Tools, select Import picture tools and upload a Windows BMP image.
We found that the image needs to be exactly 128 × 138 pixels. The software screen suggests 128 × 128 pixels, but that didn’t work correctly for us.
Want an Essex Ham branded radio? We’ve already prepared a suitable image:
Download the Essex Ham UV-5R Mini startup logo
Do UV-5R accessories work with the Baofeng UV-5R Mini?
The Mini uses the familiar two-pin Kenwood-style accessory connection found on many Baofeng handhelds.
That means many existing speaker microphones, earpieces and programming leads are likely to work, although it’s always sensible to check compatibility before buying accessories specifically for the Mini.
The antenna connection and battery arrangement are separate considerations, so don’t assume every accessory made for the original UV-5R will fit the Mini.
Is the Baofeng UV-5R Mini legal to use in the UK?
The UV-5R Mini is a programmable transmitting radio, so in the UK you need the appropriate licence and must only transmit on frequencies, modes and power levels permitted by that licence.
For amateur radio use, that means holding a valid UK amateur radio licence and operating within your licence conditions.
Don’t confuse the UV-5R Mini with a licence-free PMR446 walkie-talkie. A programmable amateur handheld such as this isn’t made into a legal PMR446 radio simply by programming PMR446 frequencies into it.
If you’re interested in getting an amateur radio licence, Essex Ham offers a free online Foundation training course.
Is the Baofeng UV-5R Mini a good first radio?
For many newly-licensed amateurs, we think it could be.
The original UV-5R became popular because it offered a lot of radio for very little money. The UV-5R Mini keeps that basic idea, but adds several genuinely useful modern touches.
The smaller case is comfortable, the colour screen is a welcome improvement and USB-C charging makes the radio much easier to throw in a bag without needing another dedicated charger. Bluetooth programming is also more useful than it might initially sound.
It’s still a budget handheld, so don’t expect it to replace a higher-end amateur transceiver. What it does offer is an inexpensive, compact dual-band radio that’s easy to carry, experiment with and use on local repeaters and simplex channels.
For a newly-licensed amateur looking for an inexpensive first handheld, or an existing ham wanting a cheap radio for the car, holidays or portable use, there’s quite a lot to like.
Baofeng UV-5R Mini pros and cons
Things we like
- Very affordable
- Compact without being too small to use
- Clear colour display
- USB-C charging
- Bluetooth smartphone programming
- CHIRP support
- 999 memories
- Dual PTT
- Airband reception
- Uses familiar two-pin accessories
Things to bear in mind
- Specifications and battery capacity can vary between versions and sellers
- USB-C is for charging rather than PC programming
- A cable is still needed if you want to program it from CHIRP on a PC
- It’s a low-cost handheld rather than a replacement for a higher-end amateur radio
Should you buy the Baofeng UV-5R Mini?
If you’re looking for a cheap dual-band handheld, the UV-5R Mini is considerably more interesting than simply buying another version of the original UV-5R.
The combination of USB-C charging, Bluetooth programming, CHIRP support, airband reception and a colour display makes it feel like a much more modern radio while retaining the low-cost appeal that made Baofeng popular in the first place.
It’s not a premium handheld, and we’d still recommend checking exactly which version and bundle a seller is supplying. But at the right price, we think it’s a very capable little radio.
Where to buy the Baofeng UV-5R Mini
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Got a question?
Got a UV-5R Mini yourself, or thinking of buying one? Add a comment below and let us know how you’re getting on with it.
One small quirk I have noticed is that if you use an external mike it will only TX on VFO A.
You can select VFO B but it will still TX on VFO A
I assume this is something to do with the seperate PTT buttons on the radio for A/B
Other than that great little radio.
Richard G7OED
I have a buddy and his radio transmits on VFO B with ext mic.
So there must be a way to select VFO.
I do not have the mini myself.
LA7DFA