Here, we take a look at the latest in the series of low-price 2m/70cm amateur radio handhelds from China, the Baofeng UV-B6. This is what the Baofeng UV-B6 has to offer:
- 2 metre / 70 cm transceiver
- Covers 136-174MHz and 400-470MHz
- Power: 5 watts
- Works with UK repeaters (CTCSS tones)
- Dual-watch and scanner
- Programmable using optional PC cable
- FM radio and torch
At the time of writing, this is the latest in the series of Baofeng handheld amateur radio transceivers, which started with the popular Baofeng UV-3R
Availability
For many of us in the UK, the way to get hold of Baofeng radios has traditionally been via the various eBay stores in the far East. You can get the UV-B6 via eBay at a decent price, but we picked up ours from a UK seller on Amazon – No need to wait weeks for airmail from Hong Kong… ours arrived in two days.
Buying a Baofeng UV-B6:
Alternatively, get an import from Hong Hong from a store such as eBay US Mega409shop |
Baofeng UV-B6 Review
We’ve chosen to put together a video review of this particular Baofeng – please take a look:
For those on a budget, or looking for a spare handheld, this is well worth consideration, especially given the £30 price tag.
Programming Repeaters
This can be done manually from the radio’s front panel, and the manual is adequate at explaining the process. You may find it faster and easier to program repeaters with the optional USB programming lead (UV-B6 USB Lead from Amazon):
As requested from some of our site visitors, we’ve now put together a short review of how to program repeater settings into the Baofeng UV-B6 – See Programming a Baofeng UV-B6 with settings for GB3DA
In summary, we’re impressed with this little radio. It’s solidly made, seems to behave well, and does a better job than our previous Baofeng models.
Baofeng UV-B6 Specifications
According to the manual, here are the specs:
- Dimensions (no aerial): 120 x 60 x 38 mm approx
- RF Output Power: 5 Watts
- Battery: 7.4V / 1800mAh
- Spurious emissions: less than 7.5uW
- Sensitivity: -122dBm (at 12dB SINAD)
- Spurious response: 65bB
- Receiver current: Less than 380mA
Supplied with the Baofeng UV-B6
As you’ll see from our video review, the box contains the radio, the 1800mAh battery, a belt clip, docking station, mains charger (with UK adapter), aerial, hand strap and a manual. No headset/earpiece was supplied, despite being shown on the Amazon listing.
| Got a question on this radio? Add a comment below, or better still, ask in our Essex Ham Hardware Forum… |
Related Posts
- Connecting a Baofeng UV-B6 to a larger antenna
- Programming GB3DA Repeater into the Baofeng UV-B6
- Listening in to Amateur Radio
- Using a Baofeng Radio Without A Licence
Following your review of the UV-B6 I bought one as a first radio (Using the logic…If I break it it’s not a great loss). So, first of all thank you for the video which is honest and accurate and, I like the radio! I also purchased the PC software and lead. If you are able to assist further with guidance on how to programme the repeaters into the radio and, how to use the PC method I would be really interested in seeing your presentation. I have to confess that I am not very good with technology and any help is gratefully received.
73
Phil
Hi Phil. No problem. This will follow as soon as I get a spare hour or so top put something together. Watch this space. Pete
Hi Phil. Guide is available here: https://www.essexham.co.uk/programming-gb3da-repeater-into-the-baofeng-uv-b6.html – I hope it’s of use.
Ooop’s sorry forgot to include my new callsign which is M6DEQ (just 2 weeks ago).
73
Phil
I would appreciate a programming guide/walk through for the UV-6B.
Thankyou.
Mike M0MMB.
Hi Mike. Happy to put one of these together. I now have the programming lead and software so as soon as I get a chance, I’ll get this sorted. Many thanks, Pete
Hi Mike. As requested, I’ve created a guide, and it’s here: https://www.essexham.co.uk/programming-gb3da-repeater-into-the-baofeng-uv-b6.html … please let me know if there’s anything I’ve missed or got wrong!
hi Pete I’ve got the uv5r+ and found them to be deaf on 2mtrs how is the uv-b6 they are great little radio’s but at the end of the day they are disposable
73’s
Mark M6RKC
Hi Mark,
Good to chat on the net tonight. For £30, you certainly don’t get quality with these radios, but the three Baofengs I’ve had have all been perfectly serviceable, and I’ve generally been happy. Very good as second rigs, or for those new to the hobby, but if budget can stretch to a Yaesu / iCom type handheld, then the more well-known makes shine through.
I was wondering if it is possible to unlock the uv-5r to enable me to listen to 156.000MHz and if so, can this be done with the cable and software?
If you drop me an email, I’ll explain why. Thanks
By default, the UV-5R can receive (and transmit) between 136MHz to 175MHz – No unlocking required.
I noticed a difference in reception in VFO mode and memory mode.
In vfo there is a greater sensitivity in receiving and audio volume gain.
It also happens in your radio?
It would be a defect, a reset would solve?
Standing by.
The screws for the belt clip on my uvb6 are too short. What size are they…your site said m2 but m2 is too small. Thanks…Lorne
I am also wish to know the correct size screws for the belt clip on the UV-B6.
Have you had any answer, Lorne?
Thanks
Hi still no reply on the belt clip screw issue. I even tried the company site with no success. I have heard newer units have longer screws. I ordered 2m screws..too small. I ordered 3m screws too big. So I am left to assume 2.5m screws. Seems a shame the company did not check this out before shipping. Would really like to know what size the screws are….Lorne
UPDATE: — I think the screws are M2.5 and 6.5mm long…at least i hope they are as I have ordered 100 of them! A Dutch ham contacted me and said these were the measurements so let us hope he is right and correct.
I will confirm as soon as I can.
73’s
Dorian VE3YNG
Thanks Dorian….I kind of assumed they were m 2.5 as m2 is too small and m3 too big. However having trouble finding m2.5 of sufficient length…usually shop ebay for that stuff…73…Lorne
In the handbook of this handheld there is no advice on how to delete a stored channel / frequency, I found out by shear accident, it seems once you have the set in channel mode, use the up/down buttons to select the stored frequency / channel then press and hold the FM button.
The other down side is, if you sit the set on its charger whilst still switched on, the FM button gets activated and you loose that frequency you stored, Also I might add, do not try and plug the speaker mike in when the set is on, this seems to hold the set in the TX mode.
73’s
Ken G0OSI
Some useful but scary observations/advice on the ‘quirky’ UV-B6, Ken. I love the Baofeng radios and cherish my UV-5RA+ but would like to add to my collection with a UV-B6 or two and a few BF-888S handhelds once circumstances and finances permit. However, it’s worth noting the caveats given about these radios in the various reviews on this site.
Txn es 73 de M3HIM
I have a UV-B6 and a UV-B5 the B5 has a channel change knob,
instead of a LED, which makes channel changing so much easier