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Product Review Baofeng UV-82C
VHF/UHF Handheld
Commercial Version
US Part 90 Certified
What's in the BOX
Along with the radio you will find the traditional
English manual, accompanied by sturdy belt clip,
hand strap, antenna, a 7.4V 1800mAh Li-Ion battery with an
upright charger and Wall-Wart, compatible with all UV82
series radios.
The radio sports all traditional features of the UV82 design, with the
larger keypad buttons and the zero at the bottom of the
number pad where it belongs, etc. It also is built
using the new 2nd generation chipset.
- The frequency range
is the full 136-174.99 MHz, 400 - 520.99 MHz range.
- VHF
output on the test unit clocks in at 5.2W with UHF at
4.0W
- Live On-the-Air audio reports are excellent.
- Alpha tags can be added with the required software
below.
- The Dual PTT button is now an option that can be
turned off.
- The receiver sensitivity is still excellent with
selectivity average.
So, What makes this version an upgrade?
1. Software locks out Field Programming and
Tampering The UV-82C comes locked in the MR/Channel mode,
but is easily opened via software. This prevents
unauthorized users from tampering or accidentally
changing frequencies or options.
I added the required Factory Software for unlocking and
programming to Miklor.com in the
Software section. It has
also been added to the Latest Daily Build of
CHIRP.
Note: A programming cable is required
to run the software. Acquiring a quality
cable is highly recommended. You will spend more time using the radio
and less time trying to load special backdated drivers to your PC.
This is especially true in a commercial application.
The generic cables are less expensive, but a cable with
an FTDI chip is Plug 'n Play.
2. Dual PTT can now be Synchronized The UV82C has added a new option that allows
locking the PTT Button to simulate a Single PTT and
override the Dual PTT feature. I was forever
pressing the wrong part of the switch, but this takes
out all of the guess work. By Pressing the EXIT/AB button,
I can still switch the selected upper/lower display.
3. FCC Part 90
Certified
The UV-82C is FCC Part 90
Certified and compliant
with U.S. FCC Commercial specifications for both
hardware and software
(ZP5BF-82), as it requires a
programming cable and software to unlock and program the
radio. The radio has the required 2.5kHz step
option as well.
Software Note
As you may have expected, running the UV82C
software will not activate or create new
features on an older UV-82. The Field Programming and
Dual PTT lockout features are firmware upgrades for the
'C' model
only.
Compatibility
All of my accessories for the standard UV82 are
compatible, including the Dual PTT speaker/micr. With
the exception of the battery and charger, all UV5R
accessories work as well.
Conclusion
The manufacturer appears serious about entering into the
U.S. commercial market with something other than a rebranding or cosmetic
change. I personally find the option of reverting
back to a Single PTT and Field Programming Lockout a plus.
I still like my standard UV-82's, but this one is
"Me Proof". For the price, they are hard to
beat.
A Feature Comparison published between the UV82 and its
predecessor can be found at
UV82_vs_UV5R
Note: This equipment was received for the purpose of a
fair and unbiased review. All findings are factual based
on the equipment I received. Any issues found have been
reported both here and back to the seller or
manufacturer.
