The Baofeng UV-3R Dual Band is a great little ham radio, especially for the beginner. The latest version comes with 18 menu items, S-meter, dual display, and dual band antenna.

The newest Baofeng models have 18 menus and there are different step sizes. The Baofeng UV-3R has evolved over the last year or so.

Will the Baofeng UV-3R compete with the high-end models? Probably not. Many ham operators just want a cheap HT to play around with in the ham shack. This fits the bill.

No, it’s not on par with Yaesu, Icom, or Kenwood. No, don’t expect the same rich features that these brands offer. Elitists probably won’t be happy with this little guy. The casual ham radio enthusiast with a shirt pocket is going to be surprised at the quality.

Transceive and receive on this radio is really amazing. Some argue that the Baofeng UV-3R may be comparable to the Yaesu VX-7R , or maybe even better!

Another option is the BaoFeng UV-5R Dual-Band . This is another cheap way to get on the air. The Baofeng UV-5R  makes a great accessory to the shack.

Bottom line, it works. It performs. It’s quirky. It’s cheap. It’s fun.