Baofeng UV-5R (Uncertified) Compliance Test

Compliance testing to ascertain if this radio meets ITU guidelines for spurious emissions.

Baofeng UV-5R (Uncertified) Final Grade: PASS

The Baofeng UV-5R (Uncertified) amateur radio sample we tested was largely compliant with ITU guidelines on spurious emissions. Its second harmonic on VHF was out of compliance by 13 microwatts which is so insignificant that we have given this radio a passing grade.

It is important to note that this was a single-sample test and that it is possible other samples could vary in performance.

Tests performed in Surrey, BC, Canada on July 26, 2024 by Reg Natarajan.
Discuss this radio on our forums. https://forums.advancedamateur.ca/t/baofeng-uv-5r-uncertified

Power Output Testing

Power output was measured using a Surecom SW-33 Plus into a dummy load. The radio was set to maximum power. The ITU guidelines for spurious emissions require measurements of "the power (W) supplied to the antenna transmission line". That requirement makes this separate power measurement necessary, as it is incorrect to measure relative to the fundamental (f0). All numbers have been rounded.

2M

146.520 Mhz

4.7 watts

Using the ITU formula of 43+10log(P) dB, spurious emissions for a signal of 4.7 watts must be at least 49.7 dB below the power supplied to the antenna transmission line. 4.7 watts is approximately 36.7 dBm, which means no spurious signal may exceed -13 dBm, or approximately 50 microwatts.

70cm

446.000 Mhz

4.2 watts

Using the ITU formula of 43+10log(P) dB, spurious emissions for a signal of 4.2 watts must be at least 49.2 dB below the power supplied to the antenna transmission line. 4.2 watts is approximately 36.2 dBm, which means no spurious signal may exceed -13 dBm, or approximately 50 microwatts.

1.25M

223.500 Mhz

1.7 watts

Using the ITU formula of 43+10log(P) dB, spurious emissions for a signal of 1.7 watts must be at least 45.2 dB below the power supplied to the antenna transmission line. 1.7 watts is approximately 32.2 dBm, which means no spurious signal may exceed -13 dBm, or approximately 50 microwatts.

Spurious Emissions Testing

Spurious emissions were measured using a Tiny SA Ultra. The radio was set to maximum power and was connected to the TinySA through an attenuator. It is important to understand that the graphs below are using a decibel scale, not a linear scale. If a spurious emission spike appears to be almost as tall as the fundamental, that does not mean it is emitting almost as much power. Refer to the raw data shown.

VHF 2m Band Test Results: PASS

Raw Data 2m

All numbers have been rounded

Power at Antenna: 36.7 dBm (4.7 watts)

Fundamental (f0): 35.2 dBm (3.3 watts)

2nd Harmonic (2f0): -12 dBm (63 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

3rd Harmonic (3f0): -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

The Baofeng UV-5R (Uncertified) sample that we tested displayed two noticeable harmonic emissions above the 2m band fundamental, one of which was out of compliance with ITU guideline, one of which was out of specification by 13 microwatts, which we consider so insignificant that we gave this radio a passing grade.

UHF 70cm Band Test Results: PASS

Raw Data 70cm

All numbers have been rounded

Power at Antenna: 36.2 dBm (4.2 watts)

Fundamental (f0): 34.8 dBm (3 watts)

The Baofeng UV-5R (Uncertified) sample that we tested displayed no significant spurious emissions above the 70 cm band fundamental in our testing. There were two minor spikes at the 2nd and 3rd harmonics, which were at -20 dBm and -15 dBm respectively, both of which were well in compliance with ITU guidelines.

220 1.25M Band Test Results: PASS

Raw Data 1.25M

All numbers have been rounded

Power at Antenna: 32.2 dBm (1.7 watts)

Fundamental (f0): 30.6 dBm (1.0 watts)

2nd Harmonic (2f0): -19 dBm (13 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

In the 1.25 m band, the Baofeng UV-5R (Uncertified) that we tested displayed a 2nd harmonic emission at -15 dBm which is well within ITU guidelines.

Comments

This radio has perhaps the worst reputation of all radios among amateur radio snobs. From what I can see, that reputation is unjustified. This was an old UV-5R, from back in the day when everyone just assumed they were spilling harmonics all over the band. Many thanks to John VE7TI from the Surrey Amateur Radio Communications Society for the use of his radio for testing.

~Reg Natarajan VA7ZEB / HJ1ZEB, September 20, 2024

Discuss this radio on our forums. https://forums.advancedamateur.ca/t/baofeng-uv-5r-uncertified

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