The BaoFeng BF-F8HP 2-Way Radio is one of the gateways for people into the HAM Radio (Amateur Radio) world. I have no desire to get my HAM license, so how is this thing useful for me? Ultimately, I think it is a pretty awesome emergency radio for backcountry adventures.
While there are more and more devices that can help get you out of a bind if something catasrophic happens out in the mountains, a lot of them are still cost prohibitive. Additionally, many of them are fairly limited in their use. For example they will send a distress signal, or a brief pre-programmed message. The BaoFeng Radio has a lot more going for it.
First off, the BF-F8HP is a 2-Way radio. Meaning you can transmit as well as receive. It also has a pretty substantial 8-Watt output, which is a step up from the BaoFeng UV-5R, a earlier model. Couple that with 128 programable UHF and VHF channels, the ability to receive FM radio stations, built in flashlight, scanning function… There is a lot going for it. I even find it valuable for no other reason that to use it as a weather radio.
You can find the BaoFeng F8HP Radio here.
Almost like a get out of jail free card. If “jail” in the mountains is a bad situation. But then you may still end up going to a real jail…
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