A little difficult to learn it's operation but it is getting easier to use with practice. The keyboard is giving me the most problems because the keys are so small and my fingers too large! I'll overcome that once I get more proficient with using the memories. All in all it seems like a good product and an awful lot of radio for the money. Kudos to the folks who wrote the manual - I would be lost without it. W3SYH

Although this radio may not have the best RF specs out there in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and power output, it approaches ideal in many other aspects. First of all, it combines the three most popular VHF FM bands in one handy radio. Other manufafturers make radios like this at much higher prices, and as a result, they are not common. Western Nevada, and especially the Reno area where I live, has more repeaters per capita than just about anywhere else in the US, the result of the very mountanious surrounding terrain. This makes a radio like this especially handy, as it can work just about any repeater it can 'see'.In other respects, it is fairly easy to operate. All the important features a radio needs are there. They just might be a little more hidden than on the more expensive radios. The somewhat lackluster RF performance disadvantage can be mostly overcome by using a quality aftermarket antenna, and there are many choices out there. I use a triband antenna, also offered by Btech, and it helps tremendously.These radios are indestructible, but they are well-built, and easily withstand day-to-day abuse, like their dual band brethern. All batteries, accessories, etc. are interchangeable between the dual and tri band models, meaning if you already have an acessorized, UV-5R, this radio is an inexpensive and logical step up. And at the price, it behooves one to invest in several radios and keep them where you need them, as well as in emergency prepardness kits.Lastly, there is the programming issue. Some folks say these radios are hard to program. They really aren't. They just program very differently than most of the other handheld transceivers out there. Once you get used to the way programming works, you will come to like its simplicity. Of course, they are easily programmed with a computer and an inexpensive programming cable. The programming doftware is even open source. In the meantime, these radios work like virtually any other radio in VFO ('frequency') mode.I think SDR=based radios are the future for many things. The immense popularity of these radios (both dual and tri band) attests to their general usefulness. If you really need high performance, use one of the expensive, 'name brand' radios out there (and I haven't gotten rid of my 'expensive' radios). But for routine day-to-day use, it is very hard to beat these little radios. I already have two of these radios (plus 2 dual band UV-5R's), and plan to get a couple more.

Bought as a 220 rig and scanner. Limited memory is a downfall, just know this before purchase. Only 125 memory channelsScanner pause time is fixed and is too short, in my opinion.All bands work well on transmit.Remember the price point, you get darn nice radio for under $100.00Is it a $300 kenwood? Nope, and for me that’s ok.

I really do not have the experience at this point to speak to the comparative quality of this equipment. I can only give you my general sense of the overall design and build quality.On that note I can say that this radio is well beyond what I expected especially at this price point. The quality is clearly there although I also realize there are far more expensive radios that are of much great durability and designed to withstand far more abuse. But the radios I'm referring to from my work (700/800 MHZ PS Motorola Solutions APX1000 and APX7000 series are literally thousands of dollars more. For the cost of these - impressive!As for the performance - I don't even have my license yet but these radios because of their relatively low cost and ease of use have provided me the opportunity to and motivation to start learning, earn my license and enjoy this hobby.My four star ratings are reflective of what would be expected at this price point. I think this is a fair rating and reflects the above average quality. I dropped the sound to a three. The speaker quality is somewhere between acceptable and tolerable. I don't consider myself disappointed in regards to this but I do know that radios can have better sound quality than this. Again - at the price point - no real complaints I just wanted to point that out for those it matters to.So, really great product and looking forward to figuring out how all this works!

I use this for off-road

Its a cheap chinese radio. But it seems to work as designed. Have not attempted to transmit with it. Very staticy on fm broadcast stations. Reception is excellent on ham stations. Replace your antennas the ones that comes with it is absolute garbage. - EDIT: October 1st 2018 - apparently this radio is illegal to operate and or sell. So buyer beware the FCC is cracking down on radios that are capable of operating outside the amateur bands.

I have not gotten much use out of this product yet because I have not yet programmed it. Once I get it programmed I plan to use it more often. Otherwise, it is a great product for the price.

I had an issue with the belt clip coming apart after arrival and customer service sent me a new clip right away. Radio works fine, not terribly difficult to program. It was a breeze transferring from my other radio via Chirp. I'd like more than 128 memories but that's the only thing I'm lacking.

Great product for a good price. It is made of durable material, easy to use, great clean sound, and battery last days.

This product really fits the space for a mobile radio that can be used in our CERT needs.