Jul 28, 20213 min read

What NOT to Do With Your Baofeng Radio

Posted on 25 July, 2021 by Maxwell, at Surus Operations

One of the biggest mistakes people make with their comms today is they underestimate how often they may have to use them in an emergency.

When operating in a team environment, having effective and operational comms will be vital for mission success.

There are a few things to look out for when setting up your radio, especially if you have purchased a Baofeng.

Now that you know how to Define your Mission, and you know what potential events you should be preparing for, you may have decided that you want to carry more than 2 spare magazines.

So...

Would you rather have a very accessible 3rd magazine with the downside of having a hard to access radio for contacting your allies?

Or would you rather have a very accessible radio with the downside of having a 3rd magazine that is placed in your cummerbund or on an expander wing?

How much you trust your radio to function in a harsh environment should largely impact this decision.

I will be lightly covering Baofengs in this section because they are very popular and are a very inexpensive option for beginners looking to get into comms.

If you have messed around with a Baofeng before, you have likely noticed that it isn't nearly as "bombproof" as the rest of your kit.

But not all of us are very acquainted with radios and how they work, so not all of us are ready to spend hundreds of dollars on tech we might not yet understand.

And for now, that's alright...

But we have to know how to protect it best so that your radio won't be guaranteed to fail when you need it.

So let's be real about these radios:

With mushy controls and buttons that are WAY too easy to push accidentally, it's easy to see why the location you place it on your kit matters.

If you have ever used an expander wing to carry your radio, you've probably gotten irritated at how uncomfortable and hard to access it was.

It's also a great way to push buttons accidentally as you move around, and these radios aren't known for their outstanding durability...

That's why PLACEMENT of your radio can be very important.

Luckily for guys who aren't sure if they want to upgrade radios yet, there are a few solutions to assist in your ability to access it quickly and offer some additional protection.

One of those solutions is the BAOFENG UV-5R EXOSKELETON made by Great Plains Creations.

So far this has proven to be a very good product that prevents accidental discharge of the push to talk and call button.

For $15, they have been a great fix for some of the Baofeng's most notorious problems.

It also provides protection so you don't accidentally bump the volume nob and turn the radio off without you realizing it.

A baofeng UV-5r with an exoskeleton installed to protect the buttons from accidental discharge.

Another option for those of you who might need even MORE protection might be interested in the Messenger Radio Carrier by MC Kydex.

Before you ask, there is currently no relationship between Surus Operations and MC Kydex.

This was bought at our expense.

The only "negative" thing I have to say about this product so far is the bulk, which is to be expected from a kydex radio carrier.

If you want something slimmer, there are nylon pouches out there to carry your comms, but those nylon pouches won't protect the buttons from being pushed while going prone.

Other than that, this has been an awesome product that I have personally been very pleased with and offers ample protection for your comms.