Now that the UV-3R has become my single-channel
car RTX, I am missing a VHF/UHF handheld for casual use. Of course the
UV-3R can be dug out of the car, but it feels so comfortable in there.
So I am on the market for another RTX under the 50€ price tag (70 USD).
UV-3R.
While I love that little radio, even newer versions have not improved
much. Cost has been stable around 30-35€ (Far East eBay price), while I was hoping/expecting a reduction.
UV-5R.
This seems a decent and widespread upgrade for an UV-3R. It costs just
2-3€ more than a UV-3R, but I really don't like its look! Except that it comes in multiple colors (yellow being a field-day favorite).
UV-B5. UV-B6.
These two look much nicer than an UV-5R but they have no CE/FCC
certification (AFAIK), cost more and there seem to be little support.
UV-82.
This is apparently a new model. Its price falls just within my 50€
limit and available feedback online has been positive. Like B5/B6 there
are still few of these around, but it should be FCC approved
The drawback of these models is that their antenna connector and speaker/mic are different from the UV-3R I already own. This means I will need a different BNC-SMA adapter. Well, this seems to be a market standard for big brands, so I won't complain much for a gained interoperability with others' equipment.
