by John ‘Miklor‘
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UV-5X3Although the case design is familiar, the radio inside is not. BTech has recently introduced the new UV-5X3 to the US Ham Radio market. This radio is a true triband transceiver with internal filters specifically configured for triband operation.The firmware in this radio has been reworked to include several new features not found in similar appearing radios.
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In the Box
Included with the radio are the:
– 1500mAh Li-Ion Battery **
– 85 page User Guide – English
– Charger base & AC adapter
– Hand strap
– Belt clip
– PTT Earpiece / Microphone
– Antenna (1) – VHF / UHF 6 5/8″ (16.9cm) A-V85
– Antenna (2) – 220 MHz 6 3/4″ (17.4cm)
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** This is the identical battery that is commonly mislabeled as 1800mAh on some handhelds.
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Tri-Band – VHF 220 UHF
The UV-5X3 was specifically designed as a Tri-Band transceiver. The internal filtering allows not only the traditional VHF and UHF frequencies, but also includes the 222-225 MHz Ham band for the US.
The UV-5X3 was specifically designed as a Tri-Band transceiver. The internal filtering allows not only the traditional VHF and UHF frequencies, but also includes the 222-225 MHz Ham band for the US.
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Case Design
The UV-5X3 has the traditional case design, which allows me to use my high capacity BL-5L 3800mAh battery with no alteration to the base. Accessories such as my mobile battery eliminator, Spkr/Micr, etc. are fully compatible.
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Transmitter
The frequency range is VHF 130-176 / 222-225 / UHF 400-480 MHz, supporting both Wide and Narrowband with 2.5kHz steps.The radio’s filtering scheme allows for full power on all bands. My OTA audio reports have been clean with clear with mellow audio. Power levels are respectable using a Bird VHF/UHF Termaline.
Case DesignThe UV-5X3 has the traditional case design, which allows me to use my high capacity BL-5L 3800mAh battery with no alteration to the base. Accessories such as my mobile battery eliminator, Spkr/Micr, etc. are fully compatible.
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Transmitter
The frequency range is VHF 130-176 / 222-225 / UHF 400-480 MHz, supporting both Wide and Narrowband with 2.5kHz steps.The radio’s filtering scheme allows for full power on all bands. My OTA audio reports have been clean with clear with mellow audio. Power levels are respectable using a Bird VHF/UHF Termaline.
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DTMF / IRLP Access
Something new also appearing on this model is a DTMF gain adjustment, allowing me to adjust the DTMF audio to the transmitter to a comfortable level for both repeater control and IRLP access.
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Tone Burst
If you are in a area that requires tone burst for repeater or network access, the 1000Hz, 1450Hz, 1750Hz, and 2000Hz burst are accessible by pressing the PTT along with one of the four pre-assigned keypad keys.
If you are in a area that requires tone burst for repeater or network access, the 1000Hz, 1450Hz, 1750Hz, and 2000Hz burst are accessible by pressing the PTT along with one of the four pre-assigned keypad keys.
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Receiver
The receiver sensitivity is excellent, and the audio quality is clear, loud, and undistorted. Along with the 3 TX/RX bands, the receiver also includes the traditional commercial FM radio band. (65MHz-108MHz)
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Tone Scanning – The receiver also has the ability to identify the tone of a repeater being transmitted by a received signal.
The receiver sensitivity is excellent, and the audio quality is clear, loud, and undistorted. Along with the 3 TX/RX bands, the receiver also includes the traditional commercial FM radio band. (65MHz-108MHz)
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Tone Scanning – The receiver also has the ability to identify the tone of a repeater being transmitted by a received signal.
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Scan Add / Delete
This feature gives me the ability to add / delete channels from the scanning list using the keypad. No longer a software only function. The more I can do from the keypad, the better I like it.
This feature gives me the ability to add / delete channels from the scanning list using the keypad. No longer a software only function. The more I can do from the keypad, the better I like it.
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Scanning
A Long Press of the [*SCN] button will start the scanning process.Channel Mode – When scanning with the Display Sync set to ON, the upper and lower display will scan together. This is explained below under Display Synchronization.Frequency Mode – When entering Scan, the image below will appear on the screen. Enter the first 3 digits set the range start, the second 3 digits sets the stop.
Example: Entering 146 : 146
Start the scan range at 146.000
Ends the scan range at 146.999
A Long Press of the [*SCN] button will start the scanning process.Channel Mode – When scanning with the Display Sync set to ON, the upper and lower display will scan together. This is explained below under Display Synchronization.Frequency Mode – When entering Scan, the image below will appear on the screen. Enter the first 3 digits set the range start, the second 3 digits sets the stop.
Example: Entering 146 : 146
Start the scan range at 146.000
Ends the scan range at 146.999
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AntennaI found two antennas included with the radio. One was the standard upgraded A-V85 antenna, and a slightly longer one for the 220MHz band.
Antenna (1) – VHF / UHF 6 5/4″ (16.9cm) A-V85
Antenna (2) – 220 MHz 6 3/4″ (17.4cm)
The separate antenna specifically tuned for 220 MHz is a great addition. The SWR shows 1.3 which is excellent. No compromise. I labeled my 220 antenna, as they are very close in appearance.
.Display
The radio has a tri-color display, allowing the color options of the blue, orange and purple. The LCD can be formatted in either of three formats. Choices are Frequency, Channel number, or up to 6 Alpha Characters.Display Synchronization
The UV-5X3 supports display syncing, which gives ability to track both the upper and lower LCD. I keep mine set to display the channel name in display A, and the frequency in display B. When you change the channel, both the upper and lower displays move together.
.Programming
Manual programming is pretty straight forward once you enter a few channels. A programming guide can be found at Manual Programming with a Menu Definition summary available at Menu Definitions.
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Software
The software support for the UV-5X3 can be found in the Latest Daily Build of CHIRP. There are a few new options that will be added to the 5X3 in the near future. One is the ability to Stun, Kill, Revive. This gives you the ability to disable your radio remotely.
The software support for the UV-5X3 can be found in the Latest Daily Build of CHIRP. There are a few new options that will be added to the 5X3 in the near future. One is the ability to Stun, Kill, Revive. This gives you the ability to disable your radio remotely.
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3rd Generation Chipset
The new chipset (RDA1846S and RDA5802N) provides reduced AGC switching noise and a low-IF digital audio processor for improved sound quality.
The new chipset (RDA1846S and RDA5802N) provides reduced AGC switching noise and a low-IF digital audio processor for improved sound quality.
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Programming Cable
The programming cable requires a traditional two pin Baofeng / Kenwood style. There are several cable available. The generic cables may require special drivers, due to the use of cloned chips. For Plug and Play, a cable using an FTDI chip is recommended.
Conclusion
The UV-5X3 firmware has obviously been reworked to include:
– Tri-Band Support: VHF/1.25M/UHF
– D-ANI (Display incoming DTMF Tones)
– Synchronized Displays
– DTMF audio gain level adjustment
– Add / Remove Channels from Scanning list via keypad (LCD Dot Indication)
– On the Fly scanning by Frequency Range
– 4 Tone Burst options
– Remote Stun, Kill, Revive
The programming cable requires a traditional two pin Baofeng / Kenwood style. There are several cable available. The generic cables may require special drivers, due to the use of cloned chips. For Plug and Play, a cable using an FTDI chip is recommended.
ConclusionThe UV-5X3 firmware has obviously been reworked to include:
– Tri-Band Support: VHF/1.25M/UHF
– D-ANI (Display incoming DTMF Tones)
– Synchronized Displays
– DTMF audio gain level adjustment
– Add / Remove Channels from Scanning list via keypad (LCD Dot Indication)
– On the Fly scanning by Frequency Range
– 4 Tone Burst options
– Remote Stun, Kill, Revive
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It appears that BTech has once again managed to stay one step ahead of the curve. With the 220 MHz ham band operation back on the rise in the US, this radio hit the market at the right time. Even if 220 isn’t popular in your area, the additional new features still give it an edge over the traditional dual band series.
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Ham Radio Blog PD0AC 
Jose de jesus liranzo liranzo2@icloud.com
I received my Radio today and in 10 min I was on the air. I programmed it using CHIRP and put in both 70cm, 2m and 1.25m freq the all work great it a great new radio
@Bill KS4MX – Would you happen to have a UV-5R before getting the UV-5X3? If so, are you using the same cable to connect to Chirp?
I just received my UV-5X3. I am getting “Radio did not respond” when using Chirp. I noticed the jacks are slightly off to the right. On my UV-5R, the jacks are centered and communicates with Chirp just fine. I think I will return and wait for the next version of the UV-5X3, whenever that may be.
“Radio did not Respond” will also appear if you are using the incorrect model selection.
If you are trying to Download from Radio with CHIRP, and using Baofeng when the radio is actually a BTech will also cause the message to appear. For the 5X3 you must select BTech.
John
http://www.miklor.com/BT5X3/
Argh! I had a brain fart. You are absolutely correct. Thank you for the info.
Here’s a link that may also assist:
http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_ErrorMess.php
Don’t feel bad… I did the same thing. 🙂
I am buying my first amature radio. How does the performance of this radio on 2meter and 70 cm compare to the UV-82HP and the BF-F8HP? Which do you recommend?
The basic internal board designs are very similar on each.
Although the 82HP and F8HP are both 7-8W, there are several extra features in the 5X3, such as the synchronized display, add/delete scan channels via the keypad, and of course the 1.25m band.
My go to radio today is the 5X3 for the 3 reasons above.
John
http://www.miklor.com/BT5X3
If we exclude 220 band support, would you choose the 5X3 or the Anytone NSTIG-8R? Looking at one of those two as my first handheld.
Thanks, and great site.
I really can’t recommend one over the other as the features are so varied.
I use my 5X3 more often because of the synchronized display.
Here’s a feature list of the NSTIG-8R.
I think you’ll find more support for the 5X3, only because of the popularity.
http://www.miklor.com/COM/Compare-AT-8R.php
I just got mine…. I did find out it will NOT display incoming DTMF tones as advertised…. or so far, I haven’t discovered it, even though the option is enabled. It easily programmed with Chirp. I use the USB chip as suggested as a cheap alternative by Miklor. The functions need described/documented for the Chirp settings. The stock 220 antenna isn’t bad;but I use my 2meter/220 antennas that I used on my other Baofengs.
John, to display the CTCSS tone being sent by a repeater, try the following.
– Radio must be in VFO mode, not MR (channel) mode.
– Enter frequency
– MENU 11 (CTCSS)
– MENU
– select 67.0 Hz
– Press SCAN
This will start the scanning process. I hope this assists.
Reference item (5.2) at http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/FAQ
Didn’t help… question was DTMF tones, NOT CTCSS 🙂 I have noticed, however, random digits going across my screen at times, like it is receiving some weird tones sent by ghosts.
Oops, misread your question above.
On a 5X3, turn menu 40 ON. (D-ANI)
The ANI code will display on the LCD.
You can test by sending a simplex signal to the 5X3 and very rapidly send a few random digits, like 444.
John
http://www.miklor.com/BT5X3/5X3-MenuDef.php
Yeah. Did that. Just tried again. It works; but you have to key fast. Plus, earlier I may have descended mine.
Have you noticed random numbers appear on yours when you have that function enabled? Doesn’t happen all the time.
You have to key them in quickly to test, as the actual ANI codes come through approx 5 chars per second.
I haven’t noticed any extra characters, but I don’t use ANI here, John, so menu 40 is turned OFF.
Forgot to follow up. Yes.. it needed a fast sequence to display them. Works fine. I really don’t need the function; but it does increase the cool factor. Thanks for the guidance.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/uv5x3/ My fairly new group. Also just put up a comparison video link comparing the 70 cm harmonics on 220. The 5X3 does well… the UV82X does horrible!