This pack is 16 years old, I suspect it's mostly from age.
The Baofeng radios are solid performers, I've never had any issues with them other than they're not built anything like you'd find in a Yaesu or Icom unit, but then again they perform much better than a $25 radio should.
I have a number of UV5R units, I would suggest getting the programming cable if you want to use one. The programming by keypad is arcane, the program cable and CHIRP makes it much more pleasant and useful.
So any advice for a casual user? Im not a programmer. Which models?
Any of them are going to be a PITA to program without the programming cable. The UV5R is cheap, so if you don't like it or break it, you're not out much.
These links are not a suggested source of supply, just examples:
https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-UV-5R-136-174-400-480Mhz-1800mAh/dp/B074XPB313 https://www.amazon.com/Baofeng-Programming-Cable-BAOFENG-BF-888S/dp/B00CP0I474/
CHIRP is freeware.
https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home
I think it goes without saying these are license-required radios if you want to transmit.
I dont expect you to explain it here but I have no idea what to do with the cable.
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