I’ve been a paragliding pilot for 15 years, always used Baofengs, because there is a chance you break it, loose it, etc. The thing is, after 2-3 years they always go bad. Sometimes after 1 year.
I bought so many Baofengs that I stopped counting. I loved the UV82 because of it’s dual PTT button, this was one feature I couldn’t find on almost anything else.
But I think I’ll just give up on dual PTT, I just want a simple, reliable radio.
What can you recommend?
I need UHF and VHF bands.
2 bands in watch mode (it’s ok to switch back and forth, like on the Baofengs)
a loud speaker, I tried a Wouxun UVD1P and it was too quiet while flying.
No - you are looking for a simple, reliable and CHEAP radio. I sold a model of cheap marine radio - they sold for £60, and were quite good. I had a guy want a replacement today - for one he bought in 2021 that now has a battery not holding it’s charge. The same type of radio now is about £100 - I offered him £10 off and he went mad. Baofengs at such crazily cheap prices are brilliant. Theyre absolute bargains. The cheapest real aviation radio is about £200 - a Yaesu, and it’s very basic.
I guess you could just buy a job lot of the cheap ones if you like them and just accept the short lifespan - or you buy a brand name at the other price point?