BaoFeng radios have become practical choices for anyone who is looking for a full scope handheld ham radio but isn’t eager to shell out hundreds of dollars. Some users might be dipping their toes into ham radio and others could be looking for an affordable communications solution for a large family. The BaoFeng GT-3TP Mark III dual band radio has some clear design improvements over similar models while keeping prices under the $40 range.
We rely mostly on cell phones for communications nowadays, although coverage can be unreliable depending on the specific location. Unlike cellular phones, radios do not rely on third party infrastructure (cell towers) to work. Even though signal strength is still impacted by geography, unobstructed vs mountainous, radios are a more predictable and reliable means of communication in emergency situations.
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BaoFeng GT-3TP Range
One of the best improvements of the BaoFeng GT-3TP over its similarly priced predecessors is the INF-641 antenna manufactured by Sainsonic. Users of older BaoFeng models (UV-5R) had to replace the stock antenna with Nagoya. Surprisingly, the stock antenna by Sainsonic works just as well if not better than the Nagoya antenna.
The BaoFeng GT-3TP differs from the GT3 model in that it is a tri-powered radio. The max power level goes up to 8 watts rather than the 5 watts that GT3 Mark II outputs. The spec indicates 1/4/8 watts of power and when we measured the power level with a power meter, the outputs were around 2.6/5/6.8 watts. Customer reviews seem to indicate variance in output wattage based on production batch.
Aside from some firmware upgrades, the BaoFeng GT-3TP comes with an improved receiver and great transmitter. If you are using these units as walkie talkies in fairly flat terrain you can easily get a range of 7+ miles. The speaker is improved and provides very clear sound quality. I’m truly impressed by the range and clarity of this $40 model.
BaoFeng GT-3TP Usability
The BaoFeng GT-3TP is a dual band two-way radio. It supports the following frequency ranges: 65-108 MHz for receiving FM radio, VHF 136 – 174 MHz, UHF 400 -520. It supports up to 128 memory channels.
The GT-3TP is similar to the GT3 with its more ergonomic and sportier design. It’s a fairly light handheld radio weighing around 8 ounces. The ergonomic design makes it comfortable to hold and easy to grip. The weight and size is great for a bug out bag as more premium brands tend to be a bit heftier.
The top of the unit has the antenna, flashlight, and on/off volume knob. On the left side of the radio you have the call, push-to-talk, and monitor buttons. On the right hand side you have the speaker mic jack, which is the same input as the programming cable if you wanted to connected it to a computer.
The case of the GT3 models have easy grip rubber orange sides. The corners are rounded and the overall form factor feels very comfortable in the hand. The volume knob has a rubberized ring that makes it very easy to turn.
While the instruction manual isn’t great, it does provide enough information to get your radio set up and running with the basic functionalities. Be warned that anyone who is starting out with ham radios will face a steep learning curve.
In order to get the full benefit of a ham radio, you will have to be licensed through the FCC in order to transmit. In the event of a real emergency, you can technically transmit and call for help without a license. But most people need to practice ham radio operation and start by passing an exam and getting their assigned frequencies. Transmitting outside your allocated frequencies could result in heavy fines.
Overall, this radio isn’t difficult to use for experienced ham operators. The manual programming isn’t the most intuitive and some functions simply do not work as the instructions claim. This is all something that an experienced user who has dealt with CHIRP software can easily overcome.
If you are a novice and looking for an affordable handheld ham radio just beware of the programming issues you might face. BaoFeng radios were never known for their user-friendly and intuitive UI, but at a fraction of the cost of a Yaesu, it provides amazing value for the functionalities offered. If you aren’t in a rush to figure everything out all at once, you’ll save a ton of money by getting the Baofeng.
My advice to a novice is that if you aren’t completely committed to this hobby and prepared to put in extra patience to work out programming kinks, you will be saving quite a bit of money buying the BaoFeng GT-3TP.
As with most BaoFeng models, the best way to program the GT- 3TP is to hook it up to your computer with this cable and use the free CHIRP software to program your radio. When using CHIRP select BF-F8HP as the model as CHIRP interfaces with the GT-3TP the same way.
BaoFeng GT-3TP Battery – Backup, Capacity, and More!
The Baofeng GT-3TP comes with a 7.4 v, 1800 mAh, 13.3 Wh lithium ion battery. The battery can handle 7 to 9 hours of continued use and 20 or more hours of standby. It should be adequate for a one to two day hiking trip. Alternatively, you can also swap out the stock battery for the 3800 mAh add-on battery that will more than double the battery capacity. The downside is the additional size and weight you’ll need to lug around.
Waterproof
Even though GT-3TP comes with dust caps over port openings, the unit is not rated to be waterproof or water resistant. The caps are not rubberized even though they provide snug fits. The battery also lacks watertight rubberized protection.
I actually find the lack of water resistance to be a major flaw in most handheld ham radios. This rules out using them outdoors during rain and snow. The unit is probably not going to fail if you accidentally splashed it with some water but I wouldn’t consistently expose it to water. It also goes without saying that submerging it in water will probably break it.
Pros
- You get a lot of functionality for the money.
- Potential to be a powerful ham radio after programming with CHIRP
- Great transmission.
- Lightweight compared to other brands.
- Ergonomic design.
Cons
- Difficult user experience, especially for beginners.
- Not waterproof or water resistant.
- Not the most durable.
BaoFeng GT-3TP Accessories
The BaoFeng GT-3TP comes with a variety of accessories. Inside the box, you’ll find the Sainsonic antenna (70 cm and 2m), a charging adapter, charging cradle, 10 volt car port charger, 2-prong earpiece with mic. The 7.4 volt/1800 mAh battery is also included as well as the screw on belt clip and lanyard.
Some people don’t like the screw on belt clip but it’s actually convenient if you decide to swap out the battery pack. The belt clip is designed to work with any of the battery options.
The car charger is actually 10 volts rather than the typical 12 volts. The charging cradle of the GT-3TP is specifically designed to take a maximum of 10 volts. It’s actually a nice gesture on behalf of Baofeng to keep the parts consistent. The annoying bit is that you still need to connect the car charger to the charging cradle rather than directly into the radio for car charging.
You can also buy an extended battery pack for your BaoFeng GT-3TP such as the 7.4 volt 3800mAh / 28.12 Wh Li-ion battery pack.
Conclusion
Overall, this radio comes at a great value. It’s a fully featured ham radio that sells at a very affordable price. It’s perfect for throwing in each bug-out-bag for members of the family. Unlike a super premium brand, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars if you need to get a bunch of these radios. If you have older kids, they will probably enjoy learning the different features and you don’t have to stress over them being rough with these units.
Overall, the BaoFeng GT-3TP holds up BaoFeng’s status as a good-bang-for-your-buck radio. It’s even got improved features over the older BaoFeng models at about the same prices.
One of the biggest complaints of BaoFeng is the frustrating usability. Truth be told, ham radios take technical experience to master no matter what brand you use. If you are not in a terrible rush to get everything figured out all at once, and willing to have fun as you explore, this radio could be a great learning tool for your ham hobby.
