Baofeng UV-5R Speaker Microphone Review

The Baofeng UV-5R is a great radio for the budget conscious - one ancillary worth considering is a speaker microphone, but what are the options?

Check out more amateur radio gear:
Ham radio HF gear Ham radio VHF / UHF gear Ham radio Morse keys & ancilliaries VHF / UHF ham radio antennas
Ham radio equipment reviews

Please note: ElectronicsNotes there are links to products in this review and ElectronicsNotes makes a small commission on any sales that are made from links on this article.

The Baofeng UV-5R might be considered the "people’s radio" because it's an affordable, rugged, and widely available and used entry point into amateur radio.

There are many ancillaries that can be bought for the UV-5R and one of these is a speaker microphone.

Having a speaker microphone can be very useful in a number of ways, as we will see from the text below. In fact I use one whenever I use my UV-5R

Baofeng UV-5R USB Dual Band Ham Amateur Radio Handheld

The BaoFeng-UV-5R is a compact, budget friendly portable transceiver offering a frequency range of 136-174 MHz and 400-520 MHz. Note additional taxes may be added in certain regions - check at the final checkout stage.

Buy Now

Speaker mic

There are many advantages to using a speaker microphone with a handie talkie. With previous HTs I've owned, I've used a speaker mic wherever possible.

With all HT's (Handie Talkies) the antenna is very close to one's eyes and brain when using the inbuilt microphone and speaker.

I confess that this is not to my liking and so I find that a speaker microphone works well for me.

Also holding a radio to your face while trying to hike, drive, or work is clumsy.

To overcome both of these issues and others, an external speaker microphone is a great answer.

There are several speaker microphones that can be used ranging from the very low end items to much higher performance units. To give an idea of what's available, I'll take a look at three options.

Speaker microphone connections

It is useful to understand the speaker mic interface. It uses two 'jack' style connectors. The UV-5R uses the Kenwood 2-pin standard (sometimes called the "K-type" connector).

Top Pin: 3.5mm (Speaker/Audio Out)
Bottom Pin: 2.5mm (Microphone/PTT In)
Spacing: 11mm center-to-center

While this standard is common, the UV-5R’s recessed socket can be picky. The socket is recessed to enable a splash-proof rubber cover to be placed over the sockets.

Beware when buying other generic speaker microphones because some have a thick plastic casing around the pins that prevents a "flush" fit. This can lead to a radio that stays stuck in transmit mode or audio that cuts out.

The Contenders: Three Tiers of Performance

The options can be split into three tiers that can be considered depending upon the price you want to pay, or indeed what may already be available.

Tier A: The Standard Baofeng Speaker Mic

Often bundled with the radio or sold for under $10, these are the most common accessories found in a ham’s "go-bag." They are also int he same price tier as the UV-5R itself

Pros:

Ultra-Lightweight: You’ll barely feel it on your shoulder.
Disposable: At this price, if it falls in a puddle or the cord frays, you simply buy another.
Tactile PTT: Surprisingly, even the cheapest models usually have a decent "click" to the Push-To-Talk button.

Cons:

Thin Audio: The internal speaker is tiny (often 36mm) and lacks baffling. It sounds "tinny" and can distort at high volumes.
Durability: The coil cord is prone to losing its "spring," and the plastic lapel clips are notoriously fragile.
Lack of Weatherproofing: These are rarely rated for rain; a single heavy downpour can short the PTT circuit.

Baofeng speaker mic

Baofeng Microphone Speaker, Water-proof Tactical Mic Headset K Port, Tactical Microphone, For Walkie Talkie 2 pins

Buy Now

Tier B: The "Pro-Sumer" Upgrades (BTECH & CommMountain)

Stepping up to the $20–$30 range (like the BTECH QHM22 Platinum or CommMountain Heavy Duty) significantly changes the experience.

Pros:

Audio Fidelity: These models use larger, higher-quality drivers. The audio is fuller, making it much easier to understand weak signals in noisy environments.
IP54 Rating: Most in this tier offer "rainproof" protection, featuring rubber gaskets and membrane-covered speakers.
3.5mm Audio Jack: A critical feature. This allows you to plug in a "listen-only" earpiece, routing audio to your ear for privacy while still using the shoulder mic to talk.

Cons:

Weight: They are notably heavier, which can cause them to sag on thin shirt collars.
Stiff Cables: The reinforced cables are durable but can be stiff in cold weather.

Tier C: The Kenwood "Real Deal" (SMC-34)

Since the UV-5R uses the Kenwood pinout, you can technically use a genuine Kenwood microphone.

Pros:

Superior Mic Element: The microphone gain and noise cancellation are world-class. Your voice will sound "broadcast quality" compared to the muffled stock mic.
Long-term Value: These are built to last a decade, not a season.

Cons: