DM-5R: BaoFeng’s Next Step

Back in 2014, two bloggers played an elaborate April Fool’s joke on the amateur radio community. With a lot of patience, a little bit of cruelty, and excellent execution, these two (along with whatever other collaborators) pulled off a prank elaborate enough to make their way into a radio database.
On April 1, 2014, this post appeared on hamgear.wordpress.com and grapevinehamradio.com, with the title “Baofeng DA-77: Dual-band DMR radio” accompanying a picture of a BaoFeng UV-82:

[Co-Conspirators] and I had some pre-production pictures of this radio for quite a while, but some preliminary specs are now public.
The good
The most interesting fact is that the Baofeng DA-77 is a dual-band radio, something which didn’t exist so far. The second most interesting fact is the expected price point: $129,00.
The bad
Things bothering me a bit: only 160 memory positions and a meager 50 zones. Enough for professional use, but compared to the Connect Systems CS-700 (250 zones of 16 channels each) it’s far from impressive.
The ugly
The shell is identical to that of the UV-82, something I don’t like either. I do understand the decision though; re-using existing shells is much more cost effective than designing a new one. Another advantage is that accessories such as batteries are interchangeable.
Specifications....
This post reached far enough to get the imaginary DA-77 featured on rigreference.com’s database, while earning attention from users on reddit’s r/amateurradio. The two revealed the joke for what it was on their blog a few days later.

The DA-77 might be a thing of the imagination, but Radioddity is proud to announce that BaoFeng has finally come out with a DMR model: the DM-5R.

Aptly named to pay homage to the ever-popular UV-5R, and featuring a similar body, the DM-5R is no joke. Radioddity is thankful to be able to bring you the first of a new era for BaoFeng Radios.

At a price point of under $70, the Dual Band Repeating DM-5R features crystal clear Tx and Rx, 5W of tested output as well as a 2000mAh battery. See complete functions at the product page HERE. 

BaoFeng’s goal for the release of their first digital two-way radio is to eliminate one of the largest barriers of entry into the digital zone: price. At a $70 price range, the digital world is open to all.

The BaoFeng DM-5R is a clearly transmitting, clearly receiving addition to the low-priced HT market. And featuring Dual Band Repeating with 5W of power and a 2000mAh battery, it’s no slouch!

If you’re looking for a reliable HT, the DM-5R compares highly to the UV-5R. If you’re looking for a cheap repeater, look no further! Whether you’re new to DMRs, or an established veteran, why not give the DM-5R a try?

Full specifications available at Radioddity.