I am a huge Baofeng UV-5R handheld radio fan! I love the little radio. It is a dynamo! The radio is a great size, packed full of features, reliable, and more than anything else EXTREMELY affordable. You can read more about my review of the Baofeng UV-5R radio here < UV-5RA review >. This post is dedicated to the Tenq Vps-001 Vehicle Power Supply (VPS) designed specifically to work in a vehicle with the Baofeng UV-5A radio. It will work with any 12vDC power supply which I will get into as well.
So I am reviewing this great little option right after I reviewed the Baofeng UV-5RA: 3800mAh Lithium-Ion battery option < click here >. And it was during that review that I discovered the problem with the vehicle adapter cord that wasn’t stepping down the voltage and could burn out the charging cradle and possibly the radio. < click here to read more about that problem >So one of the first things I did was run this item out to the truck, plugged it in and tested the voltage with the ol’ multimeter. Everything was fine, it tested out right, within the 7.4 vDC range requirement of the radio.
The added bonus was the VPS fit absolutely perfectly with the radio. And why am I so surprised? It is the first aftermarket product that I tested that had anything to do with the battery that actually fit right out of the box.
So how does this piece of optional equipment help you? A number of ways, but first let me remind you of “Two is one, one is none, and three is a good start.” Remember that preparedness rule of mine? < Click to read more >
So let’s talk radio power supply:
- You have the original radio battery; a 7.4 vDC 1800mAh rechargeable battery.
- Then you have your spare battery –
- A 7.4 vDC 1800mAh rechargeable battery
- Or your 7.4 vDC 3800mAh Lithium-Ion battery < read more >
- Then you have your AA Hypario Battery Case.
So there are at least three options for powering your Baofeng UV-5R radio. And this is your fourth option…the Tenq Vps-001 Vehicle Power Supply.
How would you use it? You could always use it as designed, in your vehicle’s cigarette lighter socket. Or, you could use it in the cigarette lighter socket in your “Ham-In-The-Box” unit that you built based on the series of articles “Ham-In-The-Box” < click to read more >
So give yourself some options on power, be ready for whatever the “grid-down” throws at you. As for the Tenq Vps-001 Vehicle Power Supply…Buy it.
Solid “BUY recommendation!