RadioRanked verdict
Updated Oct 2026Baofeng BF-5RH PRO vs Yaesu FT-70DR
Our pick
Baofeng BF-5RH PRO$70.69
The BF-5RH PRO is the clear winner for most users.
The single most important differentiator is price and power. The BF-5RH PRO costs $72 with 10W TX power, while the FT-70DR costs $300 with 5W TX power. Both radios have the same IP54 weather rating. The BF-5RH PRO includes APRS and GPS; the FT-70DR offers C4FM and CHIRP support. For working simplex and local repeaters, the extra power and lower cost of the BF-5RH PRO make it the practical choice for most amateurs.
The BF-5RH PRO's owners report 4.5 out of 5 stars across 293 reviews, giving solid real-world feedback. The FT-70DR's 4.8 rating comes from only 6 reviews, too small a sample to compare owner satisfaction meaningfully.
The BF-5RH PRO suits budget-conscious operators and those wanting APRS capability on a tight budget. The FT-70DR appeals to C4FM users and those who specifically need CHIRP programming tools and can justify the cost premium.
Buy the BF-5RH PRO unless you need C4FM or already run a Yaesu ecosystem.
By use case
Which should you buy?
Budget-conscious buyer wanting maximum radio for the money
It costs far less and delivers 10W across VHF, UHF, and 1.25m with a much higher value rating.
Baofeng BF-5RH PROField operator needing wide band coverage and APRS
Its 1.25m band, GPS, and APRS support suit operators who need broader coverage in the field.
Baofeng BF-5RH PRONew Technician licensee wanting simple local repeater access
It has a higher beginner rating and a streamlined VHF/UHF setup suited to first-time repeater users.
FT-70DRLocal club member using Fusion C4FM repeaters
Its built-in C4FM mode lets it operate on Fusion repeaters that the Baofeng cannot access.
FT-70DRCasual portable listener needing a lighter radio
At 250g it is lighter than the Baofeng and suits casual monitoring away from home.
FT-70DREmergency group needing long-range deployment support
Its 10W output and wider band coverage better support ARES or RACES deployments needing reach.
Baofeng BF-5RH PRO
Reasons to choose Baofeng BF-5RH PRO
- 76% cheaper ($70.69 vs $299.98)
- 100% more TX power (10W vs 5W)
- 39% more battery (2500 mAh vs 1800 mAh)
- Has APRS support
- Has built-in GPS
- Has color TFT display
Reasons to choose Yaesu FT-70DR
- 73% more memory channels (1,108 vs 640)
- 40g lighter (250g vs 290g)
- Has C4FM/System Fusion
- Has CHIRP compatibility
Spec battle
Spec-by-spec breakdown
Made your choice?
Baofeng BF-5RH PROPICK
$70.69 on AmazonYaesu FT-70DR
$299.98 on AmazonKeep researching
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