Baofeng UV-5RH Pro GPS – 10W Long Range Ham Radio UK

The UV-5RH Pro GPS is legal to own and use for receiving in the UK without any licence. To transmit, you must hold a valid UK Amateur Radio Licence (Foundation, Intermediate, or Full) issued by Ofcom, or an Ofcom Business Radio Licence for commercial use. Transmitting without a licence is a criminal offence under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006. Air band transmission is strictly prohibited regardless of licence type. Read our UK Ham Radio Licence guide to get started.

The UV-5RH Pro GPS adds three key features over the standard UV-5RH: an integrated GPS module for real-time location tracking, APRS functionality for sharing your position with compatible radios and online trackers, and a fallback alarm for lone worker safety. The UV-5RH has more memory channels (999 vs 640) and may offer slightly better value if GPS is not required. Both share the same 10W power output, USB-C charging, 2500mAh battery, and CHIRP compatibility.

Yes. The UV-5RH Pro GPS receives air band frequencies between 108-136MHz in AM mode, allowing you to listen to ATC communications at UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester. This is a receive-only feature — transmitting on air band frequencies is strictly illegal in the UK under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 2006 and carries serious criminal penalties regardless of any licence held.

With its genuine 10W output, the UV-5RH Pro GPS achieves reliable communication over 3-8km in typical UK open conditions. In dense urban areas like central London, expect 1-3km. In open countryside across the Scottish Highlands or Yorkshire Dales, ranges of 5-8km are achievable. Using a high-gain antenna or accessing a local licensed repeater can significantly extend effective coverage.

Yes. The UV-5RH Pro GPS is fully compatible with CHIRP, the free open-source radio programming software used by UK amateur radio operators. A USB programming cable is required to connect the radio to your PC. CHIRP allows you to manage all 640 channels, CTCSS/DCS tones, power levels, and import or export frequency files.

To maximise range: set the radio to its highest power setting (10W), upgrade to a high-gain antenna designed for your operating frequencies, transmit from elevated ground with an unobstructed view, and use local licensed repeater systems if you are a licensed operator. Repeaters re-transmit signals from higher locations to dramatically extend effective coverage across UK terrain — particularly useful in hilly environments like the Welsh valleys or Scottish Highlands.