The Baofeng UV-5R is perhaps the most popular handheld two way radio in the modern world, especially among hams. It's compact, feature rich, versatile and, most notably, very inexpensive. Whether you are an old or new amateur radio operator, chances are you own a UV-5R or one of its many variants. Even if you don't have one, two, three or more of these economical little radios, you very likely know or at least have heard of Baofeng. It is one the most recognizable Chinese brands in the two way radio marketplace today, and its reach is global.
However, as popular as this brand is, there is one major disagreement surrounding the manufacturer that has long been a point of contention between the users of Baofeng radios. It's been the subject of discussions and debates in articles, newsgroups, forums, social media groups and other venues. The argument is so much an issue that it even became a serious topic in more than one episode of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast.
One would think that with such global brand recognition, it wouldn't be an issue at all. Yet it exists, and at the end of each day, untold numbers of Baofeng users are still left wondering and scratching their heads, pondering the one simple, yet confusing question about the brand:
How do you pronounce the name BAOFENG?
We wanted to answer this greatly mystifying, universal question and put the issue to rest once and for all. So, we went to IWCE in Las Vegas, met with Baofeng officials, and did what anyone else in our position would have done.
We asked.
To be absolutely sure there was no mistake, we recorded the official audible response directly from the Baofeng representatives themselves. Since the common mispronunciation and mangling of their beloved brand name was apparently even more frustrating to them than it was to the users of their products, they were ready and willing to comply - in unison.
To find out how to correctly pronounce the name Baofeng, click the player below.
Call it what you wiil, but you now have the official pronunciation of Baofeng. No matter how you say it, we still call Baofeng the manufacturer of a cool and very affordable little radio.