Baofeng UV-5XP Compliance Test

Compliance testing to ascertain if this radio meets ITU guidelines for spurious emissions.

Baofeng UV-5XP Grade: PASS

The Baofeng UV-5XP amateur radio sample we tested performed acceptably well across the 2m band.  It did exhibit two spurious emission exceeding the levels permitted by ITU guidelines by 35 and 4 microwatts respectively, which we consider acceptable.

Tests performed in Surrey, BC, Canada on September 14, 2024 by Reg Natarajan.
Discuss this radio on our forums. https://forums.advancedamateur.ca/t/baofeng-uv-5xp

Power Output Testing

Power output was measured using a Surecom SW-33 Plus into a dummy load. The radio was set to maximum power. The ITU guidelines for spurious emissions require measurements of "the power (W) supplied to the antenna transmission line".  That requirement makes this separate power measurement necessary, as it is incorrect to measure relative to the fundamental (f0).  All numbers have been rounded.

2M

146.520 Mhz

6.5 watts

Using the ITU formula of 43+10log(P) dB, spurious emissions for a signal of 6.5 watts must be at least 51.1 dB below the power supplied to the antenna transmission line.  6.5 watts is approximately 38.1 dBm, which means no spurious signal may exceed -13 dBm, or approximately 50 microwatts.

70cm

446.000 Mhz

6.5 watts

Using the ITU formula of 43+10log(P) dB, spurious emissions for a signal of 6.5 watts must be at least 51.1 dB below the power supplied to the antenna transmission line.  6.5 watts is approximately 38.1 dBm, which means no spurious signal may exceed -13 dBm, or approximately 50 microwatts.

Spurious Emissions Testing

Spurious emissions were measured using a Tiny SA Ultra.  The radio was set to maximum power and was connected to the TinySA through an attenuator. It is important to understand that the graphs below are using a decibel scale, not a linear scale.  If a spurious emission spike appears to be almost as tall as the fundamental, that does not mean it is emitting almost as much power.  Refer to the raw data shown. 

VHF 2m Band Test Results: PASS

Raw Data 2m

All numbers have been rounded

Power at Antenna: 38.1 dBm (6.5 watts)

Fundamental (f0): 37.6 dBm (5.8 watts)

2nd Harmonic (2f0): -10.7 dBm (85 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

3rd Harmonic (3f0): -12.7 dBm (54 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

4nd Harmonic (4f0): -21 dBm (8 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

The Baofeng UV-5XP sample that we tested displayed several minor harmonic emissions above the 2m band fundamental, two of which were out of compliance with ITU guidelines. The 2nd harmonic was out of compliance by 35 microwatts, and the 3rd harmonic was out of compliance by 4 microwatts.  We consider this acceptable enough to pass this radio.

UHF 70cm Band Test Results: PASS

Raw Data 70cm

All numbers have been rounded

Power at Antenna: 38.1 dBm (6.5 watts)

Fundamental (f0): 36.7 dBm (4.7 watts)

2nd Harmonic (2f0): -20 dBm (10 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

3rd Harmonic (3f0): -16 dBm (25 microwatts)

Should be less than -13 dBm (50 microwatts)

The Baofeng UV-5XP sample that we tested displayed two spurious emissions above the 70 cm band fundamental in our testing, both of which were compliant with ITU guidelines on spurious emissions.  

Comments

Another clean Baofeng.  Many thanks to Gord VA7GK for the use of his radio for testing. 

~Reg Natarajan VA7ZEB / HJ1ZEB, September 20, 2024


Discuss this radio on our forums.  https://forums.advancedamateur.ca/t/baofeng-uv-5xp