Well, that's disappointing. That was my first reaction after spending some time with the Baofeng SW-9 from Radioddity, and it's not what I expected going in. On paper this is a really interesting handheld: a tri-band radio covering 2 meters, 220 MHz, and 70cm, selectable 10, 5, or 2 watts of output, FM and AM, and receive on long wave, medium wave, and shortwave.
This is a radio I really wanted to like. Tri-band HTs that include 1.25 meters aren't common, and 220 is a band a lot of us would use more if the gear were easier to come by. Add Bluetooth, USB-C, and a shortwave receiver, and it checks a lot of boxes for me.
In this review I go through the hardware and controls, the Bluetooth and memory layout, programming a channel, the fall-down alarm, the AM and shortwave receiver, a VNA check of the included 220 antenna, and how it actually did on the air.
Build Quality and Hardware
First impressions are good. The plastic feels a step up from some of the other Baofeng handhelds I've used, and the radio feels sturdier in the hand. I like the form factor. It's not trying to be tiny, and it doesn't feel hollow.
- Battery and charging. A 2500mAh battery, so battery life should be good. It charges over USB-C, or you can use a charging dock, but the dock isn't included and has to be bought separately. Baofeng specifies a standard 5V/2A USB-C source, and notes that higher-power PD fast chargers may not start charging.
- Jacks and buttons. A standard speaker/mic and headset jack, the usual PTT, and two side keys. Volume knob on top.
- Status LED. A small LED that glows green on receive and red on transmit.
- Belt clip and strap. Belt clip on the back and an attachment point for a wrist strap.
Two Antenna Ports
The more unusual hardware feature is the dual antenna setup. The SW-9 has two SMA ports: one for the VHF/UHF/1.25 meter transmit antenna and a second for receive on shortwave and the broadcast bands. The second port is covered with a rubber plug rather than a proper cap like I've seen on some other radios. That feels like a rushed decision or an attempt to save a few cents.
The US kit also includes a separate antenna for 220 MHz, so you end up with two transmit antennas for one radio, which is a little strange compared to the usual single dual-band whip. What's not in the box is any kind of loop or donut antenna for AM and shortwave. If you want to listen to those bands, you'll need to buy one separately.
Bluetooth and Memory Channels
The SW-9 has dual Bluetooth, which means it can connect to the app and to an audio device, like a wireless PTT or earpiece. Baofeng lists the app as Ola Radio for iOS and Android, so you can program channels from your phone in the field.
Memory is generous: 1,000 channels split into 10 zones. That's a nice way to organize things. You can set up a separate zone for each place you travel to and keep your home repeaters out of the way.
Programming From the Keypad
Programming a channel from the keypad is the usual routine: set the receive and transmit frequency, check the power (it defaults to 10 watts, which is where most people will leave it), check the bandwidth, then set the tones for the repeater you're working.
I did run into one annoyance. When I gave a channel a name and pressed OK, the name didn't stick. I had to do it a second time before it saved. Every time, the name was lost on the first attempt. Not a dealbreaker, but it's the kind of thing that makes field programming more tedious than it needs to be.
If you'd rather use a computer, the manufacturer says the SW-9 works with its CPS software, and with CHIRP by selecting the UV-17PRO GPS model. I didn't test either in the video.
Testing the Fall-Down Alarm
The SW-9 has a fall detection feature, sometimes called man-down. The idea is that if the radio tips over or stops moving for a set time, it sends out an alarm. That's useful for solo hikers or anyone working alone.
The Settings
There are three modes: Off, Tilt, and Still. I picked Tilt as the trigger, set the tilt angle to 75, and set the delay time to 10.
Does It Work?
At first, nothing happened. I tilted it, waited, and still nothing, and I honestly wasn't sure I had it set up right. Then it went off. So it does work, but it took a bit of patience to see it trigger.
The Catch
The SOS alarm volume follows the radio's volume setting. If you've turned the radio down, the alarm will be quiet too, and nobody nearby is going to hear it. For a safety feature, that's a real limitation. If you plan to rely on it, keep the volume up. Pressing the back button exits the alarm.
Medium Wave and Shortwave Receive
AM and shortwave are features I always look for on these radios. I've said it before: I'm a shortwave enthusiast. The SW-9 also has an FM broadcast receiver, and that one is easy. Just press the side key.
Getting into AM mode took me much longer to figure out. Here's the path:
- Open the menu, which takes you into a second menu.
- Select the FM band. It doesn't make much sense, but that's where it lives.
- Change the modulation to AM and wait for it to initialize.
- Go to the LNA setting and set it to AGC.
- Go to the band range setting and pick long wave, medium wave, or shortwave. I chose medium wave.
- Back out, and the radio switches over to AM.
As I mentioned, you can't use the stock antenna for this. You need a separately sold loop antenna or some other antenna made for these bands on the second port. With the antenna I screwed in, reception wasn't very good. I tried four local stations and only managed to pull in one of them. Two that are local to me I couldn't catch at all.
Between the reception and having to dig through menus every time you want to switch to AM or shortwave, I didn't enjoy this part of the radio. For a feature that's a big part of the SW-9's pitch, it's very inconvenient.
The 220 MHz Antenna on the VNA
This was the most disappointing part of the review. The SW-9 is sold as a tri-band radio, and the US version includes a dedicated antenna for 220 MHz. But going by its rating, that antenna is meant for roughly 245 to 246 MHz, well above the 1.25 meter amateur band. That made me suspicious, so I put it on my vector network analyzer.
The scan confirmed it. At 220 MHz the SWR was above 2.4:1. That antenna is definitely not tuned for 220.
If you're going to advertise a tri-band radio and put a 220 antenna in the box, the antenna should actually be tuned for 220.
I don't understand why they'd include a separate antenna for the band and market the radio as tri-band if that antenna clearly isn't meant for it. If you buy the SW-9 for 1.25 meters, plan on getting a better antenna for that band.
On-Air Performance
On 2 meters, the SW-9 works well. I could reach my local repeaters with no problems.
On 220 it was a different story. I couldn't reach my local 220 repeater, even though it isn't far away. It may be the antenna, and given the VNA results that's my best guess, but I'm not certain. Either way, as a tri-band radio out of the box, it didn't work for me.
What I Liked and What I Didn't
Liked
- Sturdier build and nicer-feeling plastic than a lot of Baofengs
- 2500mAh battery and USB-C charging
- Dual Bluetooth for the app and a wireless PTT or audio device
- 1,000 channels in 10 zones
- Solid performance on 2 meters
Didn't Like
- The included 220 antenna measured above 2.4:1 at 220 MHz, and I couldn't reach a nearby 220 repeater
- AM and shortwave are buried in menus, need an extra antenna, and reception was weak in my test
- Channel names didn't save on the first try
- The fall alarm is only as loud as the volume knob
- A rubber plug instead of a proper cap on the second antenna port, and no charging dock in the box
Baofeng SW-9 Key Specs
Transmit Bands
VHF 136 to 174 MHz, 220 to 260 MHz, and UHF 400 to 470 MHz per Baofeng's spec sheet. Only transmit inside the amateur bands you're licensed for.
Receive Coverage
LW 153 to 279 kHz, MW 520 to 1710 kHz, shortwave up to 29.999 MHz, FM broadcast 64 to 108 MHz, AM airband 108 to 137 MHz, VHF, 220 to 260 MHz, 350 to 390 MHz, 400 to 600 MHz, and NOAA weather. Modes are FM, AM, and USB/LSB (SSB on HF only).
Power and Battery
Selectable 10, 5, or 2 watts. 2500mAh 7.4V Li-ion battery, charged via USB-C at 5V/2A max. Charging dock sold separately.
Memory and Programming
1,000 channels in 10 zones. Bluetooth data for programming with the Ola Radio app (iOS and Android), Bluetooth audio for wireless accessories, and CHIRP support using the UV-17PRO GPS model per the manufacturer.
Display and Antennas
2.0 inch color TFT display. Dual SMA ports (one SMA-M, one SMA-F). The US version ships with a standard antenna and a 220 MHz antenna.
Size and Extras
About 67 x 41 x 165 mm (2.6 x 1.6 x 6.5 in). Fall detection alarm, one-key frequency copy, belt clip, headset, and wrist strap included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Baofeng SW-9?
It's a handheld that transmits on 2 meters, 1.25 meters (220 MHz), and 70cm at 10, 5, or 2 watts, and receives LW, MW, shortwave with SSB, FM broadcast, AM airband, and NOAA weather. It has a 2.0 inch color display, a 2500mAh battery, USB-C charging, dual Bluetooth, dual SMA ports, and 1,000 channels in 10 zones. It's available from Radioddity.
Does the SW-9 work on 220 MHz?
The radio is specified to transmit on 220 to 260 MHz, and the US version includes a 220 antenna. In my testing, that antenna was above 2.4:1 SWR at 220 MHz on the VNA, and I couldn't reach a nearby 220 repeater with it. Plan on a better antenna if 1.25 meters is why you're buying it.
Can it receive AM broadcast and shortwave?
Yes, with LW, MW, and shortwave coverage, plus USB and LSB on HF. But switching to AM takes several menu steps, and you need a separate MW/SW antenna since the stock antenna won't do the job and none is included. With the antenna I used, I only heard one of four local AM stations.
How does the fall alarm work?
It has Off, Tilt, and Still modes with an adjustable tilt angle and delay. I tested Tilt at 75 degrees and it did trigger the SOS alarm after a little fiddling. The alarm volume follows the radio's volume knob, so a turned-down radio means a quiet alarm.
How do you charge and program it?
It charges over USB-C from a standard 5V/2A source, with a charging dock sold separately. You can program it from the keypad, from Baofeng's CPS, from CHIRP using the UV-17PRO GPS model per the manufacturer, or over Bluetooth with the Ola Radio app.
Is the Baofeng SW-9 worth it?
It's got a better feel than many Baofengs, good 2 meter performance, and a big feature list. But between the mistuned 220 antenna, the menu-heavy AM and shortwave receiver, and the programming quirk, it had too many flaws for me to use it every day.
Conclusion: Good Bones, Too Many Flaws
I really wanted to love this radio. The SW-9 feels better built than a lot of what Baofeng puts out, it works well on 2 meters, and the feature list (Bluetooth, USB-C, 1,000 channels, a shortwave receiver, and a third band) is exactly what I'd ask for. But the details let it down. The 220 antenna in the box isn't tuned for 220, the AM and shortwave receiver is a chore to get to and needs an antenna you have to buy separately, and small things like the channel naming bug add up.
If you already have a good 220 antenna and a loop for AM, some of that goes away. As it ships, though, it has too many flaws for me to carry it every day.
And a bigger question: are we getting too many walkie-talkies? What would you like to see from Baofeng instead of just another handheld? Let me know in the comments on the video.