The Baofeng K68 is one of a new group of radios that are all very similar looking with a large orange power knob on the top and all using the BC-K626 larger battery, There are some other differences and improvements in the group that we will take a look at as well. It is nice to see some new radios that are not just the same-ole same-ole, maybe a little bigger, maybe a larger battery, maybe just a different badge.
To start with, just about everything in these radios is a little bigger than a Baofeng UV-5R, except the width of the screen. This makes the Baofeng K68 fit larger hands a little better, but may not do as well for smaller ones. Even though it fits in my hand a little better in regard to size, I find my it feels awkward in my hand.
The Baofeng K68 is one of a new group of radios that are all very similar looking with a large orange power knob on the top and all using the BC-K626 larger battery, There are some other differences and improvements in the group that we will take a look at as well. It is nice to see some new radios that are not just the same-ole same-ole, maybe a little bigger, maybe a larger battery, maybe just a different badge.
To start with, just about everything in these radios is a little bigger than a Baofeng UV-5R, except the width of the screen. This makes the Baofeng K68 fit larger hands a little better, but may not do as well for smaller ones. Even though it fits in my hand a little better in regard to size, I find my it feels awkward in my hand.
It is something about how my hand wraps around, specifically my middle, index, and pinky. They seem to want to crawl up and well over the face. It isn’t bad, and does not stop me from using the radio, but it is curiously strange feeling. I have a feeling it has something to do with the way the battery is thicker and pushes the clip out further into my palm. Again, it is a little bothersome for my hands but it certainly doesn’t stop me from using the radio.
The buttons on the front are a little bigger, and not quite as “crisp” as the ones on the UV-5R. They are also a little closer together. I find the size increase offsets the smaller distance between them quite well. Even my big fingers find it easy to use them without issue. If I had to be super picky, I would ask for a tad more vertical space between them.
The V/M and A/B buttons are semi-recessed, leaving more than enough exposed to easily use them, but they are recessed enough to substantially help with accidental key pressed. I think that is a really nice touch and shows that someone was thinking about it rather than just making a new model for sale.
The PTT button on the other hand is a bit of a step backwards. It doesn’t feel bad, and works fine, but you really have to have your finger in the center of the button for it to work. On my UV-5R I can press the very top of the button, or the very bottom, and it always engages the switch. Not so here on the Baofeng K68, it is the center or nothing.
Looking at the very top deck, you see the large orange knob, which is probably the first thing most people notice about this radio. It looks like it would have a rubbery feel to the orange ring, but it does not. It is hard plastic with no give at all. This doesn’t matter really, it just was interesting, so I thought I would point it out. It spins fine, and I really like the shield on the side to keep you from accidentally turning the volume up/down getting in and out of the car or brusing up against pretty much anything.
When I first saw the ads for the radio and noticed the screen, I figured it was one of those new color screens they are putting in a lot of the new BF and UV radios today. Not so. It is monochrome but with some serious changes, starting with having more room to put more data on the screen at one time. They don’t use this that much right now, but possibly in the future it might come in useful.
I also like the new backlight, which is a light, pale blue. It is brighter than a UV-5R and I think it would give better contrast if they used a darker font on the main display, and a darker, thicker font in the menus. You can reverse the LCD with the LCD Reflex menu option, but I am not sure that really helps much.
Speaking of menus, the Baofeng K68 has the basic Baofeng style menu but uses the extra space pretty well with the menu item name at the top, and the current selection for that menu item at the bottom.
–Find out what battery fits the Baofeng K68 with our battery finder tool–
CHIRP works well with a standard Baofeng programming cable on the Baofeng K68 when I used the Boafeng K6 settings. Programming from the front panel is the typical experience with just about any Baofeng, no real surprises there.
Performance:
When I tested the antenna, I was a little shocked. This may be one of the worst performing antennas I have seen on 2m for an antenna that is supposed to transmit on that frequency. It isn’t bad at all on 70cm, but dang, I could make a coat hanger do better on 2m. If that wasn’t enough, I think it is actually worse on 1.25m.
Power output is not too bad, but not as good as a lot of the newer BF/UV radios competing with this Baofeng K68. Looking at the transmit signal, it also appears not too bad, although it could be a little more concentrated and a little less inconsistent. I am being a little picky here though, it really doesn’t look too bad.
Our Baofeng K68 gets the honor of being the first radio on BHR to be tested for spurious emissions, and can you image how much of a letdown that would be if there were none? Fortunately, it did not disappoint, there are plenty. Usually you want any harmonics to be -60 or lower, but here we have at least three on 2m and one (maybe two) on 70cm well above that mark. Sorry, but it fails the spurious emissions test, even though it is about average compared to other Baofengs.
Images:
Radio Specifics:
| Screen readability | Good | |
| In-hand feel | Odd – Good | |
| Included antenna | Poor | |
| Construction quality | Good | |
| Belt clip | Good | |
| Programmability | Very Good | |
| Transmit audio | CLICK TO LISTEN | |
| Frequency accuracy | 145.000 @ 145.000 | |
| Maximum power output 2m/70cm | 3.7 watts / 2.1 watts | |
| Actual weight | 315g | |
| Battery advertised mAh | 3000 mAh | |
| Battery tested mAh | 2060 mAh | |
| Receiver sensitivity 2m/70cm | 131.6 dBm / 118.5 dBm | |
| Screen brightness | 187.5 lux | |
| Max audio level | 88 dB | |
| Radio manual | CLICK TO DOWNLOAD | |
| Programming software | CLICK TO DOWNLOAD | |
| Performance score | C | |
| Value score | A | |
| Ergonomics score | B |
Test Images:
If you are interested, click here for an article on how I test radios.
FEATURES:
- Tri-Band TX/RX
- FM/Air RX
- High-capacity battery
- USB-C charging
- NOAA weather alerts
- Wireless frequency copy
- 1.77″ Large screen
- Drop-in charger included
| PROS: | CONS: |
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As you may have noted above, the Baofeng K68 comes with both USB-C charging (cable included) and a drop-in charger. This is a nice addition because I like to use a drop-in charger at home, and can use USB-C on the go. I think all radios should have this combination right in the box.
Conclusions
Would I recommend the Baofeng K68? Nope. Overall, it is not a bad radio for what it is, and at its price point. The problem I have is that there are radios like the Baofeng 5RM for the same or less money, that are better overall radios. Spend a little more, and you could go with one of my favorite beginner radios, the Tidradio TD-H8, or even the BF-F8HP Pro with GPS.
If you have one already, or you get one as a gift, nothing wrong with it.
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