New Handy - Baofeng GT-3WP

I was browsing around eBay for another Chinese handheld to add to the collection and came across the Bafoeng GT-3WP. Why it has GT-3 in the title I don't know as it bears no resemblance to the GT-3 and the WP stands for waterproof. This intrigued me and after a few Google searches I found some waterproof demonstrations and was pleased to see that is is actually waterproof. Not shower proof like the other Baofeng models are advertised as, actually submersible.

Apparently this radio is IP67 rated. IP stands for 'Ingress Protection'. An IP number is used to specify the environmental protection of enclosures around electronic equipment. These ratings are determined by specific tests. The IP number is composed of two numbers, the first referring to the protection against solid objects and the second against liquids. The higher the number, the better the protection.

First Number

0	- No protection (Sometimes X)
1	- Protected against solid objects up to 50mm3
2	- Protected against solid objects up to 12mm3
3	- Protected against solid objects up to 2.5mm3
4	- Protected against solid objects up to 1mm3
5	- Protected against solid objects up to 1mm3
6	- Totally protected against dust

Second Number

Second Number
0	- No protection (Sometimes X)
1	- Protection against vertically falling drops of water (e.g. condensation)
2	- Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15 degrees from vertical
3	- Protection against direct sprays of water up to 60 degrees from vertical
4	- Protection against water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted
5	- Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions - limited ingress permitted
6	- Protected against low pressure jets of water, limited ingress permitted (e.g. ship deck)
7	- Protected against the effect of immersion between 15cm and 1m
8	- Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure

 
The second thing that attracted me to this radio is the Motorola style screw in mic port. This is used for speaker mics, ear pieces and programming cables. The device slots into a groove on the side of the radio and then screws into place creating a seal between it and the radio.

Of course the downside of that is that the mics and cables I use with my other Baofengs will not work with this radio although it comes with a programming cable so that shouldn't be an issue. I'll get a microphone further down the line as I'm not a fan of the supplied ear pieces.

The unit also slips into a beltclip allowing it to be removed from your belt easily and being able to swivel 360 degrees when in use. This is a first for Baofeing. The A-58 has the above features too.

There's not alot else to report on this radio until it comes. All other features are the same and operationally there should be no difference between this radio and it's cousins the GT-3, UV-5R and UV-82. Looking forward to testing it out though.

Thanks for reading!

73's, Lewis M3HHY.

Manchester, UK.