--By Herminio “Herm” Cardona, N1PWN

I first came across the BaoFeng DM-32UV when I won one in a blog writing contest for my tutorial on DMR using a home-brewed Pi-Star access point. The company asked me to review it after some time on the air. By then, I had already purchased both the DM-32UV and the UV-32 shortly after their release—so I’ve been able to live with them in real-world use, not just unbox them.

Background

I’m a BaoFeng collector, with UV-17, UV-18, UV-82, UV-25, AR-152, GM-15 Pro, GM-21, and UV-5RM units in my lineup. Before the DM-32/UV-32 came along, I considered the UV-25 and AR-152 to be BaoFeng’s strongest offerings because of their construction, audio quality, and true 10-watt output.

First Impressions

The UV-32 and DM-32UV are built on the same modern chassis—compact, solid in the hand, and a big step forward aesthetically. When I first saw the UV-32 with GPS, and the DM-32UV available in sharp black and green finishes, I knew BaoFeng was evolving beyond the familiar UV-5R heritage. Both radios feature improved audio quality, bright full-color displays, and a feature set that pushes BaoFeng into new territory.

Programming with the supplied BaoFeng software was straightforward. The CPS is intuitive and well-organized, though limited by its lack of import/export functions.

Day-to-Day Use

I originally bought the UV-32 and was so impressed that I picked up the DM-32UV immediately afterward. The UV-32 has become my general-purpose analog handheld with GPS capability, and the DM-32UV has now replaced my much more expensive BTECH DMR-6X2 Pro as my dedicated DMR rig. Codeplug creation is easier than expected, and the radio works seamlessly with both my Pi-Star access point and local repeaters, including APRS support.

Pros

- Look and feel: Modern, attractive, compact without being fragile.
- Performance: Excellent audio quality and clear full-color display.
- Power: Solid 10-watt high-power output.
- UV-32 GPS: A well-rounded general-purpose handheld, more attractive and compact than the UV-25 and AR-152.
- DM-32UV: Easy DMR codeplug configuration; works with hotspots and repeaters; APRS support adds real utility.

Cons

- Belt-clip adapter frame could be sturdier.
- CPS lacks import/export functions, making large channel management cumbersome.

Conclusion

The BaoFeng UV-32 and DM-32UV represent an evolutionary leap for BaoFeng. They’re not just “another UV-5R variant”—they combine design improvements, modern features, and strong performance in a package that competes with radios at twice the price. For operators who want affordable, attractive, and genuinely capable handhelds, these radios prove that BaoFeng is charting a promising future.

Thank you for reading!
73 and see you on the air!