I have been looking at 2m/70 cm mobile radios on ebay. There seem to be quite a few Yaesu radios where the sellers are in Hong Kong. I am curious as to whether anyone in the forum has purchased radios from Hong Kong or other SE Asia dealers. I guess my question, because of the pricing, is whether the radios are genuine (just like the ones sold in the U.S.) or if they are knock offs.

Any information would be appreciated,

Im just waiting for an all band, all mode HF rig for under $300.00 to hit the street. :mrgreen:

Honestly, I have been seeing some good stuff in the handhelds from a couple of friends...Almost want to buy one ~just because~..

Currently, I have my eye on the VHF BlackBox Radio. looks like an Alinco Knockoff of my 220 rig.

I have purchased accessories (but NOT batteries) from Hong Kong. I will not buy radios from there.

Here is why:

Even IF the radio is authentic (not a counterfit) there are differences in radios manufactured for different countries / regions. I do know that Hong Kong sells actual counterfit products. ICOM V-8000 was copied about 5 years ago. They copied the radio, the box, the manual, eerything. They copied a prototype model, however, so there were a couple physical differences that could be used to identify.

Batteries are far worse. BP-210 handheld battery was copied, and a commercial radio shop had a fire associated with charging the counterfit battery in a factory charger. The temp sensing circuit used to control charge failed, and their shop burned as a result. Again, the copy was near perfect, but one tell-tale sign on the label helps to identify the copy, and if you crack the case open the cells are completely different.


Because of these reasons I figure accessories are relatively safe. Everything else I try to be pretty careful.

Good luck!

This is off topic of the original post;
Why I don't modify ham radios:
Thieves.
If my radio gets stolen, I don't want them/he/she causing interference on a public safety/first responder commo system.