Baofeng UV-5R Mini Bar Attachment

Submitted by shredjesse on Tue, 06/02/2026 - 14:30

So it's no secret, I love the Baofeng UV-5R Mini. If you click the link and read my review, you'll see why, but the short version is this radio is industry leading for it's compact capabilities. I found a particularly great place for the radio was in comms for race cars... which come to find out will work just about anywhere else with bars involved, such as a caged side by side!

Above you can see the UV-5R mini in a holster on the harness bar of our C5 Corvette track project, the Dead to Shred C5 Corvette. It simply bolts on and you can run any to helmet attchment considerations you wish to utilize from there!

Above is the design as rendered in OnShape. You can click the link, copy the design for yourself (personal use only) and adjust the roll bar diameter to work for your diameter of bar. Not able to design it yourself? Shoot me an email, I can print it for you and ship it for a reasonable fee, or you can pay me what equates to a soda at a restaraunt these days to adjust it and send you the adjusted M3F.

Now this setup does require a few simple parts and tools, so here's the list of what you'll need and why:

M6x1.0 Metric Thread Tap. You can buy just the tap, or you may already have it. However, if you don't have a tape and die set, I suggest you buy the full kit. The GMTools 40 piece kit should have most of what any enthusiast needs, but I'e never regretted having more options in my tape and die set so I suggest going big.
M6x1-24mm allen head bolts. The link I provided is $10 for a whole bunch of bolts, which is likely overkill. You can go to your local hardware store and just get exactly what you need for less... but maybe there isn't a store local to you or you'd rather have everything shipped directly to you. Just get these bolts!
3D Fuel PCTG Filament. There's a lot of diferent filaments you can print this with, but I highly recommend you utilize PCTG. It's easy to print, not as toxic as other options folk utilize, strong and UV Stable, and Made in America.
Digital Calipers. You need to measure the diameter of your bar and plug it into the OnShape design under the bar diameter variable. I linked to some cheap plastic ones and for small around the shop or office measuring tasks, they're fine. Metal is superior for durability and consistency, but you'll pay for it, so pick your poison on what you want to spend.
Shock Cord aka thing Bungee Cord. The link is to more cord than you'll ever need, but good luck finding it at a fabric store near you, if you can even find a fabric store anymore. You just need a length of this to attach the radio.

Radio Parts Needed to Connect to Helmet:

Baofeng UV-5R mini - $18 each, or buy a set for $35-40. I say get the set because you're going to want somebody on the other end of this radio. Whether it's radioing back to pits at an event or radioing to camp if you're out in your side by side, having radios really helps.
Baofeng To Car + Helmet Harness. Now this is the spendy part unfortunately... but this will give you all of the adapters for running NASCAR style connectors, which are a known industry standards. It also includes the push to talk button, which will let you use the radio without even having to take your hands off the steering wheel.
Nascar Compatible Helmet mic. This will work in loud environments, precisely what you likely want for a track car or a side by side.
Earphones. You're going to want some simple earphones to put in so you can hear what is going on with the radio. These are simple and also provide hearing protection so they are definitely worth it.