BaoFeng BF-UV5R Programming Guide
Introduction
BaoFeng BF-UV5R is a dual-band (VHF, UHF) versatile amateur radio. It offers 128 channels, allowing users to add or remove channels from the scanning list and assign alphanumeric names via computer programming. This guide will help users quickly program the radio.
For assistance with the BF-UV5R radio or programming, contact support at walkietalkiesoftware.com. Visit the TIDRADIO Facebook pages for further help.
1. Preparation before Programming
1. Computer System Requirements
Manufacture Programming Software: Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.
CHIRP Programming Software: Windows 7/8/10, Windows 2000, Mac OS, Linux.
2. FTDI Programming Cable is Included
The included FTDI cable typically does not require a separate driver installation and can be plugged in for direct use.
If the driver is not automatically installed by your computer, update to the latest driver from: https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/
3. Software Download & Install
- Turn on your computer and verify it meets the software requirements.
- Download the manufacturer software from walkietalkiesoftware.com or the CHIRP software from https://chirp.danplanet.com/.
- Install the programming software.
4. Connect your Walkie Talkie with Computer
- Connect the USB programming cable to the computer.
- Connect the other end of the cable to your walkie talkie.
- Ensure the radio is turned on and has sufficient power during the programming procedure.
ERROR: Failed to Connect to the transceiver (Radio)
If connection fails, the cable may be working but not correctly installed into the radio. Items to check:
- Radio is turned on.
- The cable is FULLY inserted (listen for a click).
- Ensure firm contact; some radios may require pressure on the cable.
- A tip for ensuring contact: slightly dampen the cable pins before insertion.
5. How to choose your port?
- Navigate to "Window Setting" and search for "Device Manager".
- In "Device Manager", unfold "Port (COM & LPT)" to identify the existing port.
- The FTDI programming cable typically appears as "USB Serial Port (COMx)", where 'x' is the assigned COM port number.
2. Manufacture Software Programming Process
1. Download and open the manufacturer software. Navigate to "Setting(S) → Port". Confirm the selected port matches the one identified in Device Manager, then click "OK".
2. Click the "Read" button, then click "Start" to begin reading data from your radio. Ensure the radio is powered on.
Channel Information
The UV5R radio supports 128 channels. Users can edit channel numbers and associated information. The following table explains the parameters:
| Name | Meaning | Setting | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| RX Freq | Receiving frequency | VHF:136-174MHz UHF:400-520MHz |
Mutes the speaker of the transceiver in the absence of a specific low-level digital signal. If the station you are listening to does not transmit this specific signal, you will not hear anything. |
| TX Freq | Transmitting frequency | VHF:136-174MHz UHF:400-520MHz |
Transmits a specific low-level digital signal to unlock the squelch of a distant receiver (usually a repeater). |
| RX QT/DQT | Receiving CTCSS/DCS | Refer to the DCS table and CTCSS table in the manual. | Mutes the speaker of the transceiver in the absence of a specific low-level digital signal. If the station you are listening to does not transmit this specific signal, you will not hear anything. |
| TX QT/DQT | Transmitting CTCSS/DCS | Refer to the DCS table and CTCSS table in the manual. | Transmits a specific low-level digital signal to unlock the squelch of a distant receiver (usually a repeater). |
| POWER | Transmit power | HIGH/LOW | High power: 5W Low power: 1W |
| W/N | Channel bandwidth | WIDE/NARROW | Wideband (25kHz bandwidth), narrowband (12.5 kHz bandwidth). |
| PTT-ID | When to send the PTT-ID code | OFF: does not send code; BOT: press PTT button to send code; EOT: release PTT button to send code; BOTH: press and release PTT button to send code |
Codes are sent during either the beginning or end of a transmission. |
| Busy | Busy Channel Lockout | OFF/ON | ON: If the channel is occupied, pressing the [PTT] key on this channel will make a beep tone and prevent transmission. OFF: Transmission occurs regardless of channel occupancy when [PTT] is pressed. |
| Scan add | OFF/ON | In scan mode, determines if the channel is added to the scan list. ON: adds channel; OFF: channel cannot be scanned. | |
| Signal | Signal code | 1-15 | Selects 1 of 15 DTMF codes. DTMF codes are programmed with software and are up to 5 digits each. |
| Name | Customize channel name | Up to 10 digits. | Supports alphanumeric channel names. |
3. You will reach the parameter page to adjust settings like Channel, Band, RX Frequency, TX Frequency, CTCSS/DCS, Power, and Wide/Narrow, PTT-ID, etc.
4. Click "Optional Features" under "Edit" to access settings for VOX Function, Squelch, Backlit, DTMF, FM Radio, Voice Prompt, Scanning, VFO Mode, and more.
Basic Setting
| Name | Meaning | Settings | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| TOT (Time Out) | Transmission time-out timer | 15-600(s) | Limits transmission time to conserve battery and prevent interference from stuck PTT switches. |
| Squelch Level | 0-9 | Mutes the speaker in the absence of a strong signal. Higher levels require stronger signals to unmute. | |
| VOX | Voice operated TX | 0-10 | Enables transmission without pressing the [PTT] button. Adjust gain for smooth transmission. |
| Voice Annunciation | Display time | OFF\English\Chinese | Switches menu display and voice prompt language. |
| ABR | Work mode | OFF/0-5 (s) | Sets the LCD backlight timeout duration. |
| Work mode | Frequency Channel |
Indicates channel quantity. |
Channel Mode
Customize the display for Channel A/B:
- CH: Display Channel Number
- CH + Name: Display Channel Number and Channel Name (from the Name column in Channel Information).
- CH + Freq: Display Channel Number and Frequency.
C. DTMF
| Name | Setting | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DTMF ST (DTMF side tone of transmit code) | OFF ALL: No DTMF Side Tones are heard KB DTMF Side Tone: Side Tones are heard only from manually keyed DTMF codes Send ANI DTMF Side Tone: Side Tones are heard only from automatically keyed DTMF codes KB DTMFST+Send ANI DTMFST: All DTMF Side Tones are heard |
Determines when DTMF side tones can be heard from the transceiver speaker. |
| Save mode | OFF/1:1/1:2/1:3/1:4 | Selects the ratio of sleep cycles to awake cycles for battery conservation. Higher numbers mean longer battery life. |
| Scan mode | TO: Time Operation - scanning will resume after a fixed time has passed CO: Carrier Operation - Scanning Resume Method scanning will resume after the signal disappears SE: Search Operation scanning will not resume |
Scanning Resume Method |
| PTT-ID | OFF: No ID is sent BOT: The selected S-CODE is sent at the beginning EOT: The selected S-CODE is sent at the ending BOTH: The selected SCODE is sent at the beginning and ending |
When to Send PTT-ID; Codes are sent during either the beginning or end of a transmission. |
| PTT Delay | 0-30ms | Signal code sending delay. |
| KB_LOCK | If selected, the keyboard is locked. | |
| AutoLock (automatic keypad lock) | When ON, the keypad locks after 8 seconds of inactivity. Pressing [# 0] for 2 seconds unlocks it. | |
| BCL (busy channel Lock-out) | Check/Uncheck | Check: If the channel is occupied, pressing [PTT] results in a beep and no transmission. Uncheck: Transmission occurs regardless of channel occupancy. |
| Beep (keypad beep) | Allows audible confirmation of a key press. |
D. Frequency mode
STEP: Select the frequency change increment in VFO/Frequency mode.
SFT_D: Enable repeater access in VFO/Frequency Mode. Options: [OFF] (TX = RX, simplex), [+] (TX higher than RX), [-] (TX lower than RX).
Offset: Specifies the frequency difference between TX and RX. For explanations of TX Power, RX QT/DQT, TX QT/DQT, W/N, and Signal, refer to the introduction above.
E. FM Radio
FM Radio Enable: Activating FM Radio function.
Roger: Sends an end-of-transmission tone.
TX Under TDR Start: Transmit selection in Dual Watch mode. Priority returns to the selected display when the signal in the other display disappears.
TDR: Dual Watch mode, enabling monitoring of two channels simultaneously.
5. Save modifications by clicking the "Write" button, then clicking "Start" on the popup. Verify settings after rebooting the radio.
3. Chirp Software Programming Process
1. Open the latest version of CHIRP software. Click "Download From Radio" under the "Radio" menu.
2. Select the appropriate cable driver port and choose "UV-5R" under Vendor "Baofeng". Click "OK" to read the radio.
3. The "Memories" page allows adjustment of parameters like Channel, TX Frequency, RX Frequency, CTCSS/DCS, High/Low Power, and Wide/Narrow Band. Refer to the introduction for detailed explanations.
4. Navigate to the "Settings" page to adjust parameters such as VOX Function, Squelch, Backlit, DTMF, FM Radio, Voice Prompt, Scanning, and VFO Mode. Refer to the introduction for details.
5. Save changes by clicking "Upload To Radio" under the "Radio" menu. Check modified settings after rebooting the radio.
For any issues with the BaoFeng UV5R radio or programming, contact support at walkietalkiesoftware.com or visit the TIDRADIO Facebook pages for assistance.
