Baofeng UV-5R
The Love It Or Hate It HT In The Ham Radio World
By Stuart Naulty, DPM KN4RGB | September 5, 2023
Baofeng UV-5R History
Baofeng is associated with many names, including Po Fung and Fujian Nan'an Baofeng. American companies like Radioddity, BTech, Retevis, and TidRadio may contract Baofeng to manufacture radios to their specifications. Additionally, there are Chinese industries that produce the UV-5R under the Baofeng label but are not directly associated with Baofeng itself. The UV-5R was first released in 2012 and quickly gained recognition as a very low-cost, reliable dual-band radio. While exact production numbers are unavailable, it is estimated to be in the millions. The UV-5R and its variants are produced for a global market and are very popular worldwide.
Approximate Dimensions: Height: 260mm/10.2" (with antenna), 94mm/3.7" (without antenna); Width: 54mm/2.1"; Depth: 30mm/1.2".
The UV-5R Dual Band Handheld Radio Features
- Frequency Range: Tx 144-148 MHz, 420-450 MHz; Rx 136-174 MHz, 400-480 MHz; Rx Broadcast FM 65-108 MHz.
- Display: Dual Display, Dual-Standby.
- Output Power: 4/1 Watts.
- Memory Channels: 128 Memory Channels, supporting 50 CTCSS and 104 DCS tones.
- Additional Features: Flashlight, Roger beep, and Alarm.
UV-5R RX/TX Frequency Range
Transmit (Tx) Ranges:
- USA: 144-148 MHz, 420-450 MHz
- UV-5R: 136-174 MHz, 400-520 MHz
- Unlocked UV-5R: 128-176 MHz, 384-524 MHz
Specific Bands:
- FRS: 462-467 MHz
- MURS: 151-154 MHz
- GMRS: 462-467 MHz
Spurious Emissions
Harmonics can interfere with other frequency bands. The FCC requires at least a 40dB suppression of the fundamental frequency. Harmonics occur at intervals of the fundamental frequency (e.g., for 150 MHz: 300, 450, 600 MHz). The provided spectrum analyzer screenshots from a RIGOL device show frequency versus amplitude plots. The first plot, centered at 750.00000 MHz with a 1.5000 GHz span, displays multiple significant peaks, indicating the presence of harmonics. The second plot, also centered at 750.00000 MHz, shows a much cleaner spectrum with a dominant peak at the center frequency and a lower noise floor, suggesting a different measurement or filtered output.
Product Listing Example
A typical listing for the Baofeng UV-5R Two Way Radio Dual Band with an 1800mAh Li-ion Battery (Black) shows a rating of 4.5 stars from 7,547 ratings. Features often include a Keypad Lock, frequency range of VHF/UHF 144-148 MHz / 420-450 MHz, and a talking range of 5 kilometers.
Recommended Accessories for UV-5R
Programming Cables
- PL2303 chip cable ($5-10): Uses a Prolific chip, often counterfeit. Windows native drivers may not recognize it.
- CH340 chip cable ($7-10): Generally works well but requires a driver installation.
- FTDI chip cable ($18-22): Offers the fastest data transfer rate and is compatible with other radio brands. The driver is typically pre-installed in Windows.
Antennas
- Nagoya NA-771 (15.5 inches)
- Signal Stuff-Signal Stick (19.25 inches)
- Abree tactical folding antenna (28.5 inches)
Extended Battery
The Baofeng BL-5 3800mAh Extended Battery is available for UV-5R series radios, providing extended operational time. It is a Lithium Ion battery with a 7.4V rating.
Programming the Radio
Baofeng UV-5R Cheat Sheet
| Common | Menu # | Item | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Y | 0 | SQL | Squelch level: 0-9 |
| 1 | STEP | Frequency step: 0 2.5, 1 5, 2 6.25, 3 10, 4 12.5, 5 25 | |
| Y | 2 | TXP | Transmit power: 0 high, 1 low |
| 3 | SAVE | Battery save: 0 off, 1 1:1, 2 1:2, 3 1:3, 4 1:4 | |
| 4 | VOX | 0 off, 1-10 |
How to manually program a simplex channel
- Press VFO/MR and enter Frequency Mode.
- Press A/B and choose the A Side (upper display). The A side must be used to program channels into the radio. Programming data entered on the B Side (lower display) will not be saved.
- Press BAND for the frequency band. Toggle BAND to choose 136 MHz (VHF) or 470 MHz (UHF).
What can you do with a UV5R?
Listen to the International Space Station (ISS): The ISS orbits the Earth every 90 minutes. You can track its passes using an app like ISS Detector. The ISS is equipped with two cross-band repeaters. Hams on Earth can attempt to contact other hams using the American repeater, NA1SS, by tuning the radio to 145.800 MHz.
Make a Contact: For instructions on making your first contact with the ISS repeater, consult ARISS.org and YouTube. On occasion, an astronaut may respond to your call.
Download SSTV Pictures from the ISS
Russian Cosmonauts periodically sent photos to Earth via SSTV. Hams download these pictures during ISS passes. Achieving a perfect picture can be challenging due to sensitivity to interference. This can be done using a Signalink external sound card and MMSSTV software, or by using the Robot36 app on a smartphone with the UV5R. The images show examples of SSTV transmissions with text in English and Russian, including callsigns and expedition details.
Mobile Phone Programming
A Bluetooth adapter can be used to program the UV-5R from a smartphone. This method works with numerous Baofeng models and clones, allowing users to change settings and add channels. The Odmaster APP is available for both iOS and Android. The process typically involves installing the app, pairing the device, selecting the radio model, and then modifying parameters.
A TIDRADIO Ham Radio Wireless Programmer Adapter APP and PC Program offers mobile phone programming for the Baofeng UV-5R and other models, advertised as having no driver issues and being Plug and Play. It is listed with features like wireless connectivity.
Use APRS with the UV-5R
The UV-5R can be used for APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) to send your GPS position, send and receive messages, and get weather forecasts globally. This requires the UV-5R, a suitable cable (like the B-Tech APRS-K1 Audio Interface Cable), and a smartphone with APRSdroid installed. The B-Tech APRS-K1 cable supports APRSpro and APRSDroid and is compatible with various radio brands.
An example setup shows the Baofeng UV-5R connected via a B-Tech APRS-K1 cable to a smartphone running APRSdroid. The phone screen displays real-time APRS data logs, including callsigns (e.g., KN4RGB-7, W4WYD-13, WB8SKP-D), GPS coordinates, timestamps, and message content, as well as weather reports from automated stations.
A map visualization, accessible via www.aprs.fi, can show the real-time locations of APRS-equipped stations, including those associated with callsigns like KN4RGB-7, KO4TH-9, K4MSU-4, and WB8SKP.
Fox Hunt Transmitter
Simple Method: Connect the Baofeng UV-5R to an MP3 player using a BTech APRS cable. Record your message as an MP3 file and create a separate blank recording for dead time between messages. Compile these into a playlist and play it on a continuous loop. Ensure the UV-5R's VOX function is enabled, with sensitivity typically set between 2 and 5.
Advanced Method: A more complex setup involves using an Arduino Uno, a relay for Push-To-Talk (PTT), a 9-volt battery, and the UV-5R, all housed within an ammo can. The Arduino program converts user messages into Morse code for transmission.
The Next Baofeng UV-5R Models
Newer Baofeng models, such as the UV-17R, UV-18, UV-21, and Pro versions, offer several improvements:
- USA band plan locked.
- Reduced spurious emissions.
- Up to 999 channels with blocks (zones in DMR).
- USB-C charging.
- Improved screen and larger keypad.
- Some models include GPS functionality, while others are triband.
Conclusion
- The UV-5R is not necessarily for everyone, but it is a good starter radio for technicians on a budget or those unsure about their interest in ham radio.
- The scope of the Technician license extends beyond local contacts and nets.
- While Yaesu, Icom, and Kenwood radios are generally considered superior, the UV-5R is improving.
- The UV-5R's primary advantage lies in its extensive range of budget-friendly accessories, making it a compelling choice for first-time users and experienced experimenters when considering overall cost and accessory availability.
References
- Wikipedia: Baofeng UV-5R
- Baofeng Official Store
- YouTube: Baofeng UV-5R Review/Demo
- Miklor: UV5R Frequency Range Expansion
- w7apk.com Baofeng Resources
- ARISS: Contact the ISS
- ARISS SSTV Blog
- Instructables: APRS and the UV-5R
- YouTube: APRS Tutorial
- YouTube: Arduino Foxhunt Transmitter
- History
- Specs
- Dave Cassler Youtube #387
- Miklor frequency range tests
- Baofeng cheat sheet
- Contact ISS
- Download SSTV images
- APRS
- MP3 foxhunt transmitter
- Arduino foxhunt transmitter
