Baofeng Radio Programming Guide

Baofeng Transceiver Overview

A Baofeng Dual Band FM Transceiver, model BF-F9V2+, is shown. The front panel features a display screen, speaker grille, and a keypad. Labeled buttons include: VFO/MR, A/B, MENU, EXIT, 1 (STEP), 2 (TXP), 3 (SAVE), * (SCAN), 4 (VOX), 5 (WN), 6 (ABR), 0 (SQL), 7 (TDR), 8 (BEEP), 9 (TOT), and # (Lock).

The Baofeng BF-F8+ display shows signal strength indicators (bars), LDS, VOX, +/- (frequency offset), R (Receive), N (Noise), a lock icon (?), speaker icon, message icon, and battery indicator. Below these, it displays channel information: CT/DCS and 5T2T/DTMF. Two frequency lines are shown: '454.325' and '136.125', each with associated indicators like '75' and '88'.

The keypad layout includes: MENU, ⬆️, ⬇️, EXIT. The numeric keypad includes: 1 (STEP), 2 (TXP), 3 (SAVE), * (SCAN), 4 (VOX), 5 (WN), 6 (ABR), 0 (SQL), 7 (TDR), 8 (BEEP), 9 (TOT), and # (Lock).

How to Manually Program a Simplex Channel

1. Press VFO/MR to enter Frequency mode.
2. Press or EXIT/AB to choose the A Display (upper display). The upper display must be used to program channels. Programming data entered on the B Display (lower display) will not be saved. (Note: This may differ on some models).
3. Disable TDR (DualWatch, Dual Reception). Press MENU, then 7, then MENU, use ⬆️ or ⬇️ to turn TDR on or off, then press MENU and EXIT.
4. Delete any existing data on the channel you plan to program. Menu item 28 deletes all information in a memory channel. Skip this step when setting up a channel for the first time. For more details, visit: http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/UV5R-ProgHint.html. Press MENU, then 28, then MENU, type the channel number [XXX], then press MENU.
5. Enter the frequency. Use the keypad to enter the frequency [XXXXXX]. For CERT 4, type 154540.
6. Enter the Transmit CTCSS code. For CTCSS Transmit, press MENU, then 13, then MENU, and enter/choose code [XXXX]. (Note: CERT 4 has no Transmit CTCSS code). Press MENU and EXIT.
7. Turn frequency Offset Direction Off. This will cause the radio to ignore any residual Offset frequency. Press MENU, then 25, then MENU, and type [-0-]. Press MENU and EXIT.
8. Assign the frequency to a channel. Press MENU, then 27, then MENU, enter the channel number [XXX], then press MENU and EXIT.
9. Enter Channel mode. Press VFO/MR to enter Channel mode.

How to Manually Program a Duplex (Repeater) Channel

1. Press VFO/MR to enter Frequency mode.
2. Press A/B or EXIT/AB to choose the upper A Display or the lower B Display. It is highly advised to turn TDR off when manually programming.
3. Disable TDR – DualWatch, Dual Reception. Press MENU, then 7, then MENU, use ⬆️ or ⬇️ to turn on or off TDR, then press MENU and EXIT.
4. Highly recommended: Delete the channel to be added. Menu item 28 deletes all information in a memory channel. Skip this step when setting up the channel for the first time. Visit http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/UV5R-ProgHint.html. Press MENU, then 28, then MENU, enter the channel number [XXX], then press MENU.
5. Enter the repeater Output Frequency [XXXXXX]. For CERT R1, use 448925; for CERT R2, use 448.875; for CERT R3, use 447300.
6. Enter the repeater's CTCSS code. For CTCSS Transmit, press MENU, then 13, then MENU, and enter code [XXXX]. (Note: CERT R1 = 1000, CERT R2 = 1000, CERT R3 = 0770).
7. Enter the repeater's Offset Shift Direction. Press MENU, then 25, then MENU. Use the ⬆️ or ⬇️ keys to select the direction. For all CERT repeaters, the direction should be (-). Press MENU and EXIT.
8. Assign the frequency to a channel. Press MENU, then 27, then MENU, enter the channel number [XXX], then press MENU and EXIT.

Tips and Tricks

1. While in Channel Mode, go to the desired Channel and press the SCAN button to activate Reverse Mode. The Transmit frequency of a repeater pair will be displayed. Press the SCAN button again to exit Reverse Mode.
2. Holding the # button for 3 seconds will lock the Keypad. Holding it again for 3 seconds will unlock it. ?
3. The MENU button is used to enter menus and select options.
4. The EXIT button is used to exit menus and cancel menu options.
5. The ⬆️ and ⬇️ buttons are used to navigate through menu items, select channels, and step up or down in frequency.
6. Dual Watch Function: To enable the Dual Watch function:
   1. Press the MENU button to enter the menu.
   2. Enter 7 on the numeric keypad to get to Dual Watch.
   3. Press the MENU button to select.
   4. Use the ⬆️ and ⬇️ buttons to enable or disable Dual Watch mode.
   5. Press the MENU button to confirm.
   6. Press the EXIT button to exit the menu.
7. Whichever of the A or B channels becomes active first will be the default for transmission. This can be problematic if listening to a frequency that does not permit transmission. To assist with this, there is a menu option to enable locking the transmitter to either the A or B channel.

   Procedure: Locking the Dual Watch Transmit Channel

   1. Press the MENU button to enter the menu.
   2. Enter 3 4 on the numeric keypad to get to TDR-AB.
   3. Press the MENU button to select.
   4. Use the ⬆️ and ⬇️ buttons to select either A (upper) or B (lower) displays.
   5. Press the MENU button to confirm.
   6. Press the EXIT button to exit the menu.
8. Note: To momentarily override the lock without changing the menu option to OFF, press the A/B button an instant before pressing the PTT button.