Understanding Baofeng UV-5R Settings
This guide provides a detailed overview of various configuration parameters for the Baofeng UV-5R radio, commonly managed using software like CHIRP. Each setting plays a crucial role in the radio's operation, from channel management to signal transmission and reception.
| Column | Values | Description/Comment | Requires |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loc | see comment | This cell contains a fixed value (0-127) in each row representing each of the UV-5R's 128 channels. | |
| Frequency | see comment | Used for setting the receive (RX) frequency (MHz). VHF: 136.000000 to 173.997500. UHF: 400.000000 to 511.997500. | |
| Name | see comment | Used for setting an optional alpha tag up to 7 characters. Alpha characters: ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ. Numeric digits: 0123456789. Special characters: ! @#$%^&*()+ - = []<>?,./ | |
| Tone Mode | Used for setting squelch using carrier squelch and/or CTCSS (aka PL) and/or DTS (aka DPL). | ||
| (none) | No tones or codes are transmitted or received (default). | ||
| Tone | The radio will use CTCSS for transmit. In this mode, the receiver is carrier squelch. | Tone | |
| TSQL | The radio will use CTCSS for transmit. In this mode, the receiver is CTCSS with the same value as the transmitter. | Tone = ToneSql | |
| DTCS | The radio will use DCS for transmit. In this mode, the receiver uses DCS with the same value as the transmitter. | DTCS Code | |
| Cross | The radio will use an asymmetric squelch configuration according to the value of 'Cross Mode'. | Cross Mode | |
| Tone | Sets the transmit CTCSS frequency. Only used when enabled by other options. | ||
| ToneSql | Sets the receive CTCSS frequency. Only used when enabled by other options. [UV-5R bug: frequencies 136.5 Hz and lower will not scan regardless of Skip setting]. | ||
| DTCS Code | Sets DCS code. Only used when enabled by other options. | ||
| DTCS Pol | Sets the DCS code polarity. Only used when enabled by other options. | DTCS Code | |
| NN | Transmit normal/Receive normal. | ||
| RN | Transmit reversed/Receive normal. | ||
| NR | Transmit normal/Receive reversed. | ||
| RR | Transmit reversed/Receive reversed. | ||
| Cross Mode | Used for setting squelch using carrier squelch and/or CTCSS (aka PL) and/or DTS (aka DPL). Only used when enabled by other options. | Tone Mode=Cross | |
| Tone->Tone | The radio will use CTCSS for transmit and a different CTCSS for receive. | Tone (TX) and ToneSql (RX) | |
| Tone->DTCS | The radio will use CTCSS for transmit and DCS for receive. | Tone (TX) and DTCS Code (RX) | |
| DTCS->Tone | The radio will use DCS for transmit and CTCSS for receive. | DTCS Code (TX) and ToneSql (RX) | |
| ->Tone | The radio will not transmit CTCSS or DCS but will enable CTCSS for receive. | ToneSql (RX) | |
| ->DTCS | The radio will not transmit CTCSS or DCS but will enable DCS for receive. | DTCS Code (RX) | |
| DTCS-> | The radio will use DCS for transmit. In this mode, the receiver is carrier squelch. | DTCS Code (TX) | |
| Duplex | Used for determining the transmit (TX) frequency. | ||
| (none) | Simplex. Sets the transmit frequency to the same value as the receive frequency (aka simplex). | Frequency | |
| - | Sets the transmit frequency lower than the receive frequency by the Offset amount (aka - duplex). | Frequency and Offset | |
| + | Sets the transmit frequency higher than the receive frequency by the Offset amount (aka + duplex +). | Frequency and Offset | |
| split | Sets the transmit frequency to the value in Offset (same value range as the receive frequency). | Frequency and Offset | |
| off | Receive only (transmit inhibited). | Duplex | |
| Offset | Used for setting the transmit frequency difference (offset) from the receive frequency. When Duplex is set to 'split', this value is the actual transmit frequency. | ||
| Mode | Sets the transmitter deviation and receiver IF bandwidth. | ||
| FM | 5KHz deviation (for Part 97 - Amateur Radio Service) [UV-5R menu 5 = WIDE]. | ||
| NFM | 2.5KHz deviation (for Part 90 - Private Land Mobile Radio Services) [UV-5R menu 5 = NARR]. | ||
| Power | Sets the transmit output power level. | ||
| High | 4 watts. | ||
| Low | 1 watt. | ||
| Skip | Sets the channel scan lockout. | ||
| S | Skip (lockout) channel in scanning mode. | Scan channel in scanning mode |
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Jim, KC9HI for creating this page.
73 John K3NXU
