Thread: BAOFENG UV-5R - Programming?

Well, I've taken advice from the forum and just taken delivery of one of these dual UHF/VHF handheld units to supplement my ICOM 41S plus fixed aerial connection/upgrade.
Only trouble is, I don't know what to do next to program the Baofeng. I thought there was a tutorial/thread, but can't for the life of me find it, although I did mistakenly download the one about upgrading the modulation on the Wouxun KG-UVD1.
Anyone have any useful info/tips for a trogdodyte?
Cheers Gavin

Hi Gavin,

The first obvious (and perhaps not so silly) question is did you get the programming cable for it?

If you have the programming cable then you need the programming software as well. This can be downloaded from here. I think the file is called UV-5R Setup Files.zip

Once you have unzipped and installed the program, you will need to configure the program to match the COM port that the cable is installed on. You may need to reassign this as some programs only go up to Com16 and Windoze goes all the way to COM255!

The programs looks like a spreadsheet and the field headings should be self explanatory. Receive Freq/Transmit Freq/Power/CTCSS/DCS and so on.

I think one of the stickies here lists all the 80 UHF CB channel frequencies. So, fill out the details and upload it to the radio. You may need to cycle the radio to make the new info take.

IMPORTANT POINT. ALWAYS download the current contents of the radio and save them before you change anything!!!

Now, if you don't have the programming cable you can still program the radio. It takes a LOT longer and you can't alpha tag the channels but it can be done.

If you need to program it manually there is also a PDF at the above Baofeng link that explains how to do that.

Hope that helps some.

Cheers,
Iain