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How to install the Baofeng USB programming cable and software

Baofeng UV-5R.jpgBaofeng handheld two way radios are well known among amateur radio operators everywhere. Models such as the UV-3R, UV-B6, BF-F9 and the legendary UV-5R are a common staple in the modern ham shack, and with good reason. These radios are compact, easy to use, versatile and, best of all, extremely inexpensive. They are some of the most affordable amateur radios on the market. These attributes have made Baofeng a household name in the ham community.

However, programming a Baofeng radio from a computer isn't all that intuitive and can become messy even for the most experienced ham who is not used to Chinese-made radios. The USB cable driver offered by Baofeng is buggy and the programming software made by the manufacturer is, for all intents and purposes, junk.

Fortunately, there are other options available, and once properly installed, they are actually quite good. You just need to know where to find these options and how to install them properly. Once that is accomplished, programming is usually a breeze.

To find and install the Baofeng USB Programming Cable driver and programming software correctly, follow the instructions below. NOTE: follow these instructions completely and in order. Failure to do so may only bring more frustration when things don't work.

1. To start, the computer should be on and the radio should be off.

2. Locate the correct USB programming driver for your operating system. You can download the Prolific driver for Windows, Mac and Linux at http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php. If you purchased the Baofeng UV Series USB Programming Cable from Buy Two Way Radios, the driver for Windows will be on the CD included with the cable in the USB Cable Driver folder. Insert the CD and go to USB Cable Driver > USB Cable Driver Prolific 3.2.0.0.exe. This is the correct driver.

3. Install the USB programming cable driver. Do NOT connect the USB cable at this time.

4. Locate the CHIRP Programming Software for your operating system. The latest stable build for Windows XP, 7, 8, MAC and Linux can be downloaded from http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download. It is also included on the Buy Two Way Radios CD in the CHIRP Programming Software folder. Choose the appropriate folder for your operating system. Install the program but do not run it yet.

5. Plug the USB programming cable into the USB port on your computer. Plug the other end of the cable into your radio and turn it on.

* Additional steps for Windows *
- There may or may not be a notification after connection. To verify the connection, check the Windows Device Manager. Access to the Device Manager will depend on your version of Windows. Once in Device Manager, click on Ports (COM and LPT). It should be listed as Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMX). X denotes the COM port number. Note the number and write it down if necessary, as you will need to know it when configuring the programming software.

- If there is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to the USB device, Windows did not install the driver correctly. To correct the issue, right-click on the device and choose Update Driver Software on the pop-up menu. Choose Browse My Computer to install the driver manually. Choose Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer. Choose Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port Version: 3.2.0.0 and click NEXT. The correct driver should install and the yellow notification should disappear from the Device Manager. Note the COM Port number.

6. Run the CHIRP Programming Software. Click Go to Radio on the menu bar and choose Download From Radio. Choose the COM Port number for the USB cable, the Vendor (Baofeng) and the model of the radio (such as UV-5R) from the drop down lists in the pop-up box. Your radio should be connected to the computer and CHIRP should now be able to communicate with it.

* Additional Instructions for Windows laptops *
On some laptops, the device manager may indicate the cable is installed correctly, but CHIRP may not detect the COM Port. This may occur if Windows Power Management is enabled on the device. To activate the cable, go to the Device Manager and right click on Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMX). X denotes the COM port number. Click Properties on the pop-up menu. Click the Power Management tab. Remove the check from the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and click Apply or Save.

To verify the connection, Run the CHIRP Programming Software. Click Go to Radio on the menu bar and choose Download From Radio. Choose the COM Port number for the USB cable, the Vendor (Baofeng) and the model of the radio (such as the UV-5R) from the drop down lists in the pop-up box. The program should download the frequencies from the radio. When it completes the data transfer, the frequency table will appear on the screen. The radio is now ready to program through your computer.

As an authorized Baofeng Dealer, we want installation to be as easy and painless as possible so you can enjoy your radios for many years to come. If these instructions are followed correctly, you should not have any difficulty connecting the Baofeng radio to your computer. After the initial setup, future connection to the computer should be a matter of simply plugging the USB programming cable into your radio and computer and running CHIRP.

RPC-K1-UF-1.jpgNote: If you followed the installation instructions and are still having trouble, there is now another solution available. The XLT Painless Programming Cable installs quickly and easily on computers with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Installation is automatic on many systems with little or no user interaction required. The XLT Painless Programming Cable works with Baofeng, Kenwood, Wouxun and other two way radios equipped with standard two pin Kenwood connectors.

Update: Hear our review of the Baofeng UV-5R Programming Cable in Episode #82 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast!

142 thoughts on “How to install the Baofeng USB programming cable and software”

  • sharon

    All I need is a 2-way radio set on one channel for my job in a production plant to communicate with fellow employees. Do I need to do all this programing?

    Reply
  • David Holmes

    Hi: I have got myself an uv-5r and I am trying to connect to the radio on a MAC. When I download from radio it ask me port I have tried /dev/cu.PL2303-0000201 and usb serial I have tired both ways and it comes up Cloning then it comes up An error has occurred, radio did not respond.
    Any ideas

    Reply
  • David B

    Found your forum while searching for programming updates for my Baofeng Radios. I've recently run into a similar issue with programming these units. I've tried the seating and cable cutting methods described, to no avail with some of the newer versions. The fix for me has been to use a 2.5 and a 3.5 extension cable to hook into the radio. My best guess is the 1 mm ish metal ring on the bottom of the programming cable is not allowing it to seat deeply enough into the new versions of the radio. It seems to work flawlessly now. Just wanted to post what worked for me.

    Reply
  • Danny

    I have the same issue.....0x0000. I have the 3.2 driver, and this is the second cable I ordered. Chirp loaded okay also.
    I can't find any reliable information on the 0x0000 error.
    Hoping someone else posts here

    Reply
  • Carl Manley

    Why does my Baofeng UV82 only scan from the last 3 digits of the 6 digit frequencies programmed on the radio? For example if I'm scanning 460.000 why is the scanning only starting from the 000 instead of the 460?

    Reply
  • Mark C

    I keep receiving error message for my UV-5R:
    Radio refused to send block 0x0000
    The radio flashes once, then sends the message...cable seated fine, double checked the driver version and install...whats next?
    Can anyone help with this question??

    Reply
  • Adriano Cunha

    intalei os drivers no windiiws 7 e funcionou perfeitamente , entree tanto instalei os drivers no meu ultrabook com windoows 8 e la nem a maquina reconhece os drivers e o soft de programação de canais fica com intermitencia piscando sem poder interagir com o mesmo , ai deposi de um minuto ele trava e sai .
    alguem me ajude.
    necessit otambem ajuda pra programar o gt-3 mark 2 por soft , necessito programar os canais do talk about , sera que não ha um arquivo ja q é so colocar e mandar para o radio com as tais codificaçoes dos canais :

    Reply
  • Bil Reedy

    I received my UV-5RA radio for Christmas. I also received the cable and disc. When I tried to install the disc, I received MANY bad files and UNWANTED downloads. I have tried MANY IF NOT ALL the suggested sites and downloads and I still cant get my radio to work. I NEED EXPERT HELP!!!!

    Reply
  • Rick

    Hi Taylor, most of the UV-5R series radios are about the same. A good rule of thumb is if it uses the same Kenwood connector as the UV-5R it should be compatible with the UV-5R programming cable.
    Of course, the programming software is another matter entirely. We carry the UV-5R but we do not have the UV-5RB, so we cannot guarantee the software we provide for the radios we sell will also work well for your particular model. According to CHIRP, the supported UV-5R variants include the UV-5RB, however, as we do not use or sell the B variant, we have not verified this ourselves.

    Reply
  • Taylor

    Will the USB Programming Cable for Baofeng UV-5R UV-3R+ Driver CD work with the UV-5RB??

    Reply
  • Larry Wehr

    I used chirp to set up the first radio and it went fine. When I went to start 2 new radios, (uv-5rv2+) when ever I plug in the programming cable the TX comes on and stays on,
    Did my cable just go to pieces or any other problems
    Tks

    Reply
  • Lawrence

    Boafang BF-F8HP is not on the chirp model drop down list for either the upload or download. I used the UV-5R to download but it would not upload ?//

    Reply
  • Eric

    I read somewhere durng my exploits into programing my Baofeng GT-3 radio that you will use the UV-5r programing as the GT-3 Mark II is an upgraded version of the UV-5 and after cloning the radio they lost sound in frequency mode and were only able to hear with a headset. well, I figured out the problem and wanted to share...
    in the column next to the frequency is "name" and after is "tone mode", tone mode must be (none) to work properly. after changing all the tone modes it worked as normal. to do so I had to delete the line and re enter it. good luck, hope this helps.

    Reply
  • Thanks for your easy to understand Infro, this sure help me connect my Uv5Ra to Talk to my computer.
    Thanks for your easy to understand Infro, this sure help me connect my Uv5Ra to Talk to my computer. October 19, 2014 at 4:19 pm

    Thanks for the Infro. I was now able to get my newest radio Uv5ra to connect. To my computer. Your easy to understand statement sure help me do just that. Question I now can see a list of Fq, and tone sq, Duplex and Offset Ect. What do I do from there, am kind of lost .. I have a few FQ, I would like to put in, how do I proceed getting this in.
    Call sign J73ge Handle .. Gerry

    Reply
  • JW

    This is truly a painless cable once I quit trying to make it difficult. I had read every article I could find about programming cables for the UV-5RA and tried to manually install this auto loading cable. I finally uninstalled my failed attempt through Windows Device Manager, restarted the computer and let the cable successfully install itself on my XP laptop and pc running Windows 7. Thanks for a great product.

    Reply
  • Rick

    Hi Josh, I'm not sure where you are comparing the cables. The Baofeng UV-5R Series USB Programming Cable referenced in the article states that it works with both the UV-5R and the UV-82 in the description on the product page. The XLT Painless Programming Cable mentioned at the end of the article also works with both radios, as well as other Baofeng models.

    Reply
  • Josh

    I was just wondering if anyone has used the UV5R programming cable with the UV82? Looking at them they look exactly the same to my eye but there is one marketed for the UV5R and BF-F8+ models and one market for the UV82 by itself. The 5R cable is about $6 while the UV82 one is $20. Is there a difference that requires the use of a special cable for the UV82 or will the UV5R cable work just as good?

    Reply
  • Jim

    Phil,
    Double check Device Manager to make sure that you have successfully downgraded to the v3.2.0.0 driver. You not only have to install it, you have to specifically select it instead of the v3.4 something driver that Windows 7 automatically installs.
    Along with the video posted here, you may also want to take a look at the instructions here: http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php
    If you have verified with Device Manager that the v3.2.0.0 is installed and selected, then the problem is likely the plug is not fully inserted into the radio's socket. Like getting a compatible driver installed, getting the plug fully seated in the radio is also a common problem. Look here for some suggestions: http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_ErrorMess.php#error1
    Jim KC9HI

    Reply
  • Phil

    I followed the instruction and installed the driver and Chirp. When cloning from the radio I still get the error "radio did not respond" Is there something else I need to do? I'm running win 7 on a Dell 64 bit laptop.
    Any help would be appreciated.

    Reply
  • Alan, I agree. Roger's problems are driver related. With Prolific chips on Windows, genuine or not, you might as well plan to downgrade the drivers. V2.0.2.1 for Windows XP and V3.2.0.0 for Windows Vista, 7 and 8. They are available from the miklor.com website. I have a mixture of cables with genuine and knock-off chips. I never have to worry about which driver is in stalled because the older drivers work with both.
    And yes, Prolific drivers for Mac OS X have the same issues with knock-off chips. The needed generic drivers are available from links on the CHIRP website wiki/documentation pages.
    The Linux open source drivers don't care which Prolific chip you have. CHIRP Live CD uses the Xubuntu linux OS. It boots from a CD or USB flash drive without messing with your regular OS. If you boot this CD and your programming cable works, but it doesn't work in Windows or Mac OS X, then you can be reasonably be sure that you have a driver problem.
    I've installed practically every Windows Prolific driver that I could get my hands on to figure out which one was the best to have installed. It really isn't that difficult to get the older compatible drivers installed. You just have to each and every step. But after doing that, and you still seem to be having problems, then get the XLT Painless programming cable. It uses the FTDI USB-to-serial chip and has compatible drivers for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and more.
    Jim KC9HI

    Reply

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