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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”

  • kenneth lynch
    kenneth lynch May 1, 2023 at 8:57 am

    thank you for the information it works.

    Reply
  • Bruce a Hevelone
    Bruce a Hevelone March 2, 2023 at 5:15 pm

    So i had the no port found issue to with a ch340 chip on my programmer usb dongle. I changed the properties to not enable the UART capabilities by unchecking the box at the top. I also made theM1 and typed "COM1" into the port name box. IT communicated dont know why but try it.
    Kind regards Bruce

    Reply
  • Justin Rohrer

    Super helpful. Just what I needed to set up my UV-5R.

    Reply
  • Charles S

    Could not have been easier. Programming was a snap. First time user.

    Reply
  • JH

    This post was SUPER helpful!!! Exactly what I needed to program my EV-5R.

    Many thanks!

    Reply
  • Nino Medina

    any software for bf-c50

    Reply
  • stuart price

    Hi I have Baofeng uv9r era & contacted the seller according to the seller they are 18w & I couldn't see this in the book so contacted the seller & he said its defo 18w but the real problem I'm having is with the programming cable purchassed on Ebay that's not connecting to Chirp & I've tried this on windows xp & on windows 10 on a different lap top but that does not have a CD port but downloaded the prolific drivers but still does not work. I have contacted the seller again of radio to ask if they sell the correct programming cable & have not had a reply. I now have one radio that's wiped of its memory from following the procedures on chirp & one that's still in the way it was delivered but unable to use these radio's as nether are on the correct frequency's for here in the UK. Any help or assistance would be much appreciated.
    Kind regard's .
    Stuart

    Reply
    • Rick

      If it was purchased on eBay there is no guarantee the cable even works, even if we knew the brand. The seller would be the only source of support in this scenario. Another option would be to purchase a cable with a genuine FTDI or Silicon Labs chip from a reputable seller who can back up and support the product.

      Reply
  • brian

    If you go to windows updates and select alternative updates. The update for the baofeng uv-5r will show and can be installed.

    Reply
  • Raymond J Marsh
    Raymond J Marsh March 23, 2021 at 7:06 pm

    The final solution...

    Reply
  • Carlo

    Thank you for your article. It helped me a lot to get CHIRP to read a Time-Pier TP-UV96 using the profile for a UV-5R.

    Reply
  • C-M

    Thank you for the article. I was able to perform the CHIRP install and operation with nothing more than common sense on my Windows 8.1 laptop, but when I tried it on my Windows 10 laptop (replacing the 8.1) the install worked perfect except CHIRP couldn't find the radio when I tried to "download from radio". Now, after telling the computer to allow the radio connection, I don't have any issues.


    Current CHIRP Projects:
    - (6x) Tenway UV-5R PRO
    - (1x) Duplicating the Tenway UV-5R PRO programming on a Baofeng BF-F8HP for a friend.

    Reply
  • Chris

    Will the XLT cable work for the UV9R Plus with a Windows 10 computer? Thanks

    Reply
    • Rick

      We do not carry the UV-9R Plus, so we have no information on it, however if it is an analog radio similar to the UV-5R and has a Kenwood (K1) style connector, technically the XLT Painless Programming Cable should work with it.

      Reply
  • CLIFF

    i have a Buofeng radio uv-5re can someone help with program and what is the difference .

    Reply
    • Rick

      The UV-5RE is essentially the same radio as the Baofeng UV-5R with minor variations, mostly cosmetic. It is programmed like the UV-5R, and if you use CHIRP to program it, you simply use the UV-5R setting.

      Reply
  • Jones

    The Baofeng programming cable is same as Kenwood. That is call type "K" in China where K is for Kenwood. Most problem is the USB driver! I use a Kenwood comport programming cable and a "ATEN UC-232A" USB to RS-232 converter. I only need to install the UC-232A driver. That is the build in driver for every version of Windows.

    Reply
  • Baoefeng Uv9r plus
    Baoefeng Uv9r plus June 17, 2020 at 8:07 am

    Hello, can you please advise me where I can download a program to my PC to program baoefeg uv9r plus. I also have a CD for it, but I can't find anything there regarding uv9r plus. Well thank you

    Reply
  • William Hardy
    William Hardy June 14, 2020 at 6:23 am

    I have a Baofeng UV9R Plus hand held and bought a FTDI cable extra and using chirp on internet downloaded and did all frequencies , then went to download radio to laptop and says error and no download.

    Reply
  • zoochy

    Struggled for a couple days too then... CLICK.

    Reply
  • Dindoo Nuffin

    This was the thing that got mine to work. TURN OFF THE WIFI BEFORE TRYING!

    Reply
  • william white

    radio goes into transmit when cord is plugged in (uv-5r) will not communicate with computer. using windows 10. device manager says all is well. tried to download programming software many times. each time says "file corrupted"

    Reply
  • erwin clinton kourik
    erwin clinton kourik July 19, 2019 at 9:32 am

    cd too small for my disk drive what do i do?

    Reply

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