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How to manually program the Baofeng UV-5R from the keypad

Baofeng UV-5R-2.jpgThe Baofeng UV-5R is one of the most popular dual band handheld two way radios on the market worldwide. It's compact, feature packed, and very inexpensive. For many users who are new to programming portables, it is also one of the most challenging to program, primarily due to a poorly written user manual and an all but complete lack of support from its manufacturer, Baofeng.

Fortunately, there are some helpful resources available from a global community of UV-5R enthusiasts, including an easier to read and understand owner's manual and an excellent software application designed to program the UV-5R from a computer. The programming software is called CHIRP, and it is freely available online.

Of course, CHIRP is a great solution, provided you have a computer, an easy to install programming cable and the time to input all the data for 128 channels. But, what if you are on the road or out in the field and don't have a computer handy? What if you need to add in a frequency or program a channel on the fly?

We often receive calls from customers who just purchased their first Baofeng UV-5R from Buy Two Way Radios and want to know how to to operate it. More specifically, they want to know how to program their radio manually, directly from the radio itself.

So, here's how to do it. Follow the instructions below to manually program your Baofeng UV-5R direct from the keypad of the radio.

How to manually program a simplex channel

  • Step 1. Press [VFO/MR] and enter Frequency Mode.
  • Step 2. Press [A/B] and choose the A Side (upper display).
    The A side must be used to program channels into the radio. Programming data entered on the B Side (lower display) will not be saved.
  • Step 3. Press [BAND] for the frequency band.
    Toggle [BAND] to choose 136 MHz (VHF) or 470 MHz (UHF).
    If the incorrect band is chosen for the frequency entered in Step 5, the radio will cancel the operation.
  • Step 4. Disable TDR (Dual Watch/Dual Standby).
    Press [MENU] 7 [MENU] [press up/down arrow keys] OFF [MENU] [EXIT]
    It is highly advised to turn TDR off when programming directly from the radio.
  • Step 5. Enter the frequency.
    Use the keypad to enter the frequency into the radio.
  • Step 6. optional - Enter the transmit CTCSS/DCS code.
    • CTCSS - [MENU] 13 [MENU] [enter/choose code XXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
    • DCS - [MENU] 12 [MENU] [choose code XXXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
  • Step 7. Assign the frequency to a channel.
    [MENU] 27 [MENU] [enter channel number XXX] [MENU] [EXIT]

How to manually program a repeater channel

  • Step 1. Press [VFO/MR] and enter Frequency Mode.
  • Step 2. Press [A/B] and choose the A Side (upper display).
    Like the simplex channels, the A side must be used to program the repeater channels into the radio. Programming data entered on the B Side (lower display) will not be saved.
  • Step 3. Press [BAND] for the frequency band
    Toggle [BAND] to choose 136 MHz (VHF) or 470 MHz (UHF).
    If the incorrect band is chosen for the frequency entered in Step 6, the radio will cancel the operation.
  • Step 4. optional - Clear any CTCSS/DCS codes previously assigned to the channel.
    If no previous codes exist or when setting up the channel for the first time and no codes are needed, set the menu items listed below to OFF.

    • RX DCS - [MENU] 10 [MENU] [enter 0 (OFF)] [MENU] [EXIT]
    • RX CTCSS - [MENU] 11 [MENU] [enter 0 (OFF)] [MENU] [EXIT]
    • TX DCS - [MENU] 12 [MENU] [enter 0 (OFF)] [MENU] [EXIT]
    • TX CTCSS - [MENU] 13 [MENU] [enter 0 (OFF)] [MENU] [EXIT]
  • Step 5. Disable TDR (DualWatch/Dual Standby).
    Press [MENU] 7 [MENU] [press up/down arrow keys] OFF [MENU] [EXIT]
    It is highly advised to turn TDR off when programming directly from the radio.
  • Step 6. optional - Delete any existing data on the channel to program.
    Skip this step when setting up the channel for the first time.
    Press [MENU] 28 [press up/down arrow keys to choose channel number] [MENU] [EXIT]
    It is highly advised to turn TDR off when programming directly from the radio.
  • Step 7. Enter the repeater output (your receiving) frequency.
    Use the keypad to enter the frequency into the radio.
  • Step 8. Input the repeater frequency offset.
    Press [MENU] 26 [MENU] [enter the offset for 2 meter or 70 cm repeater] [MENU] [EXIT]
  • Step 9. Enter the Transmit Frequency Shift.
    Press [MENU] 25 [MENU] [enter 1 for positive shift or 2 for negative shift] [MENU][EXIT]
  • Step 10. optional - Enter the transmit CTCSS/DCS code.
    • CTCSS - [MENU] 13 [MENU] [enter/choose code XXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
    • DCS - [MENU] 12 [MENU] [choose code XXXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
  • Step 11. Assign the receive frequency entered in Step 7 to the channel.
    [MENU] 27 [MENU] [enter channel number XXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
  • Step 12. Press the [*Scan] button to activate Reverse Mode and display the transmit frequency.
  • Step 13. Assign the transmit frequency to the channel.
    Press [MENU] 27 [MENU] [enter the same memory channel entered in step 12] [MENU] [EXIT]
  • Step 14. Press the [*Scan] button to exit Reverse Mode.

To add more channels, simply repeat the steps above. If these step-by-step instructions are followed correctly, you should be able to program all 128 channels (000-127) in your Baofeng UV-5R as you need.

213 thoughts on “How to manually program the Baofeng UV-5R from the keypad”

  • Rekomendasi Produk
    Rekomendasi Produk January 3, 2024 at 7:53 am

    Wow !!!

    Reply
  • Thelonious S Perkins
    Thelonious S Perkins June 10, 2023 at 10:37 pm

    When I bought this UV-5R radio I did not know it was illegal. I do not want to transmit at all I just wanna hear my local police channels and possibly use it for an emergency.Then I guess I'll have to transmit then, but until then I just want to receive. I can hear the weather so I guess I'm getting some frequencies programed. Thanks for the help and advice fellas.

    Reply
  • Eli Holmes

    Thanks! Note I had to delete the data in my channel before I could save a new channel. So had to do menu 28 menu 17 menu exit to delete ch 17 and then I could save a new freq to that channel with menu 27 menu 17 menu exit

    Even though my radios were brand new, channels were programmed in already.

    Reply
  • BIG Daddy

    can it be used as a police scanner will it transmit on that freq

    Reply
    • Rick

      The Baofeng UV-5R has a very slow scan rate, which makes it impractical for use as a dedicated scanner. The scan feature is strictly intended to supplement its primary function as a transceiver. It is also an analog radio, and most police and fire communications systems in the US today are digital, so the likelyhood of listening into police frequencies on the UV-5R are fairly low. As for transmitting on those frequencies, the UV-5R is not FCC approved for use on police frequencies in the US, so attempting to do so would be ill advised.

      Reply
  • KEN winkler

    I was trying to program my radio (UV-5Rmhp) And then suddenly the radio went 400.000 and no buttons work on anything. I am not getting to menu to make any moves. How do I reset this machine?

    Reply
    • Rick

      Hi Ken, we do not carry this variant of the UV-5R so we have no information on it. If you are unable to access the menu to perform a reset, you may try to do so by reloading the original img file for your radio through your programming software, if you have it. It is a best practice to load the file from the radio and save it to your computer as a backup before attempting to program the radio. This is so that if something goes awry during programming, you can restore the radio by reloading the original file back to the radio.

      Reply
  • Mark Sr

    PS
    How can I program my UV-5R with software, and how? Is there software for the Mac or iPhone? Thanks again…

    Reply
  • Mark Sr

    I imagine a CB handle won’t suffice for my new UV-5R, correct? Also, I just bought this UV-5R off the internet. Does that mean it’s locked? I plan to use the radio for emergency purposes, since my house was hit in 2004 by 3 of the 4 hurricanes that hit the Tampa area. Since I want to be able to transmit and receive, I probably need to apply for a family license. Thanks for your help…

    Reply
    • Rick

      Hi Mark, The Baofeng UV-5R does not operate on the CB radio band in the US, so a CB handle isn't used. This radio is not FCC type accepted for uses other than ham radio, and a license would be required to use it on those frequencies. There is no family license for amateur radio only an idividual license, and a test is required to obtain it. You may be thinking of a GMRS license, which does cover your entire family and does not require a test. There are many GMRS radios available that are much better (and legal) choices for use on the GMRS, many of which are made by Wouxun and are available here at Buy Two Way Radios.

      Reply
  • Donald

    I just ordered the 5U radio thinking it would allow programming on MURS and GMRS. But the drift I get from the comments is the radios will not function except on Ham channels. If that's the case I will have 4 unusable radios. A friend has a similar Baofeng radio that functions on all channels as long as they are 6-digit frequencies. It is several years old. Have they changed?

    Reply
  • Forklift71

    This is my first radio I was able to program it sorta it will receive but not transmit please help

    Reply
    • Rick

      Sorry, your comment is too vague. Is this a Baofeng UV-5R or a different model? Was it programmed from the keypad or through software? What frequencies were programmed into it, and on what channels? Did you program any PL (CTCSS) tones or DPL (DCS) codes? What other settings were configured? Does the Transmit/Receive LED on the radio turn red when you press the PTT, or does it not light at all? Are you attempting to transmit to another radio directly? If so, what is the make and model of the other radio? Are both radios using the same frequency (not necessarily the same channel) and/or CTCSS tone or DCS code? We need more information.

      Reply
  • Rich Lovin

    THANK YOU!!! i LOOKED ALL OVER FOR SME LOGICAL EXPLANATION ON HOW TO PROGRAM THE uv5R AND FOUND NOTHING BUT GARBAGE.

    Reply
  • Stacy

    We have been using the UV-5R for emergency communication on a 245 acre property. We replace the older radios each year. This year we bought 12 new radios but ended up with the GT-5R. Will they work together? I can get them to receive but not to transmit. Any ideas. I just reset them all using these instructions.

    Reply
    • Rick

      What frequency(ies) are you using to tranmsit? The GT-5R is a UV-5R that is locked down to transmit on the amateur (ham) frequencies only. If you are using frequencies outside the ham bands, it will receive, but not transmit on them, or at least it shouldn't. This is to comply with FCC rules in the US. The Baofeng UV-5R came into increased scrutiny by the FCC a few years ago for its ability to transmit on frequencies and services for which it isn't approved to operated. Hence the lockdown.

      Reply
  • Sammy

    Highly confusing for new bees.
    So far I understand negative / positive shift and corresponding input of Hz ( - 6 )
    But where to add Transnit frequency?

    Reply
    • Rick

      On a simplex channel, the frequency is the same for transmit and receive, so simply completing steps 1-7 will allow you to both transmit and receive on that same channel. For repeater channels, the frequency shift does that work for you. Completing step 12 to activate Reverse mode will display the transmit frequency created by the offset from the receive frequency. Step 13 assigns that transmit frequency to the same channel the receive frequency was entered.

      Reply
  • Shaun

    I have the UV-5R and cant see how to allow 4 digits as part of the freq - ie.136.4125 it only allows 136.412

    Reply
  • Jason

    I work security and just purchased a pair of UV-5R+ for my partner and I. We have multiple duty posts that we rotate throughout the week. On two of our posts, our supervisor has a couple radios, and on another the club venue has a half dozen radios. Is there a way to program the frequencies of our supervisors radio and the club staffs radios? Neither of them have digital displays so I don’t know exactly what frequency they’re transmitting on. The instructions made it seem like it was possible, but the instructions are a bit hard to follow. Thanks.

    Reply
  • Rafael

    I just get a baofeng UV-5R. I do work as a security and my crew uses the baofeng BF-88st. I can receive from the 88st on my UV-5r but I wasn’t able to receive. Any tips??

    Reply
  • David

    Hello, I recently got 4 UV-5R for my family to use during our off road adventures. But I seem to get lots of fed back or back ground noise while driving in our utv, sitting in the car and not moving at camp they are very clear while speaking but when we drive the noise occurs while speaking. Can anyone tell me how to program a distance of all of us being about 3 feet part of one another. ?????

    Reply
  • Stijn

    When i set up my channels i still hear my mate on another channel ( when im not on that channel ) how can i fix that? (UHF)

    Reply
    • Rick

      If you can hear someone from one channel on another channel, it means you have the same receive frequency programmed into both channels. You will need to change it to another frequency on the second channel.

      Reply
  • Lance

    What is the range on these guys without using a repeater.

    I assume if I were to use a repeater I would have to set that up myself? Are there repeater frequencies already set up that people can rent?

    Reply
  • Andy

    Hi. Just got my P8UV but I can't get it to accept 156.000 it just keeps saying "cancel". Any ideas? Many thanks

    Reply
  • STEW

    hi how do i get english on my radio thanks

    Reply

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