The 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.
How do I program it to get the police scanner
You cannot pick up "police scanners" because they are scanners that receive only. They do not transmit. The Baofeng UV-5R is an analog transceiver. Although it does have a scan function, is not designed to operate as a scanner. Also, many law enforcement agencies now use digital radio systems. An analog radio such as the UV-5R will not hear digital radio signals.
Trying to connect to uhf walketakee how to program my bf8hp tank you
Mark Johnson , Radio Menu, "upload to radio" is what you are looking for.
I learned a lot watching this videos on this radio, they are long winded! But, they were 2 videos that made the most sense.
manual programming:
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlxK80QUYpk&t=0s&list=WL&index=18"
How to use chirp and the uv-5r:
"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jpz1mwuDw"
I uploaded the CHIRP program and I entered the freq's that I want but how do I get it to program the radio? I have it connected via the programming cord but I can't find any way to activate the programming mode.,
I can only program non receiving frequencies into my baofeng be-f8hp. For example, I'm trying to program noaa 164.475 and it will not confirm/save to memory channels. But if I try 162.450, which I don't receive, it will confirm and save. New to this so I may be missing something, but I can't find anything. Any help would be great. Thanks
Just bought a UV-5R. In frequency mode when press band I don't get the option to toggle between 136 VHF and 470 UHF. It just displays 400.000?? What am I missing?
Was it purchased new or used?
Hi..
Kindy asking how to set up our new baofeng uv 5r we have 7 pcs and its for our office secretaries to warehouse man use we realy dnt have idea were we can get free frequency numbers to be use for our set up or how to set up our radios.. badly need help. Thanks
If you are located in the US and the radios are for business use, your company would need to apply for an assigned frequency on the business band. The license is valid for 10 years and there is a fee, the cost of which depends on the type and number of licensed frequencies purchased. You can find more information on our web site at FCC Radio Licensing Services.
There are license-free options available to businesses as well, such as MURS and consumer FRS radios, but they require you to purchase radios specifically designed for use on those frequencies. The Baofeng UV-5R is not legal for use on MURS or FRS. Digital radios operating on 900MHz such as the Motorola DLR and DTR series are also license free, but they also require you to purchase radios specifically designed for those frequencies. The Baofeng UV-5R does not operate on 900MHz.
Before taking it further, listen to our podcasts An Introduction to Business Radios and FRS Radios For Business? for more information and an in-depth explanation on using two way radios in a business, office or warehouse environment.
Forgetting that I'm a luddite with a Tech amateur radio license, using a Baofeng UV-5R programmed by a fellow club member, I recently purchassed a UV-6R, virtually new, from a fellow member that knew nothing about using it (he did have someone program frequencies a year ago but he didn't know what location the frequencies were for (they were not for my location) , nor did he have a manual for the radio. No one I know knew anything about the UV-6R, and almost all searches default to findings for the UV-5R.
Is the UV-6r noticeably different than the UV-5R, and is it programmed the same way as the UV-5R?
[email protected]
Ken, there is no option to program frequencies for commercial FM broadcast stations because the FM radio is a separate mode. Simply follow the instructions in the manual to activate the "Broadcast FM Receiver" feature.
i tried so many times to manually program the hand held radio but as i touch the instructed botton/keypad, nothing change in order to adjust the frequency...the frequency i need to put in is 152050.
I have a new BF-F8HP. The manual says that it receives the FM Broadcast band, 65-108 MHz, but I can't figure out how to tune it to this frequency range -- let's say 99.9 as an example, every time I try, it interupts my input and says, "cancelled". There is no direction in the manual. In advance, Thank You.
I have problems when i punch a frequence, example 138.850, it jumps automaticly to 138.840. How ca I fix this??
change the frequency stepping in menu 1 named STEP and change it to 5.0K
Hallo everybody,
Here's Martijn from the netherlands
How to scan between 2 frequenties?
Between 151.100 and 151.800 for instance
Thanx
I bought a baofeng UV-5R and longer antenna for my use in the indiana guard reserve, this brand was suggested by several other guys in my brigade. I also plan to use it on camping trips and such when I can use it to talk to walkie talkies. We are going on vacation this Friday and driving from indiana to destin Florida with family and between us all we'll be in 3 seperate vehicles. My dad has a set of walkie talkies (motorola brand i think) and we will be using them to keep in touch to let the others know when stops are needed for food, fuel and restroom breaks etc.
I've read online and watched several youtube videos on how to connect theses radios to the walkie talkies but I can't seem to get through. Yesterday I tried to talk to my dad from my house to his which is only about 3 miles by way the crow flies and there is trees and other terrain between us so I just assumed that it was too much interference to talk 3 miles. But today at work while I was on lunch I tried to talk to my dispatcher who was in the next room, probably 20 feet away and nothing.
According to what I saw online it sounded pretty easy to connect rhem. Am I missing something? Both times I coordinated with the person on the other end to make sure we were on the same channel (ch 1), I made sure my unit was in UHF band, punched in the frs frequency code for that channel I found online, keyed up and nothing, dead silence.
Btw the work radios we have I think are Kenwood or Motorola, I don't remember for sure cause I normally don't carry one because I drive the truck and don't spend much time on the yard. The ones my dad has are like the little cheap ones you buy at walmart in the camping section.
Hey I’m in the Indiana Guard reserve and trying to figure out the same thing. 2nd Brigade
It has to do with setting the PL Tone.
Hello to all, Name here is Dave and the call is W3CWE.
I have two Questions on the UV5R radio. I am just now trying to get
into the satellight stuff. I am having trouble on entering the pl tone
which . 67. Also we were at are local baseball club In Lancaster Pa.
For referance the Stateum is Call Clipper Statume. For a quite a few years
now I get a very strong noise from some where in the area. Now as I have
said before I am down town in Lancaster.Pa. I realize that this noise could
becomming from any where including the statume it self. I did try and
set the squlech up as far is it could go. That did not do a thing. Any thoughts on this probllem? Many thanks for any help.
73.s Dave W3CWE.....
I simply gave up on manual programing, I purchased the cable off Ebay, I think it was under 5 bucks, plug her into your PC and run CHIRP (free software for programing these guys) then you will be able to make all the settings, and even NAME the frequencies so you can see at a glance who is talking. I use this all the time when we travel, I will look up the frequencies I wish to monitor, also, if able, I will program in the local Law Enforcement to scan those frequencies so I can keep track of possible danger in the area, accidents and so forth so I can avoid such problems on the Highways. Works great, and makes this radio so much more valuable and use able.
No, the Baofeng UV-5R operates on different bands and frequencies.
can you use this radio as a CB radio
"Can I use this as CB radio?" Not in the USA. These are ham radios. You need a ham license and can only transmit on ham bands. You may listen on other bands, assuming your state does not restrict use or possession of a "police scanner" without a ham license.
manual claims FM broadcast reception ,unable to make it work . model UV - 5RTP
I have programmed two Comm Centers into my radio as a/b..... by pressing the call button on the left side of the radio, it switches to the fm receiver.... simply enter the fm frequency you want to listen to.... mine swtiches back to the comm center I have active when it receives a signal, then back to the fm signal after a short period of not receiving the comm center signal
Hi, is it possibel to lock or delete all frequency other than the ones i want - amateur bands ??
VHF 144 - 148 mHz and UHF 430 - 450 mHz.
thanks in advance.
No, 41.14 is outside the band and frequency range of the Baofeng UV-5R.