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Baofeng

  • How To Pronounce Baofeng

    The Baofeng UV-5R is perhaps the most popular handheld two way radio in the modern world, especially among hams. It's compact, feature rich, versatile and, most notably, very inexpensive. Whether you are an old or new amateur radio operator, chances are you own a UV-5R or one of its many variants. Even if you don't have one, two, three or more of these economical little radios, you very likely know or at least have heard of Baofeng. It is one the most recognizable Chinese brands in the two way radio marketplace today, and its reach is global.

    However, as popular as this brand is, there is one major disagreement surrounding the manufacturer that has long been a point of contention between the users of Baofeng radios. It's been the subject of discussions and debates in articles, newsgroups, forums, social media groups and other venues. The argument is so much an issue that it even became a serious topic in more than one episode of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast.

    One would think that with such global brand recognition, it wouldn't be an issue at all. Yet it exists, and at the end of each day, untold numbers of Baofeng users are still left wondering and scratching their heads, pondering the one simple, yet confusing question about the brand:

    How do you pronounce the name BAOFENG?

    We wanted to answer this greatly mystifying, universal question and put the issue to rest once and for all. So, we went to IWCE in Las Vegas, met with Baofeng officials, and did what anyone else in our position would have done.

    We asked.

    To be absolutely sure there was no mistake, we recorded the official audible response directly from the Baofeng representatives themselves. Since the common mispronunciation and mangling of their beloved brand name was apparently even more frustrating to them than it was to the users of their products, they were ready and willing to comply - in unison.

    To find out how to correctly pronounce the name Baofeng, click the player below.

    How To Pronounce Baofeng

    [ Download MP3 ]

    Call it what you wiil, but you now have the official pronunciation of Baofeng. No matter how you say it, we still call Baofeng the manufacturer of a cool and very affordable little radio.

  • How to fix a Baofeng UV-5R that stops receiving after CHIRP file is uploaded

    The Baofeng UV-5R is an extremely versatile and inexpensive dual band handheld radio, which makes it one of the most popular and biggest selling transceivers around the world today. It's Baofeng's flagship radio, and they constantly tweak and update the UV-5R it to keep it on top in the marketplace.

    Sometimes the updates are minor and are hardly noticeable, if at all, save for a higher firmware version number. However, if a more serious internal change is made, it may require a bit adjustment in the way the radio is programmed or operated, especially among seasoned users.

    Such is the case with the most recent revision to the UV-5R. The latest known firmware version is N5R-20. The version number previous to this was BFS313. Up to firmware BFS313 the version numbers were fairly consistent, with only a change to one letter and/or number, an indication that even major feature updates and additions were not too radical as to affect overall compatibility of the programming data files between versions of the radio. With the introduction of N5R-20, the numbering system completely changed, a possible indication that the older and newer firmware may have more fundamental differences than previous versions.

    This would explain why some users are experiencing issues when attempting to upload older programming files to the new radios using the CHIRP programming software. The older CHIRP image files from Baofeng UV-5R radios with BFB or BFS series firmware are not compatible with radios equipped with the N5R-XX version of the firmware.

    For the first time owner of the UV-5R, this isn't an issue at all, since you would simply download the image from the radio into CHIRP, save the file to your computer, program your frequencies, and upload the same image file back into the radio.

    For the user who is adding the new UV-5R to a mix of other Baofeng radios, this means that you can't just upload an existing CHIRP .img file from your old radios to the new one. The differences and changes in the latest firmware simply will not let it work with the old file. As annoying and time consuming as it sounds, the best practice is to create a new CHIRP image file for the radio. As with the new user, download the defaults from the new radio into CHIRP, save the file, enter your data, and upload them into the radio.

    Of course, that's all well and good if you are reading this before you try to program the new radio, but what if you've already found out the hard way? You already uploaded your old .img file to your radio and it begins to act strangely. The UV-5R has no audio, won't receive unless you press the MONI button, or stops responding altogether. Performing a reset doesn't work to fix the issue. Has the damage already been done?

    First, don't panic. You haven't damaged your radio. The firmware is permanent, and can't be upgraded, changed, or "flashed". The CHIRP image file doesn't alter the firmware in any way either, so it's all good. All you really need to do is clean out the bad data, so to speak, and re-program the radio.

    To do so, you will need to use another version of CHIRP. Download the appropriate version of chirp-daily-20140714 for your operating system (Linux, Mac or Microsoft Windows) to perform the fix. You will also need an original or stock .img file from a UV-5R radio with the N5R-20 firmware.

    If you downloaded the image from the radio to CHIRP and saved it to your computer before you uploaded the .img file from your old radios, you're in great shape. Otherwise, you will need to locate and obtain an .img file from a new or working UV-5R with the N5R-20 firmware. Note: If the radio was purchased from Buy Two Way Radios, we can provide the N5R-20 version of the stock image data that is typically pre-programmed into the UV-5R at the factory on request.

    After CHIRP is installed, load the N5R-20/stock .img file into CHIRP and upload it to the radio. This should restore the UV-5R to its original settings. Use this new image file as your working image to program the new radio as needed.

  • TWRS-80 - Baofeng Radio Myths and Facts

    We discuss some of the myths and facts about Baofeng two way radios. We also review the Baofeng UV-82 Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:24

    Discussion Topic 1:42
    We learn about the company that produces one of the hottest selling handheld transceivers in the market, the Baofeng UV-5R. We'll discover the many faces and versions of this radio and sort out some of the similarities, differences and general confusion among the different model numbers, imitations and clones.

    Commercial Break 25:21
    buytwowayradios.com 1:00

    Product Review 26:17
    We review the Baofeng UV-82 Dual Band UHF/VHF Radio.

    Questions and Answers 36:38
    Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

    Wrap up and Close 41:38
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2014 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.


  • The Wouxun KG-UV899 vs. the Baofeng UV-5R

    We now have the KG-UV899 in house and are getting a first glimpse of this new dual band amateur radio from Wouxun. As we mentioned in our previous announcement, this new model seems to be aimed squarely at Baofeng UV-5R users who want to upgrade to something a little more professional without the professional pricing.

    Here is a more detailed list of features and specifications of the Wouxun KG-UV899 against those of the Baofeng UV-5R.

    Like the UV-5R, the KG-UV899 is a dual bander that operates on 2m and 70cm. It features DTMF encode/decode, CTCSS/DCS, has a built-in FM radio and supports wide and narrowbanding. It has an emergency alarm, voice prompts, keypad lock, channel scan, dual watch, a timeout and busy channel lockout. It can be programmed for repeaters and is VOX capable. It has an lighted LCD display, a lighted keypad and an LED flashlight. It also memory channels. That's about where the similarities end.

    Where Baofeng leaves off, Wouxun begins. The KG-UV899 has more memory channels as the UV-5R, 199 of them to be exact, compared to 128. More the channels is more fun with any amateur ht. But the fun doesn't stop there. The KG-UV899 also has a programmable key on its side. Granted, it has limited programmability, but it is there, and that's what counts. Plus, the UV-899 is rated IP55 water resistant, and compared to the UV-5R, which of course isn't, that's simply cut and dry. If you use your handheld outdoors, that's a big plus.

    To top it all off, the Wouxun KG-UV899 even has a channel knob, something you don't usually find on handhelds under $100, and something that is definitely non-existent on the UV-5R. Of course, it has the familiar up/down keys on the keypad that like the UV-5R relies on for switching channels and frequencies, but it has the channel knob too, so you don't need to use them. Now that's a sweet topping.

    Based on a basic feature for feature comparison, it does seem as though the Wouxun may actually be at least a slight upgrade from the Baofeng. Sound good so far, but what about interconnectivity and accessories? What if you do want to upgrade your UV-5R to a KG-UV899 but you don't want to invest in all new accessories? Let's check it out.

    The KG-UV899 has the same SMA male antenna connector as the Baofeng UV-5R. It also uses the same standard Kenwood accessory connector used by most Baofeng and Wouxn handheld transceivers, so you can use your KG-UV899 with your existing Nagoya and Diamond antennas along with your speaker microphones and headsets. While the battery, the desktop charger and battery eliminator are not interchangeable with the Baofeng radios, they are interchangable with a couple of other Wouxun models, the KG-816 and KG-UV889.

    The Wouxun KG-UV899 is now available at Buy Two Way Radios.

  • TWRS-73 - Wouxun KG-UV899 and Baofeng UV-5R Comparison

    We talk about the new Wouxun KG-UV899 dual band two way radio and compare the features of this handheld transceiver with those of the popular Baofeng UV-5R. We also review the new Midland ER300 Emergency Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:21

    Discussion Topic 1:40
    We tell you about the new Wouxun KG-UV899 Two Way Radio and match it up against the ever popular Baofeng UV-5R. We'll compare the features of these two radios and tell you which model we think offers the best value for the price.

    Commercial Break 31:58
    buytwowayradios.com 1:00

    Product Review 32:54
    Today we review the Midland ER300 Emergency Hand Crank Radio with Flashlight.

    Questions and Answers 42:37
    Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

    Wrap up and Close 49:14
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2014 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.


  • Tech Support for Baofeng Two Way Radios

    We receive a lot of support requests regarding the installation, operation and troubleshooting of Baofeng products, most notably the Baofeng programming cable and software. Interestingly, many of these queries come from folks who didn't buy the products from us. They may purchase their amateur radios and accessories new or used from an auction site, other online retailer or a company based in China, then contact us for support. Some find us by searching for support resources on the web, some mistake us for the manufacturer, but a surprising number of folks are sent to us by the very entities who sold them the Baofeng radios and accessories - our competitors!

    Programming the Baofeng UV-5R can be accomplished easily with the Baofeng programming cable and CHIRP software. However, if the correct programming cable and driver are not used, it can become an issue. Unfortunately, counterfeit radios and cables exist and it is not uncommon to receive a clone or counterfeit product from an unauthorized reseller. This is why it is important to verify the validity and source of the equipment before you purchase it.

    As an authorized Baofeng dealer, Buy Two Way Radios provides genuine Baofeng radios and accessories, such as the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Amateur Radio and the Baofeng UV-5R Series USB Programming Cable. The programming cable we offer comes with an original disc we created in-house that contains an improved working driver that is tested to work with Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8. The CD also includes the latest stable version of CHIRP, the open source programming software which is tested by licensed amateur radio operators to work with the UV-5R and other Baofeng amateur two way radios.

    If you did not purchase your Baofeng radios from Buy Two Way Radios, please understand that we are a Baofeng dealer and are not the manufacturer. Although we do sell Baofeng products and the licensed amateur operators on our staff do test and use them, we do not design or make the radios ourselves, so there are some limitations to the scope of our support, especially if the products were not purchased from us. While we are unable to support products purchased from our direct competitors and other retailers, we do support the products purchased from us. In addition, we offer resources that are available to the general public. A few of them are listed below.

    From our blog:
    A Real Baofeng UV-5R Owners Manual
    How to install the Baofeng USB cable driver and software

    From our podcast:
    The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-54 - An Introduction To Amateur Radio (This episode features a review of the Baofeng UV-5R)
    TWRS-67 - The 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest (This episode features a review of the Baofeng BF-F9)

    From our videos:
    Baofeng UV-5R Amateur Radio Unboxing
    How to connect the Baofeng UV-5R amateur radio to the Tram 1185 mobile antenna
    How to check the firmware version of the Baofeng UV-5R

    You can also request assistance in our Two Way Radio Forum, a support community of two way radio experts and enthusiasts. The forum is online 24/7 and is monitored by our staff at Buy Two Way Radios.

    More information about CHIRP is available at http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home and complete instructions for programming the Baofeng UV-5R are available at http://www.miklor.com.

  • 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!

  • TWRS-67 - The 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest

    We go on location to the 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest. We also review the Baofeng BF-F9 Dual Band Two Way Radio.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:13

    Intro to Interview 1:31
    We interview Ken Tedder, a member of the York County Amateur Radio Society and Chairman of the 2013 Rock Hill Hamfest. He will tell us how he became involved with the group, some of the history of YCARS and what the Rock Hill Hamfest is all about.

    Interview With Ken Tedder 2:05
    Commercial Break 15:33
    buytwowayradios.com 1:00

    Product Review 16:29
    Today we review the Baofeng BF-F9 Dual Band Two Way Radio.

    Questions and Answers 29:00
    Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

    Wrap up and Close 33:26
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2013 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.


  • Baofeng UV-5R Amateur Radio Unboxing

    Want a first hand look at the Baofeng UV-5R dual band ham radio right out of the box? Here it is! Danny Feemster of Buy Two Way Radios takes you through a complete unboxing experience, complete with a feature overview of this very affordable and amazingly versatile handheld amateur transceiver that has become extremely popular with old and new ham radio operators alike.

    For more reviews and views of the Baofeng UV-5R, check out these other resources:

    Articles
    A Real Baofeng UV-5R Owners Manual

    Audio
    The Two Way Radio Show TWRS-54 - An Introduction To Amateur Radio

    Videos
    How to check the firmware version of the Baofeng UV-5R
    How to connect the Baofeng UV-5R amateur radio to the Tram 1185 mobile antenna

  • How to check the firmware version of the Baofeng UV-5R

    Baofeng fans often want to know what firmware version is on their amateur radios. Unfortunately, since the release of version BFB297, the firmware version number that displays on the screen of the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Amateur Radio may not be what is actually installed. To resolve the potential conflict and avoid confusion, Danny Feemster from Buy Two Way Radios will show you how to use the Chirp programming software included with the Baofeng UV-5R USB Programming Cable to check the firmware on the radio and find out which firmware version you actually have.

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