Search results for: 'UV-5R'

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.

Baofeng 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.

Note: 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!

The Rock Hill Hamfest is coming and Buy Two Way Radios will be there!

Hosted by The York County Amateur Radio Society (YCARS), the Rock Hill Hamfest will be held October 5, 2013 at the Faith Assembly of God in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The annual event is now in its 61st year, and YCARS has special events planned to make it a memorable one, such as an ARRL open forum with a special guest speaker, VE testing, prize drawings, food and several industry vendors, including Buy Two Way Radios, with a selection of amateur radios and ham radio accessories. Hamfest attendees can buy, sell and trade while they enjoy some face-to-face "ragchewing" and general fellowship with other hams.

There will also be prizes to win. Prize drawings will be held every hour and a Grand Prize will be given away at Noon. The Grand Prize? A Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Amateur Radio, courtesy of Buy Two Way Radios!

In addition, The hosts of The Two Way Radio Show will be there to give away T-shirts, conduct interviews for upcoming episodes of the podcast and to cover the event "almost live". If you would like to meet the show hosts and have an opportunity to be on The Two Way Radio Show, now is your chance!

The 61st Annual Rock Hill Hamfest will be held Saturday, October 5, 2013 at the Faith Assembly of God, 2800 Faith Blvd. Rock Hill, SC 29730. The church is located off Cherry Road behind the Home Depot. Admission is only $5 per person and $5 per tailgating space. Gates open at 7:00 a.m. The ARRL Forum will be held at 9:00 a.m. and VE Testing will begin at 10:30 a.m. If you want to get your amateur radio license or upgrade your existing one, this is the time and place to do it!

The 61st Annual Rock Hill Hamfest is an ARRL Sanctioned Hamfest Sponsored by the York County Amateur Radio Society. For more information, including a schedule of events, directions, and contacts, download the official flyer or visit www.ycars.org.

We attend ARRL Field Day and interview Mike Patterson with the Salvation Army and member of the Charlotte Amateur Radio Club - W4CQ. We also review the Tram 1185 Amateur Dual-Band Magnet Antenna.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:11

Intro to Interview 1:30
Rick attends ARRL Field Day 2013 and talks with Mike Patterson, Emergency Disaster Services Director with the Salvation Army, North and South Carolina Division and a member of The Charlotte Amateur Radio Club - W4CQ. He will tell us how he became involved with the groups, how they initially came together and how this symbiotic relationship serves to benefit both organizations and the community, especially during an emergency.

Interview with Mike Patterson 2:33
Commercial Break 22:05

buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 23:05
Today we review the Tram 1185 Amateur Dual-Band Magnet Antenna. Watch our video tutorial How to connect the Baofeng UV-5R amateur radio to the Tram 1185 mobile antenna.

Questions and Answers 29:06
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 36:33
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.

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Today, April 18, 2013 is a special day in the world of ham radio. It's World Amateur Radio Day!

World Amateur Radio Day, or WARD is held each April 18 to commemorate the founding of The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). Founded in 1925, The IARU is an organization dedicated to the use and development of amateur radio around the globe. This year is the 88th anniversary of the IARU.

Each year the IARU chooses a theme for Amateur Radio Day, This year the theme is Amateur Radio: Entering Its Second Century of Disaster Communications. The theme commemorates the first recorded use of amateur radio in an emergency.

In March 1913, the Scioto River in Columbus, Ohio flooded the area, killing over 100 people. According to an article in the Columbus Dispatch published November 6, 2012, 15 year old Herbert V. Akerberg of Hilltop, Ohio began sending SOS messages for help via Morse code from his amateur radio during the flood. From March 26, 1913 and almost continuously for the next 72 hours, Akerberg transmitted requests for assistance for residents in the area affected by the flood. He was later commended by the city and received wide acclaim for his contribution to the advancement of amateur radio as an important communications tool for use in an emergency situation.

In celebration of World Amateur Radio Day, Buy Two Way Radios is offering a WARD special: Purchase a Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Amateur Radio and take an additional 10% off with Promo Code: HAMDAY! This special discount is valid until Midnight tonight (April 18, 2013) and is valid on the Baofeng UV-5R and all UV-5R accessories! Simply enter Promo Code: HAMDAY at checkout and your 10% discount will be applied to your order.

Note: This special is valid during World Amateur Radio Day only and expires at midnight, April 18, 2013.

We discuss the basics of using Amateur or Ham radios. We also review the Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Amateur Radio.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:14

Topic Discussion 1:33
we talk about amateur radios. We recap the The 2013 Charlotte Hamfest, learn the basics of the Amateur Radio Service, find out how to obtain an amateur radio operator license and discuss the types of amateur radios available. For more information about the hamfest listen to Episode 53 of The Two Way Radio Show recorded almost live from our booth at the 2013 Charlotte Hamfest at The Cabarrus Arena and Convention Center in Concord, NC. Study materials mentioned for the amateur radio license exams include Ham Radio For Dummies and the Ham Radio License Manual Revised 2nd Edition w/ CD. For more information about the American Radio Relay League visit The ARRL. Download our FREE chart of Q Signals. For tips on using your two way radios, watch our Radio 101 video series hosted by Anthony.

Commercial Break 29:21
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 30:20
Today we review the popular Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band UHF/VHF Amateur Radio.

Questions and Answers 44:20
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 48:31
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.

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