UV-5R Programming

Update Needed
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This page was written over 18 months ago and needs some updating.

Programming by hand

Original article

That article isn't as clear as it should be. Here's a quick summary of how to program GB3IW:

1. Ensure you are in Frequency Mode
2. Ensure you are on the A channel (top half of the display)
3. Ensure the Band setting (Opt 33) is set to the correct band, in this case UHF.
4. Key the output frequency as follows: 4 3 3 2 2 5
5. Ensure Options 10, 11, 12 and 13 are set to Off
6. Delete the memory via option 28
7. Save the memory via option 27 (MEM-CH)
8. Press * (Scan)
9. Key the input frequency of the repeater: 4 3 4 8 2 5
10. Press Menu
11. Select T-CTCS (Opt 13)
12. Change the CTCSS to 71.9Hz
13. Scroll to MEM-CH
14. Press Menu, ensure the channel number is the same as before, press Menu

You have now saved the channel.

Programming via the PC

At the time of writing, CHIRP is capable of programming UV-5Rs - future versions may not be compatible with newer versions of the 5R, or indeed, older versions! The serial number of the model that this was tested on was: 201204R41345

***NOTE: it seems there are new UV-5Rs that DO NOT WORK with CHIRP, and you MAY brick your radio.... You have been warned***

First of all, a few points on this:

• Plug the USB cable in before turning the radio on, else you can end up stuck in transmit....
• The 5R needs to be in Memory mode - you can tell if this is the case by small digits on the right of the display telling you which memory you are on. If they aren't there, press VFO/MR once to enter memory mode.
• CHIRP is experimental on the UV-5R - Do not expect this to work 100% reliably, and if it doesn't work, it may brick your radio.
• I'm assuming you've got CHIRP installed already.
• Make sure you use the latest CHIRP nightly. Latest release is not good enough!

Now onto the instructions

1. Fire up CHIRP
2. Click "Radio" -> "Download from Radio"
3. Choose your serial port for the PL2303 (clone-of) that your OS will have detected, for me it was /dev/ttyUSB1
4. Choose Vendor of "Baofeng"
5. Choose Model of "UV-5R"
6. Click OK
7. You will get a warning message - click "Yes"
8. The red light will flash on your rig as it downloads the memory map.
9. After the download completes, the radio will reset, and a new tab will open in the programmer window.
10. Edit the memories by double clicking on them (note that there are 127 memories, but CHIRP will only show 50 by default - extend the range using the values at the top of the programming window if needed.
11. When done, save your template, and then choose "Radio" -> "Upload to radio"
12. Choose your serial port for the PL2303 (clone-of) that your OS will have detected, for me it was /dev/ttyUSB1
13. Choose Vendor of "Baofeng"
14. Choose Model of "UV-5R"
15. Click OK
16. You will get a warning message - click "Yes"
17. The green light will flash on your radio as it is programmed.
18. Again your radio will reset, and the channels will be programmed.

Once again - at the time of writing CHIRP is experimental on the UV-5R - your mileage may vary!