How to program the Baofeng UV-5R

Switch between frequency and channel mode

1. Press VFO/MR. Frequency mode shows a frequency you can type, like 146.940. Channel mode shows your saved channels.

Program a repeater

This example uses a repeater on 146.940 MHz with a minus offset of 600 kHz and a 100.0 Hz tone. Use your local repeater’s own frequency, offset and tone.

1. Press VFO/MR until the display shows a frequency (frequency mode).
2. Type the repeater’s output frequency: 146940. The display shows 146.940.
3. Set the offset direction: MENU 25 MENU, press ▲ or ▼ until it shows -, then MENU and EXIT.
4. Set the offset amount: MENU 26 MENU, type 00600 (the display shows 00.600), then MENU and EXIT.
5. Set the transmit tone: MENU 13 MENU (T-CTCS), type 1000 for 100.0, then MENU and EXIT. Leave menu 11 (R-CTCS) set to OFF.
6. Save it to channel 1: MENU 27 MENU, type 001 or use ▲ ▼ to pick the channel, then MENU to store it and EXIT. If the channel number flashes, press MENU once more to confirm.
7. Press VFO/MR to switch to channel mode and choose channel 1.

Set everything in frequency mode before you save. On the UV-5R you can’t change a saved channel’s tone or offset in channel mode; to fix one, set it up again in frequency mode and save over it.

Save 146.520 simplex

146.520 MHz is the national simplex calling frequency: no offset and no tone.

1. In frequency mode, type 146520.
2. Check that menu 25 (offset direction) is OFF, and menus 11 and 13 (the tones) are OFF.
3. Save it: MENU 27 MENU, pick an empty channel, MENU, then EXIT.

Set transmit power

1. In channel mode, press # to switch between high and low power.
2. Or use the menu: MENU 2 MENU, choose HIGH or LOW, then MENU and EXIT.

Use low power when you can be heard fine, and high power for distant repeaters. High power drains the battery faster.

Listen to NOAA weather

1. In frequency mode, type 162550 (or another NOAA weather frequency from 162.400 to 162.550 MHz).
2. To keep it, save it to a channel the same way as simplex.

Weather channels are receive-only. Never press the push-to-talk button on one. Most UV-5Rs receive them, but a few units are limited, so test before you rely on it.

Delete a channel

1. MENU 28 MENU, pick the channel, then MENU and EXIT.

Lock the keypad and avoid accidental transmissions

1. Hold # for two seconds to lock or unlock the keypad. A key symbol appears on the display.
2. The lock doesn’t block the push-to-talk button. Carry the radio with the button facing away from your body, or use a PTT cover.
3. As a backstop, menu 9 (TOT) limits how long one transmission can last. 60 seconds or less is a good setting.

Program with CHIRP

• CHIRP is free software that programs the radio from a computer, so you can type channels into a spreadsheet instead of the keypad. Get it only from its official site.
• You need a programming cable. Many cheap cables use a counterfeit chip that Windows blocks, so buy one with an FTDI or CP210x chip, or follow CHIRP’s cable guide.
• Always download from the radio first and save that file. It’s your backup of the original settings.

Stay legal

• These radios can transmit on frequencies that aren’t for hams. Only transmit on amateur frequencies your license class allows.
• FRS, GMRS, MURS, business, marine, aviation, public safety and weather frequencies are off limits for transmitting with these radios, even though they can be tuned. Listening is fine.
• Give your call sign at the end of each contact and at least every 10 minutes during one.

Want radios the whole family can use without a ham license? Ham radio vs GMRS vs Meshtastic

Sources

• Baofeng UV-5R manual (PDF)
• Miklor UV-5R menu reference
• CHIRP download
• CHIRP cable guide