[chirp_users] Programming Baofeng UV-5R

[zooman]

Hello Ken,Your post has me a little concerned.I love the chirp software and had programmed literally hundreds of radios as a service to my last employer. They were commercial handhelds from manufacturers like Motorola, Yaesu and Kenwood. I had never saved images of each of those radios. That was the past. Fast forward 10 years. I have retired from that firm and I have been a silent ham for about the same amount of time.When I saw the price of these new radios I decided to get back into amateur radio and I purchased my first Baofeng UV-5R approximately 6 months ago. In my excitement I immediately fired up the chirp software and successfully programmed my radio after selecting the right version, the correct software selection of the comm port and the physical selection  of the USB port. I however did NOT save the image file.  Since then my 14 year old grandson became interested in my resurgence back into amateur radio. For Christmas I purchased him a gift of a study guide for his amateur radio license and a new Baofeng UV-5R. Once again in my excitement to show him how his new radio works, I simply used the programming of my radio and downloaded it successfully to his Radio. I of course gave him strict orders and instructions that he is only to listen on the channels and not transmit until he gets his ticket. He is studying diligently and complying with not broadcasting.After reading your post which was very informative, I am now concerned that I did not save  each of these radio's image files. Would it be your recommendation that I try to do a factory reset on each radio and then save each radio's image file? Will each of the image files be unique?Have I already screwed up the ability to obtain each radios image file?Once again my hats off to the people at chirp as they save countless hours programming our radios.Thank you Ken for your post. I learned a few things and you've now got me a little shy about programming without first saving an image file. I'm sure that saving the image file is really because of the quirky nature of these Chinese radios. I have never had a problem with the commercial radios becoming a brick but I will be more careful with programming a new baofeng radio in the future.Paul Valley - KC8AMDSent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.
-------- Original message --------From: Kenneth Strom VA3KRS <va3krs at live.ca> Date: 1/17/20  11:51  (GMT-05:00) To: chirp_users at intrepid.danplanet.com Subject: Re: [chirp_users] Programming Baofeng UV-5R 

To start with there are many variations of this popular radio.  Check the model number first and go from there.  Do
NOT ever try to program this radio with the wrong variation programming software.




If it is in fact the basic "bare-bones" Baofeng UV-5R, there are 2 variations, 
Old and New.  This can be checked easily.  You will have to perform a Firmware test on the radio.  Even if it is "new" it may be in fact old stock lying around for years or an old radio.




Go to Miklor to check on the radio's firmware version before you proceed.  This is very important.  The wrong software
will brick up the radio.




https://www.miklor.com/uv5r/UV5R-FWRelease.php




Then you can proceed to program the radio.




Like all radios, you must first get an "Image" file from the radio, and then you can program it as you please.  




Also, this "Image" file will be needed to reset the radio should it ever "Brick" up on you.  Just Factory reset the radio and resend this Image file to the radio and all should be okay.  In other words you resurrected the dead.




NEVER should you buy a radio, take it out of the box and start playing with it.  This probably will mess it up internally. 
ALWAYS first get that "Image" file and THEN program it.  This will save you a lot of grief later if the radio acts up.




BTW, I have worked commercially on many radios over the past 40 years, mainly Midlands & Motorolas and cannot overemphasize the importance of saving this "Image" file.  It is particular to that radio alone only and not the one sitting next to it.




Also, if perhaps you have several of the same model radio, save the "Image" file labelled with its' last 4 digits serial number, e.g.:  UV5R_XXXX1234.img  Then you will know it came from that particular radio.




This believe me will save your radio from being a "Brick" or cute-looking paperweight.




Note all these recommendations work with all radio Models & Makes, Amateur & Commercial.




Kenneth Strom  VA3KRS




P.S.  Cheers to the over-worked Staff at CHIRP who do a tireless job at writing these endless programming files out.  Everyday it seems to be a new radio and new model out, mostly tireless variations of one or the other.




Regarding DMR radios, most if not all models have very individual programming issues which is why you never see any common software.  Even RT Systems keeps postponing any DMR releases due to this.  Very few models can even import CSV files, so all mostly are
 manual programming and DO NOT make any slight errors or the radio simply does not work.  Make sure you download the correct Factory programming software for the radio, any Firmware updates, cable USB drivers before you even start playing with its' buttons. 
 If by accident you do then you will have to do a Factory reset before you can even save the Image file.




A simple Factory Reset will cure some evils, however that Image file will save that radio.




Have a great 2020 to CHIRP and all your Subscribers.
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