[chirp_users] Programming Baofeng UV-5R

[Amnon Zohar]

If everything works fine you can save an image of the present settings for
future troubles.

בתאריך שבת, 18 בינו' 2020, 15:36, מאת zooman ‏<zooman at roadrunner.com>:

> 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 - KC8AMD
>
>
> Sent 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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