$40 BaoFeng UV-5R Dual-Band Handhelds

[jerdog53]

The accessories for the BF-5 will work with the BF-F8 as I have both, the frequencies covered by the F8 is the same as the BF-5 it just had 8 watts of power over the 5 watts on the BF-5

 

[Frank]

okay I was able to finally install the Chirp software along with python and the driver using the hints from the chirp osx hints page.

I was able to connect my radio to the chirp software and downloaded the radio's info to the software.

Since I am so new to this stuff I am not sure what to do next. While I study to prepare for the technician's test I would like to at least listen to the radio.

Any suggestions on websites to visit to play around with what to input into the software to transfer to the radio?

Thanks…interesting stuff

Care how to elaborate on how to you were able to get this to work with iOS? At this point, I am either a) ready to give up on Baofeng, or b) invest in a windows laptop to make my radio work. I can't get CHIRP to work with iOS for the life of me.

 

[nckwltn]

Care how to elaborate on how to you were able to get this to work with iOS? At this point, I am either a) ready to give up on Baofeng, or b) invest in a windows laptop to make my radio work. I can't get CHIRP to work with iOS for the life of me.

I think this is what I did...

http://www.kg7bhp.org/2013/04/making-chrip-work-with-baofeng-uv-5r-on.html


pretty sure I have the cheap knock-off cable from amazon

 

[jerdog53]

I use iOS and was able to get it to work but it was very frustrating!

 

[Frank]

I think this is what I did...

http://www.kg7bhp.org/2013/04/making-chrip-work-with-baofeng-uv-5r-on.html


pretty sure I have the cheap knock-off cable from amazon

I think I tried this, but will try again. I also read somewhere that there is a specific cable that is needed, and getting the cable can never be guaranteed.

 

[nckwltn]

Are we talking about iOS (iPhone and iPad) or OSX (desktop computers and laptops) ? I don't think you'll get it to work on iOS, but should be able to work with OSX


Sent from my iPhone

 

[pugslyyy]

In case it hasn't been mentioned yet, there's a good HAM subforum at ar15.com, as well as a similar large topic on these radios. That topic prompted me to pick up the UV5R and the low price on the accessories led to a lot of other neat things. Been listening off and on for a while, did some studying, still haven't set the date for my Tech exam, need to get that done. But doesn't seem to be an active ham community around me, despite the databases showing a lot of hams in my neighborhood. Now that I've got my project suburban and am planning several trips around the desert southwest, getting my ham license is back on a front burner.
People may crap on the quality or efficacy of these radios, but I think they are a great low-cost entry to yet another hobby. An easy access path to 'try on' ham radio, get familiar and practiced. Better equipment / stiffer money investment can come later.

I'm picking up a high mountain repeater 43mi away using that setup. I'm curious to find out how close I have to get to it to be received, once I can legally transmit.

I like that setup. I'm going to get one of those slim jim antennas.

 

[Dmski]

Here is a quick way I mounted my HT. Works good so far and is readily removable. I made a small mount for the magnet base antenna.
View attachment 247495View attachment 247496

Here is a interior picture.View attachment 247497

This is a fantastic setup! Pretty much what I'm going to be aiming for in the end. I don't really use the radio outside the car all that much, and this would be easy to uninstall the radio when not in use. Is that the Nagoya UT106 magnet mount antenna?

 

[AML]

Yes OSX not iOS.

Basically I just followed the steps outlined on the Chirp hints page. I bought one of the cheap $6 cables on Amazon.

Is the computer just not seeing it at all?

 

[jerdog53]

Yes OSX not iOS.

Basically I just followed the steps outlined on the Chirp hints page. I bought one of the cheap $6 cables on Amazon.

Is the computer just not seeing it at all?

That was the problem I had the computer just wouldn't see the cable once I got that sorted it worked as advertised!

Now if I could only get that BF-F8 to work with Chirp and OSX I'd be in business!

 

[AML]

That was the problem I had the computer just wouldn't see the cable once I got that sorted it worked as advertised!

Great glad to hear it.

 

[jerdog53]

So what am I doing wrong.

Programmed this UV-5R with chirp using info from repeater book dot com for Colorado 2M repeaters. I get the repeater to key but there is no modulation, you don't hear me speak. doesn't seem to mater which repeater i use. I receive just fine. Simplex works just fine.

 

[xbox73]

So what am I doing wrong.

Programmed this UV-5R with chirp using info from repeater book dot com for Colorado 2M repeaters. I get the repeater to key but there is no modulation, you don't hear me speak. doesn't seem to mater which repeater i use. I receive just fine. Simplex works just fine.

I think I remember reading there is a firmware problem with the UV5R. If you've turned the key beep feature off, turn that feature back on & retry.

 

[jerdog53]

I think I remember reading there is a firmware problem with the UV5R. If you've turned the key beep feature off, turn that feature back on & retry.

I have read about the firmware issue but don't see a resulition anywhere. Beep is turned on and was never turned off.

 

[Herbie]

Rayra, while it may or may not be better to take your test thru a radio club it's not necessary to do so if there isn't one close by.

There are many Volunteer Examiners in the Los Angeles area and there are quite a few that offer regular tests without needing to join a club.

I believe the ARRL website has a fairly complete list of testing locations that is searchable by location, that's how I found the guys who I tested with in Tempe City.

Also, look into various offroading/overlanding clubs - I know there are frequently license and upgrade tests that get administered at various SoCal Rendezvous type events. Take your test out in the wilderness!