Baofeng handheld two way radios are well known among amateur radio operators everywhere. Models such as the,, and the legendary are a common staple in the modern ham shack, and with good reason. These radios are compact, easy to use, versatile and, best of all, extremely inexpensive. They are some of on the market.

These attributes have made Baofeng a household name in the ham community. However, programming a Baofeng radio from a computer isn't all that intuitive and can become messy even for the most experienced ham who is not used to Chinese-made radios. The USB cable driver offered by Baofeng is buggy and the programming software made by the manufacturer is, for all intents and purposes, junk. Fortunately, there are other options available, and once properly installed, they are actually quite good. You just need to know where to find these options and how to install them properly. Once that is accomplished, programming is usually a breeze.

To find and install the Baofeng USB Programming Cable driver and programming software correctly, follow the instructions below. NOTE: follow these instructions completely and in order. Failure to do so may only bring more frustration when things don't work. To start, the computer should be on and the radio should be off.

Locate the correct USB programming driver for your operating system. You can download the Prolific driver for Windows, Mac and Linux. If you purchased the from, the driver for Windows will be on the CD included with the cable in the USB Cable Driver folder.

Insert the CD and go to USB Cable Driver >USB Cable Driver Prolific 3.2.0.0.exe. This is the correct driver. Install the USB programming cable driver. Do NOT connect the USB cable at this time. Locate the CHIRP Programming Software for your operating system. The latest stable build for Windows XP, 7, 8, MAC and Linux can be downloaded from. It is also included on the Buy Two Way Radios CD in the CHIRP Programming Software folder.

Choose the appropriate folder for your operating system. Install the program but do not run it yet. Plug the USB programming cable into the USB port on your computer. Plug the other end of the cable into your radio and turn it on.

* Additional steps for Windows * - There may or may not be a notification after connection. To verify the connection, check the Windows Device Manager. Access to the Device Manager will depend on your version of Windows. Once in Device Manager, click on Ports (COM and LPT).

Baofeng UV-B5: Best Kept Secret [ Don't have a UV-B5 yet? Get one here. ] Ben (PA2OLD) called me out for being so slow to post about the. Baofeng UV-5R: Software.

It should be listed as Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMX). X denotes the COM port number. Note the number and write it down if necessary, as you will need to know it when configuring the programming software. - If there is a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark next to the USB device, Windows did not install the driver correctly.

To correct the issue, right-click on the device and choose Update Driver Software on the pop-up menu. Download Lagu Ffh Undone. Choose Browse My Computer to install the driver manually.

Choose Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer. Choose Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port Version: 3.2.0.0 and click NEXT. The correct driver should install and the yellow notification should disappear from the Device Manager. Note the COM Port number.

Run the CHIRP Programming Software. Click Go to Radio on the menu bar and choose Download From Radio. Choose the COM Port number for the USB cable, the Vendor (Baofeng) and the model of the radio (such as UV-5R) from the drop down lists in the pop-up box.

Your radio should be connected to the computer and CHIRP should now be able to communicate with it. * Additional Instructions for Windows laptops * On some laptops, the device manager may indicate the cable is installed correctly, but CHIRP may not detect the COM Port. This may occur if Windows Power Management is enabled on the device. To activate the cable, go to the Device Manager and right click on Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMX).

X denotes the COM port number. Click Properties on the pop-up menu. Click the Power Management tab. Remove the check from the box next to Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and click Apply or Save. To verify the connection, Run the CHIRP Programming Software.

Click Go to Radio on the menu bar and choose Download From Radio. Choose the COM Port number for the USB cable, the Vendor (Baofeng) and the model of the radio (such as the UV-5R) from the drop down lists in the pop-up box.

The program should download the frequencies from the radio. When it completes the data transfer, the frequency table will appear on the screen. The radio is now ready to program through your computer. As an authorized Baofeng Dealer, we want installation to be as easy and painless as possible so you can enjoy your radios for many years to come.

If these instructions are followed correctly, you should not have any difficulty connecting the Baofeng radio to your computer. After the initial setup, future connection to the computer should be a matter of simply plugging the USB programming cable into your radio and computer and running CHIRP. Note: If you followed the installation instructions and are still having trouble, there is now another solution available. The installs quickly and easily on computers with Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Installation is automatic on many systems with little or no user interaction required.

The works with Baofeng, Kenwood, Wouxun and other two way radios equipped with standard two pin Kenwood connectors. Update: Hear our of! Rick--I can only up load some of the frequency selections that I got from the log book via chirp. But when I tried to narrow it down to York county only--I was unable to get the upload to become bold so that it would work--I have tried naming it--but again cant get the save or save as to become bold. Can you walk me through the' save it' portion again--I'm not doing something correct. The sc --all-- is working and I can upload it ok--so that tells me the com port 3 is the correct one--I am still practicing with this and would like to get proficient before I type in all the ones that I will want to keep. Thanks for your help barnes w4goy.

I just got a UV-5R and followed these very well-written instructions. Downloaded and installed the USB driver. Downloaded and installed CHIRP. Followed all directions, made sure the plug was in the radio all the way. Then tried Radio>Download from radio. I got a pop up saying it may not work but procedeed.

A little box opened indicating data being transferred. And it didn't work. So tried a few more times.

I kept getting a pop-up saying the radio didn't want to cooperate, althoug hthe Com port was correct. Although I thought I read that the radio should be tuned to a channel that was NOT operating, I tried tuning the radio a channel that WAS operational. And it worked - all the channel info from the radio was copied to CHIRP, allowing me to edit it. Hope this is helpful. Rich made a valuable observation.

Do in this exact order: 1. Make sure radio is off. Connect the cable to the radio. Make sure it's all the way in. Connect the other end of the cable to your computer's USB port 4.

Turn the radio on. Within CHIRP, click Radio>Download from radio After a couple of pop-up windows, CHIRP should import what's on your radio's channels.

Then you can edit. When done, click Radio>Upload to radio, and it should transfer your new presets. Save your file someplace you can find it again. Note: When uploading from radio to CHIRP, be sure your radio is tuned to an active station - in spite of the instructions you'll see pop up. #4 says, 'Ensure that the radio is tuned to channel with no activity.' I tune it to a channel that IS active - the little green light on the face of the unit is on or flashing. If I tune to a random station and there's no green light, I get a message saying CHIRP can't communicate with the radio.

Very confusing! UV-5RA and 'Genuine BAOFENG' cable ordered from Amazon recently. Could't get Mac OS 10.9 to recognize cable no matter the driver.

Windows 7 installed drivers automatically. As soon as radio is turned on, it begins transmitting several times per second continuously. ONCE I got the channels to download from the radio to CHIRP by unplugging and reconnecting the USB while leaving the radio on. Oddly, if I lift the radio a few inches off the desk, it starts transmitting continuously instead of repeatedly.

I've been working on this for days - trying every driver and reading every set of instructions I can find. I'm throwing the cable and mini CD and radio in the garbage. Honestly, I expected such 'quality' from a $28 radio when I ordered it, so no big loss.:). Hi Joe, if you tried everything in the instructions, you should already have the Prolific driver. You can't proceed past the second step without it.

Where did you purchase the Baofeng programming cable? If it was, it will come with the driver CD. If you purchased the cable from another dealer and it did not include the driver, you will need to contact them to obtain it. Keep in mind that there are a lot of counterfeit cables out there, so if you purchased a cable purported to have a Prolific chip but won't install the driver, it may not actually have one. There is another option.

The installs easily in most versions of Windows without a driver CD. It works with most Baofeng and Wouxun radios that use a standard Kenwood connector, including the UV-5R. If you are having trouble installing your current cable, the XLT Painless Programming Cable is well worth the investment. Steve, The top [A] display and bottom [B] display are independent from each other. They cannot be automatically synchronized.

When the top display is selected (black triangle to the top left) and you scroll through the programmed channels, the channel number in the bottom display does not change. That is why you keep seeing 136.025 on the bottom display when you scroll through the channels on the top display.

Tap the [A/B] key to select the bottom display (black triangle to the bottom left) and then scroll through the channels. You will now see the frequency change on the bottom display and the top display will not change. That's how the radio is supposed to work. Alan, I agree. Roger's problems are driver related. With Prolific chips on Windows, genuine or not, you might as well plan to downgrade the drivers. V2.0.2.1 for Windows XP and V3.2.0.0 for Windows Vista, 7 and 8.

They are available from the miklor.com website. I have a mixture of cables with genuine and knock-off chips. I never have to worry about which driver is in stalled because the older drivers work with both. And yes, Prolific drivers for Mac OS X have the same issues with knock-off chips. The needed generic drivers are available from links on the CHIRP website wiki/documentation pages.

The Linux open source drivers don't care which Prolific chip you have. CHIRP Live CD uses the Xubuntu linux OS. It boots from a CD or USB flash drive without messing with your regular OS. If you boot this CD and your programming cable works, but it doesn't work in Windows or Mac OS X, then you can be reasonably be sure that you have a driver problem. I've installed practically every Windows Prolific driver that I could get my hands on to figure out which one was the best to have installed.

It really isn't that difficult to get the older compatible drivers installed. You just have to each and every step. But after doing that, and you still seem to be having problems, then get the XLT Painless programming cable. It uses the FTDI USB-to-serial chip and has compatible drivers for Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and more. Phil, Double check Device Manager to make sure that you have successfully downgraded to the v3.2.0.0 driver. You not only have to install it, you have to specifically select it instead of the v3.4 something driver that Windows 7 automatically installs.

Along with the video posted here, you may also want to take a look at the instructions here: If you have verified with Device Manager that the v3.2.0.0 is installed and selected, then the problem is likely the plug is not fully inserted into the radio's socket. Like getting a compatible driver installed, getting the plug fully seated in the radio is also a common problem.

Look here for some suggestions: Jim KC9HI. I read somewhere durng my exploits into programing my Baofeng GT-3 radio that you will use the UV-5r programing as the GT-3 Mark II is an upgraded version of the UV-5 and after cloning the radio they lost sound in frequency mode and were only able to hear with a headset. Well, I figured out the problem and wanted to share.

In the column next to the frequency is 'name' and after is 'tone mode', tone mode must be (none) to work properly. After changing all the tone modes it worked as normal. To do so I had to delete the line and re enter it. Good luck, hope this helps.

Hi Taylor, most of the UV-5R series radios are about the same. A good rule of thumb is if it uses the same Kenwood connector as the UV-5R it should be compatible with the UV-5R programming cable.

Of course, the programming software is another matter entirely. We carry the UV-5R but we do not have the UV-5RB, so we cannot guarantee the software we provide for the radios we sell will also work well for your particular model. According to CHIRP, the supported UV-5R variants include the UV-5RB, however, as we do not use or sell the B variant, we have not verified this ourselves. Found your forum while searching for programming updates for my Baofeng Radios. I've recently run into a similar issue with programming these units. I've tried the seating and cable cutting methods described, to no avail with some of the newer versions.

The fix for me has been to use a 2.5 and a 3.5 extension cable to hook into the radio. My best guess is the 1 mm ish metal ring on the bottom of the programming cable is not allowing it to seat deeply enough into the new versions of the radio. It seems to work flawlessly now. Just wanted to post what worked for me. Thanks for this website!

Finally got everything to work. *Note: I'm on a desktop, and I had to turn off 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' before CHIRP would download the image off my radio to my PC. Was getting error messages before.

I'm using Win 7 (64 bit) and Baofeng UV-5R. So if any of you have followed the instructions and still cannot get CHIRP to 'Download from Radio' correctly, trying turning off the 'Allow computer to turn off this device to save power' in your Device Manager.

Worked for me! How can I retitle the name of my downloaded file from my radio?

When I select the box it does nothing. I tried adding a new.csv file and using 'save as' but that does nothing either. Everything worked fine on this first try of CHIRP until this.

I am using the latest download of CHIRP, Win 7 Ultimate, 64 Bit. Normally any other program being used when you select SAVE AS, you get either a box to add the new name, or, the previous name goes blue and you just type the new name in the box. I get nothing to happen. I was trying to use the CHIRP software with my UV-5R plus and I too kept getting the pop-up stating my radio didn't respond. After numerous attempts and a little frustration, I came here and read these instructions.

While my radio was communicating with the Baofeng software, it wouldn't with the CHIRP program. I also noticed my orange 'transmit' light was constantly on. I read the part under 'Laptop' instructions and even though I am using a desktop, when I went into the power management settings in the Device Manager, Properties, Power Management and 'unchecked' both 'Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power' and the 'Allow this device to wake the computer' and the transmit light on my radio went off. I was then able to get the CHIRP program to communicate with my radio and successfully download the information. I am using Windows 7. Hope this helps someone having the problem I was having.

How does anyone here know that Baofeng copied anyone's hardware? Without having a complete schematic for the radio and the other companies radios, I would think it would be impossible to know. And I am pretty sure that companies like ICOM, Kenwood etc.

Would be screaming bloody murder about them copying their hardware. No lawsuits have been filed. And as far as I know, none of those same companies have pulled production of their products from China. I would think that they would at least threaten it if their products were being infringed on. James WD5GWY Logged.

Wow, the way people make assumptions! You're sadly mistaken.

Oh, and how about the threads about the generators from China that a lot of hams are using and how those generators are exact--EXACT--duplicates of the ones Honda is putting out, but don't have the warrantees that Honda supplies with their units. Honestly, I wonder how people can be so blind, yet can seem to claim that they see everything. All that was said was how Chinese manufacturers tend to skirt the international laws of copyright infringement in some of the most lucrative goods out on the market, ham radio equipment included. « Last Edit: June 11, 2012, 03:52:16 AM by K1CJS » Logged. You have made the accusation. I MEAN LEGALLY BINDING PROOF.

Not some fear mongering crap posted to some union's website to get the members stirred up or RIAA propaganda. Present some documents, schematics, any kind of hard evidence, if you can, that lends credence to your claim. I'll give you an example of the same shit that goes on right here in the good ole clean and pure USA.

A small firearms manufacturer produces a small compact pocket pistol. It sell as fast as they can make them. In steps one of the Big Three in the US firearms industry, Ruger, who takes the design, does some slight cosmetic 'enhancements' and hypes it as the newest thing in personal protection and sells them by the train load. So, in light of this, should we boycott the giant corporate bully Ruger for stealing the design from the little guy, who by the way didn't feel it needed to file a patent on its design, or is that okay because it is an American company doing it? For the record, piracy, copyright/patent infringement, or all the other shady business practices are not ok or to be condoned.

But if YaeComWood is not convinced enough to take legal action to protect their design who are you to say it is stolen? While we are on morality issues, how many of your radios are modified to transmit out of band, just in case? Boy, you can go from cold to hot fast, can't you? I would refuse to do business with any manufacturer that has shady dealings--which are publicised, foreign or US. In any event, if something like that happened in the US, there would be a cadre of company lawyers bringing suit against the offender faster than you can say 'ambulance chaser!'

That can't easily happen with a Chinese company. They just laughed at the CD and DVD manufacturers here--and keep right on copying. The way those Chinese companies do 'business' have been publicised. Some of their products may well be 'original', but some other products from there are obvious copies--which even a blind man could see. If you want proof, do your own research.

Hara Hara Mahadeva Telugu Serial Dvd more. « Last Edit: June 12, 2012, 04:15:14 AM by K1CJS » Logged. M6GOM, We are all well aware that the major manufacturers are being forced to have the products they design, assembled in China, but only out of being forced to, in an effort to compete with cheap labor being used by the technology thieves in China. Otherwise, the technology-innovating companies would have their products assembled in their respective countries, in support of their own economies. When the innovators can no longer compete, they will die.

Is saving a few dollars worth the sacrifice to come? In my mind, the answer is a no-brainer. Union labor in the United States is in large part, the problem. But, I believe most of the blame goes to consumers that put price before quality by supporting the Chinese workers charged with the never-ending task of reverse-engineering foreign technological equipment.

We all know it's happening; to ignore or deny it, leads only to our own demise. Let's work together on this issue to save the leaders of our industry. Union labor is not at fault for this countries economic turmoil!!! Thats just plain non-sense and I can prove it!

I agreed with what you were saying until the labor union comment. If it weren't for Union Labor then we wouldn't be to far from China's slave wage practice. It is as common sense to know that big corporations here in the U.S. Would still pay slave wage like they did in our earlier historical years before Union's had to be formed. That was the reason why Union's were formed in the first place and is the reason why China doesn't have any Unions. That's also the reason why china can pay such a slave wage to make themselves such a huge profit even when their supplying garbage to the market. Think about it!

I'm tempted to buy a UV-5R because of its cost but is it like my Icom 91AD or Icom W2A? It's great as an entry level,but I like quality and these Chinese products are not quality so I wouldn't replace my Icom gear for them. Union labor is not at fault for this countries economic turmoil!!! Thats just plain non-sense and I can prove it! I agreed with what you were saying until the labor union comment.

If it weren't for Union Labor then we wouldn't be to far from China's slave wage practice. I think that may well be the point. In unionized industries in this country, the pay scale and benefits can be well above what the non-unionized industry here are offering.

IOW, the extra pay and benefits push the costs of the end product up--and provide some of the impetus for the inflationary spiral. I have been buying all the traditional ham equipment since 1977 when I got licensed, I've owned just about every brand and have spend a lot over the years like most of you guys have. Icom, Kenwoods, Yaesu's, Drake, and so on. There's no getting around the fact that almost anything we buy says Made in China on it nowdays. I saw these Chinese radios advertised and I purchased two of them. One is the Baofeng UV 5R, and the other a little more expensive the Wouxun KG UV6X, a commercial Dual Bander that is FCC approved for type 90, and 97, and it narrow band 2.5 stepping for the new freq's coming in 2013.

These radios will not replace my Icom, Kenwood, or Yaesu, they are cheap, but they work very well, and they sound incredibly good. My thinking is that these radios are great for all the new hams that are trying to get on the air with a decent radio that they can afford. I wish there was a $50 dual bander on the market when I got my ticket years ago, I had to get an old boat anchor at a ham fest, but it did get me started. I suppose we could talk about China all day long and how they send a lot of junk over here, same as we did many years ago when all our stuff said Made in Japan on it but that wont change anything.

The fact is Chinese radios are here, and here to stay. They even have Chinese Mobile Dual Banders on the way that will compete with the big 4 as far as features, and performance goes. If you're comfortable buying one of the big brand names thats fine, it's your money. I think each of us buys what we can afford and what we feel comfortable with, and it's not the radio that makes the ham what he or she is.

This is a great hobby as far as I'm concerned I have met a ton of great people on the airwaves, at hamfests, and so on, and I wouldn't fault any one of them for the type of radio they bought or own. My Chinese HT's lack a lot of features that my Icom and Yaesu have, but they work very well, the battery life is great, they sound as good as the big boys do and if they break I wont cry over the $50 lost. I dont think Icom or Kenwood or the other big manufactures have any worries, they have a good product, you can have them serviced almost anywhere, and hams will continue to buy them even with a $400 plus price tag. It will be interesting to see where all of this Chinese radio stuff goes, how the sales will be and how the big 4 as we call them will react to the new kid on the block.

I suppose we could talk about China all day long and how they send a lot of junk over here, same as we did many years ago when all our stuff said Made in Japan on it but that wont change anything. The fact is Chinese radios are here, and here to stay. Yeah, that's the truth. But only because bargain hunters will pay the lowest prices for ANYTHING, and not bother to look where it's made. I bought two VCRS a few years ago, one the RCA brand which was made in China, and one the Mitsubichi brand, made in Japan. Both were top of the line models, not the lowest price models that were available.

Now, no argument will be coming that Japan was the same as China when they started to send their stuff over here, but since then they've increased the quality of their goods a hundred fold. And it shows--the RCA VCR I bought is dead and gone, while the Mitsubichi VCR is still going strong. And yes, they were both used for the same thing and for the same relative amount of time. AAMOF, the Mitsubichi VCR probably was used MORE!

« Last Edit: August 14, 2012, 07:17:43 AM by K1CJS » Logged. My Vitamix blender which is made here in Bedford Ohio, and sold world wide cost me $469. It's a blender.

Has lot of power and a 7 year warranty. I buy USA made products when I can because they are made better, and hopefully last longer. But the Vitamix is a blender it blends smoothies, and makes great milk shakes for $469. I could buy a Wal Mart blender for $25, it blends too and makes good milk shakes.

But I chose not to. For the radio, well I'd say for a spare knock about or for a beginner ham just getting in the hobby, this $50 HT can't be beat. Depending on your needs, wants, and your wallet. Logged Pages: [ 2].