No license is required to receive, but in order to prevent accidental transmission, there is no way to lock the push to talk switch on this radio, the only way of preventing the radio from transmitting accidentally is to program the transmit frequency to zero using the computer programming software. on both "ham" and commercial frequencies. Look for the frequencies you want to program first, remember that a license is required to transmit with this radio in the U.S. If you are looking for directions to setup your UV-5R on another radio service, familiarize with this procedures. The next steps will ensure your UV-5R is set up correctly for ham radio use and programming via the keypad. If you are not sure of the NOAA weather frequency in your area, look for it on the internet or look for a list of amateur radio repeater frequencies in your area. The photo shows the UV-5RE after entering 145.370 on VFO-A and 447.350 on VFO-B, both local vhf and uhf amateur repeaters respectively. Make sure you can enter and receive frequencies on both vfo's. You should hear the weather broadcast through the speaker, adjust the volume to your preference.You can enter any other frequency you prefer, this step is just to make sure your UV-5R is receiving. Enter the frequency of the NOAA weather broadcast in your area using the keypad buttons, in Puerto Rico it is on 162.400 mhz. Press the blue VFO button (A/B) and select the upper VFO. Press the orange button, VFO/MR, until the radio announces "frequency mode".
Make sure your battery indicator is full (three bars) if not, charge your battery before proceeding with programming and the remaining tests. After this is completed, the display will show two frequencies, one on the top, VFO-A and another on the bottom, VFO-B. When turned on make sure you see all display icons illuminate or a welcome display. The following steps will let you discover if your radio is operational. On older UV-5R's, the flashing led option is not available. The push to talk switch (ptt) at the center is used for transmitting, the "moni" button below is used to turn on the built in flash light (led) on top of the radio (in this version it toggles between, flashing and always on) and opens the squelch when pressed longer. A long press activates the alarm function. A quick press of the call button changes the frequency mode to fm radio reception.
Side view of the UV-5RE showing the "call" button, "ptt" switch (center) and "moni" button. For more information on programming the UV-5R via computer, visit the UV-5R Yahoo group or go to This connector is also used for programming the radio with a computer and software.Computer programming of the Baofeng UV-5R will be discussed in a future blog entry. Side view of the UV-5RE, the speaker microphone connector is below the rubber cover. The firmware version can not be upgraded. The firmware version (BFB) will briefly show on the display.
To check your UV-5R firmware version, press number key while powering the radio on. The photo shows all the items that came with my UV-5RE firmware version BFB-293. The first step is to check that all the items are inside the box : radio, battery, antenna, belt clip, desk charging cradle, desk charger power supply, earphone / microphone, lanyard and manual.
I will discuss the basic steps required to verify that your radio arrived operational and how to pre configure the menus for a trouble free manual programming. One of the most common problems with the UV-5R is the difficulty when trying to program it by hand. The firmware versions can not be upgraded. The main differences are the case style and the firmware versions, BFB-230 being the oldest and BFB-295/297 the newest. This topic has been widely discussed in the Baofeng UV-5R Yahoo group.The radio is available in different colors and case styles, models available include the UV-5R, UV-5R+, UV-5RA, UV-5RB, UV-5RC, UV-5RE and other variants. The radio has an FCC Part 90 certification, so it is not compliant when used on Part 95 services. It is illegal to use the UV-5R on GMRS, FRS and MURS channels in the U.S. With or without a license, the UV-5R is not legal for GMRS.
An amateur radio license, Technician class or higher is required to legally transmit with this radio in the U.S. The UV-5R is a very popular transceiver in many countries and in the United States, its low cost ($50.00) makes it a very good alternative for newcomers into the hobby or as a second or backup handheld among experienced amateur radio operators. The power output is four watts in high power and one watt in low power on both bands. ( Initially, coverage in uhf was 400 - 480 mhz., currently they cover from 400 - 520 mhz). The Baofeng UV-5R ia a multi purpose dual band ( vhf / uhf ) hand held transceiver made in China.