How to Program Baofeng Radios With CHIRP - CTCSS Codes, PL Tones, Subchannels, etc

PART THREE: PROGRAMMING THE BAOFENG

Things you will need:

• A computer (mine is a Windows 10 laptop)
• A Baofeng radio
• A Baofeng programming cable and it's drivers for the Baofeng radio
• Chirp software
• A Chirp program file to start with (optional)
• You need to know the CTCSS codes for your FRS/GMRS radios

STEP ONE: GET A CHIRP PROGRAM FILE

On your computer, go to https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/201...adio-channels/ and download the Patriot Channels for Chirp. The direct link to download the file is here. The file is named PATRIOT_2016A_BAOFENG_UV5R.img. You DON'T need to download this file, and you COULD make a brand new Chirp file and type in all the information yourself. But this file helps a lot, especially if you don't know what you're doing. And it saves typing.

DOUBLE CHECK the file you downloaded is the correct one for your radio model.

DON'T try to double click the file to open it. The only way to use the file is from within Chirp.

Note 1: the PATRIOT_2016A_BAOFENG_UV5R.img Chirp file is based on the Baofeng UV5R radio. But the UV5R is just about the same as most other Baofeng handheld radios. My radios are UV82 models, and this file works perfectly with them.

Note 2: If you want my file that I used below, you can get it here: https://1drv.ms/f/s!Au-XflCdyWxNmD-ZVf_WbO6mOhwR

STEP TWO: GET CHIRP INSTALLED

Download and install Chirp : https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects.../wiki/Download

STEP THREE: SETTING UP YOUR PROGRAMMING CABLE

Plug in the programming cable, and install the drivers that came with it.

STEP FOUR: DOWNLOAD FROM YOUR RADIO TO YOUR COMPUTER

Run Chirp, then click Radio on the Menu, then click Download. This is where you can pick which radio you have. Follow the directions, and download from the radio. If you get an error right away, try a different Com port. I find that it helps to really push the cable into the radio HARD while this is going on, or it doesn't work. (Be careful not to push the PTT button while doing this).

When it's working, it will say "Cloning..."

Click the Settings button and review the basic settings for the radio. Here is where you can choose to have the radio display either the channel name (in the Name field in Chirp) or the frequency. You can also turn off the annoying voice and the annoying Roger Beep. And many other things.

STEP FIVE: EDIT CHANNEL SETTINGS

Next we'll edit the frequency file you downloaded. Click File on the menu, then Open, and browse to the file you downloaded. Choose the PATRIOT_2016A_BAOFENG_UV5R.img file. If you want, modify the channel list to remove some channels or add your emergency services channels so you can scan them or listen in. To find the emergency services channels in your area, go here: http://www.radioreference.com/apps/db/

And below is how you change the settings to add the CTCSS codes so that your Walmart GMRS radios will hear your Baofengs, along with a few other settings. Notice on mine, I have the emergency services channels set to NOT transmit. This is up to you. If you accidentally transmit on these channels, the law will be mad. But if you can't transmit, you can't use them in an emergency!

You can save the file with a new name, or just overwrite the old file. You can have many different files to choose from, although you can only install one file onto each radio.

STEP SIX: UPLOAD FROM YOUR COMPUTER TO YOUR RADIO

Then you're ready to upload the new file to your radio. Go to Radio on the menu and click Upload. Follow the directions. It will say "Cloning..." and when it's complete the radio will shut off and restart. Repeat for every radio and test.

END

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How to Program Baofeng Radios With CHIRP - CTCSS Codes, PL Tones, Subchannels, etc