Manually Programing Bao Feng Radios

Manually Programing Bao Feng Radios

By Bob Brodkin WA6TBH

It has occurred to me that many new owners of Bao Feng radios (especially new Hams) have viewed the manual programing process as difficult and mysterious. Although there may be instructions out there, I have not seen a clear concise explanation of this process anywhere.

Once broken down into “action modules” the process becomes extremely simple.

To begin with, the radio(s) have two modes of operation.

1. Channel Mode2. Frequency or VFO mode

In the Channel Mode, the radio is programed using a computer, a special cable, and a program like CHIRP. This method is very simple with minimal instruction required. This process will not be discussed further here.

Your radio is designed with a number of channels which contain information to enable you to operate (send and receive) in either Simplex mode (send and receive on the same frequency) or Repeater mode.

Repeater mode allows you to transmit your signal to a receiver on a repeater station (usually located at a high elevation) which will re-transmit your signal through its transmitter and provide a much wider coverage than simplex operation.

The remainder of this document will deal with manually programing any channel with information required for repeater mode operation.

The key to manual programing from the radio keypad is a system of “codes” and other functions, which allow you to set all specific items that are required to operate via a specific repeater station. Each repeater station you wish to use will have its own unique set of information.

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Ok, to begin you must be in Frequency Mode. In the BaoFeng UV-82 to get to Frequency mode you must turn the radio off, and then press and hold the MENU button while turning the radio on. (Other BaoFeng radios may have a mode switch button)

All programming must be done in the top display line of your radio. (Use the EXIT/AB button) to accomplish this.

Action Module SELECT AND CLEAR A CHANNEL (code 28 DEL-CH)

Choose a channel you wish to use for repeater operation and then clear that channel of any previously stored information.

On the keypad, press MENU, 28, MENU, Enter the selected channel number, MENU, EXIT

Your selected channel has now been cleared.

The remaining Action Modules may be executed in any order.

In each of the ACTION MODULES there are usually 2 steps. Step 1 is to enter information followed by 2 to store that information in a channel.

Example: MENU, code, MENU, channel, MENU, EXIT

! Do not include the commas … they are placed for ease of reading only!

IMPORTANT: ALL ENTRIES MUST BE MADE IN THE UPPER DISPLAY LINE

Action ModuleEnter the Receive Frequency (code 27 MEM-CH) (decimal points are not required)

Type the Receive Frequency in the upper display line, then Press MENU, then 27, MENU then the channel number, then MENU, EXIT

Your receive frequency has now been entered into your selected channel

Action Module Enter the Transmit Frequency(code 27 MEM-CH) (decimal points are not required)

Type the Transmit Frequency in the upper display line, then Press MENU, then 27,MENU then the channel number, then MENU, EXIT

Your transmit frequency has been now entered into your selected channel

Action Module Enter the CTCS (PL TONE) frequency (code 13 T-CTCS) (decimal points are not required)

Press MENU, 13, MENU, tone frequency, MENU, 27, channel number, MENU, EXIT

Your PL tone has now been entered into your selected channel

Now revert to Channel mode by shutting the radio off by holding down the MENU button while turning the radio back on.

DONE

Other codes and their corresponding numbers

Programing codes and Explanations