• Baofeng UV5R / UV82 (and variants)
  • Common Errors

This page provides general tips and troubleshooting for the Baofeng UV-5R, UV-82, and related radios (See Baofeng_UV5R_Variants). The UV-5R is the base model for a lot of variants, so this page will apply to many more people than just those with that specific badge on their radio. This information is a summarized version of the Miklor page on the subject. Go there for more detailed information

Baofeng Cheat Sheet. The Baofeng UV-5R is a great cheap little radio, but it's notoriously difficult to use, with poor documentation. Here are some tips and resources I've found to help me use them. Baofeng UV-5R on Amazon. I've found the following accessories to be useful. These are my recommended brands. Some similar/cheaper. This information is provided in the RDA1846 documentation in the file area. Many have reported the UV-5R will operate outside of these band limit on the 134 to 174 and 400 to 500 MHz bands (no one has reported any success using the UV-5R on the 222 MHz band), so my guess is the above band limits are not 'hard coded' in the DSP chip, but are just guaranteed band limits and in fact some chips.

Common Errors¶

- Radio Did Not Respond
- Unable to Program
- Radio did Not Ack Programming Mode
- Radio did Not Ack first command
- Radio Radio refused to enter Programming Mode¶

This is a very common problem. Slightly offset audio jacks could be the problem. Make sure the connector is snapped in all the way. Some cables require a really hard push to snap in that last 1/16 inch. One indication is that the transmitter may be keyed. A slight trimming of the cable's plug side and edge may be required.

The GT3 and similar radios with optional case designs may require a slightly different approach to trimming the cable. The cable cannot seat properly, not because it is misaligned, but rather the ridge on the case may be protruding out too far.
The cable may still need to be trimmed, but from the cable tension area. Here is a Graphic and Possible Solution

- Error has Occurred, Could not open Com Port x¶

Each USB slot is connected to a separate com port to avoid conflict. Changing your USB slot will change the com port number.
After making this change, you must unplug and replug your USB programming cable for the new com port number to be effective.

Baofeng Uv-5r Driver Macc

- Run-time error 8020: Error reading from comm device.
- Cannot Start (Code 10) in Windows 8¶

Error occurs if Prolific driver version is higher than v3.2.0.0
You need to Downgrade to v3.2.0.0

- CHIRP does not support my (Model Radio)
- Radio Version Not Supported
- Failed to communicate with radio: global name 'vendors' is not defined¶

These messages are generated if you are running a much older version of CHIRP. You must upgrade to CHIRP's Latest Daily Build.

- Fail Connect with Transceiver (UV5R / UV82 series)¶

This message is generated by the Factory Software. It can occur when:
1. (UV-5R) Incorrect software version for your firmware release. BFB290 and_prior, and BFB291_and_later require different software. They are not interchangeable.
2. Your radio is not turned ON when trying to program.
3. You are receiving a signal while trying to connect.
(tune to a quiet channel or remove antenna.)
4. Your cable is not plugged in all the way. (See above)
5. This can also occur if other software is running on your PC that may be loading down the CPU. Close ALL unrelated software and try again.

- Store the file name in nullity¶

Occurs when trying to save a data file using the Factory Software.
This error occurs when you don't have a valid filename for the file being saved. The filename entered MUST include the .dat suffix. filename.dat

- Cable without Echo Loopback¶

This indicates that the RX and TX serial lines have not been connected together with a loopback device (a plug that connects the RX and TX lines of a serial port connector for testing) so the characters being sent on the TX line are not being echoed back on the RX line.

- - Driver Issues¶

Many of the inexpensive programming cables are not the bargain they appear.
Due to Prolific USB/Serial chip 'clones' found in generic USB programming cables, an older driver is required in lieu of the driver now automatically supplied by Windows. for more detailed information

Baofeng Uv-5r Driver Macro

1. Download CHIRP for your platform
2. Check out the 'How_To_Get_Help' page, and the rest of the Documentation.
3. Join the mailing list!
4. Be sure to review the FAQ.

1. Before you open a new ticket, you might want to consult the documentation. On the right side of this web page, you will find some links to the Wiki. It contains good input for many re-occuring issues.
2. Also, please perform a search through all open and closed issues. Maybe someone else had the same problem before, and a solution is already available.
3. If your problem is about how to use CHIRP with an already supported radio, then you should ask that question in the mailing list.
4. Once you have looked through the Wiki and searched all open/closed issues, you can open a new ticket (did you ask on the mailing list?). There, you may file a bug report, request a new feature, or request the implementation of a new radio. Please be detailed and follow the instructions in 'How To Report Issues'.

If you are a vendor and want to have your radio supported by CHIRP, please see InformationForVendors

Supported Radio Models¶

Note that not all functionality is supported on all radio models. Not all models and variants are listed here. For a more complete view of everything supported, as well as which features are supported for which model, take a look at overview of supported features for the latest build.

Note that radios marked as 'variant' are supported via a Aliasing_for_radio_clones feature.

Other Data Sources¶

Baofeng Uv-5r Usb Driver Mac