Help with Baofeng UV-5RE

[MoriThing]

I just recently got my first radio (a Baofeng UV-5RE) and have been falling into issue after issue, however, most the time I find the solution. This time I can not find it and was hoping that this forum could either help or provide some helpful insight into the issue.

The issue I am talking about is that when manually typing in a frequency at the last digit I cannot add any number except 0 which is rather irritating when a certain frequency very last digit is 1-9. Another issue I came across is that I get no active frequencies except for only getting 2 (NOAA and a Amature radio club) this was with a scan on VHF. Does it depend on the location because I was hoping to use this for a cheap Scanner for my local Sheriff office.

 

[nd5y]

The issue I am talking about is that when manually typing in a frequency at the last digit I cannot add any number except 0 which is rather irritating when a certain frequency very last digit is 1-9.

That is normal operation. See Entering Frequencies.

Another issue I came across is that I get no active frequencies except for only getting 2 (NOAA and a Amature radio club) this was with a scan on VHF. Does it depend on the location because I was hoping to use this for a cheap Scanner for my local Sheriff office.

Could be due to the slow scan speed and no activity when you happened to be scanning, location, receiver overload due to nearby FM or TV stations, or maybe other issues.

 

[frazpo]

The issue I am talking about is that when manually typing in a frequency at the last digit I cannot add any number except 0 which is rather irritating when a certain frequency very last digit is 1-9. .

Change the "step" (Menu 1) to 2.5

 

[KC9HI]

That is normal operation. See Entering Frequencies.


Could be due to the slow scan speed and no activity when you happened to be scanning, location, receiver overload due to nearby FM or TV stations, or maybe other issues.

You have a STEP size selected that is incompatible with the frequency that you are trying to enter.

Detailed Menu Definitions - Miklor

Jim KC9HI

 

[fenriswolf039]

These radios are great entry-level transceivers... and they do scan, but SLOWLY.

I've tried it for local law/fire/emergency scanning and it's a bit of a flop in that department.

 

[Aero125]

These radios are not designed to operate as a 'scanner', it is just an added feature as an afterthought. And yes it is true this radio has little receive filtering and will pick up overload and interference from many sources.

For programming try CHIRP which will allow you to adjust the step to 2.5 and also let you enter the frequency as needed with less problem. IMO manually programing a UV5 is a pain in the rear. And as already mentioned I agree Miklor.com is the website with a lot of answers and advice.