Baofeng BF-F8HP Crashing

[Finn1095]

I recently purchased two BF-F8HP radios. I wanted to program them both with CHIRP. I downloaded the 1st radio's image, saved it as a backup, made my changes and saved the modified image separately, then uploaded the modified image. The 1st radio was working fine.

As I was preparing to upload to the 2nd radio, I decided to add another frequency to the image file. I uploaded this to the 2nd radio, no problems. I then uploaded the new image to the 1st radio. I turned the 1st radio off, then unplugged the programming cable. When I turned the 1st radio on again, it immediately started crashing, attempting to restart, crashing again, repeat.

If I turn the radio on with the volume knob less than halfway, the radio will start up, but the double-beep it does on startup is a little distorted. It seems to operate normally otherwise. Turning the radio on with the volume knob over halfway results in the infinite crash/restart loop.

I tried to do a menu 40 restart, that had no effect. Reuploading the factory image file also had no effect. I was unable to find any info regarding this problem via Google or forum search. Anybody have any ideas?

 

[Delta33]

Yep, Buy a KENWOOD !

 

[SpugEddy]

I have a few BF-F9 radios. I can tell you that you
cannot download Radio1, make changes, upload them
into Radio1 and then also into Radio2.
Here is how I do it, using CHIRP
1. Radio1 download from radio
2. Make changes
3. Save file (Radio1.img)
4. Upload back into Radio1
If you want Radio1 and Radio2 to programmed the same, do this:
1. Radio2 download from radio
2. Save file as (Radio2.img)
3. Go to File>Import
4. Import from Radio1 (ie. Radio1.img)
5. Import all the channels from Radio1 into Radio2's channel list
6. Save file and Upload back into Radio2

This will work with the channel list only and not
for the radio's parameters. Hope this helps.

Also, to keep track of radios.
In the Settings Tab on the left of the screen
Go to the 3rd Option down "Other Settings"
In the "Power-On Message 1" text block, Enter the Radio # here
(On my radios I have this set as RADIO 1, RADIO 2, RADIO 3, etc)
I save my image (.img) files to the same text Radio1.img, Radio2.img, etc

 

[jonwienke]

The radios are probably running slightly different firmware versions. Uploading an image from one radio to a radio with a different firmware version can brick it.

If the firmware is IDENTICAL between both radios, you can load the same image into both. But if there is any difference at all, you cannot.

 

[KC4RAF]

As SpugEddy posted.

Radio 1 and Radio 2 must have their own image file.

 

[Finn1095]

Thanks for the quick replies. Just to clarify:

1. The original image file was from Radio 1. It was saved as a backup before modifying anything.

2. I then modified Radio 1's file, and uploaded it to Radio 1. It worked fine.

3. I did NOT download Radio 2's original image file. I added one frequency to the modified Radio 1 file, and uploaded that to Radio 2. Radio 2 is working perfectly.

4. I then uploaded the newly modified Radio 1 file to Radio 1. Then it started this crashing problem. Nothing from Radio 2 was ever transferred to Radio 1. Doing a factory reset and uploading the original Radio 1 image file had no effect.

 

[Delta33]

These radios are from China,

SO you really expected Quality ??

 

[SpugEddy]

Try doing the radio reset a few times. Make sure you
select the "ALL" option when doing the reset. I think I
had to reset my radios 3 or 4 times before they worked
correctly.

If that doesn't work try this:
Start CHIRP
Hook up the radio
DO NOT LOAD an image file
Just download the data from the radio
Let CHIRP open the data
Go through all of the information looking for anything that doesn't look right (blank fields, strange looking characters, etc.)
(You may also want to try deleting all of the channels you programmed and just try going with the defaults)
If everything looks ok, try uploading that same data back into the radio

These radios are sometimes very flaky and temperamental. It's possible that something
got screwy when you uploaded the other radio's data.