Baofeng Baofeng DM-32UV Audio Issues

[KC1ART]

I guess, my fault for trying to go cheap, but wondering if anyone has similar audio issues with this radio;

Trying to use the DM-32UV for a Zello scanner (listen only) feed.

- All the frequencies are programmed appropriately.
- The audio sounds fine from the radio’s internal speaker.
- The audio sounded fine when I had an external antenna attached, and moving around my house. https://a.co/d/090mUw41
- When I plug an audio cable into my computer, the radio won’t pass audio; just an ‘kerchunk’ every time someone transmits.
- Plug in the Baofeng’s collar mic, sounds fine.
-Plug a 3.5mm audio cable from the collar mic to my computer’s audio input…kerchunk only.
- Change 3.5mm cable back to Bearcat scanner, everything sounds fine on Zello.
- unplug/replug 3.5mm without changing any audio settings to the Baofeng, ‘kerchunk only’.

Feels like I’ve tried every combination of…everything…and haven’t figured out what the issue is yet.

Any ideas?

 

[chief21]

Any ideas?

I'm not real clear on your description, but are you aware that the RX audio from the Baofeng is likely on the smaller pin rather than the 3.5mm pin?

Baofeng Mic Pin Out and Programming Cable Schematics

Speaker Microphone Pin Out, Dual PTT Switching,Programming Cables, SMA Antenna Connection, Extended Antenna Threads for Baofeng UV 3, UV 5 Series handheld transceivers

www.dxzone.com

 

[KC1ART]

Yes. I was using a 2.5mm to 3.5mm audio cable out of the Baofeng, and into my USB sound card, but when that didn’t work, I tried a 3.5mm out of the aux port on the baofeng’s collar mic. It’s the weirdest thing that neither will send audio into the computer.

 

[chief21]

It’s the weirdest thing that neither will send audio into the computer.

I assume that you've set the PC to utilize the external audio? Don't know what else to suggest.

 

[KC1ART]

Yeah. On a whim, I copy/pasted my entire first post into AI and asked it what the deal was. I got an interesting response.

Seems the issue might be that I can’t just plug a 2.5mm into the headphone side of the plug and expect it to work, because the full audio circuit relies on the 3.5mm microphone side being connected as well. Gonna buy a Kenwood 2-pin accessory cable and a TS mono cable and see if that solves the problem.

AI’s answer:

What you’re running into is a very common quirk with Baofeng-style radios (including the Baofeng DM-32UV): the accessory jack is not a simple “speaker out” like a scanner, and that’s why your Zello feed only hears the kerchunk.

Baofeng radios:

• Mute or reroute audio unless the correct resistance/load is detected
• Often require both pins (2.5mm + 3.5mm) to behave properly

Use a proper Kenwood 2-pin to line-out adapter. Look for something like:

• “Kenwood 2-pin to 3.5mm audio adapter (line out)”
• Sometimes sold as Baofeng audio adapter for streaming/scanning

Also:

Most Baofeng-style radios (including the DM-32UV) use a TRS (Tip-Ring-Sleeve) jack, but they often output a mono signal.

• The Issue: If you are using a standard 3.5mm stereo cable, the "Ring" on the computer side might be shorting the "Sleeve" (ground) on the radio side. This triggers a protection circuit or simply grounds out the audio signal before it hits your sound card.

• The Fix: Try using a 3.5mm Mono-to-Stereo adapter or a Mono cable.