nd5y
Member
Here are some notes and observations of various Baofeng UV-5R "features".
I don't know how many of these apply to other firmware versions, other models, or clones made by other manufacturers.
Baofeng UV-5R
Firmware rev. BFS311 130903N
S/N US201311****
If the S/N is also a date code, then this unit was manufacturered in 11/2013.
Preloaded Factory Test Frequencies
Channel Freq Tone
1 452.125 69.3
2 453.225 91.5
3 454.325 136.5
4 455.425 151.4
5 456.525 192.8
6 457.625 241.8
7 458.725 025N
8 459.825 134N
9 461.925 274N
10 462.225 346N
11 463.325 503N
12 464.425 073R
13 465.525 703R
14 402.225
15 437.425
16 479.975
17 138.550
18 157.650
19 172.750
20 438.500
21 155.700
VFO A 155.500
VFO B 136.000
FM 100.7
DTMF
On firmware version BFS311, and possibly others, it is not possible to send a DTMF "D" tone.
Pressing the [EXIT] key sends "0" instead of "D".
The internal microphone is hot when DTMF/1750 burst tones are transmitted.
Pressing keypad keys while transmitting does not mute the mic.
The mic can pick up the sidetone from the speaker and overdrive or distort the transmitted tones.
Set Menu 16 DTMFST to OFF to keep the sidetone from interfering with transmitted tones.
Roger Beep (Menu 39 ROGER)
1st tone 1123 Hz 136 mS
2nd tone 865 Hz 202 mS
No delay
No space between tones
Receiver
Receiver sometimes makes light crackling sounds while the unit is moving, even when receiving extremely strong signals from a few feet away. It appears to be some type of SDR artifact.
Scanning
Scanning stops on any signal or noise even when in CTCSS/DCS decode mode.
Squelch
Setting Menu 0 SQL to 0 opens the squelch, settings 1-9 appear to be the same fixed level.
Squelch Tail Elimination (STE)
When Menu 35 STE is ON, the radio sends a 55 Hz tone for ~280 mS when the PTT key is released.
This occurs even if no CTCSS encode tone is selected (Menu 13 T-CTCS is OFF).
Setting Menu 35 STE to OFF disables this.
When CDCSS (DCS) encode is enabled, the radio sends the standard CDCSS turnoff code (134.4 Hz tone) for ~280 mS when PTT is released.
Setting Menu 35 STE to OFF disables this.
The microphone remains hot while the STE 55 Hz tone or CDCSS 134.4 Hz turnoff code are being sent.
In decode mode if a signal with CTCSS or DCS is received and the tone is dropped, the squelch remains open for ~2 S.
Menu 36 RP-STE and Menu 37 RPT-RL appear to have no function at all in any combination or with Menu 35 STE ON or OFF.
The radio will immediately close the squelch upon receiving the STE 55 Hz tone, even with no receive CTCSS tone selected (CSQ) and regardless of Menu 35 STE, Menu 36 RP-STE, and Menu 37 RPT-RL settings.
UV-5R Stock Dual Band Helical Antenna
Labeled 136-174, 400-520 MHz
Base is grounded.
Tap point 11 turns up from base. Has capacitor at tap point.
Top section 19 turns from tap point to end of coil has wider spacing.
Youtube video of antenna dissassembly Baofeng UV-5R+Plus antenna fault - YouTube
I don't know how many of these apply to other firmware versions, other models, or clones made by other manufacturers.
Baofeng UV-5R
Firmware rev. BFS311 130903N
S/N US201311****
If the S/N is also a date code, then this unit was manufacturered in 11/2013.
Preloaded Factory Test Frequencies
Channel Freq Tone
1 452.125 69.3
2 453.225 91.5
3 454.325 136.5
4 455.425 151.4
5 456.525 192.8
6 457.625 241.8
7 458.725 025N
8 459.825 134N
9 461.925 274N
10 462.225 346N
11 463.325 503N
12 464.425 073R
13 465.525 703R
14 402.225
15 437.425
16 479.975
17 138.550
18 157.650
19 172.750
20 438.500
21 155.700
VFO A 155.500
VFO B 136.000
FM 100.7
DTMF
On firmware version BFS311, and possibly others, it is not possible to send a DTMF "D" tone.
Pressing the [EXIT] key sends "0" instead of "D".
The internal microphone is hot when DTMF/1750 burst tones are transmitted.
Pressing keypad keys while transmitting does not mute the mic.
The mic can pick up the sidetone from the speaker and overdrive or distort the transmitted tones.
Set Menu 16 DTMFST to OFF to keep the sidetone from interfering with transmitted tones.
Roger Beep (Menu 39 ROGER)
1st tone 1123 Hz 136 mS
2nd tone 865 Hz 202 mS
No delay
No space between tones
Receiver
Receiver sometimes makes light crackling sounds while the unit is moving, even when receiving extremely strong signals from a few feet away. It appears to be some type of SDR artifact.
Scanning
Scanning stops on any signal or noise even when in CTCSS/DCS decode mode.
Squelch
Setting Menu 0 SQL to 0 opens the squelch, settings 1-9 appear to be the same fixed level.
Squelch Tail Elimination (STE)
When Menu 35 STE is ON, the radio sends a 55 Hz tone for ~280 mS when the PTT key is released.
This occurs even if no CTCSS encode tone is selected (Menu 13 T-CTCS is OFF).
Setting Menu 35 STE to OFF disables this.
When CDCSS (DCS) encode is enabled, the radio sends the standard CDCSS turnoff code (134.4 Hz tone) for ~280 mS when PTT is released.
Setting Menu 35 STE to OFF disables this.
The microphone remains hot while the STE 55 Hz tone or CDCSS 134.4 Hz turnoff code are being sent.
In decode mode if a signal with CTCSS or DCS is received and the tone is dropped, the squelch remains open for ~2 S.
Menu 36 RP-STE and Menu 37 RPT-RL appear to have no function at all in any combination or with Menu 35 STE ON or OFF.
The radio will immediately close the squelch upon receiving the STE 55 Hz tone, even with no receive CTCSS tone selected (CSQ) and regardless of Menu 35 STE, Menu 36 RP-STE, and Menu 37 RPT-RL settings.
UV-5R Stock Dual Band Helical Antenna
Labeled 136-174, 400-520 MHz
Base is grounded.
Tap point 11 turns up from base. Has capacitor at tap point.
Top section 19 turns from tap point to end of coil has wider spacing.
Youtube video of antenna dissassembly Baofeng UV-5R+Plus antenna fault - YouTube
