Baofeng Intermittent send/receive on Baofeng UV-5G

[flook]

Hi,
I own 4 HT of Baofeng Uv-5G and I have the same problem on all of them.
About 50% of the time when trying to initiate communication the other party can't hear anything. The other HT does receive the signal (I can see the green light turns on) but no voice. I have tried removing the CTST code, using different GMRS channels and also changing the squelch to minimum.

I also verified the problem with other types (Not Baofeng) of HT that receive the signal but no voice coming through. I did notice that if I press the monitor button for few seconds on the receiving unit suddenly I can hear all communication which is expected as it ignores the CTSS codes. When I release the monitor button (CTSS codes are enabled again) the problem goes away till it comes back again sometime in the future. The "fix" also working in a scenario when no CTSS codes are set to I assume the problem is not related to the codes.

I thought I got faulty units but then I ordered another set which has the same issue.

Please advice
Thanks

 

[chief21]

Most Baofeng radios will not allow a permanent change of channel parameters (frequency, tones, etc.) to an already-programmed channel. You may be able to change certain items temporarily, but they will revert to the original programming once you leave the channel.
Try programming a completely new channel WITHOUT the CTCSS (receive) tones and see if that helps.

You didn't mention it, but I am assuming that you also programmed in a matching TX tone on the affected channels, right?

 

[flook]

The new firmware (it's already 1 year since release) does allow the CTCSS codes to be saved.
I have tried both with/without CTSS code and problem still persist for a new channel
I have programmed both RX/TX codes.
Since it is in 4 different sets I don't know if there is a bug in the firmware or maybe I am setting something wrong.

Update: Since I posted this I have noticed that triggering an alarm also unblocks the receiving side and I can communicate afterwards

 

[chief21]

For whatever reason, perhaps the CTCSS decode function on these radios is not solid. If I were having this problem, the first thing I would do is get back to the basics....
1) Disable the CTCSS receive/decode and use carrier squelch only on all affected channels on all affected radios. Unless you're having a serious interference problem, there is no need to use CTCSS receive (decode) on any channel, and CTCSS encode is usually only needed to access certain repeaters.
2) Make sure that all affected channels are set to use the same deviation (ie wide or narrow). If some radios are set to wide and others are set to narrow, this would likely cause receive problems.
3) Turn off any unnecessary options that might affect either the transmit or receive on the affected channels.
Once you get back to only the basic programming and the problem still occurs, it's almost got to be a fundamental problem with the radio itself.

 

[WRQS621]

Buy another one, Come on, it is $25.

 

[AK9R]

Buy another one, Come on, it is $25.

The UV-5G is the GMRS version. Around $60 from what I've seen.

 

[nd5y]

For whatever reason, perhaps the CTCSS decode function on these radios is not solid.

You are correct. It's not.

 

[flook]

I disabled CTSS and problem solved, for now. Based on my experience it is probably decode problem but if it is also an encode problem how can I hit a repeater when needed.

 

[chief21]

I disabled CTSS and problem solved, for now. Based on my experience it is probably decode problem but if it is also an encode problem how can I hit a repeater when needed.

You'll probably need to experiment further, as it could easily be an encode-only problem, a decode-only problem, or both. In your case, it's odd that this problem would present on so many different radios. If you can find at least one radio that appears to operate properly with CTCSS (both encode and decode), you should be able to identify the actual problem.