Baofeng UV-17 Programming Issues

[dek781]

Hello All,

New to the forum and would appreciate any help/suggestions on how to read/write to the UV-17. A friend of mine purchased these radios a couple years ago and wasn't able to program them, so I thought I would give it a shot but haven't had any luck. In the past our group has used UV-82's for backcountry activities and I've had no issues programming these radios.

After going through just about every forum, video, and post about the issues that some people have had with the programming of the UV-17, and trying every potential option under the sun, I'm damn near ready to call it quits.

Things I've tried:
- I initially had a Baofeng Prolific cable which I've successfully programmed all of our UV-82's with. Yes, I'm running the 3.2.0.0 drivers and have tried multiple COM ports.
- I've tried CHIRP, and the programming software from Miklor (BF-UVs PRO CPS, P15UV CPS, T6UV CPS.
- After having no luck with the above, I ordered a BFTech FTDI cable as suggested by others. I'm running the latest 2.12.36.4 drivers, and again tried multiple COM ports.
- One person said that the radios are very particular with the sequence of plugging in the cable and turning on the radio when programming with CHIRP. I can tell you with certainty that I've tried every sequence possible.
- Some suggested that the cable is not fitting properly in the connection ports. I shaved both cables down and they are fully seated. They also both work with my UV-82's.
- Some suggested that the volume setting on the radio has an influence on whether it will read/write or not, again, tried multiple settings with no luck.

After all this it leads me to believe this isn't a connectivity issue and something firmware or software related. The other reason I say this is that with CHIRP on the UV-17PRO setting, directly after hitting "OK" in the communicate with radio box, the radio will show "Program...." for 2-5 seconds, and then the software has a "No response from radio. Check connector and cabling". Similar things happen with the BF-UVs Pro software, a brief moment of what seems like success (radio shows that its connecting), and then the software says "Failure".

Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We run a lot of different channels so hand programming is not really a feasible option. I've posted some pictures of the radios and the errors. Thanks in advance.

 

[KD2NAC]

Hi,
Just came upon your post. I just received My
uv 17 PRO & just programmed it with no problems. Make sure you pick the right version in the drop down. HERE'S WHERE ITS INPORTANT. Do not have your cable plugged in yet. Most Baofengs will want to be in frequency mode for programming. make sure it is and shut off. I generally download from the radio first to erase the factory frequencies. In Chirp go to Radio and click download from radio. make sure you have your comm connection picked & the proper radio model. If ok then click ok. PLUG PROGRAMMING CABLE IN SECURLY, TURN ON FULL VOLUME AND HIT OK. It should start cloning. if you do this too slow or out of sync or have the cable plugged in before hand you will get an error code.
See if this helps you.
Bill A.

 

[VK2TPD]

Hi,

Windows 11 has issues with FTDI. It has security settings that won't allow it. I came across the same issue with a Retevis and a Anytone with a friend, he runs Win 11 so> I took them home had no problems with Win 10.
Pete.

 

[dek781]

Hi,

Windows 11 has issues with FTDI. It has security settings that won't allow it. I came across the same issue with a Retevis and a Anytone with a friend, he runs Win 11 so> I took them home had no problems with Win 10.
Pete.

The FTDI cable programs my UV-82's with zero issues. I'm going to say Windows 11 is not the problem in my case.

Hi,
Just came upon your post. I just received My
uv 17 PRO & just programmed it with no problems. Make sure you pick the right version in the drop down. HERE'S WHERE ITS INPORTANT. Do not have your cable plugged in yet. Most Baofengs will want to be in frequency mode for programming. make sure it is and shut off. I generally download from the radio first to erase the factory frequencies. In Chirp go to Radio and click download from radio. make sure you have your comm connection picked & the proper radio model. If ok then click ok. PLUG PROGRAMMING CABLE IN SECURLY, TURN ON FULL VOLUME AND HIT OK. It should start cloning. if you do this too slow or out of sync or have the cable plugged in before hand you will get an error code.
See if this helps you.
Bill A.

Thanks Bill, however, I've tried reading the radios dozens of times in this sequence, with every model that CHIRP lists.

 

[KD2NAC]

Is yours a Pro version with the built in GPS? or no.

 

[pb_lonny]

This is what I use:

CHRIP - Settings for Baofeng UV-17

I am an amateur radio operator (HAM) from Launceston Tasmania - VK7AAL. I am also a keen software developer, in both JustBasic and Python.

vk7aal.blogspot.com

 

[KD2NAC]

Follow this link to a complete list of Baofeng downloads. I like Chirp, but when I had no luck uploading a power on image, this software worked.
Programming Software - Miklor

 

[dek781]

Is yours a Pro version with the built in GPS? or no.

No, it's a UV-17, as shown in the original post.

Follow this link to a complete list of Baofeng downloads. I like Chirp, but when I had no luck uploading a power on image, this software worked.
Programming Software - Miklor

"- I've tried CHIRP, and the programming software from Miklor (BF-UVs PRO CPS, P15UV CPS, T6UV CPS)."

I've already tried all of these. Also in the original post.

Since making the original post, I've also tried the paid RT Systems programming software. It showed potential but after 10-15 seconds of what looked like attempts to connect to the radio, it also failed.

This is what I use:

CHRIP - Settings for Baofeng UV-17

I am an amateur radio operator (HAM) from Launceston Tasmania - VK7AAL. I am also a keen software developer, in both JustBasic and Python.

vk7aal.blogspot.com

I've tried reading the radios on every radio setting in CHIRP. Yes, every one, including the UV-17R PLUS.

 

[pb_lonny]

Sounds like a faulty cable or drivers issue.

 

[dek781]

Sounds like a faulty cable or drivers issue.

No, it doesn't. If you read the original post you'd see that I've tried both Prolific and FTDI cables, both which program my UV-82's with no issues. I've ran through all of the basics or connectivity issues, dozens of times.

 

[pb_lonny]

If the same cable and software works for other radios, must a radio issue then.

 

[dek781]

If the same cable and software works for other radios, must a radio issue then.

..... yeah, you think?