Baofeng radio, ham radio, weather radio, programming, shtf, prepper,

Programming the Baofeng UV-5R for Weather Radio Frequencies

 

One of the useful features of owning an inexpensive Ham radio such as the Baofeng UV-5R is the ability to listen to weather radio frequencies. Listening to the broadcasts on a weather radio can provide valuable up-to-date information on dangerous storms and conditions that may be approaching. The specific frequency needed for an area can be looked up or found via trial and error.

Here are the NOAA weather frequencies:

162.400 MHz

162.425 MHz

162.450 MHz

162.475 MHz

162.500 MHz

162.525 MHz

162.550 MHz

While the frequency can be entered in the Baofeng UV-5R and similar radio’s by just punching in numbers it is also possible to save it as a channel for easy access at any time.

Programming the Baofeng UV-5R for Weather Frequency

  • Step 1. Press [VFO/MR] and enter Frequency Mode.

 

  • Step 2. Press [A/B] and choose the A-Side (upper display).
    The A side must be used to program channels into the radio.

 

  • Step 3. Press [BAND] for the frequency band.
    Toggle [BAND] to choose 136 MHz (VHF) – not UHF.
    If this is not performed correctly the radio will cancel the operation after entering the frequency in Step 5.

 

  • Step 4. Disable TDR (Dual Watch/Dual Standby).
    Press [MENU] 7 [MENU] [press up/down arrow keys] OFF [MENU] [EXIT]

 

  • Step 5. Enter the frequency.
    Using the keypad, enter the frequency into the radio.

 

  • Step 6. Assign the frequency to a channel.
    [MENU] 27 [MENU] [enter channel number XXX] [MENU] [EXIT]

That’s it. Programming frequencies via software is easier and more flexible. That’s for another post at a later date.

Now – go grab your Baofeng UV-5R and check the weather……

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13 Comments

  1. David Russell says:

    I have been trying to program frequencies into my radio but when I get to the sixth digit for The weather frequency the radio says “cancel”. Why is that?

  2. Paul Cosenza says:

    Can you expand the explanation on Step 3
    All other steps are clearly explained.
    I get to the last digit when entering the freq. and get cancel from the radio.

  3. Richard says:

    Same here. I wonder if newer firmware blocks these from being added since someone could accidentally transmit on the frequency?

    Another theory is that you can’t add a channel that squelch is currently broken on.

  4. Eric says:

    Those having problems with dialing in the frequency directly, it may be your step amount. Click MENU, 1, MENU, use up/down arrow to adjust to 2,5Hz, MENU, EXIT.
    Then try to dial it in again.

    Now, if there was a way to have the squelch remain closed until there was an actual warning (i.e. tornado) where it behaves like a normal storm weather radio, that would be nice. As it is, you have to listen non-stop to hear warnings. Better than nothing, but it’d be nice if it was silent until a warning was issued. Else it just becomes background noise.

  5. Dan McCauley says:

    Whoever said it couldn’t be programmed when squelch was broken was correct. Take of the antenna and nothing comes through, then you can program it like every other channel.

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