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……