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Programming the Baofeng UV-5R for Common Frequencies

 

The Baofeng UV-5R and similar radios are very useful tools. It’s a compact, handheld radio capable of transmitting with 4 watts of power across 136-174 MHz and 400-480 MHz frequencies. It can be programmed with up to 128 channels. They can receive and transmit a variety of frequencies including those used by weather radios and the often purchased walkie-talkies found at Wal-Mart. Their capability is actually much more and this article will provide instructions on how to manually program the popular Baofeng UV-5R for many common frequencies.

[Disclaimer: You are required to obtain a license to transmit on these devices and punishment for doing so without a liscence can range from fines to having your bottom lip pulled over to the back of your head. You’ve been informed and warned.]

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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(see below).

Manual Programming the Baofeng UV-5R

  • 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) – or 400 Mhz(UHF). Choose the right band based on your desired channel frequency.
    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 give it a shot…….

 

Common Frequencies for the Baofeng UV-5R

FRS/GMRS Frequencies 

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MURS Radio Frequencies

151.820 Mhz
151.880 Mhz
151.940 Mhz
154.570 Mhz
154.600 Mhz

 

NOAA Weather Radio Frequencies

 WX1         --     162.550   
 WX2         --     162.400
 WX3         --     162.475
 WX4         --     162.425
 WX5         --     162.450
 WX6         --     162.500
 WX7         --     162.525

Commercial “DOT” Frequencies

151.625 Red Dot
154.570 Blue Dot
154.600 Green Dot
151.955 Purple Dot
464.550 Yellow Dot
464.500 Brown Dot
467.7625 J Dot
467.8125 KDot
467.8500 Silver Star
467.8750 Gold Star
467.9000 Red Star
467.9250 Blue Star

 

 

Marine VHF Designated Frequencies
Channel Number Ship Transmit
MHz
Ship Receive
MHz
Intended And Designated Use
01A 156.050 156.050 Port Operations and Commercial, VTS.  Available only in New Orleans / Lower Mississippi area.
05A 156.250 156.250 Port Operations or VTS in the Houston, New Orleans and Seattle areas.
06 156.300 156.300 Intership Safety
07A 156.350 156.350 Commercial
08 156.400 156.400 Commercial (Intership only)
09 156.450 156.450 Boater Calling.  Commercial and Non-Commercial.
10 156.500 156.500 Commercial
11 156.550 156.550 Commercial.  VTS in selected areas.
12 156.600 156.600 Port Operations.  VTS in selected areas.
13 156.650 156.650 Intership Navigation Safety (Bridge-to-bridge).  Ships >20m length maintain a listening watch on this channel in US waters.
14 156.700 156.700 Port Operations.  VTS in selected areas.
15 156.750 Environmental (Receive only).  Used by Class C EPIRBs.
16 156.800 156.800 International Distress, Safety and Calling.  Ships required to carry radio, USCG, and most coast stations maintain a listening watch on this channel.
17 156.850 156.850 State Control
18A 156.900 156.900 Commercial
19A 156.950 156.950 Commercial
20 157.000 161.600 Port Operations (duplex)
20A 157.000 157.000 Port Operations
21A 157.050 157.050 U.S. Coast Guard only
22A 157.100 157.100 Coast Guard Liaison and Maritime Safety Information Broadcasts.   Broadcasts announced on channel 16.
23A 157.150 157.150 U.S. Coast Guard only
24 157.200 161.800 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
25 157.250 161.850 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
26 157.300 161.900 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
27 157.350 161.950 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
28 157.400 162.000 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
63A 156.175 156.175 Port Operations and Commercial, VTS.  Available only in New Orleans / Lower Mississippi  area.
65A 156.275 156.275 Port Operations
66A 156.325 156.325 Port Operations
67 156.375 156.375 Commercial.  Used for Bridge-to-bridge communications in lower Mississippi River.  Intership only.
68 156.425 156.425 Non-Commercial
69 156.475 156.475 Non-Commercial
70 156.525 156.525 Digital Selective Calling (voice communications not allowed)
71 156.575 156.575 Non-Commercial
72 156.625 156.625 Non-Commercial (Intership only)
73 156.675 156.675 Port Operations
74 156.725 156.725 Port Operations
77 156.875 156.875 Port Operations (Intership only)
78A 156.925 156.925 Non-Commercial
79A 156.975 156.975 Commercial.  Non-Commercial in Great Lakes only
80A 157.025 157.025 Commercial.  Non-Commercial in Great Lakes only
81A 157.075 157.075 U.S. Government only – Environmental protection operations.
82A 157.125 157.125 U.S. Government only
83A 157.175 157.175 U.S. Coast Guard only
84 157.225 161.825 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
85 157.275 161.875 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
86 157.325 161.925 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
87 157.375 161.975 Public Correspondence (Marine Operator)
AIS 1 161.975 161.975 Automatic Identification System #1 (AIS) – Special equipment required!
88 157.425 162.025 Public Correspondence only near Canadian border.
AIS 2 162.025 162.025 Automatic Identification System #2 (AIS) – Special equipment required!
88A 157.425 157.425 Commercial, Intership only.

 

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21 Comments

  1. John Gault says:

    Since you can program the public frequencies used by Walkie Talkies isn’t it legal to transmit on those frequencies with the Baofeng?

    1. John Rourke says:

      That would be a “No” without a liscense on most frequencies as the transmit power is above FCC rules. There are alot of rules which make transmitting illegal without a liscense.

  2. CaptTurbo says:

    The marine bands will be useful to me when I’m not on the charter boat. I have a killer system on the boat with 128 code scrambler/de-scrambler but I can keep tabs on things when I’m not out there.

  3. StevefromMA says:

    Wow, I look forward to reading your guide, I just got the Baofeng and am totally confused. Also having hard time trying to prepare for technical level exam despite using online program, need a class. Maybe I can at least use it to listen using your info. I’d hoped to get a general license and talk to other countries but if I’m find the tech level hard enough.

    1. JR says:

      StevefromMA – Keep practicing and you’ll get it. A class would be a big help as well.

      These small handheld radios are for shorter distance communication from line of sight to many miles with the use of a repeater. The more powerful and expensive radios can do across states and possibly other countries.

  4. ralph k says:

    JR,

    Thanks for the info, makes it easier. Saw a copy of the manual from Baofeng, not the easiest to decipher. Awaiting my order currently. Any thoughts on writing about repeaters and how to use/access them? Electronics and such are not that easy to decipher, especially after the majority of the authors out there love to use acronyms for everything, assuming their audience knows what they’re talking about. Might as well speak in foreign tongue. Again, thanks.

    @StevefromMA, listening is twice as important than sending. Have read that several times from other radio communication specialists on the web, you’re on the right path.

  5. Jerry H says:

    Thanks for the info. My philosophy of use is listening/ monitoring. I like to have the capability and knowledge for legit emergency comm. definitely don’t want my bottom lip pulled over my head. That’s gotta hurt.

  6. Bruce D. says:

    Hello. Thanks for the advice. I have a UV-5R which doesn’t have any programmed channels from the factory. I’m trying to program them, and while your details are very helpful, I’m just not having any luck. I get the channel frequency set, and save it to a channel number, then switch to channel mode and try transmitting to another pre-programmed radio I own. It does not seem to be transmitting but will receive a signal from the other radio. Not sure what I’m doing wrong. Should the A and B frequencies be the same? Or should the A setting control both trans and receive? Thanks for your help.

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