Baofeng UV-5R Quick Reference

Universal Operations, Screen Icons & Jargon Buster

Hover over underlined terms for simple definitions.

Hardware Controls
Front Panel
VFO/MR
Switch Mode:
1. FREQ ( VFO Mode )
2. CHAN ( Memory Mode )
A/B
Active Line: Moves arrow to upper/lower freq.
*SCAN
Tap: Reverse .
Hold (2s): Scan frequencies.
#
Tap: High/Low Power.
Hold (2s): Lock Keypad.
Side Buttons
CALL
Tap: FM Radio (Music).
Hold: ALARM .
MONI
Tap: Flashlight.
Hold: Open Squelch .
PTT
PTT : Transmit.
Never press without antenna!
Screen Icons & Adv. Ops
L
Low Pwr
CT
Tone Active
+/-
Offset On
S
Dual Watch
  • Tone Scanning :
    Find the tone of an active signal.
    1. Tune to freq. Go to Menu 11 R-CTCS .
    2. Press *SCAN . CT will flash.
    3. Press MENU to save when found.
  • Delete a Channel:
    Required before saving changes to a channel.
    Menu 28 DELCH → Select Channel → MENU .
  • 1750Hz Tone Burst :
    Access old European/specific repeaters.
    Hold PTT + Press BAND .
Manual Programming Guide VFO Mode Required
Method A: Simplex (Direct/Scanner)

Use for Walkie-Talkie channels, Weather, or Railroad.

  1. Press VFO/MR to see Frequency Mode.
  2. Type frequency (e.g., 462.562 ).
  3. Clear Offsets: Ensure Menu 25 and 26 are OFF/000.
  4. Store:
    Press MENU 2 7 MENU .
  5. Select Channel (e.g., 001) using .
  6. Press MENU to Confirm. Press EXIT .
Method B: Repeater (Relay)

Use for Ham Radio Repeaters (Requires PL Tone & Offset).

  1. Freq: Type Output Freq (e.g., 146.520 ).
  2. Tone (Tx): MENU 1 3 MENU → Select Tone → MENU .
  3. Direction: MENU 2 5 MENU → Select + or - → MENU .
  4. Offset : MENU 2 6 MENU → Type offset (e.g., 000600 ) → MENU .
  5. Save: MENU 2 7 MENU → Select Channel → MENU .
Note: When you press PTT, the screen frequency will change . This is normal (Offset is working).
Complete Menu Dictionary
# Name Description & Manual Reference Recommended
0 SQL Squelch . (Pg 13) Mutes background static. Level 0 = Always open (static). 5
1 STEP Step. (Pg 11) Freq jump per click. Match your local band plan. 2.5K / 5.0K
2 TXP Power. (Pg 11) High (5W) vs Low (1W). Icon: 'L' means Low. Blank means High. HIGH/LOW
3 SAVE Battery Save. (Pg 11) Pulses rx chip. Higher = more lag but more battery. 3
4 VOX Voice Tx . (Pg 13) Hands-free. Level 1 (Sensitive) to 10. OFF (0)
5 W/N Bandwidth. (Pg 13) Wide is standard. Narrow for commercial. WIDE
7 TDR Dual Watch . (Pg 13) Monitors A and B simultaneously. ON
11 R-CTCS Rx Tone. (Pg 12) "Privacy Code" for receiving. Keep OFF to avoid missing calls. OFF
13 T-CTCS Tx Tone. (Pg 12) PL Tone to open repeaters. As Req'd
14 VOICE Voice Prompt. (Pg 12) Radio speaks key presses. Good for dark. ENG
19 PTT-ID ID Code. (Pg 15) Sends annoying tones when you PTT. OFF
21/22 MDF-A/B Display Mode. (Pg 13) Show Freq, Channel #, or Name. NAME/FREQ
23 BCL Busy Lockout. (Pg 15) Prevents Tx if channel is busy. OFF
25 SFT-D Shift Dir. (Pg 15) Repeater offset direction. OFF
26 OFFSET Shift Amt. (Pg 15) Repeater offset MHz. 000.000
35 STE Tail Elimination . (Pg 15) Cuts static burst at end of Tx. ON
40 RESET Restore Defaults. (Pg 14) Use if radio behaves erratically. VFO/ALL
Troubleshooting (Manual Page 18)
Radio won't start?
Battery is dead or not installed correctly (Check contacts).
Light is green, but no sound?
1. Check Volume knob.
2. Check Menu 11 ( R-CTCS ) is OFF.
3. Check Menu 12 (R-DCS) is OFF.
Others can't hear you?
1. Check Menu 13 ( T-CTCS ) matches repeater.
2. Check offset direction/amount.
3. Are you too far away? (Line of Sight).
Can't type frequency?
Example: "It jumps from 146.520 to 146.525!"
Fix: Change Menu 1 (STEP) to 2.5K or 5.0K.