Baofeng reprogramming?

So my cable arrived yesterday but I was heading out of town and didn't get a chance to play with it, so did when I came home today.

Oh my the drivers are a mess. I followed the various website guides such as http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php#install but the key part of using the older drivers doesn't seem to want to work, since they are refusing to start.

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This leaves me with a little problem! Any suggestions? I can apparently fix this with an FTDI chipset cable, but I'd rather not spend the $20 if I can avoid it.
 
There was a Windows update at least a year ago that basically made non FTDI cables useless.
 
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There was a Windows update at least a year ago that basically made non FTDI cables useless.

Guess I'll have to go with that then, unless I feel like digging up an XP machine somewhere.
 
Guess I'll have to go with that then, unless I feel like digging up an XP machine somewhere.
If you get a real chip FTDI cable it will work with Win 7. I used the XP computer because if I download a Trojan spyware off a Chinese radio, which is super unlikely, it would not get too far. I have a lot of VIPER codeplugs and data on my other laptop that I don't want to share.
 
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Non FTDI cables are a known problem. Maybe Google has a suggestion. I’m really not sure.

It's a fake Prolific chip set cable. Up-to-date Prolific drivers will refuse to run a fake Prolific serial to USB cables. Been that way for many years. There's a way around it with a little effort.
 
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It's a fake Prolific chip set cable. Up-to-date Prolific drivers will refuse to run a fake Prolific serial to USB cables. Been that way for many years. There's a way around it with a little effort.

Are you talking about modifying it for a CP2102 board? All my gear for that is packed up in storage somewhere.

http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_ProgrCable.php
 
It's a fake Prolific chip set cable. Up-to-date Prolific drivers will refuse to run a fake Prolific serial to USB cables. Been that way for many years. There's a way around it with a little effort.
I had some issues getting the fake ones to work. Your insight on how to do that would be appreciated. I have some fake Kenwood cables I would like to use again. Thanks
 
I had some issues getting the fake ones to work. Your insight on how to do that would be appreciated. I have some fake Kenwood cables I would like to use again. Thanks

This is supposed to fix it, but I'm not having any luck with it. Possibly I'm not fully uninstalling the drivers at some level.

http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/...serial-fix-official-solution-to-code-10-error

I've run it a few times and I have what is supposed to be the correct version of the drivers (3.3.2.102 and dated 9/24/08) to allow the clone chipset to function, but it's still giving me the code 10 error and refusing to start. Very frustrating.

Apparently some cables need an even older version of the driver available (3.2.0.0) through this process http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php#install but apparently that doesn't want to work for me either, I am still getting the code 10 error!

Annoying thing is, I HAD an XP laptop a friend gave me and I recently gave it back to her!

Fortunately after I messaged the ebay seller they are refunding me, so I guess the pricier cable is my best bet. Maybe this one will work with the XP laptop if I can get hold of it again.
 
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I Bought the cheap cable for my windows 10 machine, has Baofeng on the USB stud part, works perfectly on my Dell laptip without loading any drivers. Setup itself on COM3.

On my Mac I had to buy the $20 Btech FTDI cable....

Chirp works better on Windows 10 IMO.

Today I got a nice extra power antenna since the NA771 is just too damn long. Didn't notice a difference in reception.



Also got a Alinco DR130T 2M mobile and a SB3 antenna for free :D

I take my Tech exam next month
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I Bought the cheap cable for my windows 10 machine, has Baofeng on the USB stud part, works perfectly on my Dell laptip without loading any drivers. Setup itself on COM3.

On my Mac I had to buy the $20 Btech FTDI cable....

Chirp works better on Windows 10 IMO.

Today I got a nice extra power antenna since the NA771 is just too damn long. Didn't notice a difference in reception.

Also got a Alinco DR130T 2M mobile and a SB3 antenna for free :D

I take my Tech exam next month

Sounds like fun times!

Funny you should post this today, when the notification came up I was playing with the new FTDI cable from BlueMax49ers on ebay that just arrived this afternoon. Works a treat now, guess I'll hold onto the other one and see if it works with the XP laptop or if someone needs it and can make the driver fix work for them.

I actually have an NA771 on the way, because in between reading and flash cards for the Tech licence I have been playing around with the UV5R and haven't been able to get much inside the house bar a couple of things. NOAA reception is handy, my NOAA radio died a while back. I should probably go outside, but it's just too bloody hot.

I did manage to catch the tail end of the Vagabond Ragchew just now though, just enough to recognise it and hear the sign off. I'm starting a file of local stuff to listen in on and trying to learn the radio. Definitely a ton to learn, but fun.

Anyone got an opinion on this antenna?

https://www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/2-meter-break-a-way-j-pole-antenna/

I'm moving to an apt in Reidsville in the next couple of weeks and that seemed like a nice solution to a bigger antenna I can stow/stash and set up on the porch or park area when I want to use it, or take it with me in the car without poking my eye out. The price isn't bad too. It has some rave reviews too.
 
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J pole antennas seem to work really well. Don't be mystified by the breakaway aspect. The only part of the antenna that effects anything is from the U upward. At the U it is a short and at the end of the pipe it's an open circuit. Along the line, the impedance changes between the two pipes. The coax connects at the length that represents 50 ohms. The part below, including the part in two pieces does nothing.

You can buy an antenna like this or if you're handy sweating copper you can make your own for the price of a copper pipe at Lowes.
 
J pole antennas seem to work really well. Don't be mystified by the breakaway aspect. The only part of the antenna that effects anything is from the U upward. At the U it is a short and at the end of the pipe it's an open circuit. Along the line, the impedance changes between the two pipes. The coax connects at the length that represents 50 ohms. The part below, including the part in two pieces does nothing.

You can buy an antenna like this or if you're handy sweating copper you can make your own for the price of a copper pipe at Lowes.

If I had anywhere to work I would totally give it a go, I haven't sweated a pipe in 20 years but heat still works the same way IIRC. I'm moving from a spare room at a friends to an upstairs apt however, so if that's likely to be a workable and decent antenna I may have to fish around in the budget for it. The two part aspect is just to make it easier to stash in my car, no mystery there :) I think I have an old folding chair bag that would be perfect for it actually.

As basic as I am at this, every time I find something to listen to while poking around, it's enough to make me grin. A better antenna would definitely give me more to listen to!
 
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J pole antennas seem to work really well. Don't be mystified by the breakaway aspect. The only part of the antenna that effects anything is from the U upward. At the U it is a short and at the end of the pipe it's an open circuit. Along the line, the impedance changes between the two pipes. The coax connects at the length that represents 50 ohms. The part below, including the part in two pieces does nothing.

You can buy an antenna like this or if you're handy sweating copper you can make your own for the price of a copper pipe at Lowes.
you can buy the rolled up wire portion direct from the 'inventor' Dr Fong on EBay. Get your own PVC at home depot and call it a day. It still doesn't outperform standard 1/2 wave designs IIRC.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/112813555663
 
Just be aware that this one is for 70cm, not the 2m band.

Ah, I am doing three things at once (lots of job applications since I'm moving) so I missed that. I think I'm probably going to listen to everything but once I can actually transmit 2m seems sort of ideal for me to learn the ropes on. All the cool kids are doing it apparently.
 
Ah, I am doing three things at once (lots of job applications since I'm moving) so I missed that. I think I'm probably going to listen to everything but once I can actually transmit 2m seems sort of ideal for me to learn the ropes on. All the cool kids are doing it apparently.
here in CLT, I only hear folks on the 70cm repeaters regularly. I am keen to try some distance on 2M when I get my callsign
 
I guess I'll have to ask the hivemind once I'm moved and figure out where and what I can practically use.

Neither are terribly bulky, maybe both eventually lol.

The goal is to rent for a while and repair credit/stash cash to buy rural land and live on it, so eventually I'll be able to mount whatever I choose.
 
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I guess I'll have to ask the hivemind once I'm moved and figure out where and what I can practically use.
As I understand things, 2M is better for distance if u have enough power, and 70cm goes thru stuff easier. Then of course, there's the triband radios now transmitting at 220Mhz aka 1.25M
 
I guess I'll have to ask the hivemind once I'm moved and figure out where and what I can practically use.

Neither are terribly bulky, maybe both eventually lol.

The goal is to rent for a while and repair credit/stash cash to buy rural land and live on it, so eventually I'll be able to mount whatever I choose.
Both or all 3 lmao
 
As I understand things, 2M is better for distance if u have enough power, and 70cm goes thru stuff easier. Then of course, there's the triband radios now transmitting at 220Mhz aka 1.25M
All of the VHF / UHF frequencies will be line of sight. The radio horizon us a little farther than the visual, by the way. This is why repeaters antennas are put up so high. Yes, 2m goes farther than 70cm, but 70cm has better penetration. For example, my office is a 2m dead zone but I can hit the local 70cm machine with an HT.
 
I'm doomed, aren't I?

No.

Get something that has 2m/70cm

2m you can do earth moon earth communications. But 2m is only good to the horizon here on earth with enough power bit there is a lot of factors to account.

You’ll get further with a good antenna than with a crap antenna and lots of power

70cm ain’t gonna get you far without a repeater.

With a HT you ain’t gonna get far without a repeater
 
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No.

Get something that has 2m/70cm

2m you can do earth moon earth communications. But 2m is only good to the horizon here on earth with enough power bit there is a lot of factors to account.

You’ll get further with a good antenna than with a crap antenna and lots of power

70cm ain’t gonna get you far without a repeater.

With a HT you ain’t gonna get far without a repeater

I meant doomed as in this stuff is as moremoremore as guns lol
 
I meant doomed as in this stuff is as moremoremore as guns lol
as I see it, you can start out with a better cheaper starter gateway drug since cheap Chinese guns went away in the 1990s. But a $30 Baofeng UV5R and a couple of decent antennas can let u talk to the world. Echolink FTW!
 
as I see it, you can start out with a better cheaper starter gateway drug since cheap Chinese guns went away in the 1990s. But a $30 Baofeng UV5R and a couple of decent antennas can let u talk to the world. Echolink FTW!

Well, a benefactor sent me a UV5R and I'm puzzling through the materials and tinkering with the HT and it's all still a bit baffling but slowly making more sense.
 
Not sure whicg version you have, but make sure you update the firmware. the earlier ones had some squelch issues.

UV5RA with firmware BFB297 according to the "hold button 3 then turn on the radio method".

Chirp shows this so I suspect that is correct. Will I need to update this? I seem to be finding two schools of thought as to whether this can be updated or not.

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Good to add NOAA Weatherradio frequencies
162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550 MHz.

When I go past TSA screening I have it on .400 on my Kenwood HT.
 
Good to add NOAA Weatherradio frequencies
162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, and 162.550 MHz.

When I go past TSA screening I have it on .400 on my Kenwood HT.

Yep, have those as the first channels. About the only ones right now lol

EDIT: I know these are supposed to be fussy, but this new cable makes everything so much easier.
 
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I have one baofeng with police and fire dispatch programmed in, with tx set to a safe freq for me to tx on if I goof and hit the button. I use it as a scanner by default on A, and use B channel to flip through local repeaters.
 
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I have one baofeng with police and fire dispatch programmed in, with tx set to a safe freq for me to tx on if I good and hit the button. I use it as a scanner by default on A, and use B channel to flip through local repeaters.

I programmed the Kernserville emergency stuff on mine but I'm not hearing a thing. Might be there was some info missing from my source. I'll keep fiddling with it.

I did notice the option to completely disable transmittion on VHF or UHF and since I don't have a ticket yet I turned off both. No accidental transmissions for me!
 
I programmed the Kernserville emergency stuff on mine but I'm not hearing a thing. Might be there was some info missing from my source. I'll keep fiddling with it.

I did notice the option to completely disable transmittion on VHF or UHF and since I don't have a ticket yet I turned off both. No accidental transmissions for me!
I looked at radioreference.com for kernersville. Shows code function blank, but you should hear them even if they are using codes, that should only keep you from using their repeater without the proper code. May be digital?
 
I looked at radioreference.com for kernersville. Shows code function blank, but you should hear them even if they are using codes, that should only keep you from using their repeater without the proper code. May be digital?

That's my guess.
 
Kernersville is on P25 digital 800 MHz. No Baofeng will decode that.
nope
But any Bearcat or Whistler 800Mhz scanner will unless they use encryption...

I can watch livePD if I need to relive the glory days of police scanning
 
I meant doomed as in this stuff is as moremoremore as guns lol
As a radio friend, who you might hear in this area AJ4TF put it: How many radios do you need? One more. The answer is always one more. Same thing with guns.
Well, a benefactor sent me a UV5R and I'm puzzling through the materials and tinkering with the HT and it's all still a bit baffling but slowly making more sense.
As another radio friend, who you also might hear W4AYO put it: if you could master it in a day then it wouldn’t be any fun.
 
As a radio friend, who you might hear in this area AJ4TF put it: How many radios do you need? One more. The answer is always one more. Same thing with guns.

As another radio friend, who you also might hear W4AYO put it: if you could master it in a day then it wouldn’t be any fun.

This definitely has the tinkering aspect in spades that speaks of Doom and an endless pursuit for perfection. Oh woe is me.

It's funny, the huge head unit/giant centre dashboard lump in my car is acting up and sounds like it's ready to die. When it does it will be replaced with an aftermarket bezel and a much smaller digital media head unit. That leaves a ton of space for radio(s).

Haven't even figured one percent of this out and I'm already finding new places to add hardware lol
 
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