Programming Software Problems

I agree with Julian (G4ILO), the various Yahoo Groups are almost unreadable right now due to the flood of programming issues - mostly related to counterfeit chips:

"Problems with programming cables seem to be making up half the traffic in forums and groups dedicated to handheld radios. The problems are all associated with cables that use (or claim to use) Prolific USB adapters. These days, programming cables come with USB adapters built-in, so the need for separate USB to RS-232 converters - which could use a less troublesome FTDI or Silicon Labs chipset - is eliminated. But so, unfortunately, is the option to solve the problem by using a different type of adapter."

These are the major steps - no matter what radio/software.

1. Successfully install the USB to Serial adapter driver for the programming cable. Verify that the OS says the device is working properly by looking in Device Manager (Windows).

2. Also in Device Manager, determine what COM port the cable is using.

3. Install the programming software for your radio.

4. Configure the software to use the COM port that was verified in Step 2.

5. Read from the radio.

You cannot move to the subsequent step until you have successfully completed the prior one.

Baofeng UV-3R: Modification Service

Everyone seems concerned about jobs leaving their countries and moving to low cost regions. Due to the imperfections of the UV-3R, it is creating work for folks outside of Asia...

Frank (DD9UG) has a conversion service for your UV-3R. He will fix the harmonic problem, swap out the LEDs for a color of your choice, or tweak the antenna.

Baofeng UV-3R: Expanded Frequencies 222 MHz

Pat (WA6MHZ) expanded the capability of his UV-3R to include 222 MHz. His results:

Upon measuring the Power Output of the UV-3R+Pus on 223.5, I find the power is greatly reduced, On 2M and 440, I see +33dBM, which is 2W. On 223.5, I only get +12.26dBM, which is pretty lame. That come out to be 0.0168267406W, or roughly 16mW. So there must be some Filters messing with us. But I can hear it in my Kenwood TM-331A mobile rig just fine, so for short simplex it will work. Also to some repeaters where U have a good shot at it. The stock antenna is optimized for 2M & 450 so I need to score a Triband antenna so I have a chance of getting out with the 16 Milliwatts.

RX sensitivity is pretty good. Measured at -119dBM minimum discernable signal.

Measured TX frequency (223.5) 223.4988120 Mhz

So it WORKS on 222, KINDA!

In a follow-up post is a link to an app that will auto-mod your .ini file to open the frequencies. He has successfully used the program with a UV-3R Mark II and a UV-3R + Plus. Head on over to Mark's (VE3PZR) page and check it out.

Instructions:

How to update your UV-3R Mark II to support 220mhz Ham Band

 Some models of the radio are able to support a much broader range of frequencies if you store a special memory file into the radio.

Follow these steps:

[1] Install UV-X4 programming software

[2] Run the UV-3R-soft-Modder program to update your UX-X4 software to add some extended Band Plans

[3] If you have an existing memory file, re-run the soft-mod program to change the Band Plan that is embedded inside the .3R memory file.

[4] Load the memory file inside UV-X4 and write the memories to your radio and your radio will now have 220mhz added to your radio!

Tech TIP #1: If you are unable to write a memory file to your radio, power-on while holding down the VOL button. It will reset your radio back to factory and you will be able to write the extended frequency file.

Tech Tip #2: 2 memory files are included. Both files have 220mhz included but during tests with other hams, we found that my radio gave better 220mhz results if we lowered the UHF instead of raising the VHF frequency range. I suggest testing both methods with your radio to verify results.

TYT TH-UV3R

The TYT TH-UV3R is getting the once over by the UV-3R group.

Baofeng UV-5R: Size Comparison

On the left is my Baofeng UV-3R. In the middle is the Baofeng UV-5R. On the right is a Wouxun KG-UVD1P.

Baofeng UV-3R: Original, Mark II, and + Plus Video Comparison

From Chris, 2E0CTH, a video comparing the original UV-3R, the Mark II, and the + Plus model.

Baofeng UV-3R: Scribd Manual

Someone uploaded the Baofeng UV-3R User's Manual to Scribd, so I thought I would include it here as well as the UV-5R manual.

Baofeng UV-3R: Extreme Modding

I'm not sure if I should compare this to working with Legos, AR building, or customizing a Fast & Furious type Japanese sports car, but RDS_6 went all out with his mods on the UV-3R:

1. Added 47pF missing capacitor to VHF LPF. Improved VHF 2nd harmonic
suppression by 12dB.
2. Added 0.001uF (i.e., 1nF) capacitor from PTT line to ground. Solved PTT
lock-up problem with external mic.
3. Changed R13 in path from RDA1486 transceiver chip to LM4890 AF amp chip from
10K to 33K. To reduce RX audio volume.
4. Changed R10 in path from pin 27 of MC81F8616L MCU to LM4890 AF amp chip from
100K to 1M. To reduce beep volume.
5. Added 1mm thick pad of non-woven polyester fibers between internal mic rubber
boot and front housing. To reduce mic sensitivity and to reduce wind noise.
6. Added 15K chip resistor across internal electret mic element. To reduce
internal mic sensitivity and prevent RDA1486 transceiver chip from overdriving
and limiting/distorting TX audio.
7. Built quarter-wave (i.e., 19.5 inch (495mm)) antenna from 20-gauge (0.032")
music wire. To replace unimpressive dual-band antenna that came with the radio
when I bought it used.
8. Added quarter-wave (i.e., 19.5 inch (495mm)) counterpoise of 22-gauge
stranded wire. To further improve antenna.
9. Bought Body Glove universal cell phone pouch 170-5997 (CRC91777) for $2.97
clearance price at Radio Shack. To protect and carry radio.
10. Punched holes in the cell phone pouch for internal microphone and speaker.
To be able to use radio with internal mic and speaker while in pouch.
11. Bought UltraLast UL-NP60 (230-0485) 1100mAH lithium-ion batteries for $1.97
clearance price at Radio Shack. To have extra batteries at almost no cost.
12. Used only the radio's internal charging circuit, not the external tray
charger, to charge the batteries. To ensure the radio's LTC4054 lithium-ion
battery charge controller chip is managing battery charging.

Baofeng UV-3R: Triple Watch

Set up a triple watch by using the dual watch feature along with the priority channel:

"Andy, I tried not disable the DW and turn PRI ON. It works. It scan two channels on top and one channel on the bottom line. WOW, now I can monitor three channels at the same time."

Baofeng UV-3R: Survivalists and Preppers

Looks like the preppers see the UV-3R as a handy rig to have around... Survivalist Boards, Survive Kits, and Urban Survival.

Now I Am Confused

A TYT TH-UV3R... if they could have just thrown a little Wouxun in there, we would have had a trifecta.

Baofeng UV-3R: Comparison

Geoff (N3OWJ/4X1GM) provides a great summary of the differences between the UV-3R Original/Mark II and the UV-3R + Plus models. I added the links to his original text.

"From the specs and advertisements, the Mark II and the Plus are thesame radio. The changes are external.

The Mark II takes an antenna with a pin in the SMA connector, the PLUS

takes one with the pin in the radio.

The Mark II uses a 4 conductor earphone plug for the speaker/mic andprograming. The PLUS uses a Kenwood/Woxoun speaker mic connector (2separate plugs).

The PLUS shares antennas, earphones, speakermics and progaming cableswith the Wouxoun and if you have both an original or Mark II and aPLUS you will need two different sets of each.

The Mark II uses the same battery as some of the Nikon and othercameras (but not any Canon), the PLUS uses a special battery.

The Mark II battery has to be taken out of the radio to be charged in the external charger, which is why no one ever does it, they leave itin the radio to charge.

The PLUS has charging contacts on the back and it looks like you charge the battery by dropping the radio into the external charger.

There are videos on YouTube of a car running over the PLUS and it falling from 5 meters with no damage. I would not expect a Mark II tosurvive.

The PLUS is significantly bigger and heavier.

Yaseu AA battery packs for similar radios work on the original and Mark II and there are cheap knock-offs. There are currently no AAbattery packs for the PLUS."

Baofeng UV-3R: +Plus Video

Another video from the 409Shop about the UV-3R+ Plus. My takeaways... the Kenwood style plug looks really bulky on the still small radio and you can charge a battery independent of the radio in the drop-in charger.

Baofeng UV-3R: PA2OLD

PA2OLD from the Netherlands has a plethora of information regarding the UV-3R. His posts are a mix of English and Dutch. Also, check out the pics of his shack while you are there. Impressive!

Baofeng UV-3R: Tasteful Colors

Looks like Baofeng took a page out of an old playbook with their colors.

Realistic Flavoradio:

Image courtesy of RetroThing

Git 'R Done Camo Green, Police Blue, Fire Engine Red, Submarine Yellow, andTactical Black
Image courtesy of me

Baofeng UV-3R: F8BDX Review and Information Page

I like reading the reviews on non-English sites. We are all usually saying the same things - at least best I can tell using the built in translation function of Google Chrome. Some of the literal translations are mildly amusing as are just some of the different ways to say things - like dual band or bi-band.

F8BDX Review of the UV-3R

Baofeng UV-3R: Disassembly and LCD Replacement Video

409Shop released this video for replacing the LCD, but it is also a good video of how to disassemble the UV-3R.

Baofeng UV-3R: UV-3R + Plus Torture Test

Everyone's impression that the UV-3R + Plus is more rugged is probably true. At least the 409Shop is marketing it that way. First a drop test:



Then they run it over with a van.

Baofeng UV-3R: UV-3R + Plus First Look Video

The new case makes it look much larger than the other models. Also, the drop in charger is a nice improvement.

Baofeng UV-3R: Step Size Video

A quick video on setting step sizes on your UV-3R.