Baofeng UV-3R: Internals, Integrated Circuits 2

Everything you could every want to know about the internal components is now availible via the UV-3R Yahoo Group thanks to Luciano, PY2BBS.

"I've uploaded data sheet of all semiconductors used in UV-3R.

All in this folder:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UV-3R/files/Datasheet/

And schematic with RDA1486 and MC81F8816L pin names and numbers. (on Diagrams folder)

Enjoy!

73. Luciano
PY2BBS from Brazil"

Baofeng UV-3R: The Manual 2

*** UPDATE (2011-06-02): New download link is here.

*** UPDATE (2011-09-27): Check out additional UV-3R info here.

NAJHouse just sent an e-mail to the UV-3R Yahoo Group with a temporary link to a downloadable copy of the new manual that includes all 18 menu options for the UV-3R (Amazon).

You can download the file until June 14, 2011 via WeTransfer.

Baofeng UV-3R: KC2RA Review

A KC2RA (Kings County Repeater Association) review by Gary ( KB2BSL) of the Baofeng UV-3R is below. I had not thought about it, but the review points out how much the of radio is in the software - that it uses the software to leverage a small number of components to build such an interesting little radio.

First Look: Baofeng UV-3R Review

"This radio is undoubtedly a SDR (Software Defined Radio) and has a relatively low part count. I will not cover every part used as a full list is available in the UV-3R Yahoo group file section (Thanks to PY2BBS), but will cover some of the major ones."

"The heart of the radio is a RDA Microelectronics RDA1846 single chip transceiver for walkie talkies. This single CMOS chip provides frequency synthesizer, VCO/VFO, AFC, AGC, pre/de-emphasis (selectable and can be disabled), RSSI indicator, CTCSS/DCS encode/decode, DTMF, 8dBm PA (about 6mw), and more. Basically everything a radio needs is provided by a single chip."

Baofeng UV-3R: Alpha Tags

While they do not display on the radio, you can enable the alpha tags in the UV-3R Mark II software.

1. Close the UV-3R software if you have it running.
2. Browse to folder where the software is installed. (The default is C:\Program Files\UV3R.)
3. Double-click the "setting.ini" file.
4. In the first section, [setup], change the value for name to 1. The line should now read "name=1" without the quotes.
5. Close the file and save the changes.
6. Run the UV-3R software.

The fields in the name column should no longer be grayed out and you will be able to edit them.

Baofeng UV-3R: FCC Type 90 Accepted

The Baofeng UV-3R is now Type 90 accepted by the FCC. Documents can be found here.



It helps to know the name of company that is making the application. In this case, it turns out to be FUJIAN NAN'AN BAOFENG ELECTRONICS CO.,LTD..



Via Baofeng-UV-3R.us on the UV-3R Yahoo Group.

Baofeng UV-3R: Starter Kit from BuyTwoWayRadios.com

36 For 36 - Baofeng UV-3R Ham Radio Starter Kit only $36 for the next 36 hours http://t.co/DKmDMDLr3a #hamradio #amateurradio #twowayradios
— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) August 5, 2014

Get the UV-3R along with a USB programming cable and quick reference card for $36 plus shipping. Total page includes:

• Baofeng UV-3R Dual Band Two Way Radio
• Li-Ion Battery Pack
• Removable Antenna
• Belt Clip
• Wrist Strap
• C-Ring Headset
• Charger Tray
• AC to USB Adapter
• USB Power Cable
• Amateur Radio Quick Reference Card
• USB Programming Cable
• USB Cable Driver and Programming Software CD
• Owners Manual

Baofeng UV-3R: CHIRP

Now that the UV-3R is Type 90 Accepted, it has been added to the queue to get support in the CHIRP software.

#127: Add support for Baofeng UV-3R
-----------------------------+----------------------------------------------
Reporter: tsr@… | Owner: kk7ds
Type: Feature | Status: accepted
Priority: Would be nice | Milestone:
Component: Memory Editor | Version:
Resolution: | Keywords:
Platform: Windows |
-----------------------------+----------------------------------------------
Changes (by kk7ds):

* owner: => kk7ds
* status: new => accepted

Via the UV-3R Yahoo Group.

2015 Brickolore Top 10 Links

Looking at my Google Analytics data, the top 10 visited links in 2015 were:

10. QYT KT8900: Software

Both this post and number four on the list suggest a real desire for a good quality, but inexpensive mobile. They made the list despite only getting posted in May of 2015.

9. Baofeng UV-5R: Schematics

The UV-5R remains popular and hams like to tinker/fix things.

8. Brick O'Lore: Ham Radio Page

I'm surprised that this got so many hits as I don't maintain it - looks like I should do some updates.

7. Baofeng UV-5R: Software v2

Again, software posts seem to be popular. And everyone that got a UV-5R wanted to check out the the new version of the software.

6. Brick O'Lore: The Radios Page

I'm glad this gets some hits as I try to keep it updated as a quick reference - I would like to expand it by keeping track of lowest prices and other miscellaneous data.

5. Baofeng UV-B5: Best Kept Secret

The UV-B5 still seems to be a sleeper.

4. QYT KT8900: Dual Band Mobile

I think the Baofeng Tech UV-5001 and Baofeng Tech UV-2501 mobile radios would have been more popular posts than the KT8900 - except they weren't released until November.

3. Brick O'Lore: Baofeng (UV-3R) Page

The little clone of the Yaesu VX-3R, the UV-3R, really got folks interested in the Chinese radios. I can't believe it still gets so many hits.

2. Baofeng UV-5R: Extreme Receive Modification

And hams would love to get something for nothing!

1. Brick O'Lore (main web page)

This tells me that lots of people visit my blog the old fashioned way - by going straight to the root domain.

Here's to an interesting 2016. May it be everyone's best year yet!

Baofeng UV-5R: New Baofeng Model

Chris (NH7QH) at Hawaii Radio Sales sent me the following about the new Baofeng UV-5R. (On a side note, Chris is now also selling ham equipment via eBay.)

"Just got this email - looks like it is a TYT TH-F8 - same marks and all mono band, already FCC approved since a TYT."

He also included a couple of pictures - see below. The styling looks more like the UV-3R +. Other obvious features are the charging connectors on the battery pack (so a drop in charger) and the keypad. I am not as familiar with the TYT radios, but it looks like Baofeng is willing to leverage the success of the UV-3R to build its brand by buying radios from multiple companies (Vero Telecom and now TYT). This model also more directly competes with the Wouxun. (I felt like the UV-3R was more of niche radio than a direct replacement for the Wouxun's.) These Chinese radios are keeping it interesting for sure. Maybe Baofeng needs to rebrand a mobile and steal the thunder from the much anticipated KG-UV920R.

Pricing on the TYT TH-F8 is around $50 to $75 on ebay. Here are the specs for the TH-F8.

Single band, dual display, dual standby	■  A/B band independent operation
■  128 groups channels storage	■  FM radio and 25 stations storage
■  Wide/Narrow Band(25kHz/12.5kHz)	■  0~9 grades VOX selectable
■  Chinese/English voice prompt	■  CTCSS/DCS and scanning
■  1750Hz tone	■  PTT & ANI ID
■  Priority transmit selectable	■  0~9 grades squelch level setting
■  LED display mode	■  Keypad beeper setting
■  Transmit over beeper	■  Dual watch/monitor
■  Receive saving function	■  Auto keypad lock
■  Power-on display	■  Battery power voltage
■  Power-on message	■  Repeater offset function
■  Channel name display and setting	■  Reapter shift direction
■  VFO step function	■  Shortcut menu operation mode
■  Emergency Alarm	■  DTMF encoder & decoder(optional)
■  8 groups scrambler(optional)	■  2/5 tone encoder & decoder(optional )
■  Remote skill/stun/activate(optional)	■  High/Low TX power selectable
■  Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)	■  Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
■  Voice companding	■  Tri-color background light selectable
■  PC programmable	■  Wire clone

Baofeng UV-3R: The Specs

I've posted a lot about the Baofeng UV-3R, but I've been remiss in posting the technical specifications of the radio. The information may not be perfect. I have noticed differences in what others has posted and what Baofeng listed. For example, squelch may be 0-9 or 1-9.

Functions and Features
- LCD Menu Operations
- 50 CTCSS, 104 CDCSS
- 99 Channels (1 Emergency Channel)
- Time-out Timer (Off/30/60/90/120/150/180 secs)
- Key Tone/Keypad Beep (Off, On)
- FM Radio Built-in (87.0 - 108.0 MHz)
- Shift Frequency
- VOX (Off/1-9 Levels)
- Call Tone (1750 KHz)
- Squelch Set (1-9 Levels)
- Electronic Volume Adjusting (8 Levels)
- Keypad Lock
- Backlight (On/Off/Key)
- Tail Tone Elimination
- Battery Save
- Monitor
- Power Capacity Display (Off, On)
- Low Battery Alert
- Restore to Factory Default
- PC Programming
- FM Radio Channel Storage

Technical Specification - General
Frequency Range | 136-174/400-470 MHz
Channel Capacity | 99
Channel Spacing | 5/6.25/12.5/25 KHz
Operated Voltage | 3.8V
Standard Battery | 1500 mAh
Battery Life | 10 hours
Frequency Stability | 2.5ppm (-20°C to 60%degC)
Operating Tempature | -30°C to 60%degC
Antenna Impedance | 50 Ω
Dimensions | 1.9" x 3.2" X .9" (Approximate)
Weight | 140g

Technical Specification - Transmitter
RF Power Output | 2W
Modulation | F3E
Spurious Emission | 65 dB
FM Noise | 45 dB (N)/42 dB (W)
Audio Distortion | 5.00%
Adjacent Channel Power | 60 dB
Max Frequency Deviation | <= 2.5 KHz (N)/ <= 5.0 KHz (W)
Frequency Error | 500 Hz
Modulation Distortion | 0.1 KHz (300 - 3000 KHz)
Transmitting Current | <= 1.4 A

Technical Specification - Receiver
Sensitivity (12 dB SINAD) | 0.2 uV
Squelch Selectivity | 0.15 uV
Adjacent Channel Selectivity | >= 65 dB
Background Noice | <= 50 mV
Spurious Response Rejection | -60 dB
FM Ham and Noise | 48 dB (N) /48 dB (W)
Audio Power Output at 8 Ω | <= 1.7 V
Audio Distortion | <= 10%
Receiver Current | <= 400 mA
Standby Current | <= 75 mA

Source: Baofeng UV-3R Product Page

Baofeng UV-3R: Factory Reset

Most UV-3R owners have probably already figured out that the manual is wrong, but for those that haven't... to do a factory reset, hold the U/V button down while turning the radio on. While unfortunate, it has been amusing to see all the "RTFM" replies that direct folks to an incorrect answer on the UV-3R Yahoo Group.

Baofeng UV-3R: Softcase

Richard, PA5RR, has found a softcase for the UV-3R on ebay. I'm not a fan of cases for my HT's, but I know lots of people are, so I'm glad there is a UV-3R specific solution.

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: Magiksun UV-3R

We knew the manufacturer was selling the radio with an option to re-brand it, so the Magiksun UV-3R should be no surprise. You can find it on eBay.

Rubberized Telescopic Antenna for Hand-Held Radios

Kinda of a neat idea... a rubberized telescopic antenna might get you the best of both worlds - performance and size. I posted about Julian's review of various 2M antennas and that got me interested in the telescoping options.

Phil, G3YPQ, posted to the UV-3R Yahoo Group about an antenna he is selling:

"Now I must declare an interest here as I supply these replacement antennas, but they are ideal for the any Handie including the UV-3R.
Its a rubberised Telescopic that extends to 1/4 wave on 2m and can be used with low SWR on 70cms either Fully down or Fully up.
On the UV-3R the LED and its surround is close to the Antenna socket so for these I shave off the rubber a little and it fits fine. It out-performs the supplied antennas without the need to change, and folds up nicely. I've been into handhelds since the crystal controlled KP202 and this things good, you can set it to exact 1/4 wave on marine band by telescoping the top section down."

He is selling them on ebay for about $28 including shipping.

Here are his notes for the video:

"Replacement for supplied rubber-duck aerials. This has advantages of being able to 'tune' as 1/4 wave as well as to easily clip on an extension for lower frequency reception"

Baofeng UV-3R: Working Satellites

Making contacts via satellites using your UV-3R. Pretty cool. Making contacts via satellites using your red UV-3R. Awesome!



Via a post on the QRZ Forums

Baofeng UV-3R: USB Charger

[ UPDATE and a WARNING: Luis points out that USB will only do up to 500mA. The wall charger pictured below is 1000mA. He says newer computers build in protection for this, but that he would not recommend trying this with older machines. USB power info on the Wikipedia page here. ]

Several people have said they built USB chargers for their UV-3R, so I thought I would give it a try. This worked for me, but I'm not an electronics expert, so proceed with caution - and I'm always open to suggestions/corrections.

The first thing to note is that the charger has non-standard wiring - the tip is negative and the sleeve is positive. TNJeff verified that with a meter, but it is printed on the label on my charger.


Next I cut the wire half-way between the wall wart and the plug. If you don't want to carve up your charger, you can order the 2.5 x 0.7mm plugs or even an extra charger on eBay.

After stripping the wire, I used the meter to figure out the tip was connected to the red wire and the sleeve was connected to the yellow. The opening in the tip is very small, so I had to work carefully to insert the probe and test continuity.

I took a spare USB cable and cut it in half. As you can see in the diagram below, black is ground and red is the 5V connection.

I connected USB black to plug red then USB red to plug yellow and then applied some electrical tape for my testing. (If you think the diagram below is ugly, you should see my actual cable. I'll get it dressed up and post some pictures then.) Make sure you have the USB logo on top, so that the ground is on the far left and the +5V is on the far right when you test your continuity.

You should be able to confirm continuity using your meter between the ground on the far left of the USB and the tip of the plug. Likewise, you should be able to confirm continuity between the +5V on the far right and the sleeve of the plug.



I plugged the USB connector into my laptop, inserted the plug into the UV-3R, and the radio began charging! I know this may be a super simple project for many, but I hope it is useful to someone.

Baofeng UV-3R: Camo

Every since we learned that the UV-3R could be had in a rainbow of colors, people have been asking if the camouflage radio was painted or if the case was actually made up of different color plastics in the mold.

We have our answer. It is painted.

Via Nuno on the UV-3R Yahoo Group

Baofeng UV-3R: Change the Color of Your UV-3R

Ed, at Wouxun.us, has the UV-3R shells available ($5.95) in red, yellow, blue, and camo if you want to play dress up with your rig.

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."