Setting Up a Baofeng UV-5RA: Programming, Bands and Staying Legal

The Baofeng UV-5RA is a dual-band handheld radio. This post is not a review. It covers what you do after the radio arrives: setting up channels, choosing which frequencies to use, and keeping within the license rules.

What it covers

Store and seller listings describe a dual-band radio covering VHF (136–174 MHz) and UHF (400–520 MHz), with a keypad, LED flashlight, an FM broadcast receiver and the ability to be programmed from a computer.

Step one: the license

This is an amateur radio. To transmit, you need an FCC amateur license. Technician is the entry-level class, taken as an exam administered by volunteer examiners, and the FCC charges $35 for a new license application. The 2 meter band (144–148 MHz) and the 70 centimeter band (420–450 MHz) are the two most common bands for handhelds like this, and Technician licensees can use both.

Step two: program only what you are licensed for

Out of the box, radios in this family can be set to transmit across a wide span of frequencies, including ones reserved for other services. The FCC does not permit this type of radio on FRS, GMRS or MURS. Those services need certified equipment, and a ham-capable radio cannot be certified for GMRS. Having a GMRS license does not change this.

Many owners program their radios from a computer using a free, open-source tool such as CHIRP, which lets you build a channel list and, if you wish, set only the frequencies you are licensed for to transmit. You can also load channels for listening only, such as weather or public service frequencies you want to monitor. Receiving is not restricted in the way transmitting is.

Step three: learn the basics

• Listen to your local repeater for a while before you transmit.
• Use your call sign when required, and keep conversations clear and courteous.
• Repeater directories list frequencies, tone settings and offsets for your area.
• Start with short test conversations with a friend before heading out.

Range expectations

With a stock antenna, typical coverage is about one to a few miles depending on terrain. Repeaters and higher ground extend this. Quoted maximums are for open, flat conditions.

If you already hold a license, the Baofeng UV-5RA dual-band handheld is available in our store. For a broader overview of the radio services, read our guide to walkie talkies.

Top image: “Baofeng UV-5RA DSC 2497w” by P e z i, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

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