Baofeng UV-5R III guide/help

[DanBow]

Just purchased a couple of the above and have started looking at setting them up prior to their delivery. I've spent most of this morning on youtube watching UK specific videos but am still a bit confused. Can anyone recommend a decent guide, video or otherwise, to set up for airsoft use. 

 

I understand that the 16 PMR446 channels are for public use but do you, technically, need an OfCom licence to use them or is that for the other frequencies? I say technically need a licence as you should but I won't! 

 

Ta

 

[Lozart]

PMR doesn't  need a licence, but you're also only supposed to use a radio with .5W output and a fixed antenna so technically you shouldn't use those frequencies with a UV5R. For the other frequencies yes, you do need a licence. The business light licence is the easiest to get (mine was £75 for a 5 year validity) as it doesn't require exams be passed. That said, many sites have their own licence that will cover you for use on their site (as long as you stick to their approved frequencies) added to which, as long as you're not using Emergency Services frequencies then the chances of actually getting caught and prosecuted are incredibly slim. Not that I'm encouraging ANYONE to break the law.

In terms of setting up, get a programming cable and download a copy of CHiRP. That has a preset group of frequencies you can download to your radio that lines up with the Business light licenced frequencies.

[Jacob Wright]

I've always used this video to help me when it's been a while since I haven't programmed a UV-5R.

 

Keep it simple, write down the settings and do them one at a time 👍🏼