Baofeng UV-5RH unlocked, all frequencies including Airband Rx on the V2 

@dxradiohobby8234 thank you 🙏

Hey Richard. I have to agree with you. It seems that the 5RH form factor and chipset is the new base standard for Baofeng with different software options for appropriate sales in different countries.

The AM band for Quansheng UV K5(8) is with modded firmware repaired.

Quite. Do the firmware upgrade on the Quansheng and you'll be impressed.

Great information. Thank you.

Thanks for this. I was sold an air band M but with this info can prove to the seller I got given an L

Mine says 5RHBK , VER: v0.11 BF . What does it mean

@@manshster It mount Beken 4819 rf

I've just done number 8 with power on and shows uv17 bk......bf. what does this mean? Thanks

There’s a lot of confusion around these radios and variants depending on who sells them. I hope to clarify a lot of this in a future video.

@@M7EUP Yeah! I bought the UV-5RM "Max Pro"... but the two Baofeng websites (UK and America) nothing came up for it in the search! (the pro max part). And the power on the official website was 10w, not 14.5 as advertised in the "pro max" versions. Makes me wonder if these are unlocked/transmit hacked versions sellers are selling as new version.

Just ordered a 5rh so will put my result in when it arrives 🤘

Fingers crossed 🤞

Will let you know!@@M7EUP

Great! Where did you get it from?

@@M7EUP Off Amazon. I'm not sure the exact seller but it was one of the first ones the pop up when searching for this radio.

Same with my 5RM's. Fully unlocked.

same with mine

Como puedo desbloquearlo ?

It may be possible to use the software from this radio to other radios with the same chipset and form factor. I’m looking into it

I didn’t unlock the radio.

No problem 👍

Not at the moment. It’s one big band but they switch between vhf-1.5m-uhf with the band button. Whether we’ll see changes to chirp and other software that allow other bands/banks remains to be seen.

They are essentially the same radio. There are two screen variants and two circuit variants. The 5RH V1 has airband and the V2 does not…. However both versions from the uk version of the store come with airband.

In all honesty both will do the job as they both cover the 2m (144-148MHz) and 70cm (430-440MHz) bands. This are the more popular HAM bands.

Basically the only way of increasing range is to get a better antenna. I recommend the dual band Signal Stick from Signalstuff (see video in my channel)

I’ll be posting a video shortly about the power output of the various versions. Stay tuned.

Please that would be very interesting to see Alan from ENGLAND 👍

@@alanslade2319 already on the channel Alan. Most recent video. Make sure you’re subscribed and have notifications turned on.

It’s a good question. Right now Baofeng don’t offer any firmware updates for any of their radios. It’s not something they’ve ever done or are likely to do. Also, due to the way that the firmware is initially installed third parties have not yet been able to modify this in any substantial way. Finally the hardware in the Baofeng radios is very simplistic compared to the likes of the Uv-k5 so I doubt that it would even be possible. However there is hope… Make sure you’re subscribed to the channel as I will be posting a video soon about an alternative to Baofeng and Quansheg that may just meet your needs.

Right now all I can tell you is that the dual band and Tri-band are both capable of receiving airband. It’s a factory code that’s flashed onto each radio that determines whether it’s dual band, Tri band, gmrs or frs. Updates coming soon.

@@M7EUP I can not see you youremail ….

It seems that Baofeng supply two screen variants. Have a look at my “unlocked” video.

Since this became the UV5R •”H” model.

In a word “yes” In radio parlance two people talking to each other in the same frequency by taking it in turns to talk is called “simplex”. You can’t talk and listen at the same time unless you have two radios. But when two people are talking you’ll be able to listen to both sides of the conversation providing that both are within range of you. If one person is a lot further away you might not hear them. There are also options to send tones and codes within their transmission but you would still be able to hear them but they won’t hear you unless you’re transmitting the relevant tone. Finally. These are analogue radios. You won’t be able to hear anyone talking on digital versions of these types of radios.

Baofeng are a nightmare. They have so many different releases of the same model numbers with different firmware’s that make it impossible to know what you’ll get. The V1 I have works on PMR frequencies but I couldn’t guarantee that yours would. Watch the video on the TD-H3 from TidRadio in my channel and just get one of those. Use the discount code in the description. Far superior radio.

@M7EUP thanks for the prompt reply. Unfortunately I've ordered the radio already from Beofeng uk. I'll just have to see what I get when it arrives. Thanks again 😀

@@HampshireGarykeep me updated. It will be interesting to know.

@M7EUP Will do, won't get it for another week but I'll drop you a note

@@HampshireGary thanks mate.

The chances are that you purchased a version 2 (Triband) radio which is advertised as such without airband.

@@M7EUP Thanks a lot! =)

Have you actually tried typing an airband frequency in like 118.575 to see if it drops to AM mode?

¿No hay manera de desbloquear las bandas AM?

@@M7EUP Same case as above, I received a UV-5RH (V0.07/V01) which I supposed had airband available (I only bought for that reason), but can't get into that frequency range. Is there any specific command to go into AM? Or just type 133600 for instance? Because when I type these frequencies it just "cancels". Is there any way to unlock this radio to airband?

Where did you order it from? It seems that the form factor and chipset is the same across a large range of radios but some are software locked to specific frequencies and bands.

Will they do CB band as well?

@leslieleonard699 The airband doesn't transmit on AM, it's rx only. CB (and just about all of the 11 m band is pretty quiet on FM these days). Not sure if an 11 m antenna would sit comfortably on the smaller UV5R models.

@@leslieleonard699 no it won’t.

@@russayres5287 yeah these, like all Baofengs are just 2m and 70cm with a bit of 1.25m band in there for good measure.

It’s a good point you make. However many countries now won’t allow the sale of these type of radio unless they meet certain standards and have the appropriate registration with hard locked frequency limits etc. it’s the governing bodies writhing each country that are tightening the rules and checks. Radios like the ones featured in the video simply slipped through the net which often happens when there’s a new release.

I didn’t do anything. This is how they’re being shipped from Baofeng UK

@@M7EUP may be the US version does not do that. Thanks

Not yet but it’s on the list.

When you say “does this work” I’m not sure I understand. There isn’t an “unlock” process so to speak. It’s just that Baofeng UK we’re shipping these “unlocked”

Appear that the form factor, chipset and ancillaries are all the same. Just subtle programming differences.

Why would you want to upgrade it for?

It may be that small changes were made in the firmware that you won’t notice. Unfortunately the firmware for these is flashed to the chipset at the factory and it seems to be a “one time” process. Baofeng are notorious for not providing updates or a method to install them.

@@GOOGLE-ADMlN I'm just curious. I have no intention to upgrade my firmware I just wanted to know if this is the firmware or he has a newer hardware.

@@M7EUP Thank you! And yes there are no significant changes we cant tell the difference between our radios

@@Oktim3which is why I asked. As wanted know as I'm under the impression that they do the same thing.

Sorry to hear that Mike, I’ll edit the description accordingly. For reference which model did you purchase? V1 or V2? Also, would you mind sending me the serial number and if you go to menu option 1 and press the down arrow let me Know the hardware number and firmware number. Much appreciated. Matt M7EUP I purchased both radios.

Reversed my thumbs down due to your very qhick responce and i would like to add no way am i blaming you as your radios were obviously not one i recieved, you can only review what you get, just wanted to add that and i have subscribed because your other content is very good especially the explanation on airway frequencies, that said i ordered the V1 as there are 2 options for you to tick, i believe i recieved neither v1 or v2 but another version with it locked out, i am at work but can give you what you asked later, even tho it will not help me as it is what it is , its no biggy as ive said b4 because of low cost and i also have a quanshen which does frequencies imo better but i liked look of size of Baofeng, i just wanted readers to be aware thst not all will get what you bought m8 👍

@@mikejonah2269 yes please do get that information to me when you can. This video was actually a criticism of Baofeng not sending what was ordered (baofengradio.co.uk) and not meant as a recommendation. That said, if you’ve specifically ordered the V1 which is advertised as VHF, UHF and AIRBAND receive then you definitely have a case for emailing them and they’ll send you a replacement correct radio. In my experience the customer service is slow (they only send one reply a day) but they do honour guarantees. They probably not even ask for your radio to be returned. In preparation (they’ll ask this anyway so you may as well include it in your first email) take a shot video of yourself trying to enter an airband frequency (118.600) on the keypad and getting the rejection tone. Just make sure you’re in “frequency mode” and not “memory mode” I want this channel to be helpful and friendly. Thanks for the sub.

got mine from temu. uv 5r max and mine is unlocked. it also came with the programming cable and disc, mic and a Nagoya (not a knock off) antenna as well with the original antenna. they call it the luxury package 📦 😆

mine was unlocked and i got it from amazon

Have a look at the power test video on my channel.

@@M7EUP oh.. ok.. tks sir. i will

The vanilla UV5R is just an FM radio unfortunately. The airband functionality and AM module is not on that radio Subscribe and stay tuned for an airband video coming soon.

This seems to be the case

Can you be specific with model numbers and where you bought them from?

Couldn’t comment as have not tested the uvk6 personally

In my personal opinion .UV5RH is the best.. Quansheng is particularly poor on AM and has small buttons with a difficult to navigate menu

@@richard180961 how far km range do UV-5RH reach?

@@richard180961Upgrade the firmware on the Quansheng, then you'll get clear airband reception.

*Quansheng UV-5(8) or UV-6 (they are the same) with the EGZUMER mod installed beats all.* That mod fixes the poor AM quality from the factory firmware and sounds a LOT better than the UV-5RH (I have both). The UV-5RH Hardware v0.1 and Firmware 0.11 behaves and looks (screen) like the 'Tri-Band' but /will/ receive AM airband, however the reception of strong AM signals sounds awful. The additional transmit can be unlocked (and locked to UK Amateur bands) with a funky key/button-hold-power-on sequence (there are YT vids how to do that). The 5RH 10W is really more like 7.5 or 8 and does not really provide such a big difference and just burns the bigger battery faster. The 5RH has a better speaker (because it is physically bigger) The 5RH has 999 memory slots, but on the Quansheng I have only used about 100 of the 200 of them so far. The Quansheng scans better/faster/easier (3 methods) has a frequency analyser that helps with 'awareness' of what is being transmitted around you. The UV-5RH with the EGZUMER mod would be awesome but it is not going to happen. Both radios receive about as sensitive, maybe the UV-5RH has the edge with various antennas but the Quansheng will suffer more from 'bleedover' or Automatic Gain Control attenuating reception in the close vicinity of other strong signals even on other bands. (had this happen whilst 'hill-topping' it was cut like I had no antenna attached, the UV-5RH was not as badly affected) The UV-5RH original antenna is much better than the Quansheng original, while not great SWR profile, its resonance is closer to 144Mhz and 430Mhz. The Quansheng original antenna has a fairly sharp good swr at around 130Mhz so is good for Airband but pretty poor on 144Mhz and 430Mhz. Both radios benefit from a better quality 15inch whip. I have a lot more to say about these but this post is already TL-DR.

Depends on usage.

It seems to be very random

@@M7EUP Same here, airband is locked. I received mine three weeks ago. I have my Yaesu FT5DE which can do that. The UV-5RH V2 would have been nice to have airband.

So yeah save the GMRS & FrS frequencies. Also go to a site called RepeaterBook and find the local repeaters to you and program those in too. Something which “newbies” tend to overlook is just simply starting in Frequency mode, set your channel step to 12.5khz and start scanning. (Check your manual for the button to press and hold to start a scan) For the last bit start at 144.000 and scan up to 148.000 or of you want to scan the 70cm band start at 430.000 and scan up to 440.000 You can used the up/down arrow keys to change scan direction.

They’re pretty much identical.

No, although I’m curious now as to why you’d need 800MHz

They’re pretty rugged but be aware that the larger colour screens are more fragile

A quick translation: "Hello, can you test 480-520mhz? I bought it but I don’t know which version it is. Unable to launch, I don’t know if you have the same situation? Thanks"

Thanks for the translation. 480-520MHz is outside the bandwidth for these radios. I’m afraid that you’ll just get an error tone

Both advertised as 10 watts but have a look at the power test video I did.

The entire point of this video and described is that the named retailer is sending them completely unlocked.

So it can accept frequency below 136? is it factory unlocked? it is strange. OK thanks. I'm waiting for the order uv5rh.

Ok. I’ll add it to the list.

It is

Depends where you bought it. If you can transmit on 230MHz and don’t have airband receive on 108-136 MHz then it’s the V2

To be honest the version 2 is actually advertised as Tri-band without Airband. This is as it should be. Where did you purchase it from?

@@M7EUP i purchased it on shopee site I'm from Philippines

Email Baofeng, I’m sure they’ll sort that for you you.

I am looking into this at the moment. Purely for academic purposes. Where did you get your V2 from?

@@M7EUP aliexpress

Yeah it only seems to be the ones from the site I mention that are wide unlocked.

also bought it for AM, just to find out in the last sentence of the manual, that H-L and H-M (v2) exists. Great misleading:/ Can't go under 136 either.

@@M7EUPmine is locked as well from aliexpress

They’re both almost identical. Personally if I were to purchase another I would make sure I get the model that’s “advertised” as having airband as Baofeng seem to have sorted their ordering out now.

Ok, I see how this may be a little bewildering but essentially the site that these radios were purchased from states quite clearly that they are locked to specific areas within certain bands. For the uk they are supposed to be TX locked to the 2m and 70cm band plans (144-146 MHz and 430-440 MHz), and no 1.5m band option (230-260 MHz) which is appropriate for the Uk band plans. This is bad in the sense that neither radio is meeting the advertised standard that Baofeng have published, also that they’re supplying radios that are capable of transmitting into some pretty dangerous frequency territory even for licensed Hams but especially for unlicensed users who may not know what damage they might be causing. However, it’s good in the sense that these radios are demonstrating that they are not “Hardware Locked” and can be opened up once the unlock process is figured out. Maybe someone bought a locked V2 expecting airband, well they’ll be able to do so in the future.

😂

That would depend on when it was manufactured. Some of the later models can’t be “unlocked” in order to get certain countries certification

@@M7EUP okay, thanks

They advertise 10watts but check the testing video and subscribe for more.

Only units supplied by baofengradio.co.uk seem to be unlocked. Stay subscribed as I will post unlocking procedure when I have it.

@@M7EUP i subscribe already give us an update if you can jailbreak uv5rh

​@@M7EUPstill waiting how to unlock airband on UV5RH

So am I. I’m looking at flashing the chip and other methods at the moment but the factory software is hard coded.

@@M7EUP keep going we will wait for your updated hope you can unlock the UV5RH

The RH has very good speaker

What frequencies are you trying to transmit on? I may be able to advise you.

Where did you purchase it and which version did you order.

On AliExpress not on the UK store :( the version is the triband

Unfortunately the ones from Ali express come programmed as advertised. It’s only the site I mention in the video that seems to be shipping them unlocked.

No device like this will transmit on AM aviation bands. There is no scenario when this would be legal. AM transmission capabilities on these frequencies require specific, licensed and tightly controlled radios specifically made for the aviation industry.

​@@M7EUP ah! Ok, but what is the unlocking part for then? I clearly misunderstood...

@@ThatDutchGuy82 there has been a lot of confusion because the radios are stated to be “locked” to certain parameters and bands which differ depending on which version you buy. For example the version 1 should have airband receive (am) and the version two doesn’t. But in my video both versions have am airband. The factory are shipping them unlocked to Triband with airband.

@@M7EUP Aha I see, so how do I know mine is in the "locked" category? Thank you BTW for all your answers and remarkable quick responses 👍🏻

I’m so trying to entering frequencies in the 70cm, 1.25m and 2m frequency bands (eg 430.00, 235.00 and 145.00) if your radio accepts them and you can transmit on these then you have a radio unlocked to “Tri-band” Finally enter an Airband frequency like 118.575. If you see the frequency on screen and an AM indicator it’s also unlocked to Airband.

They are a great radio

Unlikely that you’ll ever get a firmware update for any Baofeng radio. The issue it’s that a lot of airband frequencies in Europe have adopted a 8.33kHz channel spacing which can’t be entered via the keypad and isn’t a step option. Stay tuned to the channel though as there’s news coming about an alternative radio.

Order from the uk site and see if they’ll ship it.

Similar specifications but very different radios.

@@M7EUP same 💩 different plastic shell

I’m simply demonstrating that the advertised specifications don’t match up to what you actually receive. Being “unlocked” like this is a bonus for some people but on the other hand some customers are ordering specific models and getting something entirely different.

Unfortunately at this moment in time that’s not possible. It would require a firmware flash at the factory.

@@M7EUP How do I do it? I have the programming cable. I understand programming as well. Can I download it? I saw a method that says remove the battery, then press the menu button and insert the battery and the device will open again.

@@user-qf1pm7pl2s I’m not sure I’m making this clear enough. Let’s try again. The original uV5r could be factory unlocked using a combination of keys and turning it on. The uv 5RH doesn’t have this option. As of today, the only way to have an unlocked UV5RH is to purchase either model from baofengradio.co.uk because they ship them unlocked… the process is done at the factory before shipping. There isn’t a way of doing it at home yet.

@@M7EUP No, my dear, the button is already there

@@user-qf1pm7pl2s well if you’ve seen this somewhere send me a link and I’ll see if I can replicate it and give you instructions

So what's your point? Other than writing a load of bollox that no one wants to Read.

​@@spaced4448What's someone going to start a war because of transmitting on a ham? Don't play into the gov't boot polishing so much, relax its a gd radio not a nuclear control.

Wow your so intelligent! And full of yourself. Get lost.

@@spaced4448 🤣🤣😀

Thank for the comment John, as a licensed operator I endeavour to check things out thoroughly before making any recommendations. The units in this video have been personally tested and meet both FCC and OFCOM requirements for spurious emissions on the relevant harmonics. Furthermore they are within 0.01% of the indicated frequency on the 2m and 70cm bands. As you say, the onus is on the operator to stay legal and within the legal limits set by the governing body

I’m shocked to hear that. Explain to me what frequencies are available and which ones you actually need.

@@M7EUP (From Baofeng Support) H i, Thanks a lot for the information. The frequency range of the UV-5G Plus is GMRS: 462.5625-467.7250 (RX & TX); VHF 136-173.99 & UHF 400-519.99MHz (RX only). Due to FCC requirements, please kindly note that the radios we sell now are locked and cannot be unlocked. Hope for your kind understanding. Regards, Olivia Baofeng Support Team Doe this answer your question? Advertising a radio that a seller makes a big deal about all the frequencies it carries, and one can only receive and not send on them makes it only a scanner---ALONG WITH FRAUDULENT ADVERTISING...and may make you personal liable for pushing this radio. Did you consider that? My own credentials are, having been a RTO during the Vietnam War, I went on to become an Electronic Engineer and Technical Writer...with some training in contractual law and copyrights. I suggest you either make a public apology or pull your video.

“Unlocked” - Has open access to “All Frequencies” - 2m, 1.25m, 70cm. PMR, Airband This is simply demonstrating that this VHF/UHF radio is not limited to the frequency ranges as advertised by the seller.

@@M7EUP if so never seen an unlock mod for this. Sent mine back went with quasheng instead just a simple firmware mod. This model 5rm had no mod

Sorry to disappoint

I think you may have misunderstood, he neither said it would transmit on airband, nor would anyone want it to. What he's saying is, they're advertising two models (multi-band, tri-band) which supposedly differ in the ranges covered, as shown in his details, what he seems to have got instead, is both radios cover a superset of the advertised ranges. I've replicated the results with mine too.

@@rorschachUK I didn't misunderstand, I saw clearly that he was making a statement regarding Airband and while he didn't say that it would transmit on Airband, he intentionally omitted that it would not and made it look like it's illegal to even receive it. I don't know about UK but in America, it is legal to receive any transmission that is loose in the atmosphere. Transmitting on that frequency might be another story.

Apologies if you’ve found the title misleading however I think it is appropriate for the points I’m covering. Firstly the AM airband receive is not supposed to be available on the version 2, I have perhaps wrongly assumed that everyone would understand that Tx on these frequencies is never an option. I was aiming this at people who’ve been in previous discussions because they’ve bought the version two from places like Ali Express expecting Airband because the marketing and options have not been clear at the time of purchase. The other issues with this are that both radios transmit outside of the 2m and 70cm band allocations for UK amateurs, and also transmit on the 1.5m bands which are not allocated in ITU region 1. Hope this helps to clarify my intentions.

It tells you at the start of the video, its on the screen. Tells you airband is rx only. If you expect rx and tx on a 20 dollar radio you need to have your head checked.

He never said that it would transmit on the airband. Everyone in the radio world knows that to be illegal and dangerous. No, in America you can’t receive everything transmitted into the air. Cellular telephone signals and cordless home telephones have always been guarded by the FCC.

Hi. Welcome from the British states of the United Kingdom of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales 😂 So yeah we’re regulated by Ofcom (much like the FCC in the states) and operate within similar band plans to you in the VhF/UHF range. There is a lot of activity in these bands but to operate within them without a license and callsign will just get you ignored. Just like the American FRS bands we have a license free section called PMR446 which had both 16 channels of analogue and digital allocation but is limited to 0.5 watts with a fixed antenna

You’re welcome 😂

Hi. Which version did you get and where from? Also, select menu and number 0. What hardware/firmware is displayed.