The first thing you need is a programming cable. NOTE: Just remember that in the event of an actual emergency, if you have no other means of communicating, you can pretty much use any radio on any frequency in an attempt to get help. I have several and have had them through dust, rain, hail, and have dropped them countless times but they still work perfectly. I highly recommend the Midland GXT1000VP4 for GMRS. While a Baofeng can technically transmit on these frequencies, not only is it illegal to do so but it’s also very inconsiderate. I can’t emphasize this enough: if you want to communicate using FRS, GMRS, or MURS, please do us all a favor buy the appropriate radio licensed to operate on those bands.

Program in FRS, GMRS (including basic repeater configurations and the Midland “Extra Channels”), and MURS for monitoring and/or emergency purposes only! Program in the National Weather Radio frequencies (great to have on the trail) Program in the national calling frequencies for 2m and 70cm What exactly are we trying to accomplish here?įix some default settings so that your radio isn’t annoying to you and everybody around you If you live in a different country, the laws may be different regarding which frequencies you can use so you may have to do a little more research and tweak the stock config below accordingly. SECOND DISCLAIMER: This write up is geared toward the folks in the good ol’ US of A. It is possible (although very unlikely) that you will render your radio inoperable. But, lucky for you, I’ve also got some good news! There are some kick-ass folks who put together an excellent open-source tool called CHIRP that will make programming your radio a heck of a lot easier!ĭISCLAIMER: As always when doing anything fun, there are risks involved.

Programming a Baofeng isn’t exactly straight forward and the documentation for these radios is notoriously bad. So you just got your amateur radio license and bought yourself a brand new Baofeng radio.

Baofeng chirp programming software