1. Introduction

The Baofeng is a small, light weight, waterproof to IP-68 standard, handheld radio that covers both the 2m Very High Frequency (VHF) [144-146MHz] and the 70cm Ultra High Frequency (UHF) [430-440MHz] bands. It is battery powered with an operating voltage of 7.2V.

1. - The buttons and knobs on the radio

Note the various buttons and knobs on the radio. The next section describes the functions allocated to each of the keys in the keypad and some more information.

1.1. Abbreviations

[~] Frequency Mode, also called Variable Frequency Oscillator (VFO), is an operation mode where the Transmit (TX) and Receive (RX) frequencies are adjustable in the specified range.

[$]Channel mode, channels are pre-programmed and the frequency is not adjustable.

[^] VOX also referred to as Voice Activated Transmission is a feather that puts the microphone into continuous listening mode for the operatoes voice. When voice is detected it will then automatically start broadcasting.

[*] Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) is a type of analogue in-band signalling system, sometimes referred to as tone squelch, that adds a low frequency audio tone to the voice signal. This tone can be detected by other users on the same radio frequency and their radio can mute those users who are using a different CTCSS tone or no CTCSS tone. CTCSS tones range from 62.5 to 254.1 Hz giving 51 unique tones.

[+] Digital-Coded System (DCS) or Continuous Digital-Coded Squelch System (CDCSS) performs a similar function to CTCSS; however, it is digital in nature. It adds a 134.4 bps (sub-audible) bitstream to carry digital data or encoded-words as a form of digital squelch DCS to the transmitted audio. This is received by others on the same radio frequency and like with CTCSS the radio can mute those users who are using a different code or no code. There are 83 codes carried in a 23 bit word, the Golay (23,12) code, which includes error correction parity bits such that the radio has the ability to detect and correct any three bit or less error that occurs in the 23 bit word. The UV-9R PRO has 105 codes, using codes beyond the 83 defined in the ANSI/TIA-603-E (2016) standard will reduce/eliminate the ability for error correction.

2. Factory Default the UV-9R PRO

The following outlines the procedure for factory defaulting the radio.

• Press the MENU key and type in 40.
• RESET ALL is presented, press the MENU key twice and SOURCE? is displayed.
• Press the MENU key again and the unit resets.
• This is confirmed by the voice prompts changing to Chinese.
• Press the MENU key and type in 14.
• VOICE CHI is presented.
• Press the MENU key again and use the UP/DOWN buttons to select ENG.
• Press the MENU key once more to confirm, voice changes to English.

3. Changing Frequency in VFO Mode

2. - Changing between Frequency Mode [~] and Channel Mode [$]

Consider image 3. above. When the radio is turned on, it is in either Frequency Mode [~] or Channel[$] Mode. To switch between them, turn the radio off with the volume control knob. With the MENU key depressed, turn the radio on again and the mode will have switched.

Bring the radio to Frequency Mode. Type in the required frequency with the keypad.

4. Setup a link to a VHF repeater

Repeaters managed and installed by clubs allow the operator to extend their range to that of the repeater network. The operators radio connects to the repeater and all those within the repeater and any other repeaters that it is connected to will be part of a large single radio net.

Typically in VHF the repeater TX is on one frequency and the RX is offset from the TX frequency by -0.6MHz. Take for example EI2REG (MH: IO52KK) located at Rooskagh East, West of Newcastlewest in County Limerick. The frequencies alotted to it are:

• Repeater TX: 145.725MHz
• Repeater RX: 145.125MHz
• Offset: -0.6MHz
• Uplink access tone (CTCSS): 103.5Hz

In Frequency Mode enter the Repeater TX frequency (as the UV-9R PRO's receive frequency).

4.1. Set the Frequency Offset

3. - Changing the frequency offset and TX-CTCSS

As illustrated in Figure 4, to set this up:

Setting the handset receive frequency

• Enter the Repeater TX as the radio's RX frequencyas 145.650 with the keypad.
• Press the MENU key and type in [2][6].
• OFFSET 000.000 is presented, press the MENU key again, the arrow points down.
• Enter the offset as 000.600
• Press the MENU key again and the EXIT key to confirm.

Setting the Offset

• To change the offset direction, press the MENU key and type in [2][5].
• SFT-D OFF is presented.
• Press the MENU key again and use the arrow keys to scroll to '-.
• Press the MENU key again and the EXIT key to confirm.

Setting the Transmit CTCSS

• To change the T-CTCS[*], press the MENU key and type in [1][3].
• T-CTCS OFF is presented.
• Press the MENU key again and with the keypad type 1035 (i.e. 103.5Hz).
• Press the MENU key again and the EXIT key to confirm.

4.2. Saving the settings in a Channel

4. - Saving the new settings in a Channel

Now that a connection is made to the repeater it makes sense to save it to a channel. In this case save it in Channel number 000.

• To save the information programmed to a channel, press the MENU key and type in [2][7].
• MEM-CH CH-000 is presented.
• Using the UP/DOWN keys select the desired channel and press the MENU key again.
• Press the MENU key again and the EXIT key to confirm.

Note: To delete information from a channel, use the MENU key and type in [2][8]. Press the MENU key, select the channel to be deleted and press the MENU key once more to confirm.