GM-15 Pro transmission locked from customer GMRS channels

[WSCT342]

So ran into something interesting when attempting to program the Baofeng GM-15 Pro on a local repeater channel. Spent a long time thinking it was my configuration but turns out that my unit is transmission locked on any custom channel. If I configure a factory channel with the same settings it works as expected. Wondering if anyone figured a way around this? Don’t see the point of having the ability for many channels if you can’t use them? I would prefer to leave the standard channels as default and just manually add any repeater I wish. Especially if I travel and end up with a repeater on the same frequency but different tone and not want to constantly edit. Seems like a flaw in the design. 

[WRTC928]

On 12/22/2024 at 6:21 PM, WSCT342 said:

So ran into something interesting when attempting to program the Baofeng GM-15 Pro on a local repeater channel. Spent a long time thinking it was my configuration but turns out that my unit is transmission locked on any custom channel. If I configure a factory channel with the same settings it works as expected. Wondering if anyone figured a way around this? Don’t see the point of having the ability for many channels if you can’t use them? I would prefer to leave the standard channels as default and just manually add any repeater I wish. Especially if I travel and end up with a repeater on the same frequency but different tone and not want to constantly edit. Seems like a flaw in the design. 

Changing the subject a bit, what software are you using to program the GM-15 Pro? A friend recently got a pair and they don't seem to be supported by Chirp, but I know sometimes a related radio's profile will work. Are you using Chirp or the proprietary software?

[WRXB215]

14 hours ago, WSCT342 said:

Seems like a flaw in the design.

That or the manufacturer misunderstood the regulations. It is a frustrating thing and that radio isn't the only one like that.

[WRYS709]

1 hour ago, WRTC928 said:

Changing the subject a bit, what software are you using to program the GM-15 Pro? A friend recently got a pair and they don't seem to be supported by Chirp, but I know sometimes a related radio's profile will work. Are you using Chirp or the proprietary software?

See my answer to this thread:

 

[WRYS709]

On 12/22/2024 at 4:21 PM, WSCT342 said:

So ran into something interesting when attempting to program the Baofeng GM-15 Pro on a local repeater channel. Spent a long time thinking it was my configuration but turns out that my unit is transmission locked on any custom channel. If I configure a factory channel with the same settings it works as expected. Wondering if anyone figured a way around this? Don’t see the point of having the ability for many channels if you can’t use them? I would prefer to leave the standard channels as default and just manually add any repeater I wish. Especially if I travel and end up with a repeater on the same frequency but different tone and not want to constantly edit. Seems like a flaw in the design. 

It's a bug or perhaps a feature of the firmware.

This radio is a clone of the Radioddity GM-30.  Radioddity did a firmware update back in 2021 or 2022 that opened up DIY repeater channels on Channels 31-55 as I recall. The remaining channels are still Receive only. See NOTE below*

I believe the Baofeng UV-15 Pro is the same, but I do not have one to test.  I purchased the Baofeng UV-13Pro from AliExpress some time ago ($20) and it is the Ham Radio version of the 15, already open so as to allow transmission on GMRS and MURS on ALL channels.

I also recently picked up its baby brother: the UV-12, which is the Ham Radio version of their FRS radio, again open on all channels:

 

* Here is a link to the Radioddity firmware update page.  Attempting to update the Baofeng GM-15 with Radioddity firmware may BRICK your radio; so do it at your own risk!

https://www.radioddity.com/blogs/all/how-to-update-radioddity-gm-30-firmware

[WSCT342]

On 12/29/2024 at 12:48 PM, WRTC928 said:

Changing the subject a bit, what software are you using to program the GM-15 Pro? A friend recently got a pair and they don't seem to be supported by Chirp, but I know sometimes a related radio's profile will work. Are you using Chirp or the proprietary software?

I use the Radioddity software for the GM-30. Turns out I did find a fix for this issue (sorta). I was using and older version of the program, if you get the new one and look at the channels it defaults to (don’t read from the radio), the DIY channels are fixed so you get 3 more opportunities for repeaters per channel. However, the rest are still monitor only….