Baofeng UV-5G issues?

[WSHK260]

I recently bought the Baofeng UV-5G radios and am having a couple of issues.  I've looked through forum topics and see where some people needed to do a firmware update, but these are brand new, so not sure they need that?

My issues are:  when is channel mode, I can change the CTCSS and DCS tones, but they will not save.  Consequently, I can't communicate with my Rocky Talkie radios if we want to use privacy codes.  Also, I can't connect to local repeaters either.  When in frequency mode, I can change the CTCSS and DCS tones, and they will save.  However, when I hit the PTT, nothing happens.  I make sure the frequency is set to a correct GMRS channel, but again nothing happens when I hit the PTT.  

I've watched a bunch of NOTARUBICON's videos on youtube and saw where he got the UV-5X before and after the update.  However, again, I'm not sure I need to do an update?  If so, how do I go about doing that?  I checked out the Baofeng website and saw there was a programming download, but wasn't sure that was it.

Thanks, and appreciate any help I can get!

[WSHK260]

Okay, after having read the user manual yet again I have noticed that when in channel mode the CTCSS and DCS tones are not able to be altered.  However, I still don't understand why I'm having the PTT issue when in frequency mode.  If anyone can help with that, I'd be most appreciative.  Otherwise, I'm sending these back.

[GrouserPad]

Operator error. 

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, WSHK260 said:

Okay, after having read the user manual yet again I have noticed that when in channel mode the CTCSS and DCS tones are not able to be altered.  However, I still don't understand why I'm having the PTT issue when in frequency mode.  If anyone can help with that, I'd be most appreciative.  Otherwise, I'm sending these back.

Because it’s a GMRS radio you may only transmit on predefined GMRS channels.  As I recall from previous threads Baofeng enforces that by preventing transmissions while in vfo mode.

Edited to add: the manual shows that the 22 GMRS channels and 8 GMRS repeater channels are modifiable and RX and TX capable, but they specify that the RF ranges are receive channels.  Nothing in the manual indicates that you can transmit in VFO mode.

 

[UncleYoda]

50 minutes ago, WSHK260 said:

Okay, after having read the user manual yet again I have noticed that when in channel mode the CTCSS and DCS tones are not able to be altered.  However, I still don't understand why I'm having the PTT issue when in frequency mode.  If anyone can help with that, I'd be most appreciative.  Otherwise, I'm sending these back.

Something about what you're describing is not right.  On UV5G, you can't program extra transmit channels, so you have to be able to set tones on the pre-programmed channels.  That both tones can be changed and saved on already saved channels is one difference of the 5G from the ham version UV-5R.  Don't put too much faith in what the manuals for Chinese radios say.

The PTT issue sounds like what happens when trying the PTT on out of band (disallowed) frequencies.

Where did you purchase yours from?  Are you sure you got authentic UV-5Gs and not UV5Rs?  What channel and frequencies have you tried?  Are channels 1-30 the standard GMRS frequencies?  Don't do a firmware update on any radio until you are sure you know what you are dealing with.

[WSHK260]

Thank you guys for the replies and help.  @SteveShannon I think you are right about not being able to transmit from frequency mode.  I was pretty disappointed in the UV-5G, so decided to return them.  Got the UV-5G plus today and they work as I expected and I'll be keeping those.  Have a great rest of your weekend everyone!

[WROH500]

Do you have a computer that you can download chirp next gen on, and do you have a programming cable?

[Haroldo]

I have a pair of UV-5G Plus radios. Using Chirp, you have to set the radio as a Radioditty UV-5G Plus to program the radio.

I have added many 2m and 70 cm ham frequencies for monitoring, unable to transmit on the channels. You can also add as many GMRS coded simplex channels, or ham band channels and GMRS repeaters, up to all 1000 channels. The 5W power is nice, as I can hit many repeaters from my house using a mag-mount on a pizza pan. They come in clear.

For dedicated GMRS radios, they work well.

[WSHK260]

13 hours ago, WROH500 said:

Do you have a computer that you can download chirp next gen on, and do you have a programming cable?

I did download CHIRP and have a programming cable.

 

 

13 hours ago, Haroldo said:

I have a pair of UV-5G Plus radios. Using Chirp, you have to set the radio as a Radioditty UV-5G Plus to program the radio.

I have added many 2m and 70 cm ham frequencies for monitoring, unable to transmit on the channels. You can also add as many GMRS coded simplex channels, or ham band channels and GMRS repeaters, up to all 1000 channels. The 5W power is nice, as I can hit many repeaters from my house using a mag-mount on a pizza pan. They come in clear.

For dedicated GMRS radios, they work well.

I

I agree.  I'm liking it so far, especially for the cost.

[Socalgmrs]

Have you tried to program on a computer?  It’s a million times easier?    Are you sure you are in gmrs frequencies?    I’ve only used uv5r not G so I know things are different but I’ve never had or heard of this issue.   Many people looove to do firmware updates (I never have) so maybe the G has an issue that needs to be upgraded.