Beginner’s Corner December 2014

More on downloading the information to the Baofeng UV-5R (?) This is a continuation of last month’s column. There is just so much information on the Baofeng radios that needs to be gotten out. Try as I did, I could not get the CSV file I had created to my radio. I checked with a couple people

in GARS. Phil, N4LNE, told me about this site:

http://dbjre.com/download.php

I loaded the driver for my computer operating system, but the computer couldn’t find it. I got one of those help windows on my computer directing me to the Prolific web site. Well, what do I have to lose? I downloaded their zip file, and checked the Read Me text file. This driver seems to cover all Windows versions except Windows 8.

I downloaded the PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1_9_0 file. I tried the Check Driver application.

I get a window saying, “No PL2303 chip”. Next, I downloaded the driver and got a successful installation window. Now I get a window that says that there is a problem that says “A service installation section in this INF is invalid.” OK, they lost me.

I know there are INF files in a computer, but I haven’t a clue as to what they do.

At this time, I give up again. I tried the cable from my Kenwood HT. It fits the Baofeng

exactly. My computer still doesn’t want to talk to the Baofeng.

Phil also told me about this web site:

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/ht/0205prgm.html

I downloaded this driver, and it was looking for Com 7. Also on the above URL, the setup.1st file cannot be found.

I tried the setup.exe, and it aborted because it couldn’t find the setup.1st file.

Having given up, I was watching a YouTube video and that lead me to these videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arpGoThEtCE

These should be required watching before you start to program your Baofeng. Also, when you go to YouTube, enter the following in the search field “baofeng uv-5r programming”. There is a wealth of videos out there.

Thanks to Phil, N4LNE, my Baofeng is up and running with the frequencies I want.

73,

David Harden,

KJ4CMY