Here's the cable:
Hi, purchased a new UV-5R recently with an Amazon Cable that did not work by changing to Prolific or any other driver modification through the device manager. However, there is one driver that I saw through the Amazon Reviews that I Installed and works perfect now.
The Amazon review stated the following: google CH341SER.EXE. You will find it on a site called wch-ic. Download/run the driver software and click "Install" with the cable plugged in when the weird grey screen comes up. Unplug/replug the cable and you should have a perfectly working new com port (usually COM3 in my experience). Works fine to program my UV-5R both uploading to and downloading from the radio.
Once I installed the file, the cable works perfect. This is the cable I bought: Baofeng Programming Cable
Those both look like they cost more than they should. I’ve answered this in some relative detail before, so I’ll just repost it:
They’re all variants of a couple of models. Your best bet is to go with the tried and true UV5R: BaoFeng UV-5R 65-108 MHz Dual-Band Ham Radio (Black) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B008IYCQSO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_MrhHFb3CC5ZPA
You’ll want to upgrade your antenna ASAP, the Nagoya is popular, but there’s no way you’re convincing me to walk around with a foot and a half of antenna whipping around. My Nagoya is great, but it lives in the junk drawer as a backup. Personally, I’ve had tons of success with a 7.5” ExpertPower: ExpertPower XP-669C 7.5-Inch Dual... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y2SPH6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
As for the programming cable, I lived dangerously and went with the cheap knockoff. Don’t use the included CD, just get the driver from Miklor and you will be fine (see below): Baofeng Programming Cable for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP0I474?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
That’s enough to get you started with a very robust starter setup. I’ve made first contacts with a few repeaters with great results. I would HIGHLY recommend poring over Miklor’s UV5R site: https://www.miklor.com/uv5r/
Everything you possibly need to get your UV5R programmed and running to your liking is outlined there, including the driver for the cable. Feel free to keep searching, but these few things got me up and running in the shortest possible time! EDIT: I know that I said I hate long whippy antennas, but I need to note that the Signal Stick is great to have if you are looking to hit some way out repeaters. It’s floppy, but can be coiled when not in use. A redditor makes them and the sales benefit HamStudy! I do like having a couple antennas, and this one is well worth having.
here's the cable I bought
They’re all variants of a couple of models. Your best bet is to go with the tried and true UV5R:
BaoFeng UV-5R 65-108 MHz Dual-Band Ham Radio (Black) https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B008IYCQSO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_MrhHFb3CC5ZPA
You’ll want to upgrade your antenna ASAP, the Nagoya is popular, but there’s no way you’re convincing me to walk around with a foot and a half of antenna whipping around. My Nagoya is great, but it lives in the junk drawer as a backup. Personally, I’ve had tons of success with a 7.5” ExpertPower:
ExpertPower XP-669C 7.5-Inch Dual... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y2SPH6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
As for the programming cable, I lived dangerously and went with the cheap knockoff. Don’t use the included CD, just get the driver from Miklor and you will be fine (see below):
Baofeng Programming Cable for... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CP0I474?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
That’s enough to get you started with a very robust starter setup. I’ve made first contacts with a few repeaters with great results. I would HIGHLY recommend poring over Miklor’s UV5R site:
Everything you possibly need to get your UV5R programmed and running to your liking is outlined there, including the driver for the cable. Feel free to keep searching, but these few things got me up and running in the shortest possible time!
EDIT: I know that I said I hate long whippy antennas, but I need to note that the Signal Stick is great to have if you are looking to hit some way out repeaters. It’s floppy, but can be coiled when not in use. A redditor makes them and the sales benefit HamStudy! I do like having a couple antennas, and this one is well worth having.