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Microprocessor-based Amateur Radio transceivers--handhelds, mobile units and base stations--are usually programmed by pressing exact sequences of keystrokes.

Even one key pressed incorrectly will cause problems, so pay close attention to following the correct sequence.

These sequences vary from one manufacturer to another and even among various models of the same manufacturer.

Having the instructions for your make and model of unit is very helpful.  Many instruction documents are posted online and videos of more popular units are available for viewing on YouTube and similar sources.

This article attempts to provide general guidance covering a wide range of Amateur Radio transceivers.  Hopefully, it will help you to better understand the instructions for your unit.

GETTING STARTED

Some units are menu-controlled and others do not use menu control.   Look at the keypad and other controls on the panel along with instruction manual procedures and illustrations.  

If you see a MENU key or references to a menu and settings in the instructions, menu control is used.   By the way, many types of consumer electronic devices, including digital televisions, use menus for set-up and operation.

PROGRAMMING MENU-CONTROLLED RADIOS

Locate these three keys/buttons on your transceiver.

VFO A/B  or simply A/B: Switches between VFO A and VFO B (dual VFOs). 

MEMORY/VFO or simply  M/V: Switches between Memory mode and VFO mode.  Using a VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator) is analogous to spinning the dial and looking for signals on older non-microprocessor-based radios.

MENU: Adjusts settings (simplex, repeater shift, tones, etc.)

Most transceivers, both menu-controlled and non-menu, use two types of operation:

(1) VFO mode:   Desired frequencies are tuned by direct entry from numerical keys or by slewing up or down using up/down keys.  Arrow symbols are sometimes used to identify these slewing keys.

Digital radios tune up and down in steps ranging from .01 Hz to 25 kHz. or more. The step size is usually adjusted by accessing the MENU. For VHF and UHF, tuning steps of 5 kHz are optimum.  For HF,  .1 kHz is usually preferred.

Most radios have at least two independent and separate VFOs--usually termed VFO A and VFO B.  The VFO A/B key toggles (alternates) between A and B.   Ignore VFO B for now and start off using VFO A only.

(2) Memory mode:  Consists of frequency settings (and associated parameters) stored for instant recall.  Eliminates the need to "spin the dial" to change frequencies.  Most units have dozens or even hundreds of memory slots. The MEMORY/VFO key toggles between memory and VFO modes 

MENUS

Accessed by pressing the MENU key or sometimes by entering a string of keystrokes.

Menus allow settings to be selected and changed using keystrokes.  Menu slots usually start with 00.  A manual or reference for the make and model of your unit is usually necessary to determine which menu slots affect various settings.

Some menu slots affect a unit's operation on all frequencies while others apply only to a particular frequency.

Examples of menu slots are frequency offset (for repeater or simplex operation), power level, CTCSS or other tone on/off, tone frequency, squelch level, panel lighting, tuning step size, keystroke beep off/on.

MULTI-PURPOSE KEYS

Keys on newer radios may have multiple uses--similar to 2nd and 3rd functions on calculators. 

Pressing a key quickly may be interpreted differently by the transceiver than pressing a key and holding it down for several seconds.  (quick press vs. longer press)

Some programming operations may require pressing two (or more) keys simultaneously a la Control-Alt-Delete on a computer.

Others require pressing several keys in sequence....one following another.

Discern carefully which method to use in pressing keys by consulting the instructions for your unit.

Again, an instruction document or online video is very helpful.  To search for online videos, enter the make and model i.e. "Kenwood TS-590" into a search engine.

NON-MENU RADIO PROGRAMMING

Without menus, programming and settings are managed using 2nd and 3rd functions in conjunction with key pads.  For example, the "1" button on the keypad may also be used to activate and deactivate tones.  The "4" button may also be used to program the - and + offsets for repeater operation. The "7" might be used to start and/or stop scanning, etc.

Keypad buttons may even do triple duty (3rd function)! Consult the instructions for activating 2nd and 3rd functions.

Look for an MR (Memory Recall) button.  Pressing MR takes the unit out of VFO control and puts it into memory slot control.   There will probably be another button labelled VFO to change from memory to VFO control. Some units use different terminology for MR.

Also, find the MW (Memory Write) button which allows frequencies and settings in the VFO mode to be memorized and entered into a memory slot. Some units use different abbreviations for MW.

Other important keypad operations include:

(1) H/M/L power level selection (High/Medium/Low) or maybe just H/L

(2) Transmit/Receive Frequency Offset or DUPLEX/SIMPLEX.

(3) ENTER (ENT or E):  Similar to the ENTER key on a computer.

(4) KEY LOCK:  WATCH OUT FOR THIS ONE!  May be labelled with a padlock symbol.  If inadvertently activated, the unit will ignore all commands until you unlock it. 

 GENERAL PROCEDURE FOR MANY RADIOS

Menu & Non-Menu

(1) Use the VFO mode to tune to the desired frequency. Tune VFO A to the desired frequency either by entering the numbers using the keypad or through pressing the up/down arrows. It may be necessary to change the band when using up/down arrows.

When entering a frequency, pay attention to decimal placement and the format of the digits.  These formats vary from one make/model to another.  If an incorrect format is used, efforts to program will fail.

(2) Set the associated parameters (offset, tone, etc.) using MENU or 2nd functions.

(3) Verify that the unit is working correctly on the desired frequency.

(4) Transfer that frequency and associated settings to a memory slot.  Memory slots usually start at 00 or 01. Use pen & paper to keep track of contents of memory slots as you load them

COMPUTER SET-UP

Some units can be programmed using computer software.  Frequencies entered can be customized for specific geographical areas, such as northeast Florida. 

Proprietary programming cables may be needed and some manufacturer-provided software is infested with bugs.  But using computer programming can greatly simplify loading many frequencies into a unit quickly.

Check the bottom of this page about using software to program specific makes and models of radios.  If you can assist with programming radios not listed, let me know by e-mail and you will be added to the listing.

IN CONCLUSION

Persistence plus trial and error are often necessary to properly program microprocessor-based radios and other electronic accessories.

Instructions supplied with equipment, especially lower-end items, may contain misprints and errors.  Critical steps may have been omitted.  Searching internet-based discussion groups and websites may save aggravation in such cases.

It may be necessary to initiate a "reset" to clear out previous inadvertent settings or to unstick system glitches.  This may involve turning the unit on or off in conjunction with other keystroke sequences.

Sometimes, there are several levels of resets available ranging from soft or partial to complete or hard resets.

Resetting may cause loss of all previous stored memories & settings when the unit is returned to initial or "default" settings.

If the unit cannot be programmed properly after instructions have been followed, there is no downside to starting over with a reset.

EXAMPLE OF PROGRAMMING STEPS

TO PROGRAM W4IZ 146.7 MHZ REPEATER INTO BAOFENG UV5R

(1) Press orange VFO/MR mode button to go to Frequency (VFO) mode. Use blue A/B key to position the arrow on the display next to the top row of numbers. The top numbers represent VFO A and the bottom VFO B.  Ignore VFO B's bottom numbers for now.

There should not be any small channel numbers displayed on the right and the left arrow should point to the top numbers on the display. If this is not the case, press the orange VFO/MR button and/or the blue A/B key.

(2) Press MENU button and then "1" to set the desired tuning step. It should be 5K.  If not, press MENU button again.  Use up/down arrow keys to toggle to 5K.  Then press MENU a third time to save the step setting(very important).

(3) Press MENU and then press "1 3" to set the correct tone frequency.   Press MENU a second time to change the tone frequency.  Use up/down arrows to arrive at 127.3.  Press MENU again to save the tone setting.

(4) Press MENU and then press "2 5" to set the correct shift.  It should be - (negative) shift.  Other options are + (positive) and "none"(simplex).

To change shift direction, press MENU again and use up/down arrow keys to change.  Then press MENU again to save the correct shift.

(5) Press MENU "2 6".  Press MENU again and enter 000.600 using the numbers on the keypad.  Press MENU again to save.

(6) Press MENU "2 7" and select a memory slot (such as 00).  Press MENU again to save 146.7 in that slot.

(7) Use keypad to program W4IZ's repeater input frequency--146.100

(8) Press MENU "2 7".  Press MENU a second time and select the same slot (such as 00).  Press MENU a third time to complete the entry.

NOTE: Steps 7 and 8 are considered extraneous by many and are mostly unique to Baofeng.  Neglecting these steps causes much gnashing of teeth and great consternation among many hams.

Do not forget to press MENU to save settings in (2) through (8).

(9) Verify proper operation of memory slot 00.  

(10) Program additional memory slots (01 and above) using similar steps. 

There are two independent VFOs (VFO A & VFO B). Pressing the blue A/B key toggles between the two VFOs.

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SOFTWARE FOR PROGRAMMING SPECIFIC RADIOS

Yaesu FT-2800 VHF Transceiver: Bob, KS4CA has the RT systems ADMS-2600 software and the USB-29C programming cable. ks4ca@bellsouth.net