How To Unlock A New Baofeng UV-5R – Easy Unlock Hack To Transmit On GMRS & Other Frequencies

Get em while you can. And while you’re at it come out and learn how to actually use them.

By NC ScoutPublished On: February 7, 2022Categories: Comms, NC Scout10 Comments

About the Author: NC Scout

NC Scout is the nom de guerre of a former Infantry Scout and Sergeant in one of the Army’s best Reconnaissance Units. He has combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He teaches a series of courses focusing on small unit skills rarely if ever taught anywhere else in the prepping and survival field, including his RTO Course which focuses on small unit communications. In his free time he is an avid hunter, bushcrafter, writer, long range shooter, prepper, amateur radio operator and Libertarian activist. He can be contacted at [email protected] or via his blog at brushbeater.wordpress.com .

10 Comments

Sleeper February 7, 2022 at 18:12

How about triband for the same price?!
- NC Scout February 7, 2022 at 18:28
  
  Now that works a bit better!
DakotaRumble February 7, 2022 at 19:49

I see the UV-5R everywhere, anyone mess with one of the UV-S9Plus?

https://www.amazon.com/Airiton-BAOFENG-Portable-Handheld-2200mAh/dp/B08M6JQ5GS/ref=sr_1_8?crid=3O9QK6JHM3EZZ&keywords=UV-S9PLus&qid=1644280550&s=electronics&sprefix=uv-s9plus%2Celectronics%2C62&sr=1-8&th=1
Shinmen Takezo February 8, 2022 at 00:13

My B-fangs are of an earlier type that transmit with higher power and are un-blocked.
Also have a Zastone (B-Fang-ish types) that transmit even with higher power and are no longer available here in the USSA.

When I was in Japan last I purchased some nicer antennas at Akihabara in Tokyo.
I think I can bounce signals off the moon now.
Scipio February 8, 2022 at 13:47

Thanks for the heads up, I just bought two.
xrMike February 8, 2022 at 21:07

So if I understand correctly, the “triband” model that “sleeper” linked to (above) already has transmit capability on the GMSR frequencies, and therefore does not need to be “unlocked” like the UV-5R model? Can somebody confirm that for me? Thank you.

One more question, if you “unlock” the UV-5R, does it ONLY allow transmission on GMSR freqs, or does that open up all of the other restricted freqs or bands also? (like police, fire, etc.)
- NC Scout February 8, 2022 at 21:10
  
  I dunno, not on the up and up with each individual baofeng model.
  
  Second question was answered in the video.
- Sleeper February 9, 2022 at 09:22
  
  xrMike, I don’t know about that one specifically, but most likely it is. I have ordered this model and it is unlocked and even a couple dollars cheaper! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HC3SNJV
xrMike February 9, 2022 at 14:19

Thanks Sleeper. I got my Technician license some years ago and bought a Yaesu FT-60R. Don’t use it much except to check in with the local ARES club occasionally (they train for emergencies and stuff). I don’t talk much, mostly listen. I am looking to pick up a couple of these cheaper Baofengs to keep as spares / loaners / etc. Just trying to figure out which one is best bang-for-buck. Thanks for the links!
- Sleeper February 9, 2022 at 17:05
  
  You’re welcome! I just received my Technician’s last year. You can use Chirp to program this one as the Radioddity UV-5RX3. This is definitely one of the most bang for the buck. I have a BTech UV-5X3 which is nicer because of the custom firmware BTech did that added some nice features, but at 2.5x the price, I’d go with the UV-5RIII all day long.