4x4tographer 1,022 Posted January 10 (edited) Stumbled across the solution for electrical interference related to my Baofeng handheld (UV5R) ham radio! Wanted to share the fix in the event others are having a similar issue. This solutions *should* work across related Baofengs as well. Somewhere in my Jeep JL there is signal interference that is causing fairly rhythmic static to be picked up by the handheld. I've been able to make it "better and worse" by moving the radio around the cabin, but the only way to totally mitigate it was to get it as far away from the center console as possible (i.e., hanging it out of the darn window). In my particular case, the interference was coming from my handbrake and aux switches. When the brake is pulled, or I have an aux button pressed, some poorly shielded wire is giving off interference that the Baofeng it picking up. I tried messing with the squelch, pushing it all the way up to "9", the max, with little effect. The reason behind this is that, from the factory, these radios are programmed with a pretty weak/passive squelch range that doesn't even cover the radio's full capability, with stronger interference still breaking through no matter how high you've set the level. The solution is to reprogram your squelch range to be more aggressive. Here, you'll see the factory original squelch "strength" versus the new, much more aggressive settings. My particular radio supports a max squelch setting of 105. The original max setting was 22. Quite the difference. What you'll need: CHIRP - a free radio programming tool A programming cable specific to your radio. I'm using this one for the Baofeng The drivers for your cable (if needed). I use a Mac, so my drivers might vary from yours. Next up, check out this site for more detailed instructions on how to reprogram your radio. This page also goes more in depth as to the "why" behind what is happening with your radio. In summary, you will: Connect your radio via USB Launch CHIRP Turn on the radio, volume at 100% Download your radios settings via USB Find the appropriate tab for your squelch settings (mine was under settings>>service settings) Input your new squelch ranges for VHF and UFH Upload the new image back to the radio Test it! Rinse and repeat for best results During the ORP Holiday Party I got to use my freshly reprogrammed radio with the new squelch settings and it operated flawlessly. With squelch setting "4" selected, I was able to hear everyone's transmissions and zero aggravating interference from the Jeep. Edited January 10 by 4x4tographer 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 1,566 Posted January 10 nice!!! @scottL needs to do this 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trail Toy 548 Posted January 10 (edited) I'm thinking the same now that I have that external antenna. My radio seems better after using my new antenna but I'm sure there's room for improvement by adjusting the squelch. Since I have the exact same radio as Ryan maybe I can sweet talk him into setting mine up for me, hint, hint... Know what I mean? Nudge, nudge. Say no more. LOL! Edited January 10 by Trail Toy 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ob1jeeper 231 Posted January 11 10 hours ago, 4x4tographer said: Stumbled across the solution for electrical interference related to my Baofeng handheld (UV5R) ham radio! Wanted to share the fix in the event others are having a similar issue. This solutions *should* work across related Baofengs as well. Somewhere in my Jeep JL there is signal interference that is causing fairly rhythmic static to be picked up by the handheld. I've been able to make it "better and worse" by moving the radio around the cabin, but the only way to totally mitigate it was to get it as far away from the center console as possible (i.e., hanging it out of the darn window). In my particular case, the interference was coming from my handbrake and aux switches. When the brake is pulled, or I have an aux button pressed, some poorly shielded wire is giving off interference that the Baofeng it picking up. I tried messing with the squelch, pushing it all the way up to "9", the max, with little effect. The reason behind this is that, from the factory, these radios are programmed with a pretty weak/passive squelch range that doesn't even cover the radio's full capability, with stronger interference still breaking through no matter how high you've set the level. The solution is to reprogram your squelch range to be more aggressive. Here, you'll see the factory original squelch "strength" versus the new, much more aggressive settings. My particular radio supports a max squelch setting of 105. The original max setting was 22. Quite the difference. What you'll need: CHIRP - a free radio programming tool A programming cable specific to your radio. I'm using this one for the Baofeng The drivers for your cable (if needed). I use a Mac, so my drivers might vary from yours. Next up, check out this site for more detailed instructions on how to reprogram your radio. This page also goes more in depth as to the "why" behind what is happening with your radio. In summary, you will: Connect your radio via USB Launch CHIRP Turn on the radio, volume at 100% Download your radios settings via USB Find the appropriate tab for your squelch settings (mine was under settings>>service settings) Input your new squelch ranges for VHF and UFH Upload the new image back to the radio Test it! Rinse and repeat for best results During the ORP Holiday Party I got to use my freshly reprogrammed radio with the new squelch settings and it operated flawlessly. With squelch setting "4" selected, I was able to hear everyone's transmissions and zero aggravating interference from the Jeep. Well Done Ryan ! ! ! ! ! Should be helpful to anyone running into squelch issues with their Hand held Barfongs... May also be helpful to other, and allow them to go research whether their radios are squelch adjustable in a similar fashion... 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 900 Posted January 11 Way cool, Ryan! Who would've thunk. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
4x4tographer 1,022 Posted January 11 16 hours ago, Trail Toy said: I'm thinking the same now that I have that external antenna. My radio seems better after using my new antenna but I'm sure there's room for improvement by adjusting the squelch. Since I have the exact same radio as Ryan maybe I can sweet talk him into setting mine up for me, hint, hint... Know what I mean? Nudge, nudge. Say no more. LOL! Of course man! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottL 155 Posted January 11 19 hours ago, theksmith said: nice!!! @scottL needs to do this mine interferes with the satellite radio, noise goes away when I turn it off but I need the beats. This will require technical assistance from my electrician.. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 1,566 Posted January 11 1 hour ago, scottL said: mine interferes with the satellite radio, noise goes away when I turn it off but I need the beats. This will require technical assistance from my electrician.. just loan me your Baofeng next time we go out and i'll re-align the warp core for you 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shellback91 574 Posted March 9 I had forgotten about this rather valuable information for some reason. @Trail Toy reminded me of it on the Harquahala run so I owe him a thank you. I had to update some channels in my Baofeng so while I was in there I reset my squelch settings. I will test them out on the next run. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trail Toy 548 Posted March 9 You are welcome good sir! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
