UV-3R 2M/70cm 2W Hand Held
There are several versions of the "UV-3R" sold by Baofeng (Fujian Nan’an Baofeng Electronics Co. Ltd). These versions are the original UV-3R, the UV-100, UV-100 MKII, UV-200, UV-200 MKII, UV-3R MKII, UV-3R+, UV-5R, and the UV-5R Plus.Vero (Vero Global Communication Co.,Ltd) also sell a version of the UV-3R, as well as the UV-X4, UV-X5 (same as TH-UV3R) and the UV-E5.
KYD (China New Century (Quanzhou) Communication Electronics Co.,Ltd) also sell a version of the UV-100, UV-200, UV-300, UV-500, UV-600 and UV-5H as well as a range of waterproof handhelds.
TYT (TYT Electronics Co.,Ltd) also sell the TH-UV3R (same as UV-X5) and TH-F8 (same as UV-5R), plus a range of other radios.
There are also some "badged" versions of the above available. The team that developed the UV-3R have started a revolution in ham radio. We now wait for the VHF/UHF mobile range to arrive (now arrived) and then the HF range (on its way!) see here FT-808 on You Tube.
There are now many radios with variations on the "UV" theme. These include the Ronson UV-8R, Quansheng TG-UV2, Waccom UV-5R (WUV-5R) and UV-6R, etc, etc, etc. There are numerous versions of the UV-5R.
For the more common model differences download the "UV3R Model Differences" .xls spreadsheet below.
If you want to know more about the UV-3R and to contribute to the understanding of how it works then I suggest you join the Yahoo group at Yahoo UV-3R Group In particular they maintain a very useful FAQ document which makes things a lot easier to understand.
All information, software, etc is provided in good faith and at your risk.
The remarkable UV-3R MKII transceivers have 3 main i.c’s (RX/TX, micro and FM radio) to provide a very low cost 2W dual band easy to use radio covering 136-174 and 400-470Mhz. They use the Fuji type NP60 mobile phone battery so you do not have to buy any special spare batteries (some of the newer models use special batteries i.e. UV-3R+). The radio includes a dual band antenna for 2M and 70cms, charger and UK adapter, belt clip, manual, Li-on battery and charger cradle (although you should charge the battery in the radio and I don’t recommend you use the cradle). There are 99 memories configurable with TX/Rx Freqs, CTCSS, CDCSS, wide/narrow, hi/low power, etc which can be set through the keypad. Computer configuration is optional and requires a cable (simple to make). If you want to listen to broadcast FM radio 87-108 MHz then that is built in as well. The manuals are not 100% correct due to software updates. The UV-3R is well built and reliable.
We now have the Baofeng UV-3R MKII for an internet only price of £35.50 including UK Signed for postage or £39.50 including EU/Europe Signed for Postage. Buy Now!
Brochures and Manuals
UV-3R Original Brochure.........UV-3R Brochure
UV-3R Original Manual............UV-3R User Manual
UV-3R MKII/UV-X4 Brochure..........UV-3R MKII/UV-X4 Brochure
UV-3R MKII zipped Manual............UV-3R MKII zipped User Manual
UV-X4 Manual (also OK for UV-3R MKII)............ UV-X4 User Manual
UV-3R+Plus Manual............UV-3R+Plus Manual
TYT TH-UV-3R Manual............TH-UV-3R Manual
Diagrams, Cheat Sheet, Model Differences, Interfaces and Software
UV-3R Original Circuit diagram..........UV-3R Diagram
UV-3R Original Cheat Sheet..........UV-3R Cheat Sheet by ZL2GVA
UV-3R Charger Circuit Diagram................UV3R Charger Circuit
UV-3R Model Differences................UV-3R Model Differences
UV-3R/UV-X4 Computer Interface Diagram............UV-3R Interface
CP2102 Driver............Silicon Labs website
UV-3R/UV-X4 Computer Interface Diagram by HA4BF............UV-3R/UV-X4 HA4BF Interface (untested comments please)
UV-3R/UV-5R/Etc Serial Computer Interface by W3BC...........Simple DIY Serial Interface
UV-3R/UV-X4 Software V1.11 (Latest Version)......UV-3R Software (V1.11)
Chirp Software (Rig Programming Software)..... Chirp Dan Planet
UV-3R Old Software.........UV-3R - V1.01, V1.08, V1.09 and V1.10 zipped
TYT Software..... TH-UV3R, etc
TH UV-3R Programming Cable ~ revised! (I thank Tony Zhang for testing) TYT UV-3R
Try here if you cannot find the software or drivers you need..... Lots of software here!
If you have problems with Windows 7 and Prolific drivers then this may help (or check out the 409 or Wouxun sites to find the right drivers, the link is on the next page)...W7 & Prolific USB
Out of range UV-3R..... by I6IBE
VE3PZR 220MHz UV-3R Software Modder..... 220Mhz Auto Modder
I6IBE using a UV-3R on satellite..... Computer and Digital Interface
M0NSA using a UV-3R on Echolink..... Low-Power Remote Control/Echolink Node
Free Radio Network..... Using the PC based FRN 2012 protocol
A review of some Chinese radios................Model Differences by PD0JDG
Baofeng 480 Software............BF480 Software also for BF-888S, H777 (this software may show a Trojan, but it is OK)
Golden Spring............Software for G-6300, G-6700 and G-3800
Dangerous Goods Act Policy from Maxell.........Lithium Ion Batteries
UK Dangerous Goods Act Policy from Royal Mail.........All Goods
IATA Document.........IATA Lithium Battery Guidance Document - 2013
Hacking
Lior Elazary website..... UV5R hacks
Lior Elazary UV3R Hack video..... UV3R youtube hack
Lior Elazary UV3R Hack video... UV3R 1st Firmware version
Lior Elazary UV3R Hack..... UV3R hack
Lior Elazary on UV3R Yahoo Group..... Lior Thread
Lior Elazary GitHub Hack..... More to follow
Lior Elazary GitHub Docs..... More to follow
Science Week CZ UV3R Hack..... In Czech
Hints and Tips
Battery Life ~ We suggest that you always charge and then operate the radio until the battery runs out and then re-charge. Do not be tempted to charge and then re-charge again without discharging as you may damage the battery.
There have been some issues with Prolific USB interface converters. Check out the 409 site to find the right drivers (the link is on the next page). An easier option is to buy a Silicon Labs CP210x type USB to UART bridge as shown above (make sure it is 3.3V or dual 3.3V/5V version). They are easier to get working and are cheaper. Available either from us or Ebay.
The DC power plug on the radio is 2.5 X 0.7mm, Note +ve is the outer and -ve the inner.
Rallies we will attend in 2013.....
National Hamfest 27th & 28th Sept 2013
We will be on the Czech Morse Key stand............
All information, software, etc is provided in good faith and at your risk.