Programming the radio / Cloning channels
First you should install a program called CHIRP. You can generally do that through the Software Manager in Linux Mint, Add/Remove Applications in Trisquel, the Software Center in Ubuntu, Synaptic in Debian, or via the terminal using apt. This should also be available on Fedora and other RPM-based distributions as well amongst other distributions.
CHIP is a graphical application that will allow you to download the channels and names from a radio, and copy those channels and names to a new radio. Or otherwise clone the radio if the radios are identical.
1. Ensure you have the correct cable and a legitimate Baofeng GT-5R / UV-5R radio to clone the channels from. Connect the cable to your computer and the radio, and ensure the radio is set to 100% volume.
2. The download process may not initiate or the application may remain unresponsive if you don't add yourself to the dialout group. This can be done by opening a terminal and running the following command:
sudo usermod -a -G dialout $USER
3. Log out and log back back in for the changes to take effect
4. Open CHIRP and go to Radio > Download from radio...
5. Select USB-Serial Controller D (ttyUSB0) for the port, Baofeng as the vendor, and GT-5R or UV-5R as the model (ie use whichever is the appropriate model for the radio you are copying from)
6. Click OK, and then accept the warning about the experimental driver by clicking the Yes button if it appears
7. Follow the instruction the screen exactly:
Turn radio off
Connect cable to mic/spkr connector
Make sure the connector is firmly connected
Turn radio on (volume may need to be set at 100%)
Ensure that the radio is tuned to a channel with no activity
Click OK to download image from device
8. Hold the CTRL key down and while doing so tap the a key. This will select all channels from the radio you are trying to copy from.
9. From the menu go to Edit > Copy
10. Hook up your new GT-5R radio
11. Go to Radio > Download from radio...
12. Select USB-Serial Controller D (ttyUSB0) for the port, Baofeng as the vendor, and GT-5R as the model
13. Click OK
14. Follow the instruction the screen exactly:
Turn radio off
Connect cable to mic/spkr connector
Make sure the connector is firmly connected
Turn radio on (volume may need to be set at 100%)
Ensure that the radio is tuned to a channel with no activity
Click OK to download image from device
15. Hold the CTRL key down and while doing so tap the a key. This will select all channels from the GT-5R radio.
16. From the menu go to Edit > Paste
16b. Go ahead and overwrite everything when prompted
17. From the menu go to Radio > Upload to radio...
18. Make sure USB-Serial Controller D (ttyUSB0) is selected under Port, Baofend is selected under Vendor, and GT-5R is selected under Model.
19. Click the OK button
20. Follow the instruction the screen exactly:
Turn radio off
Connect cable to mic/spkr connector
Make sure the connector is firmly connected
Turn radio on (volume may need to be set at 100%)
Ensure that the radio is tuned to a channel with no activity
Click OK to download image from device
You should now have a radio programmed with the channels frequency from another UV-5R or GT-5R radio.
If you can't see the channel names see below for how to get those to show.
Show the channel name rather than the frequency
The Baofeng GT-5R can display either the frequency or the channel name, but not both simultaneously on the same line. To display the channel name, you need to ensure that the radio is set to show the name instead of the frequency in the menu settings. If the channel name is not showing up after uploading from CHIRP, you may need to check the settings within the radio itself. Navigate to the menu settings and ensure that "MDF-A" or "MDF-B" is set to "name" rather than "freq" or "CH".
Unlocking the frequencies otherwise restricted on your radio
The radio ships with restrictions and is FCC compliant. If you are a HAM user authorized to broadcast on other channels here are the steps to unlock them:
1. Switch off your GT-5R with the turn knob on the top.
2. Press the “Push to Talk,” “VFO,” and “Monitor” buttons at the same time while simultaneously turning the device on with the same knob you turned it off with.
3. You will notice a “Welcome” message on the screen followed by the word “Factory.” This indicates that the device has been rebooted and the frequencies are unlocked.
Please note that the GT-5R comes locked so you don't accidentally transmit on a range your not authorized to. There may be frequencies you can safely utilize or otherwise utilize depending on your license and/or location.
Reset to the factory settings
To perform a factory reset on your Baofeng GT-5R, follow these steps:
1. Turn on the radio and press the MENU button.
2. Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select RESET
3. Press MENU to choose RESET.
4. Use the DOWN arrow key to choose ALL.
5. Press MENU.
6. The radio will display SOURCE?.
7. Press MENU to confirm.
8. The radio will display WAIT... for a few seconds, then beep twice to confirm the reset is complete.
To lock or unlock the device
In the lower right corner there is the # key. This key has a lock in blue on it. Hold the key down for a few seconds to lock it. You'll see a key on the screen in the top right corner if it is locked. To unlock repeat the step. The key on the screen should go away.