Baofeng 5RX programming software
Open WebCHIRPWebCHIRP programs the Baofeng 5RX in your browser. It runs the CHIRP project's own driver for this radio, so it reads and writes the same codeplug the desktop software does — without installing anything.
No driver install needed
Baofeng programming cables use a CH340, CP2102, PL2303 or FTDI USB-serial chip. WebCHIRP speaks to all four directly from the browser, so there is no driver package to download and no Windows version to match. Plug the cable in and pick the port when the browser asks.
What you can edit on the 5RX
- 128 memory channels, numbered 0 to 127
- Channel names up to 7 characters
- Transmit power: High 5.0W, Low 1.0W
- Modes: FM, NFM
- Bands: 108–136 MHz, 136–174 MHz, 200–260 MHz, 350–390 MHz, 400–520 MHz
- Tone squelch: Cross, DTCS, TSQL, Tone
- Radio-wide settings, not just the channel list
5RX hardware
Researched from the sources listed below — spec sheets, manuals and retailer listings — rather than taken from the CHIRP driver. Anything not established is left out.
| Type | Handheld |
|---|---|
| Transmit power | Up to 5 W |
| Modulation | FM, AM, WFM |
| Display | Yes |
| Dual receive | No |
| Cross-band repeater | No |
| APRS | No |
| GPS | No |
| Bluetooth programming | No |
Frequency bands
| Band | Receive | Transmit |
|---|---|---|
| Airband | 108–136 MHz | — |
| 2 m | 136–174 MHz | 144–148 MHz |
| Other | 220–260 MHz | — |
| Other | 350–390 MHz | — |
| 70 cm | 400–520 MHz | 420–450 MHz |
US ham version; FM broadcast receive range not published consistently. Some US listings also claim 1.25 m TX.
Sources: manuals.plus · fcc.report
Can I update the firmware on the 5RX?
Baofeng publishes no firmware update for the 5RX: its radios are programmed at the factory, and their firmware is not meant to be replaced. Its download area carries programming software and manuals; the two radios that do have firmware are listed separately here.
Baofeng downloads at baofengradio.com
WebCHIRP does not flash firmware. It reads and writes the channel list and settings over the programming cable, which is a separate part of the radio.
How to program a Baofeng 5RX
- Plug the programming cable into the radio and the computer.
- Open WebCHIRP, check Baofeng 5RX is selected, and press Download.
- Edit the channels, or pull in nearby repeaters from a directory.
- Press Upload to write the result back to the radio.
Questions
Do I need to install a USB driver to program the Baofeng 5RX?
No. WebCHIRP talks to CH340, CP2102, PL2303 or FTDI programming cables from the browser, so there is nothing to install on Windows, macOS or Linux.
Do I need the Baofeng CPS software?
No. WebCHIRP runs CHIRP's own Baofeng 5RX driver in the browser, so it reads and writes the same codeplug the desktop software does.
How many channels does the Baofeng 5RX hold?
128, numbered 0 to 127 in the channel table.
Can I update the firmware on the Baofeng 5RX?
Baofeng publishes no firmware update for the 5RX: its radios are programmed at the factory, and their firmware is not meant to be replaced. Its download area carries programming software and manuals; the two radios that do have firmware are listed separately here. WebCHIRP does not flash firmware. It reads and writes the channel list and settings over the programming cable, which is a separate part of the radio.