FTDI FT232RL USB Baofeng UV-5R (UV-5RA) DIY programming cable

Another easy DIY build for Baofengs and especially UV-5R are programming cables. 

Sure they are cheap on the Chinese sites but most have compatibility issues with Windows 10. So why not build your own when it’s relatively easy. 

Materials used:

• 6Pin FTDI FT232RL Module USB to TTL UART
• 3.5mm Mono Connector Cable Male Plug 3pin 3 Pole
• 2.5mm Mono Connector Cable Male Plug 3pin 3 Pole

The use of FT232RL is because of the existence of Windows 10 drivers which you can find here: https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/  (I used the 2.12.36.4 version)

In the radio support & information Miklor website you can find a lot of details about the connection of the programming cables.

The simple guide is this

In the FTDI FT232RL USB cable I bought the connections where as following:

Red wire: 5V
Black wire: GND  <<
White wire: RXD  <<
Green wire: TXD  <<
Yellow wire: RTS
Blue wire: CTS

A little bit of solder to some male pin cables later

 

Cable is done and tested with CHIRP and works fine!

 

Also check out how to make battery eliminator for home / desk use for Baofeng UV-5R (UV-5RA) 

 

SY1EBE

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