There’s nothing quite like getting the right communication device in your hands. You now have an accessible way to contact and talk to people whether in work, school or at home. However, what happens if you still need to program the device to start talking to somebody?
Complicated setups and initialization processes may hinder the promise of a smoother communication. Where complex programming processes stay, tutorials come in. Let this guide aid you in setting up and programming the right settings for the Baofeng GT 3.
Programming the Baofeng GT 3 on the Device
Programming means adding more frequencies to the device. This allows users to access various other frequencies to communicate with more people tuned in the same spaces. You can program the settings manually, but it may require more time.
Simplex Frequency
Simplex frequency utilizes only one channel frequency for a channel communication. This means that if you tune in to a specific frequency, the other person you’re communicating to is also in that frequency. Here are some steps on how to input a simplex frequency into Baofeng GT 3 radio.
Step 1: Check mode by looking at the right side of the screen. The Baofeng GT 3 can store up to 128 channels.
Step 2: Switch into Frequency mode. Press the VFO/MR button on the keypad of the device to toggle between Frequency mode and Channel mode. It’s the bright orange button among the number buttons of the device interface.
Step 3: Ensure the arrow is at the top frequency. Select the up or down arrow to move accordingly.
Step 4: Enter the frequency via the number keypad.
Step 5: Press the MENU button and look for the MEM-CH setting. Press the MENU button again to program the new frequency.
Tip: Successful channel programming shows that the arrow on the left will move from MEM-CH to CH-000.
Step 6: Press EXIT.
Duplex Frequencies
If there are simplex frequencies that indicate a single channel for communication, there are duplex frequencies as well. Sometimes, the person you will communicate to is on a different frequency. This is where a repeater comes into play to “repeat” the transmission or your message from your Baofeng GT 3 and to another frequency.
Repeat the same steps from programming of a simplex frequency. However, enter the FREQUENCY OF THE REPEATER (main frequency) which will repeat the transmission to the receiver (offset frequency) on the other end. Then set the tone frequency as the last step.
Offsets are expressed as positive or negative values which indicate the deviation/direction from the main frequency. For example, if the offset frequency is -0.6 MHz, then the frequency of the receiver is 0.6 less than the frequency of the repeater.
Step 1: Program the offset direction of the receiver. Press the MENU button and go to SFT-D. Press the MENU button again to modify the setting.
Step 2: Set + or -, depending on the offset frequency of the receiver. Press MENU to save the setting.
Step 3: Back at the menu, select OFFSET next. It’s usually the next setting after SFT-D. Press the MENU button next to modify the setting.
Step 4: Enter the offset value of the offset frequency. Based on the example above, enter 000600. Press MENU to save the setting.
Step 5: Back at the menu it’s time to set the tone frequency. Press MENU and go to T-CTCS, set the tone frequency. Select MENU to edit the setting.
Step 6: Input the tone frequency and press MENU to save the tone frequency. Now you can transmit messages to another frequency or channel using a programmed repeater frequency in the device.
Programming the Baofeng GT 3 with CHIRP
Now let’s go on to the next type of programming users can do on the Baofeng GT 3. Many two-way radio users who already have experience program their Baofeng GT 3 with a CHIRP. Instead of manual programming, it’s much easier to program things via actual software to lessen toggling between buttons and setting selections.
What you need to program the Baofeng GT 3 with CHIRP
Before programming the Baofeng GT 3 with software, you’ll need a USB Programming cable to connect the walkie-talkie to a PC.
The CHIRP program is a software available online for free use. It’s a program specifically for radio programming and has the function to manage Baofeng GT 3’s address book for easy frequency and channel selection and input.
How to Program the Baofeng GT 3 with CHIRP:
Step 1: Download and install the CHIRP software to a laptop pf PC. The software works best in Windows operating systems.
Step 2: Turn off the walkie-talkie before the programming process of the device. Connect the USB Programming cable from the Baofeng GT 3 to the PC. For some cases, it’s best to update the driver of the cable to the PC first for a more compatible connection before programming.
Step 3: Open the installed CHIRP software and press RADIO. Select Download From Radio (Alt-D) and enter the device information details, i.e., the port of cable connection and the model of the Baofeng radio device.
Step 4: Now, turn on the connected Baofeng GT 3 radio device. Then, click OK on the screen to start cloning the information from the Baofeng GT 3.
Step 5: After cloning, the CHIRP software will display all the channels and frequencies from the radio device. There are individual settings for each channel, all open for changes.
Tip: If it’s your first time using the radio device, the display will probably be blank. You can enter the frequencies, rename the channels and switch between Duplex and Simplex mode, etc.
Step 6: AFter changing the settings in the display, click Radio. Click Upload To Radio (Alt-U) and press OK. Wait for the new settings to clone to the Baofeng GT 3.
Conclusion – Baofeng GT 3 Programming
Radio devices or walkie talkies are useful communication devices. Nevertheless, there’s still a need to manually change and set the device according to preference. The more frequencies and channels you store, the more people you can talk to.
It’s best to learn both the manual and software methods of programming so you can use the BAofeng GT 3 at all times you want. It’s a useful skill to have especially if you’re outdoors without access to the internet or a physical manual at hand.
