Programming the UV-5R to operate with the SO-50 satellite

Julian, G4ILO just asked me a question about how I’d programmed the UV-5R to work through SO-50.

I’ve set up 6 different memories, just as you would for a repeater, except that in this case, the input and output frequencies are on different bands. For each memory, I have left the transmit frequency as 145.850 (it might be a bit out towards the beginning and end of the pass, but hopefully not too far off). On transmit, I have the CTCSS tone set to 67hz. I have seen documentation that SO-50 likes this, and other people saying it doesn’t really matter! I also programmed one memory which is not used for QSOs with a CTCSS tone of 74.4Hz. This can be used to ‘wake’ the satellite up if the radios have switched off. I’ve not done this myself yet.

Receive frequencies are 436.805, 436.800, 436.795, 436.790 and 436.785. I also programmed up 436.780, but have not used this one so far.

On the basis that a picture speaks a thousand words, here’s a picture from the programming software of what the setup looks like.

I’m sure there are other ways of doing it, but this worked for me. I’m able to switch easily between the memories as the pass progresses and the satellite’s transmit frequency drops down the band.

Tim Kirby, G4VXE, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Oxfordshire, England. Contact him at [email protected].

3 Responses to “Programming the UV-5R to operate with the SO-50 satellite”

  • Fede LW5DFP:

    hi, the baofeng have 2.5khz step, try to use that step for the memories, do you will get better results. I used 2.5 steps for mi baofeng and sat operations.

  • xe2pea menny:

    MUY INTERESANTE,ESTE ARTICULO,YA QUE CUENTO CON UN RADIO SIMILAR,EL CUAL NO E PODIDO PROGRAMAR,A EXEPCION DE LAS DOS FRECUENCIAS FRONTALES Y NO E PODIDO INTERNARME MAS ALLA DE LA CAPACIDAD DEL RADIO,CLARO NO CUENT CON EL CABLE NI EL DISCO DE PROGRAMACION,QUE ESTOY SEGURO PRONTO ADQUIRIRE DEBIDO A ESTE BUENISIMO ARTICULO…GRACIASSU AMIGO MENNYDESDE EL PLANETA TIERRA.73 Y DX.

  • W9YJI Jerry:

    How do you set all of these steps u[? the manual for the baofeng tells you nothing. Where do I go to learn these steps anyway? tnx for any help and 73.

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