Software · 2012-09
BaoFeng UV-B5 / UV-B6 PC software 1.09
Recommended version Community copy
Download zip (980 KB) Manufacturer's page ↗
BaoFeng's factory Windows programming software for the UV-B5 and UV-B6, version 1.09 (Chinese/English, program files dated 2012-09-22). The only version found; it survives as a copy on Miklor.
Read before installing. The software has a Test Mode that changes power alignment; leave it alone. No UV-B5 firmware update was ever published. vendor_url is Miklor's page because BaoFeng's own download pages no longer list the UV-B5.
Contents
| File | Size | SHA-256 |
|---|---|---|
| UV-B5_520MSetup_v1.09.exe | 1021 KB | 9115a7c056ba8bbf792503a159999cc6d5d19298355ca856f284b27ff69f0c68 |
| README.txt | These instructions | |
| SHA256SUMS | Checksums of the files above | |
Instructions
The complete README.txt included in the zip:
Baofeng UV-B5 / UV-B6 PC programming software 1.09
===================================================
WHAT THIS IS
------------
BaoFeng's factory Windows programming software for the UV-B5 (and the
UV-B6), version 1.09, Chinese/English. The installer is a self-extracting
setup (UV-B5_520MSetup_v1.09.exe) whose product name is "UV-B5"; the program
window is titled "UV-B5 - PC Software" and carries the version string
"UV-B5 1.09". The program files inside are dated 2012-09-22. Its model table
lists six frequency-range variants (136-174/400-470, 144-148/430-450,
144-146/430-440, 136-174/245-246, 136-174/400-520 and 144-146/430-432 MHz),
so one program serves the regional versions of the radio.
It reads and writes memory channels and settings. It does not update
firmware.
This is the only version of the factory UV-B5 software that was found. BaoFeng
never published it on a site that survives: it survives as a community copy on
Miklor, the long-running BaoFeng reference site, which labels it "Baofeng
UV-B5 / B6 v1.09 (Chin/English)". No earlier or later version was found.
APPLIES TO
----------
- BaoFeng UV-B5 and UV-B6 handhelds (Miklor lists both, 136-174 / 400-480
MHz).
Must NOT be used on: other BaoFeng models (UV-5R family, BF-F8HP, UV-82),
which use different software and memory layouts. The program itself warns
"Model type is wrong.Overwrite?" when the file and radio do not match.
BEFORE STARTING
---------------
- A Windows PC. The program is 32-bit; supported Windows versions were not
stated.
- A USB programming cable with the Kenwood-style two-pin (K1) plug, the same
type as the UV-5R/BF-F8HP cable, and its USB driver (FTDI, Prolific PL2303
or CH340 depending on the chip in the cable; see the Prolific driver entry
in this archive for the counterfeit-chip problem).
- A charged battery.
CONTENTS OF THIS ZIP
--------------------
The zip published on fubsypoly.com contains the vendor file(s) byte-for-byte,
unmodified.
UV-B5_520MSetup_v1.09.exe
1,045,317 bytes
SHA-256 9115a7c056ba8bbf792503a159999cc6d5d19298355ca856f284b27ff69f0c68
Self-extracting installer for UV-B5 PC Software 1.09 (payload dated
2012-09-22; includes an uninstaller).
README.txt
This file.
SHA256SUMS
SHA-256 checksums of the files above.
INSTALLATION
------------
1. Run UV-B5_520MSetup_v1.09.exe. It installs to Program Files\UV-B5 by
default and creates an uninstaller.
2. Install the programming cable's driver and note its COM port (Device
Manager > Ports).
3. Turn the radio off, push the cable firmly into the speaker/mic jack, turn
the radio on.
4. Start the program, select the COM port, and read the radio first. Save
the read data to a file as the radio's original backup before editing.
5. Edit, then write back to the radio. Do not disconnect during a write.
The program's screens were not seen; the menu names could not be confirmed.
VERIFYING
---------
Read the radio again after writing and compare with the edited file; check a
few channels on the radio.
IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG
-----------------------
- Miklor's warning, which applies to this software: "There is a Test Mode
within the factory software. It allows adjusting the power level of the
handheld." Changing Test Mode values alters the radio's factory alignment.
Leave them alone, and save a read of the radio before touching anything.
- No communication: wrong COM port, cable not fully seated (a common problem
with K1 plugs), radio off, or a missing/incorrect cable driver.
- CHIRP (also in this archive) supports the UV-B5 through its "uvb5" driver,
which CHIRP marks experimental because it also exposes the Test Mode
settings.
DOWNGRADING
-----------
Not applicable. No firmware update for the UV-B5 was ever published (none on
BaoFeng's or BTECH's download pages, none on Miklor), and no other version
of this software was found.
PROVENANCE
----------
- File: UV-B5_520MSetup_v1.09.exe
- Retrieved from:
https://www.miklor.com/UVB5/software/UV-B5_520MSetup_v1.09.exe
- Wayback copy:
https://web.archive.org/web/20250817120151/https://www.miklor.com/UVB5/software/UV-B5_520MSetup_v1.09.exe
- Page: https://www.miklor.com/UVB5/UVB5-Software.php
- Date retrieved: 2026-09-18
- Status: community (survives only as a copy on a community reference site;
the BaoFeng strings and version inside the installer were checked).
MORE INFORMATION
----------------
- https://radios.fubsypoly.com/baofeng-uv-b5/vol-3/ (Programming)
- Miklor UV-B5 / UV-B6 software page:
https://www.miklor.com/UVB5/UVB5-Software.php