Boafeng radio interment static or squelch noise ?

[2Driver]

We use the handhelds and I played with the squelch, but can’t keep the radios from intermittently having loud static on and off while they are idle. Happens on all channels.

Anyone have an idea because they are about useless to use this way.

 

[Nordie]

Which model #? Did you mess with it on the front panel, turned on carrier squelch or turned off?

If you have a program cable and used a code plug to program it, wipe the radio out and reload your code plug.

 

[79hallettsprint]

Buy digital kenwood radios problem solved.

 

[2Driver]

Which model #? Did you mess with it on the front panel, turned on carrier squelch or turned off?

If you have a program cable and used a code plug to program it, wipe the radio out and reload your code plug.

Thanks for the response.

I have the BF-F8HP. On the front panel I hit the menu scrolled to squelch and raised it to 6, it did nothing. It sounds like when you tune to the weather channels that isn’t transmitting and it’s all loud static, but it goes in and out abruptly like someone is modulating about 3 times a minute

I did program them myself with a cable but not sure what a code plug is. Originally I had a Ham guy help me with the original download. I don’t know much except I can reload and program.
There has to be a solution they’d never sell them if they worked like this.

The Modulation light comes on when it happens if that helps. Normal use to talk they are great and clear.

 

[sintax]

whats your antenna situation?

 

[2Driver]

whats your antenna situation?

I have the 10” rubber antenna but also have and used the wired antenna for the car roof from Baofeng- all the same result.

 

[Nordie]

Thanks for the response.

I have the BF-F8HP. On the front panel I hit the menu scrolled to squelch and raised it to 6, it did nothing. It sounds like when you tune to the weather channels that isn’t transmitting and it’s all loud static, but it goes in and out abruptly like someone is modulating about 3 times a minute

I did program them myself with a cable but not sure what a code plug is. Originally I had a Ham guy help me with the original download. I don’t know much except I can reload and program.
There has to be a solution they’d never sell them if they worked like this.

Did you use Chirp software? The codeplug would be saved in chirp what was put on the radio. If you rewrite what was in chirp it might get rid of what you did on the front panel. Those baofengs are easy to mess up, I always make sure to lock the keypad on them.

Or now that I'm thinking about it, did you turn scan on and the radio is jumping to a frequency that is transmitting, so it's just picking up the static? Try to turn scan mode off and see if that stops it.

 

[2Driver]

Did you use Chirp software? The codeplug would be saved in chirp what was put on the radio. If you rewrite what was in chirp it might get rid of what you did on the front panel. Those baofengs are easy to mess up, I always make sure to lock the keypad on them.

Or now that I'm thinking about it, did you turn scan on and the radio is jumping to a frequency that is transmitting, so it's just picking up the static? Try to turn scan mode off and see if that stops it.

Yes I used chirp. Maybe I’ll go back and re do it. For sure scan is not on.

 

[yz450mm]

I think some of the Baofeng radios have a priority feature that periodically checks another channel for traffic, and stays there if there is. It might be checking another Channel which is causing the static.

 

[Nordie]

Keep in mind Baofengs are the absolute bottom feeders of radios. They are known for receiving a lot of stuff and pretty far off of frequency, the transmit side is more finicky.

If it's just one radio that is having the issue I hope you just bumped something in the settings and a rewrite should fix it.

If you have multiple radios and one is not doing it, download from that radio and write it to the problematic radio if you do not have the codeplug saved in chirp.

I will not get into the legalities of Baofengs, and what band that you're probably using, because I may or may not have done it myself.

Hope some of this helps.

 

[sintax]

is this happening in every location?? IE, if you take it to a remote area are you still getting this static.
what bands / freqs are you getting this static in??
has it always been like this, or did it just recently start??

 

[2Driver]

is this happening in every location?? IE, if you take it to a remote area are you still getting this static.
what bands / freqs are you getting this static in??
has it always been like this, or did it just recently start??

I havent found a band where it doesnt happen but haven't been on them all.

I have most rugged bands, bitd bands marine bands, some uhf bands and frs bands

It happens everywhere, in town, remote places, in the truck, out hiking remotely. Ive yet to narrow anything down.

 

[sintax]

I havent found a band where it doesnt happen but haven't been on them all.

I have most rugged bands, bitd bands marine bands, some uhf bands and frs bands

It happens everywhere, in town, remote places, in the truck, out hiking remotely. Ive yet to narrow anything down.

Do you have more than one of these? If so, do they both have the same issue?

maybe do a factory reset on one, see if that fixes your issue.

 

[2Driver]

Do you have more than one of these? If so, do they both have the same issue?

maybe do a factory reset on one, see if that fixes your issue.

yeah they both do it. I Think I’m going to do a reset and reload and see what happens.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

yeah they both do it. I Think I’m going to do a reset and reload and see what happens.

Yep try that.

Did you save the OE config? You might try that and just punch in the frequency to test. I could also send you a UV-5r config to compare options with.

Also check Beofeng for revised firmware options.

 

[2Driver]

Yep try that.

Did you save the OE config? You might try that and just punch in the frequency to test. I could also send you a UV-5r config to compare options with.

Also check Beofeng for revised firmware options.

thanks. I might try the OE config and manual entry. Good idea. Let me try that first then I might hit you up for the later.

At $25 bucks I might move on to a quality unit if I can’t figure it out.

 

[sintax]

Yep try that.

Did you save the OE config? You might try that and just punch in the frequency to test. I could also send you a UV-5r config to compare options with.

Also check Beofeng for revised firmware options.

yea, this is the only cheap radio i have as well. Those suckers are not bad haha

I cant tell you how many times i've come off the bike with that think strapped to my backpack and it still is kickin as hard as it did when it was new.

I'd only change one radio at a time so you have a baseline....

I'd do, Firmware + reset if its out there, if not just a factory reset

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

thanks. I might try the OE config and manual entry. Good idea. Let me try that first then I might hit you up for the later.

At $25 bucks I might move on to a quality unit if I can’t figure it out.

Agreed, for $20-25 they aren’t the best, but for what we use them for I’m more than satisfied. I have a total of 8 and only 2 problems. One had a problem as shipped. The other bounced around in my rzr for 2 years and finally had a problem with the mic.

 

[2Driver]

Well I haven’t made any changes and now they have been on all morning at home and haven’t made a peep.
I switch channels and still quiet.