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Baofeng UV-5R

For the UV-5R there are a few changes. One important notice is that the UV5R volume knob should be turned about 3/4 of the way for Vara FM to work. Your mileage may vary here and some tests are likely needed for your setup.

Menu Item Function Value
0 SQL OFF. Please note that you might not need to have the squelch off. During my tests I actually have it turned on to 9 due to the proximity to the local RMS tower.
4 VOX OFF

Getting Vara configured for the UV-5R

For Vara FM to work with the UV-5R we need to setup a few things.

VARA FM Setup

  1. Open up Vara FM

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  2. Click on Settings->Vara Setup

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  3. Im here, the one option to note is the FM System, which for the Baofeng UV-5R needs to be NARROW. If you have a registration key now is the time to input that as well.

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  4. Leave the rest with their default values and close this window.

Sound Card

  1. Click on Settings->SoundCard

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  2. Select the Digirig for both, the Device Input and Device Output

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  3. You can have the drive level to 0 dB and close this window

PTT

  1. Click on Settings->PTT

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  2. In the PTT via select COM. The COM port here needs to be the same as the one showing up under the Device Manager.

  3. Select RTS at the PTT Pin and then close this window.

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Vara FM should now be fully configured to work with the UV5R.