UV-5R Troubleshooting
Fix the high-frequency problems — "receive OK, can't transmit", sudden silence, and more.
Receive OK, can't transmit (hear but not heard)
Cause: missing or wrong transmit tone (CTCSS/Tone) — the repeater ignores you.
Fix: set Menu 13 T-CTCS per the repeater listing (or CHIRP Tone Mode=Tone); check offset direction (Menu 25).
Dead silence after power-on
Cause: receive tone (R-CTCS) left on, so the radio only opens for that tone.
Fix: Menu 11, set R-CTCS back to OFF (or match TSQL to your transmit tone).
Short range / choppy
Antenna loose or poor contact; transmitting with no antenna can burn the PA — always fit the antenna before TX. Squelch (Menu 0 SQL) set too high also blocks weak signals.
Can't enter the exact frequency
Set Menu 1 STEP to 5.00 kHz (or 2.5K for 7-digit frequencies). If stuck in channel mode, press VFO/MR to Frequency Mode.
Still stuck? Factory reset
Menu 40 RESET → choose ALL → confirm to wipe all settings and start over. This deletes every channel.