Reference for UV-5X3 Menus

by Jim Unroe - KC9HI

21-April-2018

(send comments, suggestions or corrections to UV-5X3@KC9HI.net)

Menu Number

/ Short Name

Long Name / Description / Settings / Notes

Global

MR/

Channel Mode

VFO/

Frequency Mode

Separate

VFO

A & B

Settings

Stored

on a Per

Channel

Basis

0

SQL

Carrier SQueLch

✓

Mutes the speaker of the transceiver in the absence of a strong signal. Squelch is either OFF or one of 9 levels. The higher the level, the stronger the signal must be to un-mute the speaker.

Settings:

0 - 9

Default: 5

Note:

The CALL button (FM or ALARM) is not functional when menu 0 = 0

1

STEP

Frequency STEP (Khz)

✓

✓

Selects the amount of frequency change in VFO/Frequency mode when scanning or pressing the [▲] or [▼] keys.

Settings:

2.5K[0] | 5.0K[1] | 6.25K[2] | 10.0K[3] | 12.5K[4] | 20.0K[5] | 25.0K[6] | 50.0K[7]

Default: 2.5K

2

TXP

Transmit (TX) Power

✓

✓

✓

✓

Selects between HIGH and LOW transmitter power when in VFO/Frequency mode. Use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.

Settings:

HIGH[0] | LOW[1]

Default: HIGH

HIGH:

≈ 4 watts

LOW:

≈ 1 watt

Note:

When TXP is set to LOW, an 'L' is indicated in the status display

Note:

The power level can be toggled by tapping the [#╓O] key

3

SAVE

Battery SAVE

✓

Selects the ratio of sleep cycles to awake cycles (1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 4:1). The higher the number the longer the battery lasts. When enabled, a word or two might be missed when the frequency being monitored becomes active.

Settings:

OFF[0] | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Default: 3

Note:

When SAVE is not set to OFF and 'ABR' is ≥ 9, pulsing may be heard when the radio returns to FM broadcast reception after being interrupted

4

VOX

Voice Operated Transmission (TX)

✓

When enabled it is not necessary to push the [PTT] button on the transceiver. Adjust the gain level to an appropriate sensitivity to allow smooth transmission.

Settings:

OFF[0] | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Default: OFF

Note:

When VOX is not set to OFF, 'VOX' is indicated in the status display

Note:

Level setting may not work properly (firmware bug?)

5

WN

Wideband / Narrowband

✓

✓

✓

✓

Wideband (25 kHz bandwidth) or narrowband (12.5 kHz bandwidth).

Settings:

WIDE[0] | NARR[1]

Default: WIDE

Emission:

16K0F3E / 11K0F3E (W/N)

Deviation:

≤ ±5 kHz / ≤ ±2.5 kHz (W/N)

Note:

When WN is set to NARR, an 'N' is indicated in the status display

6

ABR

Automatic Back Light Shutoff TimeR (seconds)

✓

Length of time the display is illuminated

Settings:

OFF[0] | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Default: 5

Note:

The ABR setting also sets the delay before the radio returns to FM broadcast reception after being interrupted

Note:

When 'ABR' is ≥ 9 and SAVE is not set to OFF, pulsing may be heard when the radio returns to FM broadcast reception after being interrupted

Note:

ABR can be set to 24 using CHIRP

7

TDR

Dual Watch/Transceiver Dual Reception

✓

Monitor [A] and [B] at the same time by scanning between them. The display with the most recent activity ([A] or [B]) becomes the selected display.

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: OFF

Note:

When TDR is set to ON, an 'S' is indicated in the status display

Note:

The selected display can be forced back to [A] or [B] using menu 34

Note:

TDR is inhibited while memory scanning is in operation

8

BEEP

Keypad BEEP

✓

Allows audible confirmation of a key press

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: ON

9

TOT

Transmission Time-Out Timer (seconds)

✓

This feature provides a safety switch which limits transmission time to a programmed value. This will promote battery conservation by not allowing you to make excessively-long transmissions, and in the event of a stuck PTT switch (perhaps if the radio or a Speaker/Mic is wedged between car seats) it can prevent interference to other users as well as battery depletion.

Settings:

15[0] - 600[39] in 15 second steps (see TOT Table)

Default: 60

Note:

(TIMEOUT-15)/15=[n]

Note:

The red TX LED begins to flash 10 seconds before the timeout limit is reached

10

R-DCS

Receive - Digital Coded Squelch (DCS)

✓

✓

✓

✓

Mutes the speaker of the transceiver in the absence of a specific low level digital signal. If the station you are listening to does not transmit this specific signal, you will not hear anything.

Settings:

OFF[0] | see DCS Table

Default: OFF

Note:

When R-DCS is not set to OFF, 'DCS' is indicated to the left of the upper channel display

Note:

Setting R-DCS sets menu 11 to OFF

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

11

R-CTCS

Receive - Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS)

✓

✓

✓

✓

Mutes the speaker of the transceiver in the absence of a specific and continuous sub-audible signal. If the station you are listening to does not transmit this specific and continuous signal, you will not hear anything.

Settings:

OFF[0] | see CTCSS Table

Default: OFF

Note:

When R-CTCS is not set to OFF, 'CT' is indicated to the left of the upper channel display

Note:

Setting R-CTCS sets menu 10 to OFF

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

12

T-DCS

Transmit - Digital Coded Squelch (DCS)

✓

✓

✓

✓

Transmits a specific low level digital signal to unlock the squelch of a distant receiver (usually a repeater).

Settings:

OFF[0] | see DCS Table

Default: OFF

Note:

Setting T-DCS sets menu 13 to OFF

Note:

When T-DCS is not set to OFF, 'DCS' is indicated to the left of the upper channel display (requires TX or 'reverse' mode)

13

T-CTCS

Transmit - Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS)

✓

✓

✓

✓

Transmits a specific and continuous sub-audible signal to unlock the squelch of a distant receiver (usually a repeater).

Settings:

OFF[0] | see CTCSS Table

Default: OFF

Note:

Setting T-CTCS sets menu 12 to OFF

Note:

When T-CTCS is not set to OFF, 'CT' is indicated to the left of the upper channel display (requires TX or 'reverse' mode)

14

VOICE

VOICE Prompt

✓

Allows audible voice confirmation of a key press

Settings:

OFF[0] | ENG[1] | CHI[2]

Default: ENG

Note:

Not all voice prompts are easily understandable. Not all key presses have a voice prompt.

15

ANI-ID

Automatic Number Identification - ID

RO

Displays the ANI code that has been set by software. This menu can not be used to change it. The ANI-ID is sent when the alarm is activated and menu 32 = CODE

16

DTMFST

DTMF Side Tones

✓

Determines when DTMF Side Tones can be heard from the transceiver speaker.

Settings:

OFF[0] | DT-ST[1] | ANI-ST[2] | DT+ANI[3]

Default: DT+ANI

OFF:

No DTMF Side Tones are heard

DT-ST:

Side Tones are heard only from manually keyed DTMF codes

ANI-ST:

Side Tones are heard only from automatically keyed DTMF codes

DT+ANI:

All DTMF Side Tones are heard

Note:

Requires the transceiver to be in transmit mode.

Note:

The mic can pick up the sidetone and if the volume loud enough, it will overdrive and/or distort the transmitted DTMF tones.

Note:

[MENU]=A, [▲]=C, [▼]=B, [EXIT]=D

17

S-CODE

PTT-ID (Signal-CODE) Selection

✓

✓

✓

✓

Selects 1 of 15 signal codes. The signal codes are programmed with software and are up to 5 DTMF signals each.

Settings:

1[0] | 2[1] | 3[2] | 4[3] | 5[4] | 6[5] | 7[6] | 8[9] | 9[8] | 10[9] | 11[10] | 12[11] | 13[12] | 14[13] | 15[14]

Default: 1

Note:

Menu 19 must be enabled for an S-CODE to be transmitted.

18

SC-REV

SCan-REVive/Resume Method

✓

Settings:

TO[0] | CO[1] | SE[2]

Default: TO

TO:

Time Operation - scanning will resume after a fixed time has passed

CO:

Carrier Operation - scanning will resume after the active signal disappears

SE:

Search Operation - scanning will not resume

19

PTT-ID

When to Send PTT-ID

✓

✓

✓

Settings:

OFF[0] | BOT[1] | EOT[2] | BOTH[3]    

Default: OFF

OFF:

No ID is sent

BOT:

The selected S-CODE is sent at the Beginning of Transmission

EOT:

The selected S-CODE is sent at the End of Transmission

BOTH:

The selected S-CODE is sent at the BOT and the EOT

Note:

Select S-CODE using menu 17

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

20

PTT-LT

PTT-Lagged Transmission (PTT-ID Delay in milliseconds)

✓

Length of time after [PTT] is pressed until PTT-ID is transmitted

Settings:

0 - 50

Default: 5

Note:

Requires menu 19 to be enabled

21

MDF-A

Memory Display Format - [A]

✓

Settings:

CH[0] | NAME[1] | FREQ[2]

Default: FREQ

CH:

Displays the channel number

NAME:

Displays the channel name. Names must be entered using software. A channel without an assigned name with have the channel number displayed

FREQ:

Displays programmed Frequency

22

MDF-B

Memory Display Format - [B]

✓

Settings:

CH[0] | NAME[1] | FREQ[2]

Default: FREQ

CH:

Displays the channel number

NAME:

Displays the channel name. Names must be entered using software. A channel without an assigned name with have the channel number displayed

FREQ:

Displays programmed Frequency

23

BCL

Busy Channel Lock-Out

✓

✓

✓

Disables the [PTT] button on a channel that is already in use. The transceiver will sound a beep tone and will not transmit if the [PTT] button is pressed when a channel is already in use.

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: OFF

24

SYNC

Display Line SYNCronize

✓

In MR/Channel Mode, automatically keeps the [A] and [B] display lines synchronized to the same channel number.

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: OFF

Note:

Used with menu 21 and menu 22 to allow viewing a channel by Name+Frequency, Channel #+Frequency or Name+Channel # at the same time.

25

SFT-D

Frequency ShiFT – Direction

⦸

✓

✓

Enables access of repeaters in VFO/Frequency Mode

Settings:

OFF[0] | +[1] | -[2]

Default: OFF

OFF:

TX = RX (simplex)

+:

TX will be shifted higher in frequency than RX

-:

TX will be shifted lower in frequency than RX

Note:

When SFT-D is set to +, a '+' is indicated in the status display (VFO/Frequency mode only)

Note:

When SFT-D is set to -, a '-' is indicated in the status display (VFO/Frequency mode only)

Note:

Used with menu 26 to access repeaters in VFO/Frequency mode (+ and - only)

Note:

SFT-D is not required when storing repeater frequencies into channels

26

OFFSET

Frequency Shift/OFFSET (MHz)

⦸

✓

✓

Specifies the difference between the TX and RX frequencies

Settings:

000.000 - 999.990 in 1 kHz steps

Default: 000.000

Note:

Used with menu 25 to access repeaters and satellites in VFO/Frequency mode

Note:

Typical ham offsets are: VHF = 000.600  220 = 001.600 UHF = 005.000

Note:

OFFSET is not required when storing repeater frequencies into channels

27

MEM-CH

MEMory - CHannel Programming

✓

This menu is used to either create new or modify existing channels (000 through 127) so that they can be accessed from MR/Channel Mode. The behavior of menu 27 changes depending on whether the target channel is empty or has been previously programmed (see below).

Settings:

000 - 127

Default: 000

Empty Target Channel:

The RX and TX frequencies of the target channel are set to the selected VFO frequency. The settings of the following menus are also saved into the target channel. This essentially creates a fully operational simplex channel.

Menu 2 - TXP

Transmit Power

Menu 5 - WN

Wideband / Narrowband

Menu 10 - R-DCS

Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) - Receive/Decode

Menu 11 - R-CTCS

Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) - Receive/Decode

Menu 12 - T-DCS

Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) - Transmit/Encode

Menu 13 - T-CTCS

Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) - Transmit/Encode

Menu 17 - S-CODE

PTT-ID DTMF Code Selection

Menu 19 - PTT-ID

When to Send PTT-ID

Menu 23 - BCL

Busy Channel Lockout

Previously Programmed Target Channel:

The TX frequency of the target channel is set to the selected VFO frequency. The settings of the following menus are also saved into the target channel. Uses for this can be to update a newly created 'simplex' channel into a 'repeater' channel or a 'cross-band' channel. Another use would be to add, change or remove a TX DCS code or TX CTCSS tone.

Menu 12 - T-DCS

Digital Coded Squelch (DCS) - Transmit/Encode

Menu 13 - T-CTCS

Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) - Transmit/Encode

Note:

When the TX frequency differs from RX frequency, a '+-' is indicated in the status display

Note:

It is a good idea to check the above menus prior to using menu 27 to make sure none of them have an unwanted setting that was left over from a previous programming session.

28

DEL-CH

DELete/Erase Memory - CHannel

✓

This menu is used to erase the programmed information from the specified channel (000 through 127) so that it can either be programmed again or be left empty.

Settings:

000 - 127

Default: 000

29

WT-LED

Standby (WaiT) - Back Light LED Color

✓

Display Illumination Color

Settings:

OFF[0] | BLUE[1] | ORANGE[2] | PURPLE[3]

Default: PURPLE

30

RX-LED

Receive (RX) - Back Light LED Color

✓

Display Illumination Color

Settings:

OFF[0] | BLUE[1] | ORANGE[2] | PURPLE[3]

Default: BLUE

31

TX-LED

Transmit (TX) - Back Light LED Color

✓

Display Illumination Color

Settings:

OFF[0] | BLUE[1] | ORANGE[2] | PURPLE[3]

Default: ORANGE

32

AL-MOD

ALarm - MODe

✓

Settings:

SITE[0] | TONE[1] | CODE[2]

Default: TONE

SITE:

Sounds alarm through your radio speaker only

TONE:

Transmits a cycling tone over-the-air

CODE:

Transmits default '119' (911 in reverse?) followed by the ANI code over-the-air

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF... but since that isn't a choice use SITE

33

SC-ADD

Scan-ADD/Skip

✓

✓

In MR/Channel mode, sets the selected memory to be scanned (ON) or skipped (OFF) when scanning.

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: ON

Note:

The currently selected memory will have a small “dot” under the channel number when menu 33 is set to ON.

34

TDR-AB

Transceiver Dual Reception - [A]/[B] Display Priority

✓

When menu 7 is enabled, priority is returned to selected display once the signal in the other display disappears. This setting is automatically updated to match the selected display in MR/Channel mode.

Settings:

OFF[0] | A[1] | B[2]

Default: OFF

Note:

Requires menu 7 to be enabled

35

STE

Transceiver - Squelch Tail Elimination

✓

This function is used eliminate squelch tail noise between UV-5Rs that are communicating directly (no repeater). Reception of a 55 Hz or 134.4 Hz tone burst mutes the audio long enough to prevent hearing any squelch tail noise.

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: ON

Note:

When enabled and T-DCS is set to OFF the radio sends a 55 Hz tone for about 1/4 second when the PTT key is released.

Note:

When enabled and T-DCS is not set to OFF the radio sends a 134.4 Hz tone for about 1/4 second when the PTT key is released.

Note:

Set to OFF before communicating through a repeater.

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

36

RP-STE

RePeater - Squelch Tail Elimination

✓

This function is used eliminate squelch tail noise when communicating through a repeater.

Settings:

OFF[0] | 1 - 10

Default: 5

Note:

Requires use of a repeater utilizing this feature.

Note:

Used with menu 37

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

37

RPT-RL

RePeaTer - Retard Squelch Tail ELimination Tail Tone (X100 milliseconds)

✓

Length of time after [PTT] is released until STE tail tone is transmitted

Settings:

OFF[0] | 1 - 10

Default: OFF

Note:

Used with menu 36

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

38

PONMSG

Power ON MeSsaGe

✓

Controls the behavior of the display when the transceiver is turned on.

Settings:

FULL[0] | MSG[1]

Default: FULL

FULL:

Performs an LCD screen test at power-on

MSG:

Displays a 2-line power-on message

Note:

The power-on message must be edited with software

39

ROGER

ROGER Beep

✓

Sends an end-of-transmission tone to indicate to other stations that the transmission has ended.

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: OFF

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

40

D-ANI

Decode-ANI Transmission

✓

Decodes and displays incoming DTMF signals

Settings:

OFF[0] | ON[1]

Default: OFF

41

DTMF-G

DTMF-Gain

✓

Adjusts the audio level of transmitted DTMF signals

Settings:

0 - 60

Default: 20

Note:

Recommended setting is OFF

42

RESET

RESET to Firmware Default Settings

✓

Settings:

VFO[0] | ALL[1]

Default: ALL

VFO:

Resets all menus to firmware default and sets the [A] and [B] VFO frequencies to firmware default.

ALL:

Resets all menus to firmware default, sets the [A] VFO frequency to the VHF band low limit and the [B] VFO frequency to the UHF band low limit, erases all channels and programs channel 0 to 136.025 MHz and channel 127 to 470.625 MHz

Legend & Definitions

[A]

The top/upper VFO/Channel Display

[B]

The bottom/lower VFO/Channel Display

RX

Receive

TX

Transmit

PTT

Push-to-talk

RO

Read Only

✓

Valid

⦸

Inhibited

[n]

Numbers in brackets are shortcuts

YMMV

Your Mileage May Vary

DEFAULT

Firmware default following a RESET->ALL

Time Out Timer Table (Menu 9)

Nº

Seconds

Nº

Seconds

Nº

Seconds

Nº

Seconds

0

15

10

165

20

315

30

465

1

30

11

180

21

330

31

480

2

45

12

195

22

345

32

495

3

60

13

210

23

360

33

510

4

75

14

225

24

375

34

525

5

90

15

240

25

390

35

540

6

105

16

255

26

405

36

555

7

120

17

270

27

420

37

570

8

135

18

285

28

435

38

585

9

150

19

300

29

450

39

600

Note: digits in the 'Nº' column are shortcuts

CTCSS Table (Menu 11 & Menu 13)

Nº

Tone(Hz)

Nº

Tone(Hz)

Nº

Tone(Hz)

Nº

Tone(Hz)

Nº

Tone(Hz)

67.0

94.8

131.8

171.3

203.5

69.3

97.4

136.5

173.8

206.5

71.9

100.0

141.3

177.3

210.7

74.4

103.5

146.2

179.9

218.1

77.0

107.2

151.4

183.5

225.7

79.7

110.9

156.7

186.2

229.1

82.5

114.8

159.8

189.9

233.6

85.4

118.8

162.2

192.8

241.8

88.5

123.0

165.5

196.6

250.3

91.5

127.3

167.9

199.5

254.1

DCS Table (Menu 10 & Menu 12)

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

1

D023N

22

D131N

43

D251N

64

D371N

85

D532N

2

D025N

23

D132N

44

D252N

65

D411N

86

D546N

3

D026N

24

D134N

45

D255N

66

D412N

87

D565N

4

D031N

25

D143N

46

D261N

67

D413N

88

D606N

5

D032N

26

D145N

47

D263N

68

D423N

89

D612N

6

D036N

27

D152N

48

D265N

69

D431N

90

D624N

7

D043N

28

D155N

49

D266N

70

D432N

91

D627N

8

D047N

29

D156N

50

D271N

71

D445N

92

D631N

9

D051N

30

D162N

51

D274N

72

D446N

93

D632N

10

D053N

31

D165N

52

D306N

73

D452N

94

D645N

11

D054N

32

D172N

53

D311N

74

D454N

95

D654N

12

D065N

33

D174N

54

D315N

75

D455N

96

D662N

13

D071N

34

D205N

55

D325N

76

D462N

97

D664N

14

D072N

35

D212N

56

D331N

77

D464N

98

D703N

15

D073N

36

D223N

57

D332N

78

D465N

99

D712N

16

D074N

37

D225N

58

D343N

79

D466N

100

D723N

17

D114N

38

D226N

59

D346N

80

D503N

101

D731N

18

D115N

39

D243N

60

D351N

81

D506N

102

D732N

19

D116N

40

D244N

61

D356N

82

D516N

103

D734N

20

D122N

41

D245N

62

D364N

83

D523N

104

D743N

21

D125N

42

D246N

63

D365N

84

D526N

105

D754N

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

Nº

Code

106

D023I

127

D131I

D251I

D371I

D532I

107

D025I

128

D132I

D252I

D411I

D546I

108

D026I

129

D134I

D255I

D412I

D565I

109

D031I

130

D143I

D261I

D413I

D606I

110

D032I

131

D145I

D263I

D423I

D612I

111

D036I

132

D152I

D265I

D431I

D624I

112

D043I

133

D155I

D266I

D432I

D627I

113

D047I

134

D156I

D271I

D445I

D631I

114

D051I

135

D162I

D274I

D446I

D632I

115

D053I

136

D165I

D306I

D452I

D645I

116

D054I

137

D172I

D311I

D454I

D654I

117

D065I

D174I

D315I

D455I

D662I

118

D071I

D205I

D325I

D462I

D664I

119

D072I

D212I

D331I

D464I

D703I

120

D073I

D223I

D332I

D465I

D712I

121

D074I

D225I

D343I

D466I

D723I

122

D114I

D226I

D346I

D503I

D731I

123

D115I

D243I

D351I

D506I

D732I

124

D116I

D244I

D356I

D516I

D734I

125

D122I

D245I

D364I

D523I

D743I

126

D125I

D246I

D365I

D526I

D754I

Note: digits in the 'Nº' column are shortcuts