Hi Chirp users, (New list subscriber. First post) I recently had an issue (re)programming my Baofeng UV-5RIII with CHIRP next-20231003, and found a 'workaround' using CHIRP daily 20200226. I thought I'd document here for any possible future reference etc.

Backstory: Back in January 2020 I purchased a 'Baofeng UV-5RIII'. I've a feeling that this model had probably just come out at that time, and I didn't realise that getting a (b)leeding edge model might cause problems (yes, I understand the land of 'UV-5R' firmware is a minefield... ;-). At that time I didn't have my license, so I grabbed CHIRP and programmed up the radio. As well as entering some channels I changed the greeting messages and disabled TX. As the 'III' was not listed (afaict) at the time in CHIRP I dug around and found that the Baofeng UV-5X setting worked.... all good.

Now: Three years later, I finally find a reason to try and transmit, having forgotten that I disabled TX. I grab a new CHIRP (next-20231003), find that the recommended model is the Radioddity UV-5RX3, and have at it. Turns out I can program up the channels and edit a few of the settings page entries, but I: - cannot re-enable TX on either band listed - change the greeting messages

I tried with the vanilla UV-5R and the UV-5X with basically the same result (iirc) - at least, nothing would let me re-enable TX or edit the message text.

The workaround: Finally I figured I could try and dig out the original chirp version I'd used. I dug up the old laptop which still had the chirp and the .img files on it. Voila, using chirp 20200226 and Baofeng UV-5X I can edit and upload the TX settings and the messages. Sorted, my radio is now back to functional.

side note: although the radio says it is a tri-band 'III', the band button only cycles through two bands and Chirp only shows the two (U/VHF) bands in the settings. I don't know if this is a consequence of me meddling or not - I have no plans to use the 1.2m/220MHz band, so I'm not too bothered.

Not sure if that makes any sense to the developers, but hopefully it might help somebody else in the future.

For reference, my radio firmware details are: 3B5RV01 (button 3 boot) 151123H HN5RV01

I'm sort of willing to help gather any more diagnostics if necessary, I'm fairly tech savvy. *But*, I'm wary of editing anything more on the radio in case it reverts to non-functional ;-), so hopefully non-invasive data gathering if possible.

I'll stay signed up to this list for a bit in case there is some feedback or requests for more info, but if you want to ensure you reach me in the future you might have to send a PM.

thanks, Graham, M7GRW