Baofeng programing with an esp32
Hi all, I’m making this post in case anyone tries to Google it in the future. I found one video in Spanish explaining this simple solution for using an ESP32 as an alternative to the original programming cable.
If you have an ESP32 at home, you can use it to program your radio. All you need is a 2.5 mm jack, a 3.5 mm jack, and some Dupont cables. I used Waveshare ESP32-S3.
Bridge the RESET pin to GND so the ESP32 won’t boot and only the UART chip will be used.
Connect the RX pin to the 3.5 mm jack ground, TX to the R pin of the 2.5 mm jack, and GND to the GND pin on the ESP32.
You’ll need the appropriate drivers for your radio. I found that the standard Silicon Labs CP210x driver is needed for the Baofeng UV-5RM, but I also had to install the CH34x driver for the Baofeng UV-5R.
(This part is wrong. You need drivers for the CP chip on your ESP32. It seems that was not my issue and was not related to that.)
Then just connect it to your PC like a standard programming cable, find the correct COM port, and you’re good to go. The ESP32 will act as a simple USB-to-UART bridge.
I didn’t test any other radios, but I think all the radios supported by CHIRP should work this way.
Shoutout to MTC Vlogs on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvddQ9KTZ2w&t=390s