You'll want to download the CHIRP software to use the programming cable. If you didn't get the programming cable, get back online right now and order it. It makes setting up the radio much simpler. The manual method of opening a channel, setting the offset, tone, tonesquelch, power level, scan skip, then saving it to the right memory location is tedious, made especially so with the tiny keyboard. Chirp makes it more like a spreadsheet, and it's trivial to keep a backup copy on your computer just in case. Chirp makes it easy to replicate all the settings from one radio into another. Many of the Chirp-accessible settings can't be performed from the keypad. So get Chirp.

Here is a great Chirp reference

Make sure your progamming cable is recognized by the computer's operating system as a COM port in Windows (or TTYUSBxx in Linux). Remember the port number, you may need it when using Chirp for the first time.

When describing a particular button I will enclose it in brackets like so: [MENU]
I may add my own commentary in italics

You've got the battery installed and charged, and the antenna connected, so let's make sure it all works. Turn it on to a reasonable volume. You should hear a greeting right off the bat. If not you can hear the volume level by pressing the [VFO/MR] button a few times. The radio will toggle between the two modes and will tell you which mode it is in. Then adjust the knob on the top of the radio to get the right volume.

If the voice is not in english, press the Menu button once, then '1', then '4'. This puts you into the Voice Prompt menu. The arrow should be on the first row of the radio display which reads VOICE. Press [MENU] again to move the arrow to the bottom row. Then use the Up and Down arrows to select English, Chinese or Off. Press [MENU] again to preserve the selection, then [EXIT] to leave the menu.

Now when you turn the radio on it will speak to you in your desired language, as long as you desire English or Chinese.

All of the menus work the same way, press [MENU], then the desired menu number via the keypad (or walk through them using the up and down arrows), then [MENU] again to get into the specific values for the selected menu, up/down to select the desired value, [MENU] to save the value, followed by [EXIT] to leave the menu.

By the way, the radio's language defaults to Chinese. If you ever reset the radio to all the default values (Menu 40 RESET => ALL), it will revert to Chinese.

Note: The links in this section will toggle pictures in the box to the right, Click once to show it, then again to hide it
You've got Chirp installed and the cable configured, so let's read all of the factory settings into chirp and make a backup copy.

Attach the programming cable to your computer and call up Chirp.
Attach the programming cable to the radio.
In Chirp, click on the top line where the menu says Radio. This will offer you several options, the one we want right now is to Download from the Radio
There will be another Radio Select box allowing you to select the COM port and radio type, etc, make the selections and continue.

After the LED blinking stops and the radio resets, Chirp will display all of the information it found on the radio
Before anything else, save this *.img file to preserve the factory settings. I used the filename "Radio_UV-5R_sn552_DEFAULT.img" to note that it originated with the radio whose serial number ended in 552.
I also immediately saved the same file as "Radio_UV-5R_sn552_20181205_CUSTOM1.img" as I started to experiment. That is my feeble attempt at change management, naming by date and some kind of version identifier.
This "CUSTOM1" file will become the baseline image for all of my radios, with the version added to the end up to 7 total characters in the string.
The left column in Chirp has a Memories tab and a Settings tab. Let's start with the Settings. Our immediate goal will be to add the "CUSTOM1" to the power-on display so we know which programmed load we're using on the radio.
From Chirp's Settings tab, look at the Basic Settings. Most of these I leave alone, but I do want both radio display lines to show the Channel Name when it is known. Frequencies are much harder to remember. So the entries for Display Mode (A) and (B) are set to Name. If you want, you can change the LED backlight colors when transmitting or receiving. Once I get comfortable with the radio I will disable the Beep, and most people recommend setting/leaving the Roger Beep off.

In the Advanced Settings tab we'll find the all-important Voice setting. I prefer English so I have a chance of understanding.

In the Other Settings tab we find the labeling information that will let you know which program you are using just by turning the radio on. Make sure you set the Power-On Message field to "Message" to show Power-On Message 1 and Power-On Message 2. Once I pass the technician exam I will change Message-1 to my new callsign to prevent confusion down the road. If there's room I'll add a radio number to the end, or it might get merged into Message-2.

All the other settings are good to go for now unless you really want to change the FM Frequency default on the FM Radio Preset tab.

Go to File => Save and save the image. We'll build on that right away.

It would be good to go ahead and save that to the radio, so pull down Radio => Upload To Radio and let it fly.

Official Name	Frequency	Marine Channel	Public Alert Channel
WX1	162.550	39B	7
WX2	162.400	36B	1
WX3	162.475	97B	4
WX4	162.425	96B	2
WX5	162.450	37B	3
WX6	162.500	38B	5
WX7	162.525	98B	6

Turn the radio on. It will be nice to listen to something so let's pick a weather channel. There are 7 official frequencies for NOAA broadcasts, normally one or two are in use in any given area, so let's find a live one..

The radio needs to be in frequency mode to directly enter frequencies. Press the [VFO/MR] button to toggle between channel mode and frequency mode until you're in frequency mode. At this point you can directly enter a frequency.

For WX1, enter the numbers 162550 directly from the keypad. No enter or exit is required. If NOAA is broacasting on WX1 you should see the LED backlight change color and you'll hear the signal. If nothing happens, enter subsequent WX channels from the table.

When you find an active WX station save it into a memory location. Press [MENU], '2', '7', [MENU], (then use the up or down arrows to select memory location 2), [MENU] (to save the value into MEM-02), and finally [EXIT] (to get out of the menu). Now this frequency will appear in your channel list.

Now add a second frequency by pressing the [A/B] button to modify the other display line frequency and typing another NOAA WX frequency on the keypad. Save it to MEM-03

Both will remain active and you can switch between them using the [A/B] button.

If you return the radio to channel mode [VFO/MR] you can step up or down through (both) channels using the up and down arrows, and they will remain available until cleared or overwritten.

Even better, if you perform the "Download from the Radio" operation in Chirp you'll see these two channels in Memory locations 2 and 3!

Chirp offers several methods to find useful over-the-air resources. File=>"Open Stock Config" offers a list of NOAA weather frequencies, the FRS and GMRS frequencies, US Marine VHF, etc. If you know what you're looking for, try File=>"Query data source" to open a connection to radioReference.com, RepeaterBook and other popular websites. Try RepeaterBook to find local area bands based on politically defined areas (Kittitas County, etc) or proximity (Jolly Mountain, Washington).

Privacy Code	Freq (Hz)	Privacy Code	Freq (Hz)	Privacy Code	Freq (Hz)
1:	67.0	14:	107.2	27:	167.9
2:	71.9	15:	110.9	28:	173.8
3:	74.4	16:	114.8	29:	179.9
4:	77.0	17:	118.8	30:	186.2
5:	79.7	18:	123.0	31:	192.8
6:	82.5	19:	127.3	32:	203.5
7:	85.4	20:	131.8	33:	210.7
8:	88.5	21:	136.5	34:	218.1
9:	91.5	22:	141.3	35:	225.7
10:	94.8	23:	146.2	36:	233.7
11:	97.4	24:	151.4	37:	241.8
12:	100.0	25:	156.7	38:	250.3
13:	103.5	26:	162.2	(none)	(none)

Remember the "privacy codes" from the old FRS radios? They didn't really provide any privacy. All they did was ignore any received signal that dd not have the expected "privacy code" enabled. Anyone on the same channel without any "privacy code" enabled could hear any broadcast on the channel. What it did was limit the sounds passing through the receiver to your ear, it "squelched" signals that lacked the privacy code..

An FRS radio applied a "Privacy Code" by adding a specific (standardized) low frequency tone to the outgoing signal. A receiver listening to the same channel would only let you hear the "private" transmission if it detected the low frequency tone it expected. When working properly it seemed like a private conversation because the receiving radio simply ignored everything else.

That's why sometimes User-A could hear User-B, but User-B couldn't hear User-A. User-B used a privacy code and could only hear matching transmissions. User-A received everything because the privacy code was not set, and since the privacy code was not set it did not include the low frequency tone expected by User-B's radio, so User-B's radio ignored User-A's transmissions.

In the amateur radio world those "privacy codes" are called CTCSS, or the Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System

Semi-private, point-to-point networks can use this technology just like a grown-up version of FRS.

On the UV-5R, Receive-CTCSS is set in menu 11, Transmit-CTCSS is menu 13. The radio can be manually programmed, with each setting for a channel defined through the menu system, than saving the values into a memory location. That is how to do it in the field, but if a computer is available all of this can be done easier using Chirp. With backup copies. And internet resources.

NOTE: DO NOT USE THE UV-5R TO BROADCAST ON ANY FRS/GMRS/MURS FREQUENCY. This table is only presented as an example of how the CTCSS/PL work in a familiar platform. It is illegal to broadcast on FRS/GMRS/MURS frequencies using an amateur radio. Link

Memories

Loc: The memory location (Channel Mode) where this frequency / information is stored in the radio

Frequency: The frequency to tune to to receive transmissions on this channel. Comparable to the number on your car's FM radio dial.

Name: What is displayed (up to 7 characters) when in Channel mode and displaying names.

Tone Mode: The CTCSS modes from FRS all grown up. [(none)]: no tone requirements; [Tone]: the frequency (in the Tone column) must be broadcast along with the signal to overcome squelch; [TSQL]: the freq (in the Tone column) is used for both transmit and receive; [DTCS]: doens't apply to the UV-5R; [Cross]: ignore for now.

Tone: Sets the CTCSS tone to be transmitted by the radio (if Tone is enabled)

ToneSql: Tone Squelch, sets the CTCSS tone squelch expected by the radio receiver

Duplex: Defines whether the transmit and receive frequencies for this repeater/channel are the same.
    [(none)]: the frequencies are the same;
    [off] means transmissions on this channel are disabled (ie NOAA Weather channels);
    [split]: The offset column will contain the absolute transmit frequency to use for this repeater;
    [+]: the Offset column value will automatically be added to the Frequency column value when transmitting;
    [-]: the Offset column value will automatically be subtracted from the Frequency column value when transmitting.
    See What is a repeater and how/why do I use it below.

Mode: Controls the bandwidth of the channel/repeater: [FM] Wide FM for 2-way - 5Khz; [NFM] Narrow FM for 2-way - 2.5Khz; [WFM] Wide FM for broadcast - 100Khz.

Power: [High] 5 watts transmit power on the UV-5R; [Low] 1 (or 2) watt transmit power on the UV-5R.

Skip: [S] Skip this channel in Scan mode, useful for bypassing all the weather channels when looking for an active band.

Settings=>Basic Settings

Carrier Squelch Level: The default squelch value, referencing ServiceSettings values

Battery Saver: TBD

Backlight Timeout: how long the backlight will stay on after use.

Beep: Audible confirmation of a key press.

Display Mode (A/B): Channel number, Frequency or Channel Name will be shown in the display for line A or line B in memory mode as set by [VFO/MR] or WorkModeSettings=>VFO/MR Mode (after reset)

Settings=>Advanced Settings

VOX Sensitivity: For use with the VOX mic/earphone, how loud do you have to talk to turn the radio transmitter on.

Dual Watch: Scans between the two channels on the display

Dual Watch TX Priority: Which of the two channels to transmit on unless told otherwise

Alarm Mode: What does the [CALL] button affect: [Site] only this radio; [Tone] Sends a cycling tone over the air; [CODE] sends '119' followed by an ANI code over the air. Similar to the call button on FRS radios.

Voice: English, Chinese or Off

Scan Resume:

Busy Channel Lockout

Automatic Key Lock

Broadcast FM Radio: Enabled or disabled from momentarily pressing [CALL]: enabled

Squelch Tail Elimination (HT to HT): enabled

Squelch Tail Elimination (repeater): 5

STE Repeater Delay: off

RESET Menu: enabled.

All menus: enabled.

Settings=>Other Settings

Power-On Message 1: Shown as the radio powers up, for lessa than a second, Line 1

Power-On Message 2: Shown as the radio powers up, for lessa than a second, Line 2

Power-On Message: [Message] show the two strings above; [Full][ show default messages.

Settings=>Work Mode Settings

Display: What channel is active by default, as shown in the display

VFO/MR Mode: Default setting at power up or after reset.

Keypad Local: Default setting at power up or after reset.

MR A (or B) Channel: What memory channels are active by default in MR mode.

VFO A (or B) Frequency: what frequencies are active by default in VFO mode.

Settings=>FM Radio Preset

FM Preset: What radio station will play when you momentarity press [CALL]

Settings=>DTMF Settings

Later

Settings=>Service Settings

VHF/UHF Squench settings to match the value in BasicSettings=>Carrier Squelch Level and Menu 0.

High Level UV-5R Menu Descriptions from miklor.com
Very descriptive UV-5R Menu Descriptions from miklor.com
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Miklor: Everything about the Baofeng UV-5R Series, UV5R / BFF8 / GT3 and all variants of the UV5R
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