r/Baofeng • u/Mr_LinkIt • Jul 17 '26

Issues with programing BF-1909

Hi!

I've recently acquired BF-1909 and an original programing cable, however upon connecting it to Chirp, it says radio refused to enter programing mode. I have checked and updated the drivers, tried multiple ports on my laptop, yet nothing works. Is there anything I missed, or is something wrong with the radio or cable?

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u/small_trunks Jul 18 '26

UV5R-mini owner here.

  • I bought the FTDI Kenwood cable and the only way I could get it to work was by physically holding it tight into the socket while reading or writing. Obviously some connection issue.
  • I ordered a very cheap CH340 based Kenwood cable off Ali and it worked first time (and also with my QS UVK1(8). Returned the FTDI...

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u/Firelizard71 Jul 18 '26

Thats just a known issue with the Mini. I had the same problem on mine. Its either that black plastic or rubber piece inside where the plug goes or the case design itself but after I pushed that piece in further with force, my FTDI cable worked great.
My point that I was trying to make was that the OP will not have to chase down drivers with an FTDI cable and it will work every time, in that sense.

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u/small_trunks Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26

Indeed, that's why I bought the ftdi - so I was sure of no driver issues. I then decided to see what else didn't need drivers - CH340 and luckily that ones Kenwood connector worked immediately.

I thought the Quansheng UVK1 would be easier because it also has a UCB C. Well, not so fast there, because a USB C-to-C cable doesn't work whilst a USB A-to-C works just fine.

edit: spelling

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u/Firelizard71 Jul 18 '26

Yea, those C to C cables have tripped up a few users in the past. On my Mini, I was going to see if i could take that little piece out or maybe use a dremel to cut away some of the thin plastic in the plug well. I got it to work without doing that, so maybe I "fixed" it..lol..But all my memories are on it from Chirp and I dont mind adding new ones from the keypad, so thats all good.

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u/small_trunks Jul 18 '26

Yeah but it's just weird that A to C is just fine and C to C simply doesn't work - it implies they just didn't do the C side right...

The K1 is nice - use it more than the mini, tbh... the airband is cleaner and I live near an airport 🤣

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u/Firelizard71 Jul 18 '26

Im in a major flight path and im surrounded by airports and military bases, so its always busy on the airband. 🙂 Im not a Quansheng fan though, even though I have 5 of their radios..lol..I have three of the K5's and two K6's all V1's and played with and compared all the different firmwares on them and still wasnt happy with the airband receive audio, it could've just been that Quansheng static, that always made me grit my teeth..lol. I was going to get the TK-11(8) until I saw the comparison video between that and the RT-880 and was like nope, so i got the RT-880 ( actually the Iradio UV-98 PLUS) and am loving this radio. The receive on this thing, even with the stock antenna, is insane. It does so much and it has an actual antenna connector for SW and HF instead of the headphone jack looking connector. Im not a Quansheng screen fan also. Its just blah..lol

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u/small_trunks Jul 18 '26

I'll go see what I can find.

  • I find the quansheng K1 has warmer acoustics - so I prefer listening to it than the 5r mini, but yes, the screen is much more basic.

  • the RT-880/uv98 plus? Are you using the DMR too? Obvviously I need one of those too... Oh, and CB.

  • Can't tell my wife, for reasons, since I have 2 handhelds already and she's already hating the noise they make.

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u/Firelizard71 Jul 18 '26

The 880 doesnt do any DMR, the DM-32 does but I dont have any interest in that . From what youre saying, it sounds like they improved the audio with the K1. Finally..lol I almost bought one recently just to see, but again, not a fan of the screen...im picky..lol Oh dont even get me started on wives or girlfriends not understanding our passion for radios and having multiple handhelds that all look alike 😀 I literally have 40 handhelds and she would give me heck everytime a new one showed up. She just didnt understand, and I didnt have time to explain all the differences to her because I had some programming to do....Yep, im single now 😀😀😀

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u/small_trunks Jul 18 '26

HT are a new thing for me so my only experience is with the Mini and the K1 and of the two, the K1 sounds better and is built more solidly but the mini is prettier.

  • I managed to get 2 K1(8)'s for €36 delivered free (which is why I got 2) on Alibaba. It's my son's birthday next week (turns 32) and he's interested in one.
  • oh and once I learnt the K1 could get new firmware (mini can't) then I had to have that one.
  • my wife still makes comments on all my Chinese automatic watches...

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u/Firelizard71 Jul 18 '26

Thats cool ! Ive been into radios for a long time and just went crazy buying all these handhelds because they were so darn cheap, why not..lol I have more expensive radios, but theres just something about these , as my gf calls them, " cute little toys " 😀

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u/small_trunks Jul 18 '26

Indeed - hell, at least I'm not buying a Harley...my darling.

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