BTECH Releases Firmware 0.8.3 for GMRS-PRO and UV-PRO, Introducing a Sun-Friendly Display and NOAA Alert Fixes

Monday,  April 7, 2025

ARLINGTON, SD – If you own a GMRS-PRO or UV-PRO from BTECH, the new 0.8.3 firmware update is worth your attention and comes packed with fixes and improvements. One of the biggest highlights is the UV-PRO’s refreshed display, which is much easier to read in direct sunlight. Both radios also get a fix for a stubborn receive problem that showed up when NOAA alerts were enabled. This bug sometimes caused weaker reception and odd scanning behavior. It’s finally gone, and the radios now handle NOAA alerts the way they were always meant to. Below, you’ll find a full breakdown of what’s changed and why it matters.

UV-PRO Gets a Sharper, Sun-Friendly Display

Reading your UV-PRO’s screen outside is a lot simpler now. The display colors have been optimized, and the font has been tweaked for better clarity. If you regularly use your UV-PRO in bright or sunny conditions, you’ll notice the difference as soon as you power it on. There’s no complicated setup needed—just install the new firmware, and you’re good to go.

Long-Standing NOAA Alert Bug Resolved

Both the GMRS-PRO and UV-PRO had a tricky bug that lowered receive performance when NOAA alerts were switched on. In some cases, the radios would detect a signal then jump to another channel too soon. This caused the squelch to act strangely and made you miss broadcasts. BTECH dug into the problem and discovered an issue could trigger a premature channel switch. Now both radios handle NOAA alerts correctly. You should see a smoother experience when monitoring for NOAA alerts in the background.

Busy Channel Lockout (BCL) and Channel Editor Upgrades

Both models add Busy Channel Lockout (BCL). This feature prevents you from transmitting on a channel that’s already in use. It’s a straightforward way to avoid talking over someone else. You’ll find a new setting in the Channel Editor to enable or disable BCL, so you have full control over when you want this safeguard turned on.

The Channel Editor for the UV-PRO has also been expanded to let you modify modulation modes. And with the new “VFO Step” option in the Radio Settings menu, you can fine-tune your frequency jumps when manually scanning frequencies.

Faster Frequency Scanning and Improved VFO Handling

If you switch between preset channels and VFO scanning, the new firmware makes it simpler. You can move directly to VFO channels from the channel-switching interface, which saves time and reduces button presses. There’s also an update to “Frequency Sync Rapid Scan,” allowing you to make detailed adjustments and save those results back to VFO without extra steps.

DTMF Enhancements

Another feature for the UV-PRO is the enhanced DTMF input interface. It can now show text feedback on the screen, so you know exactly what you’re typing in real time. This helps ensure you don’t make mistakes when sending DTMF tones for repeater or control applications.

Thinking About a GMRS-PRO or UV-PRO?

If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your radio setup, now’s a good time. Both models support Bluetooth VOX for hands-free operation and come packed with advanced features like built-in GPS, text messaging, and APRS. The latest firmware update adds even more enhancements, so you can tackle daily communication or emergency situations with confidence.

We Value Your Feedback

We’d love to hear about your experience with this new firmware. Any tips, discoveries, or suggestions you have will help us keep improving. When you share what works well—or what could work better—you’re helping shape the future of our products.

BTECH: Built on Quality and Long-Term Support

At BTECH, we stay committed to giving you feature-rich radios that can handle real-world use. We keep older models current through firmware updates instead of leaving them behind. That way, your GMRS-PRO or UV-PRO stays on the leading edge of radio technology long after you first power it on.

About BTECH

BTECH is a leader in two-way radio innovation for amateurs, professionals, and emergency services. We focus on solid performance, practical features, and a user-friendly experience. For more information, visit www.baofengtech.com or contact us at [email protected]

Thank you for being part of the BTECH community. Stay informed, stay connected, and enjoy everything Firmware 0.8.3 has to offer.

Full Firmware 0.8.3 Release Notes

GMRS-PRO

• Bluetooth headset PTT release sound will now stop playing after notification sounds are disabled.
• Fixed an issue on VOX.
• Added support for Busy Channel Lockout (BCL) to prevent message transmission on busy channels.
• Channel editor now supports modifying the Busy Channel Lockout setting.
• Display color optimization for better visibility.
• Resolved an issue in NOAA alert mode where the device prematurely switched to the next scan channel without sufficient waiting time after detecting a signal but failing to receive the 1050Hz tone, leading to squelch (SQ) detection anomalies.

UV-PRO

• Added support for Busy Channel Lockout (BCL) to prevent message transmission on busy channels.
• Channel editor now supports modifications to Busy Channel Lockout and modulation mode.
• Optimized display colors and adjusted font for enhanced readability.
• Resolved an issue in NOAA alert mode where the device prematurely switched to the next scan channel without sufficient waiting time after detecting a signal but failing to receive the 1050Hz tone, leading to squelch (SQ) detection anomalies.
• Reduced the additional waiting time for the BK4819 chip to check for the 1050Hz tone from 250ms to 125ms.
• NOAA channels now have consistent SQL value settings for all users, with a minimum setting of 3, to prevent unintended squelch openings that cause delays in normal channel reception.
• Fixed an issue where incorrect scanning results were saved when scanning frequencies with channels configured in frequency offset mode.
• Added “VFO Step” configuration option to the Radio Settings menu.
• Channel switching interface now supports switching directly to VFO channels.
• Enhanced DTMF input interface with added text display capability.
• Frequency Sync Rapid Scan now supports fine frequency adjustments, saving results directly to VFO.