Radio Programming 3 — ODMaster & BTECH UV-Pro
Program budget radios from your phone with ODMaster, and master the BTECH UV-Pro's Bluetooth-only workflow.
~25 min · 0/15 required steps
What you'll need
For ODMaster: a supported radio (Baofeng, TidRadio H8/H9, Retevis, Quansheng), your phone (iOS or Android), and either the TIDRADIO BL-1 Bluetooth programmer dongle or a standard USB programming cable. No laptop required for the dongle workflow. For BTECH UV-Pro: the BTECH UV Programmer app (iOS or Android) and your UV-Pro radio. No cable at all — Bluetooth only.
What ODMaster is and when to use it
ODMaster is TIDRADIO's programming ecosystem, but it supports most budget Chinese radios — Baofeng, TidRadio, Retevis, Quansheng, and more. Three ways to connect: 1. Phone app + BL-1 Bluetooth dongle — plug the dongle into the radio's programming port, pair it in the app. No laptop, no cable to your phone. Best for field use. 2. Web version (web.odmaster.net) — runs in Chrome on Mac or Windows, connects via Bluetooth to the BL-1 dongle. No plugin or install needed. 3. Traditional cable — same CH340/FTDI cable as CHIRP, connected to the app. Important: the TidRadio H9 is NOT compatible with CHIRP as of 2026. ODMaster is the only option for the H9.
Programming with ODMaster — phone app workflow
H9 users — ODMaster only, no CHIRP
The TidRadio H9 does not work with CHIRP as of mid-2026. TIDRADIO confirmed this directly. A CHIRP support request is filed (issue #12216) but unresolved. Use ODMaster (app or web version) for all H9 programming. The H9 also has a version switch: power on while holding PTT + * to toggle between Ham/GMRS/Unlocked. Confirm it's in the correct mode before transmitting.
BTECH UV-Pro — pair through the APP, not phone Bluetooth settings
This is the single most common mistake with the UV-Pro. If you open your phone's Bluetooth settings and pair the radio there first, it creates a standard audio pairing — not a data/programming connection. The BTECH app won't see the radio. Unpair from your phone's Bluetooth settings first, then start the pairing process entirely from inside the BTECH UV Programmer app.
Programming the BTECH UV-Pro
The UV-Pro's built-in features worth knowing
The BTECH UV-Pro has more built in than most budget HTs: APRS — configure call sign, path (WIDE1-1 is standard), and beacon interval in the app under APRS/signaling settings. KISS TNC — built in for Winlink and APRSdroid over Bluetooth. Enable at Menu → General Settings → KISS TNC. Note: you cannot run the BTECH programming app and Winlink at the same time — both want the Bluetooth connection. Close one before opening the other. GPS — built in. Feeds the APRS beacon automatically. IP67 weather resistance — the UV-Pro is sealed against dust and water immersion.
Why this matters
ODMaster means you can program any supported radio in the field — no laptop, no cable to your computer. Show up to a deployment, pull out your phone and a dongle, and clone a proven configuration to any radio in the room in minutes. The UV-Pro takes this further with its Bluetooth-native design: it's the most field-ready HT in this class for operators who also need APRS or digital data.