IEEE article about hacking Quansheng’s UV-K5

[richardrosa]

The USB port n the radio is for charging only.
Programming the radio is done via the microphone/speaker jack on the right side.
You did order a programming cable with the radio, did you ?
If not, you will have to place an order for a programming cable.

Thank you! That solves that mystery.
No, I did not order a cable. However, I do have a cable for my Kenwood TH-F6A that fits
(and seems to do some sort of communication).
Is there a spec somewhere on the protocol used?
It would be nice to add this to my RadioCtl program...

Thanx again.

Richard Rosa

 

[merlin]

Except that amateur radios require no FCC certification (except for 10m amplifiers). The FCC certification that most VHF/UHF handhelds get is a Part 15B equipment authorization which covers the radio's limitations as a scanning receiver.

I think what I'd like to see is a VHF/UHF amateur radio that had updatable firmware and filtering to keep the radio from receiving or transmitting outside of the amateur radio bands. I think that would keep the FCC happy and give hams the opportunity to play with how the radio functions. @prcguy experiments with sideband sound very encouraging.

It looks like that is already handled exept for the hardware filtering. There are possible mods for these to work from 160 meters through 23 Cm.
Modes include AM, USB, LSB, and FM. Awful good for a $30 radio.
I just ordered an ABREE antenna for better 6 meter reception with my new UV-K5(8). I can hardly quit playing with it.

 

[merlin]

Because making firmware, software or hardware changes that affect RF performance or parameters could void any FCC certifications the radio had.

There is a shipload of mods that don't effect TX emissions, like a good S meter/RSSI bars, A spectrum display. Different fonts, and more getting posted every day.

 

[merlin]

I’m figuring the TX power is reduced for out of band TX. Is it down to mW, in particular for the 1.25m band?

Unfortunately, that is a hardware 'out of band' thing you are stuck with. A good ham could fix an am and external filtering to go from .25 wats to like 10 watts.

 

[merlin]

Thanks... found the videos. for $30 SSB it's great (for experimental use only of course).

Very exciting work being done.

Found one video about FT8, but it's completely in German so can't tell exactly what it is about.

Thanks
Joel

While the radio won't do digital, it can be made to do FSK and use a software decoder. I'm looking into VaraC.

 

[merlin]

I just received one of these, and I cannot seem to get the USB port to be recognized. The 'Charging' light is lit, so the radio sees the cable, but my computer doesn't know anything is connected. I've tried 3 different USB cables with the same results.

Does anyone know if there is some magic that needs to be done to enable data transfer? Or is the USB broken?
I was really looking forward to being able to try out some of the firmware changes.

All the other functions of the radio seem to be operational.
USB issue not withstanding, this little device packs an AMAZING amount of functionality for $30!


Thanx

Richard Rosa

The USB port is charging only. Programming is through the mic/speaker jack and the Baofeng cable works.

 

[merlin]

I have a lot of handhelds around here and my Quansheng is becoming my go to radio for size, weight and it just seems to get the job done. Big radios take note, there is a new radio in town!

View attachment 161050

I have a UV-5R with hi cap extended battery and just about the same weight as the Quansheng.
Yea, $2500 verses $35, and the cheaper does more. What a no brainer.

 

[merlin]

Thank you! That solves that mystery.
No, I did not order a cable. However, I do have a cable for my Kenwood TH-F6A that fits
(and seems to do some sort of communication).
Is there a spec somewhere on the protocol used?
It would be nice to add this to my RadioCtl program...

Thanx again.

Richard Rosa

I haven't solved the protocol thing yet, but my Kenwood cable works with the UV-5R so should be compatible.
The recommended software can be found on the Quansheng site, and the lates 'chirp' has the UV-K5 in it list.
One trial with the Kenwood cable sent my UV-K5 into TX and the only option was power off.

 

[merlin]

What seems typical if these one chip radios is strong RF fields interfere with receiving. Being 200 yards from a major repeater/cell site,
this does affect my Baofeng, but my new Quansheng doesn't seem to be bothered by that.

 

[Blackswan73]

I wonder if the program cable is a rs232c to 3.5mm interface, like the GRE/RS/Whistler program cable interface. I think I might still have drivers for those.

B.S.

 

[merlin]

I wonder if the program cable is a rs232c to 3.5mm interface, like the GRE/RS/Whistler program cable interface. I think I might still have drivers for those.

B.S.

The program cable can be 100% Baofeng UV-5 OR Kenwood KPG-3130.
Problem on my PC is the Baofeng cable drivers won't enumerate, but the prolific drivers for the kenwood work.
Using the Quansheng software, videos of how tos show the busy led in blue when connected.
With my radio, the backlight illumminates when connected.
So for now, I use the Kenwood cable.

 

[ladn]

Thank you! That solves that mystery.
No, I did not order a cable. However, I do have a cable for my Kenwood TH-F6A that fits
(and seems to do some sort of communication).
Is there a spec somewhere on the protocol used?
It would be nice to add this to my RadioCtl program...

Thanx again.

Richard Rosa

I initially had the same issue, too and it took a couple of minutes to figure out why the USB cable wasn't recognized.
The manual is a laughable translation from Chinese to English, but I've found the radio to be a surprisingly good performer for what it is. I bought two of them. I'll keep one "stock" and use the other as a test bed.

 

[prcguy]

I have a UV-5R with hi cap extended battery and just about the same weight as the Quansheng.
Yea, $2500 verses $35, and the cheaper does more. What a no brainer.

$2,500? Try $25,000 new and $4k to $5k used. Talking new prices you can easily get 1,000 Quanshengs for the price of one Harris and probably more with a qty discount. I’ll be happy with just a few Quanshengs.

 

[MUTNAV]

I have a lot of handhelds around here and my Quansheng is becoming my go to radio for size, weight and it just seems to get the job done. Big radios take note, there is a new radio in town!

View attachment 161050

I wonder if it could fit into one of the big fake prc-152 cases?
then if the keyboard and display could be hacked

I just love big cases.

Thanks
Joel

 

[MUTNAV]

I'm kind of serious about the big cases....

I guess that for some people a capable radio that weighs as much as a cut down drinking straw is great (and I'm sure it would be for me also if I had to carry one for work, or when backpacking, or climbing a mountain), but I like a little weight on things, probably for the same reason there are tungsten shafts available for darts.

What Dart Shafts Do The Pros Use? Behind The Scenes

Find out what dart shafts do the pros use! Join me as I dive deep into the world of professional darts and uncover their secret tools of the trade.

darterpoint.com

The weight is helpful with control and knowing where my body is (not that it's a problem for me, I just find it more comfortable).

Proprioception - Wikipedia

The extra battery size and space for additions are a big plus also

Maybe someone could write a song about big radio cases (like the "I like big butts" song, which is terrible, but a radio case version could be ok).

Thanks
Joel

 

[prcguy]

I'm kind of serious about the big cases....

I guess that for some people a capable radio that weighs as much as a cut down drinking straw is great (and I'm sure it would be for me also if I had to carry one for work, or when backpacking, or climbing a mountain), but I like a little weight on things, probably for the same reason there are tungsten shafts available for darts.

What Dart Shafts Do The Pros Use? Behind The Scenes

Find out what dart shafts do the pros use! Join me as I dive deep into the world of professional darts and uncover their secret tools of the trade.

darterpoint.com

The weight is helpful with control and knowing where my body is (not that it's a problem for me, I just find it more comfortable).

Proprioception - Wikipedia

The extra battery size and space for additions are a big plus also

Maybe someone could write a song about big radio cases (like the "I like big butts" song, which is terrible, but a radio case version could be ok).

Thanks
Joel

While it might be amusing or downright hypnotizing watching some big things bouncing up and down, it’s another carrying one on your belt. Been there, done that and there is nothing good or fun about it. A big radio case might seem like a fantasy but it’s not.

 

[vagrant]

I use a nylon holder and adjustable strap with my Apex 7000xe and sling it over a shoulder. It is two bricks. I rarely hang it on my belt. To ease the load further, I use a Bluetooth speaker mic and place the radio on my vehicle roof. I’m not sure if the roof helps as a ground plane, but not on my belt helps.

I urge everyone to run with their gear, even jog, and see how things work out…or not.

Anyways, I’m just getting to know my kwai chang caine and see what kung fu it can do.

 

[MUTNAV]

While it might be amusing or downright hypnotizing watching some big things bouncing up and down, it’s another carrying one on your belt. Been there, done that and there is nothing good or fun about it. A big radio case might seem like a fantasy but it’s not.

Like I said, it's not for everyone, or even for a person under all circumstances. ... but for me, I think I'd like it. Realistically If I liked it a LOT, I would just do it myself (perfectly feasible, there are even cases for some of cheap radios.)
Thanks
Joel

 

[mikegilbert]

Loaded the newest EZgumer 0.22 firmware in the other day. Airband performance has also been very good.

Plugged in a bunch of CHP lowband frequencies, and had pretty good luck so far. Fashioned a home made whip using a length of wire inside a few drinking straws and an SMA>TNC adapter.


Does anyone have a recommendation for a decent SMA lowband antenna?

While it might be amusing or downright hypnotizing watching some big things bouncing up and down, it’s another carrying one on your belt. Been there, done that and there is nothing good or fun about it. A big radio case might seem like a fantasy but it’s not.

I traded one of my APX8000 for an RF-7850 for a few months, which was awesome for airband and CHP, but the novelty wore off after lugging it around.

 

[crayon]

... but the novelty wore off after lugging it around.

SAWC. It is always comes down to SAWC.