Wouxun Other uses for Wouxun KG-UVD1P

[KOVID19]

Hi
I have a Wouxun KG-UVD1P sitting around and want to use it when I go for off-roading to listen to local transmitters such as those on CB radio etc. Is it possible ? I am not a licensed Ham radio expert and do not transmit, just want to listen.

Is this radio incapable of listening to the CB radio frequencies ? Does everyone have a set of 4-5 radios to carry around every time they have to listen to a set of frequencies or does one cheap $100 chinese radio exist that does this all in one ?

Thank you!
VK

 

[ladn]

Is this radio incapable of listening to the CB radio frequencies ? Does everyone have a set of 4-5 radios to carry around every time they have to listen to a set of frequencies or does one cheap $100 chinese radio exist that does this all in one ?

This radio will not receive 27 MHz CB radio. It's designed for VHF (136-174 MHz) and UHF (400-480 MHz), analog FM.

For off road listening only, I'd program the "race radio" frequencies which are VHF, all the Family Radio Service (FRS) and GMR radio frequencies, which are UHF.

If you off road on Public Lands, I'd also program the appropriate BLM, NPS and USFS frequencies which are mostly VHF. Some areas are switching to digital modulation (P25) which you won't be able to receive. The RR database will have that information.

I'd also program Marine channel 16 which is the US Coast Guard channel, but sometimes (illegally) used by hunters, and any local law enforcement, fire/ems frequencies in the VHF/UHF range that are appropriate for your area. Again, many of these frequencies may be digital which your radio won't receive.

The Wouxun and its sister radios will scan, but the scan rate is very slow.

Depending on what vehicle you are using the radio in, you may also want to consider getting an external antenna which will allow the radio to receive longer distances. Having the radio inside a metal vehicle shields it from radio transmissions and can greatly reduce it's efficiency.

Remember--you can not legally transmit on any of these frequencies. Study and get your Technician amateur radio license (it's not that difficult) and you can use the radio as it was intended for both transmit and receive on ham frequencies.

 

[AB4BF]

Hi
I have a Wouxun KG-UVD1P sitting around and want to use it when I go for off-roading to listen to local transmitters such as those on CB radio etc. Is it possible ? I am not a licensed Ham radio expert and do not transmit, just want to listen.

Is this radio incapable of listening to the CB radio frequencies ? Does everyone have a set of 4-5 radios to carry around every time they have to listen to a set of frequencies or does one cheap $100 chinese radio exist that does this all in one ?

Thank you!
VK

Sorry sir, it will not receive the 26 MHz AM band. It will only receive 136 to 174 MHz VHF and 420 to 520 MHz UHF FM bands. The UHF may vary according to country sold in. It is incapable of receiving the AM CB Bands.
If you do not need transmit capabilities, an analog hand-held scanner like an old Radio Shack Realistic Pro-135 I believe will receive CB AM frequencies.

 

[KOVID19]

Thank you AB4BF and Iadn for your advice. I will follow through and find something that will work for me. I understand that I do not have a transmit license, and will work towards that goal in the winter.
Great point on the external antenna, I will find a used one as i am a low budget guy

 

[p1879]

The sweet little Bearcat BC-125 is a good analog scanner, and has pre-programmed search banks for CB, and combined GMRS, FRS and Murs, among other options. You would need an amplified speaker in a off-road vehicle. Don't expect much CB reception unless you use a better-than-stock antenna. I like the feature where you can select which police band to search; checking out the Low-VHF assignments and hearing occasional skip, is fun. Once again, that aspect usually needs the right antenna.

 

[jeepsandradios]

I would sell the radio and buy a cheap scanner. You will be much happier with the performance and can scan a wider amount of channels.

 

[KOVID19]

The sweet little Bearcat BC-125 is a good analog scanner, and has pre-programmed search banks for CB, and combined GMRS, FRS and Murs, among other options. You would need an amplified speaker in a off-road vehicle. Don't expect much CB reception unless you use a better-than-stock antenna. I like the feature where you can select which police band to search; checking out the Low-VHF assignments and hearing occasional skip, is fun. Once again, that aspect usually needs the right antenna.

Thanks. What antenna would you recommend that can be mounted on a vehicle on the outside ? I also have procured a Uniden Bearcat BCT15X so maybe I will use that instead.

 

[KOVID19]

I would sell the radio and buy a cheap scanner. You will be much happier with the performance and can scan a wider amount of channels.

Makes sense.

 

[ladn]

What antenna would you recommend that can be mounted on a vehicle on the outside ? I also have procured a Uniden Bearcat BCT15X so maybe I will use that instead.

Your antenna choice depends somewhat on the frequencies you want to monitor and their signal strengths relative to where you are.
Help us out and give us some general frequency ranges.

You will also need to consider how (and where) you'll mount that external antenna. A lot of us will strongly recommend you use an NMO-type mount. This is pretty much the industry standard for mobile antenna mounts and the are available in a variety of types (3/4" mounting hole, bracket, or magnetic are a few types). You'll find a dazzling array of antennas in NMO mount configuration.

NMO is a mount style, not a brand. When you buy, stay with a quality brand such as Larsen, Maxrad or PC-Tel. Avoid Tram/Browning. These are licensed brands of former top tier American brands, now made in China. There's not much price difference between a Larsen and a Tram/Browning, but there's a world of quality difference.

The same goes for the actual antenna. Stay with a quality brand. A good vendor to look at is The Antenna Farm. Many users at RR buy from them. They offer a wide selection and reasonable pricing and service.

 

[KOVID19]

Thank you, I will look into your advice this weekend and figure out what to buy.