WLN KD-C1 Programming Software?

[N4GIX]

Luiton KD-C1

While waiting for my two WLN radios to arrive via the slow boat from China, I happened upon a 2-pack of Luiton KD-C1 radios for $30 (free shipping) and went ahead and ordered them yesterday...

...and voila, less than 24 hours later they were delivered to my front door!

I already had downloaded the programming software from the 409.com website, and have at least three FDTI programming cables, so was quickly able to program the pair with my set of desired frequencies.

I have a mix of GMRS repeaters, four amateur repeaters, national simplex, and a pair of Chicago PD repeaters that are in the southeastern district.

I am impressed with these two radios. What I particularly like is that I can pre-program them, and pass them out to "dummies" who will be able to operate them without screwing things up.

What I don't like about them is that all sixteen channels come pre-programmed with a random selection of frequencies that are (*cough*) strictly illegal to use here in the U.S. :twisted:

 

[KD8DVR]

While waiting for my two WLN radios to arrive via the slow boat from China, I happened upon a 2-pack of Luiton KD-C1 radios for $30 (free shipping) and went ahead and ordered them yesterday...

...and voila, less than 24 hours later they were delivered to my front door!

I already had downloaded the programming software from the 409.com website, and have at least three FDTI programming cables, so was quickly able to program the pair with my set of desired frequencies.

I have a mix of GMRS repeaters, four amateur repeaters, national simplex, and a pair of Chicago PD repeaters that are in the southeastern district.

I am impressed with these two radios. What I particularly like is that I can pre-program them, and pass them out to "dummies" who will be able to operate them without screwing things up.

What I don't like about them is that all sixteen channels come pre-programmed with a random selection of frequencies that are (*cough*) strictly illegal to use here in the U.S. :twisted:

Where didya order from....like the fast shipping and non gouge price[emoji4]

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All comments are personal opinion only and may not indicate a claim of actual fact.

 

[N4GIX]

Where didya order from....like the fast shipping and non gouge price[emoji4]

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JU0P316/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I mentioned the "pre-programmed" (illegal) frequencies already, but further to that point there is absolutely no hint whatsoever that any programming software and/or cable even exists in the included "User Manual"...

...which is merely a miniature fold out cheat sheet. Obviously they expect most everyone will simply use the "default" frequencies and CTCSS/DCS tones.

One other oddity is that the technical specs on that document state ~5 watts on high power, yet the add on Amazon states 3 watts. :lol:

I left one of the new radios on the Chicago PD dispatch channel which remained very busy all night long, yet the battery is still going strong after 14 hours of continuous use.

 

[KD8DVR]

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JU0P316/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I mentioned the "pre-programmed" (illegal) frequencies already, but further to that point there is absolutely no hint whatsoever that any programming software and/or cable even exists in the included "User Manual"...

...which is merely a miniature fold out cheat sheet. Obviously they expect most everyone will simply use the "default" frequencies and CTCSS/DCS tones.

One other oddity is that the technical specs on that document state ~5 watts on high power, yet the add on Amazon states 3 watts. [emoji38]

I left one of the new radios on the Chicago PD dispatch channel which remained very busy all night long, yet the battery is still going strong after 14 hours of continuous use.

Nice to see it has decent battery life. Mine haven't had much use. I ought to scan the factory test freqs to see if there is a lot of pirate activity. Of course, I have a lot of radios with different test freqs loaded.. Would need to put them in my vx7r to hold em all.

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All comments are personal opinion only and may not indicate a claim of actual fact.

 

[KD8DVR]

I also noticed, the receiver will adjust its bandwidth, along with the transmitter, in narrow band mode. Not something all CCRs do.

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All comments are personal opinion only and may not indicate a claim of actual fact.

 

[cmdrwill]

Nice to see it has decent battery life. [snip'

It does, there is a little man in my radio who mentions that the battery needs attention.

 

[Hans13]

You are most welcome. It would be interesting to find out which of the five or so different "Private Labels" is the original, and which are the licensed clones...

I suspect that Zastone is the primary manufacturer, and the others are "Private Labels."

To correct my earlier guess, I had some direct dealings for parts with the eBay seller over the last couple of days and my payment went directly to Zastone. So, I suspect that you are correct, Zastone appears to indeed be the primary manufacturer.

 

[N4GIX]

It does, there is a little man in my radio who mentions that the battery needs attention.

It's a darn good thing that the little man eats only a few electrons though, since it would be difficult to feed him otherwise! :lol:

 

[cmdrwill]

It's a darn good thing that the little man eats only a few electrons though, since it would be difficult to feed him otherwise! :lol:

You got THAT RIGHT......

 

[joefoss]

I just purchased one...Very good audio. Yes the antenna can be replaced. I opened mine up, removed the 1 inch coil antenna, replaced it with a 1/4 wave piano wire antenna which is easily accessible on the circuit board. Drilled a very small hole to accommodate the piano wire antenna, filled some of the void in the antenna housing with liquid plastic to prevent stressing the circuit board solder joint, and it works much better. The transmitter would cut out of the repeater all the time when I would walk around the house. Now it comes almost solid all the time. It always seemed to receive well, but receiveives even better now. The Nokia battery can be ordered which has higher power at less cost. Also Nokia has a wall charger for that heavy-duty battery or any other battery which will fit. There is no modification necessary for the Nokia battery to fit in to the walkie-talkie. If you replace the antenna always secure it with something that will prevent it from stressing the solder joint on the circuit board when it flexes. To keep it from slipping out of your shirt pocket, wrap a rubber band around the walkie-talkie several times as the live rubber keeps it in your pocket when you bend over the toilet. Good luck

 

[Hans13]

Good information, joefoss. Thanks! Have you posted a detailed write-up of the antenna swap anywhere?

 

[Hans13]

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet but Zastone did apply for FCC certification of the X6.

FCC ID: 2AJTBX6

http://www.google.com/amp/s/fccid.io/2AJTBX6/amp

 

[wa1nic]

Hans13, that application says part 15 ... which ironically is for radiated commissions on receive only... something that even a commercially produced ham rig needs.

It will be interesting if it is approved, since it covers much more than the ham bands in the appellation.

There may be another (maybe yet to be submitted) application to cover part 90 floating around someplace?

 

[NC1]

I just purchased one...Very good audio. Yes the antenna can be replaced. I opened mine up, removed the 1 inch coil antenna, replaced it with a 1/4 wave piano wire antenna which is easily accessible on the circuit board.

What is the best way to open these up? I tried but it got so difficult at one point I thought I was going to break the plastic housing.

Got any pics of the inside? I would love to replace my antennas since you have had such good results after swapping out yours.
My skills on working with small circuitry is pretty good, so I should have no problem.

Too bad there is no way to check SWR after replacing it, I sure would like to be able fine tune it but I guess that is the way it has to be for these little radios.

 

[KD8DVR]

Hans13, that application says part 15 ... which ironically is for radiated commissions on receive only... something that even a commercially produced ham rig needs.

It will be interesting if it is approved, since it covers much more than the ham bands in the appellation.

There may be another (maybe yet to be submitted) application to cover part 90 floating around someplace?

Part 15 is the typical certification of amateur equipment. Mandatory requirement for legal use of all UHF/vhf equipment in the USA, unless certified under other rule parts. Usually other certifications include the part 15 approval for the receiver section.

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All posted content is personal opinion only and may not imply fact or accusation.

 

[KD8DVR]

I'm not sure if this has been posted yet but Zastone did apply for FCC certification of the X6.

FCC ID: 2AJTBX6

http://www.google.com/amp/s/fccid.io/2AJTBX6/amp

Not until now thanks.

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All posted content is personal opinion only and may not imply fact or accusation.

 

[N4GIX]

What is the best way to open these up? I tried but it got so difficult at one point I thought I was going to break the plastic housing.

Got any pics of the inside? I would love to replace my antennas since you have had such good results after swapping out yours.
My skills on working with small circuitry is pretty good, so I should have no problem.

There is another thread here that shows some internal images, and also shows how the poster replaced the internal antenna with a female BNC connector.

BTW, there is a hidden Torx screw under the top left corner of the label in the battery compartment. Presumably they placed the label this way to indicate that the owner has opened the case and will void the warranty, such as it is and what there is of it... :roll:

 

[NC1]

There is another thread here that shows some internal images, and also shows how the poster replaced the internal antenna with a female BNC connector.

BTW, there is a hidden Torx screw under the top left corner of the label in the battery compartment. Presumably they placed the label this way to indicate that the owner has opened the case and will void the warranty, such as it is and what there is of it... :roll:

Thanks. I will have to do a search.

I'll come back and post a link to it so others can find it too.

 

[N4GIX]

Thanks. I will have to do a search.

I'll come back and post a link to it so others can find it too.

This is not the thread I mentioned previously, but it at least has images of the disassembled radio and clearly shows a lot of detail:
WLN KD-C1: The Programmable Toy Radio – Otaku Patrol Group

 

[KD8DVR]

I hope all you modders are considering the fact, when you make these radios transmit where they aren't designed, they may transmit illegal harmonics. You need to sweep them with a spectrum analyzer after you do your work.

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All posted content is personal opinion only and may not imply fact or accusation.