Wouxun radios selling like hotcakes at Dayton Hamfest

[N4JKD]

According to Twitter, and some hams we talked to via Echolink, there is a table at Dayton hamfest that is selling the Wouxun dual bands for $85 and have sold over 500 since Friday, and still selling today. A few of our local hams picked up a few also. These are good little radios for the price. They also make great for scanners.

 

[nd5y]

They also make great for scanners.

BS! They suck as scanners!

Yes they have good sensitivity and selectivity but...
1. You can only scan the channels in the scan list.
2. You can't add or delete channels from the scan list via the keypad. You have to use the programming software.
3. There is no lockout or nuisance delete (see 1 & 2).
4. Scanning stops on any noise or signal, even if the channel is set to PL or DCS decode (or whenever the 'busy" LED is lit). In other words lets say you program a NOAA weather channel with PL decode and start scanning. It will stop on that constant carrier and stay there, even though the squelch won't open and you won't hear any audio. If you need PL/DCS decode to keep out noise or other unwanted signals, You're SOL as far as scanning goes. Also the squelch is flakey and sometimes opens on the slightest noise even when set at 9, the tightest setting.
5. You can't easily skip an active channel. You have to hold an arrow key for several seconds and then wait for the 3 second delay before it resumes scanning.
6. If the backlight is enabled it turns on while scanning, shuts off while scan stops on an active channel, comes back on when scanning resumes. The exact opposite of how it should work.
7. Delay time is 3 seconds and not adjustable. You can also set it to stop or pause 5 seconds and then resume but I haven't tried those modes and don't know if they work as advertized.
8. Scan speed is very slow, about 6 channels per second.

I bought a KG-UV2D last November. It is possible that Wouxun improved the firmware by now and fixed some of those issues but I doubt it.

 

[N4JKD]

BS! They suck as scanners!

Yes they have good sensitivity and selectivity but...
1. You can only scan the channels in the scan list.
2. You can't add or delete channels from the scan list via the keypad. You have to use the programming software.
3. There is no lockout or nuisance delete (see 1 & 2).
4. Scanning stops on any noise or signal, even if the channel is set to PL or DCS decode (or whenever the 'busy" LED is lit). In other words lets say you program a NOAA weather channel with PL decode and start scanning. It will stop on that constant carrier and stay there, even though the squelch won't open and you won't hear any audio. If you need PL/DCS decode to keep out noise or other unwanted signals, You're SOL as far as scanning goes. Also the squelch is flakey and sometimes opens on the slightest noise even when set at 9, the tightest setting.
5. You can't easily skip an active channel. You have to hold an arrow key for several seconds and then wait for the 3 second delay before it resumes scanning.
6. If the backlight is enabled it turns on while scanning, shuts off while scan stops on an active channel, comes back on when scanning resumes. The exact opposite of how it should work.
7. Delay time is 3 seconds and not adjustable. You can also set it to stop or pause 5 seconds and then resume but I haven't tried those modes and don't know if they work as advertized.
8. Scan speed is very slow, about 6 channels per second.

I bought a KG-UV2D last November. It is possible that Wouxun improved the firmware by now and fixed some of those issues but I doubt it.

Idk if they have or not, but it works for what I need it for. Thing is though, its a transceiver, not a scanner, so I don't think it would have a lockout. I don't scan that often except when traveling long distances I got repeaters programmed in along the way. Mind you, my 2 meter HT is a more ideal travel companion because it does scan fast, but I am only limited to 2 meters.

 

[N4JKD]

Plus idk where I would even find out where the firmware would be

 

[JPSan]

Firmware not upgradeable

The radio's DO NOT have upgradeable firmware. They were designed as simple as possible and do a very decent job for the price. They ain't Motorola's. They fit a simple niche. Can't beat the price. Can get you on the air with a NEW radio and the programming kit for well under $150. easy. If you are expecting more then you haven't done your research. This simple radio is a great value. BUT, you really need the software to program em. Very pleased with them.

 

[N4JKD]

Im happy with mine. Does what I need it too. Maybe soon, I will buy me a name brand name dual band, but liking the Wouxun now

 

[Daniel_Boone]

I have to agree with ND5Y on this one.

Unfortunately - most older hams tends to be cheap - fixed income and all that crap.
Young Hams tends to want something for nothing.

IN the end - when you have 500 cheap people who can't do basic math - you might sell 1000 Wouxun radios with no problems.

The problem is - educating the people.

Do you realize that this is a hand held transceiver?

It's purpose is to communicate short distances and not to take the place of a base station or a mobile radio.

Unfortunately - with the VOIP type systems that people are building, there is a lot of new hams that figures that as long as they can rattle my speakers - they are transmitting and as long as they can transmit - get on the air - they figure that they don't need to spend any more money on anything better.

The truth is - like everyone else has said - if all you are going to use it for is close up work - then great.

But don't go putting a mag mount antenna on your roof and think that you can transmit 50 or more miles into a repeater and that it is every bit as good as my Yaesu 8900 and a real antenna and coax.

The bottom line is - you have to figure how much it costs to get into the hamfest and add that to the cost of the radio, and my guess is that you are still paying $100 for it - just the same as if you stayed home and bought it off the internet - plus you wouldn't have needed to waste a bunch of money on gasoline and lodging to get there and back.

Simple economics - if a company sells a radio retail for about $100.00, they are getting it for about $66.00
If they sell 100 radios - they get about a 5 - 10% discount.
If they buy 1000 radios at a time - they are probably getting them for about $49.00 each...

The bottom line is - they are still making money hand over fist.....

The Wouxun radio is a disposable radio, when it breaks - you throw it away.
When the battery die's - you throw it away.
It might be cheap today - but I would bet there is a 1000 - 20 year old Yaesu radios that still works as good as the day they were new - how many Wouxuns do you think there will be that still works 20 years from now.

It all boils down to the radio shack / Walmarts, where there was good products on the market 40 years ago until the radio shacks came out with something cheaper.
They undersold everyone else until they ran the competition out of business.
Today - Radio Shack does not make any of it's own products that it sells.

Walmart comes into town, they undersell everyone else and runs them out of business.
Once there is no competition - they raise their prices and in the end you pay twice as much for something as you would have - had the little mom and pop stores never closed.

You save a couple of pennies today - but pay for it in the long run....

 

[N4JKD]

I been looking at the Yaesu FT-60R. That will be one of those radios that will be around in 20 years...whether we can still use them or not remains to be seen, but they will still be there

 

[KB0VWG]

Yes you can

BS! They suck as scanners!

Yes they have good sensitivity and selectivity but...
1. You can only scan the channels in the scan list.
2. You can't add or delete channels from the scan list via the keypad. You have to use the programming software.
3. There is no lockout or nuisance delete (see 1 & 2).
4. Scanning stops on any noise or signal, even if the channel is set to PL or DCS decode (or whenever the 'busy" LED is lit). In other words lets say you program a NOAA weather channel with PL decode and start scanning. It will stop on that constant carrier and stay there, even though the squelch won't open and you won't hear any audio. If you need PL/DCS decode to keep out noise or other unwanted signals, You're SOL as far as scanning goes. Also the squelch is flakey and sometimes opens on the slightest noise even when set at 9, the tightest setting.
5. You can't easily skip an active channel. You have to hold an arrow key for several seconds and then wait for the 3 second delay before it resumes scanning.
6. If the backlight is enabled it turns on while scanning, shuts off while scan stops on an active channel, comes back on when scanning resumes. The exact opposite of how it should work.
7. Delay time is 3 seconds and not adjustable. You can also set it to stop or pause 5 seconds and then resume but I haven't tried those modes and don't know if they work as advertized.
8. Scan speed is very slow, about 6 channels per second.

I bought a KG-UV2D last November. It is possible that Wouxun improved the firmware by now and fixed some of those issues but I doubt it.

I have updated mine to the latest firmware a few weeks ago and you can delete channels from the radio.
kb0vwg

 

[N4JKD]

I have updated mine to the latest firmware a few weeks ago and you can delete channels from the radio.
kb0vwg

Where did you get the firmware? I didn't think you could update it

 

[N4JKD]

Ok, I found one on the wouxun website, but what does it do and is it worth the download?

 

[KB0VWG]

Wouxan

Where did you get the firmware? I didn't think you could update it

Well I got mine from the wuoxan website. I saw it update itstelf on the radio screen. Version 2.0

China Two Way Radios,Handheld Walkie Talkies & Interphone

 

[N4JKD]

Yeah, this is for the programming software on the computer. A few small differences. Nothing noticed with the radio, because that would be firmware.

 

[nd5y]

I have updated mine to the latest firmware a few weeks ago and you can delete channels from the radio.

Really? How exactly did you do that?
According to the service manual this is the microprocessor that they use.
ELAN Microelectronics Corp.
It is one time programmable. You can't upgrade the firmware in the radio by reflashing it.
You can't even read what is in it.

You can add and delete memory channels all you want via the keypad. That isn't what I'm talking about.
If you add a new channel it automatically puts in in the scan list but you can't add, delete or lock out existing channels from the scan list via the keypad.

 

[JPSan]

That's PROGRAMMING Software and NOT FIRMWARE upgrade...sorry

Well I got mine from the wuoxan website. I saw it update itstelf on the radio screen. Version 2.0

That is the programming software. IT DOES NOT change the FIRMWARE of the radio itself. These radio's are a one time PERSONALITY programmed radio due to the nature of the chip. There is not any provision to even read the radio to see how it was programmed. So there is no FIRMWARE that can be flashed to these radio's
to change or upgrade any aspect. Sorry.

 

[AK9R]

Can't beat the price. Can get you on the air with a NEW radio and the programming kit for well under $150. easy.

For comparison:

The least expensive 2m handheld from the "Big 3" listed on AES's website is the Yaesu FT-250R at $115. The programming software and cable from RT Systems is $49.

The least expensive dual-band handheld from the "Big 3" listed on AES's website is the Yaesu FT-60R at $175. The programming software and cable from RT Systems is $49.

Having owned a long list of Yaesu handhelds over the past 20 years, I'd buy another one before I bought a Wouxun.

 

[prcguy]

I just got back from Dayton and it was Ed Griffin at wouxoun.us selling them for $85, which is an unbelievable price for a part 90 accepted dual band radio with 18mo warranty.

He also had accy specials like the 1700mah batts for $22. I think the other vendors didn't sell very many until Ed sold out.
prcguy

 

[AK9R]

Note that the web site must be entered as www.wouxun.us. It won't work without the "www".

An 18-month warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on if there's nobody to back it up. Does Wouxoun have a repair facility in this country? Do they have a repair facility anywhere? Or, as someone else mentioned, do you just throw the radio away if it fails?

Found this little gem on their web site:

For our phone number, please send an email to info@wouxun.us
We are forced to do it this way to keep the phone from ringing all hours of the night because we share a phone line with our house next door.

Seriously? This US retailer is running the business out of their house and using a party line?

 

[prcguy]

Ed Griffin runs KMA Antennas which has been around for many years and I have been purchasing antennas from them since about 1997.

There is no US repair facility that I know of and one isn't needed since Ed just sends you a new radio if there are any problems within the 18mo warranty. That's only if you purchased the radio from Wouxun.US, not for the gray market ones off Epay.

With Firefox and I suspect Windoz IE you don't need to add www, it just figures it out and goes to the website.
prcguy

Note that the web site must be entered as www.wouxun.us. It won't work without the "www".

An 18-month warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on if there's nobody to back it up. Does Wouxoun have a repair facility in this country? Do they have a repair facility anywhere? Or, as someone else mentioned, do you just throw the radio away if it fails?

Found this little gem on their web site:



Seriously? This US retailer is running the business out of their house and using a party line?

 

[N4JKD]

I will tell ya though, while the radios are ok, the accesories are mediocre at best, that ii have found recently. The speaker mics are junk, and something started messing up eith my battery eliminator, as like a wire is lose, because if the cord is lightly pulled one way, the radio shuts off and take the tension off, it is fine. I was recently told by a fellow ham, who is a Yaesu man, but had 2 of these, "Sell em online for a good price you can get for em and get you a name brand that will last. Sure they are more expensive, but mine has been dropped numerous times and abused and still works, a Wouxun wont hold on long. Sell it now and get a good radio." Like I said, I have been eyeing a Yaesu FT-60