Wouxun

[The_B_Chief]

Anyone have any sensitivity reports to give on these radios? Specifically in regards to the front end and the pl/dpl decoding. I have an Alinco 635T in my POV and it lets a ton of trash in. I also don't care for how long the receive stays open after the squelch tail on the 635.

 

[N0IU]

I have a KG-UV3D and everyone complains about programming these radios. Sure, it can be a PITA to program it on the radio itself, but after you get your radio radio set up, how many times does this even come up?

I use the KG-UV Commander software and I can make changes in a matter of seconds. Sure, you will want to make some tweaks in the first couple of weeks, but I haven't touched the program in months.

 

[The_B_Chief]

I decided to go with the Baofeng UV-82L. I figured with the price so low I couldn't go wrong.

 

[K4BH]

I have a KG-UV6D V2 and it works well. Some fancier features are missing, but the radio is a good selection for a starter radio. They cannot have one band in channel mode with the other in VFO, but I tend to hang out on the same frequencies anyway.. I got mine for CAP use, and it is a great choice for that because other commercial radios are too expensive. If you're looking for all the bells and whistles pay the extra money.

 

[KA9QPN]

I have several Wouxuns including the mobile. All of the Chinese radios are giving people who wouldn't necessarily be able to afford an HT the ability to have one. I did my homework and figured out early on that programming without software was not optimal. I also do not have the patience to program my IC-92AD or my VX-8 from the panel, either. IMHO, any radio with the ability to transmit, commercial or amateur, makes a crappy scanner. If you want a scanner, get a scanner. With the mix of digital and analog on public safety frequencies these days, you're going to be quickly disappointed anyway trying to scan with a transceiver. The problem with any HT for a first radio is that you expect it to be able to do everything. You'll be frustrated because you cannot cleanly hit local repeaters. Next thing you know, you'll have a mix of mobile and improvised base antennas trying to make something out of your 2-5 watts. Years ago, there was a brisk industry of HT amps for dummies like me who started out with handhelds. I believe that I still have two 2m 3 in/35 out amps and one 222 Mirage amp around here somewhere.
Which is the long way of saying: get a mobile rig. There are plenty of el-cheapo entry level monoband mobiles both from 'the big guys' and the Asians. It's not a matter of "ZOMG teh cheep evil Chineez radioz". It's a matter of what's practical.

 

[baltimorecs]

I do not feel that the Wouxun KG-UV series HT's are hard to program - you can program a frequency in 3 steps in about 20 seconds:

(example is for a KG-UV6D)

1) Go to "frequency mode" [MENU]+[S/D]
2) Enter frequency (i.e. 155.555)
3) Store [MENU]+[2][8], then [MENU], enter channel number, then [MENU], then [EXIT]

It is even easier than it looks because you use the [MENU] key to enter and exit the ability to change a parameter (like channel number.)

Repeater offset is easy to enter too:

1) [MENU]+[2][4]
2) [MENU] and enter offset
3) [MENU] and then [EXIT]

It takes less than a minute to do both combined.

If you want to name your channel you have to first have it stored and then you can do that with [MENU]+[2][7]

 

[RDTS]

Wouxun KG-UV920P-A-How do I mute receiver side audio when I transmit on my mobile?

I have a couple of Wouxun KG-UV920P-A radios. I set one up as a base as a cross band repeater (directional) and it works great! My problem is the audio feedback in my mobile, it's set up with 150.xxx on the transmit side(right) and 450.xxx on the receive side(left). When I transmit I get feedback because the 450.xxx side is receiving the repeater while I,m transmitting causing a feedback. Is there any way to kill the receive audio just when I transmit?

 

[AF0DJ]

both of mine now have problems

I have two UV3D's

Over time (about two years) one has decided that it likes to go into the cloning mode periodically instead of the operating mode when it is turned on. Once in there I have to hook up the cable and reprogram it to get it to come back to where it is supposed to be (operating mode).

The other one just recently seems to have locked itself into a version of "monitor" .
The green light stays on and I get white noise from the speaker.
HOWEVER, the unit will not receive until I push and hold the lower (monitor) button.
reprogramming it hasn't helped.

Does anybody know where I can find a service manual for these radios?
since they are both out of warranty now I figure I might as well see what I can do towards finding and solving the problems.

Or how about a master reset (beyond what's in the operator's manual)

Dave J

 

[nd5y]

If you have a Wouxun that loses memories or developes other bizzare behavior it it probably due to a defective memory IC. Apparently a large number of Wouxun radios were manufactured with a bad part. See: Good-Bye-Wouxun

It may be possible to fix by replacing the IC. See: http://tim-yvonne.com/ham/wouxun-memory/index.htm

There is a KG-UVD1 service manual in the files section of the Wouxun_Radios yahoo group. That is the only one I have seen.

I haven't seen any other way to do a full reset except what is documented in the manual.
You also can't reload or upgrade the firmware because it is stored in OTP memory in the microprosessor.

 

[N4KVE]

Great reading the Good-Bye-Wouxun article.One reason I will stick with the "proven" big 3. Remember folks, you get what you pay for. Low quality parts = cheap prices.

 

[bxcp]

I have two Wouxun 920 working with the remote heads. Having trouble changing the channel on the right hand side of both radios. Any one with an idea? Thanks...

 

[Radio1967]

I have several Wouxuns including the mobile. All of the Chinese radios are giving people who wouldn't necessarily be able to afford an HT the ability to have one. I did my homework and figured out early on that programming without software was not optimal. I also do not have the patience to program my IC-92AD or my VX-8 from the panel, either. IMHO, any radio with the ability to transmit, commercial or amateur, makes a crappy scanner. If you want a scanner, get a scanner. With the mix of digital and analog on public safety frequencies these days, you're going to be quickly disappointed anyway trying to scan with a transceiver. The problem with any HT for a first radio is that you expect it to be able to do everything. You'll be frustrated because you cannot cleanly hit local repeaters. Next thing you know, you'll have a mix of mobile and improvised base antennas trying to make something out of your 2-5 watts. Years ago, there was a brisk industry of HT amps for dummies like me who started out with handhelds. I believe that I still have two 2m 3 in/35 out amps and one 222 Mirage amp around here somewhere.
Which is the long way of saying: get a mobile rig. There are plenty of el-cheapo entry level monoband mobiles both from 'the big guys' and the Asians. It's not a matter of "ZOMG teh cheep evil Chineez radioz". It's a matter of what's practical.

I have to say your wrong about HT'S. I carry one all the time and have no problem getting into my local repeaters.