WRNU354

I'm thinking the radio manual should describe Busy Channel Lock Out as: Busy Channel Lockout - You may think this feature might be useful, but except for a few special cases, you will be wrong.

Based on your input and input so far there is little use, outside of very special cases, for BCL and, in fact, can impede comms on repeaters. Also based on input so far, good practice is to manage the talk out timer by letting the repeater's squelch tail to drop. Lastly, if the channel is noisy or congested select a channel less so and switch to it. Thanks!

Thanks! Good point on not waiting for the squelch tail drop and its effect. That's something I didn't consider. My favorite repeater's squelch tail seems to be about 2 seconds and the talk out timer is about a minute. Considering your points, the weekly repeater event check-in probably incentivizes people to break with the good practices. I'll listen to see if they fall back into good practice of letting the squelch tail drop after that. Thanks again.

Thanks! That is a special case, indeed. To your point and more generalized, BUSYLOCK is useful with simplex comms in noisy environments?

My enabling Busy Channel Lock (BUSYLOCK) on my radios seemed like a simple courtesy to reduce the chance of accidentally stepping on others. Before enabling it I did receive good advice that BUSYLOCK can disable a radio's ability to transmit in noisy or congested environments. I thought this risk acceptable risk since BUSYLOCK is easily disabled. What I didn't anticipate was the effect of BUSYLOCK had on my participation in repeater based events. The owner of my favorite repeater hosts a weekly event were participants start by checking-in. With a list of participates complete, he calls upon each to respond to the week's topic. It provides lighthearted discussion and opportunity to check out equipment. After enabling BUSYLOCK I found my attempts to check-in resulted in the BUSYLOCK error tone, even when I was sure the previous participant was done and no one else was attempting to talk in that moment. In my ignorance I did not consider the repeater's use of carrier delay (hang-in timer) on BUSYLOCK. With the repeater's carrier delay longer than it takes for participants, including the host, to realize the current speaker is done and there is an opportunity to talk I was effectively blocked. Now slightly less ignorant, I have disabled BUSYLOCK on my radios unless I find some future special case use. Does anyone have use for BUSYLOCK?

Everyone knows laser / cat physics with K-9 oversight is the key to any good security system!

I just visited the Flat Earth Society Discussion Board to see how they explain limits on radio propagation and me now stupider cuz it.

Yes, I have Plasti-Dip sprayed the pluck-a-fit foam in five cases with good results. Some years back I came across the tip on making foam, especially pluck-a-fit foam, more durable and tear resistant. It's simple enough to do, but there are a few tricks to making it work: 1) Do it in WELL ventilated area where over spray will not be problem. Use personal protection as needed. 2) Put the foam on a very large piece of cardboard and align it like it is in the case. 3) The solvent used in Plasti Dip can melt the foam, so the first several coats must be very light to create protective layer. 4) Make sure you spray inside the cut-outs and on the ends. Spraying the underside of the foam is not necessary. 4) Take your time and let each coat dry completely. 5) Add coats until the Plasti-Dip is thick enough to provide the desired protection. 6) Don't use the Plasti-Dip coated foam until the solvent smell is gone.

You ever treat the pluck-a-fit foam inserts with several light coats of Plasti Dip Spray to increase durability and tear resistance?

I agree. I have been looking for a protective sleeve for my Wouxun KG-935G's since I bought them, but I haven't found one yet. Thanks

I have been lugging around a large hard-side waterproof case with two radios and ALL the accessories. It's heavy, takes up a lot of room, and is generally overkill for all but the most extreme conditions. So, when I saw your solution I immediately realized it was better. Its light, rugged enough to toss into a vehicle and lower cost. For my particular use, I chose one radio per case and created inserts from scrap foam in my workshop. Each case has the basics; Radio & manual, Antenna, Extra battery, DC charger & A/C charger, USB-A to USB-C cable and field book. Thanks again for the inspiration!

For both the Wounxun KG-XS20G Plus and KG-935G Plus factory programming software provides the ability to password the MODE key and password the RESET "ALL" function. I didn't find any reference to this password functionality in my hardcopy manual or the latest PDF version so I played around with it see how it works. Here's what I found: Both passwords must be 6 digits. Password digits can be any number between 0-9 with a password of all zeros a special case. Entering 3 to 5 digits will cause the factory software to left justify the entered digits and pad the remainder with zeros. A password of all zeros disables the feature. All zeros is the factory default. Changing modes on the radio with "Mode Switch Password" enabled: 1) Press the MODE button 2) Enter the 6 digit password 3) Press the MENU button Do a RESET / ALL with "Reset Password" enabled: 1) Press the Menu button and using the up / down buttons select RESET function: 2) Press the Menu button again and using the up / down buttons select the reset type "ALL" 3) Press the Menu button again and enter the 6 digit password. 4) Press the MENU button. Quirks: Attempting to write a password of less than 3 digits to the radio will result in an programming software error. Saving to file a config with only 1-2 character passwords entered and then reading that file back results in the 6 digits passwords being left justified and padded with zeros.

When available on the radio, I enable "Busy Channel Lockout". With this enabled on my mobiles and HTs it prevents me from transmitting on a busy channel and gives me a districtive error tone. So far I haven't experienced any downside to enabling this feature by default and should I suspect a problem it is easy to disable on the radio.

Thanks again!