Radioboy1962

Pleased to report I received my two  Wouxun-KG-905G's from BTWR yesterday.  After inspecting the units, & charging them up, I started to utilize them.
They're very nice, solid units, & although (during the interrium wait for them to ship) I purchased an 805G, to familiarize myself with the basics of the HT,
I'm really satisfied with the overall out of the box quality of the KG-905G's, and reception with the updated Nagoya NA-771G's I added to the order.
One noteworthy issue I wanted to share with folks here,  as it created a slight bit of anxiety for me while I was trying to utilize the USB Programming Cable (PCO-001)
cable to connect to the Wouxun-KG-905G-Programming-Software,  it seems there is a glitch in the Wouxun software with regards to identifying the COM PORT.
Initially, if you click on [Setup] -> [Com SetUp] you may experience an issue where you cannot modify (or select) an available com port on your system.
In discussing the issue with BTWR, I was told this is a known issue which Wouxun is addressing, but for now - the "Work Around" is to go into windows control
panel, identify which com port the: >> Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge << is associated with, then go into properties for that com port & then
select & confirm [Com Port 1] *disregard the  message indicating the port is in use if you see that on your system, and just confirm modifying Com Port 1.
Once you do that, the change takes effect immediately, & when you return to the Wouxun-KG-905G-Programming-Software, and then click on: [Edit] -> [Read]
the "Read" dialogue box will appear, and you can click on: [Start] to go ahead and download the image from your radio.
You'll also notice navigating to:  [Setup] -> [Com SetUp], that a black dot next to the left of [Com1] should appear in the communication port dialogue box.
*I attached a few screen shots to help anyone follow along if that helps.  Should anyone experience this issue, and need some help - feel free to message me,
I'm happy to offer any assistance if need be.
~JT
WRKZ907

The sad-hams would come crawling out of the woodwork like moths to a bright light!  ??

I would respond to a radio check. There just aren’t many GMRS users yet in my area.


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RIPPER238 I just can't understand some of the jerky response... Hey I got a new radio and want to see it it works... give us a break.. I'm sure these jerks did a radio check on there first radios... grow up and be professional and encourage others into GMRS...
Jack

Good job of setup for software... This is a new post on BTWR website...   https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2021/05/how-to-install-the-programming-cable-and-software-for-the-kg-905g.html
Has a good work around as well.
Jack

Thanks for sharing that tip for all the soon to be new owners of the 905.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Sorry, couldn't resist 
 

It appears that the new $35 fee for GMRS licenses will take effect on April 19th 2021.
 
Great news! for those up for renewal and those on the fence.
 
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/03/19/2021-03042/schedule-of-application-fees-of-the-commissions-rules
 Jack

Joe,
 
No repeater is ever safe open or closed. Scanners today can find PL tones on any frequency. So if someone wants to be an ass they’re gonna be. Even so, some radios are very easy to program and if someone really wants they can just key up every PL tone till they find the right one. Unfortunately there’s some nasty low life people that have nothing better to do but to cause interference on what ever tickles their fancy. Even on police, fire and rescue this happens. It’s those people who ruin it for everyone even scanner enthusiasts because a lot of jurisdictions are going digital and encrypted.

I have one of these radios and in my testing I have found that the mic is very sensitive to distance. If you hold it more than an inch away from your mouth there will be virtually no audible transmission. The other person will hear the mic key up but then just silence.  
I like everything else about this radio given it’s price point, but the dullness of the mic may be a deal killer for me to put it into regular use or to have it as a spare to hand out to people.
 
It’s almost as if they have a noise cancelling algorithm that is not properly calibrated.
 
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Keep in mind that some of the signals you are hearing are going to be from FRS bubble pack radios. Unlikely you are going to get a response from a radio check by an unknown person, especially on local. If you can get into a repeater, more likely you will get a response.
 
Keep in mind, this is not ham.
 
From what I can see, the gm30 appears to be the same radio as the Retevis.
 
Upgrading to a Wouxun is not going to do you any good if there is no one on the other end to talk to.

Patiently waiting for the 905 G to get back in stock.  Have one on order.

I hope to not expire before my current license in 2027.  

I would differ on this view. It depends on what the goal is. If you want to know the maximum possible useful GMRS range in an area, then yes, equipment will matter a lot. However, if you want to know your maximum useful range, then you, by all means, need to test with the same equipment you are going to use.
 
An old developers saying goes something like: Test what you will use. Use what you tested.

Just stumbled across the following link which shows probable distances for a variety of different conditions.
 
http://hflink.com/hfpack/radiorange/
 
Not sure how they came to these numbers, but it sure looks interesting.
 
Michael
WRSH965
 
 
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Retevis is having a sale.  The combo pack of RT97 portable repeater plus the two RT76 was cheaper then buying the RT97 by it's self!
 
I just paid $327.19 shipped.  Last time I ordered direct from Retevis, it only took about 6 days. Hopefully this one also ships quick.
 
https://www.retevis.com/Mobile-GMRS-repeater-RT97-Handheld-GMR-Radio-RT76/

Hello Kirk, and welcome to the forum!
 
I have been using FRS and GMRS off and on for nearly 20 years. This is the first time I have heard the suggestion of there being a ‘reluctance’ to use PL codes. You have me curious. What is the nature of the comments you’re hearing that give you this impression?
 
My personal perspective follows.
 
While I do use repeaters, my primary reason for having GMRS is simplex. There are times I operate both with and without PL codes. More often without them.
 
I use codes only when I am in an area where there is heavy use of the frequencies and I want to leave my radios on for extended periods but only want to hear traffic from my group. After all that is the reason PL codes came into existence in the first place. They provided a way for different businesses and other groups to share a frequency without having to listen to with each other’s conversations.
 
My personal experience has also shown that without codes, when in an area of low RF noise that the receiver will open squelch at a slightly greater distance without the code than with.
 
Then there is the “real” interference thing. Two people cannot operate on the same frequency without adversely affecting the reception by the intended listeners residing within their shared coverage area. This is true no matter how many PL codes there are. The use of codes masks the presence and use of the frequency by others. A knowledgable and respectful two-way radio user knows not to transmit when the frequency is in use. When PL codes are active it is easy to overlook the fact that someone else might be talking and complacency will result in unintentional interfering transmissions. If no PL code was being used, it would be pretty obvious if someone else nearby was using the frequency.
 
I hope this helps.
 
I look forward to hearing more about the reluctance.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

https://www.nrs.com/product/28572/aquapac-small-vhf-classic-228

drabina, let me weight in... I'm a newbie and my first two HT was the 805G with reviews I read from mbrun and others, it is the great radio... BUT then I got a data cable and use CHIRP on my Mac and the world of making life easier to setup radio was so helpful.  I added several personal channels on the end of the radio channel list as well as for several repeaters and channel our family uses to most to be able to use with older FRS Cobras etc around the house or campground with the kids and G kids.  
 
So that was back in Nov/Dec and reading this forum, asking questions in post as well as PM to my mentors and coaches.  Well I got a KG-905G from BTWR https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-905g.html with a 15.5 antenna and it great distance... I'm still formulating and writing a reviews.  So far the feature I like the most is it is more beefer, great battery life, more water resistant as I have a Jeep top off from Spring-Summer-Fall.  But the best feature is channel scanning by groups... I have made up so many groups like my repeater group with favorite channels, FRS channels, Just GMRS repeater channels to hear or monitor the repeaters that I do not have the PL code.  
 
So what I'm saying is I was like you, KISS at first but after getting involved in GMRS and where I'm at now, I would purchased a KG-905G over the 805G... no regrets as the 805G works for the family, light weight and easy to use but for me where I'm at the 905G is the answers.  My cost justification is I can still use my 6 FRS with the G Kids without a license and teaching them to do radio correctly.
 
Have fun, you will get what is best for you and family, so let us know what you pick and why.  O I should say since I'm a fellow newbie I offer help to you, just PM me and will help if you pick and get the data cable with software or other accessories...  (This offer goes out to all newbie with a 805G or 905G as well.)  I found the secret sauce which will make sense and you will be up and running quickly.
 
Jack

The Wouxun 805G is not that intimidating.
If you don't use privacy codes there is almost no setup required.
You can just use them right out of the box pretty much.
 
The bigger deal than the 5W is the antenna connector allowing use of an different antennas.
So you can put a mag mount on it for in the car or get a Smiley GMRS super stick or a Nagoya 14" flexible whip antenna.
These better antennas really do help.
They are very nice radios and I like that you can have spare batteries and switch any time.
 
If you are going to use repeaters you will want to change the display so the chan Freq is displayed rather than just channel #.
This is pretty easy.  Menu item 19 takes care of it.
 
There is no power level control so if you wan to save batteries at close range you need to switch to the low power channels.
That's about my only complaint.
 
Vince

Hello Drabina. Welcome to myGMRS.
 
I own the KG-805G and three other HT models. The 805 has 5 watts of power (max you are going to get on GMRS HT). It is usable right out of the box and does not require software until or unless you need it to do something beyond the basics. It is nearly as simple to set up and use as the Midland radios. On top of that, it is proving to be a pretty high performing radio for its cost. You can also use it with a mobile antenna in you car or external antenna at your home or campsite if that is appealing.
 
It has fewer controls on the front panel which removes most of the intimidation factor often associated with other radios. It is repeater capable, but there is nothing that says you have to take advantage of that. That feature however is, IMHO, what drives most people to GMRS.
 
Midland sells a GXT1000 radio. Back when I bought mine years ago they were nearly 5 watts. But since I bought them midland has decreased the power down to just over 2 watts for unknown reasons.
 
Do not expect your simplex range to be dramatically better because you switch from 2w to 5w. However, the combination of improvements in radio quality, antenna quality and power together may cause you to experience a little bit better range. But don’t be disappointed if it only amounts to 5-15% increase. I live in a semi rural area that is 60% trees and I can only achieve 100% reliable communication range out to .6 miles with GRMS HTs (ranging from $35-$700 each). Yes they will go further in different directions and environments, and you experience may be different. Just trying to provide tempered expectations.
 
One feature of the 805 that you may like is the ability to lock it to prevent accidental changes. This can be done via the radio if necessary. If you need a more advanced lock, you can use the software it so the user cannot make any changes except volume and channel. Perhaps that will be of some benefit to you.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Regards,
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Isn’t it amazing how quality customer service endears a company to its customers? Nowadays it really takes guts and intentionality to do this, especially when faced with a customer a company might rather not deal with.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

I purchased 2 of these for my son.  I immediately flashed the new firmware, then I read the data from the radio.  When the read was complete, a window popped up, which did not show the channels/frequencies.  If you look around, there is a place in the upper left part of the screen that lets you select the channels window.  I don't have the application in front of me, but it is there if you look around a bit.

Hello Michael,
Thanks so much for the response & insight.  I'll check into the KG-UV9G.
 

Good Day.
 
The 905 is not capable of FM or NOAA. I believe the KG-UV9G is capable of both. On the UV9P (the model the G version is based on) you do have to program in the NOAA frequencies manually however. Not a big deal as it is no different that entering in any other frequency.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM