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Repeatedly got error message "error opening serial port" when attempting to read my non-Plus model KG-S88G. It had worked many times before and I was using a Wouxun cable. First issue was that Device Manager was telling me COM port was 23 while software only went to 12. Went and changed to COM12 which did not fix it. Steven from BuyTwoWayRadios suggested that sometimes above COM10 is a problem; he suggested COM8. By using COM8 and running software as Administrator (right-click .exe file to open software), it worked. Hoping this will save some non-Plus users some time.

The use-case for my GMRS radios is family / community communications during emergencies and special events. To that end, I selected the KG-XS20G+ for my mobile and base station solution since it can be easily powered by my cars' auxiliary DC power outlet or small portable power station or A/C powered 13.8vdc power supply. The KG-XS20G+ big red power button connects to circuitry drawing current as long as DC power is connected to the radio. This always-on circuity detects the power button being push and then switches on the rest of the radio's internals. Also, in case DC power is removed, this power-button circuitry returns the radio to its prior on/off state once DC power is restored. Since one of my power sources, the small portable power station, is limited in capacity I decided to measure power consumption with different radio configurations and uses. DC Current draw * Radio off - 13.5 mA Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with nothing being received or transmitted - 195 mA Radio in DUAL DISPLAY with nothing being received or transmitted - 266 mA Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A in scanning mode and nothing being received or transmitted - 197 mA Radio in DUAL DISPLAY with Area A in scanning mode and nothing being received or transmitted - 266 mA Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A receiving with audio set to moderate volume - 270 mA Radio in DUAL DISPLAY with Area A and Area B receiving with audio set to moderate volume - 345 mA Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A transmitting at 5W on Channel 1 - 1.76 A Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with Area A transmitting at 20W on Channel 15 - 4.61 A Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with nothing be received and FM on at moderate volume - 290 mA Radio in SINGLE DISPLAY with nothing being received and WEATHER on at moderate volume - 339 mA * All measurements were made with a Fluke 17B+ and connected in series with the positive line of the BTECH RPS-30M 10A switching power supply to the KG-XS20G+. No other devices were connected to the supply. When DC power or the radio was turned on or off time was given to allow the DC current draw to settle. DC current values measured during receive or transmit are approximations. Results I expected: Radio OFF current draw is reasonable and likely not a factor under normal conditions. Running with DUAL DISPLAY is a bit expensive. I'm going to avoid using DUAL DISPLAY when running on my portable power station. Transmitting at 20W is really expensive and should be limited especially when running on my portable power station. Results that surprised me: Scanning is free. It doesn't consume more power than monitoring one channel. Scan away! Weather radio consumes more power than listening to FM radio. A surprise, but not a big deal.

Since I received my Wouxun KG-XS20G+ last week I have been playing with it's features individually and in combination. In this process I have found some things that at first seem to be problems, but I'm now thinking are just the way radios work. Your thoughts are appreciated! So after creating a scanlist of channels 1-10 and initating a scan, my new radio works as I would expect. The channel numbers display in quick legible ascending order and repeat until I either stop the scan or a signal is detected. (NOTE - I'm using the 14: SCANMODE = TO) So here's the issue: When I enable Priority Scan (18:PRI-SCAN) and set the Priority Channel (18:PRI-CH) initiating a scan results in the scan display interleaving scanlist channels with the priority channel. The display is changing so quick it is only barely legible. I know this is evidence the priority scan is technically working correctly with the scan list, but it seems to me an odd design choice. It would make more sense to me the Priority Channel be excluded from the display leaving the scanlist channel sequence legible. Do other radios work this way?

I received my Wouxun KG-XS20G+ last week and I'm really enjoying it! Since I am a newbie to two-way radios my learning what each feature of my new radio does individually and in combination is really helping. Along the way I have encountered some interesting things about my new radio, of which this is the first of several I encountered. Cycling DC power from the KG-XS20G+ while the Wouxun programming cable is connected to both the KG-XS20G+ and the powered-on PC may result in the KG-XS20G+’s initial power-on and main screens appearing with distorted colors and icons. Refer to attached pictures, wouxun1.jpg and wouxun2.jpg. I could not determine if the KG-XS20G+’s other functionality is affected. The problem can be cleared and also avoided by removing the Wouxun Programming cable prior to cycling DC power. Test Methodology: Perform the following actions in the listed order to re-produce the problem. 1) Power-up the PC with the Wouxon KG-XS20G+ programming software installed along with the USB driver, if needed. 2) Plug the programming cable into the PC and KG-XS20G+ (see manual for instructions). 3) Verify the KG-XS20G+ configuration can be read by the Wouxon KG-XS20G+ programming software. 4) Using KG-XS20G+’s RED power button turn off the radio. 5) Disconnect DC power to the XG-XS20G+, count to 5, and reconnect DC power. 6) Using KG-XS20G+’s RED power button turn on the radio. NOTE: Steps 4 and 6 can be skipped allowing the KG-XS20G+ to power up automatically when DC power is restored. Software and equipment used: KG-XS20G Plus Commander version 1.10 (20221005) Model: KG-XS20G Plus, GMRS FCC ID: WVTWOUXUN25 S/N: MRGX121385 Manufacture Date Code 2024-12 Wouxun Mobile Radio USB Programming Cable (PCO-003) BTECH RPS-30M Switching Power Supply Output: 13.8VDC 30A

I've got 2 new KG-Q10G radios that I'm trying to program via the rt systems software and associated rt cable. Purchased directly from rt systems. Software install went perfectly. Com port was found and identified. Opened a new file, downloaded radio #1, made my changes in the file and saved it. Uploaded the new file to radio #1 and again everything went perfectly. Moved on to radio #2. Software will not communicate with radio #2. Went back to radio #1 and everything worked perfect again. I've tried rebooting the computer several times and I did a full reset on radio #2. The software will still not communicate with radio #2 but works every time on radio #1. Both radios work perfectly fine on their own. I can program both from the keypad with no problems. I can't imagine it's a problem with the software or the cable because it works every time on radio #1. Am I missing something or is one of my new radios defective? I've got other misc radios and software and have never experience this kind of problem before between radios. Please just let it be user error!

I've purchased my first radio (Wouxun 905g) and, after doing a radio check, had success connecting to a repeater and making contact. But when I leave my radio on the repeater channel, I never hear anyone else transmitting. It wasn't until I did my radio check and cleared that I heard someone else begin a conversation with someone else. But since then, nothing. I know the usual answer is that there may not be traffic on the repeater, but given the location and range it has, I don't think that's the case. Does anyone know if I need to do something specific to open up the repeater and listen for others? One post I saw said some radios need you to push the menu button or something to get connected, open the repeater, and hear the transmissions. Thanks!

I have one of these on order from BSR. Looking forward to it after a lot of research. Was wanting a radio with true dual receive and scan. Anyone else have one and care to comment on your experience, things to look out for, things to get, etc. Have you enjoyed it? I was considering the KG-UV9D Mate but the dark screens and black shell won me over. The description of the KG-UV9PX states that it adds several improvements over the previous UV9P, UV9D Mate & UV9D (Plus): 3 New Dark Color Screen Modes, New Priority Channel Quick-Jump Feature, Extended 1.25m “220 HAM Band” RX Range, Scan Advance, Bright Flashlight & Stiff Knobs. I guess because the radio is so new, there is not a lot of articles online about it and such. My review here.

I have a Wouxun KG-UV9 Series. When I am receiving a transmission, the radio cuts out every few seconds. The RX LED indicator and audio both cut out. They only way I have been able to get this to stop is if I have both the A and B receiver set at the same frequency. Is there a setting I need to change to receive properly without having both A/B on the same frequency?

My first thread here and the situation is that I am going back and forth between the KG-UV9GX and the KG-935G Plus trying to decide which one I want to clip to my belt and would like some input to further confuse myself. I have watched a couple of Randy's videos but I still find myself asking my Dobermans if they have a favorite and get nothin'

Environment: I do a lot of hiking in areas with little to no cell phone coverage. I hike with and around others who will have different combinations of radios. I need one radio to handle coordination and emergency communication, even with others, who are not a part of my group, if they need help. I wish I could carry three radios, but space on my person is at a premium. Today: I know that the UV-5R and many other CCRs can in fact TX on all three frequency bands, but I'm looking for a high end radio. Yaesu can be modified by any dealer to open the bands in question, for example, and has caught my eye. I will be using a HAM/GMRS license/callsign and will have permission for all bands in question. Elephant in the room: I'm aware of Part 95 & Part 9*. This thread is not a discussion about that. Respectfully, please use another thread if you need to discuss. The FCC moves slowly and they have thankfully proven they don't really believe the outdated arguments of yesteryear. All these radios can be purchased in the USA. Modern Hams are encouraging the FCC to do the right thing. Special thanks to you, my favorite reader, for being onboard with common sense. Now, let's have a fun discussion with what is available today. Requirements: Transmit on 144-154Mhz, 420-470Mhz (2m,70cm,GMRS,MURS) Dual Receive (listen and/or scan two frequency sets) Onboard GPS Water resistant (waterproof not required) Analog (digital not required) I’m looking at the Yaesu FT3DR because it looks amazing. However, I'm open to any brand if it meets the requirements. Anyone else have my same need? What did you do? Anyone found the perfect hiking radio?

While I'm waiting for the Wouxun to arrive, what resources should I soak in before I start using it? This will be my first license -required radio ever. I have used CB back in the early 80s, and FRS in the early 2000s. I got my GMRS license about a week ago (WRWV898). Thanks

Wouxun UV9PX short term review This radio has the potential to be a true off-grid comms device. Far out in the wilderness, there is no internet, no cell signal, and even if there was, you may need or prefer real-time audio with others using different radios and frequency bands. With two dual receivers built in, its a scanners delight too so you can monitor your main channel while keeping up with what might be transmitting nearby. That last point really brings home who this radio might appeal to. It is not a tactical radio, although it could be. In tactical comms, you only care about your team and maintaining comms with them. Same with business comms. You don't need multiple bands, you don't care to hear what else maybe going on. You are in concert with your team and maintaining your own personal awareness. You are probably even using an earpiece to maintain E&E. But if you want to know what is going on around you in a non-combative sense, and you don't care about digital, this radio delivers a very usable package for way under $500. The radio has a unique to me feature. It has the ability to monitor three different channels. When both the upper and lower receivers are set to a different frequency (but "not" scanning), you still have the option to "monitor" another 3rd priority memory "channel". It does a watch feature on that location every 3 seconds. This gives you the ability to monitor as it where, the potential for three incoming signal paths. Another nice to have feature is toggling between seeing the actual channel frequency itself and the Alpha Name. Sometimes I forget what frequency went with which name. On the UV9PX, you can hold down the TDR/VM button to cycle through options. Long Press for VFO mode, long press again for memory slot, again for frequency, and finally again to return to display name. Pros: • Very nice small carry size with optional 2000 mAh slim battery. • Excellent battery life with 3200 mAh battery. • Great case design. Comfortable to hold. Easy to stow. • Nice front panel button feel, response, and layout. Positive "clicky" short depth rubberized buttons. • True Dual analog receive. Can listen and scan simultaneously. Scan PL tones too. • Cross-Band Repeater capable. Useful for leaving at base camp and increasing range on the fly. • Wide 7-Band receive range with air band and 700-960 UHF. • Chirp Compatible. • Mars/cap mod-able. • 999 memory slots, 10 scan groups. Cons: • 8 Character Alpha Channel naming. Its 2022, give us 12. • Unpleasant "beep" tone when pressing buttons. Can be disabled. • Flashlight. I don't like a flashlight in a radio. LED is in the way, something to break. • Knobs are stiff, which is good, but they are tapered towards the top. Not usable with gloves. Too small. • Audio is loud, but could be more intelligible. • Screen is very difficult to read in sunshine. • Only IPX55 water rating. • No USB-C charging port. Clunky desk charger is not needed. Improvement Suggestions: • Better audio speaker clarity and tonality. • Knobs that are equally sized or larger at upper end. • Improved "beep" tone when accusing menus. Better tone hz. • Bluetooth capable to allow keeping it stowed away in a bag with a remote mic. • OLED screen or Transflective display. • More character support for Alpha Channel Names. • Larger knobs, they respond great, just change the shape and size. • Submersible water rating (IPX7, etc.). • Selectable power output options in 1w increments up to max. • Ruggized casing. Keep the same look and feel, well done, just increase drop ability. • 18650 battery case option. • Faster scanning. • Declutter the screen with unneeded lettering. It shows "Menu" and "Exit" unnecessarily on the screen. The physical buttons do this perfectly and its wasted screen space to have them duplicated digitally. I think with these updates, new screen design, and the associated cost to do so, would create a version of this radio that would be very compelling. A true sleeper in the CCR category. The only other radios in contention are at least $500. Conclusion: I can not comment on the RF front end quality just yet. But out in the woods, there is no RF to speak of. I do feel the audio speaker response can be improved, but this is subjective. If the only reason you're looking at other radios is because of the nebulous feeling of "quality" selectivity and sensitivity, then you're looking in the wrong place. You just need to go buy that $8,000 Motorola so that you are not compromising. Even a $1.5k mototrbo is going to win the radio quality argument. So, the only radios that compete with this working feature set, that I know of, are the Yaesu FT-5DR, VX-7R, iCom ID-52A, or the Motorola APX 8000 (and other public safety brands). Let me know other radios with two analog receivers that function like the UV9PX. I will follow up with a long term review. For now, I give this radio a solid buy if you will not be using the screen in direct sunlight.

Now this may not be news to some of you, but... One of the things I can't stand with some of the radios, is that they come hard coded with all of the GMRS 'channels' (including the annoyingly occupied 'bubble pack' channels). In the really cheap radios, you're kinda stuck with these as, other than the CTCSS settings, they cannot be deleted and/or altered. If you're lucky, there are a few memory locations for custom channels, but you're still stuck with all 30 of the hard coded channels. From the factory, the KG-935G also has all of these default channels. However, unlike many of the radios, these default channels can be deleted and the memory space used as one desires! A big plus in my book, because I have just a couple of systems I routinely use and, I hate having to scroll through a list of unwanted channels just to get to the ones I actually desire. Sure, I can put up to 999 channels in the thing, but does anybody really want or need that? So now, as I rotate the channel selector knob, it goes through the few systems I have and then returns to the first channel in the list! Much better than feeling like I'm winding up an alarm clock to find the system I want! Additionally, I've discovered that the scan lists, with the exception of #1, can be customized, another perk IMHO. This is where a better, more detailed manual, would be nice, instead of having to experiment with the software! FWIW!

Well, after watching many reviews on this radio, I decided to get one, actually two of them. Both radios arrived intact, but oddly enough one (radio) box was moderately damaged, yet the bigger box that the two radios were shipped in was undamaged. I can only surmise that somebody at the dealer packed a damaged, or actually damaged, the one radio box. Enough about that, the radio itself was again, undamaged (Thankfully). Shipping issues aside, my first impression of this radio is "WOW". I have owned many different radios in my days, but this one is extremely nice. So much so, I wanted to see if Wouxun makes a version of this radio for amateur radio (they do!) and I am thinking about it. To be sure, I have not been a fan of Chinese radios, but this one is, IMHO, a standout exception. I dunno, perhaps after the big FCC stink about Chinese radios, Wouxun at least, seems to have their act together on this one. I did do a power output check, but rather than say something stupid that isn't true, I'm going to rerun the test with better equipment before saying anything, as I don't trust the meter I used at the time. Programming is straightforward using either the menu system on the radio or the software. I did however, find some quirks with programming. Some items, such as the programmable function (side) buttons can be changed through the menu system on the radio. However, those changes only seem to take with the PC software. Some did take, but then could not be reverted back to their previous settings via the menu system. Not all the settings to be sure and, it isn't (to me) a big deal as I prefer the PC software to the menu. But it is a quirk just the same IMHO. Additionally, and perhaps it is something with Windows, the PC software only recognizes/lets the user select com port 1, despite having a listing of choices of com port. I don't know if it the software, or yet another Microsoft bug. Nevertheless, this issue was easily overcome by manually changing the assigned com port in windows. All that said, this is a damn good radio for the price! I wanted a 'legal' GMRS radio, but this one's features leave me wishing it could transmit throughout the receiving range! It really is that nice. ?

Hey All, IO bought a Wouxun KG-UP920P-A knowing it had a failed final MOSFET thinking I could do the repair. I had no idea the piece sas so small. I just don't have the tools/skills for this repair. I'm having poor luck finding anything local to San Antonio, TX for repair. Anyone have some place/someone to whom I could shit it for repair? I'm only into it for $75 so far, so unless it is an expensive fix (already have 4 x MOSFETs) I'll still come out ahead. Here is a link to the repair process I found online - https://owenduffy.net/equipment/KG-UV920P/index.htm Thanks, JG

Here's another radio that i found on buy two way radios website. now were getting some choices in gmrs radios https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2020/11/wouxun-kg-1000g-mobile-gmrs-radio.html

Okay, I'm a new GMRS user (WRKS279) in Maple Grove Minnesota. I have a little Wouxun KG-805G. A nice little handheld with 5watts of power. Still, I'm not hearing much as I leave it on scanner mode through the day. Sometimes it stops and I hear a partial conversation (usually Ch 15). But, if I try to call out on that channel...nothing. I just got a Nagoya UT-72 antenna for it, with the adapter to use it with my Wouxun. I just have it sitting near the window inside my little home office. But, I'm still not hearing any activity. Today, I was practicing calling out to see if I could connect with someone. Still nothing. So, I'm wondering...are there just so few people using GMRS? Or, is my reach still so poor I cannot connect with those who do? Thoughts? Do I need to step up my antenna to like a Harvest BC200 mounted outside? Or, would it help to get a 50 watt mobile for my home shack? Would I get more activity with that? I'd like to participate in the Midwest Net, but I don't know if I have equipment that would allow me to connect with the closest midwest repeater (169). Supposedly, the "Metro 4" repeater run out of the University of Minnesota covers out to my area in the suburbs. But, I still don't hear any activity on that repeater channel (RPT 19). Even if I did have connect reach, would I use that repeater to somehow connect with the Midwest net 169? If so, how? Thanks for any help you can give!

So my quest continues for the perfect "cheap" radio. Below is a review I did for the new Wouxun KG-UV9D (NOT the 8D). With other amateur radio operators in this group, you might find it interesting. One thing of note, the KG-UV9D doesn't have the 2.5kHz spacing. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------So I did a little review on the KG-UV9D and posted it on BuyTwoWayRadios. Just reposting it here. Wouxun has a winner here! BUT it's not quite perfect. I purchased this radio during the pre-sale, and was very satisfied with it. But after using the KG-UV8D for almost a year, my expectations were just a little too high. First of all, I have to say I LOVE my KG-UV8D and all the things I would change about it, I find in the KG-UV9D, but they left a couple of things out. First of all, let's start with what I don't like about this radio because it is a VERY short list. Let me preface this by saying I use this radio to rag chew every morning (well... almost every morning) and it gets a real work out. I've also used it hiking and for public service events. OK... Now the bad. Screen doesn't turn all the way off. Yep, I'm weird like that. I found the if I set the screen to off in the 8D, my battery life goes through the ROOF! I can't do that with the 9D and it does impact the battery. When I want to see what's happening on the screen, I usually just hit the "EXIT" button and don't bother with taking up a programmable button on the side for backlight. No extra or extended batteries available (but I understand that extra standard batteries will be available soon) or a nice leather case. Last ding, no crossband repeat. It's a nice feature on the 8D that I really like, and sort of miss it on the 9D. Lastly, even though it has 240MHz coverage, it still doesn't receive the 1.25M ham band. (OHHHH so close...) OK... Now the good things. Change channel settings "on the fly". Yep this is a big one. You program in a channel, but then when you're actually using the radio you find that 90% of the time you only need 2 Watts and not 5, just change that setting for that channel, and it's done. Cycling power or channels doesn't revert back to the old settings. This also includes things like CTCSS/DCS, offset, and even channel name. Solid Audio. Both transmit and receive. When Wouxun started shipping the UV8D's with the 1.05 firmware it was darn near perfect. The microphone in the 9D is sensitive but not overly so and the speaker is nice and loud for us hard of hearing folks. Solid signal. Transmit and receive are pretty good, and I love the ability to have true dual receive. So when I said that the improvements I would have liked to have seen in the 8D are now in the 9D? Yeah... they are ALL there. Medium power. This is by far the best improvement in my opinion. I love having a 2 Watt setting. 1 Watt isn't quite enough sometimes, 5 Watts is more than needed, but 2 Watts seems to be "just right" for a lot of radio work and saves on your battery. Wide Band Receive. Even receives AM for those that like listening to air traffic. Visual Programming indicator. When writing or reading to the radio from the computer, the radio has visual indicators to tell you it's "talking" to the computer. Would have been a nice feature on the 8D, but it's in the 9D. Size matters. The 9D is a little slimmer and longer than the 8D. This make the radio a little more comfy in the hand. Programmable FM stations. Sometimes it's nice to have an FM radio available to listen to music or news. Having the ability to pre-program those channels is a God-send. You can even program these channels through the front pannel. Easy "talkaround" function. One button press and hold, and you're now talking around the repeater. Very nice feature. Backlight level control. Yep, another battery saving feature. Now you can dim that large beautiful screen to fit your environment. Auto Power Off. Set the time, and if you leave the radio on by mistake your battery won't totally drain. Various lock options. You can set the lock to engage on the keypad, keypad and rotary knob, keypad and PTT, or all three at the same time. Good Tactile side buttons. No need to actually "look" at the radio to make sure I'm pushing the right button. All the buttons on the side have a distinct tactile feel to them. And lastly, easy to use front panel buttons. The keypad on this radio is a little larger and the buttons are a little desire to press than the 8D. Overall, the size, weight, and layout of this radio is SPOT on. it's just a nice radio to have in your hand. Overall after using this radio for a month, it's a clear winner. It's just not "perfect" yet. Would I recommend this radio to a fellow ham? Absolutely. In fact, I already have. Just a little side note. The smaller antenna that is available with this radio is on par with the original UV5R antenna. In fact, I find a stubby Nagoya is actually just as effecctive as the shorty that comes with this radio. Again, a great little radio. 73JamesW8JVFWQUL457