Wouxun KG-UV980P impressions

[WSFU381]

DOSW, I forgot to mention that I don’t use ch 1-14, only 15-22.  So this 980P should work just fine.  It will be replacing the Anytone AT 5888UV which is brand new… with issues.  I’ve had it for a month.  It was working just fine, but started having problems with it yesterday.  It would power off immediately after turning it on.

[SteveShannon]

7 minutes ago, WSFU381 said:

DOSW, thanks for your reply.  I missed the 2w limitation in the original post for MURS.   I’m hesitant to purchase the KG-1000 plus as I’m in the process of getting licensed for HAM and I’d like a radio that can do GMRS as well… like the KG 980p.  I was just curious about expanding the frequency range or “unlocking” it.   Looks like I’ll just copy and paste my CHIRP settings and hope for the best

Best wishes as you go through ham licensing.  HamStudy.org makes it easy and enjoyable and free if you like online learning.

One of the things you might learn within a couple years of becoming a ham is that one radio isn’t enough.  You might even find that the radios you have unlocked, thinking they could do it all, really aren’t enjoyable to use on those unlocked frequencies when compared to a radio certified for those frequencies.

[73blazer]

11 hours ago, WSFU381 said:

I’m thinking of buying this radio.  The specs on the Wouxon site for vhf is up to 174MHZ and 479 on UHF.  You say it’s easily unlocked.  Is that just a matter of inserting the frequencies into Chirp?  Or, is it required to make frequency adjustments in its proprietary software?  

I use some MURS frequencies (151+) and GMRS.  

Either works, but CHIRP is much simpler. In Extra Settings->Frequency Limits match the TX to the RX and .... you have a full SHTF radio, including MURS & GMRS among others, but as others mention, it's now up to you to be compliant with the rules/power limits etc.

[WSFU381]

Thank you all for the information.  Makes life easier... until the next blunder

Any recommendations on other radios with the same or better capabilities... not just GMRS?  Thanks

[WSFU381]

3 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Best wishes as you go through ham licensing.  HamStudy.org makes it easy and enjoyable and free if you like online learning.

One of the things you might learn within a couple years of becoming a ham is that one radio isn’t enough.  You might even find that the radios you have unlocked, thinking they could do it all, really aren’t enjoyable to use on those unlocked frequencies when compared to a radio certified for those frequencies.

I'll check out Ham Study.org.  Much appreciated.  

[WRYZ926]

13 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Best wishes as you go through ham licensing.  HamStudy.org makes it easy and enjoyable and free if you like online learning.

One of the things you might learn within a couple years of becoming a ham is that one radio isn’t enough.  You might even find that the radios you have unlocked, thinking they could do it all, really aren’t enjoyable to use on those unlocked frequencies when compared to a radio certified for those frequencies.

I can verify what Steve said. Some amateur band radios that have been modded/unlocked work fine on GMRS while others don't work as well. My MARS Modded Icom IC-2730 does not do as good of a job on GMRS as my unlocked TYT radios.

Remember, radios are like potato chips, you just can't have one or two. 

[WSFU381]

9 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I can verify what Steve said. Some amateur band radios that have been modded/unlocked work fine on GMRS while others don't work as well. My MARS Modded Icom IC-2730 does not do as good of a job on GMRS as my unlocked TYT radios.

Remember, radios are like potato chips, you just can't have one or two. 

You’re right about potato chips, especially here in Idaho. I have 4 mobiles and 6 HT’s.  They tend to accumulate., 

[WSFU381]

I'll be purchasing the KG UV980P at "Buy Two Way Radios".  I tried calling them, but they are closed.  They offer a Free software download, but they also Sell the   "RT Systems Programming Software and Cable For Wouxun KG-UV980P."  I'm wondering if the software that's for sale (with the programing cable) is the same as the Free download.  Does anyone know???  It doesn't make sense to purchase the software if it's the same... and the cable is only $16 bucks.

Thanks

[WRYZ926]

The RT Systems softwares is not the same as the free software that you can download. I find the RT Systems software works better.

[WSFU381]

51 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

The RT Systems softwares is not the same as the free software that you can download. I find the RT Systems software works better.

Thanks for the reply.  I use chirp and planning on changing the frequencies to use GMRS.  Does the RT package offer the programming to do the same?  

[WRYZ926]

Yes you should not have any issues with RT Systems.

[WRUE951]

3 hours ago, WSFU381 said:

Thanks for the reply.  I use chirp and planning on changing the frequencies to use GMRS.  Does the RT package offer the programming to do the same?  

yes, but with a price tag.. Some like RT, i have used both, I don't mind CHIRP, it's free and will get you the same results.  

[dosw]

10 hours ago, WRUE951 said:

yes, but with a price tag.. Some like RT, i have used both, I don't mind CHIRP, it's free and will get you the same results.  

I haven't paid the RT price, so I don't know what I'm missing there.

 

CHIRP has been adequate for my needs, and I find that it does control all the settings I can think of for the KG-UV980P, as well as for my other radios (UV-5G, AR-5RM, RA87). There are things I don't like about it's UI: Copying, moving, pasting, cursor movement.... some things are just not quite as easy to use as a typical spreadsheet. But it works and is reliable. And it's community driven so new radios show up pretty quickly.

I did try the Wouxun software and didn't care for it. 

[WRUE951]

5 minutes ago, dosw said:

I haven't paid the RT price, so I don't know what I'm missing there.

 

CHIRP has been adequate for my needs, and I find that it does control all the settings I can think of for the KG-UV980P, as well as for my other radios (UV-5G, AR-5RM, RA87). There are things I don't like about it's UI: Copying, moving, pasting, cursor movement.... some things are just not quite as easy to use as a typical spreadsheet. But it works and is reliable. And it's community driven so new radios show up pretty quickly.

I did try the Wouxun software and didn't care for it. 

RT is defiantly easer to use but considering the amount of time, at least for me, you spend on programing, i can get things done almost as fast in CHIRP.     I'm not a fan of the Wouxun software either but it does do everything needed.    I don't use much of either anymore since i use mostly Hytera stuff now.  Their CPM is extremely easy to use and learn and very powerful. I have a couiple Motorloa radios, which i like but never could get my hands around their CPM..  

[SteveShannon]

5 minutes ago, dosw said:

I haven't paid the RT price, so I don't know what I'm missing there.

 

CHIRP has been adequate for my needs, and I find that it does control all the settings I can think of for the KG-UV980P, as well as for my other radios (UV-5G, AR-5RM, RA87). There are things I don't like about it's UI: Copying, moving, pasting, cursor movement.... some things are just not quite as easy to use as a typical spreadsheet. But it works and is reliable. And it's community driven so new radios show up pretty quickly.

I did try the Wouxun software and didn't care for it. 

Chirp does remarkably well for being non-commercial software.  If it was available for all of my radios I might never have switched to RT Systems.  And I will not say that RT Systems has worked perfectly.  I’ve run across a few problems with RT Systems when programming DMR code plugs, which admittedly is an order of magnitude more complicated than typical analog radios. But their DMR calculator makes it much easier and when I have had a problem I have been very impressed by RT Systems willingness to thoroughly discuss and understand every issue that I have reported. Having RT Systems available for my db20g radios really made the difference for me though.  I really like this radio and Chirp isn’t available for this radio.

[WRUE951]

4 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

Chirp does remarkably well for being non-commercial software.  If it was available for all of my radios I might never have switched to RT Systems.  And I will not say that RT Systems has worked perfectly.  I’ve run across a few problems with RT Systems when programming DMR code plugs, which admittedly is an order of magnitude more complicated than typical analog radios. But their DMR calculator makes it much easier and when I have had a problem I have been very impressed by RT Systems willingness to thoroughly discuss and understand every issue that I have reported. Having RT Systems available for my db20g radios really made the difference for me though.  I really like this radio and Chirp isn’t available for this radio.

DMR is defiantly a different game, which I have never used RT or Chirp to do since my Hytera CPM does it well.  Right now the only DMR radios i have is Hytera and mostly because i like their overall package and ease of using their CPM. Not to mention some very good deals i've gotten on Ebay....  

[Lscott]

17 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

Chirp does remarkably well for being non-commercial software.  If it was available for all of my radios I might never have switched to RT Systems.  And I will not say that RT Systems has worked perfectly.  I’ve run across a few problems with RT Systems when programming DMR code plugs, which admittedly is an order of magnitude more complicated than typical analog radios. But their DMR calculator makes it much easier and when I have had a problem I have been very impressed by RT Systems willingness to thoroughly discuss and understand every issue that I have reported. Having RT Systems available for my db20g radios really made the difference for me though.  I really like this radio and Chirp isn’t available for this radio.

My personal preference is to use the official factory software where possible. That's really important for commercial radios. CHIRP is nice, but for every radio it supports the developers have to reverse engineer the code plug layout and communications protocol with the radio. When it works, great. The one issue with Chirp is it may not always give you access to all of the radio's features. For that the only choice is the factory software.