Wouxun KG-805G Stopped RX-ing/TX-ing after using CHIRP.

[MozartMan]

Wouxun KG-805G Stopped RX-ing/TX-ing after using CHIRP.

Hi everybody,

I received my Wouxun KG-805G three days ago from BuyTwoWayRadios.com. It is a great small radio. Sound quality is great. I downloaded and installed Wouxun factory software and programmed the radio. Everything was working fine.

Then yesterday, after reading multiple posts on this forum where some people said that they used CHIRP and 816 profile to program 805G, I tried to do that. After uploading file from CHIRP to 805G this happened:

• All voice commands switched to Chinese language.
• Radio stopped transmitting and receiving. Display shows that it transmits, but my GMRS-V1 doesn’t get any signal on the same channel. And when I transmit from V1, 805G does not get anything.

Then I used factory software and their default codeplug file to restore 805G, but it did not help.

I called BuyTwoWayRadios.com customer services and described everything. They said that this was problem between CHIRP and 805G, and that this was not warrantable.

I search Internet and found post from October 2020 in this thread:

https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/wouxun-kg-805g.414204/

Quote from that thread:

Quote

Update: turns out that the CHIRP read embeds certain defaults into the radio, including Chinese voice, 60 sec TOT and several other things. I tried unprogramming and reprogramming the radio without success and I can't get it to stop doing these things, so for the moment, DO NOT use CHIRP to program the radio. Sorry I posted this and hopefully people will see this before they try it. Just wanted to make sure folks were forewarned and I apologize for not discovering and posting the problem earlier.

It looks like I am stuck with $80 brick.

Any suggestion appreciated.

[MacJack]

MozartMan, this happen to me over the Christmas holiday and could not get help from BTWR as they where closed...  So being an computer guy, I just took the saved CHIRP file I made before making any changes...  It fixed it and then reprogramed and all is working... Send me a PM with you email address and I will send you a virgin factory CHIRP config file for you to upload (send) to your 805G...  

Jack

[wayoverthere]

One thought that comes to mind (if you haven't already) is to set the display to show frequencies instead of channel names...I'm curious if it may have carried in the frequencies incorrect, hence no receive.

 

Also, have you looked into the factory reset suggested in that radio reference thread? (Haven't needed to do it, so not sure what it entails...)

[MozartMan]

On 2/23/2021 at 3:42 PM, wayoverthere said:

One thought that comes to mind (if you haven't already) is to set the display to show frequencies instead of channel names...I'm curious if it may have carried in the frequencies incorrect, hence no receive.

I just tried that. Frequencies are correct.
 

Quote

Also, have you looked into the factory reset suggested in that radio reference thread? (Haven't needed to do it, so not sure what it entails...)

There is no factory reset in the menu of 805G radio like BTECH GMRS-V1 has.

[mbrun]

I just tried that. Frequencies are correct.

 

 

There is no factory reset in the menu of 805G radio like BTECH GMRS-V1 has.

Chirp does not officially support the KG-805G yet (to the best of my knowledge). While you may have luck with it, you may also brick it. Best bet is to start fresh using the factory software that is free from BTWR website. Load in the standard code plug (without any changes) that is also available from the BTWR website. Then, if loading the standard plug back into the radio does not solve your problem, you are likely looking at buying a new radio.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[wayoverthere]

I just tried that. Frequencies are correct.

 

 

There is no factory reset in the menu of 805G radio like BTECH GMRS-V1 has.

Just found that in btwr's response here ..damn. https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2020/07/wouxun-kg-805g-and-kg-805m-video.html

[MozartMan]

On 2/23/2021 at 9:14 PM, MacJack said:

Send me a PM with you email address and I will send you a virgin factory CHIRP config file for you to upload (send) to your 805G...  

Jack

Jack,

PM sent. Thank you in advance.

[MozartMan]

BIG BIG BIG thanks to Jack for fixing my bricked 805G.

[wayoverthere]

BIG BIG BIG thanks to Jack for fixing my bricked 805G.

Glad his codeplug was able to get you sorted!  Way to go Mac!

[MozartMan]

On 2/23/2021 at 11:10 PM, wayoverthere said:

Glad his codeplug was able to get you sorted!  Way to go Mac!

Yes!!!!!

[8nannyfoe]

You likely wont be the last to do this mistake.   This forum truly is a great resource!!   If it hasn't been done yet, maybe even let BTWR know their is a solution or at least let them know how to direct their customers to a solution.   I can appreciate they don't want to get involved in distributing non OEM software but it would really help BTWR save some face if they could offer a solution.

[MozartMan]

So, the moral of my story:

DO NOT USE CHIRP for Wouxun KG-805G with 816 profile because it is very easy to brick your 805G radio.

CHIRP does not have 805G profile, and with 816 profile it does not support global settings.

Factory Wouxun software for 805G looks like from Windows 95 era, but at least it works without problems.

[mbrun]

BuyTwoWayRadios, as the sole importer, would do well to either work with Chirp and/or RT Systems to get official software support for all the GMRS radios they are selling. The Wouxun software works, but is so elementary and feels like it was written in the 80s or 90s, and not even on par with Windows 95 software IMO.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[RobG429]

Hi Everyone... Exact same issue here.  I'm hoping Jack can help me out..! 

 

[mbrun]

Hi Everyone... Exact same issue here.  I'm hoping Jack can help me out..! 
 

That is the risk one takes when using a different model in Chirp to program a radio. Doing so can result in irreversible bricking of a radio.

Go to the BTWR website and download the factory code plug.
https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-805g.html
Look for it under the Download tab. Upload that code plug using the factory software. That should fix it. If not, reach out to MACJACK. I believe he has a code plug that may get you operational again.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

[RobG429]

Thank you Michael.  I tried but it didn't work.  I most certainly learned a valuable lesson.  I pinged Mozart and Jack.  I'm hoping one of them can help me out.  

-Rob

[MacJack]

Just send you an email with file...  Let me know if that works...

MacJack

P.S.  Had two days of Fathers Day with all the kids...  From 34 yo to 52 yo. 7 kids not including all the grand kids.

[RuralCaptain53]

Having the same issue. Sent Mac a message to try and see if that CHIRP file will do the trick.

[MacJack]

21 hours ago, RuralCaptain53 said:

Having the same issue. Sent Mac a message to try and see if that CHIRP file will do the trick.

RuralCaptain53, I emailed your file... Sorry for delay, been driving for two days with the kids.

MacJack

[WROS490]

Well, I've just been burned by this issue. I think what happened is that I edited my CHIRP config file for the KG-805G using CHIRP-Next and then CHIRP-Next did not want to recognize the KG-805G, so I tried to upload the config that was edited in CHIRP-Next using HIRPp-daily and now the radio can't transmit or receive.

I emailed BTWR about this, it seems like they used to have a code plug on the product page but it seems to no longer be there.

If one of you  could send me the CHIRP file to fix the KG-805G it would make me extremely happy - it doesn't help that I just sold this radio to a friend and was just updating some programming for him   This is not a 2 hour rabbit hole I was expecting to go down.

[MozartMan]

6 hours ago, WROS490 said:

Well, I've just been burned by this issue. I think what happened is that I edited my CHIRP config file for the KG-805G using CHIRP-Next and then CHIRP-Next did not want to recognize the KG-805G, so I tried to upload the config that was edited in CHIRP-Next using HIRPp-daily and now the radio can't transmit or receive.

I emailed BTWR about this, it seems like they used to have a code plug on the product page but it seems to no longer be there.

If one of you  could send me the CHIRP file to fix the KG-805G it would make me extremely happy - it doesn't help that I just sold this radio to a friend and was just updating some programming for him   This is not a 2 hour rabbit hole I was expecting to go down.

Don't use CHIRP for KG-805G. You need Wouxun OEM software for 805G. Do you have it?

I will send you PM when I upload KG-805G code plug file to my cloud storage.

PS

PM sent.

[WROS490]

19 hours ago, MozartMan said:

Don't use CHIRP for KG-805G. You need Wouxun OEM software for 805G. Do you have it?

I will send you PM when I upload KG-805G code plug file to my cloud storage.

PS

PM sent.

I have been using CHIRP and it's been working OK for a few months using the KG-816 mode but I guess CHIRP-next messed up my config or something. 

The code plug you sent me installed fine but I still can't transmit or receive.  I wonder if a config read from a working KG-805G unit using CHIRP would help restore my radio. Does anyone have experience with that or have one of these files around, or is willing to make one? I searched my computer for the old CHIRP config file but it seems to be lost or overwritten. I guess I could buy another KG-805G and pull the working CHIRP config if I can't get help from someone online.

It also doesn't help that this radio got wet recently and there's a chance that the TX/RX got fried due to moisture and it's not code plug related at all.

[BoxCar]

4 hours ago, WROS490 said:

It also doesn't help that this radio got wet recently and there's a chance that the TX/RX got fried due to moisture and it's not code plug related at all.

Getting wet is probably the reason. Depending on where and how it got wet may have left debris inside or you didn't wait long enough for the radio to fully dry. Leaving the radio in a warm (100+) temperature for 48 - 72 hours would help ensure water was gone.

[SteveShannon]

I don’t know how to disassemble an 805g case, but whenever a piece of electronics gear gets immersed it’s important to remove the batteries, disassemble it, rinse it in fresh water (if you know what you’re doing), or clean it with alcohol on a q-tip (while protecting any components that have ports, like beepers, microphones, speakers, barometric sensors, etc), and then raising its temperature slightly until it’s completely dry. Overnight eight or ten inches from a standard desk lamp works well.  Closer is not always better.  Even placing a circuit board on top of a power supply or electronic device that feels warm to the touch can do it. 

Circuit boards and most of their components are not usually damaged by water per se, but powering up a circuit while moisture and dirt are present can really foul things up. However, some of the components on a circuit board might be permanently damaged by getting wet. It’s important to avoid getting them wet.  They’re the ones I mentioned above, the beepers, microphones, speakers, barometric sensors, etc. 

 

[kerstuff]

I believe Boxcar is correct.  

Edited January 10, 2023 by kerstuff
Spelling

[Lscott]

4 hours ago, Sshannon said:

Circuit boards and most of their components are not usually damaged by water per se, but powering up a circuit while moisture and dirt are present can really foul things up. However, some of the components on a circuit board might be permanently damaged by getting wet. It’s important to avoid getting them wet.  They’re the ones I mentioned above, the beepers, microphones, speakers, barometric sensors, etc. 

 

As a side note if you have to deal with industrial equipment water, even water vapor, has corroded electronic components. This was particularly true of leaded types, not SMD. The leads are cheap steel wire which are copper plated. Crack or otherwise break the copper plating then the steel wire underneath starts corroding. I've seen enough PCB's where the parts have fallen off due to this.