Question: How to select power on Wouxun 805G?

[OldRadioGuy]

In order to save battery it can be nice to start out with low power then switch to 5W when things get noisy.

I don't think there is a way to to this "on the fly" with an 805G except for changing channels between hi and low power band segments (like 6 and 9).

One problem is that if things get bad you have to way to contact the other party and have them switch to channel 6 (or whatever) for higher power.

You're stuck on low power.  So you have to stay on top of things of just go hi power whenever in doubt.

 

The only way I know of to have a Low/Hi switch on a particular channel is to get the software and program the radio for two copies of each channel.

So you'd have 1H, 1L, 2H, 2L...  then you just change the "channel" to switch power from low to hi.

Obviously this is cumbersome and you have to buy the programming cable etc.  But it seems like it would do the job.

 

Does anybody know a trick to program a button to switch between power levels? 

I've looked quite a bit and not found it.   Sure would be nice though.

 

Vince

[Lscott]

On the various Chinese radios I have in my collection there is a setting for the TX power level accessible through the menu system. It should be documented in the user manual.

[OldRadioGuy]

I wish it had that but it doesn't.

Been through the manual a dozen times hoping I just missed it.

 

Only available through PC programming.

 

Vince

[mbrun]

Field selectable power setting is one of the weaknesses of the KG-805G. I too wish it had it. Even my Midland GXT1000 handhelds field adjustable power settings in alignment with part 95e rules.

 

It would be nice to see a upgrade version of the radio emerge that

fills in the feature gaps. I also believe strongly that the radio could be made field configurable without the need for software or a full keypad.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[MacJack]

Vince, I feel your pain... what I did was get the cable and since I have a Mac, I use CHIRP software and select KG-816 since KG-805G is not on the list yet.  

 

Now I put at the end on the FRS/GRMS/Repeater channels my picks.  That way the channels I use the most is at the end of channel location.  I would cut and paste say a line for channel 15 and put it at the end and label the location Channel "15 Low".  I would not add two powers for all the channels, just my select ones.  I would also add my privater repeaters I'm a member of with the PL codes and leave the Repeater Channels with no PL codes so I can listen in.

 

Hope this mockup works for you.  This is my spreadsheet not what it looks like on the CHIRP software I have to program.

 

Jack

 

Disclaimer... this is for illustration only do not use to program your radio...  

 

[OldRadioGuy]

DON'T USE CHIRP for the 805G.

Use only the Wouxun software.

 

There was just a posting on one of these forums that I guy completely "bricked" his radio by using Chirp.

Somehow it loaded some "bad" settings that were not recoverable even by re-loading the radio from the code-plug.

 

I think the post was in the tech section just a day or two ago.

 

Vince

[MozartMan]

DON'T USE CHIRP for the 805G.

Use only the Wouxun software.

 

There was just a posting on one of these forums that I guy completely "bricked" his radio by using Chirp.

Somehow it loaded some "bad" settings that were not recoverable even by re-loading the radio from the code-plug.

 

I think the post was in the tech section just a day or two ago.

 

Vince

 

Yes, that was me.

[OldRadioGuy]

I sent an email to Buy Two Way Radios and they thought it would be a nice idea if they could get Wouxun to allow the a/b button or red button to serve as power level select.

Maybe in the next firmware update.  I guess they are going to mention it to Wouxun.  So we'll see.

 

Hey, it's worth a shot.

 

Vince

[MacJack]

Vince, It is OK to use CHIRP for 805G...  Just do not delete some of the channels.  I'm the guy who fixed MozartMan bricked 805G with a backup of the factory setting...  You see both MozartMan and I deleted the error channel on the list which the radio uses as a check setting... so to others do not delete channels errors on the list.  In fact the owner of BTWR contacted me and asked me for the file I sent so to MozartMan which worked so they would have it to give out as many of his users have Mac and not PC which only CHIRP works on Mac and not the PC version of 805G software... In fact Micheal and I use CHIRP for our 805G as we can do so much more in setting up the radio...  Config different scans and other setting.  So easy to use and understand.

 

Hope this helps you.

Jack 

 

P.S. Any Mac users with CHIRP on a 805G, feel free to PM me and we will get you up and running... it may take a phone call and within 15 to 30 you will be happy.

DON'T USE CHIRP for the 805G.

Use only the Wouxun software.

 

There was just a posting on one of these forums that I guy completely "bricked" his radio by using Chirp.

Somehow it loaded some "bad" settings that were not recoverable even by re-loading the radio from the code-plug.

 

I think the post was in the tech section just a day or two ago.

 

Vince

[mbrun]

Field selectable power setting is one of the weaknesses of the KG-805G. I too wish it had it. Even my Midland GXT1000 handhelds field adjustable power settings in alignment with part 95e rules.

 

It would be nice to see a upgrade version of the radio emerge that

fills in the feature gaps. I also believe strongly that the radio could be made field configurable without the need for software or a full keypad.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

Looks like the new KG-905G solves the field selectable power problem.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[OldRadioGuy]

Hi Jack

I did later see your post saving Mozart's bricked radio.

I bet he was glad to get that.

I have a PC so can just use the safer Wouxun software to program.

 

I also see Michael's post that there is a new 905G coming with a power setting in the menus at least.

I always have the best timing - having bought my 805G's like 3 weeks ago.

 

I hope they still offer a firmware update allowing a power select on the 805G. 

 

Maybe I'll just keep using chans 8-14 for low power while I think about it.

 

Vince

[MacJack]

Sorry Vince in long delay in response to your post...  Wife remodeling kitchen and she picked me for the job....  It a two month project and down to hanging cabinet doors back up.

 

Yes, MozartMan was very happy, even to hear BTWR owner wanted the file to help others who call his support.  Happy to serve.  You can run CHIRP on your PC if you like... Michael uses both programs on his PC, if I remember him saying so in a PM or Post.  We like it for the cut and paste moving channel location on the radio list then upload to radios.  I should state I do not have a PC switched to Mac years ago as the now adult kids where in High School and College and I could not support MS Window while on the road....  So I told them call 1-800 Apple so they would value my help.  Remember back in those days we did not have screen sharing software or fast internet, more like dialup speed, yes I'm old.

 

Yes, I saw Michael post... on KG-905G.  I'm reading up to see if it a radio for me...  I do not want to be radio poor if I'm planning to sit for Ham ticket with Grand Daughter "GD" this summer which will lead to more radios and possible divorce, thus the kitchen project. Joking.  With what spend and saved on this DYI project I could have a whole house full of radios and rent them out to others.

 

You are not the only person who has new KG-805G... my two are 8 weeks old.  But for my first radio, I know there would be bigger and better radios coming.  So I have no regrets at $80 purchase for a Part 95 certified radio for GMRS.  It is for the longterm and hand me down value.  It has great sound and reach our local privately owned repeater... 20+ miles oneway with the handheld and 15 inch antenna.  I have not mounted my outside antenna yet as I to remove driver dash and fix knee speaker then run cable through firewall in that general area per youtube.  It is a rainy day Jeep project after kitchen.  As the Grand Kid "GK" get older and prove to me they can use a FRS like one should on a GMRS radio, it will be hand me down then but that's several years away.  They will work find for two of the GK boys at the right time.  So my 805G is a stepping stone as GD and as we will be studying and setting for our Ham ticket this summer.

 

A firmware update would be nice just for the scanning, but who knows if the firmware upgrade and the 805G chip are workable...  above my pay grade. 

 

As for lower power channels, I put a few location at the end of the channel listing.  Yes they are duplicates channel and I added PL Code and label them  LPower and HPower so I would say to GD, "go to HP" because I was getting to far away.  Or if she could not hear me she would go to HPower and call out.  I do that with CHIRP software as it easy.  But backup your radio config on both PC software and CHIRP or you will be reaching out to me....  FYI I'm up to 3 PM request for my factory backup config file.

 

I'm a little long but you had some good comments worth sharing what going on with me and 805G and 905G.  Back to work on the kitchen, my break is over.

 

Jack

 

Hi Jack

I did later see your post saving Mozart's bricked radio.

I bet he was glad to get that.

I have a PC so can just use the safer Wouxun software to program.

 

I also see Michael's post that there is a new 905G coming with a power setting in the menus at least.

I always have the best timing - having bought my 805G's like 3 weeks ago.

 

I hope they still offer a firmware update allowing a power select on the 805G. 

 

Maybe I'll just keep using chans 8-14 for low power while I think about it.

 

Vince