Wouxun KG-1000G tips and tricks thread

[Sbsyncro]

After posting to someone else's thread and realizing I hijacked his thread about scanning, I figured I'd start a new thread with cool "tips and tricks" that people have discovered with their new KG-1000G radios.   Perhaps we can also use this thread as a "does anyone know how to..." for the KG-1000G.  It will also be an interesting read for anyone considering this radio, since it will hopefully eventually contain a lot of detailed info about how specific features are implemented.

 

I'll start with this one (cross-posted from the other thread - if someone can tell me how do delete that other post, I will be glad to do so!):

 

Quickly adding a "privacy tone" that others are using on blister pack radios

My Jeep and I were in a parade over the weekend for a couple of WWII vets that were celebrating birthdays (97 and 100!).  The organizers were on GMRS/FRS HTs and I asked what channel they were on.  "Channel 7 with privacy channel 35" he told me.  Not knowing which brand radios they were using nor remembering off the top of my head which frequency corresponds to "privacy code 35" on most radios, I was able to use the Menu [41] "SC-CTC" option (which I've programmed to Key C) to "grab" their PL frequency and then save it to my radio on channel 7 within about 30 seconds.  Super handy if you're needing to inter-operate with people on Motorola, Midland, or Cobra radios and using "privacy channels".  Note: If you want to be able to RX and Tx with the tone, you need to also change the default setting for Menu [40] "SC-QT" from DECODER to ALL.  

 

Pretty neat feature that saved me the stress of having to manually look up possible tones and then program them via FPP while the parade was starting...

[OffRoaderX]

I cant wait to use the STUN/KILL function on the next guy that tries to road-rage on me!

[HCCFCA]

Reviving this KG1000 thread... I did a search but couldn't find a thread on this.

I have several repeaters operating on the same channel but in different locations.  Is it possible to program multiple repeaters operating on the same channel using only the radio/mic keypad? Is there a step-by-step for this? 

If software is needed, I would need something that works on a MAC. Does that animal exist?

[serrasalmus]

great idea!

 

only ones i can think about right now are.

 

mic extension cable a standard cat5 cable works (don't remember who originally found this but thank you)

 

for a remote head mount cable u can make your own for that perfect install, just make sure what ever standard u use, that you reverse pins 2 and 4 on one end

[SkylinesSuck]

That was me on the mic extension, but as you noted the cable for the face plate is different. Great idea for a thread!

[Sbsyncro]

Maybe I should start a completely different thread for getting the #*($&*&^ programming cable to be recognized by Windows computers.   I keep an ancient (WinXP SP2) laptop just for programming radios and other windows-only stuff, and for the life of me I cannot get it to install the drivers for the programming cable.  It fails trying to install one of the .inf files (can't remember which one off the top of my head).  Luckily just about everything can be done via FPP as far as I know, though creating new custom channels and scan groups is a bit tricky with the rapid time-out.

[Mikeam]

A few things to consider when installing you transceiver. One the plug in for the programming cable is on the side of the radio not using the same port as the hand held microphone which needs to be considered especially for under seat installations. Two is which faceplate to use will depend on where you install the radio, default is the face plate looking slightly up. If you want a flat face plate, change it on your work bench not in your vehicle (it is a tight fit for the patch cord on the flat face plate). Three the supplied mounting bracket is the way all brackets should be made start the four screws and slide them into the precut groves (no dropped screws), I really like this feature especially in a jeep!!!!

[n4gix]

Tip: When mounting under the seat (or other hard to access locations), invest in another programming cable and leave it plugged in and coiled up so you can plug it in to a laptop whenever needing to re-program the radio's functions/memories.

[Sbsyncro]

I just noticed today while doing some SWR testing that the unit powers down to 40w for repeater channels, but appears to be putting out darned close to its rated 50w on the GMRS channels (and about 5.5 on the FRS channels)

 

[Mikeam]

Wow mine shows the right power for all the repeater channels!

[mbrun]

I just noticed today while doing some SWR testing that the unit powers down to 40w for repeater channels, but appears to be putting out darned close to its rated 50w on the GMRS channels (and about 5.5 on the FRS channels)

 

Nice observation.

 

Don’t let the SWR power reading mislead you. I have that same meter. The readings I get when using that meter with an antenna will at times appear as though less power is being put out and at times more power is being put out. However, when I replace the antenna with a purely resistive dummy load, that same meter has shown consistently that power of all my radios to be within a 1-5% of what the manufacturer’s rating is.

 

One time I was using the meter with a 5-watt HT. Radio measured 4.9+ watts into the dummy load but about 8.9 watts into an antenna. Wow, big difference. Bottom line, don’t trust the power readings you get with that meter while using an antenna. Give the readings you obtain while using a dummy load more weight. After all, that is how the factory determines power too.

 

Just a little nugget of experience for you. Hope it helps.

 

Regards,

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[Sbsyncro]

Wow mine shows the right power for all the repeater channels!

I wonder if there is a setting somewhere for adjusting the power.  I did see something where you can adjust the "medium" power to be a couple of different settings, but nothing specific to the repeater channels.   To Michael's point, this isn't really a true test of power (it will read low with the cable & antenna versus a dummy load).  But based on the other readings, it seems like a big drop.  I'm just too cheap to spend $40 on a dummy load.

[Mikeam]

Also do not forget you can monitor HAM frequencies (but not transmit on them) with this transceiver which will give you a better idea of the world of ham radio, just an fyi!

[SkylinesSuck]

I've been listening to local fire and sheriff's dispatch in addition to air traffic control in my area as well. My kids get a kick out of hearing me at work on it.

 

Has anybody tried the Wouxan Bluetooth mic? I'm also looking for a good external speaker for it but I can't find what impedance the radio wants. It's just not loud enough in my noisy Jeep for me.

[mbrun]

The radio technically has 4 power levels. Low, Medium-Low, Medium-High, High. As a user you are in control of which of the two medium power settings you will actually use, but you do that in advance. Then, when using the radio you can press a single button on the microphone to cycle between H, M, L. Which power is actually used for medium then is based on your earlier decision.

 

Every channel has its own power setting too so you can have some channels on H, some on M, some on L. It is your choice.

 

I wonder if there is a setting somewhere for adjusting the power. I did see something where you can adjust the "medium" power to be a couple of different settings, but nothing specific to the repeater channels...

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[Sbsyncro]

I've been listening to local fire and sheriff's dispatch in addition to air traffic control in my area as well. My kids get a kick out of hearing me at work on it.
 
Has anybody tried the Wouxan Bluetooth mic? I'm also looking for a good external speaker for it but I can't find what impedance the radio wants. It's just not loud enough in my noisy Jeep for me.

Bluetooth mic? Also, if you find a good external speaker please post a link to this thread.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SkylinesSuck]

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-mmo-004bt.html

[PRadio]

On 4/14/2021 at 7:20 PM, Sbsyncro said:

I wonder if there is a setting somewhere for adjusting the power.  I did see something where you can adjust the "medium" power to be a couple of different settings, but nothing specific to the repeater channels.   To Michael's point, this isn't really a true test of power (it will read low with the cable & antenna versus a dummy load).  But based on the other readings, it seems like a big drop.  I'm just too cheap to spend $40 on a dummy load.

As was said earlier, that meter requires the use of a dummy load for accurate power level readings. I have the same meter. 

[mbrun]

I have spent some time today investigating the pinouts and behavior of the RJ45 connections on the radio for the purpose of integrating with other things. I have also messaged BTWR to ask for the official information. I will post the results here in the near future.

One think I discovered today is what I consider to be an error in the manual. The pin numbers used in the manual for the RJ45 (8P8C) connector are backwards from the standard. So if you make you own cable and reverse the conductors based on the standard pin numbers, the cable will be incorrect. If using the standard pin numbers, Pins 5 and 7 need to be reversed end to end, not 2 and 4 as indicated in the manual. However, if you follow the graphic in the manual you will be fine.

Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Edit: Here are the current pinout findings.

[SkylinesSuck]

Not much of a trick and it may seem obvious to others, but I just noticed that this radio can monitor CB freqs. Gonna get it programmed up this weekend. I have a CB in my Jeep, but never use it or even turn it on really.  I like the idea of tucking the CB away in the center console and being able to monitor CB freqs just in case.  Then I can dig out the CB if I need.

[serrasalmus]

did not know this. good to know since i25 is right here and i use it alot, the ability to just have channel 19 in there is a awesome find! GREAT JOB!

[mbrun]

Not much of a trick and it may seem obvious to others, but I just noticed that this radio can monitor CB freqs. Gonna get it programmed up this weekend. I have a CB in my Jeep, but never use it or even turn it on really.  I like the idea of tucking the CB away in the center console and being able to monitor CB freqs just in case.  Then I can dig out the CB if I need.

How did you find out about the CB receive support and what did you do to activate it? The lowest I can tune using the VFO is 50MHz.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

[SkylinesSuck]

Well, maybe I spoke too soon then. I haven't actually had a chance to try it yet.  I just saw in the instruction manual the range of frequencies covered included 26-30mhz.  Maybe you can get to it through the software? I won't have a chance to try until tomorrow evening.  I'm basically either working or sleeping between now and then.

[SkylinesSuck]

Also just remembered CB is AM (just like ATC freqs) so maybe you have to enable AM first?  I think I had problems trying to manually tune ATC before but with the software it was no problem.

[SkylinesSuck]

Interesting. I just downloaded the pdf of the instruction booklet and it did indeed say 50mhz is as low as it goes.  I did notice the CB freqs while having a beer last night so maybe I read it wrong, but I don't think so? Will report back when I get home tonight.

[mbrun]

The radio it is based on (KG-UV980) does appear to have that capability, and the radio does have auto AM detect for use with the band. No SSB that I am aware of. It would not surprise me that some remnants of that radio manual found its way into the 1000G manual. If you discover a way to activate that band I am sure others will have interest in knowing how you did it.

Here on the R&L website is where I read that the base radio is capable of it.
http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=330&products_id=75118&osCsid=ft9op7vddelsatknupf0pupcp5


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM