Display distortion and color problems after cycling DC power to Wouxun KG-XS20G+ with Program Cable connected

[WRNU354]

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

[LeoG]

Looks like it went into one of the several screen modes.  Maybe you changed it.

[SteveShannon]

24 minutes ago, WRNU354 said:

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

Try moving the power cable and usb cable away from each other to see if it makes a difference. 

[WRYZ926]

I see someone has forgotten the golden rule - It's better to say nothing at all if you don't have anything nice to say.

@WRNU354. I have not seen that issue with my XS20G or either of my 1000G radios. I usually leave the programming cable plugged in when the radios power cycle after sending any changes to the radio from the computer.

Sorry that I am not much help here. Let me think on this while working to get the excess blood out of my caffeine system this morning.

[WRUU653]

12 hours ago, WRNU354 said:

The problem can be cleared and also avoided by removing the Wouxun Programming cable prior to cycling DC power.

 I first read this as a problem but after reading again it seems more like a quirk with OP providing the solution. 

10 hours ago, LeoG said:

Looks like it went into one of the several screen modes.  Maybe you changed it.

I thought this too but looking through the manual I didn't see a way to change the screen.?

1 hour ago, WRYZ926 said:

Sorry that I am not much help here. Let me think on this while working to get the excess blood out of my caffeine system this morning.

An important reminder. What am I doing? ...must go get coffee.

[LeoG]

1 minute ago, WRUU653 said:

 I first read this as a problem but after reading again it seems more like a quirk with OP providing the solution. 

I thought this too but looking through the manual I didn't see a way to change the screen.?

An important reminder. What am I doing? ...must go get coffee.

It's there somewhere.  I believe it has 4 modes.  I think they call it THEME

[WRYZ926]

20 minutes ago, LeoG said:

It's there somewhere.  I believe it has 4 modes.  I think they call it THEME

Yes there are several available themes. The startup screen is the same no matter which theme is used. It could have just been a glitch in the software/firmware.

I would like to see if it reappears when the programming software writes to the radio and the radio automatically restarts when written to all while leaving the programming cable plugged in. I would not manually power cycle the radio after writing to the radio.

I have not seen this happen with my XS20G. I'm curious if doing a factory rest will clear any glitches.

[WRUU653]

17 minutes ago, LeoG said:

It's there somewhere.  I believe it has 4 modes.  I think they call it THEME

You are correct. The hazards of not enough coffee, I was looking at the non plus manual. 

[WRYZ926]

18 minutes ago, WRUU653 said:

You are correct. The hazards of not enough coffee, I was looking at the non plus manual. 

The hazards of too much blood in the caffeine system can be dangerous. 

I'm still racking my brain on this now that I have a bit more coffee in me.

[WRYZ926]

Okay now that I have had more time to think on this, I'm thinking his radio just has a glitch. I have left the programming cable plugged in to both the radio and computer while turning the radio on and off each day and have not seen his issue.

I am going to suggest a factory rest and see if the issue is still happening.

[RIPPER238]

13 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

Really? A woxoun having issues?   Really?   Number 759 on the reasons why I won’t own a woxoun.  

Please list the 759 reasons. I'm curious since they seem to be one, if not the only quality brand with a lot of useful features for GMRS in a hand held.  

[WRNU354]

18 hours ago, LeoG said:

Looks like it went into one of the several screen modes.  Maybe you changed it.

20 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Try moving the power cable and usb cable away from each other to see if it makes a difference. 

9 hours ago, WRUU653 said:

 I first read this as a problem but after reading again it seems more like a quirk with OP providing the solution.

8 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I have not seen this happen with my XS20G. I'm curious if doing a factory rest will clear any glitches.

7 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

I am going to suggest a factory rest and see if the issue is still happening.

Ok, took me a while to figure out how to post a reply, so I hope this is the correct method!

Special thanks for each of your suggestions and feed back on your experience with the KG-XS20!

For brevity, I left of the results of interim testing from my posted findings.

For LeoG;  When the problem occurs the initial power-on screen and main screen colors are REALLY messed up. It's nothing close to one of the 4 Themes( menu 56). When the problem first showed up, I uploaded the radio's configuration to my PC and verified the Theme had not changed either accidently or by memory corruption. The next thing was I attempted to correct the problem by changing the screen from one Theme to another, but it had no effect.

For SteveShannon; I too was concerned about loose coupling of noise onto the DC lines or the Wouxun programming cable. I even considered my switcher DC power supply might be generating noise or significant transients on power-up, but with careful monitoring I didn't see anything unusual. Just to be sure I shorten the DC supply lines to the radio to just 1ft and rerouted A/C cords, coax and the programming cable to prevent significant contact.

For WRYZ926; I believe a FULL factory reset DID clear the problem, but my notes/memory are a little fuzzy on that. Either way, I didn't considered a fix given the frequency the problem was occuring. Basically it was occurring everytime I sat down, turned on the DC power supply and hit the radio's on-button. 

Just turning my KG-XS20Plus on or off using the radio's power button or having the radio reboot itself after an upload had no effect in creating or clearing the problem. I'm curious if using the exact steps I described in my post you will experience the problem. If you get a chance, let me know!

 

 

 

[OffRoaderX]

As long as you are in the Themes settings, you should choose the "NotARubi" theme for optimal performance.

[WRNU354]

12 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

As long as you are in the Themes settings, you should choose the "NotARubi" theme for optimal performance.

Alas, Wouxun... Ocean did not include the "NotARubi" theme in the KG- XS20G Plus... Plus.

In these difficult times "some people" say this is only a minor oversight, but they are wrong.

[WRYZ926]

22 minutes ago, WRNU354 said:

Alas, Wouxun... Ocean did not include the "NotARubi" theme in the KG- XS20G Plus... Plus.

In these difficult times "some people" say this is only a minor oversight, but they are wrong.

Don't feel bad. Mine doesn't have it either. But I did buy my XS20G Plus at the end of 2023.

[Socalgmrs]

Really? A woxoun having issues?   Really?   Number 759 on the reasons why I won’t own a woxoun.