My thoughts and reviews of using the Wouxun KG-1000G+ after nearly a year.

[Sonicgott]

Before I begin: I've endeavored to obtain both a GMRS license, and an Amateur Extra radio license. WSCL244/KF0QNM. I have learned much since then, but there's always more to learn.

- Installation -

This was difficult, but only due to the fact that my type of vehicle (Ford Fusion 2017) is extremely difficult to get through the firewall. Since also installing an HF Radio (Yaesu FT-891), getting a power cord routed through the door jam from the battery was much easier, at the risk of interference, which fortunately was minimal.

The center of my console fit the KG1000G+ perfectly.

The antenna system I chose was the Midland MXTA26 6dBi whip antenna, and the Midland MXTA12 mag mount. These work perfectly with the KG1000G+, and the radio is quite happy with it. The mag mount is on the center of the roof of my vehicle, with the cables guided around the edge of the rear windshield with mild adhesive, going through the rear side of my trunk lid. The weather stripping is slightly depressed from the cable, but it has not caused an issue, nor has water traveled into the trunk. In retrospect, there is most likely a better way to route the antenna cable, but this would involve physically drilling holes into my car, which I want to avoid. Signal quality is 80% good. Rare moments of static, which is unavoidable because of my route to work and where I live. As the great Notarubicon would say: Your FARS may vary. I can communicate to repeaters pretty far. I was able to reach Lakeville from Brooklyn Park, MN, which is 40+ miles.

I am wired directly to my car's battery. You can build a battery box for use inside the vehicle if you so desire. My KG1000G+ operates just fine between 11.8v to 15.1v.

- Ease of Use -

This radio does require a bit of a learning curve, but is nowhere near as advanced as a ham radio. Programming from the handset is possible, but is quite slow. Easiest way to program the radio is by connecting the radio to a computer. I recommend using a laptop if you're mobile.

You can listen to 2 meter frequencies on the KG1000G+ as well. It does this quite well if you like to monitor certain frequencies. You, cannot, however, transmit on ham bands. There are no ways to "unlock" this radio to do that, either. That is possibly for the best.

The buttons on the handset are solid, and the handset itself is decent. I'm currently hanging the handset with a vent mount. It's easy to switch from GMRS, NOAA, and the 2m/70cm bands. You can listen to FM radio on this thing, too, I believe... but why?

It's best to treat this radio as a "set it and forget it" like a Ronco product. Know what you want to do and who to talk to, and all is good.

I do have a scan function set on this radio with one of the programmable buttons on top. Useful if I ever want to eavesdrop on a conversation. Don't actually join in on someone else's conversation unless you can provide useful information, though. It's kind of the same principle of interrupting people when they're talking in person. I have used my KG1000G+ with my job, however. They use FRS radios, which are compatible with GMRS, and I can communicate to them just fine.

- Complaints -

Periodically, there will be buzzing on random channels. Worried that this was a problem with the radio, some people have told me that it might be because some people are using digital signals on GMRS, it's interpreted as garbage. The KG1000G+ is an analog-only radio. This has been the only issue.

- Compliments -

This radio has impressive range, both on send and receive. 50 watts is the maximum power allowed on GMRS, and it works quite well. I've met some people on the GMRS system and do talk to them every now and then. GMRS is touted as a tool, however, a bit of ragchew every now and then isn't too bad. I try to keep transmissions under 15 seconds. The fans do kick in after a while.

This radio works well in very cold environment as well as hot ones, but if the temperature is too high, such as a car sitting in the hot sun, the radio may refuse to transmit. This isn't an issue, but rather, a feature to protect the radio.

The KG1000G+ is very sensitive, and it's interesting to hear the conversations that my scanner will pick up on. It works well communicating long distances, works with my job, my handheld radios, and the Midland GMRS radio I have attached to my desk at home.

- Tips -

Get an external speaker. I got an Icom speaker for $20 on Amazon. It is MUCH louder than the speaker built into the radio. Oftentimes I'm having to hold the handset to my ear to hear better. Just get a single speaker for the channel you want to listen to the most. I don't think it's needed to have both speaker ports occupied, unless you really want to.

- Final Thoughts -

This was a pricey GMRS radio, and I know that cheaper ones exist, but honestly the Wouxun KG1000G+ has been solid and reliable, even if the installation was a pain. I recommend it as both a mobile and as a base station radio. One feature I've not used is operating it as a repeater (requires a second radio). I am not in the most ideal situation as far as radios go since I live in an apartment, so my "shack" is my car.

Final Verdict: 7/10

+ Good receive/transmit quality, + Handset and radio are solidly built, - Installation was difficult, but that's because of my vehicle type, - Doesn't like digital noise.

Edited yesterday at 06:12 AM by Sonicgott
Added second image.

[WRYZ926]

I've had my KG-1000G radios for about the same amount of time. I have one in my 2023 Ford Escape and the other in the house. My experiences have been similar to yours. 

Installing radios in the Escape was a bit of a pain too. There are very few spots to get wires through the firewall. I am running a Tram 1174 antenna for GMRS and a Comet SBB-1 for 2m/70cm. I have height restrictions since I park my Escape in the garage. Plus the parking garages at doctors' offices have low clearances too.

The Wouxun KG-1000G is close to the same price as the Midland MXT500/MXT575 and it has performed better than the Midland radios for me. 

And don't let Negative Nancy poo on your posts or about what radios you use. Just ignore him like the rest of us do.

[Socalgmrs]

So In reality it is no different than any other radio and it costs 2-4Xs as much and actually has issues that other radios don’t have.   And as far as set up compared to a ham radio?  What does that even mean?  with this radio you select a “channel”(named frequency) and talk and if you need to add tones and off set you do that as well.  With a ham radio you select a “frequency” and add tones and off set. It’s exactly the same as using, setting up, and programming a ham radio. I’ve used both and a it really is the same and as for getting wires through the fire wall it’s again exact the same as any other car.  Find a spot drill hole for wires add proper grommet. I’ve done many  in all year fusions. A family member even has one so I work on it all the time.  I wish people that made reviews did actual research and had actual facts before making comments. Geesh 

[SteveShannon]

@Sonicgott, thanks for the well written and complete review.  
Also, if you’re new to the site, @Socalgmrs has a social problem that none of us understand.  Apparently the only way he can feel self worth is to denigrate others and his most frequent targets are new members. The best way to deal with it is to simply place him on your ignore list until he bails out of this site like he did before. It should be a sticky somewhere for new members.

[OffRoaderX]

More info:

 

[RIPPER238]

1 hour ago, Socalgmrs said:

So In reality it is no different than any other radio and it costs 2-4Xs as much and actually has issues that other radios don’t have.  I wish people that made reviews did actual research and had actual facts before making comments. Geesh 

 

What radio would you suggest that is 1/2-1/4 the price and has similar features and capabilities? Any particular reviews you would suggest. With your experience i assume you have reviewed what you think is best, link? 

[WRYZ926]

59 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

 

What radio would you suggest that is 1/2-1/4 the price and has similar features and capabilities? Any particular reviews you would suggest. With your experience i assume you have reviewed what you think is beat, link? 

Don't bother because he will state that he has 999 reason to not use any Chinese made radio. In fact he will only recommend an old commercial radio that requires either MS-Dos or Windows 3.1 to program.