Quansheng UV-K5

Description

There’s a lot of hype about the Quansheng UV-K5, a handheld radio that’s rapidly gaining popularity in the ham radio community. This low-cost, entry-level radio is packed with features and possibilities that make it a standout choice for both beginners and seasoned radio enthusiasts.

Introduction

The UV-K5 is a dual-band handheld radio that operates on the 2m and 70cm bands. It’s a compact and lightweight device, making it perfect for portable use. Whether you’re a seasoned ham radio operator or a beginner looking to get your feet wet, the UV-K5 is a fantastic choice. It’s standout feature is that the firmware is stored in flash memory, meaning that the community has had the opportunity to come up with new features and customisations that really stretch the hardware well beyond what the manufacturer intended.

Key Features

The Quansheng UV-K5 comes with an array of impressive features:

• Affordable: Starting from just £10, it’s a cost-effective choice for anyone interested in ham radio.
• Versatile: It transmits on 2m and 70cm up to 5 watts and also receives FM broadcast and airband.
• Convenient: With dual watch/scan capabilities and USB charging, it’s designed for ease of use.
• Customizable: It’s PC programmable and modifications are possible, allowing you to tailor your experience.

Specs

This radio boasts a range of specifications that make it a versatile and powerful device. It has a frequency range of 136-174MHz and 400-520MHz, with a channel capacity of 128 channels. The radio operates on a voltage of 3.7V DC and has a battery capacity of 1500mAh. It also features a high/low power switchable function and 50 CTCSS and 104 DCS codes.

Coverage:

1. F1: 50.0000-76.0000MHz (RX only).
2. F2: 108-.0000-135.9750MHz (RX only).
3. F3: 136.0000-173.9750MHz (TX and RX).
4. F4: 174.0000-349.9750MHz (RX only).
5. F5: 350.0000-399.9750MHz (RX only).
6. F6: 400.0000-469.9750MHz (TX and RX).
7. F7: 470.0000-600.0000MHz (RX only)

Comparisons

When compared to other radios like the Baofeng UV-5R, the Quansheng UV-K5 holds its own with its unique features and affordable price point. It offers similar functionality but at a lower price, making it a great choice for those on a budget.

After an official letter from Quansheng to the FCC was leaked, it has been revealed that all of the following radios are in fact identical, just in different cases:

• UV-K5
• UV-K5(2)
• UV-K5(6)
• UV-K5(8)
• UV-K5(9)
• UV-K5(11)
• UV-K5(22)
• UV-K5(66)
• UV-K5(88)
• UV-K5(99)
• UV-5R
• Quansheng UV-5R PLUS
• Quansheng UV-82

This radio is also being sold under a dizzying number of other brand/model combinations, see the UV-K5 wiki brands page.

Firmware

While it’s possible to re-flash the radio’s firmware, we recommend caution. The existing firmware out of the box is potentially easier to use and matches the manual. However, for those who are more technically inclined, the option to modify the firmware can open up new possibilities, such as SSB reception, improved airband performance, and even a spectrum analyzer. See the links in the Resources section below for more info.

Hardware Modification

Recently, a new addon board has become available which adds a dual antenna option, an audio amplifier (solving the problem of low SSB audio), bandpass filters, and an ESD tube (for electrostatic and strong signal protection when transmitting in the UV section of dual antennas).

Conclusion

The Quansheng UV-K5 is a versatile and affordable handheld radio that offers a range of features and possibilities. Whether you’re a seasoned ham radio operator or a beginner, the UV-K5 is a fantastic choice that offers great value for money.

Gallery

Specifications

Features

CTCSS / DCS / DTMF / Dual VFO / Flashlight / Frequency Copy / Programmable Buttons / Scan / Signal Meter / Speaker / USB Charging / VOX

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