Ham Radio Enthusiasts - Ever heard of a Quansheng UV-K5 handheld radio

Hobby Vanity Post | 04/23/24 | SR Manuel

[srmanuel]

Not trying to sell anything to anyone, I am looking for anyone who has this radio and what their thoughts are. From all the articles and videos, I've seen, it's a Baofeng UV-5R modernized to 2024, which is easily hackable to expand the frequencies you can listen to. There is a ton of free public domain firmware available for download. I have one coming for $30 and I'm looking forward to finding out what this device is capable of, it seems like a cheap way to expand my knowledge and to throw into my emergency communications kit.

[wita]

Thanks.

[struggle]

Yeah, I left my Baofeng out in the rain, snow, and sun for a year after I forgot it out in the wild and when I got it back it worked, except for the mic. The receiver and buttons all worked.

[bigbob]

EGZUMER software, you’ll need a Baofeng/Kenwood type programming cable to load it, as it uses the mic/ear jacks not USB (dumb). USB is only for battery charging.

Well worth the money as a wideband receiver. Just remember it’s never going to transmit any usable power outside of the 144 and 440 bands, no matter what idiots on the internet claim.

[srmanuel]

I have the cable from the several Baofengs I own, I’ll get the Egzumer software downloaded, I’m a sucker for new cheap electronics to see what they can do and learn new things and sometimes you end up with something that is extremely useful.

Thanks for the reply.

[dware]

I just picked up my second Baofeng handheld for $20 on Farcebook marketplace. Both of my Baofengs have worked great, my first one purchased 8ish years ago and still works just fine.

[Magnum44]

I am happy with mine as well. I dont expect them to take a beating, but the features and programmability are a bargain for the price.

[whistleduck]

You failed to note that copying cw at 40 wpm or better is more relaxing than an hour rocking on the front porch listening to old time radio. The best of the past.

[Myrddin]

My "good" radios are Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood. I have a cast off Baofeng that works Ok on 2m. My low power HF gear is Xiegu. G90 and X6100. The G90 works fine in the field. I just purchased the X6100 for some QRP ops. Still in the box.

A few years ago I dabbled in DMR. My TYT hand-held had a good open source firmware. It was fun until a malicious individual hacked the computer of the principal software maintainer. No more updates, so the radio is frozen in time with the last updates it will ever have.

[ebshumidors]

Bflr

[Myrddin]

I have a couple CS800D rigs. You really have to want to be a perpetual firmware upgrader to keep the radio current. I lost interest in 2017. My two CS800D rigs are years out of date. Too bad. It is a fairly good rig with slightly "glitchy" firmware.

[Lurker]

CHIRP makes programming this Baofeng radios a breeze.

L

[Noumenon]

Baofengs + CHIRP and life is good.

[Vermont Lt]

Exactly. Tinkering is what the hobby was at the start. Good for you for keeping that alive!

[Hoboto]

Get a Japanese-made Yaesu instead. My little 5W handheld has been flawless for years.

[srmanuel]

I already have a Yaesu that’s not why I’m interested in this radio, I can tinker and hack this cheap radio and if I screw it up it’s no big deal

[mabarker1]

BKMK

[mikey_hates_everything]

Fagci, egzumer, IJV and some others. Those three are my go-tos at the moment. They have different features built-in so you have to test drive them to see which you need the most. Or do what I did and buy multiple units and load different firmware on them.

[dragnet2]

They work fine as long as all knobs are turned to the right.

[srmanuel]

That’s a great idea

[Ignatz]

Which model Yaesu HT do you have?

I have two FT2DR’s and two VX7R’s.
Great radios!