Wouxun KG-UV8D: Facebook

Hams are branching out... a Facebook page/group to go with the Yahoo Group.

Wouxun KG-UV899

An upgrade to the KG-UV1DP? An answer to the Baofeng UV-5R?

BuyTwoWayRadios is about to get the Wouxun KG-UV899. They point out a few features:

"Dual frequency, Dual Display and Dual Standby
105 Groups DCS / 50 Groups CTCSS
Inspection, Monitor, Stun, Kill and Emergency Alarm
Call Ring
Channel Knob
IP55 water resistant"

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Thanks

I have been neglectful in mentioning in each of my posts about the KG-UV8D that it is on loan from BuyTwoWayRadios.com. Thanks again to the team there for letting me play with the latest from Wouxun!

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Scanning

The scanning speed is quick. I programmed in a bunch of repeaters and such this morning to test. Sorry it keeps stopping, the local repeaters were busy today.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Programmable Keys

There are four buttons on the left side of the radio. Starting at the top and going down, you have PF1, PTT, PF2, PF3. You cannot change PTT or PF2.

PF1 (Menu 19)
- Call (selective call)
- VFTX key (transmission on sub frequency)

PTT

PF2
Short - Flashlight
Long - Monitor

PF3 (Menu 20)
- Radio - FM Radio
- Disable - inactive
- Scan - scan
- Lamp - flashlight
- TeleAlarm - remote alarm
- SOS - SOS function

PF1 and PF3 can be configured via the software as well.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Charger

Here is a look at the charger. There is no power brick - the AC cord goes straight to the outlet. It also has a DC 12V port.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Yahoo Group

The "required" Yahoo Group is here.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Questions

So here are the questions that have been asked of me so far... anything to add?

What is the scan speed like?
Is there a way to leave the display on all the time w/o backlight?
What's different between this and the older Wouxun's?
How's the DTMF paging work?
Can you assign anything to the PF keys on the side, or just a few options?
Does the charger come in 110V only or is it on autovolt system (110-240V)?
Does it have the same X-DIRPT, X-TWRPT Cross band options like the Wouxun KG-UV920P mobile?

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Size Comparison

The first surprise I had was the size of the UV8D. From the pictures I had seen, I thought it was going to be a hefty radio. The reality is different. In the pictures you can see (from left to right) the Baofeng UV-3R, the Baofeng UV-5R, the Wouxun KG-UV8D, and the Wouxun KG-UV1DP.

(And, yes, I found my UV-5R.)

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Time to Play

Thanks to the team at BuyTwoWayRadios for loaning me a Wouxun KG-UV8D. More soon...

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Unboxing

BuyTwoWayRadios.com has the KG-UV8D and does an unboxing video for our consumption.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Demo Units

BuyTwoWayRadio reports that the Wouxun KG-UV8D demo units have landed. A few notes...

- confirmed 999 memory channels
- has a real color LCD
- includes a flashlight
- SMA female antenna connector
- bonus stopwatch function
- two multi-function keys on the side

Baofeng Tech Bluetooth Adapter

You need your own Bluetooth headset, but if you want to go wireless, you can try the Baofeng Tech Bluetooth Adapter for your Baofeng, Wouxun, or Kenwood radios for $85.

Via Hans

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Manual

BuyTwoWayRadios posted the manual for the Wouxun KG-UV8D on their site. Look under "Resources" for the download link.

Apologies, but I've not looked at it yet. If you spot anything interesting in the manual, please drop me an e-mail or post a comment below.

Wouxun KG-UV920P-A: Review in April QST

In short, the reviewer (KN4AQ) finds many of the problems that people who are familiar with the unit have already discovered. I actually think he is pretty fair and, in fact, generous in some areas. For example, he suggests that the radio might be right for those who like the price and don't mind some of the "rough" spots. I'm sure this will generate any number of suggestions for better alternatives of both new and used rigs.

I'd like them to take a look at the KG-UV950P and report on those findings.

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Flyer

BuyTwoWayRadios.com has a new post about the KG-UV8D confirming the $139.99 price, displaying a flyer/mini-spec sheet, along with this update about the versions:

"While a 220 MHz version of this radio will eventually be available, it will not be available at launch. The 2m/70cm version is the only one that will be available at launch."

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Pricing

The Wouxun KG-UV8D will be available soon and BuyTwoWayRadios.com will be taking pre-orders on Tuesday. They will be selling them for $139.99. Woot!

Wouxun KG-UV8D

BuyTwoWayRadios has a post about the Wouxun KG-UV8D:

"Billed as an upgrade version of the popular KG-UV6D, the new KG-UV8D will have some significant feature additions and improvements. One of the most exciting new features of this transceiver is duplex cross-band repeat operation, a standard feature on Wouxon's popular base/mobile radios (the KG-UV920P-A and KG-UV950P), but is a first on their handheld models. According to Wouxon, the KG-UV8D will also work in duplex, providing the ability to transmit on one band and receive on another simultaneously. 

One feature that really stands out is the display. The KG-UV8D will sport a large, color LCD display that is more than double the size of its predecessor. The screen alone looks impressive, encompassing nearly half the front face of this handheld."

They say it should arrive in mid April.

Wouxun

Ed shares some more of his thoughts and details of his experience working with Wouxun - including some e-mail exchanges. Based on what he reports, I don't blame him for wanting to move on. Forgetting for a moment the issue of a memory loss defect (no pun intended), it sounds like the business relationship steadily grew worse for multiple reasons. I'm curious if all the other sellers were required to handle warranty problems the same way. Also, I don't really understand the pricing policy strategy.

Have a read and I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Wouxun: Main Trading Company Comments

MTC shared this message and talked about Ed's comments:

"Any Chinese products that you may see on our site are fully backed by us with a great warranty. We do not sell everything that comes down the pike. We do sell products that we have tested, beta tested with some of our great customers and put them on the market only when we feel that we can stand behind them. We have heard horror stories about folks buying some imported products with no real warranty or return policy from foreign websites pretending to be in the states or even from some popular U.S. auction sites. Some of these customers were shipped radios with foreign voltage chargers, knock offs, copies, DOA units and worse. When they found out they had to pay more than the unit cost to send it to China for warranty or deal with some crazy company here in the states working out of their extra bedroom with no real radio knowledge , the were sorely disappointed."

They focus on the warranty and service they provide, but, other than a general comment about testing and being selective, they don't really address the issue that Ed claims exists.