Wouxun KG-UV920R: Soon? Price?

Matt is hearing rumors that the KG-UV920R is soon to make an appearance. I would think his sources were pretty good. He is also speculating about the price. I think $250 is a good guess. When we first heard about the KG-UV920R, my guess was $200, but it seems that prices are rising as the Wouxun brand becomes stronger. At $200, it is a no brainer for me. At $250, I'm gonna do a little research as I might forgo a few features and get a Yaesu or Icom rig for similar money.

Wouxun KG-UV920R: Digital Insanity Images

So I just posted about a summary of the Chinese mobiles, but I wanted to point out one link to Locura Digital (Digital Insanity) and their images of the KG-UV920R.

I've said it before, if they don't hurry, we'll all be buying Baofeng mobiles!

Chinese Mobiles

Here is a great overview of the current/future (can you say KG-UV920R?) Chinese mobiles. There is info on the following radios:

Wouxun KG-UV920R
Vero VR-6600
Baojie BJ-UV55
TYT TH-9800
Qixiang Science & Technology AT-588UV

Baofeng UV-5R: Specs and Pictures

First, I would like thank Chris (NH7QH) at Hawaii Radio Sales for sending me the heads up about the UV-5R. Be sure to support Chris by visiting his website for your Baofeng and other radio needs. (And no, Chris is not paying me to say this.) He's at IWCE now and I hope he comes up with some new toys for us there.

I found out about the UV-5R being "in the wild" while I was at the UT basketball game last night. As I mentioned, PA2OLD sent me this link first. I was very excited to get confirmation that UV-5R was available so soon. No KG-UV920R here. Unfortunately, trying to decipher a Chinese web site on an Android Phone while at a college basketball game with congestion on the mobile network is not fun.

Not too long after that, someone posted anonymously in the comments with the link to the 409Shop listing for UV-5R. And then in quick succession, Nate sent me the link and Carol from the 409Shop responded to an e-mail to inform me that it was available. I felt like Will Bailey in this episode of the West Wing.

On top of all of this, Knology was having major problems in my area, so I had no cable internet at my house. I used the mobile hot spot on my Android phone, but the 3G was painful. It was all I could do to get this simple post up last night.

So here is my more formal post about the UV-5R. I looked on the Baofeng website, but did not see the radio listed yet, so here are the specs from the 409Shop page.


BAOFENG UV-5R 4W
136-174/400-480Mhz

BAOFENG UV-5R The transcevier is a micro-miniature multiband FM transceiver with extensive receive frequency coverage,providing local-area two-way amateur communications along with unmatched monitoring capability

VHF/ UHF  DUAL-BAND TWO WAY RADIO

Frequency Range: 136-174 / 400-480MHz
Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display, Dual-Standby
Output Power: 4 /1Watts
128 Channels
50 CTCSS and 104 CDCSS
Built-in VOX Function
1750Hz Brust Tone
FM Radio (65.0MHz-108.0MHz)
LED Flashlight
Large LCD Display
Hight /Low RF Power Switchable
25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable
Emergency Alert
Low Battery Alert
Battery Saver
Time-out Timer
Keypad Lock
Monitor Channel
Channel Step: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25KHz
Roger Set


■  Dual band, dual display, dual standby
■  A/B band independent operation
■  128 groups channels storage
■  Shortcut menu operation mode
■  VFO & Memory channels scan
■  Emergency Alarm
■  Tri-color background light selectable
■  0~9 grades VOX selectable
■  PTT & ANI ID
■  FM radio and 25 stations storage
■  Voice companding
■  CTCSS/DCS coder & tone searching
■  PC programmable
■  Wide/Narrow Band(25kHz/12.5kHz)
■  Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
■  High/Low TX power selectable
■  Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)

Specifications:

General
Frequency Range 65-108MHz(FM Receive only)
        136-174MHZ and 400-480HZ (TX/RX)        
Channel No. 128
Frequency Stability ±2.5ppm
Antenna High gain DualBand Antenna
Antenna SMA - Female
Antenna Impedance 50Ω
Operating Voltage DC 7.4V
Mode of operation Simple or semi-duplex
Dimension（W x H x D）100 x 52 x 32 mm
Weight 250g （including battery, antenna）
Transmitter
Output power 4W / 1W (Max 5W)
Modulation Mode 16kΦF3E / 11kΦF3E
Maximum deviation ＜5kHz(Wide) / ＜2.5kHz(Narrow)
Spurious Radiation ＜7μW
Adjacent Ch. power  ≤-65dB(Wide) / ≤-60dB(Narrow)
Pre-emphasis characteristics 6dB
Current ≤1.6A(5W)
CTCSS/DCS deviation 0.5±0.1kHz(Wide) / 0.3±0.1kHz(Narrow)
Intermediation sensitivity 8-12mv
Intermediation distortion ＜10%
Earpiece / mic type   Kenwood Plug type

The package contents are listed as:

1 x UV-5R (VHF136-174Mhz UHF 400-480Mhz)

1 x 7.4V 1800mah Li-ion Battery Pack
1 x Antenna 400-480Mhz
1 x Belt Clip
1 x ENG Manual
1 x Desktop Charger ( 100V ~ 240V )+(2pin USA or 3pin UK or 2pin EURO or 2pin Australia)
1 x PTT Earpiece for free


The 409Shop has the UV-5R for $56 USD. Hopefully the description is correct (High gain dual-band antenna) and the package contents (Antenna 400-480MHz) is incorrect. Baofeng should have learned that lesson with the UV-3R when it provided the two band specific antennas originally.

Nate hopes, based on the description, that we can get U/U and V/V. I can't wait for somone to get their hands on one.

Baofeng UV-5R: New Baofeng Model

Chris (NH7QH) at Hawaii Radio Sales sent me the following about the new Baofeng UV-5R. (On a side note, Chris is now also selling ham equipment via eBay.)

"Just got this email - looks like it is a TYT TH-F8 - same marks and all mono band, already FCC approved since a TYT."

He also included a couple of pictures - see below. The styling looks more like the UV-3R +. Other obvious features are the charging connectors on the battery pack (so a drop in charger) and the keypad. I am not as familiar with the TYT radios, but it looks like Baofeng is willing to leverage the success of the UV-3R to build its brand by buying radios from multiple companies (Vero Telecom and now TYT). This model also more directly competes with the Wouxun. (I felt like the UV-3R was more of niche radio than a direct replacement for the Wouxun's.) These Chinese radios are keeping it interesting for sure. Maybe Baofeng needs to rebrand a mobile and steal the thunder from the much anticipated KG-UV920R.

Pricing on the TYT TH-F8 is around $50 to $75 on ebay. Here are the specs for the TH-F8.

Single band, dual display, dual standby	■  A/B band independent operation
■  128 groups channels storage	■  FM radio and 25 stations storage
■  Wide/Narrow Band(25kHz/12.5kHz)	■  0~9 grades VOX selectable
■  Chinese/English voice prompt	■  CTCSS/DCS and scanning
■  1750Hz tone	■  PTT & ANI ID
■  Priority transmit selectable	■  0~9 grades squelch level setting
■  LED display mode	■  Keypad beeper setting
■  Transmit over beeper	■  Dual watch/monitor
■  Receive saving function	■  Auto keypad lock
■  Power-on display	■  Battery power voltage
■  Power-on message	■  Repeater offset function
■  Channel name display and setting	■  Reapter shift direction
■  VFO step function	■  Shortcut menu operation mode
■  Emergency Alarm	■  DTMF encoder & decoder(optional)
■  8 groups scrambler(optional)	■  2/5 tone encoder & decoder(optional )
■  Remote skill/stun/activate(optional)	■  High/Low TX power selectable
■  Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)	■  Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
■  Voice companding	■  Tri-color background light selectable
■  PC programmable	■  Wire clone

KG-UV920R: "No Update" Update

I hesitate to post this as there is still no real news, but CheapHam had a note in their newsletter about the KG-UV920R:

"Wouxun KG-UV920R - We have received many inquiries about the new Wouxun Dual Band mobile. Latest word from the factory is that the unit is still under certification. The release date nor firm pricing have been released yet. Hopefully soon. We are a direct importer of Wouxun products and in constant communication with the factory. Stay tuned for any breaking news."

Ed, at Import Communications, also posted an update earlier in the month:

".......January 01, 2012 Update......
I recently operated this radio while in China.
Wouxun says this radio will be ready in November-December.
I would not expect to see it Certified and for sale until March-April."

I could read that as both good news for 2012 or, given the date he posted it, another scenario where it won't be ready until 2013.

Bonus:

You can subscribe to the CheapHam newsletter on their site. The latest one has a discount code for buying the Wouxun KG-UVD1P for $94.95 after the $5 discount. Or you can get the for Wouxun KG-UVD1P Special Package $139.95. Use WOU-5 as the coupon code when checking out.

KG-UV920R: Forever

I cannot find the message anymore, so I am guessing it got deleted from the thread, but I thought this was a pretty funny comparison:

This radio is going to end up being the "Duke Nukem Forever" of radios.
Most of you will have no idea what that means. There was a computer game
released in 1996 called "Duke Nukem 3D". The sequel to that was suppose to
be "Duke Nukem Forever". There are screenshots and videos of development
versions of that game going back to 1997. It was released this year after
the original development studio ran out of funds to continue development.
As the years went out, they added more and more things that other games had
come out with. Mostly graphics technology. All due to the main guy in
charge going on a perfection bender.

Maybe this radio won't be just like that. But it is very much past due and
that's reminding me of the game. The "Forever" in the title was a joke for
more than a decade. When it finally did come out? Complete junk. I wouldn't
play it unless they paid *me*.

Keisha also makes an appearance to assure us that the radio is real.

KG-UV920R: The Latest

So the Wouxun web page at Andrews Communications Systems in Australia has everyone stirred up again because of these lines:

"Due Jan/Feb., 2012"
"Compare to TM-D710A!"
"Lee operated a sample KG-UV920R at the October, 2011, Hong Kong fair. Yes, this transceiver does exist, hi!"

So Ed laid hands on one a few months ago and now Lee has, too.

The next tidbit is that we should compare it to the Kenwood D710A, so others began speculating about APRS or packet modes.

Lastly, Ed chimed in about the features and date:

As Andy Griffith said, "don't over expect". No APRS and no packet with the
920R. The radio is supposed to be finished in December. Don't look to purchase
one that's certified until February or March from what I was told.
Regards,
Ed
www.Wouxun.US

I think I am repeating myself, but time will tell.

KG-UV920R: Rumors Again

I'm feeling better and am a little feisty, so I figure I might as well stir things up again. (And to really point fingers, it was Moleculo on the WorldWideDX forum that brought it up.)

A Chinese company has 668 KG-UV920R units for sale for $315 USD.

Good luck with that. If you like that deal, then I have a bridge or two you might want to buy. But seriously, $315 would be disappointingly high.

KG-UV920R

Ed of Wouxun.us responds to this thread about the "as of yet missing in action" KG-UV920R mobile rig from Wouxun:

"If it was a hoax, it was a nice looking one that weighed about 3 pounds. Last October, I held it in my grubby little hands, turned its knobs, took its picture, even tried to sneak it into my bag, so it did exist. I have my theory as to why it hasn't made it to market but I'll keep that to myself. If it's at the show this October, I'll let you know.

Pictures added to the Photos section.

Ed
www.Wouxun.US"

Below is one of the pics he posted. (Join the Yahoo Group if you want to see the other one.) I think the mobile rig will appear. I am guessing that they have run into some technical challenges, supply chain issues, cost problems, or all of the above that has delayed its arrival. Even if it never shows up, I would not assume it was because the KG-UV920R was a hoax. I think Hanlon's Razor applies.

Wouxun Dayton Surprise

As I reported earlier, Ed from wouxun.us said he would have a surprise at Dayton. He said it would not be the KG-UV920R, but I was hoping for new hardware of some sort... instead, Dayton attendees could pick up a KG-UVD1P for $85! Price of $85 confirmed here. Amazing.

Wouxun Mobile (KG-UV920R) - Vaporware?

I've been hoping for the release of Wouxun's KG-UV920R for some time now. Speculation was rampant that it would do for mobile radios what the KG-UVD1P did for HTs - a low price and lots of features.

Ed Griffin, from www.wouxun.us, recently posted this on a radio forum:

"No word on the mobile. But I will have a surprise at Dayton, and no it's not the mobile."

Ed Greany, another reseller who provides a lot of support to the Wouxun community, had this to say on the same forum:

"Personally, I'm REALLY tired of hearing about it. It's been over 6 months since it was leaked and there is absolutely NO word from China as to 1) IF it exists, 2) WHEN it will be released, 3) IF it will be Certified or 4) WHAT the price might be.

I stopped answering these inquiries. I suggested long ago that people STOP inquiring about it since that only drives the price up due to the spirited interest. High demand = High price. Some people just don't understand the evonomics of that principal.

Basically, all the U.S. dealers want it to come out and want to sell it. That's what we are in business for. None of us know any more information than you presently know right now. My most recent inquiry was "it is still in testing." Does that mean Wouxun's Test Lab or FCC Certification Lab or some highschool kid's chemistry lab. Nobody knows!

For now, pretend it was a dream and it really does not exist."

Makes me think I should start looking for alternatives for a dual band, dual receive, cross band repeating mobile rig.

Radio Indecision 2010

My waffling continues...

I'm still trying to decide what radio I want to buy. I've been reading reviews, forums, and other websites. Paralysis by analysis! The Yaesu FT-450AT has been added to the HF list. Lots of folks like the Icom IC-718, but I think I'd like to have the option of 6M. If I go with two rigs, then I'm looking at the Yaesu FTM-350R or the Wouxun KG-UV920R for 2M. The KG-UV920R isn't available yet, but I have hopes for it (in both cost and performance) based on my experience with their HT, the KG-UVD1P.

Option 1: FT-857D
Option 2: FT-450 + FTM-350R
Option 3: FT-450 + KG-UV920R
Option 4: IC-7000

My father-in-law brought over some RG-8X coax, a dummy load, and some connectors. This is in addition to the FT-817 he has loaned me, the power supply, and the quarter wave ground plane 2M antenna. He's gonna have me all setup except I won't have bought my own radio!