Building a resistor network into a 3.5mm jack socket, as a “CEC Cable”, so I can send CW with my #Quansheng UV-K5 v1, without having to perform surgery on the radio.
Using the https://github.com/briand/uv-k5-firmware-custom-cw firmware.
Keys nicely! I used a 22K instead of 20K resistor with no problem.
Just need some 144MHz CW activity now :)
I've been asking for ages if the modded Quanshengs actually produce true CW, or a modulated CW that only they could use. Everyone I know with one has only talked to other people with the same radio.
Today I talked to someone with a 'sheng on an FT-991a, and it worked. So yes, they ARE producing true CW with a radio meant for FM only. Very clever.
It was my first 2m CW QSO also, and one of the sloppiest I've ever done 🤪
Baofeng celebrates it's 25 year anniversary with a special edition of the UV-5R. Baofeng drastically lowered the prices of handheld VHF/UHR radios with the UV-5R in 2012 priced at 20 to 30€.
In my opinion, it's the #glock of ham radio. Many people still buy or recommend buying the UV-5R even though there are way better alternatives for the same price. It doesn't have USB-C charging or upgradeable firmware. The UV-5R only has 128 memory channels and the display / ui is very... "basic". Glock owners would say "but it's so reliable", baofeng fans might say "but it' so cheap, don't complain".
Let's talk about the alternatives.
The Quansheng UV-K5 has USB-C charging and custom firmware like the F4HWN firmware that supports 200 memory channels and a spectrum view among other features.
The Tidradio TD-H3 has USB-C charging as well as programming over USB which the UV-K5 cannot. The Quansheng UV-K1 also adds USB programing. The F4HWN firmware supports the UV-K1 as well.
So I had to call in the help of someone named Bob. I really try not to ask it for help, but shit had hit the fan and now I needed help scraping it off the ceiling again.
So, did you get yourself a cool Quansheng UV-K5(99) tranceiver and think "hey, I thought this could do everything" but it didn't? Here's the manual. Including help in case you manage to soft-brick it. *cough*
A kludgey workaround for the UV-K1 external PTT not working when squelch is off (with F4HWN latest firmware): put the PTT in ONEPUSH mode. You still have to tap the radio’s PTT to start transmitting (then you can let go), but you can speak into your external mic - and press the external PTT to stop transmitting. Better than nothing, I guess - gets that 5W of power away from your head!
USB is not available for transmitting though :(
The #Quansheng UV-K1(8) does have exactly the same problem with external microphones as the UV-K5(8) - the external PTT does not activate transmit if squelch is OFF (ie you're hearing static or trying to work a very weak station that doesn't break squelch). If squelch is ON, it's fine.
This is with the stock firmware. Will be converting this to the F4HWN 5.2.0 firmware later which will improve the feature set dramatically.
Does anyone here own a #Quansheng UV-K1?
Could you tell me how it behaves with an external fist mic attached, specifically does the external PTT function as you’d expect with and without squelch enabled? I ask as the UV-K5 external PTT doesn’t work with squelch disabled; wondering if it’s a common design mistake across other handhelds from Quansheng. Thanks!
Matt Gumbley
W6KME
♾️
Fox
reald