Quansheng UV K5 (8)/K6 Handheld Radio Review - It's Not Bad Unless You Like Airband! 👍

[@ChrisDunnG4KVI]

The AirBand audio issue has been sorted with a firmware upgrade.

[@MrKeys57]

Yes! i upgraded, it is better, but sometimes my AM reception just dissapears, have to turn off and then on again to restore it

[@Transmission1]

Hi Chris, is this an official firmware upgrade from Quansheng? Have you got a link to the download? I'll pin it here if it resolves the issues. Thanks!

[@sgtclubba1732]

​@@Transmission1The upgrade is not official but it utilises many more features of the radio that Quansheng have not activated. Ham Radio DX covers it on his channel.

[@eldontyrellcorp]

Even with the alternative firmware, there are still audio issues on the air band. Other than that, the upgraded firmware is working fine. Pay attention there are dozens of different versions, from different people and it's not easy to know which one to use.

[@sgtclubba1732]

@@eldontyrellcorp I have not experienced any AM issues since installing a firmware update from egzumer github and updated it via his flash with browser feature that works well. There are now several versions of the UV K5 so the firmware may function differently on certain models.

[@teslar1]

Just bought two. Great little radios. Running egzumer. Scanning airband on one scan list and PMR on the second list. Works great

[@daytona1212]

Love all the MOD's you can install on this radio.

[@ScuffedRadio]

What does "MOD" stand for?

[@daytona1212]

@@ScuffedRadioMODification

[@ScuffedRadio]

@@daytona1212 normally you just say Mod or mod. Not MOD

[@daytona1212]

@@ScuffedRadioWhen you say it, it sounds all the same. 😉

[@arjaropelinen6439]

I get my Quansheng uv6(8)yesterday and I'm glad. I own also Baofeng uv5r. They are great phones👍

[@stratocasterblue]

Can't find anywhere does your uv-k6(8) recieve 10 meters and 40 and 20 meters thanks!

[@stratocasterblue]

have baofeng too just got it uv-5r 8 watt but high power is one watt on both bands low and med are 3 watts but i am keeping it i like it

[@donbunson5031]

I modded mine with the 18-1300Mhz mod and was surprised at how well it receives on CB.

[@Transmission1]

I'm going to have to try this! So many mods available for this little radio. The most fun you can have for $20 !

[@hudsonbear5038]

what frq??

[@daytona1212]

I like the rssi_sbar mod that provides a calibrated S-meter. All kinds of mods like a mod that let's you play PONG on the radio, or send text messages between two UV-K5/K6 radio's.

[@stokehauntedofficial]

on the 27mhz band try transmitting it transmits on 136 MHz lol

[@daytona1212]

@user-dl6pn9kp8m Try installing the latest official firmware ffirst, i believe it's this one k5_v2.01.26_mod_001.bin and try again. I works om all my Quansheng KV5, KV5(8) and KV6 radios.

[@Kens1966]

I had the tidradio th8 2 updated. This radio is far better quality in the build. I haven’t used the radio yet. It’s charging can’t wait to set it up

[@StuartLandau]

I just got a Quansheng UV-K5(99) and found the air band reception to be excellent, unlike other Chinese radios.

[@adamdeguzman3081]

Quansheng also made in china

[@ghubbz36]

​@@adamdeguzman3081Reading comprehension isn't your thing.

[@gtretroworld]

First time viewer here,I just did a quick first look at this myself on my channel and i agree with you regarding the lack of proper AM.Tried it out over the weekend and managed a 40 mile QSO so it does work.Thanks for that deeper look and have a Subscribe.

[@M70ACARRY]

Latest FW has greatly improved hairband reception

[@af1762]

What's that 40 mile qso?

[@gtretroworld]

@@af1762 I was up a hill called Roseberry topping at the time but since then i have had even better contacts, especially since the improvements with various firmwares.

[@mholzer54]

I could not resist getting one. There are some cool things I did not expect. 1. I think they fixed the AM for Aircraft Band. Mine sounds pretty good. 2. When I opened up the radio, it allows me to use it on 222MHz! Haven't had a QSO yet on 222 but I could kerchunk a local repeater. SO... I now have a Tri Bander for $22! 3. The spectrum display is super cool (firmware hack installed) but I need better documentation on it. Comment: I like their Code Plug software, because Chirp is still lacking some definitions. Does anyone know if there is a good manual that describes some of the settings that I've not seen before on other HTs. Thanks for the review! N6UNX

[@islaws4589]

Hiya, may I ask, is Airband now fixed from the factory or did you have to change the firmware?

[@Sheleronk]

@@islaws4589 heya, i would say it is fixed from factory yeah, i got the radio just a couple of days ago and while some of the older reviews do sound very distorted i can hear my local airport freq. loud and clear, i do however still intend to firmware mod it, it will sound even better

[@islaws4589]

@@Sheleronk Thank you :-)

[@petercarter9034]

The egzummer firmware makes it even better !

[@vetham100]

I am still learning quite a bit from your excellent video! Mine cost me $104.00 CDN shipped and I hope I can figure things out Thank you and keep up the great work!

[@MM0SDK]

Cost you 104 dollars? That sounds a bit high. Is it due to tax?

[@jeffeeeeeee]

Mine cost 45 dollars Australian our currency is bad against US dollar

[@suprlite]

​@@jeffeeeeeeewhy would you buy from the US when ali x sells it for about 20 bucks?

[@NewWorldHoarder]

£10.45 plus £2.00 delivery from China to UK lol, took 5 days and had Evri tracking! 😊

[@melvynburchell]

There is now apparently an AM RX fix which if works as well as another KZbin suggests then whilst not perfect is certainly a big night and day improvement over stock.

[@Transmission1]

Do we have a link to the firmware that fixes the AM RX? Thanks

[@ziaulmonaf4196]

Thanks mate for ur video I just bought two of those for walkie-talkie. Ur video helped. So much Respect Boss

[@dozer5069]

About to get one of these... with the new firmware Airband is fixed along with SSB receive on HF!

[@JerryEricsson]

I ordered one, came in today, I got an older unit with the white screen I guess I should have read the add better. It seems to work OK, I did have to remove the tape over the battery plug as it would not come on as shipped I guess that should be expected. Got mine from Texas cost 34 bucks US with free shipping. I am looking forward to getting it up in operation, I live in a rather sparse area for HAMS, I am the only license in my town, my nearest neighbor with a set is 26 miles west, I can hit the repearter there from mobile but not hand held so far.

[@scotforshaw]

Nice to catch you earlier on the 446 :-D

[@eddywiggins620]

With the Am airband, try shifting the frequency up or down 8.33 khz , it could just be because of the newish channel spacing for aviation that came into affect several years back

[@jerryboyle92]

Curious, is this an actual frequency shift problem, or a wide/narrow bandwidth problem?

[@philmetcalf7421]

I guess I should have read all the comments first! LOL I think you are correct!

[@eddywiggins620]

@@MrKeys57 the latest mod software has the 8.33 spacing in it.

[@burakciceksoy]

@@MrKeys57 Hey, I am new to the amatour radio, how can I install the latest mod? Is it the official firmware or 3rd party? Thanks!

[@MrDLRu]

@@burakciceksoy ....Hackaday, easy modifications for inexpensive radios and then original github project. I don't know exactly how you get the bin file in the radio though as I don't have one...yet. Not really sure which bin file to grab either, but got this.( k5_26_encrypted_18to1300MHz ) Was toward the top..Don't even know if this needs to be unencrypted...lol

[@PGE564]

My Yaesu VX 5, 6, 7, 8, FT1, FT2, AM no problem, good for scanning, good channel management. 7 3

[@ventusz]

Also this radio now has an AM FIX option in the menu which clears up the AM reception.

[@la7dfa]

Yes I have the new mod version, and Airband sounds good.

[@leewaddell8561]

Oh boy just received my radio and wanted it for air craft monitoring...lol. Well just add to the ones on the shelf.

[@palms674]

I just brought the radio and are at stanstead airport now it’s picking up tower and aircraft really clear so they must of sorted it

[@Transmission1]

That's great to know. Maybe Quansheng have updated the firmware in their latest batch to improve AM audio. The fix is also to install the custom Egzumer firmware if needed.

[@SEEYAIAYE]

Nice review and breakdown of the radio, I've read elsewhere that the USB-C charging is for "Emergency use only" and should not be used regularly instead of the desktop charger.

[@bekirbd]

What is the reason for that?

[@SEEYAIAYE]

Something about the USB port having no real safety cutoff features, either way, I wouldn't charge it unattended.@@bekirbd

[@bekirbd]

@@SEEYAIAYE I'll keep that in mind, thank you.

[@almascp2113]

@@bekirbd most of the new gen c port charging power rates are more than what this handheld can handle and it may harm the battery (no problem if the power output is 5w (5 volt 1 ampere))

[@bekirbd]

@@almascp2113 It doesn't even support PD as far as I know, PD chargers actually need to see 5.1k pull-down (might be wrong) resistance on the data lines to supply the bare minimum 5v, and apparently quansheng didn't bother to add these resistors (to save a few cents maybe?) so you need a regular old USB-A charger to charge it.

[@DonzLockz]

Absolutely bang on, the airband sucks but still great bang for buck, especially compared to the Boofwang UV-5R.

[@Transmission1]

Yep, it's a great radio for the money as long as you avoid the airband. There are quite a number of radios out there similar to this one using the same system on a chip - all with the same terrible AM performance!

[@ΝίκοςΒ-κ8λ]

UV-5R, though well marketed, is not a good comparison standard. Both my UV-B5 (completely different design) and GT-3 mk2 (essentially a UV-5R, improved by Sainsonic) are at another level. My UV-K5 is clearly inferior to those two. Still, for the price, a decent usable radio with good battery life, usb charging, airband and great modding potential. A mod improving squelch and audio (if possible) would be much appreciated... Airband reception from an airport 15km from here is comprehensible from tower and -to a lesser point - from airplanes, with the stock antenna.

[@hudsonbear5038]

Great radio, But to be fair though Airband is not great it's useful for when you happen to be near the Mach Loop or similar and forgot your AIrband radio or SDR... So whilst not perfect its not bad for those occasions.

[@MrKeys57]

The Airband modulation on the Quangshen works totally fine now, after the latest mod! - as good as any flight scanner!

[@MrKeys57]

@@Transmission1 The Airband modulation on the Quangshen works totally fine now, after the latest mod! - as good as any flight scanner!

[@JohnSmith-wl8cv]

Ali Express just ordered 1 £10.73 arrive around 11 August i can wait.

[@g0fqb]

Great review ordered one and subscribed thanks

[@txbob5978]

I downloaded the files on Quansheng but can't open the catalog or the software files even after downloading the Adobe Acrobat. So how can I open these files?

[@VoeViking]

Good review, thank you.

[@digitalanaloguehamradio]

Great title

[@Transmission1]

Brutally honest title! .. That said it's a lovely little radio for the price and you couldn't have dreamed of getting on the air for this low price only a few years ago. Works great as a marine receiver if you live near the coast too!

[@bryanmoffat5198]

Do you know it there’s a way to turn off the frequency step? Cheers fab video

[@bongomanabc]

PMR requires type approved radios with a fixed antenna, naughty naughty. This radio also splatters harmonics when transmitting on 446mhz.

[@tonycat47]

Good video presentation.👍 How do you keep the display light on permanently? Goes off too quickly.

[@lectrickwall4479]

Would you have better results by using the correct antenna / better SWR ?

[@Diddy291]

How about CB bands?

[@MM0SDK]

Wouldn't it be great if the Chinese made an qrp hf handheld transceiver. Id buy it.

[@jessemazo4791]

2 in succesion sent back to scamazon, loud hiss in all bands. tinny sound. buggy sticky menus. isnt worth the extra band bs if it isnt a pleasure on the ears! which is bloody a shame since the battery life is downright phenomenal! went with the all black model retevis resemblant k5 with the non orange screen! all i can ask for with excellent audio.

[@MakeDoAndMend1]

Help Please. How do you enter a channel, memory name directly on Radio without using an external computer. George

[@jaime4890]

I just got one of these and there is no sound. Am I doing something wrong? I haven’t changed any settings, it picks nothing up not even NOAA. The green light will come on as if receiving a signal but no sound at all. Any troubleshooting tips??

[@stevenbell9589]

they do this as the (99) can it be modded the same as the (8)

[@clarkbart6422]

i just bought mine today and upon testing it we just rcvd the signal for only 50meters and the advertisement said it can use for 5-10km in open spaces . can someone help me :(

[@djollieuk]

How are u keeping Ur backlight on mine goes off every few seconds

[@НиколайИванов-м9ч]

And the power was measured in the 446 MHz PMR range? you will be surprised)) it is on Quansheng UV-K5 (8)

[@circattle]

There is little difference in power between L and M on PMR frequencies (around 2W) and H is 5W. The SWR on the supplied antenna is around 3.2 so nearly a watt of power is blasted back into the radio, unless you put a better ducky on it. The Radioddity SRH-805S clones look so good on this radio and they have an SWR about 2.3 on 446.

[@НиколайИванов-м9ч]

@@circattle The Quansheng UV K5 antenna is easy to disassemble and configure.

[@PaulMc-qn7iv]

New subscriber 😊. Bought 2 for Xmas...how can U use it in walkie talkie mode?

[@3qdx]

'new Firmware' (for Air Band reception).what version of FW are you referring to?

[@cantcommentonyoutubevids1335]

AM is fixed in new software I have heard the main thing with this is its RF chip

[@solidloud1922]

Has this radio got Bluetooth? Am trying to find a cheap HT to use with a Bluetooth headset

[@yungsmile7546]

With no power on 1.25 meters/220 I'm wondering if you turned it on in the menu or if you flashed the firmware to expand.

[@Transmission1]

This radio was totally standard. No different firmware. They just don't really output much power in that band as they are really only for 2m and 70cm and that's where they perform. The rest is more a bonus...

[@t.c.2776]

I've noticed on other reviews that the power settings do fluctuate... your's is higher that the others ...

[@circattle]

Hi. Please can you tell me how you managed to get it to scan a bank of channels in Memory mode like you are showing at the start of the video. I cannot coax mine to do any scan unless in VFO mode.

[@kursadzeybek356]

i wanna use the hand radio like ack rF One SO the device has got powerful SCANNER and it have to work 433Mhz arronud. PLEASE advice me a model...

[@LocalAirportspotter]

How do I connect to airband?

[@harritkoster8654]

it is a beautiful radio but it has a problem in the Netherlands hot air balloons use 8.33 KhZ and now there is a problem example 122.255 / 122.250 - 8.33 is a problem. when the frequency is entered on grid 8.33 it indicates a problem that already indicates that the correct bandwidth is not correct that means that this walkie-talkie is not the right one which will work well and the modulation will not work correctly because it is next to modulate the frequency and the speech will not be good, but other than that it is a nice cheap walkie-talkie.

[@HamTechRadioScannerDrones]

Nice review :)

[@Transmission1]

Thanks!

[@Ordinaryfiveeight]

Thanks for an interesting and imformative review. (Don't seem to see the software link you allude to).

[@Transmission1]

Thank you... and you're right. I forgot the link to the CPS software. It's located here: www.qsfj.com/support/downloads/3002 - I will also add to the description :)

[@Ordinaryfiveeight]

@@Transmission1 cheers for that. Excellent!

[@Petertronic]

Excellent review! Wow the AM sucks though, it would be better for them not to advertise the feature, it makes them look bad

[@Transmission1]

Yeah, it really is that bad on the AM mode! It's not the only one. I've tested a few Chinese radios and they are all using the same chip with the same AM demodulation problems! One Chinese radio that does work well is the AnyTalk UV-6F that I reviewed earlier this year - that has proper AM and sounds quite nice.

[@Petertronic]

@@Transmission1 Thanks. That was interesting info about the chip being used - no other review has gone into that detail! I will check out your Anytalk UV-6F review.

[@rcarter]

Curious, I just received one of these and by default AM (menu setting 48) is off. When listening to Airbands, the audio was terrible. However, flipping this to On, as mentioned in the user guide, and the quality is immensely better.

[@Petertronic]

@@rcarter Are you talking about the UV-K6? I just got mine this week, and AM is automatically set on airband and sounds awful as per review. I tried flipping AM on and off in menu, no improvement.

[@rcarter]

@@Petertronic Mine is the UV-K5(8) which I’m told is the K6? For me it wasn’t enabled and flipping it on had a definite improvement. I am practically over the final of the airport though so that could be why. That was the reason I bought this radio, I would have been very disappointed as well if it was garbage. I’m considering becoming a ham now though because this radio is pretty cool and I’m pretty intrigued by it all now.

[@JohnSmith-wl8cv]

Demodulation problem tx on am but rx fm

[@tjeerdwillemsen3028]

nice review

[@Transmission1]

Thanks! :)

[@philmetcalf7421]

Nice Video, Thank you! Cheers from Massachusetts! On air band, I wonder if you tried shifting slightly off freq. above and below. Perhaps the demodulating technique they are using on AM, has got an IF error or something! Just a thought! 73 from the US - KA1NHZ

[@Transmission1]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it. I've come to the conclusion that AM demodualtion is hopeless on these types of radio as the system on a chip they are using is only suited to FM mode and the manufactuers have done some kind of hack to make it work. The quality of the audio depends on the strength of the signal. I found that on weak airband reception it "almost worked" but it's hit and miss. If you want a cheap radio that actually has proper AM airband modulation then try the Radtel RT-490 or the AnyTalk UV-6F - both reviews on my channel here if you're interested. Thanks Simon

[@mattbaker1683]

Where's the best UK source for these? Lost my Baofeng a few days ago... Well, had to pass it over to emergency services after an accident so they could get an update on the casualty and never got it back... Do you know if they do an extended battery?

[@mattbaker1683]

Question answered at the end! 😂 Thanks

[@DouglasBisson-yx5ui]

Are you inside the cone? If you are too close to the tower, reception is likely to be poor.

[@joetri1970]

Will the usbc let you program it though it?

[@Transmission1]

No, it’s for charging only. You need to use the two pin speaker mic port for programming on these radios.

[@Smiley-de4ni]

Can I use this straight out the box mine doesn’t come with the cable

[@la7dfa]

You should get a programming cable for it. It can use the same as for Boafeng, and goes into the mic/spkr port. Works with Chirp and Repeaterbook files for ease of programming.

[@Smiley-de4ni]

@@la7dfa thanks for letting me know much appreciated

[@JohnSmith-wl8cv]

I had a Baofeng uv82 could tune down to 134 used to pick up aircraft ,audio was like that crap

[@andyhowe1302]

Can you use 2m usb on this with the firmware hack

[@Bikesdavebikes]

did you get an answer to this? be handy to know.

[@steveningram865]

Hi do I need a licence for one of these to talk on thanks

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

If you are transmitting on the 2m and 70cms bands (144-148Mhz and/or 430Mhz to 440Mhz) then yes, you need a Ham license. They are not difficult to come by.

[@leslieleonard699]

Whats the CB bands like on it?????

[@Horse-l9b]

good

[@carlosw1687]

Do I need license for this radio?

[@Transmission1]

You will need an amateur radio licence to get the best out of this but if you're not licenced you can still listen to loads of things inlcuidng marine and air traffic and PMR (business) radio etc.

[@catsmad48]

I kid you not...I have a AV1 and airband is pretty dire even on that.

[@Chris-iw8gx]

This or the Baofeng UV S9 Plus?

[@Chris-iw8gx]

and/or what's a good choice for AM use at this price point?

[@raymondhollingsworth3643]

So this works on 6 meter?

[@Transmission1]

It might be able to recieve on 6m but it won't be able to transmit down there. You'd need something a bit more than this...

[@HKey_Root]

GB3NY?. *waves* from Brid. :D

[@andyc664]

They cover 11m band

[@M7TIN-TinManUK]

Sounds like it overloads when it gets a strong signal on airband other than that it seems pretty good for the money.

[@Transmission1]

Hi Dave, good to see you here! Yes it's a great radio but strictly speaking it doesn't demodulate AM. The makers have done a bit of a hack with the chip to slightly off-tune a signal but it still sounds bad! Still, for the £21 or so it's good value and much better than the UV-5R.

[@M7TIN-TinManUK]

@@Transmission1 Sounds like a similar thing that they did to an old Steepletone radio I used to have when I first got into radio. It had a fine tune control on it so you could adjust things if the signal was too strong and caused the same thing that the K5 does.

[@horvisnone4997]

I already have this radio station ordered, I will have it at home tomorrow. I'm curious what will happen mainly with air frequencies

[@barrylarryharry7183]

Which mod did you use to update? Thanks

[@youlife7219]

245 mhz 0.05 w. ?

[@Transmission1]

Yes, there is next to no power at certain frequencies. It's really a dual bander even though it can transmit much further outside of 136-174 and 400-480 MHz but the power levels begin to tail off and go down rapidly.

[@Manche-De-Pelle]

Is there an indeep guide of every function. It's my first dual-way radio and i bought it to listen to the emergency or airplane band. I also bought it because one of my relatives bought a boat and i would buy one for him as a gift but i need to understand how it works

[@kenharvey9714]

Got mine for £15 all in. Bargain.

[@user-KOREA-1]

korea

[@bladesnchill]

No idea why they have so much focus on airband. I have a airport 300m from me. Completely useless.

[@danielclark8094]

Wait what, it's £70 for two on Amazon 😂😮😢

[@edwardfletcher7790]

When demoing a new radio, PLEASE turn off the beeps FIRST ! 😩🔥

[@AndyMcGeever]

You couldn't be more wrong. AM mode is an easy fix. I'm a GA pilot and use mine on both RX and TX in the air. Perfect as an emergency backup.

[@Transmission1]

Not with the original firmware from Quansheng

[@3qdx]

Saw another Review of this HT where he said ( as per receiving the Air Band,) ensure you 'select AM in the Menu.' Did you do this with your radio?

[@LoftechUK]

I’m using the same and air band is rubbish. Cannot understand anyone. I’ve tried many antennas and always the same. If you want this for Airband don’t bother. Great for PMR and 27Mhz. Good all rounder just not Airband

[@stratocasterblue]

omg does this thing recieve 40, 20 and 10 meter ssb after 10 vids no one cares about amateur bands wow it is an amateur radio thanks

[@JohnSmith-wl8cv]

Paul SinclairTruth Proof UfO country