UV-K5 Ham Radio Handheld, 5W Dual Band Two Way Radio for Adults, Air Band Receive (AM/FM), NOAA Weather Alert, USB Type-C Rechargeable Walkie Talkies Long Range Survival Gear, Black

I love this radio so much! First off, common questions. Yes, you will need a driver for the cable, I find that the driver you use for the typical Baofeng programming cable suffices as I was able to use it with CHIRP Next and no additional drivers needed. Second. You want to use CHIRP Next to program this radio, Chirp Legacy does not support it. You can also use radioreference website to look up local frequencies for your area to enrich your radio hobby. Third. You will want to use monitor mode to listen to NOAA Weather Radio. Also a word about using NOAA Scan. When this is enabled and your radio is in NOAA mode (Funtion + 5) the radio stays silent until it receives the 1050Hz tone that opens squelch and lets you hear any watches, warnings, or related statements. This feature alone makes it a great weather radio since it also separately receives commercial FM radio. Things that will improve your experience; an SMA F to BNC F adaptor. This way you can switch out antennas or cables easily without damaging the built in SMA M port with regular to frequent use. I use the DHT Electronics adaptors. You can experiment so much easier with antennas this way! The antenna pictured is an HYS-771 antenna, performs well for Airband receive. Always have the charger in a convenient place, though most people will want to charge via the USB-C port. If you are very technologically inclined I suggest that you look into Egzumer's firmware for the UV-K5 radios. In version 0.20 of his firmware, the Airband receive is enhanced so that the audio is much cleaner rather than being crispy and distorted by strong signals. If you decide to go that route, be advised that you may need to customize the mod to suite your needs accurately as the firmware does leave out NOAA frequencies/NOAA Scan. But this can be fixed by following Egzumer's detailed instructions on his Github, which you will need to make a free account for customizing the firmware to your needs. It's basically turning options on or off in the makefile, then recompiling. Use different firmware at your own discretion. Do not transmit on frequencies you are not licensed to transmit on. Do not transmit on frequencies that the radio isn't classified for use on (this radio is FCC Part 15B). And as always, happy listening!

As a radio enthusiast always on the hunt for a device that offers flexibility and performance, I was intrigued by the QUANSHENG UV-K5 Walkie Talkie. After spending some quality time with this device, I'm compelled to share my experience, which has been nothing short of remarkable. The QUANSHENG UV-K5 stands out in the market, primarily due to its core, the RF BK4819 chip from Beken. This chip is the heart of the device, offering an impressively wide operational frequency range of 18-660 MHz and 840-1300 MHz. This range significantly surpasses the default limitations set by the stock firmware. With modified firmware, the UV-K5 unleashes its full potential, allowing users to harness the entire spectrum offered by the BK4819 chip, thus vastly enhancing the device's functionality. The availability of multiple modified firmwares opens up a universe of possibilities, allowing users to unlock the radio with an array of cool and nifty extra features. The fact that you can create, download, and directly flash your own firmware to the radio is a game-changer, providing a level of personalization that is hard to find elsewhere. The fit and finish of the UV-K5 are commendable, with a quality that slightly edges out competitors like the UV-5R. It boasts a dual VFO and an impressive RX range, receiving 6m FM, air band AM, and FM from 136 to 600 MHz in the primary mode. The separately accessible FM broadcast band receive, although requiring some quirky keystrokes to access, is a clever addition that enhances the device's versatility. What truly sets the UV-K5 apart is its extensive functionality. It effortlessly supports all the expected features like memory channels that store repeater offsets and tones, dual receive, and more, positioning itself as a superior version of its counterparts. Labeling it as 'The Most Hackable Radio' is not an overstatement; this device offers an unprecedented level of customization and flexibility. The radio's core features are equally impressive. The clear voice quality and long call distance ensure reliable communication in various scenarios, be it traveling, hiking, or any professional setting. The inclusion of AM reception, FM radio, one-button frequency matching, and NOAA weather forecast, among the other 48 function settings, makes the UV-K5 a comprehensive tool for any walkie-talkie enthusiast. The package itself is generous, including all the necessary accessories like the intercom host, Li-Battery, antenna, belt clip, and more, ensuring you have everything you need right out of the box. The specifications, like the transmit power of 5W and a maximum frequency offset of ≤5KHz (25KHz), underline the device's robust performance. In summary, the QUANSHENG UV-K5 is more than just a walkie-talkie; it's a versatile gadget that caters to both the casual user and the radio aficionado. Its ability to be modified and personalized puts it in a league of its own, offering an engaging and fulfilling user experience. Whether you're into serious radio communication or just love exploring the airwaves, the UV-K5 is a reliable companion that won't disappoint. 5/5 - An exceptional blend of performance, customization, and functionality, making it a top pick for anyone passionate about radio communication.

Pros: can expand to full 50MHz - 600MHz range for both Rx and Tx, and after loaded custom firmware, operates from 18MHz to >1GHz with subpar performance. Can cover airband, with CTCSS, VOX, RF power ~4W. Good audio quality, beats Baofeng UV-5R. Cons: subpar sensitivity, poor harmonic rejection. Antenna is not tuned to dual band with high VSWR. The USB-C wasn't designed right with the CC line 5K pull down missing, so can only charge from non-PD USB sources (such as type A to C). USB C charging only goes up to 8-8.1V, missing 30% capacity but cradle works ok up to 8.4V. The airband is not pure AM mode so would see saturation issue and audio won't come out very clear at times. It's a good budget radio and does airband receiving as well. Money is well worth it!

I love this little radio! I carry it daily and make many contacts via the repeaters as well as to check into the local nets. I have been so impressed with this line of HTs that I have purchased additional ones to give to new Hams to get started! Enjoy the hobby! 73s...

I’m giving this 5 stars as a Chinese radio. It’s not up to Yaesu or Icom standards, but it’s a great value for the price. I’d buy this instead of a UV-5R. Firmware and internals seem a little more modern and capable. Tx/rx sound is good. Chirp programmable. If you’re considering this or a UV-5R, get this one if the price is similar.

Very easy to use and functional for what I am using it for. Picks up a pretty decent range and is very clear. Such a great price and it’s the perfect size for me.

Just look at the YouTube reviews of this unit, and get one, or several. They do so much, and so well, and are very inexpensive. I've retired my Baofeng, and made this my go to unit.

This radio should never be your daily rig. It fails the spurious emission level test. BUT... with the different firmwares and other capabilities that experimenters are plying from this radio, it is a good choice for experimenting. Just... use a dummy load and low power. Have fun.