Nov 22 2012

Wouxun KG-UV920P (Part II)

Today was my last chance to review the radio; I did my best to make the most of it. One measurement didn’t make the deadline yesterday: frequency accuracy.

Accuracy @ 145MHz: +2Hz, accuracy @ 435MHz: -71Hz. This is as good as it gets.

Pictures:

Text and images on the box.

KG-UV920P front. The LCD seems discolored, but this was caused by bright sunlight while taking pictures.

KG-UV920P inside.

Wish list
Is the new version perfect? Almost. A few things should be on Wouxun’s to do list:

  1. You can’t change the volume of VFO A while transmitting on VFO B or vice versa. Only after you release the PTT switch the volume will change. Any other radio will allow you to change the volume without having to interrupt the conversation.
  2. When changing the frequency of the active VFO, the audio of the secondary VFO mutes momentarily before returning to normal. This is accompanied by a ‘plop’ sound.
  3. You can’t generate a 1750Hz burst tone from the microphone keypad; instead you have to press PTT and reach for the ‘Band’ key on the front panel. The ‘Band’ key on the microphone keypad only generates a DTMF tone. In Europe a 1750Hz burst tone is essential for opening repeaters. Reaching for the front panel isn’t really something you want to do while driving.
  4. Not only the TX range of this EU version is limited to the amateur bands (which is good), but the RX range too. That’s a pity. Many hams like to listen to other traffic on VHF and UHF. TX and RX boundaries can be set by software, but this specific program is not meant to get into the hands of end users.
  5. The ‘Volume Mod‘ doesn’t seem to be implemented yet in this version. It should.

On a personal note: I would like to see amber as a an extra option for the LCD background color.

Conclusion
The new Wouxun KG-UV920P addresses the most important problems we encountered when reviewing the previous version. We were surprised, impressed, and satisfied. What remains are minor flaws, flaws you can live with. Every radio has minor flaws, and it’s up to the readers to decide whether they’re considered important or not.

The strongest point of the Wouxun KG-UV920P is the quality of the receiver. On the frequencies that matter this receiver does what it’s supposed to do. And it better be good – we lost all those RX bands we originally drooled over.

Personally I prefer this version over a ‘I-can-do-it-all’ radio with a front end as wide as a 10-lane highway. If you want to listen to other frequencies, buy a scanner or a communications receiver.

Bottom line: Wouxun finally competes with the big three. Expected price point in NL: €299.

24 comments on “Wouxun KG-UV920P (Part II)”

  1. Hans,

    Any idea when this radio will be available to the general public? I’m not even seeing the ‘P’ version on Wouxun’s site. A few places carry the ‘R’ version, but your site seems to be the only one that makes any mention of the newer ‘P’ version radio.

    Great review btw. I’m surprised to see someone actually testing the specs of radios, and it’s quite refreshing.

  3. The “P” version is sold in Taiwan, (I did not know or did not sell in China)
    [TRAP INTERNATIONAL LIMITED COMPANY] exclusive agency in Taiwan.
    I have ordered one.
    MayBe……December 15 should be sent to me. (Because I have not paid) 😛

  7. tx audio deviation a bit week … isn t it ? Any clou how to fix the somewhat low tx audio ? wonder whether a schematic is already available … any hint appreciated

    • There were no issues here. Actually, one owner claimed he had to put some foam in front of the element because TX audio was so loud. Check the wide/narrow setting, set it to wide if necessary. No schematic diagrams available as far as I know. You can always mail Wouxun and ask.

  9. lasting problem with low deviation ON VHF ONLY. meanwhile 2 ref. emails remaining unanswered by Wouxun technical stuff ….. a known issue as visible on various reflectors. Assumed that Wouxun (as has been their style so far ….) would offer a hint on how to fix this problem …. but they just do not issue opinion – to ignore is not a satisfying solution 😦 thought I knew Wouxun better … one still has to learn

  10. The salesman (distributor) has changed my KG-UV920R (the one that has been faulty) to KG-UV929E-P which was supposed to be ok!? But the new model ,the one that has been “improved” has different defects, which are absolutely unacceptable!!.1.) When J press PTT buton and start transmitting , the modulation is very soft at the beginning,and grows to full strenght only in 2-3 seconds. 2.) The volume control ot the reciver (receiving tracks) is still to ond at the setting 0 , 0-1 ,0-2 volume. 3) When two receive 2 different respondents, the acustic signal level drops to the strenght which is too low. All in all , the producer cexpeting KG-UV-920P-E , has im proved some elements of KG-UV 920R ,but has spoiled some other elements, which were good.

    • My review sample didn’t exhibit these problems, else I would have reported them. In the mean time some ham operators here here in the Netherlands use a KG-UV920P-E, and these guys don’t experience your problems either. It would be very disappointing when these radios are not always technically identical.

  11. anybody managed to get the selective calling 5 tone to work on the uv920-p or even the dtmf decoding

  12. Hans:

    Following your review and my limited budget I purchased the KG-UV920P and set it up as a X-band repeater in my Faculty, as a safety net when we take our students on field trips out of town. As per regulations I must be able to remotely control the repeater (stun/kill/revive). Following the chinglish manual has gotten me nowhere. Could you please point me to a good primer or directions on how to do this?

  14. Allow me to share some tips regarding remote controlling repeater off/on or setting the repeater mode. I am no expert on this, I just base this on my newbie experience with the KG-UV920P.

    Objective I: Let’s say you want to enable two-way crossband repeat between 462.70000 (left side of the LCD) and 155.18000 (right side of the LCD). Of course, you have to enter those sample frequncies in frequency mode
    1) First thing you have to do is activate remote control function of the radio using the KG-UV920P software. Connect the transceiver to a host PC via the programming cable then under ‘Remote Settings’ tab, see to it that RC Open is selected. Supply your desired ANI-EDIT, MCC-EDIT, SCC-EDIT, and CONTR CODE. For purposes of demonstration, we will use the following codes:

    2) Write the sample settings to the KG-UV920P using the ‘Write’ button. Remove the programming cable once successfully done with the writing.

    3) With the master frequency icon (the triangle pointing down) on the right side of the radio’s LCD, press Menu 4 4 on the SP-MIC until you see RC-SW on the screen, press Menu to enter, choose ON then confirm with Menu button. The radio will reboot (you will see ‘RESET Wait…’ on the screen then both sides will be locked. You will notice the keyboard lock icon on both sides.

    4) Using a handheld radio controller (let’s say a Baofeng UV-5R), dial in the frequency on the right side of the KG-UV920P’s LCD; from our objective, its 155.180.

    5) Hold PTT of the Baofeng UV-5R, press the following keys in exact order: 1 2 3 # Menu Arrowdown then release the PTT button. You will then hear a single beep on the Baofeng UV-5R signifying that remote control changing function of the KG-UV920P is now activated.

    6) Hold PTT of the Baofeng-UV5R then press the following keys in exact order to activate two-way crossband repeat mode: 0 3 3 then release the PTT. You will then hear 2 beeps on the Baofeng UV-5R. The KG-UV920P resets to two-way crossband repeater mode. Use the repeater as desired.

    Objective 2: Let’s say you want to turn off or turn on the repeater remotely using a Baofeng UV-5R (assuming the repeater is NOT busy)
    1) Using same codes and frequencies above, hold the PTT on the Baofeng UV-5R then press the following keys in exact order: 6 5 4 3 2 1 UpArrow UpArrow 1 0 1 #

    2) Release the PTT button. The KG-UV920P will then power off/ power on remotely whatever the case may be. Actually power off state at this point is not really off, the lights on the KG-UV920P’s front panel and SP-MIC are all lit but the buttons are deactivated except for the Power switch button.

    Objective 3: Turn off two-way crossband repeater mode (assuming the repeater is NOT busy)
    1) Hold PTT of the Baofeng UV-5R, press the following keys in exact order: 1 2 3 # Menu Arrowdown then release the PTT button. You will then hear a single beep on the Baofeng UV-5R signifying that remote control changing function of the KG-UV920P is now activated.

    2) Hold PTT of the Baofeng-UV5R then press the following keys in exact order to deactivate two-way crossband repeat mode: 0 3 1 then release the PTT. You will then hear 2 beeps on the Baofeng UV-5R. The KG-UV920P resets to transciever mode. At this point, the master frequency icon is still on the right side of the LCD. Both sides are still locked.

    To exit RC-SW (remote control), you have to manually press the #Lock button on the front panel or SP-MIC of the KG-UV920P. Press Menu twice, choose OFF then Menu to confirm. The transciever then reboots to normal operation. I don’t know how to remotely exit from the remote control function.

    I hope that helps. Sorry for the lengthy post. I’ll try to record a demo and upload the video on YouTube to see this remote control functions in action.

    Kind regards from the Philippines.

  15. Hi folks. Video is now up on YouTube. The video walks you through some Wouxun KG-UV920P remote control operation procedures.

    Specifically, the video demonstrates the steps involved in the following remote operations:

    1) Remote changing of repeater mode
    – Change from normal transceiver communication mode to directional repeater mode or two-way crossband repeater mode or shift to any of those 3 modes for that matter.

    2) Remote Power OFF / Power ON of the transceiver while its on repeater mode.
    – Allows you to temporarily halt whenever you want to, operation of the KG-UV920P transceiver-turned-repeater or remotely power-on the unit at your preferred time of the day.

    ‘Wouxun KG-UV920P Remote Control Operations’

    In the demo, I used a Baofeng UV-5R handheld transceiver to remotely control the Wouxun KG-UV920P mobile/base transceiver. However, you can also use as radio controllers other handheld brands as long as it has numeric keypad for DTMF encoding.

    Pardon for the grammatical and pronunciation errors; English (or Chinese) is not my mother tongue.

    I hope this helps someone. Thanks for watching. Kind regards from the Philippines.

      • Thanks, and you’re welcome.

        I’ll try to experiment with Stun, Monitoring and Inspection remote functions and we’ll see what I can come up with. Kill function is way too intimidating, so, I won’t go on that. In my spare time, I will also try to do a demo regarding other remote controlled functions such as changing frequency, changing channel number and changing transmitting power. I share based on what I (as a newbie) understand from the ‘Chinglish’ manual.

        Goodbye for now.

  16. Does anyone know where in the menu the offset amount is put in for the repeater shift as I am unable to find it in the manual, thank you for your help.

Comments are closed.