The Wouxun KG-UV8D is a popular dual band handheld two way radio for a reason. It has great performance, it's loaded with features, and it has a nice, large, color LCD display. It's also reasonably priced.
Then there is programming.
Programming the KG-UV8D isn't very difficult if you do it with a computer. Although the programming software provided by Wouxun isn't perfect, it's really not too bad, and it's not too difficult to figure out over time. Of course, if you have the open source programming software called CHIRP, it's even better, because it now supports the original KG-UV8D. CHIRP is freely available online.
For the most part, programming the KG-UV8D from a PC is relatively painless, especially when connected to an XLT Painless Programming Cable from Buy Two Way Radios. Programming it manually from the radio itself is another topic. To someone who is not familiar with the process, it can certainly be confusing or downright frustrating. Yet, there may come a time when you need to program your 8D and there is no computer or programming cable handy. There may be a time and place when you may need to do it manually. What do you do? How do you do it?
Follow the instructions below to manually program your Wouxun KG-UV8D, KG-UV8D Plus or KG-UV8E directly from the keypad of the radio.
How to manually program a simplex channel
- Step 1. Press [A/B] and choose the A Side (upper display) as MAIN.
- Step 2. Press [VFO/MR] and enter Frequency Mode.
The radio should be in Frequency (VFO) Mode to program all settings to the channel. - Step 3. Enter the frequency.
Use the keypad to enter the frequency into the radio. - Step 4. optional - Enter the transmit CTCSS/DCS code.
- CTCSS - [MENU] 16 [MENU] [enter/choose code XXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
- DCS - [MENU] 18 [MENU] [choose code XXXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
Use the [Arrow Up/Down] keys or the channel selector knob to choose the codes from the menu.
- Step 5. Assign the frequency to a channel.
[MENU] 27 [MENU] [enter channel number XXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
If the Channel number is displayed in black, it is already assigned. Choose another channel.
If the channel number is blue, the channel is available.
How to manually program a repeater channel
- Step 1. Press [A/B] and choose the A Side (upper display) as MAIN.
- Step 2. Press [VFO/MR] and enter Frequency Mode.
Like the simplex channels, the radio should be in Frequency (VFO) Mode to program all settings to the channel. - Step 3. Enter the frequency.
Use the keypad to enter the frequency into the radio. - Step 4. optional - Enter the transmit CTCSS/DCS code.
- CTCSS - [MENU] 16 [MENU] [enter/choose code XXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
- DCS - [MENU] 18 [MENU] [choose code XXXXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
Use the [Arrow Up/Down] keys or the channel selector knob to choose the codes from the menu.
- Step 5. Input the repeater frequency offset.
Press [MENU] 23 [MENU] [enter the offset for 2 meter or 70 cm repeater] [MENU] [EXIT] - Step 6. Enter the Transmit Frequency Shift.
Press [MENU] 24 [MENU] [enter 1 for positive shift or 2 for negative shift] [MENU][EXIT]
Note: There are three ways to enter the frequency shift.- Enter 1 for positive (+) and 2 for negative (-).
- Press [Arrow Up/Down] to toggle + or -.
- Turn the channel selector knob to choose + or -.
- Step 7. Assign the frequency to a channel.
Press [MENU] 27 [MENU] [enter the channel number XXX] [MENU] [EXIT]
If the Channel number is displayed in black, it is already assigned. Choose another channel.
If the channel number is blue, the channel is available.
To add more channels, repeat the steps above. If these instructions are followed correctly step-by-step, you should be able to program all 999 memory channels in your Wouxun KG-UV8D. Note: These instructions will also work for KG-UV8D Plus and KG-UV8E radios.
how do i change the display from ch to frequency
As stated in Step 2 of the article, press the MR/VFO key to go into Frequency Mode. There are 3 channels modes and one frequency mode. The MR/VFO key toggles the display between the different channel and frequency modes.
Does anyone know if you can program the 8 plus with a red cable using Linux??
It can now (in 2020!). Use the latest Chirp and the red Wouxun USB cable
I have a Wouxun KG-UV8D. For some reason when I
Push to talk on a repeater frequency it is not shifting to the transmit frequency and therefore not tripping any of the stored repeaters. I reloaded the program and still nothing. Any recommend?
Hi Dave, your best source for that answer would be the CHIRP development team. You can view a complete list of radios supported by CHIRP on their project site at http://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home .
Can the Wouxun KG-UV8T be programmed using Chirp software?