There was a time, not so long ago, when the number of radios manufactured for the GMRS were scant, and the number of brand name manufacturers producing them could be counted on one hand. Today, however, GMRS radios seem to be everywhere, and more manufacturers are jumping into the fray. The most notable of these companies is Wouxun.
Two years ago they introduced their first model, the KG-805G, and it was an instant hit. Since then, Wouxun has introduced other models, each an advancment on the last. Now the ever widening array of options from this one single manufacturer has created an interesting dilemma. It's no longer a question of whether or not to choose a Wouxun GMRS radio, its a question of which Wouxun radio to choose. Fortunately, we're here to help.
The following chart lists the Wouxun GMRS radios at Buy Two Way Radios with a comparison of their key features.
Wouxun GMRS Radio Feature Comparison Chart
| Wouxun GMRS Radio Feature Comparison Chart | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Item | KG-805G | KG-905G | KG-935G | KG-S88G | KG-1000G | KG-XS20G | |
| Radio Service | GMRS | GMRS | GMRS | GMRS | GMRS | GMRS | |
| Type | Handheld | Handheld | Handheld | Handheld | Mobile/Base | Mobile/Base | |
| Receiver Type | Superhet | Superhet | Direct Conversion | Superhet | Superhet | Direct Conversion | |
| Max Transmit Power | 5W | 5W | 5.5W | 5W | 50W | 20W | |
| GMRS TX Channels | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 22 | 22 | |
| GMRS RX Channels | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | |
| GMRS Repeater Channels | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | |
| Custom Channels | 128 | 256 | 999 | 400 | 999 | 999 | |
| Channel Groups | ✔ | ||||||
| Weather Channels | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Weather Scan | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Weather Alert | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| 400-470 MHz UHF Receive | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| 136-174 MHz VHF Receive | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| 50-53.995 MHz Receive | ✔ | ||||||
| Air Band Receive | ✔ | ||||||
| 320-349.995 MHz Receive | ✔ | ||||||
| 700-985 MHz Receive | ✔ | ||||||
| AM Receive | ✔ | ||||||
| Simultaneous Dual Receive | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| FM Radio | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Repeater Capable | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Repeater Mode* | ✔ | ||||||
| Frequency Mode | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Privacy Codes | 50 CTCSS/ 105 DCS |
50 CTCSS/ 107 DCS |
50 CTCSS/ 105 DCS |
50 CTCSS/ 105 DCS |
50 CTCSS/ 105 DCS |
50 CTCSS/ 105 DCS |
|
| Split CTCSS Tones/DCS Codes | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Standard and Non-Standard CTCSS/DCS | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Monochrome Display | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Color LCD Display | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Dual Display Mode | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Incoming Caller ID Display | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Display Channel Name, Number or Frequency | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Adjustable Squelch | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Channel Scan | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Priority Channel Scan | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Scan Groups | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Scan Add/Delete | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| CTCSS/DCS Scan | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Monitor Mode | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Key/Button Beep | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Voice Compander | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Descrambler | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||||
| Keypad/Button Lock | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Group/All/Selective Call | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| VOX | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Timeout Timer (TOT) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Power Save | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Selectable Power Levels | H/L | H/L | H/M/L | H/L | H/M1/M2/L | H/L | |
| Volume Control Knob | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Channel Knob | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Alarm Button | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Low Power Alert | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| English Voice Prompts | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Signal Strength Meter | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Hand Microphone | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Integrated Controls on Hand Mic |
✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Programmable Function Keys | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| PC Programmable | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Stopwatch Timer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Reset Function | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Flashlight | ✔ | ✔ | |||||
| Power | Li-Ion | Li-Ion | Li-Ion | Li-Ion | 12V DC | 12V DC | |
| Battery Pack | 1700mAh | 2600mAh | 3200mAh | 2000mAh | |||
| Removeable Faceplate | ✔ | ||||||
| Audio Connector | K1 | K1 | K1 | K1 | 3.5mm(x2) | 3.5mm | |
| Antenna Connector | SMA M | SMA M | SMA M | SMA M | SO-239 | SO-239 | |
| Dust/Water Protection | IP55 | IP66 | IP66 | IP67 | NO | NO | |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | |
| Price | $99.99 | $119.99 | $149.99 | $139.99 | $369.99 | $219.99 | |
*Repeater Mode allows the radio to operate as a repeater. Requires two radios. Watch this tutorial video for more information.
Additional resources:
Video Introduction to the Wouxun KG-935G GMRS Radio
TWRS-45 - The Truth About GMRS Radio Range
GMRS Radio Range Chart
How to Program a Repeater Channel into your KG-905G
Secondly, Can I use the XS20G+ and the 1000G+ together for a repeater? For reciever to be via the XS20G+ and using the 1000G+ for the transmitter? How how that effect the power output?
As for the question about using the KG-XS20G and the KG-1000G Plus together to create a repeater, it may be possible with a device such as the Surecom SR-628 Cross Band 2-in-1 Duplex Repeater Controller, however it would require the creation of custom cables and knowledge of the pinouts for them. While it may be an interesting project for someone who is inclined to tinker with it for fun, it's not a very practical solution and is not recommended.
I see the KG-SX 20G pictured but no spec’s listed on this chart.
When I look on the product page for the 20G it does not list the type. I believe it to be a direct conversion but I just wanted to verify before making a purchase.
Thank you for your comprehensive comparison.
Although I am seriously considering the purchase of the KG-935G, I had hoped your comparison would have also included the KG-UV9G, as I am having trouble getting a complete enough description on it to make a fair comparison.
I have created a spreadsheet to compare a number of GMRS radios that looked interesting enough for myself and a friend to consider. The sheet currently includes the TD-H5, GM-5R, UV-5R5, UV-5X GMRS, UV-9G, GMRS-V1, GM-30, KG-916, KG-935G. and the KG-UV9G
Thanks again, Ryck Zarick