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  • The Wouxun KG-935G GMRS portable handheld radio has arrived!

    First there was the KG-805G, a powerful, yet easy to operate handheld that was customizable, programmable, and capable of transmitting at up to a full 5 watts, all of which were almost unheard of for a Part 95 type accepted GMRS radio at the time. Then came the KG-905G, with its enhanced display, 256 custom channels, and hardened, IP66 dust and water resistance, another first to market for the GMRS.

    Now, the bar has been raised again. But this time, it's different, and henceforth, the GMRS will never be the same. The Wouxun KG-935G portable handheld GMRS radio has arrived!

    Wouxun KG-935G GMRS Two Way RadioIf the KG-935G looks vaguely familiar, it's not a Jedi mind trick. It's based on the Wouxun KG-UV8H, a dual band amateur radio descended from the very popular KG-UV8 series. Although slightly larger than the original 8D, it has lot of its functionality, including an advanced feature set, great overall performance, and a highly professional look and feel. It takes all that and adds many improvements, including better ingress protection.

    So, what makes the KG-935G different? Read on.

    Wouxun KG-935G DisplayFull Color Dual Display
    The KG-935G certainly adds more features to the line of Wouxun GMRS handhelds but not all of them are internal. One huge upgrade is the display. The KG-805G has a fairly simple screen. The 905G has a larger, but monochrome visual interface. The KG-935G take the classic full color screen of the KG-UV8D and gives it an even cleaner, sharper look, with a slightly wider, more peripherally comfortable viewing area, richer colors, and a higher resolution. This makes the text, numbers, icons and graphics easier on the eyes. The display has four color themes from which to choose, two light and two dark.

    As the KG-935G is a dual mode, dual receive GMRS radio, it is only natural to assume this is also a dual display, and it is. It can display both A and B sides simultaneously, and each side can be switched to be the primary or MAIN side with short press of the BAND button. You can also turn the dual display on and off and use view the screen in single display mode if desired.

    New Display Brightness/Backlight Controls
    Although Wouxun is well known for their premium LCD displays, previous models offered limited options when it came to managing the backlights for them. With the KG-935G, Wouxun now has three menu settings related to the display brightness, giving you full control over the brightness levels. The BACKLIGHT menu setting controls how many seconds the display stays in "Active" mode after certain activities occur, such as when a key is pressed or when an incoming transmission is received. The time can be adjusted from one to twenty seconds. After this time elapses, the display returns to Standby mode. New BRT-ACTV and BRT-STBY settings allow you to choose the brightness level of the display when in each of these modes.

    To make the display easier to read in bright sunlight, Wouxun increased the maximum brightness level. The brightness adjustment settings have also been added as menu hotkeys on the keypad.

    NOAA Weather Mode, Scan and Alerts
    The KG-805G and KG-905G are two of the most popular Wouxun GMRS handhelds on the market. But for all the demand, one feature they lack, and is the one requested most often, is ability to program and receive NOAA weather channels. Enter the KG-935G. It has a NOAA weather mode built right in, easily activated at the push of a button. All 7 NOAA channels are available, and it even remembers the last weather channel accessed. The Weather Mode function can also be assigned to one of the side keys if desired.

    The KG-935G can also scan all the NOAA weather channels for active broadcasts. When Priority Scan is enabled, the radio can toggle between scanning a weather channel and a regular channel. On top of that it has a weather alert, which monitors the currently selected weather frequency for the 1050Hz subaudible tone broadcast by the NOAA station during an alert. This isn't just a frequency programmed into a channel. It's fully functional weather radio mode.

    Dual Band with Simultaneous Receive Capability
    Like the other Wouxun GMRS handhelds such as the 805 and 905G, the KG-935G transmits and receives all 30 GMRS channels, including the 22 simplex and 8 GMRS repeater channels. However, the KG-805G and KG-905G are single band radios, operating only on UHF. The KG-935G is capable of receiving on dual bands, both UHF and VHF.

    But it doesn't stop there. The 935G also has dual channel receive capability, which means it can receive two channels or frequencies on the same or different bands at once, simultaneously. In this respect, the 935G is more like its mobile cousin, the Wouxun KG-1000G.

    Wouxun KG-935G with Port CoverChannel and Frequency Modes
    As mentioned earlier, the KG-935G is a GMRS version of the KG-UV8H, so its no surprise that both radios will share many advanced features, among which is the ability to operate in either channel or frequency (VFO) mode. This is a relatively new concept for GMRS operators, however if you are already familiar with the KG-1000G GMRS Base/Mobile radio, you will know just how powerfully useful it is to have this feature on a GMRS handheld. The KG-935G can display the channel name, channel number, or frequency. These channel and frequency work modes can be toggled back and forth instantly with the press of the Mode key.

    As for memory channels, the KG-935G has 999 of them. The first 30 are pre-programmed by default to the 22 simplex and 8 repeater GMRS channels. The rest of them are available to program as you like, either with GMRS simplex and repeater channels customized with specific CTCSS tones and DCS codes, or as receive-only channels on the UHF and VHF bands. Programming can be performed directly from the DTMF keypad on the radio itself or with an optional Wouxun PCO-001 programming cable and Wouxun programming software. As with other Wouxun radios available from Buy Two Way Radios, the programming software is available as a free download and can be found under the Downloads tab on the KG-935G product page.

    IP66 Dust and Water Proof
    Consumer grade GMRS radios typically average out their resistance to the elements at about IPX4 or JIS4, which is the equivalent to the protection from a summer rain and little to no resistance to dirt or a sandy shore. A few are rated at IP54, which can take some sand and dirt, and splashing water or a heavier rain. The KG-935G isn't a consumer grade radio. It's rated IP66 for dust and water, meaning that it can take harsher elements. It's not submersible, but it can take the mud, sand and direct jets of water from any direction and still take your calls. This is a tough radio for tougher environments, indoors or out.

    Standard 3200mAh Battery

    The KG-935G comes standard with a 3200mAh lithium-ion battery pack. This is over 20% more capacity than the stock battery for the 905G and nearly twice that of the 1700mAh battery included with the KG-805G.

    More Power
    Previous Wouxun GMRS radios can transmit at up to 5 watts. The KG-935G has the capability to transmit a up to 5.5 watts of power. While not a huge boost to boast about, this modest increase does reach a reasonable balance between maximum wattage for transmit and what is considered a reasonably safe output level for a radio that can get right in front of your face. It manages this wattage with three selectable power levels, the highest of which can provide a bit of extra "oomph" in situations when you need to hit that distant repeater.

    An Updated Menu
    One of the more challenging aspects of field programming a Wouxun radio from its menu, or any import radio for that matter, is understanding the menu itself, and its options. More specifically, many of these menu items are labeled somewhat cryptically, and arranged in an arbitrary order. Such is not the case with the KG-935G. Menu options have been renamed for easier identification and re-ordered in a more logical arrangement for easier navigation and faster programming from the keypad.

    Wouxun-KG-935G with Programmable Side KeysProgrammable Function Keys x2
    It's not uncommon to find one or two programmable buttons on a GMRS handheld these days, especially on the Wouxun models, and the KG-935G is no exception. It has two, called PF1 and PF2. What is different about this radio is that each key can be programmed with not one, but two different functions. The desired function is chosen by a short or long press. Both keys are located on the side of the radio, conveniently located below the PTT. You can program each key by choosing from a selection of 12 different functions. The function keys can be programmed directly from the keypad of the radio or from a PC with the programming software.

    Other Features
    We've covered the most notable items that differentiate the Wouxun KG-935G from the other GMRS portables, but there are many other features that, while more commonly found on some high end business and amateur models, are still quite advanced for a handheld that operates on the GMRS. Among these are:

    • Wide/Narrow Bandwidth Options
    • Standard and Non-Standard CTCSS Tones and DCS Codes
    • Split CTCSS/DCS Tone Support
    • CTCSS/DCS Tone Scan
    • Channel Scan
    • Priority Channel Scanning
    • Scan Groups
    • Compander
    • Descrambler
    • DTMF Encode/Decode
    • Group Call/All Call/Select Call
    • Incoming Caller ID
    • FM Radio
    • FM Radio Station Memory Save
    • Stopwatch Timer
    • Built-in Flashlight/Strobe
    • English Voice Prompts
    • Second Frequency PTT Assignment
    • Talk Around
    • Reverse Frequency
    • Busy Channel Lockout
    • SOS
    • Alarm

    Some of these features can be found on the KG-805G and KG-905G. Very few, if any, will be found on the typical consumer grade (read "bubble pack") GMRS radio. All of them are available, as standard features, on the Wouxun KG-935G.

    If you just want a cheap GMRS radio available that does the bare minimum at the lowest power allowed, get the bubble pack. if you want a radio that maximizes everything possible with your premium priced, official FCC issued GMRS license, get the Wouxun KG-935G. Price: $149.99

  • TWRS-158 - The New Wouxun KG-1000M Mobile Radio for MURS

    Two Way Radio Show
    We tell you about a new radio from Wouxun touted as their first mobile radio for MURS. We also tell you about some manufacturer rebates on Midland and President radios and take some of your comments and questions from our blog and our forum.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:08

    New Mobile radio for MURS 1:27
    We tell you all about the new Wouxun KG-1000M MURS Base/Mobile Two Way Radio, talk about its features and why this could be the most powerful radio ever made for the Multi-Use Radio Service.

    Radio Rebates 29:26
    We tell you about some manufacturer rebates on Midland Biztalk Business Radios and the President Ronald 10 Meter Ham Radio.

    Questions and Answers 32:31
    Comments and questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum. Check out and join the forum! It's free!

    Wrap up and Close 42:57
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. If we read your comment about this episode on a future episode, we may send you a free Two Way Radio Show t-shirt or some swag! Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2021 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

  • Video Introduction to the Wouxun KG-1000M MURS Base and Mobile Radio

    After two decades, a mobile MURS radio has arrived. Could this be the ultimate MURS radio? Judge for yourself in this quick introductory video of the new Wouxun KG-1000M MURS Base/Mobile Two Way Radio!

    In this video, we give you a detailed view of KG-1000M, show you some of its exciting features and explain why we think it's the ultimate MURS radio, and most likely the only mobile transceiver made for the Multi-Use Radio Service. Plus, its license-free! It's now in our warehouse and available exclusively at Buy Two Way Radios!

    Want more videos about 2-way radios? Browse our video blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

  • MURS Radio Comparison Chart

    MURS Two Way RadiosThe recent uptick in demand for two way radios has more consumers and businesses alike looking at options that do not require a license to operate, such as FRS and MURS. Because of this, more MURS radios are being added, and these models bring more features and flexibility than ever before. But what was once a simple choice between two or three models now requires a little more thought. How do you choose the correct MURS radio for your need?

    The following chart lists the MURS radios on our web site at Buy Two Way Radios with a comparison of their key features.

    MURS Radio Feature Comparison Chart

    MURS Radio Feature Comparison Chart
    Item M-538HT M-538BS V10MR RMM2050 KG-805M KG-1000M
    Brand Dakota Alert Dakota Alert Icom Motorola Wouxun Wouxun
    Radio Service MURS MURS MURS MURS MURS MURS
    Type Handheld Base Station Handheld Handheld Handheld Mobile/Base
    Max Transmit Power 2W 2W 2W 2W 2W 2W
    MURS Channels 5 5 5 5 5 5
    Custom Channels NO NO 16 NO 128 999
    Weather Channels
    Weather Scan
    Weather Alert
    Full VHF Band Receive
    Multi-Band Receive
    AM Receive
    FM Radio
    Privacy Codes 38 CTCSS 38 CTCSS 50 CTCSS/
    84 DCS
    39 CTCSS/
    180 DCS
    50 CTCSS/
    105 DCS
    50 CTCSS/
    105 DCS
    LCD Display
    Adjustable Squelch
    Channel Scan
    Monitor Mode
    Key Beep
    Voice Compander
    Descrambler
    Keypad Lock
    Call Tone
    Volume Control
    VOX
    Timeout Timer (TOT)
    Power Save
    Selectable Power Levels Hi/Lo Hi/Lo Hi/Med/Lo
    Alarm Feature
    Alert Tone
    Signal Strength Meter
    Hand Microphone
    Integrated Controls
    on Hand Mic
    Audio Connector
    PC Programmable
    Reset Function
    Power AA AC Li-Ion Li-Ion Li-Ion 12V DC
    Removeable Antenna
    Dust/Water Protection NO NO IP67 IP54/55 IP55 NO
    Warranty 1 Year 1 Year 2 Year 1 Year 1 Year 1 Year
    Price (MSRP) $84.99 $74.99 $169.00 $189.00 $99.99 $369.99

    Additional resources:
    Video - What is a MURS Radio?
    TWRS-11 - All About MURS
    Best MURS Radios of 2020
    The Motorola RMM2050 MURS Two Way Radio Unboxing

  • The first mobile MURS radio from Wouxun is here!

    Wouxun KG-1000M Mobile MURS Two Way RadioIn the autumn of 2000, the FCC created the Multi-Use Radio Service, or MURS. As the name implies, it can be used for multiple applications, from wireless home and office intercom systems to callboxes, public address systems, and portable handheld two way radios. Best of all, its available to use by almost anyone, whether for home or business, license free.

    For much of its history, interest in MURS was limited to specific types of applications, partially because of its relative obscurity and the dearth of radios available that supported the service. Recently there has been growing interest in MURS. As a result, we've seen a slow but steady influx of type accepted MURS radios in the US marketplace. These products were limited to portable handheld MURS radios, such as the increasingly popular Wouxun KG-805M MURS radio.

    Until now.

    In response to a growing demand for alternative options, one manufacturer just released a new radio that may usher in a whole new era for the Multi-Use Radio Service, the Wouxun KG-1000M Mobile MURS two way radio!

    The KG-1000M is the first mobile MURS radio from Wouxun, and it hits the ground running out of the gate. It transmits and receives all 5 MURS channels at the full legal limit of 2 watts for maximum allowable power and performance. It also receives on several other bands, allowing you to hear traffic from other radio services such as FRS, GMRS, business, marine, airband and more. It includes a NOAA weather mode and a built-in FM radio. It even receives AM transmissions!

    At first glance this multi-band functionality may not seem overly impressive on its own. After all, there are other mobile radios out there with these capabilities, such as the KG-UV920P-A and KG-UV980P. However, the KG-1000M is FCC type accepted for legal use on MURS, which makes it a total game changer for users of this service. And that's just the beginning.

    Wouxun KG-1000M Dual DisplayThe KG-1000M is also capable of simultaneous dual mode operation, with A and B sides or areas, each capable of independent operation. This means it can receive on one area while transmitting on the other. You can even receive on both areas simultaneously. This is particularly useful when using the NOAA weather radio, as you can monitor the weather channels while scanning, transmitting or receiving on MURS. Essentially it is two mobile radios in one.

    As a dedicated MURS radio alone, the KG-1000M is an extremely powerful device. In addition to the 5 primary MURS channels, it also has memory slots for additional custom programmed channels, for a total of 999 channels. But they aren't just for MURS. Any frequency from the wide RX range supported by the KG-1000M can be saved as a listen only channel. It also supports standard and non-standard CTCSS tones and DCS codes, plus the ability to split these tones and codes for transmit and receive. This means that you can leave the first 5 MURS channels straight, and customize them all with different tones and codes in hundreds of configurations on additional programmed channels as needed. Each channel can also be assigned a custom name with up to eight alphanumeric characters, so you can ID them instantly when switching channels.

    Its powerful versatility doesn't end there. The Scan options provide even more. Of course, you can scan all 999 programmable channels, but you can also scan them with CTCSS tone and DCS code detection. The KG-1000M also features priority scanning and support for up to 10 Scan Groups, for even greater control over scans.

    Then there is the Tone Scan. This feature scans for CTCSS tones and DCS codes. It allows you to discover the precise tone or code used on a specific channel, completely eliminating the guesswork of which one the sender is using.

    Among its many other features, the KG-1000M has caller ID display, group, call, all call and selective calling, DTMF encoding and decoding, a compander, descrambler, wide and narrow bandwidth selectivity, and English voice prompts. Environment features include four power level settings, APO power management, minimum operating voltage adjustment and a built-in cooling fan in the back with adjustable control from the menu.

    Of course, a dual mode radio wouldn't be very easy to manage without a dual display, and the KG-1000M has one. Like the equally powerful GMRS version of this series, the popular and highly rated KG-1000G, this dual display is detachable and includes both angled and flat switchboard panels in the kit, so you can mount it virtually anywhere in or around your dash while the base of the radio is neatly tucked away somewhere else within your vehicle.

    Wouxun KG-1000M Dual DisplayActually, the KG-1000M is essentially the same radio as the KG-1000G, only it's for MURS instead of GMRS. Physically, it's nearly identical, right down to the control knobs, front panel keys and 3 color LED. The hand microphone is also the same, with speaker, TX/RX indicator LED and volume control. Like the 1000G, the hand mic allows nearly full control of radio including full menu access and on-the-fly programming directly from the radio. The KG-1000M has two speakers built into the base of the radio that can be controlled independently. The additional speaker in the hand microphone brings the total number of speakers to three.

    For all the functionality that is core to this radio, there is yet one more feature that sets the KG-1000M apart from any other MURS radio on the market. Aside from three different Channel Modes, the KG-1000M also has Frequency Mode. That's right. In Frequency (VFO) Mode, you can type in or to tune directly to a specific frequency regardless of the frequency having been previously saved. This is a feature rarely, if ever seen on license-free radios, and never on one for MURS.

    Until now.

    As for the price? For all it's advanced features and powerful functions, the KG-1000M is available for the same price as the GMRS model at $369.99.

    The KG-1000M is the logical alternative for those who want more range and flexability than FRS offers for personal use, and without the need to purchase a license. It's also good choice for businesses that are already using MURS and need mobile radios, or are looking for VHF radios that are license-free.

  • TWRS-157 - CB or GMRS?

    Two Way Radio Show
    We discuss the pros and cons of both the CB and GMRS radio services and why some CBers are moving to GMRS mobiles and handhelds as the radios of choice. We'll also take some of your comments and questions from our blog and our forum.

    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:11

    CB or GMRS: Which is Better? 1:30
    We compare the CB and GMRS radio services, explore the advantages and disadvantages of each and why some CBers are leaving CB radio and moving to the GMRS.

    Questions and Answers 39:36
    Comments and questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum. Check out and join the new and improved forum! It's free!

    Wrap up and Close 48:03
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. If we read your comment about this episode on a future episode, we may send you a free Two Way Radio Show t-shirt or some swag! Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2021 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

  • What is RPT-TONE?

    Wouxun RPT-TONE Menu OptionMany of the Wouxun branded radios we carry at Buy Two Way Radios include a feature called RPT-TONE. This function is somewhat of a mystery to many, because when activated, it doesn't seem to actually do anything, or at least anything immediately noticeable to the average operator. What is RPT-TONE, and what, if anything, does it do?

    RPT-TONE is often found on many commercial (business) and amateur radios, but under different names. It is most commonly referred to as Squelch Tail Elimination, or STE. Motorola calls their iteration of it reverse burst. In simple terms, the feature mutes or eliminates the squelch burst often heard at the end of a transmission as the PTT is released. This noise is quite brief, usually less than a second in duration, but can become quite annoying when chatting back and forth on calls.

    There are a few common methods for eliminating squelch burst, and each depends on what the manufacturer adopts as their standard. Baofeng and Wouxun send a specific PL tone for about 500 milliseconds or so at the end of the transmission. Some other manufacturers allow the user to adjust the tone somewhat in the programming software. Motorola uses the reverse burst method, which reverses the phase of the tone at the end of the transmission, in effect "cancelling out" the squelch. No matter which method is used, the result is the same. The squelch burst is, audibly at least, eliminated.

    To activate squelch tail elimination on Wouxun radios, locate RPT-TONE in the menu, choose OFF, and save the setting. The radios that receive a transmision from this unit should not hear a squelch tail. To transmit the squelch tail, turn RPT-TONE ON. This feature can also be activated and deactivated in the Wouxun programming software for each model.

    Here is a list of Wouxun radios featuring RPT-TONE and its location in the menu for each model.

    Model Type Menu # Options Default
    KG-1000G GMRS 46 ON/OFF ON
    KG-UV8D Amateur 47 ON/OFF OFF
    KG-UV8D-PLUS Amateur 47 ON/OFF OFF
    KG-UV8E Amateur 47 ON/OFF OFF
    KG-UV8H Amateur 47 ON/OFF OFF
    KG-UV9P Amateur 47 ON/OFF OFF
    KG-UV920P-A Amateur 41 ON/OFF ON
    KG-UV980P Amateur 46 ON/OFF ON
  • How to create scan groups on the Wouxun KG-1000G

    The Wouxun KG-1000G is perhaps the most powerful and versatile GMRS mobile radio around. Among its powerful features is the ability to create scan groups. It's easy to set up and use, but can be a little confusing to those who are not familiar with this function. What are scan groups? How do you set a particular channel to a specific scan group? Once configured, how do you activate this feature on the KG-1000G?

    What are Scan Groups?
    The KG-1000G is pre-programmed with 22 GMRS simplex and 8 GMRS repeater channels out of the box, for a total of 30 channels. However, it also allows you to program additional customized channels into the radio, for a combined total of 999 channels. That's a lot of channels to scan. Now, you could just press the scan button and let the KG-1000G just scan everything, but if you are using a lot of the custom memory channel slots, or all of them, a general scan for any active channels could take awhile.

    This is where Scan Groups come in. You can assign a specific number of channels to a scan group and configure the radio to scan only those channels, greatly decreasing the time it takes to find an active channel and increasing the efficiency of the scan.

    Let's say you only want to scan channels 1-7 during the day and channels 15-22 in the evening. You could remove the channels you don't want to scan from the general scan list momentarily, but that would be quite time consuming and impractical, especially if you want to go back and scan those other channels later. Instead, you could create one scan group for channels 1-7, another scan group for channels 15-22, and leave the rest alone, in case you do want to scan all the channels as normal at some point. Then simply choose the group you want to scan for the moment, and press the scan button.

    How to create a Scan Group
    The KG-1000G supports up to 10 scan groups. Channels are added to a group by assigning a range of channel numbers to it using the KG-1000G programming software. Channels can be assigned to multiple groups. For instance, Channels 1-7 can be assigned to Group 1, channels 5-12 assigned to Group 2, etc. You can assign one channel to a group, however you cannot assign multiple channels individually within a group. In other words, Channel 1 can be its own scan group, but Channels 1,3, and 5 cannot. They can only be entered in a range of channels, e.g. Channels 1-7.

    To create a scan group, open the Wouxun KG-1000G programming software, click on the Scan Group tab and choose the group number to which you want to add channels. Then enter the first channel in the range of channels to be scanned by choosing it in the drop down list in the CH-From column, and enter the last channel in the range by doing the same in the CH-To column. You can also enter a name for the scan group up to 6 characters long in the Scan-Name column.

    Programming a Scan Group into the Wouxun KG-1000G

    How to activate a Scan Group
    There are two ways to choose and activate a scan group. If you are already creating your scan group(s) in the programming software, simply click on a radio button to the left of the CH-From column of the scan group you want to activate and choose the side of the radio to which the scan group will be assigned (Side A, Side B or Both). Save your configuration to the radio and it's all set.

    Choosing a Scan Group in the Wouxun KG-1000G Programming Software

    Alternately, you can leave the scan group default to ALL while in the programming software and activate your scan group directly from the radio itself. Press the [MENU] button, choose SC-GROUP from the menu (option 43) and choose the number or name of the scan group you created in the programming software that you want to activate. Press [MENU] to save your option, and press [EXIT] to exit the menu. Now, whenever you press the Scan key, it will scan only the channels in the scan group you chose.

    Wouxun KG-1000G Scan Group Menu Option

    You can change the scan group on the KG-1000G at any time by going back to the SC-GROUP option in the menu and choosing another group, or choosing ALL if you want to scan all channels sequentially as normal.

    It is important to note that the Scan Group function is not available in Frequency Mode, simply because it is used for scanning channels, not frequencies. Also, this feature is not available when the KG-1000G is in Repeater Mode.

    Questions? Feedback? Leave your comments below!

  • How to install the Wouxun programming cable and driver

    We've received numerous calls recently from customers who are having trouble installing some of the Wouxun programming cables in a Windows 10 PC. This can occur whether Windows recognizes the cable or not. Installing the driver from the mini-cd that comes with the cable does not resolve the issue. Why is the cable not working and how do you fix it?

    If you are running Windows 10, technically it should install automatically, or at least it used to, as Windows includes a Silicon Labs USB driver in its driver list. However, Silicon Labs has updated their driver and this driver no longer works. The driver on the mini-cd included with the cable from Wouxun is also no longer valid for Windows 10. Unfortunately, in many cases Windows 10 insists on installing the incorrect version of the driver anyway, further compounding the problem.

    To confirm this, open the Device Manager in Windows 10. The cable may appear under Other Devices with an exclamation mark, also known as a splat mark (!) next to the listing for the cable.

    Wouxun Programming Cable error in Device Manager

    Here's how to fix the issue and install the Wouxun PCO-001 or PCO-003 programming cable on a Windows 10 computer.

    Step 1. DO NOT attempt to install the driver from the mini-cd that comes with the cable. This is the first step, and is the most common cause of the issue. Wouxun provides it, but to be frank, there's really nothing on it that is particularly useful in the year 2021 and beyond. Don't even mess with the little green mini-cd. Please. Just don't.

    Wouxun Programming Cable Driver Mini-CD

    Step 2. Download the updated CP210x UART driver. It is available from the Wouxun PCO-001 or PCO-003 product page at Buy Two Way Radios. The driver is located under the Downloads tab above the product description. It works. It's been tested.

    Wouxun Programming Cable Product Page Driver Download
    Step 3. Unzip the driver package. The package includes drivers for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows.

    Wouxun Programming Cable Driver File List

    Now we come to a very important part of the installation process, the installation itself. But wait, don't just start yet. A common procedure is to install the driver through the Update Driver wizard. This is where many users get into trouble, and where Windows will typically want to install the incorrect driver. Rather than going through all that mess, keep it simple and just use the installer provided in the package. Yes, there is an installer, actually two to be precise. All you need to know is which one to run. Then, just run it. In most cases, the installer will do the heavy lifting for you.

    Here is how to install the driver.

    Step 1. Check your version of Windows 10. Are you running the 32-bit or 64-bit version? This is important, as it will determine which version of the driver installer you need to run.

    Step 2. Be sure Windows is up to date. If not, we recommend that you download and install the updates before installing the new driver. This is a good practice anyway for security reasons and general peace of mind.

    Step 3. Run the correct version of the cable driver installer. The 32-bit version is called CP210xVCPInstaller_x86 and the 64-bit version is CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.

    4. Follow the installation instructions on screen.

    After installation is complete, check the device manager. The splat mark (!) should be gone. Note the COM port number as well. You will need to know this when choosing the correct COM port for the cable in the programming software.

    Wouxun Programming Cable Driver Working

    The Wouxun programming cable should now be correctly installed. To verify the installation, right-click on the cable in the Device Manager and go to Properties. Click the Driver tab. The Driver Date and Driver Version should match what is in the image below.

    Wouxun Programming Cable Driver Version

    One final tip
    If everything is correctly installed, but the computer still cannot detect the cable, it is possible that Windows Power Management is to blame. This is especially something to check if you are using a laptop, where Power Management is set with strict parameters for battery conservation. To check this, go to the Device Manager, right-click on the cable, and click the Power Management tab. Remove the check from Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and click OK. This should resolve the issue.

    Questions? Feedback? leave a comment below.

  • How to install an FTDI Programming Cable on newer versions of Windows 10

    Something has changed with a recent update of Windows 10 that may affect the installation or operation of radio programming cables equipped the FTDI chip, such as the XLT Painless Programming Cable. Previously, all you needed to do was plug the cable into an available USB port and Windows would automatically detect it and install the driver, making the cable instantly recognizable and available for use.

    All of that changed with a recent Windows 10 update. When installing the USB programming cable, Windows 10 does not correctly recognize the cable or is unable to locate the driver for it. When checking the device manager, the USB port may look something like what is in the image below:We have contacted FTDI support to learn more about the issue and find out when it may be corrected for future Windows updates. FTDI acknowledged the issue and assured us that their developers are currently working to resolve it. FTDI estimates that a fix with the Windows 10 automatic downloads should be available "within the next couple of weeks".

    However, there is a fix for the interim. FTDI provided an executable installer that can be run manually to install the cable driver. Here are the steps for installation:

    1. Download CDM21236_Setup.zip
    2. Unzip and run the executable setup file
    3. Connect the cable to the PC

    Conversely, you can install the driver manually via the Update Driver tab in device manager properties using the driver-only package. To perform this type of installation, follow the steps below:

    1. Download CDM+v2.12.36.1+WHQL+Certified.zip (this is the driver-only package)
    2. Unzip the file
    3. Plug the cable into the PC
    4. When Windows asks to search for a driver, choose the option Browse my computer for driver software.
    5. Navigate to the unzipped folder
    6. Check the box for include subfolders and click Next
    7. When the installation is complete, note the COM port assigned to the device and click Close

    And that's it. The cable should now be recognized by Windows and properly installed.

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