CB radio as a service has changed a lot since its creation in 1948. During this time, there have been a number of significant changes to the rules. The latest occurred in October 2021, when the FCC allowed CB radios to operate using Frequency Modulation (FM). With all these changes, one would think the radios themselves would also be up to date. Well, not exactly. With very few exceptions, the quintessential CB radio has been somewhat stuck in a time warp, somewhere between the years 1976 and 1998. For the most part, the average CB radio of today is pretty much the same as it was 20 years ago. This is especially true of portable handheld models, which, with the sole exception of the President Randy FCC, are generally big, bulky, heavy, and power hungry walkie talkies.
That is, until now.
Wouxun, which has become a leader in next generation GMRS radios, is entering the CB arena as well, with the introduction of the new KG-S72C. This isn't your grandfather's CB radio. It's not your dad's, either. It's unlike any other CB radio currently on the market. Small, lightweight, and packed with features not found on other CB models, the KG-S72C looks to revolutionize the CB radio field.
The S72C isn't just more compact. This is the smallest handheld CB radio on the market. Yes, even smaller than the Randy. It fits comfortably in the palm of the hand, and without the antenna attached, can even slip easily into a pocket or purse. But that's only the beginning. There is a lot to like about this radio, and it offers a lot of functionality that is new to CB. Here is a list of its most exciting features.
FM Mode
In October 2021, the FCC changed the rules to allow both Amplitude Modulation (AM) and Frequency Modulation (FM) on the CB radio service. As of June 2022, only one mobile CB was introduced to capitalize on this new feature. With the release of the new KG-S72C, we now have a handheld model with this capability. This is one of the first handy talkies that was approved by the FCC for operation on FM!
The S72C transmits on up to 2 watts in AM mode and up to 4 watts in FM mode. Several features are built into the unit that take full advantage of FM. Read for more on those below.
Size
As mentioned before, the Wouxun KG-S72C is the smallest handheld CB radio on the market, which is saying a lot, since walkie talkies in the CB universe are notoriously heavy and huge. Some of that bulk is due to the outdated design of the outer shell and equally outdated circuitry within. But a lot of it is also caused by the even more antiquated power options. Many of these old thirty year throwbacks require a lot of AA alkaline batteries - up to nine! Sure, some of the "newer" models accept rechargeable AA cells as well, but that's still a lot of bulk and weight to carry around.
Enter the Wouxun KG-72C. No more huge semiconductor circuits or big bunches of batteries to lug around. It uses state-of-the-art, 21st century technology powered by a modern, 2000mAh lithium-ion battery, with 7.4v for 14.28 Wh of power. This significantly reduces the size of the radio to only 4.53 × 2.14 × 1.36 inches, and the weight to a mere 8.32 ounces (without the antenna). Bye bye, brick radio. Hello, S72C.
Superheterodyne Receiver
Since we're on the subject of circuitry, this is not to say that the superheterodyne receivers of classic CB radios are no more. On the contrary, the KG-S72C has one. There's no direct conversion here. The S72C is a real CB radio all the way. Superhet is still alive and well. It's just better.
Memory Channels
CB radios in the US have 40 CB channels on frequencies assigned by the FCC. The Wouxun KG-S72C has them all. And that's not all. It also has space for 400 Memory Channels. This means that you can customize your channel names and clone your 40 CB channels for additional functionality. You can set up an AM and FM version of a channel, and add CTCSS tones and DCS codes in FM mode. Yes, you read that correctly. this CB radio has CTCSS tones and DCS codes. You can't do that with an old Radio Shack CB.
Favorites Channel Feature
Now for the stuff that makes the KG-S72C really new and unique. It starts with your favorite channels. Some high end or premium CB radios offer an Instant Channel 9 and/or 19, meaning that you can switch over to the emergency channel 9 or the home channel 19 for truckers at the press of a button or flip of a switch. Okay, nothing new here. But the KG-S72C takes it to a whole new level, by giving you the ability to add any of your personal favorite channels to a list, and letting you instantly access any of them, any time you want. You can also change the priority of channels 9 and 19 on the list, or remove either or both from it together if you want. The choice is yours!
Programmable Function Keys
Function keys have long been a standard with many business radios, and more recently incorporated into some consumer GMRS radios, but never a CB - until now. The KG-S72C introduces this concept with not one, but three programmable function keys! Two are located on the side under the PTT and one is on top. All three can be assigned to a specific function, and all of them use the same list of functions, so you can pick and choose which function you want from the list assigned to which key. Powerful versatility is the key, and the S72C gives it all to you.
AM and FM Fast Switching
One of the most exciting features that you can be assign to a function key on the KG-S72C is the ability to instantly switch AM and FM modes. Called Fast Switching, you can toggle from AM mode to FM mode on a channel, and back again in an instant. There's no need to fumble through the menu of the radio to switch back and forth. It can be put right at your fingertips, and at your full control.
Bright LCD Display
The KG-S72C has a lighted LCD display with characters and icons that are easy to view, even in sunlight. The screen can be configured to display the channel name, channel number, or frequency. The backlight timer can be set from 1-30 seconds in one second increments. It can also be set to turn off immediately or remain on at all times.
USB-C charging port
Although the USB port has long been a standard for charging cell phones and other electronic devices, it is yet to become the de facto option for charging two way radios. That is changing, and leading the way for CB handhelds is the Wouxun KG-S72C. It has a built-in USB-C charging port in the right side of the radio so you can conveniently charge it anytime, anywhere there is USB power available. The S72C can also be charged conventionally using the drop-in desktop charger that comes in the package, but the option to use the USB-C port instead gives this radio a powerful advantage over other CB handhelds.
Dust and Water Resistant
Another exciting new feature Wouxun brings to the CB world is dust and water resistance. The KG-S72C is rated IP65 dust and water resistant, which is rather resistant, and more so than other CB radios currently available. How many other CB radios are rated IP65? At the time of this article, we could find only one. It's this one. So, there you go.
Compatible with standard K1 Connector Accessories
Yes, it's true. The KG-S72C uses a Kenwood two-pin (K1) type audio port. The K1 is one of the most popular and widely used radio accessory connector types in use today. This translates into easy access to a plethora of audio accessories for your CB radio, including earpieces, headsets, speaker microphones and more. No proprietary stuff here. You won't need to pay through the nose for an earbud with a special connector made exclusively for that one brand of CB radio. You have lots of others from which to choose. And that translates to a lower cost for you.
Cross-Compatibility with other S-Series Radios
The KG-72C has one more thing to contribute to the new era of CB. This is not a one-off or loner radio. All of the batteries and charger options for the S72C are cross compatible with other Wouxun S-Series radios. For instance, if you use both CB and GMRS, the same power accessories for the S72C will also fit the Wouxun KG-S88G. When was the last time you were able to use the charger for a Midland GMRS radio with a 75-822? Or a Uniden FRS radio with a PRO401HH? Or any Cobra FRS bubble pack radio with an HHRT 50 ROADTRIP? Probably never, because you can't. But with the Wouxun S-Series radios, you can.
Other features
But we're not quite done yet. In addition to all the innovative, exciting things that the Wouxun KG-S72C brings to the New Era of CB Radio, it offers a few more to enhance your on-air experience even further. These features include high and low power selectivity, channel scan, priority scan, monitor function, squelch adjustment, custom power on message, timeout timer, transmit overtime alarm, roger beep, voice menu with English voice prompts, stopwatch timer, VOX, built-in flashlight, and lock mode. And all of this comes with a one year manufacturer warranty from Wouxun.
And to top it all off, there is the price. You would think this little handheld CB radio, for all its innovations, would cost a lot more. But it doesn't. The KG-S72C is priced very competitively with other handheld CB radios that are bigger, bulkier, heavier and have so much less. Price: $119.99
The Wouxun KG-S72C Handheld AM and FM CB Radio is now available exclusively from Buy Two Way Radios.
