That's the problem. I don't know any of the ratings as the owners manual has no schematic for me to look at and I am not aware of any schematics or service manuals available for this radio. This is  one drawback of the Chinese rigs. Tech info is unobtanium.

I don't turn the flashlight on and just leave it on. I use it in 15-30 second bursts at the most for only 8-10 times a day, so battery consumption is not a concern.

Thus, the reason for my wanting to find a better quality part. I know the Chinese parts can be inferior quality, but sometimes not. Many people (not you) like to bash the newer Chinese radios flooding the market, however several of the models offered by the "Big 3" ( i.e. Yaesu FT-270) and even Motorola are made in China now. Anyway, I have a friend who's had his Wouxun for a couple of years now and he's told me he's dropped it hard several times and his flashlight option still works. One of my KGUV6D's I've had the LED repaired on still works fine 2 months later with moderate use. So I know it can work.

LED's are supposed to last several thousands of hours installed in a properly designed circuit. That's why they replaced the old wheat lamps on most all modern radio displays and why they are being touted for replacing incandescent bulbs in the home. They are energy efficient and long lasting. Besides, I do not use it much at work anyway but it's handy when I DO use it.

I appreciate KE3WD's idea, however, the radio is under warranty and I do not want to open the case and void the warranty, therefore I cannot perform tests. I was trying to furnish something of better quality to the tech that would be an easy drop in replacement so he wouldn't have to do much fiddling around.

Hello, does anyone know what the voltage rating is for the white built in flashlight LED on the Wouxun KGUV6D V2 commercial HT radio?

 I have had several failures of the built in flashlight LED in a couple of my KGUV6D Wouxuns. I just had another LED failure again only a week after having one repaired. My dealer has been great at honoring the warranty repairs, however I am wondering if he is using substandard Chinese LED's supplied by Wouxun and I want to buy my own from a local Motorola shop and send it along with my radio this time to see if it solves this problem. I'm also asking him to check any in line voltage dropping resistors as well.

I find the flashlight option quite handy in my work and for a $150 radio, it should work properly.

Any info is appreciated.

73, Todd - KT0DD

Reading mis-comprehension and the "I am right and you are wrong" power and control illness is the norm here on eham. you just have to filter through it.

I've often wondered what part of UNPAID volunteer SAR operators using Amateur Radio for search and rescue IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION was illegal? Some people need to re-read the part 97 rules after they take a reading comprehension class.

73.

Prior to January 2013, the Baofeng UV-5R had FCC Part 90 certification as well as the Wouxun radios.

 After the Jan 1 2013 narrowband mandate, the only Part 90 Chinese radios I've seen that that have modified their software to comply with the new part 90 rules are the Wouxuns.

 I own 3 Wouxun KGUV6D radios and would put them up against any non-mil spec $200 range japanese amateur HT's that people buy and illegally mod for dual service ops. However, these aren't something that I would want to have as a police officer where you might have to bash a suspect in the head with it.

I would say for low / moderate VFD / SAR ops or something to take home if you have to keep your federally mandated 800mhz radios under lock and key like our local SAR ops do, I would look at the Wouxun KGUV6D V2. Their TX / RX audio is fantastic and mine have survived several 2-3 ft drops onto hard concrete. They run from $150 - $175 from several sites. I buy mine from Lentini Communications in CT. for $160. including software CD and cable.

73. Todd - KT0DD

Thanks. I'm not a "well-to do" ham so I need to hang on to things that take large initial outlays of cash. I'm lucky if I have $100 a month fun money to spend. I'll take my chances on having to repair a brand new never opened in the box $1300 amp that has been stored for 2 years. A tube is much easier for me to come by... hi hi. RF Parts has new Taylor 3-500's for around $180.

Hi all, I have a brand new never installed Taylor 3-500zg that came with a new amplifier I bought 6 mos. ago. My situation has changed and I will probably not be able to set up the amp for another 18 months.

I have read on here that 3-500's do not store well on the shelf for extended periods. While I am keeping the amp, Is it better to sell the tube now and buy a new one 18 mos from now when I am going to use the amp, or will the tube be ok having been stored for a total of 2 years?

Thanks.
Todd - KT0DD

I just had an amusing thought. Where I live, our county emcomms have migrated to the 800mhz systems and use 70cm amateur for initiation and logistics of an emergency callout.

One of the main logistic tasks communicated on ham radio is whether or not to go to the storage area and check out the 800 mhz radios which the emergency responders don't take home. By the time all the logistical ops have been discussed on ham radio, I have a very good general picture of the emergency situation.

Who says ham radio has no place in emcomms. you can always use it to tell someone to go get the "real" radios....Hi Hi.

73. Todd - KT0DD

Thanks to everyone for the info. I'm putting together a SAR kit for camping and emergency operations. I will need to be able to get out in rugged terrain here in the western colorado rocky mountains. I have radios with SMA female connections, so I will call Smiley and see if they will custom build one as they advertize. Otherwise I'll have to send to China.

Thanks again.

73.  Todd - KT0DD

I see several telescoping antennas for HT's advertized by MFJ and the China offshore companies. Some extend to @ 16" and others extend to @ 42".

Do these antennas really help? I always thought a homemade counterpoise "tiger tail" radial element would be more help.

Thanks for any replies.

73. Todd - KT0DD

I bought 2 Wouxon KGUV6D - V2 radios from Alex, and was more than pleased with the excellent customer service.

After about a week, one of my Wouxons had the flashlight LED burn out. I emailed Alex and he said just get the chassis back to him and they would fix it or if it were un-repairable he would swap out the chassis for a new one.

I just got mine back and it's just as new. It took a little over a week for repairs and shipping both ways at no charge except for my shipping to him which was cheap USPS.

I highly recommend Lentini Comm and thanks again Alex!

I was thinking for longer runs, ladder line might be less lossy than coax. I plan to have a tuner anyway in case I want to operate on segments of the bands that might be too far away from the resonant point of the antenna on 75 / 40m. I usually find I have good bandwidth on the higher bands from 20m up, and may not need the tuner there in which case I will bypass the tuner.

Thanks for the info. I will try VK1OD's modeling program.

73, Todd - KT0DD

Is feeding a trapped dipole with 450 ladder line a good idea? I'm thinking that most trapped dipoles are based on a 50 ohm feedpoint, and also matching the length of the 450 feedline to be acceptable on multiple bands with traps in the antenna would pose a problem?

Any info is appreciated.

73, Todd - KT0DD

Okay, I'm not an engineer, and not real good at tube theory, but after reading the discussion in "Legal Limit Amplifiers - NOT" and so much discussion of the output of an Ameritron AL-80B ( I just bought one) It jogged my memory of something I saw on the RF Parts site.

RF Parts sells a "SELECTED - 3-500ZG - PR"...(PR stands for pulse rated) at a little higher price than their standard 3-500ZG's. I also know that alot of amplifier owners using the 3CX800A7's are now switching them to the 3CPX800A7's...P of course is the designator for pulse rated.

Is this more marketing hype on the "pulse rated" issue, or if I want reliable, linear operation at 1KW on my AL-80B, should I get the pulse rated 3-500ZG?

Thanks.

Todd - KT0DD