Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Wouxun KG-UV2D

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Hand-held

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Wouxun KG-UV2D
Reviews: 50MSRP: 107.00
Description:
Updated version: 136-174MHz & 400-470MHz Dual display, dual
receive.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.wouxun.us/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00504.5
W9HMJ Rating: 2014-08-18
Solid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Owned the KG-UV2D for four years with only one major issue. That being the battery would randomly lose then regain connection from movement, resulting in a radio restart. This happened mostly while on my belt or when removing from the belt. Other than that this radio was solid, dropped many times and always came back working. Except the last time that is, but that may also be due to it moving at 85mph when it fell off my car...
W5LZ Rating: 2014-05-23
'Keeps on ticking'! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I think this is year 3 or 4, not sure. It still works, does what it's supposed to do, but will never be the 'best thing since sliced bread'.
I have a couple of recommendation about it, but they apply to all HTs, not just the Wouxuns. Find an after market 1/4 wave antenna for it, it makes a sort of big difference. Still won't do 'miracles' but it certainly helps. Extra battery or two. That's not an absolute, but they really do come in handy. Get the manufacturer's software or one of the after market programs! It's a Royal PITA to program by hand. And an SMA to SO-239 antenna adapter, you WILL use one.
There are easier to use ham HTs but there are few as cheap (that means inexpensive, not quality). I didn't get it for ham use, and it is performing as well as other brands in the same service.
I see they've doubled in price since I bought mine. Not sure I'd buy another at present prices, but I don't have to the thing still works. Treat it like it came out of your wallet, not just something furnished to you. It'll last a lot longer.
Why the '4' instead of a '5'? Well, it doesn't make coffee...
- Paul


----------------------
Earlier 4-star review posted by W5LZ on 2010-12-20

Nice and ... cheap and uncomplicated and does the 'commercial' radio stuff legally (Part-90).
The other posts are correct, it isn't the 'standard' programming (if there is such a thing), but it isn't impossible to learn (I did). It does at least what's claimed for it (hows that for different?), but doesn't do 'miracles'. It will do as well as other HTs, better in some cases, and it's affordable.
I'm not thrilled with that SMA antenna connector, but can live with it (find an adapter, you'll eventually need it). Still not sure why they put a 'flashlight' on it, but can live with that too.
I don't think the big 'names' will have to worry about loss of sales real soon, but this HT ought to be a pretty good 'hint' to them, don't-cha think?
Paul / W5LZ

The only reason I bought one is that cheap thingy and that they are certified for Part-90 use. Just sorry I missed out on the 'T'-shirt, RATS! Why a '4' instead of a '5'? 'Cuz it hasn't lasted for 10 years yet, and 'cuz 'they' didn't consult me when designing it...

KT0DD Rating: 2014-05-23
One year and still great! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had mine for over a year and no issues. Dropped 2-3 times with no damage. Better audio than my old FT60R. You can't expect Motorola quality at this price, but I think Motorola's are way overpriced anyway.

I will say the QC from China does let an occasional defective unit thru. I own 6 Wouxuns now but my first 2 had minor defects (flashlight failure). All my current Wouxuns and 2 Baofengs have been trouble free and excellent performers for the price. A great value.
WD3T Rating: 2014-05-22
worst radio ever Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Junk, lousy audio , you get what you pay for! Not one thing can I say good about these radio's Bought 1 over a year ago and unless you buy the program software, they are a pain to program! And really the worse audio! Cheap and that is exactly what they are! Sold it and got rid of IT.
AE5VM Rating: 2013-05-25
User Freindly Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've had the KG-uv1 and KG-uv6..
Had no problems whatsoever....
well worth it...
Even though the #6 wouldn't hook up with windows 7... I had no problem pograming it manually..
KC9UUK Rating: 2012-02-27
nicely built, at a Great price Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I have the KG-UV2D model. This is my 1st HT and it seems like a very solid radio. It seems to be really well built, I have have no issues in it's over all construction. My only reason for the 4/5 instead of a 5/5, is the programing, and the menues. I will admit, I am a greenhorn on this issue, only been a ham since Oct, 2011. But, I love this thing! I can hit the repeaters in my area really well, and got on to 1, 30 miles away, in my house. Big 3, look out!
73,
KC9UUK
Sam
W7NYG Rating: 2012-02-03
operates OK Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just received my Wouxum KG-UV3D UHF HT note it is a 3 not the 2 model.

The most complaints I read were people who had problems using the powerwrex free software and USB cable. Make sure the USB plug is in all the way.

My operating system is XP pro. downloading the free software from powerwrex.com took several tries.

When you download the software be sure to select the correct driver and OP sys.

Once I installed the driver then the software I ran into an unusual problem. Normally the driver software will be detected automatically. Mine is configured to use com port 7 yours might be different.

Several times when I was setting up the HT fredquencies and offsets.I had to change the driver from the default port 1 to port 7. This might happen if the HT is not connected to the USB cable and powered on when your computer is booting up.

This is not the best HT if you want to use it for more then two repeaters or simplex frequencies.

It certainly is as advertized and works like the more expensive HT's.

The over all quality is far better then I expected. It tunes the FM 88 to 108 MHz and has good quality sound. It has a bright LED flashlight built in.

Using the rubber duck on 2 meters I can communicate at least 15 miles from my living room.

It seems to be a good addition to my ham shack.
I suggest having lots of patients and knowing your operating system.
AE5ZX Rating: 2011-12-20
Great HT for the money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Outstanding product at a reasonable price considering all the over-priced ham radio rigs on the market. The user's guide is written in "Chinese" English, unfortunately, but the wouxun.us site has an "Eyes Free Manual" (rtf file) that helps to get you started. Simple to use once you get past the user's guide. Once you are familiar with using the HT, then the user's guide becomes really helpful. Basic HT; no frills. Of course! No frills price. The free Wouxun software is OK, but the free KG-UV Commander software is better and easy to use. Get the programming cable. Easier than hand-programming the HT and even easier to modify! I get great signal reports with the KG-UV2D. Hint! Buy a high gain rubber ducky for it such as the Diamond RH951S. I can't seem to wear the battery out. I bought two of them.
W0AY Rating: 2011-10-24
Revised Review after changing software Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
My plea for help was answered my KC8UNJ's program kguv012b.zip available at http://www.kc8unj.com/kguv.html. So if you are experiencing problems, toss the software provided by Wouxan and try KC8UNJ's program instead.

After using Jims program to write to the radio, my selection of the English language guide (voice) now persists through power cycles. See my October 23 review for details.
KB8WDV Rating: 2011-09-17
Good Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A good radio.I have the 2meter/220 version. The reason I gave it a 4 rather than a 5 is you can't lock a channel when scanning.For me this means when travel if I put in a new frequent manually I can't lock out some other channels that might be stoping my radio from scanning.I mean you can lock out a channel but you have to use the software.