How to program the Quansheng UV-K5

Switch between frequency and channel mode

1. Press F, then 3. Frequency mode shows a frequency you can type; channel mode shows your saved channels.

Program a repeater

This example uses a repeater on 146.940 MHz with a minus offset of 600 kHz and a 100.0 Hz tone. Use your local repeater’s own frequency, offset and tone.

1. Make sure you’re in frequency mode (F then 3 if not).
2. Type the repeater’s output frequency: 146940. If the display is still waiting for digits, keep adding zeros until it accepts the frequency.
3. Set the offset direction: MENU, go to menu 8 (SFT-D), MENU, choose the minus direction (shown as - or SUB), then MENU and EXIT.
4. Set the offset amount: MENU, go to menu 9 (OFFSET), MENU, enter 0.600, then MENU and EXIT.
5. Set the transmit tone: MENU, go to menu 7 (T_CTCS), MENU, choose 100.0, then MENU and EXIT. Leave menu 5 (R_CTCS) OFF.
6. Save it to channel 1: MENU, go to menu 13 (MEM-CH), MENU, pick channel 1, then MENU. When the display asks SURE?, press MENU again.
7. Press F then 3 to switch to channel mode and choose channel 1.

Save 146.520 simplex

146.520 MHz is the national simplex calling frequency: no offset and no tone.

1. In frequency mode, type 146520.
2. Check that menu 8 (offset direction) is OFF, and menus 5 and 7 (the tones) are OFF.
3. Save it with menu 13 (MEM-CH) as above: pick an empty channel, MENU, then MENU again at SURE?.

Set transmit power

1. Press F, then 6 to step through the power levels.
2. Or use menu 3 (TXP) and choose low, middle or high.

Use low power when you can be heard fine, and high power for distant repeaters.

Listen to NOAA weather

1. In frequency mode, type 162550 (or another NOAA weather frequency from 162.400 to 162.550 MHz).
2. The stock firmware also has a built-in NOAA weather feature; see menu 49 (NOAA_S) in your manual.

Weather channels are receive-only. Never press the push-to-talk button on one.

Delete a channel

1. MENU, go to menu 50 (DEL_CH), MENU, pick the channel, MENU, then MENU again at SURE?.

Lock the keypad and avoid accidental transmissions

1. Press and hold # to lock or unlock the keypad.
2. The lock doesn’t block the push-to-talk button. Carry the radio with the button facing away from your body, or use a PTT cover.

Program with CHIRP

• CHIRP, free software from its official site, supports the UV-K5 on stock firmware (choose “UV-K5” as the model).
• Some newer radios marked “V2” under the battery may show as unsupported until CHIRP catches up. Check CHIRP’s notes if yours won’t connect.
• Custom firmware needs its own CHIRP driver from that firmware’s project. The stock driver won’t work with it.
• The same cable advice applies: pick one with an FTDI or CP210x chip, and download from the radio first to keep a backup.

Stay legal

• These radios can transmit on frequencies that aren’t for hams. Only transmit on amateur frequencies your license class allows.
• FRS, GMRS, MURS, business, marine, aviation, public safety and weather frequencies are off limits for transmitting with these radios, even though they can be tuned. Listening is fine.
• Give your call sign at the end of each contact and at least every 10 minutes during one.

Want radios the whole family can use without a ham license? Ham radio vs GMRS vs Meshtastic

Sources

• UV-K5 manual (ManualsLib)
• UV-K5 manual (Manuals.plus)
• CHIRP supported radios
• CHIRP download