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The Quansheng UV-K6 & UV-K5(8)�Firmware Programmable HT

Dan Wilt, N3YQ

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Chinese handheld radios

  • Baofeng, Wouxun, etc.
    • Dual band (2m and 70 cm), 5 watt HTs
    • Limited memory (128 channels typ.)
    • Chirp programmable https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home
    • Modest price: $20-$30
  • Good starter radios, and popular with new hams
  • If you lose it, drop it, or it gets wet, no big loss

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UV-82

UV-5R

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Chinese HT Annoyances

  • Poor, confusing, inconsistent manuals
  • Mediocre performance – ARRL testing in 2015
    • Limited front-end filtering on receiver
    • Poor harmonic suppression on transmitter
  • Non-useful features like a poorly calibrated squelch and signal strength meter
  • Frequent firmware revisions and feature changes
    • Chirp “knows” the differences and can adjust, but�wouldn’t it be nice if …
    • You could update your HT to the latest firmware?
    • All your HTs had the same firmware?

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Baofeng Book Published This Year

  • Using the Baofeng Radio, by John Leonardelli published by ARRL in 2025

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  • A guide to the UV-5R, UV-82, and the DMR-enabled DR-1801UV

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Along Comes the Quansheng UV-K5(8), AKA UV-K6

  • Made by Fujian Quansheng Electronics
    • First models available in US in 2023
    • The UV-K5(8) and UV-K6 are the same model
    • Ordered mine from Amazon, $32 including charger
    • OS firmware programmable via 64KB EEPROM (vs Baofeng ROM)
    • IMHO a solid mechanical design (volume control, battery, charger)
    • 200 memory channels (vs Baofeng 128)
    • Programmable via Chirp (use latest version)�https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home
  • Programming cable with CH340-type USB-to-serial chip
    • Might be included with the radio, if not, they are $10 on Amazon
    • I tried my Baofeng cable (uses an FTDI-type chip) with Chirp for channel programming and it gave me errors, so I stick with the CH340 cable

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UV-K6 Block Diagram

  • Similar to other radios of the same type
  • Chinese systems-on-a-chip for RF and CPU
  • Separate FM broadcast receiver
  • Reverse engineered full schematic can be found on Github
  • Hardware mods exist to increase memory size and support HF (SSB and CW)

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Credit: Phil McAllen, James Provost, IEEE Spectrum

firmware?

memories�+ settings?

32G030?

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Firmware

  • There seem to be lots of firmware versions on the web
  • I like the egzumer version 0.22 released in Jan 2024, located on Github at:�https://github.com/egzumer/uv-k5-firmware-custom/releases
  • This firmware has lots of features; I suggest reading the manual before flashing it
    • Due to limited 64 KB firmware memory, a few stock firmware features have been removed
  • One of the neat features of this Github site is the capability to “flash” the HT firmware from the web!

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Flashing using the egzumer site

  • https://github.com/egzumer/uv-k5-firmware-custom/wiki/Flashing-the-firmware
  • Use the CH340 programming cable (website says Baofeng FTDI cable is OK too, I haven’t tried it)
  • Hold down the PTT switch while powering on the radio (LED lights up, display is off)
  • Attach the programming cable to radio and computer
  • Click on the “FLASH WITH A BROWSER” button for the release version you want (see previous slide)
    • “Flasher” window opens, click on “Flash firmware”
  • Select the COM Port associated with your cable
    • You may need to open Windows Device Manager and check under “Ports (COM & LPT)” to find the COM port
  • “Flasher” window reports on progress … LED flashes as image is downloaded to the radio …Radio reboots …
  • Turn off radio and remove cable
  • Voila!

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Programming Memories with Chirp (Windows)

  • Download and install chirp-next from� https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Download
  • I use a CH340 programming cable (see earlier slide), couldn’t program with a Baofeng FTDI cable
  • Start Chirp, select “Radio”, “Download from Radio”
    • This is necessary, so that Chirp knows what radio version it is dealing with
    • Select Port in dropdown, “COMn: USB-Serial CH340 (COMn)” where n is the port assigned by Windows
    • Select Vendor “Quansheng”
    • Select Model “+ OFSW,unsupported,egzumer”
    • Click OK
  • Enter memory data and other settings in the Chirp tables
  • Note “Other” settings tab – many customizations are possible
  • When ready, click “Radio”, “Upload to Radio”, and “OK”
    • You can’t change Vendor or Model at this step, they are grayed out

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Chirp Display – Memories Tab

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Chirp Display – Settings Tab

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Don’t mess �with this!

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Some Notes on Features

  • Manual: �https://github.com/egzumer/uv-k5-firmware-custom/wiki
  • S-meter, useful for DF/fox hunting
  • Microphone VU meter, checking transmit audio level
  • Spectrum analyzer function
  • Search types/lists
  • Improved menus vs stock image
  • PTT lockout (hidden menu)

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For the Truly Adventurous

  • Roll your own!�https://github.com/egzumer/uv-k5-firmware-custom/blob/main/README.md
  • If you have a Github account, you can create your own codespace, edit the makefile with the features you want to include/exclude, and compile
    • No software install is required, it’s all online!
  • After downloading the compiled .bin image, you can Flash it using the main website by selecting your image in the Flasher menus
  • The radio is supposed to be “non-brickable” – the bootloader used for updating firmware will survive and you can try again … and again …
    • I haven’t bricked one yet, but there’s always a first time
  • UGH! Can I go back to the original firmware? Official versions:�https://github.com/amnemonic/Quansheng_UV-K5_Firmware �You should be able to flash these with the egzumer site … I think …

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The Zoo

  • Google spreadsheet of images and features�https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XC7qwNhlAGdnbr8AOzWFWvPD_WFv6WIrd39VeX5mUFI
  • God’s own collection of firmware images�https://github.com/spm81/Quansheng_UV-K5/blob/main/README.md
  • Facebook, Github, and other sites are filled with comments, questions, problems, solutions, etc.
    • It’s a little scary how many people have problems with flashed images, but I’ve had no problems at all – sticking to the egzumer v 0.22 image

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Other Mods for Thrill Seekers

  • Most models have 64 KB EEPROM and available firmware images “fit”
    • Quansheng has introduced a “lime” model with a 512KB EEPROM (about $10 more)
    • Not sure how the extra memory is configured or programmed – it may be just for memories?
  • HF hardware modification (CW + SSB)
    • Replaces the RF chip with the more capable Si4732, premade circuit boards are available�https://www.briandorey.com/post/qansheng-uv-k6-hf-mod
  • Have fun!

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Final Thoughts

  • I’ve had fun with my UV-K6’s, used them at public service events and the CARA fox hunts (signal strength meter is a nice feature along with the spectrum scanner)
  • I add a 16” antenna (Nagoya 771 or Diamond SRJ77CA)
    • I find the really long 31” foldable antennas awkward, not sure they help
  • A charged battery lasts a full day at an event
  • If you like colors, you can get a lot of different ones besides black and orange
  • I brought mine along – check ‘em out!

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