By Admin 
The Quansheng UV-K5 is a popular handheld transceiver among amateur radio enthusiasts, known for its affordability and versatility. In July 2024, the GitHub repository “Tunas1337/UV-K5-Modded-Firmwares” was archived, marking the end of active development on a series of modified firmware versions that had significantly expanded the capabilities of the UV-K5.
Expanded Frequency Range
One of the most notable enhancements in the modified firmware was the expansion of the UV-K5’s frequency range. The firmware modifications allowed for reception from 18 MHz to 850 MHz in FM mode, and from 18 MHz to 136 MHz in AM mode. With the extended mod, FM reception was further expanded up to 1300 MHz. However, it’s important to note that due to hardware limitations of the Beken BK4819 baseband chip, the UV-K5 cannot receive signals between 630 MHz and 840 MHz.
Transmission Capabilities
The modified firmware also enabled transmission outside of the standard 136-174 MHz and 400-520 MHz bands. This feature provided users with greater flexibility, but it also raised concerns regarding regulatory compliance, as transmitting outside of authorized bands without proper certification is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Custom Firmware Builds
For users interested in building custom firmware tailored to their specific needs, the repository recommended using the “uvmod-kitchen” developed by @amnemonic. This tool allowed users to select desired modifications and build firmware accordingly.
Community Contributions and Acknowledgments
The development of the modified firmware was a collaborative effort. Contributors such as @amnemonic, @fagci, and @Tunas1337 played significant roles in creating and refining the firmware. Special thanks were also extended to @sq5bpf for his work in reverse engineering communication protocols, frequency storage formats, and memory maps.
Repository Archival
As of April 10, 2024, the “Tunas1337/UV-K5-Modded-Firmwares” repository was archived and set to read-only mode. This means that while the existing content remains accessible for reference, no further updates or modifications will be made by the repository owner.
Conclusion
The modified firmware developed by the community significantly enhanced the functionality of the Quansheng UV-K5, offering expanded frequency ranges and additional features that catered to the needs of amateur radio enthusiasts. While the archival of the repository marks the end of active development, the existing resources continue to serve as a valuable reference for those interested in customizing their UV-K5 devices.
Finixio Digital