Wouxun KG-UV899 Two Way Radio (144-148/420-450 MHz)

Will shop here again.

I'm a newly-minted ham radio operator; got my ticket in late December 2017. I did a lot of research on my first radio and much like other newbies, there was a lot of confusion as to what . Still, I kept coming back to the UV-899, and bought it. I ended up replacing the antenna that came with the radio with a 15-inch one with a wider DB gain. Otherwise, I am very happy with this radio. The range is excellent, and I'm able to reach repeaters that are up to 20 miles away. When I broadcast on closer repeaters, other stations remark on how crystal clear my signal is. The only downside I have is that the instructions aren't very intuitive, and I've had to work with a couple of more experienced hams to figure out some things (like, at one point, my offset wasn't on at all, I didn't know it, and I was broadcasting in simplex, which was pretty amusing). But I'm getting more comfortable with the radio.

Owned this HT rig for a couple of months. The radio simply gives great performance for a really inexpensive radio. So, to start the rig is tough, I have dropped it and done other oops, type behaviors and it has survived well. Metal frame, durable plastics, solid feeling on/off/volume and selection knobs. Rig and stock antenna grabs signals well, and grabs and holds our local repeaters in our area, even in known weak areas... Puts out a solid 1 and 5Ws Menu programming is, like all Chinese radios, is kludgeee! at best, but no worse than others. Wouxen software works, but the channel speadsheet does not expand to full screen and thus requires an annoying scroll. Radio does not seem to be supported by Chirp. Which leads to the really only downside to this radio...Other Wouxun models have better selection of accessories and online info/answers. I guess this great little radio is not as popular as some Wouxen models. Don't know why, but for me the Wouxen model KG-UV899 is the Wouxun model to buy.

Using this rig as a carry around HT, much better than most Chinese HT rigs. Not a lot of info as these have not yet caught on....but a really works well. The menu is Ok and easy to understand. Programming software from OEM is workable, but nothing special.

The radio is used on an old UHF analog Type II Repeater(s) system

Excellent tx audio. Great customer service and fast shipping

All good so far. No manufacture glitchess. Good computer programming. Good directions. I think this brand will become popular. I recommend it AND I recommend TWO WAY RADIOS. Good, responsive, helpful and fast.

Cannot beat this radio and its features for the price. I have paid hundreds more for other dual band HT's in the past and got no more features than the Wouxon for a lot less money. Decent audio output. Get the Nagoya NA 775 duckie antenna. Much better than the supplied antenna. In the house I am attaching to a coaxial JPole and this works great. I wish it had a weather alert and I wish I could figure out how to store FM radio stations in memory. Other than that, I love this radio. Do yourself a huge favor and if you buy this, also buy the programming software and premium USB cable. You will be glad you did.