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The UV-K1 is the new Quansheng walkie-talkie, released in early November 2025.
Here you’ll find all the resources, technical details, models and references, all third parties firmware news and even accessories you may need (antennas !). Everything to buy it at the best price then to get started, understand, update, and use it.
Direct access
Not fun, but it needs to be said: this site is a community fan page and is not affiliated with Quansheng, the company that manufactures the walkie-talkie. We take no responsibility for any modifications or use of the device. The information shared here is provided for technical and educational purposes only. All use must comply with the laws and regulations of the countries where the device is sold. It is each user’s responsibility to stay informed and compliant.
And now let’s get into the fun of the Quansheng UV-K1 !
UV-K1, the successor to the UV-K5
Whether you’re a ham radio enthusiast or simply interested in two-way communication, it’s hard to miss the huge success of Quansheng’s UV-K5 (and its variants like the UV-K6).
Built by Quansheng, a Chinese manufacturer with over 30 years of experience, the UV-K5 became a hit in 2024–2025 thanks to a perfect mix of features: it’s affordable, compact, rugged, and able to receive a wide range of radio frequencies — including aviation and marine bands.
One of its standout aspects is that it’s fully open: users can modify the device and install custom “firmware” — essentially its operating system, just like iOS for iPhones or Android for smartphones.
As a result, many community-made firmwares have emerged, improving performance, unlocking new frequency bands, and adding extra features. One of the most popular versions is Armel F4HWN’s firmware, based on Egzumer, another well-known third-party build.
A promising open and low-cost Walkie-Talkie
In mid-2025, Quansheng officially announced the UV-K1 Mini Kong, the long-awaited successor to the UV-K5 (and UV-K5(8)/UV-K6).
More compact, redesigned with an improved keypad and an enhanced USB-C port, the UV-K1 also appears to be reprogrammable, keeping the spirit of openness that made the K5 such a success.
From release date and pricing to firmware, hacks, docs, specs cheets, antennas and community tips — this evolving guide brings together everything you need to know about the new UV-K1.
Where to Buy the Quansheng UV-K1 (and at the Best Price)
The UV-K1 has been available online since early November 2025. Some Chinese websites are already selling it :
UV-K1: Technical Features and Differences from the UV-K5
The UV-K1 is very similar to its predecessor, the UV-K5, but introduces some notable updates for enthusiasts.
Display and Design The UV-K1 keeps a similar LCD display as the K5, with the same screen size and resolution, but now features a blue backlight.
Main features :
- 5W maximum output power
- 200 frequency memory slots
- FM radio with 20 preset stations
- LED indicator
Overall, it maintains the familiar look and feel of the UV-K5 while adding a few modern touches and some changes:
Compatibility with two battery types
- UV-K1 with Compact Battery: keeps the radio shorter than the UV-K5 (1 400 mAh)
- UV-K1 with High-Capacity Battery (2 500 mAh): UV-K1 L
- Adds a base extension, making the device similar in height to the UV-K5
- Provides longer usage time for extended operation
This setup gives users the flexibility to choose portability or extended runtime, depending on their needs.
Size & weight :
| Model | Size Height x Width x Depth | Weight with batt. & Antenna |
|---|---|---|
| UV-K1 with Small Battery 1400 mAh | 98 X 59 X 33.8 mm | 190g |
| UV-K1 L with Big Battery 2500 mAh | 120.3 X 59 X 35.8 mm | 260g |
| UV-K5 | 115 X 60 X 37.5 mm | 234g |
Changing the startup screen
The UV-K1 also introduces the ability to change the startup screen image:
Other Changes
- New Keypad Layout: keypad has been redesigned, now featuring side arrow keys instead of the UV-K5 up/down buttons, among other tweaks.
- The antenna is now shorter and rigid, but it can still be unscrewed and replaced.
- Power button has changed color, switching from orange to blue — matching the new blue backlight.
- New processor brings significantly more memory for the firmware.
UV-K1 Specifications
Just click on the spec sheet to read it or download it here
UV-K1 Model Variants
Current models
The base model can optionally accommodate a larger battery, and one of the models comes with 8 MB of Flash memory. This gives four variants of the UV-K1:
- UV-K1 — base model, most affordable, comes with the compact 1400 mAh battery, no additional memory
- UV-K1 L — comes with a longer 2500 mAh battery
- UV-K1(8) — short battery + metallic front panel
- UV-K1(8)L — long battery + metallic front panel
Differences Between the UV-K1 and UV-K1(8): What You Need to Know
When comparing purchase prices, it’s useful to know a few differences(cosmetic) between the various models.
There is the UV-K1 and the UV-K1(8), and both are available with two battery sizes (L version).
- UV-K1: black plastic body and front panel, with a button similar to the Quansheng UV-K5 (blue top instead of orange).
- UV-K1(8): black plastic body but with a metal front panel, a slightly different (thicker) power button, and left-side buttons with a different layout.
Here’s the ‘spot the 3 differences’ game between the UV-K1 and the UV-K1(8):
Future models
Other models are planned by Quansheng; they will only differ in appearance while remaining technically the same. We can expect other colors in the future ! Here are their official references :
- Quansheng UV-K1s, UV-K1(2), UV-K1(5), UV-K1(6), UV-K1(9), UV-K1(11), UV-K1(22), UV-K1(55), UV-K1(66), UV-K1(88), UV-K1(99)
Here’s the UV-K1s, featuring a bright orange color:
Accessories
As with the UV-K5, some accessories are included with the walkie-talkie, while others are optional.
In the box with the UV-K1, you will receive:
- The battery corresponding to the model you ordered (compact or long, see the models above)
- A charging base for your region (be careful when ordering)
- Belt clip
- Rigid short Antenna
Can the Firmware Be replaced?
The UV-K1 is a very open device (just like the UV-K5) and that seems to be a deliberate choice from Quansheng. That’s great news for the community!
Dedicated UV-K1 firmwares is already available(see below)
However, the UV-K5 firmware files are not compatible, since Quansheng switched to a new processor.
Good news : there is more space to fit a bigger firmware !
But this new processor means the dev community has to work on this new chip and adapt everything from scratch, at all levels, including assembler code.
Good news: it has been confirmed that creating and deploying a third party UVK1 firmware was technically possible. Armel F4HWN and at least one other developer worked on it.
F4HWN firmware for UV-K1 and UV-K5 (V3 ONLY)
This first version of the UV-K1 Firmware, called F4HWN Fusion V4.3 merges all the features from the various UV-K5 F4HWN firmwares into one unified release.
UV-K1 (and UV-K5 V3) Firmware release date: first version is available on the 2nd of december 2025
▶️ UV-K1 and UV-K5 (V3 only) F4HWN Firmware files and details
Do you have a Quansheng UV-K5 V3 or not ? How to know ?
UV-K1 V3 units are the most recent ones and can be identified by a specific ‘V3’ marking on the back of the walkie-talkie, underneath the battery (see picture below)
❌ If you don’t have this V3 marking, your device is not a K5 V3 but a V1 or V2. Therefore, do not flash it with the F4HWN V4.3 fusion firmware since doing so will brick your walkie-talkie
In picture, UV-K5 V3 recognition marking on the back of the Walkie-Talkie:
UV-K1 Firmwares videos
UV-K1 Firmware, F4HWN 4.3 Fusion installation process and menus :
Firmware 4.3 fusion on UV-K1 :
This project is definitely one to watch. We’ll keep this page updated with the latest news, from the first firmware builds to any new developments from the community!
Find last news on the F4HWN Firmware for UV-K1 in this video (in french)
Join us in the UV-K1 Facebook Group! ✅
Videos
UV-K1 (8) Unboxing Video + 2 batteries (long and short) and size comparison with UV-K5
Reception Tests:
Test #1 : UV-K5 with F4HWN 4.3 firmware (left) versus UV-K1 with stock firmware
Test #2 : same setup but switching antennas !
UV-K1 walkie-talkie in the wild
Videos of the UV-K1 from Armel F4HWN, who received pre-production units and is actively working on porting his custom firmware from the UV-K5:
November 2, 2025: an update on the progress of the F4HWN Fusion 4.3 firmware for the UV-K1 — proof in picture:
and previous videos :
- Quansheng UVK1 Teardown (mid October 2025)
- First informations (early septembre 2025)
Quansheng UV-K1 Two Way Radio documentation
PDF documentation files
Click to download PDF Files :
UV-K1 main features
- 10 Emergency Weather Channels
- Multi-Band Transmitting and 50∽600MHz Full Band Receiving
- AM/FM Aviation Band Receiving
- Cross-Band Intercom
- Fast Frequency Matching
- Act as Frequency Meter
- Wireless Radio Replication
- Emergency Alert
- FM Radio
- 10-Group Scrambler
- Multi-Scan
- CTCSS/DCS
- High Capacity Battery/Long Standby Time
- One Key Call Channel
- Type-C And Base Charging
- Jacklight
- H/M/L Output Power Selective
- VOX
- Dual-watch Operation
- Receive/Transmit Code Setting Separately
- Offset Frequency Setting
- DTMF Calling
- DTMF ANI
- DTMF Select Call (single call, group call,all call)
- Power-on Password Protection
- Reverse Frequency Function
- Multi Step Frequency
- Offset Frequency Setting
- Busy Channel Lock
- Time-Out-Timer
- Chanenl No./Channel Frequency/Channel Name Multi-display Mode
- Wide/Narrow Bandwidth
- Reset Function
- 1750HZ Call Tone
- Squelch Level Adjustable
- Onsite Programming
- Frequency and Channel Mode Shift
- Keypad Lock
- Channel Scan and Add
- 200 Channels
- PC Programmable
- Large LCD Display
- Voice Prompt
- Reminding Switch
- Backlight Auto Off Time Selective
- Repeater Forwarding Confirmation Function
- Auto Code Search
- Remote Kill/Revive
- Custom Startup Image (Only supported by some models)
- Support Chinese Channel Names (Only supported by some models)
Radio Diagram
Join us in the UV-K1 Facebook Group! ✅