Welcome to America’s Kansas City Wide!

 

Welcome to America’s Kansas City Wide, an International network of Amateur Radio digital repeaters. Digital access to America’s Kansas City Wide digital network is available from anywhere in the world via Yaesu Wires-X, YSF, DMR, ICOM D-Star, P25, M17, and NXDN.

A list of VHF/UHF repeaters that carry Kansas City Wide is available HERE.

Modes currently available to Kansas City Wide visitors:

• Yaesu Wires-X Room 28054 (AMERICA-KC-WIDE)
• Icom D-STAR via XLX458/XRF458 Module A (Dashboard: https://xxlx.w0fh.net/
• Brandmeister DMR talkgroup 313136
• P25 Reflector 31313 (172.238.171.106, port 41000)
• YSF32453 (US-KCWIDE) (Dashboard: http://ysf.kansascitywide.com)
• YSF28054 (US-XLX458) (Dashboard: https://xxlx.w0fh.net/
• NXDN talkgroup 31313
• M17-KCW Module A (172.234.217.28 port 17000) (Dashboard: http://m17.kansascitywide.com)
• Echolink node WØFH-L (No connections from -L or -R calls, repeater links or conferences, please)
• Hams Over IP extension 15135
• Broadcastify (listen only) https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/30282

Our linked repeater coverage in the Kansas City Metro overlaps, providing some redundancy in the case of power failure or emergency, and aiding lower power stations access across the area.

PLEASE! Make sure you have your valid callsign programmed into the panel of your Yaesu Fusion radio! This means no special characters before or in the middle of your call. Invalid callsigns will prevent you from being heard in large portions of the room. In most cases, you will find your radio blocked from the room completely.

When using Kansas City Wide, your Fusion radio must be in DN mode. VW mode will not be sent to any of the bridged networks (YSF, DMR, DStar, etc.).

When accessing local repeaters, please refer to the Kansas City Wide Repeater Map to select the repeater closest to you.

Kansas City Wide is made possible by the support of local amateur radio clubs, and individuals working together to build a robust and reliable repeater network across the entire greater Kansas City area. Working together, we continue to grow!

No Fusion radio? Listen to the Kansas City Wide room on any PC or mobile phone via Broadcastify. Note that the Broadcastify feed can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 3 minutes delayed. Stations connecting to Kansas City Wide via Echolink will not be heard on Broadcastify.

Just click on the Broadcastify ink below to open the Broadcastify player in a new window.

https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/30282

openRig - Any Radio, Any Mode, Anywhere!

 

Why openRig?

Everything you need,

nothing you don't

Built by hams for hams. openRig focuses on reliability, simplicity, and a modern experience across all your devices.

Hotspot Support

Run YSF and DMR hotspots on Raspberry Pi hardware with a clean web interface and reflector management. YSF is fully tested; DMR support is in active development.

Remote CAT Control

Control any hamlib-compatible rig over the network. openRigOS turns a Raspberry Pi into a headless CAT controller discoverable via mDNS.

Mobile & Desktop Apps

Native apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. Log QSOs, watch DX spots, control your rig — all from one place.

ConnectRPC API

A modern gRPC/Connect API on every device. Build your own integrations or use the official apps — the choice is yours.

Auto-Discovery

openRig devices advertise themselves over mDNS. Your apps find them automatically — no IP addresses to remember.

Open Source

Every line of code is open. Fork it, extend it, contribute back. Licensed under MIT.

CLICK HERE... openRig — Open Source Ham Radio Software

ADN Systems – where amateurs lead the way. Gone are the days of amateurs dictating to amateurs!

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE SITE. 

A revolutionary mesh DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) network designed for amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide.

Launched on April 21, 2024, by a visionary group of 20 international amateur radio enthusiasts,

ADN Systems operates on an Open Bridge Protocol (OBP), fostering a decentralized network

devoid of hierarchical structures.

Here, every keeper of repeaters, hotspots, bridges, and servers enjoys complete autonomy over

their equipment. Gone are the days of amateurs dictating to amateurs; instead, our network

empowers individuals to control their own stations and contribute to the collective experience.


We embrace the spirit of collaboration and innovation, uniting amateurs from diverse backgrounds

and locations under a shared vision of advancing digital radio technology.

Whether you’re a seasoned operator or just embarking on your amateur radio journey,

join us in shaping the future of communication.


Experience the REAL freedom of connectivity with ADN Systems – where amateurs lead the way.

Special Episode - Yaesu System Fusion 3 & DR-3X series

On this special broadcast join John as he announces and

highlights some of the features of the DR-3X which is part of the

Yaesu System Fusion 3 generation.

F4HWN 5.5.0 IS OUT! UV-K5 V3 & UV-K1

 

CLICK HERE FOR ARMEL'S GITHUB.

CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE WEB FLASH.

ARMEL'S YOUTUBE LINK.

Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters

 

https://www.war.gov/UFO/

Donald J. Trump

Truth Social

Based on the tremendous interest shown, I will be directing the Secretary of War, and other relevant Departments and Agencies, to begin the process of identifying and releasing Government files related to alien and extraterrestrial life, unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), and unidentified flying objects (UFOs), and any and all other information connected to these highly complex, but extremely interesting and important, matters. GOD BLESS AMERICA!

YAESU FT-70D EXTENDED BATTERY - W0AEZ

 

BP-Y24L | Yaesu FT-70 | 3,500mAh | USB-C | Made in USA – W0AEZ Radio Gear LLC

THIS BATTERY IS HIGHLY RESPECTED BY ALL FT-70D OWNERS.  

BP-Y24L v3 — High-Capacity USB-C Battery for Yaesu FT-70

More Power. Modern Charging. Built to Last.

The BP-Y24L is a 3,500mAh (26Wh) extended-life battery pack that replaces the stock 1,800mAh Yaesu FT-70 battery — delivering 1.9× the capacity. Charge it with any USB-C cable, swap the cells when they wear out, and stop carrying spare batteries.

Designed, printed, and hand-assembled in Colorado, USA. 

Specifications:

• Capacity: 3,500mAh / 26Wh (1.9× stock)
• Cells: Samsung 35E 18650 (or equivalent high-capacity cells), user-replaceable
• Charging: USB-C, 15W with PPS (Programmable Power Supply) support
• Charge Time: Under 2 hours typical, under 3 hours max
• Runtime: Up to 32 hours (receive standby)
• Protection: Built-in BMS — overcharge, over-discharge, and short-circuit protection
• Housing: 3D-printed ASA (heat-resistant, UV-stable, textured grip)
• Weight: 4.6 oz
• Thickness: 24mm
• Color: Black
• Warranty: 1 year

Compatibility:

Yaesu FT-70D / FT-70DR

What's Included:

• (1) BP-Y24L v3 battery pack, fully assembled

Design Details:

The v3 shell features improved exterior texture and a secure fit to the radio. Each battery is 3D-printed and hand-assembled — minor texture variations are cosmetic and do not affect performance.

Charging Notes:

Not all USB-C cables are created equal. If charging doesn't start, try a different cable. USB-A to USB-C cables are the most universally reliable. PPS-capable chargers will negotiate the optimal charge rate automatically.

Recommended Charger:

Any USB-C charger rated 15W or higher will charge the battery at full speed. Lower-wattage chargers will still work — they'll just charge slower. PPS (Programmable Power Supply) chargers will automatically negotiate the optimal charge rate but are not required. A USB-A to USB-C cable with a standard USB-A wall adapter also works and is the most universally reliable option.

Charging Indicator:

• Red + Blue(May appear purple): Charging
• Red only: Fully charged
• Blue only: Slow charge
• Red flashing: Cable or charger issue — swap the cable
  

User-Serviceable Cells:

The BP-Y24L is designed for long-term ownership. When cell capacity eventually degrades, you can open the pack and replace the 18650 cells yourself. No need to buy a whole new battery.

LED Visibility Note:

The status LED is visible through the open side of the battery. If you can't see it while the battery is installed on the radio, remove the battery to check charging status.

Lead Time & Shipping:

Batteries are made to order in small batches. Current lead time is posted at the top of the site — please check there for the most up-to-date estimate. Shipping options and costs are calculated at checkout.

• USA: USPS, UPS, and FedEx
• International: UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Customer is responsible for any import duties, taxes, or brokerage fees.

FAQ:

Q: My battery isn't charging.
A: Try a different USB-C cable. If the red light flashes, the battery detected a cable issue — swap it and try again.

Q: Can I replace the cells myself?
A: Yes. The BP-Y24L is user-serviceable. The cells are 18650s and can be swapped when needed.

BP-Y24L User Guide PDF

Why Verified QSOs Matter on QRZ.com.

Verifying your QSOs on QRZ.com is more than just good log hygiene—it’s how you build credibility, earn recognition, and collect those coveted Gold Stars. Each verified contact confirms real, on‑air achievements and strengthens the integrity of your operating record. This group is dedicated to making verification easy and fun by coordinating scheduled meetups on the air, whether RF or DMR or any other mode, so operators can connect with confidence and confirm contacts quickly. By working together, we help each other rack up verified QSOs, grow award counts, and showcase the best of amateur radio operating.

FACEBOOK GROUP IS HERE!

 

RagChew.site

About RagChew.site

This website displays information from ongoing on-the-air gatherings (or "nets") for amateur radio hobbyists. You still need a radio to communicate properly with the other netizens, but this website makes it easy to see who has checked in and from where. It shows checked in station details and notes written by the operator logging for the net.

Additionally, you can chat on the "blue screen" or "AIM" window, without downloading any software.

This website works in any modern browser or mobile phone.

How does it work?

This website mirrors the information on NetLogger servers. Any net where the operator has chosen to use NetLogger should show up here. If you really want to know how it all works, you can check out the source code.

We have permission from the NetLogger folks to display this information, but we are not affiliated with them. If you have any questions about or problems with this site, please contact Tim.

Built with ❤️ by KI5ZDF (Tim Morgan). This code is open source. We are not affiliated with NetLogger.org. Send suggestions/corrections or report spam/abuse.

They have an App!

https://ragchew.app/

wb2jkj.org - Radios you can write off - kids you can't.

DONATE YOUR RADIO

https://wb2jkj.org/

Turn your excess Ham Radios and related items into a tax break for you and learning tool for kids.

Donate your radio or related gear to an IRS approved 501 (c)(3) charity. 

Get the tax credit and help a worthy cause.

Equipment picked up anywhere or shipping arranged. 

Radios you can write off - kids you can't.

Call (516) 674-4072

FAX (516) 674-9600

crew@wb2jkj.org

WB2JKJ.org belongs to a long‑standing, real 501(c)(3) nonprofit

The domain wb2jkj.org is the official website of:

The Radio Club of Junior High School 22 NYC, Inc.

A nonprofit founded in the early 1980s to bring amateur radio into schools as an educational tool.

APRS.fi

 

APRS.fi provides:

✔ Real‑time GPS tracking of stations

When a radio beacons its position on 144.390 MHz, APRS.fi shows:

Your last position

Your moving track

Speed & altitude

Time of last packet

✔ APRS Messaging logs

You can view:

Text messages you sent

Messages sent to you

Delivery status

✔ Weather station data

APRS.fi shows APRS‑enabled WX stations including:

Temp

Wind

Humidity

Rainfall

✔ Objects & beacons

You’ll see:

Repeater locations

Nets

Events

Road closures

Search & rescue objects

Tactical markers

✔ Historical track playback

You can rewind and replay a station’s movement.

Great for storm chasers, SAR teams, bike events, and ARES.

New PoC group on Odmaster.

 Come join me!!!

Prepper Radio Firmware for QuanSheng K5 (8), K6, 5R Plus, 99, (88), V3, K1 radios.

 

PrepperRadio

PrepperRadio is a remote communication project for the management of emergencies from a prepper perspective. Including the creation of the PrepperRadio firmware that modifies the ergonomics and functionality of two-way radios, simplified for those who are not familiar with and implements with functions more similar to a telephone. PrepperDock, a computer application that interfaces with PrepperRadio.

This firmware currently only installs on QuanSheng K5 (8), K6, 5R Plus, 99, (88), V3, K1 radios.

The IJV firmware repositories on GitHub only host binaries and documentation, not C source files for the firmware itself. [github.com] That alone disqualifies it from being open source. 

“Prepper Radio” is not an official project name or license — it’s a community nickname/branding used for certain IJV (IndiaJulietVictor) firmware builds. These firmware builds are distributed as pre‑compiled .bin files only, not source code.

Click here for the offcial website.

How to Program the Yaesu FT-60R with Chirp

 Yeah... Yeah... should be easy right?

Well, it was thanks to this guy's video!

https://www.youtube.com/@TonyKD8RTT

You will need THIS cable.

Amazon.com: Valley Enterprises Yaesu USB FTDI Radio Programming Cable FT-60, VX-1, VX-2, VX-5 : Electronics

DMR Help & Support Page - KC5DJR

NEED DMR HELP?  THIS IS YOUR MAN!!!

 KC5DJR Help & Support Webpage

Northwest Arkansas Repeaters List by KC5DJR

KC5DJR - Callsign Lookup by QRZ Ham Radio

Oklahoma DMR Society

 Oklahoma DMR Society

Nearby DMR Repeaters - Tulsa-Broken Arrow

 

RadioID

What F4HWN Firmware Actually Is.

 

F4HWN firmware is a community‑developed custom firmware for the Quansheng UV‑K5/K6/K1 family.

It focuses on:

• Cleaner UI

• Better scanning behavior

• More usable features

• Bug fixes

• Extra tools (S‑meter, spectrum‑like display, etc.)

It’s not the most feature‑packed firmware—that title usually goes to EGZUMER—but F4HWN is known for being stable, polished, and practical.

Why You Should Use F4HWN Firmware

1. Much Better User Interface

• Cleaner menus

• More readable fonts

• Better layout

• More intuitive navigation

If you hate the stock UI, F4HWN feels like a breath of fresh air.

 2. Improved Scanning & Usability

• Faster scanning

• Better squelch behavior

• More predictable VFO operation

• Better memory handling

This is one of the biggest reasons people switch.

 3. Extra Tools Without the Bloat

F4HWN adds useful features like:

• Live S‑meter

• Waterfall‑style RSSI graph

• Better battery indicator

• Improved audio gain handling

But it avoids the “kitchen‑sink” overload of some other firmware.

4. Stable and Reliable

F4HWN is known for being rock‑solid. If you want a radio that “just works,” this firmware is one of the safest choices.

 Why You Might Not Want F4HWN Firmware!

1. Fewer Features Than EGZUMER

If you want:

• Full spectrum analyzer

• Expanded menus

• APRS‑like tools

• Advanced scanning modes

• Custom themes

• Experimental features

…then EGZUMER is the better choice.

F4HWN is more conservative.

2. Not the Best for Experimenters

If you like pushing the radio to its limits (TX unlocks, wideband RX hacks, etc.), F4HWN is not the most flexible firmware.

3. UV‑K1 Support Is More Limited

The UV‑K1 is a stripped‑down sibling of the K5. F4HWN works, but:

• Some features are missing

• Some menus behave differently

• The K5/K6 get the best experience

If you own both radios, the K5 benefits more from F4HWN.

Click HERE to visit Armel's GitHub!

HIS YOUTUBE...  

Use the FTDI USB Programming Cable ONLY!!!

An FTDI‑based programming cable is considered the best cable for ham radio because it is the only chipset that is consistently reliable, driver‑stable, universally compatible, and immune to the counterfeiting problems that plague cheaper cables. It simply works every time—especially on Windows—while Prolific‑chip cables often fail, disconnect, or refuse to install drivers.

Link to Amazon ^^^

 

1. Rock‑Solid Driver Stability

FTDI drivers are known for being extremely stable and widely supported across operating systems.

• Works on Windows, Mac, and Linux with no hacks or unsigned drivers.

• FTDI drivers are official, maintained, and not blocked by OS updates.

Prolific‑chip cables often break after Windows updates because the OS rejects counterfeit chips.

2. No Counterfeit Chip Problems

Prolific PL2303 chips are the most counterfeited USB‑serial chips in the world.

• Many cheap cables use fake Prolific chips, causing:

  • “This device cannot start (Code 10)” errors

  • Random disconnects

  • Failure to communicate with radios

• FTDI chips do not suffer from this widespread counterfeit issue.

This alone makes FTDI the go‑to choice for ham radio programming.

3. Plug‑and‑Play Reliability

FTDI cables are recognized instantly by most systems.

• No need to hunt for drivers

• No need to roll back Windows updates

• No need to disable driver signature enforcement

For hams who program multiple radios, this is a lifesaver.

4. Better Compatibility with Ham Radios

FTDI cables work reliably with:

• Baofeng

• Wouxun

• Kenwood

• BTECH

• Retevis

• Quansheng

• Icom CI‑V interfaces (via FTDI‑based hubs)

This is why many premium ham‑radio accessory makers (BTECH, Mirkit, VE2DX, etc.) use FTDI exclusively.

5. Cleaner, More Accurate Serial Communication

FTDI chips handle USB‑to‑serial conversion more accurately:

• Better timing

• Fewer dropped packets

• More reliable flashing

• Less chance of bricking a radio during firmware updates

This matters when programming DMR radios like the Anytone 878 or flashing firmware on Baofeng/Quansheng models.

Visit the official FTDI site for more information!

Why did I brick my UV-K5??? by: Kevin Omura

This post is mirrored from Facebook.  All credit goes to Kevin Omura

Kevin Omura | Facebook

Post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CxLS4ksT9/

 Why did I brick my UV-K5???

The simple answer is, because of not knowing which version of radio you have or ignoring all the warnings. Seems like a simple answer but is it really?

I own several UV-K5 radios as well as some UV-K1 radios and so it seems like a good idea to do a sort of guide as to how to identify them.

Perhaps the simplest way is to just take the battery off and look at the label on the back of the radio. On there you should find the model number and possibly a V2 or V3 designation. On the original V1 radios there is no version number.

Why this is important. Quansheng has changed the microprocessor on these radios at least three times during their production run.

The first radios have the DP32G030 a 32-bit Arm Cortex-M0+ microcontroller running at up to 48MHz and with 64kb of internal flash memory. (this is important to note)

https://www.nationstech.com/uploads/packs/1662538843129211.pdf

Then around the end of 2025 it was reported that a UV-K5 V2 radio had shipped. It has a different microcontroller the PY32F030 32-bit ARM® Cortex® - M0+ CPU running at 48MHz and also with 64kb of internal flash memory. (I do not own one of these yet)

https://download.py32.org/Datasheet/en/PY32F030_Datasheet_V1.8.pdf

Finally at the beginning of 2026 Quansheng shipped yet another variation of the UV-K5. This time a V3 version which had a PY32F071 ARM® 32-bit Cortex®-M0+ CPU running at 72MHz and with up to 128kb of internal flash memory.

https://download.py32.org/Datasheet/en/PY32F071_Datasheet_Rev0.7_EN.pdf

So, what is the important thing to note here? It is how much internal flash memory these MCUs have and why some people have bricked their radios.

This relates specifically to the latest versions of Armel's really great F4HWN V4.3.2 Fusion firmware upgrade for the UV-K5 V3 and UV-K1. If you fail to heed his warnings on his page or any of the other warnings out there you WILL BRICK your UV-K5 V1/V2 radios.

Why? Because V4.3.2 Fusion firmware requires 79kb of flash memory and those earlier radios only have 64kb. The new V3 radios have the upgraded MCU which has 128kb of internal flash memory and so it is large enough to store his firmware as well as Ari's Fusion + firmware which can require even more memory approaching the 128kb limit of the latest chip.

So that brings us to the final problem and that is mainly with the UV-K5. It has been reported that some radios that have shipped that were supposed to be V3 radios actually have V2 boards in them. *Note that I do not own one of these radios yet. And this is a big problem since trying to flash one of these radios with Fusion will brick it since the flash memory is not large enough.

IMHO that means unless you are 100% certain that your radio really is a V3 I personally would not install any of the new firmware which requires the larger flash memory. Therefore, I think it is a lot safer to experiment with the UV-K1.

Is there another way to determine if you have a V3 UV-K5?

Maybe, I posted some photos of three of my UV-K5 radios with notes on each photo as to which version it was. There is a photo from the UV-K5 V1 which has no designation, a UV-K5 ( 8 ) and my UV-K5 V3 which I have tested with F4HWN V4.3.2 as well as Ari's Fusion + firmware. I can't 100% guarantee that your radio is or is not a V3 but if it has the version code R51-V2.1 it should be. This radio also had OEM firmware version 7.0.11.

If you did brick your radio, Armel has posted a very good tutorial on how to go about unbricking it. It does require some surgery and extra pieces of hardware.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cWtYH_bpro

QUESUM (Quansheng) M7 DMR / UV

STAY TUNED!!! 

Ok... I figured this WHOLE thing out! I will try to make some posts/videos in the next few days on my blog BUT I definitely have EVERYTHING working! Whew. It took about 40 hours of my time. www.bageyes.com The ONLY thing that is NOT going to change is this... when you see THIS screen, you are locked down to that ANALOG template. Example... If you add 462.xxx and then you want to add 146.xxx it is NOT happening. This setting is a GLOBAL template setting and if you set everything up THEN change it, you will lose ALL saved frequencies. ALSO... the ONLY cable that works with this radio HAS TO BE the FTDI cable. ALL others give you the "password" issue.