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My WLN KD-C1 and new KD-C1 PLUS review

sunbulls

Sr. Member
Apr 25, 2017
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KD-C1PLUS.jpg

I was glad to see the channel display upgrade to my favorite UHF HT. The receive sound quality on the original KD-C1 is phenomenal and the new PLUS version doesn’t disappoint. I never thought a $15 Chinese HT would sound better on receive than any of the top 4. Other manufactures should take notice of whatever speaker / audio amp combo the KD-C1 is using.

I’m fortunate to have a popular UHF repeater 10 miles from me that’s within working range, but that’s not their only use. I also programmed a pair on FRS for my brother-in-law. His wife has early stages of alzheimer's and keeps in touch with her husband while he works on his farm. We have a similar situation with a neighbor, except she is blind. She found these easier to use than a cell phone while he is working in the garage or around the yard. My wife occasionally monitors this neighbor while he’s gone and makes contact if she needs anything. Of course a full sized antenna will provide better range, but the 1 mile or more range we get from these is adequate. They’re far clearer and have better range than any blister pack FRS talkies, at least the ones I played with. The stubby antenna makes them ideal for using a lanyard around your neck, placing one in your pocket or on the included belt clip without having the usual poking aggravation.

On the KD-C1 you will have difficulty determining what channels are active in scan mode without a readout, therefore I rarely used it as a scanner. There are better options for scanning, much faster scanners too, but the new PLUS version at least makes that feature more viable. The PLUS version did some other upgrade features like scrambling and VOX, but I don’t have any need for those features. Simplicity is their strong suit, and I hope they keep them that way.

The software for the regular KD-C1 will not work on the new PLUS. Fortunately the new PLUS software (Chinese version) is readily available. Chirp supports the KD-C1, but I’ve used the Chinese versions on both without difficulty. I saved the FRS software file for quick and easy future cloning and in case someone is interested.

Both versions use the WLN KB-5C battery. Other clones like the Retevis RT22 and the Zastone ZT-X6 have their own badge that will also work. A common cell phone BL-5C battery works too, those claim a higher capacity rating, but I never could tell much difference. I usually carry an extra battery. Shaving a slightly larger slot inside the compartment with an exacto blade makes it easier for your finger to remove it. That’s the only improvement I think the manufacture should make.

Others have talked about how great these are to use along with a cross band repeater setup in their mobile, something I haven’t tried yet. In closing, I've yet to hear any HT receive audio sound better. These are my standard for comparison in that regard. Buy a pair for your kids and program in a few FRS frequencies. You will love the audio so much you might want another couple programed for your local repeater.
 

I'll have to get that. I have the regular ones. I really like them. Very well made, stupid easy to program, long battery, simple to charge. My sister bought 6 of them for use while kayaking with friends and hiking.

Cheap price.
 
Those are nice. I have a Baofeng BF-888s 16 channel. It's solid, easy to program with chirp and has a rotary channel selector on top. I pick it up from wish for $10
 
Can you get full power on frs?
Since these have fixed antennas I’m unable to measure the output. The specifications say 2 watts on high, but that can’t be trusted. I think its close anyway. I do know they have far greater range than the old original ½ watt FRS talkies.
There’s one thing I forgot to mention before about the new plus version. The installation software and program was all in Chinese. Once installed, out of frustration I kept clicking on all the unknown options found among the pull down menus across the top. I soon hit on a button that got the result I was hoping for, everything in the program instantly changed to English, better yet the program saved that setting and continues to stay in English. Usually any language option is chosen during the initial installation. Hopefully they will get that issue fixed before too long.
If anyone needs further assistance with this radio, feel free to ask.
Unless you can read Chinese, this is a screen capture of my Plus setup that shows the location of that language button.
KD-C1Plus.jpg
 
Last edited:
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I also like the established 888 and the 777. I bought a Retevis RT7 that’s basically the same as those models except for the looks, too many other clones to mention. At that time I just wanted something different. Used as a base, it’s connected to a Tram 1170 that’s slapped on top of a metal file cabinet. I’m also running it on one of those fake batteries with a cigarette lighter dongle and a BTECH QHM22 external mic. There's a local UHF repeater nearby connected to a worldwide IRLP network. Besides the popular Baofeng UV-5R, the 888 is well represented and it’s not uncommon to hear recent licensees using them on the network every day. Some are very young with a limited budget. IMO The low cost of these HT’s has played a major part in enticing these newcomers.
 
View attachment 30705
I was glad to see the channel display upgrade to my favorite UHF HT. The receive sound quality on the original KD-C1 is phenomenal and the new PLUS version doesn’t disappoint. I never thought a $15 Chinese HT would sound better on receive than any of the top 4. Other manufactures should take notice of whatever speaker / audio amp combo the KD-C1 is using.

I’m fortunate to have a popular UHF repeater 10 miles from me that’s within working range, but that’s not their only use. I also programmed a pair on FRS for my brother-in-law. His wife has early stages of alzheimer's and keeps in touch with her husband while he works on his farm. We have a similar situation with a neighbor, except she is blind. She found these easier to use than a cell phone while he is working in the garage or around the yard. My wife occasionally monitors this neighbor while he’s gone and makes contact if she needs anything. Of course a full sized antenna will provide better range, but the 1 mile or more range we get from these is adequate. They’re far clearer and have better range than any blister pack FRS talkies, at least the ones I played with. The stubby antenna makes them ideal for using a lanyard around your neck, placing one in your pocket or on the included belt clip without having the usual poking aggravation.

On the KD-C1 you will have difficulty determining what channels are active in scan mode without a readout, therefore I rarely used it as a scanner. There are better options for scanning, much faster scanners too, but the new PLUS version at least makes that feature more viable. The PLUS version did some other upgrade features like scrambling and VOX, but I don’t have any need for those features. Simplicity is their strong suit, and I hope they keep them that way.

The software for the regular KD-C1 will not work on the new PLUS. Fortunately the new PLUS software (Chinese version) is readily available. Chirp supports the KD-C1, but I’ve used the Chinese versions on both without difficulty. I saved the FRS software file for quick and easy future cloning and in case someone is interested.

Both versions use the WLN KB-5C battery. Other clones like the Retevis RT22 and the Zastone ZT-X6 have their own badge that will also work. A common cell phone BL-5C battery works too, those claim a higher capacity rating, but I never could tell much difference. I usually carry an extra battery. Shaving a slightly larger slot inside the compartment with an exacto blade makes it easier for your finger to remove it. That’s the only improvement I think the manufacture should make.

Others have talked about how great these are to use along with a cross band repeater setup in their mobile, something I haven’t tried yet. In closing, I've yet to hear any HT receive audio sound better. These are my standard for comparison in that regard. Buy a pair for your kids and program in a few FRS frequencies. You will love the audio so much you might want another couple programed for your local repeater.
link for the KD C1 plus programming software please
 
Since these have fixed antennas I’m unable to measure the output. The specifications say 2 watts on high, but that can’t be trusted. I think its close anyway. I do know they have far greater range than the old original ½ watt FRS talkies.
There’s one thing I forgot to mention before about the new plus version. The installation software and program was all in Chinese. Once installed, out of frustration I kept clicking on all the unknown options found among the pull down menus across the top. I soon hit on a button that got the result I was hoping for, everything in the program instantly changed to English, better yet the program saved that setting and continues to stay in English. Usually any language option is chosen during the initial installation. Hopefully they will get that issue fixed before too long.
If anyone needs further assistance with this radio, feel free to ask.
Unless you can read Chinese, this is a screen capture of my Plus setup that shows the location of that language button. View attachment 31014
link for the KD C1 plus programming software please
 
I still have the original ones. Still going strong. They were a good buy. I use them frequently and they get loaned out occasionally. Solidly built little dudes.
 
link for the KD C1 plus programming software please
Click on the following link and you will see the KD-C1 plus software listed in column on the right. Your downloaded software file will be in zip format. If you have any problems installing or downloading the software let me know. This link was posted on Amazon that has been selling them. Oddly, at an early release date when I bought mine on E-bay, no other software source was known that would work on the plus version. I think everyone assumed the regular KD-C1 would work. Not! I wouldn’t be surprised that other sources also have it now, but rest assured this one work.

BTW, I like the audio on these to the point that I'm going to modify a few to except an external antenna.

http://www.szanysecu.com/en/col.jsp?id=106
 
Click on the following link and you will see the KD-C1 plus software listed in column on the right. Your downloaded software file will be in zip format. If you have any problems installing or downloading the software let me know. This link was posted on Amazon that has been selling them. Oddly, at an early release date when I bought mine on E-bay, no other software source was known that would work on the plus version. I think everyone assumed the regular KD-C1 would work. Not! I wouldn’t be surprised that other sources also have it now, but rest assured this one work.

BTW, I like the audio on these to the point that I'm going to modify a few to except an external antenna.

http://www.szanysecu.com/en/col.jsp?id=106
cant program. only com8 available on program. mai port is com16
 
cant program. only com8 available on program. mai port is com16
Depending on the OS you're using, you can create additional com ports in Device Manager. Google “add com ports” and you will see a number of different methods.

Note: The link for the old Amazon KD-C1 plus software I posted no longer works.
See attached...
 

Attachments

  • KDC1Plus Setup v1.30.zip
    901.7 KB · Views: 251
I 3D
Depending on the OS you're using, you can create additional com ports in Device Manager. Google “add com ports” and you will see a number of different methods.

Note: The link for the old Amazon KD-C1 plus software I posted no longer works.
See attached...
I have version: 2016.5.23 software package.
 

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