Overview, Firmware Requirement & Getting Connected

Summary: Why this radio needs specific custom firmware, how to check and get it, and how to connect.

The Firmware Requirement – Read This First

Squawker PC can only program a Quansheng UV-K1 or UV-K5 running F4HWN, a well-known open-source custom firmware for these radios – not the radio’s stock factory firmware, and not just any custom firmware. Scan lists, the TX lock feature, and the other things this Programmer relies on simply don’t exist on stock firmware.

Important: your radio appearing in the COM port list doesn’t mean it’s compatible. Squawker PC’s port scan just checks that something answers on the radio’s programming channel, which stock firmware can also do – it doesn’t check what firmware is actually installed. The real check happens when you click Read from Radio or Write to Radio.

If your firmware isn’t right, you’ll see one of two clear messages rather than a confusing failure:

• If nothing on the radio’s programming channel responds at all: “Handshake failed – check the radio, cable and COM port.”
• If it responds but isn’t running a new enough F4HWN build: a message telling you what firmware it actually reports, and that F4HWN v5.8.0 or newer is required.

Click the ⓘ button next to the window title for the exact download link – it points to the Fusion tool, a browser-based F4HWN flasher that needs no software install. Follow F4HWN’s own instructions for putting your radio into flashing mode and for the exact button sequence to reach its USB programming mode afterward – that’s specific to the firmware itself, not something Squawker PC controls.

Getting Connected

1. Flash F4HWN (v5.8.0 or newer) onto your radio first, if you haven’t already.
2. Put the radio into its USB/serial programming mode (see F4HWN’s own documentation for the exact steps).
3. In Connect Settings, create or select your profile with Scanner Type set to Quansheng UV-K1/K5 – Squawker PC scans your ports automatically and lists any it gets an answer from.
4. Open Programmer, select that profile, and click Open Editor.
5. Click Read from Radio or Write to Radio when you’re ready – this is when the firmware version is actually checked.

Don’t run a live Connect (monitoring) session on the same COM port at the same time as the Programmer – the two aren’t designed to share a connection, and doing so isn’t supported.