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Advanced features

This page covers specialized or optional features that are not needed for basic radio operation: BEAM, RF log, RescueOps, UV Studio, Resume Mode, the built-in game, and the research-oriented TX unlock procedure. AirCopy, FoxHunt, Beacon, Multiboot, and overlay apps have their own detailed pages.

For day-to-day radio usage, see Radio operation. For scan-related features, see Scanning.

[!NOTE] Where this page mentions UP / DOWN, use the equivalent LEFT / RIGHT keys on UV-K1. The active navigation layout follows SetNav.

On this page

AirCopy

AirCopy transfers memory banks and settings between compatible radios. v6.0.0 added acknowledged blocks, retries, duplicate handling, and All (Mem+Set). v6.1.0 adds multi-block frames, comparison and skipping of identical blocks, cable transport, and protected external-Flash cloning in the Transfer edition.

See AirCopy for edition availability, controls, protocol compatibility, radio transfers, CABLE COPY, and Flash 2M safety information.

Multiboot, Multiconfig, and overlay apps

v6.0.0 adds two larger platforms documented separately:

BEAM transfer mode

BEAM is an optional direct transfer mode for one VFO or memory channel. Unlike AirCopy, which transfers memory banks or settings sections, BEAM is meant for quickly sharing the currently selected setup with another compatible radio.

Assign BEAM to one of the customizable shortcuts (F1Shrt, F1Long, F2Shrt, F2Long, or M Long), then trigger that shortcut to open BEAM mode.

In BEAM mode:

BEAM TX sends the current VFO or memory-channel configuration, including frequency, offset, tones, modulation, bandwidth, power, scan-list assignment, compander, DTMF-related settings when enabled, and channel name.

BEAM RX waits for a BEAM packet from another radio and saves it to the first free memory channel. If memory is full, the status shows MEM FULL.

See Button functions for the shortcut-level details.

FoxHunt

FoxHunt is a receive-only signal-strength and direction-finding application. Since v6.0.0, it has its own FOX HUNT shortcut action. It is resident in FieldOps and available as an installable overlay app in Labs.

Beacon

Beacon is a separate ARDF-style Morse transmitting application with its own BEACON shortcut action and safety requirements. It is resident in FieldOps and available as a separate installable overlay app in Labs.

RF log

Builds with RX/TX logging add an RF LOG shortcut action. Assign it to F1Shrt, F1Long, F2Shrt, F2Long, or M Long, then trigger that shortcut to open the history screen.

The RF log records receive, monitor, and transmit sessions to external flash. It is useful for checking recent activity after scanning, monitoring an unattended channel, or reviewing transmissions made during field use.

Each logged traffic entry stores:

The log view shows the latest entries first and exposes up to 512 traffic entries. When the ALL filter is selected, horizontal separator lines mark radio restarts.

screenshot_2026-08-04_01-36-59-167Z

Controls on the RF log screen:

The log is stored in a reserved external-flash area, so it survives normal power cycles. Clearing the log erases that reserved area.

See Button functions for the shortcut-level details.

RescueOps

Disclaimer

I would like to clarify that I am not an expert in emergency services; however, this special feature has been developed with the intent to meet the communication needs of first responders as effectively as possible. I am open to improvement suggestions from professionals, within the limits of my abilities, the time available to me, and the technical capabilities of the transceiver.

Overview

The RescueOps feature has been specifically developed to integrate into a communication system designed for first responders (firefighters, etc.). It adds restricted field controls and enhanced Flashlight behavior, which can be set to fixed, blinking, or SOS modes. The SetKey menu selects the startup key used with PTT to enter or leave RescueOps mode. By default the key is MENU, but it can also be UP, DOWN, EXIT, or * SCAN.

In the official v6.0.0 family, RescueOps is included in FieldOps and Labs. AirCopy is a separate capability provided by Transfer and Labs; enabling RescueOps does not by itself enable AirCopy.

Usage

[!NOTE] Emanuele, a member of the “Corpo nazionale dei Vigili del fuoco”, has written documentation specifically dedicated to the use of the RescueOps feature. Many thanks to him.

By default, the transceiver functions like any other firmware version, allowing access to menus (and hidden menus), long presses, or F key combinations to activate various functions directly from the keyboard (for example, to start a scan or adjust transmission power), as well as shortcuts.

However, if the transceiver is turned on while pressing both the PTT and the key configured in the SetKey menu, it will switch to RescueOps mode, triggering the following changes:

Short and long presses on F1 and F2, as well as long presses on M, remain available for shortcuts. This configuration is the responsibility of the person in charge of setting up the transceiver. If shortcuts are not desired, they can simply be set to the action NONE.

Note that the RescueOps feature offers 2 new actions:

These 2 actions were added at the request of rescue professionals and correspond to needs in the field.

Once in RescueOps mode, each normal startup keeps the transceiver in this mode. To return to the default mode, with access to menus and hidden menus, simply repeat the startup operation while pressing both the PTT and the key configured in the SetKey menu.

Game

This firmware includes a small breakout game.

This game has no ambition beyond fun. The idea was simply to explore what is possible on the Quansheng K5 alongside its radio features. Think of it as a playful nod to the Nokia 3310 era.

Game

UV Studio

UV Studio is the unified browser-based companion for this firmware:

https://armel.github.io/uvstudio/

It provides the radio’s browser-based viewing, control, maintenance, and recovery workflows:

It uses Web Serial and runs locally in a compatible desktop browser without an installation, server, or account.

[!IMPORTANT] Viewer key control does not provide remote TX. UV Studio cannot start a transmission, and its on-screen PTT does not transmit.

See UV Studio for version status, edition requirements, radio modes, safety information, and the complete workflows.

Resume Mode

Your transceiver will restart in the same state it was in before being turned off. So, if it was in Bandscope mode, listening to FM broadcast, or scanning, it will automatically resume that state upon the next startup.

TX on all bands

Warning

This modification is UNTESTED and is for RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, to explore the capabilities of the device and its chipset. DO NOT transmit on illegal frequencies. DO use a dummy load. The author(s) and contributor(s) of this repository are NOT liable for any damages, litigation, or other consequences of the misuse of this research firmware and do not accept any culpability. By installing any firmware from this repository, you accept full responsibility for any consequences that may arise and waive the right to pursue legal action against the author(s).

This option will not allow you to transmit in any modulation other than FM; this is a hardware limitation. Switching to AM or SSB only changes the AF audio output mode of the RF IC. It does not switch the whole IC into AM / SSB mode. This is for listening only. This firmware is also built with an additional lock that blocks TX when AM or SSB is enabled.

As an example of why this should not be used for actual communications, consider the following chart for transmission power at 27.254 MHz:

txspectrum

Credits: Tunas1337 / UV-K5-Modded-Firmwares

How to unlock TX on all bands

  1. Go to the hidden menu
  2. Enter menu F Lock
  3. Choose option UNLOCK ALL
  4. Repeat steps 2-3 3 times. Do it carefully. If you confirm any other option in the process, the counter is reset and you will have to repeat the procedure again.