Unofficial compilation note: this library is unofficial material compiled and rewritten by BG7BAG Radio from public sources, for study reference only, and is not affiliated with the equipment manufacturers. For takedown requests, contact contact@bg7bag.com.
UV-K5 SSB / shortwave listening
With custom firmware this little radio can also hear HF — a hands-on note.
Why it can hear SSB/shortwave
The UV-K5 BK4819 RF chip natively spans from HF up to GHz; flashing custom firmware (e.g. fagci / egzumer) unlocks SSB (USB/LSB) receive, letting you listen to amateur HF bands and shortwave SSB/AM signals. A hands-on note; menus vary by firmware.
What you can hear
Chip- and firmware-dependent: commonly roughly 18–30 MHz of lower HF (part of the 20 m / 40 m amateur bands and similar) plus signals above 30 MHz; some firmwares add AM broadcast (whether medium wave is reached depends on the version). Do not expect it to replace a dedicated shortwave receiver — sensitivity, selectivity and front-end filtering are limited.
How to receive
- First flash a firmware that supports SSB (see the firmware-choice and flashing pages).
- In receive mode, switch demodulation to USB or LSB (shortwave/ham lower sideband LSB, upper sideband USB).
- Narrow the bandwidth (around 2.4 kHz) to reject adjacent channels.
- Tune with the keys or direct frequency entry; use the spectrum/waterfall to find signals.
- For HF, connect an external long-wire / telescopic antenna — the stock rubber duck is very poor on HF.
Practical tips
- HF propagation swings with day/night, season and ionosphere; shortwave is livelier at night.
- Set step to 1 kHz or less for fine tuning to the sideband centre.
- A heterodyne whistle means you are off; SSB has no carrier, so being off makes speech unintelligible.
- Use Notch / noise reduction if the firmware offers them.
Compliance note
⚠
Receiving is legal and needs no licence; but transmitting on HF requires the appropriate licence class and authorised bands. Flashing does not change TX compliance and voids warranty — receive-only play is already worthwhile.
Can I hear SSB without flashing?
Stock firmware usually lacks SSB demodulation; a custom firmware (fagci/egzumer) is needed to enable it.
Why is shortwave unclear?
HF depends on ionosphere and antenna; the stock antenna is very weak on HF — use an external long-wire antenna and set the right sideband and bandwidth.