JUCJET UV-K5 Support: Manual, Software, CHIRP, Driver & Licence

Amateur radio – licence required. The JUCJET UV-K5 is a programmable dual-band amateur (ham) radio, not a licence-free PMR446 or FRS walkie talkie. In the EU, the UK, the US and most other countries you need an amateur radio licence to transmit on it. Want something that works straight out of the box with no licence? See our licence-free PMR446 sets.

Support page for the JUCJET UV-K5: quick start, licence rules, programming software and driver troubleshooting, CHIRP, firmware warning, range and the questions we are asked most often. Different model? See the Support overview or the Download Centre.

Quick startLicence & legal useSoftware, driver & CHIRPFirmware warningRangeFAQAccessories

Quick start

  1. Charge first. Charge the battery fully before first use; the charging indicator is explained in the user manual.
  2. Set a frequency or channel. The K5 has a keypad: enter a frequency directly in frequency mode, or switch to channel mode to use one of up to 200 stored channels. Dual display / dual standby lets you watch two frequencies at once.
  3. Copy a partner’s frequency. Wireless frequency copy stores the frequency of a radio that is transmitting nearby – the fastest way to set up a group without a computer (see manual for the key combination).
  4. Power. Choose 1 W for close range and battery life, 5 W only where you need it and are licensed for it.
  5. Talk. Press and hold PTT, wait half a second, speak, release to listen.

Licence & legal use

  • The K5 transmits on the VHF and UHF amateur bands. Transmitting requires an amateur radio licence and callsign in the EU, the UK and the US; listening does not.
  • Programming PMR446 frequencies into the K5 does not make it a PMR446 radio. PMR446 requires a fixed antenna and 0.5 W ERP; the K5 has a removable antenna and up to 5 W, so it is not type-approved for PMR446 and may only be used on amateur bands with a licence.
  • For shops, hotels, events or a family holiday, use a licence-free PMR446 set instead.

Software, driver & CHIRP

  • UV-K5 programming software (Windows): Download. The package includes the USB cable driver. Connects through the 2-pin USB programming cable.
  • Programming Operation Guide (PDF): Download PDF.
  • CHIRP (free, open source): the UV-K5 family is supported by CHIRP on Windows, macOS and Linux. Select the K5 model in CHIRP’s model list; use the same 2-pin cable.
Driver troubleshooting (“radio did not respond” / “port not found”). 1) Install the driver from the software package, then unplug and re-plug the cable. 2) In Windows Device Manager the cable must appear under Ports (COM & LPT) – select that COM port in the software. 3) Switch the radio on, turn the volume up, push the plug fully into the 2-pin socket. 4) Try another USB port or a USB 2.0 hub; some USB-C adapters fail. 5) Still stuck? Email service@jucjet.com with a screenshot of Device Manager and the error.

Firmware warning

Third-party firmware for K5-type radios circulates online. Flashing it voids the warranty, can leave the radio unusable (“bricked”), and different hardware revisions use different chips, so a file that works on one K5 may not work on another. We do not provide support for radios with modified firmware. If a radio was flashed and no longer works, email us before doing anything else.

Range: what to expect

Handheld-to-handheld range depends on terrain, band and antenna far more than on the brand: 1–3 km in a town, 5–8 km in open country with a clear line of sight, and much further hilltop-to-hilltop. Through an amateur repeater the K5 covers a whole region. The optional high-gain antenna and holding the radio upright help more than switching to 5 W.

FAQ

Can the K5 talk to PMR446 walkie talkies?
Not legally – see “Licence & legal use”. If you need to talk to PMR446 radios, buy a PMR446 radio.
How many channels does it store?
Up to 200 programmable channels, plus direct frequency entry.
Can I use it in the USA or the UK?
Yes, on amateur bands and with the amateur licence of that country. Never on FRS/GMRS or PMR446 channels.
Which headset fits the K5?
Our braided headset with PTT lists the K5 as compatible. For the acoustic-tube earpiece and the speaker microphone, check the compatibility list on the product page before ordering.
What if my K5 stops working?
2-year manufacturer warranty and 30-day returns. Email ka@jucjet.com with your order number and a short description (unmodified firmware only).

Bought your K5 here? A short review on the K5 product page helps the next buyer more than anything we could write.

Need radios for a team without licences? Amateur radios are not the right tool for shops, hotels or events. Our licence-free PMR446 sets (88E, EP31, T17, T20) work out of the box: volume pricing and team quotes.

Accessories for the K5

Before ordering an earpiece or speaker microphone, check the compatibility list on the accessory page. If your model is not listed there, email ka@jucjet.com with a photo of the radio’s accessory socket and we will confirm what fits.

Braided headset with PTT, 2-pin (2-pack / 5-pack)Product page lists 88E, K5, 5R, UV-5RE and 5RH. Acoustic-tube earpiece with mic & PTT, 2-pin (6-pack)Discreet in-ear style for front-of-house and security work. Speaker microphone with PTT (1-pack / 2-pack)Clip-on hand mic with 360° clip; check the compatibility list. USB programming cable, 2-pinNeeded for the Windows programming software.

Still stuck? Write to ka@jucjet.com with your model and the problem.