JUCJET TK118 Support: Manual, Software, Spectrum Analyser & Licence

The JUCJET TK118 is a dual-band amateur handheld for licensed operators – 144–146 MHz and 430–440 MHz transmit, selectable up to 10 W, a wideband receiver with AM, FM and SSB reception and an on-screen spectrum analyser – made for operators who want to see what is on the band before they key up. It is not a licence-free PMR446 or FRS walkie talkie. This page covers quick start, licence rules, bands and channels, the software situation, realistic range and the questions we are asked most often. Different model? See the Support overview or the Download Centre.

Amateur radio – licence required. Transmitting on 144–146 MHz or 430–440 MHz requires a valid amateur radio licence under the rules of the country where you use the radio. Want a set that works out of the box with no licence at all? See our licence-free PMR446 sets.

Quick startLicence & legal useBands, channels & frequenciesProgramming & softwareRangeFAQAccessoriesWarranty & contact

Quick start

  1. Charge first. The TK118 has a 3000 mAh battery and two charging routes: USB-C from a power bank or car, or the supplied desktop dock. Charge fully before the first use; the indicator is explained in the user manual.
  2. Fit an antenna. Antenna options for different operating needs are included. Screw the antenna on hand-tight only, never transmit without an antenna fitted, and keep it vertical while talking.
  3. Set a frequency or a channel. Enter a frequency within your licensed band, or use one of up to 999 programmable channels; dual receive lets you watch two frequencies at once. The key sequences are in the manual.
  4. Choose the power level. Output is selectable up to 10 W. Use the lowest level that does the job and never more than your licence class and local rules allow.
  5. Look before you transmit. The on-screen spectrum analyser shows signal activity across a span around your selected frequency, so you can see what is busy before you key up. It is a monitoring aid, not a decoder.
  6. Talk. Press and hold the PTT (push-to-talk) button, wait half a second, then speak; release to listen.
  7. Everything else is in the printed user manual in the box. A PDF is not yet in the Download Centre – email ka@jucjet.com with “TK118 manual” in the subject line and we will help.

Licence & legal use

  • The TK118 transmits on 144–146 MHz and 430–440 MHz, which are amateur bands. Transmitting requires an amateur radio licence (and, where applicable, a callsign) under the rules of the country where you operate; receiving is unrestricted in most countries. Check your national regulator before you key up.
  • 10 W is a maximum, not a default. Use the power level your licence class and local rules allow.
  • Programming 446 MHz frequencies into the TK118 does not make it a PMR446 radio. PMR446 is a separate licence-free service for type-approved equipment limited to 0.5 W ERP; the TK118 has removable antennas and up to 10 W 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.

Bands, channels & frequencies

The figures below are taken from the TK118 product specification. There is no fixed channel plan to print: the 999 channels hold whatever you program into them.

Function Range Notes
Transmit 144–146 MHz and 430–440 MHz Amateur bands – licence required
Receive 0.153–1160 MHz (where supported) AM, FM and SSB reception
Channels Up to 999 programmable Dual receive
Output power Selectable up to 10 W Use what your licence allows
Tone detection CTCSS / DCS Identifies compatible analogue tone settings

Amateur band edges and permitted power differ from country to country, so the transmit ranges above are the radio’s capability, not a statement of what your licence permits. CTCSS/DCS is selective squelch, not encryption: it does not make a channel private or increase range.

Programming & software

  • TK118 programming software: not published yet. See the TK118 entry in the Download Centre and request the current file by email; we will send it to you with the matching instructions.
  • Do not use the “TK11” package on the TK118. The Download Centre lists a separate TK11 file under older models. Whether it applies to the TK118 has not been confirmed, so please request the TK118 file instead of trying it.
  • Manual: the printed manual is in the box; a PDF is not in the Download Centre yet (see Quick start, step 7).
  • Programming cable: the TK118 is not named on the compatibility list of our 2-pin USB programming cable. Email ka@jucjet.com with a photo of the radio’s socket before ordering any cable.

Range: what to expect

There is no verified, model-specific field-test distance to quote on this page. Buildings, floors, terrain, radio placement and interference affect intelligibility. Before relying on the radio, check two-way speech between the actual positions you will use, especially stairwells and obstructed areas, and record the model, version and conditions with the result. Antenna choice, antenna position and a clear line of sight usually matter more than switching to a higher power level.

FAQ

Do I need a licence for the TK118?
Yes, to transmit. Receiving is unrestricted in most countries, but transmitting on 144–146 or 430–440 MHz requires an amateur radio licence. Check your national regulator before you key up.
Is 10 W always available?
Output is selectable. Use the power level your licence class and local rules allow; a lower setting also extends battery life.
What does the spectrum analyser actually show?
Signal activity across a span around your selected frequency, so you can see what is busy before you transmit. It is a monitoring aid, not a decoder.
Can it receive aircraft, marine or shortwave signals?
The receiver covers 0.153–1160 MHz where supported, with AM, FM and SSB reception. What you may listen to depends on the rules of your country; the TK118 transmits only on the two amateur bands above.
Can it find the tone another analogue radio is using?
The TK118 has CTCSS/DCS detection to identify compatible analogue tone settings. A matching tone is only useful on a frequency you are licensed to transmit on, and CTCSS/DCS does not make the channel private.
Where is the programming software?
Not published yet. Request it through the TK118 entry in the Download Centre (by email) and we will send the current file. Do not use the TK11 package on the TK118 until we confirm it.
Is the TK118 waterproof?
IP54 means dust-protected and protected against splashing water from any direction – rain, spray, a wet hand. It does not mean waterproof for submersion. Dry the radio and close the port cover before charging.
How far does it reach?
Range depends on terrain, band, antenna and interference far more than on the power setting. There is no verified distance for this model that we can quote, so test at the actual positions you will use.
What if my TK118 stops working?
2-year manufacturer warranty and 30-day returns. Email ka@jucjet.com with your order number and a short description of the problem.

Bought your TK118 here? A short review on the TK118 product page helps the next buyer more than anything we could write.

Accessories for the TK118

Before ordering an earpiece, headset, speaker microphone or programming cable, check the compatibility list on the accessory page. The TK118 is not on the manufacturer-confirmed list of our 2-pin accessories; email ka@jucjet.com with a photo of the radio’s accessory socket and we will confirm what fits.

Acoustic-tube earpiece with mic & PTT, 2-pin (6-pack)Discreet in-ear style; confirm the socket type with support before ordering for the TK118. Braided headset with PTT, 2-pin (2-pack / 5-pack)Over-ear style for long sessions; confirm the socket type with support before ordering for the TK118. Speaker microphone with PTT (1-pack / 2-pack)Hand microphone with a 360° clip; confirm the socket type with support before ordering for the TK118. USB programming cable, 2-pinThe TK118 is not on this cable’s compatibility list; ask support first.

Warranty & contact

2-year manufacturer warranty and 30-day returns. For a warranty claim, a missing manual or a question this page does not answer, email ka@jucjet.com with your order number, the model name printed on the radio and a short description. Warranty registration and all other models: Support overview.