quansheng uv-k5 hw mod board v5.0 (flex pcb)

[linux-works]

I bought a mod board for the uvk5 but the seller did not include any instructions.

does anyone have any info on the v5.0 rev?

jumpers, what mainboard parts to remove, etc.

[linux-works]

so....

the seller sent me 'some documentation'.

do you see anything wrong with the docs he sent me?

would you be able to install this pre-assembled board into your radio with this instruction sheet?

sigh.  deep sigh.

sellers who know zero about their items - should be banned permanently.  there's enough useless people in the world, useless flippers are the worst kind.

now, I have to spend time returning something that is just not possible to use.  without the detailed mod instructions, this is a recipe for disaster.

just a word of caution.  ask for docs first.  if they refuse, dont buy from them.

[radiolistener]

most of sellers on aliexpress don't know about their product details.

Regarding to the module, you can find detailed video on how to install it on youtube.

[linux-works]

no detailed info for v5.0.  I've tried.  nothing that comes up.  a few (5 or less) come up over and over but 5.0 is mentioned in just one and not in enough depth to know its diffs.

are there any forums where people would know?  I realize this is somewhat specialized.

[radiolistener]

You can start by simply soldering the board, as the contact pads indicate where to solder. The connection scheme is almost the same for all versions. Then check what's missing if it doesn't work.

[linux-works]

sorry but that's not enough.

on the examples I've seen, you make some bridges to the main pcb and you remove some other parts.  maybe even swap some parts.

there are a few variations.

its absurd to GUESS on something this custom.

its going back to the seller.  I've had it with this.  not worth the hassle.

[radiolistener]

on the examples I've seen, you make some bridges to the main pcb and you remove some other parts.  maybe even swap some parts.

The connection schematic is the same for all versions because they use the same chip. The difference with your module is that it does not require soldering an antenna wire, as it has a connector for using an external antenna instead of the onboard Quansheng antenna.

Thus, you just don't need to make any changes to the original Quansheng antenna wiring when installing this module.

[linux-works]

is there any online references to this version?  do we even know who the designer or source vendor is?

thanks, I appreciate your help.

[radiolistener]

[linux-works]

that was the video I tried to watch for reference.  (is that you?)

it just briefly mentioned the v5 and I didnt notice any details on how this module is different and what connections to make.

I see you have photos of it.

is it possible to have some close-ups of the jumper areas?

are you saying that no other parts have to be removed from the main board?  just 2 (or 3) jumper links?  and of course the 8pin chip to be removed.

if you can pick which version of the board is best, is v5.0 really the better choice?  its the latest version (number) but that may not be the best board to use.

(I am not 100% sure I want to do the 2 antenna mod.  I might but its a lot more involved)

[radiolistener]

that was the video I tried to watch for reference.  (is that you?)

no, I just googled for v5 module

it just briefly mentioned the v5 and I didnt notice any details on how this module is different and what connections to make.

The description for the video has the answer:

Difference between version 2.5 & version 5 is the way BGA427 LNA is done, the latter uses second application from datasheet and provides 22 dB of amplification, whereas ver 2.5 provides only 18.5 dB.

So, from installation point of view it's the same as v2.5. The difference is how LNA is done.

I see you have photos of it.

is it possible to have some close-ups of the jumper areas?

I got it on aliexpress from buyers feedback

[linux-works]

I watched more of the video and he did not actually do an install of v5.0

the board does not have one of the pads (links) that the 2.5 ones have.

and he did remove a bunch of parts from the main board. 

its crazy to just guess based on a fuzzy photo.  what kind of 'docs' is that?  I wish the original seller was known.  this is absurd..

[radiolistener]

here is original mod description: http://www.hamskey.com/2024/01/modification-of-si4732-a10-for-full-hf.html

[linux-works]

I've seen that too, thanks.

its good theory about the circuit, overall.

I dont have a copy of the quansheng radio or even its pcb component locations/values.

so it feels like its a really blind task.

if I had a v2.x board, there are reasonably clear yt instructions but still nothing that is really v5.0 specific.

I still cant tell if I'm to remove parts from the main board.  and one link that is near the removed chip (on the 2.x mod boards) does not seem to exist on the v5.0 mod board.

just too many unknowns on the 5.0 mod (as of today).  I guess I'll wait until finally there is a v5.0 video or something and then I can proceed.

thanks for your help.  but I really do not want to start this microsurgery on the radio until I'm 100% sure I know what I'm supposed to do, and even any mainboard parts that should be upgraded or replaced or removed.

usually, I dont get upset when the vendor does not include docs.  usually an arduino module or maker module will have so many online examples, you dont need the vendor.  usually.  but this is not the case.  I cant find a single definitive howto guide on the v5.0 board.  just a passing mention from the codenov yt guy.  if anything, he'll probably release a 5.0 specific video but so far, there isn't one and there's nothing online that you can give to a rework person and say 'mod my board' (I'm doing the rework but still, you know what I mean).

[linux-works]

I think I found something close to what I could use as a guide:

https://4pda.to/forum/index.php?showtopic=1071343&st=7440

this is more of what I was hoping for.  an annotated photo with clear lines on where to make the links/jumpers.

still not 100% clear about what parts to remove.  maybe nothing?  one jumper can go across a cap so it effectively removes it.

[uer166]

Let me know if you need anything translated from that forum

[linux-works]

wow, google translate just worked on the photo, alone.

so you DO have to remove something from the main board.

inching our way there.  or some other non-freedom unit of measure (grin)

[radiolistener]

from the link on 4pda it said the same as I said before - v5 is exactly the same as v2.5 and should be installed in the same way. The difference is the module internal schematic, but both have exactly the same interface to install. There is no difference for installing v2.5 or v5.

The picture above said to remove only components within cyan square which is marked as "Отпаять" which means "to desolder". These are C19 and L2 on schematic below. The red jumper from pin 6 is to short C20 (connect antenna bypassing C20).

Here is reversed schematic and pcb layout in kicad for pcb v1.4: https://github.com/mentalDetector/Quansheng_UV-K5_PCB_R51-V1.4_PCB_Reversing_Rev._0.9

The pin FMIN of BK1080 is antenna input, so this is just a path for antenna signal for the module. You can experiment with installing filter here.

[radiolistener]

Here is my marked changes on schematic.