Memory Channels
Memory Channels
The UV-K5 stores up to 200 memory channels (0–199). Each channel saves frequency, modulation, power level, CTCSS/DCS tones, bandwidth, offset, scan list assignments, and a 10-character name.
Saving a Channel (Step by Step)
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Tune the VFO | In VFO mode, tune to the frequency you want to save. Set modulation, power, bandwidth, CTCSS/DCS, and offset as desired. |
| 2. Open menu | Press MENU and navigate to ChSave (or press F+MENU as a shortcut). |
| 3. Select channel slot | Use UP/DOWN arrows to choose the channel number (0–199) to save into. Empty slots are shown as dashes. |
| 4. Confirm save | Press MENU to save. The VFO settings are written to the selected channel slot. |
| 5. Optional: name it | Navigate to the ChName menu item, select the channel you just saved, and enter a name up to 10 characters. |
| 6. Optional: assign to scan list | Use ScAdd1/ScAdd2 to assign the channel to Scan List 1 and/or 2. |
You can also save channels using the rfsplatter.com firmware configurator, which provides a full channel editor before flashing.
Naming Channels
Channel names appear on VFO line 1 (depending on the DispCh setting) and make identifying channels much easier.
- Open the menu, navigate to
ChName, and select the channel to name. - Use UP/DOWN arrows to cycle through characters (A–Z, 0–9, space, special characters).
- Use LEFT/RIGHT arrows (or UP/DOWN in some builds) to move the cursor between character positions.
- Press MENU to confirm each character or the full name.
- Maximum name length: 10 characters.
- Names are stored per-channel and persist through power cycles.
Faster channel management
Use the rfsplatter.com configurator to program all channels with names before flashing the firmware. Much faster than entering names on the keypad.
Scan List Assignment
Assign channels to Scan List 1, Scan List 2, or both for selective scanning.
- In channel mode, navigate to the channel you want to assign.
- Open the menu and set
ScAdd1to ON to add to List 1. - Set
ScAdd2to ON to add to List 2. - Scan list membership is shown on VFO line 1 as small
1and2icons next to the channel number. - A channel can be in both lists simultaneously.
See the Scanning Guide for how to use scan lists during scanning.
Deleting Channels
- In channel mode, navigate to the channel you want to delete.
- Open the menu and navigate to
MDelCh(or use theF + EXITshortcut). - Confirm the deletion when prompted. The channel slot is cleared (frequency, name, all settings).
- Deleted channels appear as empty/dashes in the channel list.
- Deletion is irreversible — re-program the channel if needed.
Channel Display Modes (DispCh)
When in channel mode, choose what information is shown on VFO line 1 via the DispCh menu item.
| Setting | Line 1 shows | Line 2 shows | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freq | Frequency (e.g., 146.520) | Settings (mod, power, etc.) | Always see the exact frequency |
| Ch Num | Channel number (e.g., 025) | Settings | Quickly identify which channel slot you're on |
| Name | Channel name (e.g., W6XYZ) | Settings | Descriptive identification — requires named channels |
| Name+Freq | Channel name on line 1 | Frequency on line 2 (overlaid on settings) | Best of both — see name and frequency together |
Copy Channel to VFO
You can copy a memory channel's settings into the VFO for editing without modifying the original channel.
F + 1 (in channel mode)Copy the current channel's frequency and settings into the VFO, then switch to VFO mode. You can now edit the frequency and settings freely without affecting the original channel.This is useful for temporarily modifying a repeater frequency, checking adjacent frequencies, or using a channel as a starting point for a new channel configuration.
Channel Capacity & Organization
- 200 channels total, numbered 0 through 199. All channels are equal — there is no dedicated "priority" channel slot (priority is configured separately via SList1/SList2).
- Channels do not need to be consecutive. Empty slots between channels are skipped during scanning.
- There is no automatic frequency sorting. Channels are accessed by number, not by frequency.
- Organize channels logically: e.g., 0–49 for VHF repeaters, 50–99 for UHF repeaters, 100–149 for simplex, 150–199 for monitoring/RX-only.
- Use consistent naming:
W6XYZ-Rfor repeaters,2M CALLfor calling frequencies.