Quansheng V3 Dondji FW

I recently took the plunge and purchased a version 3 Quansheng HT in the UV-K5 style body as shown below. The radio cost approx $30 delivered and came pre-loaded with F4HWN Fusion firmware.   This firmware is very popular for V3 models, that come with a different CPU from the V1 models. There is twice the space to hold firmware and have additional memory channels. But one thing bugged me about the F4HWN firmware, and is something that appears to be being adopted by other recent firmwares, and that is the usage of IARU VHF S-Meter values.

The VHF and upwards standard attempts to address the need for S Unit reporting down to lower noise thresholds. At VHF etc we are not limited by high amounts of galactic noise, and so S1 can typically be at about -140dbm for a good SSB receiver. This now makes a problem for a  typical FM rig, because we're already limited to sensitivity of about -125dbm.  Therefore an S-Meter is starting at about S4 according to the IARU VHF UHF standard.  It's annoying to see this on a FM rig, as you get the impression of having a high noise floor !

As luck would have it, I discovered a bit of an outsider in the world of firmware that nicely gets around this, and it's called Dondji (Chinese developed). 

Below - K5 style rig and carry pouch.

Dondji has a very uncluttered user interface and makes use of menu groups rather than just a very long list of menu settings like other firmwares do. 

Based on F4HWN v5.3.1; current Dondji release v5.2.2 (UV-K1 / UV-K5·K6 V3, PY32F071)

🎨 Motorola R7-style UI (branch: motorola_r7) + classic phone-style icon menu

📡 Dual VFO / MAIN ONLY UI redesign (UV-KX-inspired)

🔒 Lock screen / keypad-lock UI redesign

🌏 Chinese / English UI with runtime language switch

🧭 Menu restructuring & UI refactor

📝 Full GB2312 font in SPI Flash (6766 chars) + T9 pinyin channel naming

🌐 Browser web flash: firmware, font, calibration, config, writefreq, boot logo

📶 Spectrum (F+5): Simple / Professional + waterfall

🧰 Toolbox (F+7): electronic wooden fish + CW practice

📡 MDC1200 Roger / unit ID (TX + RX popup)

📖 Built-in ZH/EN help manual

📻 Common Fusion extras: dedicated FM radio screen, custom boot logo / boot sound, RX/TX timer, etc.

Now back to the S-meter usage. You have two ways to experience the signal meters, or is it three ? 

Let me explain, when using dual VFO mode the S Meter is a simple 0-9 bargraph, and 0 starts about -123dbm and then progresses upwards in a sensible fashion in accordance with how good the signal level is, But if you change to single VFO mode you will see both a simple 5 Bar cellphone style display (top left)  and a -dbm value on the main screen.  Hint - these modes settings are in the DISPLAY section.

Below - FM broadcast screen and menu grouping pages example (there are five menu groupings).

We also have some weirdness -  use Function key and then press 7 and you can see this TOOLBOX item. Toolbox (F+7): electronic wooden fish (Mokuyu ?) + CW practice. And below is a view of the DAB band using the spectrum scope.

How do we get this firmware ?

Download from either my repository (the .bin file) and save to your hard disk or direct from the developers site.

Use the F4HWN V3 flasher tool or anything that can flash V3 files.

Connect cable to the PC first.

Switch on the Quansheng to firmware receiving mode by holding in the PTT (LED will illuminate).

Now connect the programming cable to the radio.

Direct the flashing tool to the .bin file and press flash, wait about 40 seconds until it's finished.

If you are flashing this firmware over the top of F4HWN v5.7.0 firmware you will keep your settings and memories but be aware that development changes rapidly and cannot be future guaranteed. Flashing any firmware is always at your own risk. This firmware works on the V3 models and the K1 / Mini Kong known to be sold mid 2026.

New user menu checklist.

Ensure that the mic gain is set to at least 15db or so, in order to have loud enough audio.

Use the RX audio profiles to be FLAT for best audio quality.

Set up the transmit time out timer.

Set up LCD backlight to be always on - DISPLAY > BLTIME = ON.

Also turn on rig holding PTT and upper side key to access a few other options too (battery calibration etc).

Memory Programming.

I don't know what Python module is used on CHIRP but it might be one of the F4HWN ones - sorry. All I know is that I started on CHIRP with the F4HWN Fusion module and used that to write my memories to the rig. When I then flashed Dondji firmware over the top the memories were left alone and so were the various menu settings too.

Technical Performance.

These V3 rigs are the same as the V1/2's so see my other Quansheng page for RF performance. 

Have fun folks. Just remember to always check what radio you have and only ever flash the correct firmware for the rig's CPU type, or you'll brick your rig.