Wouxun KG-S72C vs. Randy III FCC

The Wouxun KG-S72C is a handheld CB radio with AM and FM. Having both AM and FM is recommended for anyone buying a CB radio. FM provides improved sound quality and improved range over AM, when talking with others capable of FM. The KG-S72C has CTCSS and DCS coded squelch for FM, which allows hearing only transmissions with a matching subaudible code. The sound quality on receive and transmit is good for AM and FM. The superheterodyne receiver is sensitive and selective. To get reasonable performance from the factory antenna, have the radio sitting on a metal object or held by hand.

Since the President Randy III FCC TXUS722 has come to market, we generally recommend the Randy III FCC over the KG-S72C. Only buy the KG-S72C if you are on a tight budget and can accept its cons. The Randy III FCC can do everything the KG-S72C can do and adds important features over the KG-S72C.

Antenna

The KG-S72C uses an SMA female antenna (the radio has the usual SMA male connector). Use caution regarding long attached antennas like tactical folding antennas or telescoping antennas, as they may excessively strain the SMA connector on the KG-S72C. The Hyshikra “XP-70 SMA” (be careful as they also make the “XP-70 BNC”) 16 inch (41 cm) antenna yields several dB of improvement over the factory antenna, which is a significant improvement in transmit and receive range. I have not found anyone, including Wouxun, that sells the exact KG-S72C factory antenna replacement. A replacement antenna like the Hyshikra is an improvement over the factory antenna.

Comparison with President Randy III FCC

The PresidentRandy III FCC is a more usable CB radio and a better value than the KG-S72C.

  • The Randy TNC antenna connector is more mechanically robust for handheld antennas than the KG-S72C SMA connector, given the length and bulk of antennas necessary at 27 MHz.
  • Randy III FCC has NRC Noise Reduction, which is quite important on any CB radio to reduce listening fatigue, while the KG-S72C does not have NRC.
  • Randy has RF level squelch and auto-squelch, while the KG-S72C only has auto-squelch.
  • Randy has 4 watt carrier power on AM, while KG-S72C has 2 watt carrier power on AM. Both have 4 watt carrier power on FM.
  • Randy III FCC comes with the car adapter power and antenna adapter kit ACMR406, while the KG-S72C battery eliminator and speaker-microphone are sold separately.

For reference, the Wouxun “KG-S” series of handheld radios with superheterodyne receivers is also available in VHF aviation-band models (6 watt AM carrier) and UHF FM models.