Baofeng UV-5R: Amazon Lightning Deal

I'm not really sure how this works, but there is an Amazon Lightning Deal on the Baofeng UV-5R tomorrow at 11:50 Eastern (16:50 UTC). It is currently showing for $39.99 USD with free shipping. I'm assuming that the price drops to some impossible to resist number when the deal starts.



Deal seen first on AR-15 forum
About Amazon Lightning Deals

Game of Thrones - All 5 Books for $10

I had posted previously about a deal for cheap books in the series, but it just got crazy. All 5 books in the "A Song of Ice and Fire" aka Game of Thrones series for $9.99. (Kindle versions of course!)

Smooth Criminal

BoRyanMaynard Smooth Criminal on an Oud // Pretty cool youtube.com/watch?v=_FwJqY…

I Am Spartacus

Wait for it...

Mobile QSO Aid

An interesting idea...

"After finally discovering I could fit my Yaesu FT-2900R in my Honda Accord, I've become much more interested in transmitting while mobile. Although this rig is 2 meter only, I've been able to work a few people while driving back and forth from college. My setup is quite simple which I will highlight in a future post. In order to stir up some activity, I've tried taping a piece of paper in my back window stating my callsign and the FM simplex calling frequency in hopes someone will see it and give me a call."

Baofeng GT-3

Thanks to Rob for the pointer... the Baofeng GT-3. I may have to get one for "self-consumption" since it is the "2014 latest Baofeng two way radio with human-oriented features" for only $63 (USD).

"This is the 2014 latest Baofeng two way radio with human-oriented features. Large capacity Li-ion Battery can last for 7-9 hours of continuous use. Small and lightweight, it is small enough to fit in a pants pocket.  Upgraded frame material and black&orange color matching make it more durable and give it a more fashionable appearance. Multi-Language manual is available, including English, German and French. Moreover, it comes with a user-friendly user manual for bringing fabulous user experience. It's the best choice for gifts and self-consumption. 

Features:
* Dual-band handheld transcevier with display function menu on the display "LCD".* DTMF encoded.* Incorporates 105 codes "DCS" and 50 privacy codes "CTCSS" programmable.* Timer transmission "TOT" programmable.* Selecting the Scan Mode.* Built-in RX CTCSS/DCS scan, LED flash.* Programmable by PC.* Dual Watch/dual reception.* Level Threshold "Squelch" adjustable from 0 to 9.* Crossband reception.
Specifications:
* Memory channels: Up to 128 channels* Frequency stability: 2.5ppm* Antenna impedance: 50 ohm* Operating temperature: -20 ~ +60 °C* Supply Voltage: Rechargeable Lithium-Ion mAh 7.4V/1800* Cunsumption in standby: ≤73mA* Cunsumption in reception： 380mA* Cunsumption in transmission： ≤1.4A* Mode of operation: Simplex or semi-duplex"

53 Pencil

An alternative to the Jot Script... the 53 Pencil. It looks a little boxy, but I like the flip to erase. This says that even if I don't love a currently available stylus, I should have hope as people seem to be developing better products.

HF-One: HF-One MKII Box

Friday is probably not the best time for a major update on the HF-One - and I don't really have one anyway. But they are working on the packaging.

Baojie BJ-UV55/HYS TC-UV55: Notes from Jens

Jens has one of these and has added a lot of information in the comments of my (or really Nate's) original post. If you are interested in this radio, it is definitely worth a scan of his comments.

HBO Go on Chromecast

My Chromecast just became more valuable to me - it now works with HBO Go!

Privacy

Somethings you can't control - some you can.

Importing Chinese Radios

Interesting post about the FCC rules for the US over at the KG-UV950P Yahoo Group. According to it, you can bring in a radio for testing - but just do it in quantities of less than 4,000.

"47 CFR §2.1204 Import conditions. 

(a) Radio frequency devices may be imported only if one or more of these conditions are met:

* * * * * * * * * * 

(3) The radio frequency device is being imported in quantities of 4,000 or fewer units for testing and evaluation to determine compliance with the FCC Rules and Regulations, product development, or suitability for marketing. The devices will not be offered for sale or marketed.  

* * * * * * * * * * 

(b) The ultimate consignee must be able to document compliance with the selected import condition and the basis for determining the import condition applied."

Baofeng A52 and B-580T

I was looking at the Baofeng B-580T and thought about doing a post about it. While I dragged my feet, Hans beat me to it. Except, I just realized he was posting about the Baofeng A52 and I was looking at the B-580T. The B-580T is way different from the A52. See it has a "B" and a dash and a "T" in its model number.

I was looking at the pictures for both listings and realized that they shared a label with the B-580T model number.

I'm going to write a program to randomly generate model numbers for these things and automatically create blog posts about.

Craftsman Data Centers

"Farney believes the Ubiquity concept for the Sears Auto Centers would provide a winning template for data centers. While some auto centers are attached to mall-based retail stores, more than 50 are stand-alone facilities, often located on the perimeter of shopping malls. These sites are typically concrete buildings of between 25,000 and 50,000 square feet, with ceiling heights of at least 16 feet."

No word on the lifetime warranty.

Via Slashdot.org

Fuse Replacement Guide

Fuse Replacement Guide

Bleak Thought of the Day

Be a careful about what you ask for (or how you choose to measure success):

"the admission that exercising a hospital's primary function is no longer a source of value and revenue, it is viewed as entirely cost, risk, and liability. Consequently, they are no longer building any capacity, and are in fact looking for ways to reduce their capacity and eliminate hospital beds"

Zastone ZT-2R

[Edit: Looks like you can get it on Amazon now, too.]

Hans posted about the ZT2R a while back and I'm interested in it since it actually has something different - wider receive abilities. I've said it before and I'll probably say it a bunch more - I like having options.

I first thought it was a clone of my Yaesu VX-3R, but someone pointed out in the comments that it is really the discontinued VX-2R. Because it looks to be a VX-2R clone or just a rebrand (including using the VX-2R manual - direct link to PDF), I wonder if the technology and even the manufacturing capability was sold to Zastone. My former company would sell its older manufacturing lines and technology to our China partner, so I'm sure it does happen. Here is the link to the product page on the Zastone site.

It is available on AliExpress for around $82 (USD).

Specs
Wide Receiver Band List (RX List)
- BC Band 0.540-1.8 MHz
- SW Band 1.800-30MHz
- 50MHz Ham Band 30.000-79(59)MHz
- FM Band 76(59.000)MHz-108 MHz
- Air Band 108.000-137.000MHz
- 144MHz Ham Band 137.00-174.000MHz
- VHF-TV Band 174-222.000MHz
- Action Band 222-420.000MHz
- 430MHz Ham Band 420-470.000MHz
- UHF-TV Band 470-800(729).000MHz/(757-774MHz)
- Action Band2 800-999.000MHz(USA Cellular Block

TX Frequency List(TX List)
- 144-146(148)MHz
- 430-440(450)MHz

Baofeng UV-82X: 2M/220

Martyn is back with a new radio... the Baofeng UV-82X that will do 2M and 220.

"Baofeng UV-82X Dual Band 144/220 Handheld Transceiver
This is a brand new model out, IN STOCK NOW!!!
Features dual band, dual display, dual RX, 2.5 commercial spacing
5W out hi 1w out lo power, 128 memories, Emergency alarm,
Rugged construction, Perfect for Commercial and Amateur use."

Luiton DG-318

Christian Diemoz @Chris_Diemoz

Hey, @brickolore have u seen this #Luiton ht, claiming TRBO compatibility?vitaliokshop.com/Luiton-DG-318-…#digiradio #hamradio #hamr

Polmar DB50M: Unboxing

Ben (PA2OLD) has an unboxing video of the Polmar DB-50M (aka Powerwerx DB-750X) over at his site. The radio looks thinner than I had ever noticed.

Million

I'm about to have a million hits on the blog - see the counter over there ---->.

If you happen to be the millionth visitor, snap a screen shot! Fame and glory will be yours forever.

Three Years of Blogging

I started blogging three years ago. I've said more about the why and what in previous years (2011, 2012). For this year, I'll just say the 2,148 posts of the past three years have resulted in 997,021 hits. There are about 225 RSS subscribers.

More important than the numbers... I've learned a lot, made some friends, and had fun. Thanks to everyone that reads, comments, and e-mails!

Chrome - Audio in Which Tab?

Excellent... a feature to identify which Chrome tab is playing audio. I'm bad about having lots of tabs open and sometimes a page will auto-play a video. This will eliminate a lot of searching and scrolling to find the offender.

Not How I Would Do It

Guy posts a link to a survey on a Yahoo Group and the list owner kicks him out:

"I think you need to unsubscribe from this list of all you want is to mooch a survey. Forget that, I'll unsubscribe you myself."

Library Box

I like the idea of a portable library like the Library Box. You could load it up with manuals or references for Field Day and easily share them. I've been to family gatherings in the middle of the mountains where there was no internet access, so you could share pictures with the extended family. One of the use cases the website mentions is providing students with files via the Library Box as a temporary intranet as the data may otherwise be blocked by the school's firewall. Obviously, this doesn't replace what I do with a cloud file service (Dropbox, SkyDrive, etc.), but it provides some basic functionality in a very flexible way.



Via AR-15

Swedes Closing Unneeded Prisons

Clearly they need more laws to help get that utilization rate up!

Game of Thrones Deal

Wow! You can get all five of the A Song of Ice and Fire series (aka Game of Thrones) for less than $20! These are my favorite books of all time. I've got them all in hard back - including a signed copy of A Feast for Crows, but I may still have to get the Kindle versions. I suspect I will want to reread them when George RR Martin finally gets the next book out.

Leixen VV-808S: Available Now

The VV-808SV (VHF) is here. The VV-808SU (UHF) is here. This is what the site says about the difference between the 808 and the 808S along with a warning (that I still think is directed at me):

1. Maybe many people ask me what is the difference between VV-808S and the old version VV-808. To be honest, it is just update some bugs and add some functions. It make the radio more convenience for use.
2. Please don't disassemble the radio yourself even if you are a seasoned ham, because you might broken the radio in accident. And you won't entitled for the after service since you disassemble the radio.

They updated the feature list with the following information/changes:

6. PTT ID (Voice broadcast PTT ID. NEW:Display 14 Digits)
31. Input frequency by using hand microphone (Up/Down can be set by the buttons of the side of the Microphone)
37. Power Supply: 12V/24V.

Leixen VV-808: Red 245 MHz Thailand Version

Leixen is offering a red Thailand version of the VV-808 in 245 MHz. I only see the listing for a bulk order of 30 at $95 each, so $2,860 total.

Ham and Cheese

Velveeta to be exact.

Baofeng UV-3R: TRX1846 and Software Control

An anonymous poster left this link to a project to control a UV-3R via software.

HF-One: HF-One MKII Juma TRX2A

YO9IRF offers some insight on the HF-One MKII:

"When you see the internals though, you will realise this isn't something completely new: it is actually a repacked Juma TRX2A made a few years ago by OH2NLT and OH7SV and initially sold for EUR 500 (wich is around US$ 680), sporting AD9851 direct digital synthesis (also used in the X1M), polyphase filtering and a PIC 30F5014 microcontroller. It works from 11 to 15V, takes 500mA on RX and 3A at the maximum 10W TX output, reciever sensitivity is -130dBm and the IMD3 dynamic range is claimed at an impressive over 100dB."