Wouxun KG-UV9D: Pre-order

BuyTwoWayRadios has the Wouxun KG-UV9D available for pre-order for $159.99. It should ship around May 8th.

"Experience Multi-Band excitement with the Wouxun KG-UV9D! This multi-modulation two way radio combines dual band transmission, 7 band reception and multiple feature options for multi-functional operation you won't get with a typical dual band handheld radio!  

The KG-UV9D transmits on 4 watts UHF and 5 watts VHF with multiple power settings. It features an impressive 999 programmable memory channels with QT/DQT encoding and decoding, DTMF encode/decode and 25KHz/12.5KHz wide/narrow bandwidth selection.

Dual Band Transmission

• 136-174MHz VHF (FM TX)

• 400-512MHz UHF (FM TX)

7 Band Reception

• 76-108MHz (FM Radio)

• 108-136MHz (AM RX)

• 136-180MHz (FM RX)

• 230-250MHz (FM RX)

• 350-400MHz (FM RX)

• 400-512MHz (FM RX)

• 700-985MHz (FM RX)

The KG-UV9D operates on multiple levels to maximize the experience! it has true dual reception, so you can receive two signals on the same or different bands simultaneously. You can even transmit on one band while you receive on the other at the same time!

But its multi-function operation doesn't end there. The KG-UV9D has multiple scan capabilites, as well. Priority scan, channel group scan, these are just a given. CTCSS/DCS scanning is a plus. Want a scan feature that's really exciting? With it's dual receive, the KG-UV9D can scan two bands at the same time. Now, that's multi-functional!

Of course, we can't forget the multi-display. First introduced with the popular KG-UV8D, the large, color screen is also a prime feature of the KG-UV9D, and with some notable improvements. Of course, there is still plenty of room to display all the information needed to operate a multi-function radio on both bands at the same time. Now the display is also adjustable, with five levels of brightness. Customize the settings for your viewing comfort while conserving battery power as needed. With the KG-UV9D in your hand, you are in control!

Speaking of control, check out Lock Mode. You can choose to lock only the keypad, lock the keypad and the encoders, lock the keypad and the PTT, or lock it all. It's no longer all or nothing. Multiple lock options let you decide how your radio can be accessed, keeping you in control.

The KG-UV9D is also loaded with other features to make it truly multi-faceted! Three programmable side keys, sub-frequency transmission setting, Channel Name edit and display, Caller ID display, 76-108Mhz FM radio, SOS function, remote alarm, single-tone pulse frequency, reverse frequency, low voltage voice prompt, VOX (Voice Operated Transmit) for hands-free operation and a high illumination flashlight are all part of the package. And yes, like the 8D, the KG-UV9D has a stopwatch!

The Wouxun KG-UV9D comes with a 7.4v 2000mAh (14.8Wh) Li-Ion battery pack, belt clip, high gain antenna, stubby antenna, wrist strap, desktop charger, AC cord, owner's manual and a one year manufacturer warranty from Wouxun." 

Traveling

Posting will be little or less for a few days more.

BuyTwoWayRadios World Amateur Radio Day Specials

BuyTwoWayRadios World Amateur Radio Day Specials:

In celebration of World Amateur Radio Day 2015, Buy Two Way Radios is offering a WARD special: Purchase a qualifying model from our selection of Amateur Radios and take an additional 10% off with Promo Code: HAMDAY15! This special discount is valid from April 17, 2015 to Midnight Monday, April 20! Simply enter Promo Code: HAMDAY15 at checkout and your 10% discount will be applied to your order.

The celebration doesn't end there. In addition to the promo code discount, we're also offering freebies and other add-ons with the purchase of select Baofeng, Leixen and Wouxun amateur radios! 

Click the link for details on the freebies.

Oscilloscopes for Radio Amateurs: Add a Scope to Your Ham Shack

I'm curious if Oscilloscopes for Radio Amateurs: Add a Scope to Your Ham Shack is any good. The description is:

Oscilloscopes are a useful tool in the world of electronics, allowing radio amateurs to “see” the signals inside their equipment. With personal computers and today’s technologies, a variety of analog, digital or hybrid scopes are available to hams for solving problems and testing new ideas in home workshops. 

Oscilloscopes for Radio Amateurs is filled with practical information you’ll need for using a scope. It begins with an overview of the oscilloscope and continues on to discuss characteristics, applications, probes, controls, and input modes. If you’re considering adding this piece of test equipment to your ham shack, there is an explanation of scope specifications and features to help you select an oscilloscope that is right for you. 

Includes:
- Why Get an Oscilloscope?
- A Little History
- Every Scope Has These Elements
- Probes and Accessories
- Scope Sections in Detail
- Input Modes
- Let’s Put a Scope to Work
- If You Are Going to Buy One – Specifications
- Software Oscilloscopes — Capable and Free
- Reviews of Several Current Models

Or does anyone know of a similar text?

AnyTone Tech TERMN-8R: Charger Modfication

K4NHA has modified his charger, so he can keep the TERMN-8R ready for action:

"Being used daily it needs charging often and many times I need to charge it on the go. Luckily this was an easy modification since the charger’s circuit is happy to accept anywhere between 12 and 15v DC."

Wouxun KG-UV9D: Product Sheet

BuyTwoWayRadios has the product sheet for the KG-UV9D [PDF]. I've copied it as images below.

Wouxun KG-UV9D: Unboxing Video

BuyTwoWayRadios has an unboxing video of the KG-UV9D.

NOAA Alerts - Part 2

Looks like several folks liked the idea of a $8 NOAA Alert Radio, but Nate points out a nifty alternative...

Radio Shack All Hazards Weather Alert Clock Radio With Skywarn

"For less than $30, you can get a radio that does: 

- NOAA (with Specific Area Message Encoding, the display will alert and show the text even if the radio is in standby). 

- Your regular analog Broadcast AM/FM (Stereo, it has 2 speakers) 

- "Skywarn band" (Which is essentially 2m and 440).- AUX input. 

- Alarm clock (2 separated alarms can be set).

It has a BNC female connector like most scanners have, so you can plug it into an external antenna as well.

I use it some times when I want to monitor a nearby repeater."

Future of Ham Radio

I think there is plenty of opportunity for growth in ham radio. In January of 2014, I had a list of reasons why, but I'll add to it here.

1. Morse code is no longer a barrier to entry.
2. Cheap radios mean cost is not a barrier to entry.
3. The prepper/survivalist movement includes interest in communications.
4. Ham radio on TV!
5. Maker movement and low cost computing options - think Raspberry Pi and SDR.
6. The breadth of ham radio - EME, digital modes, "traditional" HF, contests, Skywarn, ARES and the like, 

This January, I did several charts (1, 2, 3, and 4) to provide a visual for evaluating what is happening with the licenses.

Jeff's tweet and article are what brought this back to the top of my list.

No Kids, No Lids, No Kids http://t.co/riW2hYr8qd via @ke9v #hamradio
— Jeff Davis (@ke9v) April 14, 2015

"If on-air chatter, hamfest chit-chat, forum and blog postings are a reliable measure, then a large number of radio amateurs live in constant fear of the death of the hobby. This of course flies in the face of actual data — which shows the number of licensees in the US are at an all-time high." 

... 

This meme is faulty, the product of unimaginative thinking. “I believe that children are our future” — that sort of tired, simplistic rhetoric. The bio pages on QRZ are testament to the tens of thousands of hams who got interested in this hobby early in life, then had no time for it in subsequent decades. Only after marriage, family and career were well underway was there enough free time to consider a return to amateur radio.

Wouxun KG-UV9D

BuyTwoWayRadios announces the new Wouxun KG-UV9D:

"Billed by Wouxun as a multi-band, multi-RX, multi-display, multi-modulation and multi-functional two-way radio, the KG-UV9D offers dual band transmit and 7 (that's right, you read seven) bands reception. The list includes 76-108MHz (FM radio), 108-136MHz (AM RX), 136-174MHz FM RX/TX), 400-512MHz (FM RX/TX), 230-250MHz (FM RX), 350-400MHz (FM RX) and 700-985MHz (FM RX). 

While the full color display is similar in design to the KG-UV8D, the new radio looks and feels different. The KG-UV9D also has some new or improved features. According to Wouxun, some of the features of the KG-UV9D include Twin Band Simultaneous Scan, Multi-Keypad Lock Modes and the ability to adjust the brightness of the backlight with five level settings."