Zastone ZT-2R+

I don't know if the ZT-2R+ is truly an update to ZT-2R which is the Yaesu VX-2R clone. Here is a review of the ZT-2R+, but it doesn't offer any comparisons to the original. I will mention that Hans liked the original ZT-2R.


Description
The ZT-2R+ is one of Zastone’s newly launched miniature dual band, dual standby handheld wireless walkie talkies. With an aluminum housing, this hand held radio is shock proof and durable. With its anti-slip design, the grip is comfortable. With a 0.5-999Mhz wide band signal receiver, it is easy to hear communications coming through the walkie talkie. This ZT-2R mini walkie talkie can meet your needs, as it has over 1300 memory channels with sailing, shortwave and weather related channels. It easily supports HAM technology, making this a popular preferred product.

Main Features
1. Miniature dual band handheld transceiver
2. 0.5-999Mhz Wide Receive Band
3. Over 1300 memory channels
4. Sailing, shortwave, weather channel
5. CTCSS and DCS codec
6. Tone scan and independent tone mode
7. WIRES connection shortcuts
8. Rugged aluminum housing
9. Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS)
10. Dual tone multi-frequency
11. Automatic power saving
12. Busy channel lockout

General
Frequency Range	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 & TX Frequency 144-146(148)MHz 430-440(450)MHz
Channel NO.	1300
Operating Voltage	3.6V
Temperature Range	-20°C~+60°C
Frequency Stability	±5ppm
Volume(mm)	47*81*23
Weight (g)	132
Transmit
Output Power	1/1.5/2/3W
Modulation	F3E
Spurious Radiation	< -60 dB
Adjacent Ch. power	< -60 dB
CTCSS/DCS deviation	< 5KHz
Audio Distortion	≤5%
SNR	>35 dB
Receiver
Sensitivity	0.18 uV - 3 uV
Adjacent CH. Sensitivity (W/N)	≥55dB
Audio Power	50 mW 100 Mw
Audio Distortion	≤5%
Intermediation	≥55dB

Standard Accessories：
ZT-2R+ Radio *1
3.7V 1500mAh Battery *1
Charger *1
Antenna *1
Back clip*1
Manual EN*1

Via Chinese Ham Radio Equipment on Google+

Baofeng Tech: Baofeng UV-82HP

Much better news for the Baofeng UV-82HP coming from John's review on Miklor.com:

"- The original UV82 took a traditional UV5R, and added design features such as an upgraded case design and Dual PTT switch. (comparison) 

- Next came the UV82C which included the options to synchronize the Dual PTT function to emulate a Single PTT, and the ability to lock out the VFO to prevent accidental field programming. 

- Next came the 8W F8HP. This was the radio that started the HP / TP movement. 

- An expanded feature added is R-Tone, a repeater tone for those requiring a 1000, 1450, 1750 or 2000Hz audible tone for access. This is not to be confused with CTCSS or DCS. Prior models provided Tone Burst for 1750Hz only. 

The UV82HP now includes all of the above features in one package. The PTT synchronizing, VFO lockout, High Power, R-Tone, and newest generation chipset. 

It has kept the traditional UV82 case design to ensure compatibility between all existing options, including Dual PTT Spkr/Micr, battery cases, holsters, battery eliminators, etc."

QYT KT8900: Miklor Review

Some bad news (at least for now) for those of us that were interested in the QYT KT8900 / Juentai JT-6188...

John's review at Miklor lists the cons including some serious ones:

"The Audio issue is serious.
The inability to use the software on a Windows PC is disappointing.
No external Speaker jack. The port in rear is for programming cable only.
No 2.5 kHz steps (relatively minor compared to above)"

Specifically:

"- No Audio on an Active Channel
This one is a bit nasty.
When changing or returning to an Active Channel, no audio is present. You must press [EXIT], or press the PTT to open the squelch. If you are in the scan mode, it is possible the radio will stop on an active channel, but no audio will be heard.
This is also found in Section 3 at the Miklor FAQ.
- Humming Sound
Not major, but worth pointing out. When a signal is present and the audio is fully turned down, there is a humming / buzzing sound that comes through the speaker. When the volume is turned up, the sound is no longer noticeable. This is not a Power Source issue."

Read the whole review here.

Google Trends - Chinese Radios

Just messing around with Google Trends... any other interesting comparisons or surprises?

Baofeng Tech - Baofeng UV-82HP

And now the Baofeng UV-82HP is showing available at Amazon for $65.

Baofeng Tech - Baofeng UV-82HP

Baofeng Tech sent an e-mail announcing the Baofeng UV-82HP. Quoting from their website:

"WHAT MAKES IT UNIQUE?
* It has 3 Power Levels (1, 5, 7 watt)
* VFO/ MR (Frequency Mode) can be locked via software
* The Dual Push-to-Talk Switch can be synchronized via software to simplify operation of the radio
* A new 80 Page In-Depth User's Guide
* It includes the High Gain V-85 Antenna to Optimize Performance
* Full Accessory Compatibility with ALL UV-82 accessories
* Multiple TONE Burst Options on a NEW user Menu. Selectable Tone Burst Options Include: 1000hz, 1450hz, 1750hz, 2100hz"

You can order the Baofeng UV-82HP at Amazon for $65. (At the moment, it is showing as "currently unavailable," but the press release said it is available now.)

ARRL Extra Class License Manual Kindle Version

The ARRL announces that the Extra Class License Manual is now available in a Kindle version:

"The Kindle edition from Amazon completes the suite of ARRL license manuals available in e-book format."

Lively Exchange of Idea

Funny...

College Encourages Lively Exchange Of Idea http://t.co/zqvLbvrMSu via @theonion

— Michael Arrington (@arrington) June 11, 2015

Juentai JT-6188: Programming

John's got the step by step instructions for programming frequencies into the JT-6188/KT-8900. I wonder how much of the problem was related to this:

"All programming MUST be initially done in the Frequency Mode only. From there you have the option of assigning the entered data to a specific channel for later access in the Channel Mode if desired."

Juentai JT-6188: Price Increase at Amazon

The price of the Juentai JT-6188 has gone up to $115 at Amazon. You can still get QYT KT8900 for about $100 at the 409Shop. This reminds me of the VV-808 that had an introductory price that quickly went away. I hope the KT8900 stays at around $100.

Seveneves

Neal Stephenson has a new book: Seveneves: A Novel. I obviously like his stuff as he made the cut when I purged books a while back. I've only started reading the sample of this one, but I came across this in the first little bit:

"Rufus, a die-hard ham radio enthusiast who still communicated in Morse code with a dwindling circle of old friends all over the world, had pointed out that radio transmission between the ground and Izzy was actually rather easy, given that it was line-of-sight (at least when Izzy happened to be passing overhead) and that the distance was nothing by ham radio standards. Since Dinah lived and worked in a robot workshop, surrounded by soldering gear and electronics workbenches, it had been a simple matter for her to assemble a small transceiver following specifications provided by her dad."

Izzy = The International Space Station. Guess I'll be forking over the money for the full book soon.

The Danger of the IoT

Got to be careful with that IoT.

 

The Martian: Movie

So they are making The Martian into a movie.

Baofeng UV-3R: Wireless Charging

It's been a while since I've done a UV-3R post, but this is a cool project.

More pic from #baofeng uv-3r wireless charging modification.. @brickolore pic.twitter.com/GaJgaeZ1mJ

— Ondrej Kolonicny (@ok1cdj) June 4, 2015

QYT KT8900: Now in Red

Because we all know red puts out more power...

Radio Mart Discontinues Sales of Chinese Radios

Martyn announces via the TYT TH9800 Yahoo Group that he will no longer be selling Chinese radios:

"We here at Radio Mart no longer carry ANY Chinese radios

The reason is very simple,, as we were the first to introduce this rig in to the country we enjoyed excellent sales for some time, then with eBay and Amazon came falling prices to below even our landed cost.

10 to 15 calls a day every single day and night asking for help from users who had not purchased the rig from our company gets a little old,,, so it’s no skin off my nose that I no longer carry the TH-9800

Support from TYT,, good luck with that and support from whoever you purchased it from through Amazon or eBay,, good luck with that too.

IF USA hams had supported a USA company then this would be an exceptional radio for the money however this never happened,, shame really.

I set up this self help group to cover any of the consumers who purchased this radio elsewhere so they could at least get some support of sorts.

Thank you to all those hams who have been very patent and helpful to those in need of assistance.

I will be keeping this help group open for now as it is part of my contribution to the hobby but PLEASE DO NOT CALL me asking for help when you went elsewhere and purchased this radio.

Thanks
Best 73s
Martyn
K4TEC
Radio-Mart, Ham Radio Products, Yaesu,Icom, Kenwood,Heil,LDG,TYT, Baofeng"

Debt in 2015

A random fact I found interesting... Debt:

"According to the Federal Reserve and other government statistics, our penchant for indebtedness means that the average household now owes $7,281 in credit card debt alone. 

But here’s the thing – that average includes even those who carry no debt at all. So when you take out the households and families that don’t carry a balance on any of their credit cards, the average outstanding balance surges to $15,609."

Juentai JT-6188: Unboxing

Juentai JT-6188 (aka QYT KT8900) unboxing video from Jason (KC5HWB) of Grapevine Amateur Radio.com:



He confirms no 2.5 steps. Also, power out is pretty consistent at about 20 watts for both 2m and 440.

Juentai JT-6188: AR-15.com Forum

I'm getting a lot of my info on the Juentai JT-6188 (aka QYT KT8900) from the posts on the AR-15 Ham Radio forum, so this is a note to acknowledge the work those guys are doing.

Thanks folks!

Juentai JT-6188: Manual

Here is the manual/quick start guide for the Juentai JT-6188 (aka QYT KT8900)... sorry, they are just image files.

Multi-Device Bluetooth Keyboard

This Logitech Multi-Device Bluetooth keyboard ($37) came across my radar. You can use it with three devices - just turn the dial to switch between devices. The slot for your tablet or phone has a couple of benefits - it creates a pseudo mutli-screen experience and defines a place for your phone.