128 GB Floppy Disk

Better than a Zip drive!

Morning Star: Book III of The Red Rising Trilogy

I'm killing two birds with one stone with this post.

First, you know I get rich (rich I tell you!) off the millions of dollars you spend using my Amazon links. Amazon announced a new feature where they provide an embed link for Kindle books, so I wanted to try it out. We'll see what it looks like below.

Secondly, I finished Morning Star: Book III of The Red Rising Trilogy. I'd give it four out of five stars. It was mostly satisfying as a conclusion to the series. I really, really enjoyed the first book - it was a (virtual) page turner. I think I may have gotten it for $0.99 at the time. (The first hit is free!) My hang-up is more of a general nature than specifically anything about this last book. I think I enjoy the stories where there are high stakes, but the scope is on a more personal level - not giant space battles or planets being destroyed. If you read the series, you'll know my favorite parts are while Darrow is at the Institute.

Baofeng Tech Programming Cable for Mobile Radios

I've been manually programming everything in to the UV-2501+220 and I plan on doing a short video tutorial of the process. However, I am really glad my BTECH PC04 FTDI USB Programming Cable arrived yesterday.

Lifetime Amatuer License Proposal

FCC Seeks Comments on Petition to Grant Lifetime Amateur Radio Licenses:

"The FCC is seeking comments on a Petition for Rule Making (RM 11760) that asks the FCC to grant lifetime Amateur Radio licenses. Mark F. Krotz, N7MK, of Mesa, Arizona, filed his request with the FCC last November. He wants the FCC to revise § 97.25 of its rules to indicate that Amateur Radio licenses are granted for the holder’s lifetime, instead of for the current 10 year term."

Monster Cable Modem

Comcast sent me a new cable modem (XB3) - something about needing it for improved service or new functionality. I thought the old one was big, but the new one (right) is huge.

I did a little before and after testing. No obvious change and I'm clearly not getting 2 Gbps.

Before:


After:



The new cable modem also has 802.11ac support - which is an improvement over my 802.11n ASUS router. I've flipped my TV and phone over to the AC wireless to test and I saw the expected speed improvements.

And, of course, the new cable modem is not configured for bridge mode. I had resigned myself to making another couple of calls, but I noticed the bridge mode button is actually available from the web console. I need to put my phone and TV back on my wireless router before I can test - bridge mode disables the Comcast wi-fi.

Just Keep Running

Which Type of Exercise Is Best for the Brain?

"Just why distance running was so much more potent at promoting neurogenesis than the other workouts is not clear, although Dr. Nokia and her colleagues speculate that distance running stimulates the release of a particular substance in the brain known as brain-derived neurotrophic factor that is known to regulate neurogenesis. The more miles an animal runs, the more B.D.N.F. it produces."

But skip the doughnuts.

Baofeng Tech UV-2501: 220 Relay Noise

I was playing with the dual watch/TDR functionality and 220 on the UV-2501+220. I noticed this sound (video):

I made the connection with this post:

"Radio is sturdily constructed and amazingly small. Programmed it with the software from the miklor site and tried it out on my comet triband antenna on local repeaters in all 3 bands. Good audio reports although was noted as slightly muffled on highs. Power output is around 20 watts or a few under.

One odd behavior I did notice is TDR enabled or scanning from UHF/VHF to 220 results in relay noise.

Side a/side b noise (TDR on) 

Uhf/uhf no 

Vhf/vhf no 

Uhf/vhf no 

220/220 no 

Uhf/220 yes 

Vhf/220 yes"

And this explanation sounded reasonable to me:

"I suspect the 220 MHz band antenna lowpass filter is switched with a relay and the 2 meter lowpass filter and 70 cm highpass filters are switched with PIN diodes. A relay that completely isolated the 220 MHz RF filter is easier to do this than design a more complicated bandpass filter and the relay likely has less insertion loss and won't impact the RF performance of the 2 meter/70 cm bands. Based on that I would say the sound you are hearing is normal."

I e-mailed the Baofeng Tech guys and they confirmed this is normal behavior for the dual watch flipping between 440 or 2M and 220.

Hamfests and Gun Shows

Grapevine Amateur Radio will be setting up at a gun show. I'm surprised there isn't more overlap like this:

"You read that correctly - we will be at the Lewisville Gun Show on April 2.  Why?  Because we are new and innovative, and no one has done this before.  We do what other Ham Shops do not.  During the Belton Hamfest in 2014, when a Gun Show was happening in the other side of the Belton Expo Center, all you could hear on the local repeater was "Hamfest and Gun Show at the same place!  WOW!  I need to get back to the ATM!"  Hams were thrilled about a Gun Show right next door to the Belton Hamfest;  so guess what - we are bringing the Ham Radios to the Lewisville Gun Show, right here in our own backyard.  This will be a fun 2-day event.  Stop by the table and say hello, we will be the only ones there selling RADIOS and NEW TECHNICIAN books!"

Amazon Free Shipping

I have usually taken the slow boat option when ordering from Amazon, since it saves me a few dollars. Amazon is raising the threshold for free shipping from $35 to $49. I feel like this is a move to push more people to Amazon Prime.

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: A wee tiny radio with a lot of capability

Some initial impressions from someone that's picked up the UV-2501+220:

"a wee tiny radio with a lot of capability"

I agree with several of the comments there - especially about the size. It is small, but I didn't feel like the buttons were too hard to access. Using the mic to program in a repeater was not especially painful as those things go - I don't think manually programming 100 repeaters would be high on anyone's list. Getting the programming cable will make life much easier.

Magic Smoke

Sometimes the magic smoke escapes via the antenna...


Via reddit /r/amateurradio

The First Mile

The first mile always sucks. That's true for me. Even for longer races, I need a significant warm-up. I'm better off running the warm-up instead of "saving" my legs for the race. My current PR for a half-marathon (13.1 miles) was after a five mile warm-up before the race.

Baofeng Tech: Antenna Connections

A commenter wanted "to know if that antenna has any kind of O-ring or seal between the antenna and NMO adapter." Here are some close-ups of all the connectors for both the Nagoya TB-320A tri-band antenna and the Nagoya RB-35 5/8 NMO Mount. I don't see any o-rings/seals - just the insulators, but the fit was very good on everything and all the connections locked up nice and tight.

Ground Plane - Old PC Side Panels

I've appropriated cookie sheets from the kitchen in the past, but that always gets me in trouble. When I was going to recycle some old computers, I realized I could keep the side panels to be my ground plan. Here I've connected up the UV-2501+220 using the Nagoya TB-320A tri-band antenna and the Nagoya RB-35 5/8 NMO Mount.

Baofeng UV-2501: It's alive!

Powering up the UV-2501+220... it barely moves the meter.

(It's nice to have the cigarette lighter plug for quickly getting these radios going.)

The display looks better than these pictures show - it's very bright and overwhelms the camera.

Baofeng UV-2501+220: Unboxing pictures.

A few pictures of the UV-2501+220 unboxing... initial impressions of the build quality are favorable. For example, the mic feels substantial in my hand. I know you can't tell everything by holding a radio, but it is a good start.

Happy Valentine's Day

I've spent mine repairing a leaky toilet. My favorite thing is to fix one problem only to create another. Oh well, I'm sure the hardware store staff missed me.

Mad Magazine Fold-ins

I'm dating myself by confessing to remembering the Mad Magazine fold-ins. Although, in my defense, many of the magazines were my dad's.


Via @Caterina

Harry Potter: The Complete Collection

Well, I missed it... a Kindle version "boxed" set of all the Harry Potter books was on sale for $15.

It's back to $56 now. I'm posting it anyway, since the internet and this blog are substitutes for actually remembering anything.

Via Kinja Deals

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Size Comparison

I'm amazed at how small the UV-2501+220 is. I used to think the Leixen VV-808 was small. The UV-2501+220 is on the top and then the left in the photos below.

Biggest Regret

Not...

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220 has landed!

Woo hoo! Thanks Baofeng Tech! What a great way to start the week-end:  UV-2501+220, Nagoya TB-320A tri-band antenna, and Nagoya RB-35 5/8 NMO Mount!

Baofeng - TV Darling

The UV-5R makes another TV appearance.

Fo Time: Ham Radio and Micro-controllers Podcast

Adding to my need to listen to list for the commute home.

Fo Time - Ham Radio Micro-controllers & Linux Episode 43: with KJ6VU and KF7IJZ

Baofeng Tech: Nagoya TB-320A Antenna

I got a delivery from Baofeng Tech yesterday, so I'm one step closer: Nagoya TB-320A tri-band antenna!

PRYME AL-800 Antenna System: Hans (PD0AC) Review

Reports of his retirement from ham radio were greatly exaggerated... Hans posted a review of the PRYME AL-800 Antenna System on the Chinese Ham Radio Equipment Google+ site:

"The PRYME AL-800 antenna system takes a whole new approach to the 'gain problem'. Instead of offering an antenna with a fixed length, the PRYME AL-800 is more of an antenna construction kit. 

What you get is a base with a connector of your choice (SMA, BNC) and two antenna extensions. One of the extensions is short and will perform much like any other helical antenna. The second one is a combination of two extendable whip antennas with a loading coil in between. The antenna will be 94,5 cm / 37.2 inches long when fully extended, which includes the base."

Marathon Olympic Trials

A cool infograph of the runners competing in the Marathon Olympic Trials. It is almost unreal how fast these people are.

Baofeng Tech: Nagoya TB-320A Antenna

Baofeng Tech has shared some results of the testing with their Nagoya TB-320A tri-band antenna:

Amazon and Zombies

I don't really think of Amazon as has having a sense of humor, but in the Amazon Web Services terms:

"57.10 Acceptable Use; Safety-Critical Systems. Your use of the Lumberyard Materials must comply with the AWS Acceptable Use Policy. The Lumberyard Materials are not intended for use with life-critical or safety-critical systems, such as use in operation of medical equipment, automated transportation systems, autonomous vehicles, aircraft or air traffic control, nuclear facilities, manned spacecraft, or military use in connection with live combat. However, this restriction will not apply in the event of the occurrence (certified by the United States Centers for Disease Control or successor body) of a widespread viral infection transmitted via bites or contact with bodily fluids that causes human corpses to reanimate and seek to consume living human flesh, blood, brain or nerve tissue and is likely to result in the fall of organized civilization."

Via @timbray

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Software

I always like to review the software to get a sense of the options. Here is a snip of the UV-2501+220 software. You can download it from the Baofeng Tech website.

Morning Star

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Red Rising series. I'll be downloading the last book in the series tomorrow: Morning Star: Book III of The Red Rising Trilogy.

Red Rising: Book I of The Red Rising Trilogy: Amazon 4.5 / Goodreads 4.22 Stars

Golden Son: Book II of The Red Rising Trilogy: Amazon 4.7 Stars / Goodreads 4/49 Stars

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Tri-band Antenna and Mount

I really like it when it appears that companies think things through. So if you are going to offer a tri-band mobile like the UV-2501+220, you should probably sell an antenna to go with it. And that's just what Baofeng Tech is doing. They are offering the Nagoya TB-320A tri-band antenna ($57.95) and Nagoya RB-35 5/8 NMO Mount Magnet ($22.99) - details of each below.

(EDIT: So apparently all the antenna and mount links go to the same place. You'll have to select antenna or mount on the Amazon page to see the details for each.)

Nagoya TB-320A - Fold-Over 39-Inch PL-259 Mount Triband 2m/1.25m/60cm (144/220/430Mhz) Antenna:

The Nagoya TB-320A is a 39 inch tri-band UHF (PL-259) mount antenna with up to 5.5 dB of gain. It is designed to be used with your mobile or base radio. An included SO-239 to NMO Adapter allows for flexible installation to both UHF and NMO set-ups.

Fold over design allows the Antenna to Fold-Over which allows you to easily put the antenna down in parking garages or in other places where height matters.

The Nagoya TB-320A triband is a 2 meter, 220 MHz (1.25 meter) and 440 MHz mobile antenna. It is a 1/4 wave on 2 meters providing 2.15 dB gain and a 1/2 wave on 220 providing 3.8 dB gain and a 2 5/8 wave on 440 MHz providing 5.5 dB gain. This antenna can handle up to 200/100/200 watts.

Included in the package is a SO-239 to NMO adapter.

Package:

1x Nagoya NB320A Antenna (PL-259 Base)
1x SO-239 to NMO Adapter

Nagoya RB-35 5/8 NMO Mount Magnet, 18' RG-58 PL-259, Includes Rain Cap:

Nagoya Antenna magnet NMO mounts are premium quality magnetic antenna mounts with very good holding power. They are a heavy 2 lb magnet mount (durable hold) with a 3 5/8" diameter base, and are recommended for antennas up to 45 in. tall.

Package:
RB-35 NMO Magnet (18 Feet RG-58)
Rain Cap

So add the UV-2501+220 radio, the antenna, the mount - and you are ready to rock and roll mobile!

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220: CTCSS

A question about CTCSS on the UV-2501+220:

"John,
Do you think that the phrase:
>>refined our audio and changed our RDA chip set placement to improve performance to audio filtering.

is referring the CTSS audio "picket fencing" issue that requires us to disable CTSS decode on all channels?"

 And the reply:

"Lorrin,
I know that the RDA chip was changed and there were some major firmware changes.
I did several hours of test driving with the +220 and I could not make it fail. 

R-CTCSS has no adverse impact on the receiver. 

The pulsing/chopping that is prevalent in some of the other similar models is not in my beta radio. 

John
http://www.miklor.com"

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Site Updated

Baofeng Tech has updated their site with the full details and specs of the UV-2501+220. You can also pre-order it on Amazon for $139.89. Amazon shows an in stock date of February 9.

In the box:
Mounting Bracket and Hardware
Remote Speaker Mic and Mic Bracket
Inline Fuse and DC Connectors

FEATURES
25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable (Wide/Narrow Band)
FM Radio (65.0MHz-108.0MHz)
Large Tri-color LCD Display (3 Selectable Colors)
High /Low RF Power Switchable
50 CTCSS/ 104 DCS Tones
5Tone Support
2Tone Support
Voice Inversion (Scrambling) Support
Tone searching/scanning
Dual standby
PC programmable
Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)
Remote Stun/Kill

UV-2501+220 MINI SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency range:
[TX] 136 - 174MHz, 210 - 230MHz, 400 - 520MHz
[RX] 136 - 174MHz, 210 - 230MHz, 400 - 520MHz, 68-108MHz (FM Broadcast)

Channel Capacity:
200 Channels

Channel Spacing
25KHz (wide band)12.5KHz (narrow band)

Sensitivity
≤0.25μV (wide band) ≤0.35μV (narrow band)

Operation Voltage
13.6V DC ±20%

Frequency step:
2.5-25KHz Selectable

Antenna:
Antenna Connector: SO-239

Stability:
±2.5ppm

Output power:
25W / 10W

Audio Power Output
2500mW/10%

USNERDOC Giveaway

USN ER Doc is giving away some gear. Check out his video - prizes and rules below.




Prizes

Prize Package #1
CountyComm GP-5/SSB Radio
CountyComm Radio Pouch
AMP-3 Communicator Longwire Antenna

Prize Package #2
Baofang BF8-HP Handheld Radio
AMP-3 Comms Go-Bag
Survival Summit Preparedness Comms DVD

Prize Package #3
Apple Juice 12v Power Supply & Charger
For Apple MacBook from Hardened Power Systems
Hardened Power Systems USB LED Light

Prize #4
Survival Stores – MAC Edition
The Preppers Assistant

Prize #5
Survival Stores – WINDOWS Edition
The Preppers Assistant

When to Enter: Feb 1 – Feb 28

Winner Announced: March 4
Winner will be picked using a YouTube Contest random winner generator

How To Enter

1. Subscribe to USNERDOC
2. Short comment on which prize you like & why
3. Only one entry per channel comment please!

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220 Picture and More Info

So in addition to 220 MHz, the Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220 will...

"...still have the full UV-2501 enhancements: 

- Display Sync
- Scrambler
- The wider coverage range (up to 520mhz)
- Menu and Programming lock-out
- The larger HD mic (not the low end mics shipped with QYT / Juentai variants)"

And...

"...more tweaks not seen in the UV-2501: 

- H/L power switching from Mic (adjustable in VFO and MR modes)
- Audio Out Jack
- Built in Cooling Fan (allowing the mobiles to now be installed in tight spots)"

Based on the all the posts on the interwebs about the similar radios, the addition of the cooling fan is a huge improvement!

As if I wasn't excited enough, it sounds like they've got a few more things coming soon.

Wouxun KG-UV8D Plus

BuyTwoWayRadios announces the KG-UV8D Plus:

Voice CompanderThe KG-UV8D Plus now supports companding, which is a form of compression to improve the signal to noise ratio for clear audio. 

Non-Standard CTCSS/DCSMost radios typically follow a standard set of CTCSS and DCS codes, and radios such as the KG-UV8D have this pre-set list to choose from in the menu of the radio. The KG-UV8D Plus allows you to manually enter non-standard CTCSS and DCS codes into the radio. 

ScramblerThe KG-UV8D Plus is now equipped with a voice scrambler. Since this radio is only approved for use as an amateur radio in the US, and hams are not allowed to scramble their signals, this is not a feature most operators will likely use. However, every country has its own regulations, so the addition of a scrambler may be useful in other parts of the world. 

Backlight AdjustmentOne of the most useful upgrades to the KG-UV8D Plus is the ability to adjust the timing and intensity of the backlight for the LCD display. This is the same upgrade incorporated into the KG-UV9D Plus and is a long time coming. This feature should be in every two way radio with a display. 

FM Radio Frequency Storage and RetrievalThe KG-UV8D Plus now allows you to store up to 20 preset frequencies into the built-in commercial FM radio. Some operators do use the FM radio to hear their favorite local commercial radio stations and will likely find this to be a very handy feature.

And:

"The KG-UV8D Plus currently sells for $119.99, only $10 more than original KG-UV8D with the 2600 mAh high capacity battery upgrade, and you get the bigger battery, too."

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220

Great news for everyone that has been looking at the Baofeng Tech UV-2501 (or variants) and wishing it actually supported 220 MHz:

"This month [Baofeng Tech] will be introducing the UV-2501+220. The name says it all - also we have refined the firmware to allow easier power switching, refined our audio and changed our RDA chipset placement to improve performance to audio filtering."

So 220 MHz and a few more enhancements as well! More info will follow as I get it.