State of the Everything and the Kitchen Sink Radio

"Where is that radio that will do D-Star, DMR and Fusion?  It seems like everything has gone no where?"

FT8

OH: “I thought JT9 and JT65 were like fish in a barrel. FT8 is like fishing in a barrel with dynamite.”

— London Hackspace ARC (@m0hsl) January 24, 2018

BuyTwoWayRadios.com: MD-2017 Dual Band DMR Digital HT

BuyTwoWayRadios.com - New dual band DMR digital radio coming from TYT:

"Details are still sketchy, but TYT has released a few specs on this new handheld. Key features of the TYT MD-2017:

• Dual band 
• Dual display 
• Dual standby 
• Complies with ETSI TS 102 360-1, -2, -3 
• Uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) 
• Compatible with MotoTRBO Tier 1 and II 
• GPS capable 
• Lone worker function 
• Encryption function 
• Analog and Digital Modes 
• SIngle Call, Group Call and All Call 
• Remote Kill/Stun/Activate 
• IP67 Waterproof. 
• Firmware upgradeable 

Rumour has it the MD-2017 could arrive sometime in March 20-17. However, no official release date has been set. For the latest updates on this new radio, Keep checking in at Buy Two Way Radios subscribeto our blog!"

Digital Voice on VHF/UHF

KN4AQ on reddit:

"I've been living in a bit of an alternate reality, thanks to shooting video at the ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conferences and at some of the more esoteric forums at Dayton and other hamfests. In that universe - actually more of a future than a present - we don't have to choose which closed system we want to buy into. We don't have to carry three or four handhelds around to cover all the modes, and hope our belt is strong enough to keep our pants up (and guaranteeing a feature spot on HamSexy). We can operate a single radio that can run all the DV modes, along with analog FM. 

That radio doesn't exist today, but it will."

Streaming DMR

Posting this again as it seems timely...

Hose Line:

"Hose line is an online streaming platform for the HAM radio Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Brandmeister network. The project is still under heavy development, so if you encounter bugs, please try again at a later stage."

Via @PD0ZRY

Stream DMR

Hose Line:

"Hose line is an online streaming platform for the HAM radio Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Brandmeister network. The project is still under heavy development, so if you encounter bugs, please try again at a later stage."

Via @PD0ZRY

Wouxun KG-D901: DMR HT

Is it real? Will it be real? I had seen the image before. The BuyTwoWayRadios guys discuss what we know - which is basically only what you can see in the picture below. Wouxun won't confirm or deny the existence of the DMR radio.

Image via Simon The Wizard

From the Making Stuff Up Department

And while I'm stirring up trouble on Twitter and posting about the Baofeng Tech UV-2501 and Baofeng Tech UV-5001, should I read anything into the fact that both radios are explicitly listed as "analog" two-way radios?

Crank up the rumor mill - the digitals must be on the way. ;)

I have no shame.

Digital Radio Yahoo Group

David (K7DB) shared this with me and I'm passing along the information for those who might be interested:

NEW FORUM FOR DIGITAL RADIO 

I read on Feb. 21 that the owner of the digitalradio Yahoo group decided to end the group. 

In my judgment there is benefit coming from the existence of a forum where digital radio enthusiasts can exchange information and help each other. I have therefore created the Yahoo group DigitalRadio2 to serve as such a forum, and I invite you to join. 

Group link: https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/digitalradio2/info

ZasTone DP-680

UHF digital...

Looks

Christian Diemoz @Chris_Diemoz Looks like a new #dPMR from #Zastone is out: DP-860. aliexpress.com/item/New-Launc… #hamr #hamradio @brickolore @radiosification 09:57 PM - 03 Jan 14

Kirisun K700: Digital VHF HT

Thanks to Christian for the heads up via this tweet. Just in time for Christmas (well, not if you actually want one), the Kirisun K700 Digital VHF HT for $135.00 (USD).

Brand Name: Kirisun
Storage Channel: 256
Dimensions: 116mm x54mmx30mm
Frequency Range: 136-174MHz
Model Number: K700
Channel Spacing: 12.5KHz
Operating Voltage: 7.5V DC ±20%
Battery: 1500mAH Li-ion
RF Output Power: 4W/ 1W
Color: Black
Weight: 243g

KIRISUN K700 The transceiver is a micro-miniature multiband FM transceiver with extensive receive frequency coverage, providing local-area two-way amateur communications along with unmatched monitoring capability

Features:

Product Features:

Excellent noise suppression, digital voice clarity

Digital / analog compatible analog devices to ensure a smooth transition

Ten million sets of figures key voice encryption, safe and secure

Digital intelligent signaling, richer management scheduling function

Function Description:

1. FDMA frequency division multiple access technology, spectrum efficiency improved several times;

2. support digital mode, analog mode

3. the digital voice encryption

4. a variety of call mode, all call, group call, a call, emergency call

5. PTT default contact (group) call

6. the emergency alarm (single, joint) 3 × 4 modes

7. Stun, activate

8. the working status query

9. the digital power saving mode

10. 1.8-inch large LCD display, support icon display for easy SMS messages, call records read;

11. low power, signal strength, battery capacity display, real-time understanding work status

12. call history, call records can be displayed 20;

13. address book function, support 50 contacts;

14. you can edit SMS function, the default shortcut short message

15. manual dialing

16. calls and SMS ringing Tips

17. firmware programming mode (software upgrades);

General features:

1. in English operation interface

2. the emission of high and low power selectable

3. three-color LED indicates sending, receiving, scanning and other state

4. channel lock, keypad lock function

5. whisper function

6. sub audio / digital tone

7. the end eliminate

8. the monitoring function

9. mixed scanning

10. TOT emission limit protection

11. the calculator

Specifications:

General
Frequency Range	136-174MHz
Channel Capacity	256
Channel Spacing	12.5KHz
Operating Temperature	-25°c~ +55°c
Operating Voltage	7.5V DC ±20%
Battery	1500mAH Li-ion
Frequency Stability	±2.5 ppm
Dimension (with battery and antenna)	116mm x54mmx30mm
Weight (with battery and antenna)	243g
Transmitter
RF Power Output	4W/ 1W
Frequency Modulation	16KφF3E/11KφF3E (Analog) 4FSK(Digital)
Antenna Impedance	50Ω
Modulation Limiting	±2.5kHz
Radiated Spurious Emission	-36dBm < 1GHz -30dBm > 1GHz
FM Noise	45dB 25KHz 40dB 12.5KHz
Modulation Distortion	< 3%
Receiver
Reference Sensitivity	0.25μV 12.5KHz
Adjacent Channel Selectivity	60dB 2.5KHz
Intermodulation	60 dB
Spurious Response Rejection	60 dB
Rated Audio Output	1W
S/N	45/40
Rated Audio Distortion	≤3%

Package Contents:

• 1 x Kirisun K700 Digital Two-way Radio(VHF 136-174MHz)
• 1 x 7.4V 1500mAh KB-760 Li-ion Battery
• 1 x VHF 136-174MHz Antenna.
• 1 x Belt Clip.
• 1 x ENG Manual
• 1 x Charger with Adapter (Provide PSU plug for your Country)
• 1 x Hand STRAP

Kirisun S780: Digital UHF HT

A while back the 409Shop posted a teaser for a V689U digital radio and some folks pointed out that it might be a Kirisun radio.

This morning I saw that the 409Shop is featuring the Kirisun S780 Digital UHF (400 - 470) handheld transceiver for $128 USD:

"The transceiver is a micro-miniature multiband FM transceiver with extensive receive frequency coverage,providing local-area two-way amateur communications along with unmatched monitoring capability."

Number 17 is a good sign - firmware updates!

Product Features:

Excellent noise suppression, digital voice clarity

Digital / analog compatible analog devices to ensure a smooth transition

Ten million sets of figures key voice encryption, safe and secure

Digital intelligent signaling, richer management scheduling function

Function Description:

1, FDMA frequency division multiple access technology, spectrum efficiency improved several times;

2, support digital mode, analog mode

3, the digital voice encryption

4, a variety of call mode, all call, group call, a call, emergency call

5, PTT default contact (group) call

6, the emergency alarm (single, joint) 3 × 4 modes

7, Stun, activate

8, the working status query

9, the digital power saving mode

10, 1.8-inch large LCD display, support icon display for easy SMS messages, call records read;

11, low power, signal strength, battery capacity display, real-time understanding work status

12, call history, call records can be displayed 20;

13, address book function, support 50 contacts;

14, you can edit SMS function, the default shortcut short message

15, manual dialing

16, calls and SMS ringing Tips

17, firmware programming mode (software upgrades);

General features:

1, in English operation interface

2, the emission of high and low power selectable

3, three-color LED indicates sending, receiving, scanning and other state

4, channel lock, keypad lock function

5, whisper function

6, sub audio / digital tone

7, the end eliminate

8, the monitoring function

9, mixed scanning

10, TOT emission limit protection

11, the calculator

Technical parameters	S780U
General Specifications
Frequency	400—470MHz
Number of channels	256
Channel spacing	12.5kHz
Operating Temperature	-25℃~+55℃
Antenna Impedance	50Ω
Microphone impedance	2.2kΩ
Frequency Stability	±2.5ppm
Battery (standard configuration)	Model: KB-760, lithium battery DC 7.5V ± 20% 1500mAh
Volume (length × width × thickness)	116 mm x54 mm x30 mm
Weight	136 g (main unit only) / 240 g (with battery and antenna host)
Receiving part
Sensitivity	≤-121dBm
Adjacent Channel Selectivity	≥60
Intermodulation Immunity	≥60dB
Spurious response	≥60dB
Audio output power	≥ 1000mW (distortion is less than 5%, 16Ω load)
Audio response	Analog: +2 / -6 dB
Transmitting section
RF Power	4W (High) / 1W (low)
Modulation	Digital: 4FSK Analog: 11KΦF3E
Clutter and harmonic	≤-70dBm
SNR	Analog:> 35 dB
Audio Distortion (300-3000Hz)	≤5%
Modulation limit	Digital: ± 2.5kHz
Modulation characteristics	Analog: +2 / -6 dB