Baofeng UV-5R: Teardown

All About Circuits tears down a Baofeng UV-5R:

"The radios we took apart for this week's teardown are the UV-5R and the UV-5RB, though there appear to be many products by Baoefang with a similar product designation (UV-5R, UV-5RA, UV-5RB, UV-5RC, UV-5R+, UV-5R V2, etc...). While only the UV-5RB will appear in the following article, the interior layout of the two radios is largely identical. I opened two radios because the UV-5RB that I initially tore down had multiple integrated circuits with illegible or completely absent top-side markings." 

Circuit drawings and other info at the link.

Via @K0NR

Community Outreach

An interesting idea... he appears to be using some sort of paper based communications system.

In an effort to build #community within my local area, I'm mailing letters to all #hamradio Ops inviting them to use the K4CDN repeater.

A post shared by Ham Radio (@hamradio360) on Mar 1, 2017 at 7:07am PST

UTK, NASA, and Ham Radio

Funny how themes sometimes appear on my radar...

"NASA chose UT as its winner, which will give the UT Amateur Radio Club time for a one-on-one chat with space station Mission Commander Shane Kimbrough."

Hams in Space

(You have to read the title of this post like the intro of this video.)

True, they spent the big bucks and are sending a TYT MD-380.

New transceivers headed to the ISS. No truth to the rumor that NASA is going to cut costs and use Baofeng radios https://t.co/SEBTAUSgTK

— BobW (@K0NR) February 28, 2017

Ten-Tec and Alpha RF

Some notes about the rebirth of Ten-Tec and Alpha RF.

Xiegu X5105: Pre-production Testing

Fred Lesnick, VE3FAL:

"This is a pre-production model and we are awaiting new firmware to be able to update some of the many issues with it."

SDR and Android

USB antenna?

SDRTouch is also really cool on Android (even working w/ USB-C) #SDR https://t.co/Ch3lWCsyEi pic.twitter.com/CQ83iyTDaT

— ⚡️oɔɐq |+| baco⚡️ (@lordbaco) February 12, 2017

TYT MD-380: $96 at MTC

Get the TYT MD-380 DMR HT with programming cable for $95.98 at MTC.

Linc Smartphone Walkie Talkie

So I'm still not sold on buying an add-on radio for a smartphone that I'm going to replace every couple of years, but I have to admit the Linc solution is pretty cool. It does FRS/GMRS, but what makes it interesting is the amateur radio options:

Linc Smart Walkie Talkie is also great for Amateur radio operators! Unlock the dual band (2m & 70cm) feature with your verified callsign and gain access to APRS tracking and Packet Radio capabilities. Linc can join your existing gear and help make some fun projects!

• Packet Radio

• Repeaters

• RoIP Repeaters

• Beacons

• Tracking devices (APRS)

• High altitude ballooning

• Long range mesh networks

• Scanning public safety frequencies

• Weather stations

• And much more!

Linc Smart Walkie Talkie operates on 2m & 70 cm band!

TYT MD-2017: May?

I posted the announcement from BuyTwoWayRadios in December about the MD-2017. This site (hamradioreviews.eu) suggests it won't be out next month, but rather we are looking at a May date.

Ham PDFs

You can never have enough hamradio pdf-files ! -- https://t.co/YoB7DR4TWe with courtesy from N5DUX ##Hamr #HamTwitter #schematics #pdf :-)

— PA3DMI (@PA3DMI) February 15, 2017

Radioddity R1

Looks like Radioddity has a custom branded WLN KD-C1.

NEW: Radioddity R1 UHF Walkie Talkie. This is super thin, USB rechargeable, and very  suitable for camping & hiking. https://t.co/Qx2zFYL06G pic.twitter.com/zbJPRyq3Yp

— Radioddity (@radioddity) February 16, 2017

Universal Radio Hacker

Universal Radio Hacker: Investigate wireless protocols like a bosshttps://t.co/BeQKoMFsIHhttps://t.co/AvVKQFcPi2 pic.twitter.com/3xjpVc5TuF

— r͈͓͍̞̗̰ ̙̟̙3l0 (@r3l0z) February 11, 2017

Google Trends - Radios

Google Trends for Baofeng, Wouxun, Anytone, Yaesu, and Icom




Google Trends for Baofeng, Wouxun, and Anytone

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine’s Day, my dearest. I look forward to working you tonight. #hamentine

— Ham Hijinks (@HamHijinks) February 14, 2017

Xiegu X5105: Updates

Some updates on the Xiegu X5105 HF rig at hamradioreviews.eu including images and videos:

TID TD-9800 DMR HT: Miklor Review

Miklor reviews the TID TD-9800 Tier 2 DMR HT.

Novice License Coming Back?

ARRL Seeks Opinions Concerning Possible New Entry Level License:

"An Entry Level License Committee was established by the ARRL Board of Directors and appointed in September 2016. As part of its ongoing work, the committee is gathering member input and will make recommendations to the Board for possible rules changes to submit to the FCC. 

The result could mean changes to the Technician license, but it could also be an additional, but simpler, license with privileges that would give a newcomer a taste of most facets of ham radio from HF to VHF and UHF. 

The committee has created an online member survey. Please complete and submit the survey no later than April 7, 2017. Survey results will be published."

Via W2LJ

Baofeng Tech UV-5X3: KD8DVR Review

John, KD8DVR, reviews the BTECH UV-5X3 HT. Read the whole thing at the link, but to cut to the chase:

"All in all, a great radio.  Most of the issues have been resolved that plague Baofengs.  All I'd improve, I covered in the "sucky stuff" section.  None of that is really a deal breaker.  The lack of an FCC ID makes me a little hinky; but, hopefully this will be resolved.Personally, I recommend the radio.  It is a great way to get three band capability at a budget cost.  You add this to their level of customer service and wow.... perfect combination!BTECH made a winner."

Get one at Amazon or the BTECH website.

Radiosification: DMR Tier 1 and Tier 2

DMR Tier 1 and Tier 2 explained: