Baofeng Tech: MURS-V1

The kind folks at Baofeng Tech sent me a couple of their new BTECH MURS-V1 radios. They introduce the MURS-V1 this way:

"MURS is a two-way, VHF short-distance voice or data communications service for personal or business activities of the general public.

The MURS-V1 is a great introduction to two-way radios as a step-up from common walkie talkies. The MURS-V1 introduces users to common PL (Private Line) tones and terminology. Standard CTCSS and DCS terminology is used without abstract Menu terms (such as "Tone 12") used by bubble-pack radios."

I'll have to recruit the help of my crack team to help me test these MURS radios out.

TYT MD-9600: Firmware Update

TYT MD-9600 Firmware Update Available https://t.co/vleEhgJA0Y #dmrradio @HamRadioDMR #hamradio @brickolore #hamr

— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) August 28, 2017

"Some of the TYT MD-9600 owners reported an issue loading channels into their radio using the programming software. The software was reporting that the data was being written successfully, but some or all channels were not accessible on the radio. 

To address this issue, TYT released an updated firmware version (3.28) and an updated version of the programming software (1.18)."

TYT MD-2017: Weak SMA Connector?

Attention :: the SMA connector of the TYT MD-2017 is fragile like a crystal - warning. pic.twitter.com/4ENoAQt4WE

— DMR-Marc Canada Net (@DMRNETcanada) August 15, 2017

Helida SY-UV99: Prepper Radio HT w/Dynamo Crank Charger

WOW! A hand-crank #hamradio
not sure if I'll #SMH, #LOL, or buy one ;)https://t.co/jq73gqZbCN

— HamRadio360 (@hamradio360) July 13, 2017

TYT MD-380 - not G - for $81

MTC has some mislabeled TYT MD-380 DMR HT's for $81.

"OOPS! We have Just received a full mismarked shipment of radios from the factory. We ordered MD-380G which is a MD380 with a GPS installed. What came in was a radio labeled MD380G. But it has no GPS. So we are blowing out these brand new mis marked radios. This is just a normal TYT MD-380 UHF Version that is marked as a MD-380G. This radio does not have a GPS installed. Quantities are limited and once they are gone, they are gone."

Via @HamRadio360.

Prime Deal: Baofeng Tech UV-25X4 Quad Band Mobile - $99

Baofeng Tech has a Prime Day Deal on the UV-25X4 Quad Band Mobile - only $99.00. (Normally, it is $128.86.)

Prime Day: Baofeng Tech: BF-F8HP - $44.95

Baofeng Tech has a Prime Day Deal on the BF-F8HP HT - only $44.95. (Normally, it is $62.89.)

Prime Day: Baofeng Tech UV-82HP - $44.95

Baofeng Tech has a Prime Day Deal on the BF-UV-82HP HT - only $44.95. (Normally, it is $62.89.)

Prime Day: Baofeng Tech UV-5X3 - $44.95

Baofeng Tech has a Prime Day Deal on the UV-5X3 Tri-band HT - only $44.95. (Normally, it is $59.89)

TYT MD-9600 Mobile Update

On an even more positive note from the BuyTwoWayRadio team:

"Anthony Roque, Sales Manager here at Buy Two Way Radios and co-host of The Two Way Radio Show, received a very positive update last night from TYT. Our demo unit of the much anticipated MD-9600 will be shipping out very soon!!"

And:

"With this announcement, TYT also confirmed a couple of changes from the initial announcement. The biggest and most exciting change is that the MD-9600 will be a dual band (UHF/VHF) radio instead of a separate version for each band." 

TYT MD-2017: Programming Cable Issue

Sounds like a small problem, but I like the open response and I'm sure they and TYT will take care of those affected:

"With our first batch of TYT MD-2017's, we had a few customers call complaining of issues programming the radio. After some back and forth, we identified the issue as being a poor solder within the radio connector on the programming cable. Customers with this issue were not able read their radios from the programming software. 

TYT has confirmed the issue, and are immediately working to correct the problem. We are told that all of our future shipments will have the updated cable, so if you order a radio or a cable from this point forward you won't have to worry about this issue. 

This issue affected a very small number of customers (less than 3%), so we appreciate TYT's willingness to make the fix a priority."

AmateurRadio.com and NooElec SDR Package Giveaway

AmateurRadio.com and NooElec SDR Package Giveaway:

NooElec and AmateurRadio.com have teamed up to give away Software-Defined Radio (SDR) Receiver Packages to 30 lucky ham radio operators worldwide! …plus NooElec will even pay the shipping worldwide! 

The deadline to enter is 14 June 2017 at 18:00 UTC.

TYT MD-380 to MD-2017 Code Plug

It's DMR all the time...

New software converts the MD-380 codeplug for the TYT MD-2017 https://t.co/l3Ii4eCQs9 #hamradio #hamr @HamRadioDMR @hamradio_rr @brickolore

— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) June 7, 2017

Retevis RT82: Dual Band DMR HT

Also via Radiosification (comment)...

Retevis Facebook Page:

"RT82 is coming, DMR dual band, similar with MD2017, We R&D with TYT and another company. Software and functions are Programming based on RT3. RT82 can be used for business(like hotel,KTV, big mall, construction site,Logistics,school...), outdoor sports(like hiking,climbing,camping,CS,surfing...), and hams. Ailunce is a brand mainly for R&D hams products. HD1 is the first radio we R&D by ourselves,collecting advice and tips from hams. RT82 has a wider use range. HD1 mainly for hams. You can choose according to your needs.Your satisfaction is our goal. Thanks for your support to Retevis."

Ailunce HD1 Dual-Band HT

Via Radiosification...

The Ailunce HD1 Dual-band DMR HT:

Newest Information of Retevis Ailunce HD1 Digital Mobile Radio
The sample radio of Ailunce HD 1 has been produced out now, and the next step is TESTING. When a new product coming out, it needs to test the communication quality, communication distance, battery charging time, battery working time, frequency programming, other fetures and the accessories compatibility. Then it will be available for all the customers to purchase. Please don’t worry. I will update the newest information to you by the blog. 

Ailunce HD1 is True 2 Slot
Ailunce HD1 provide 2 slot communication, which allows 2 talk paths on one frequency. It could connect the repeater, and it also compatible with Mototrobo Tier Ⅰ&Ⅱ. 

Dual Band Digital Mobile Radio Ailunce HD1
Ailunce HD 1 is dual band handheld radio, it supports VHF 136-174 MHz, and UHF 400– 480 MHz, most digital radios only have single UHF frequency or VHF frequency.  Ailunce HD1 is the combination of them. so it is more powerful than others.

And a little more here.

Connect Systems: CS108G X108G

Connect Systems has the CS108G for $349:

"As you probably know by now, the CS108G is the X108G with slightly different firmware. The hardware is identical. 

Because of non support from Xiegu, we are discontinuing the CS108G Radio and selling at our cost. The radios seem to work fine in CW and AM mode but have problems in SSB mode. Some radios work fine but the majority of radios do not. The problems in the SSB mode is as follows: 

1. Spike in the transmitter when PTT first pressed in SSB mode which last 1-2 seconds
2. Continous carrier in SSB mode even when not speaking...3. Hum even when speaking in SSB mode. 

From what other people have confirmed on this site, these problems have been known for a long time but have never been resolved.

Call our office at 818 889 0503 if you want to purchase these radios as is. We will not warranty these radios at these prices."

Satellites

I learned about SatNOGS via the HamRadio 360 Hamvention Day 1 Review. SatNOGS is:

"a global management interface to facilitate multiple ground station operations remotely. An observer is able to take advantage of the full network of SatNOGS ground stations around the world. It's part of the SatNOGS project."

And speaking of satellites, this is a cool visualization of stuff in space (via @InfoSec208).

BaoFeng Tech X-Series Mobiles

I'm way behind on the BaoFeng Tech mobiles, so I'm spending some time looking at them. Who all grabbed one of these? Comments? The UV-25X4 has the highest ratings on Amazon - averaging 4.6 stars over 21 reviews.

The X-Series:

"The X-Series Mobiles introduce our new fully customizable Multi-Color LCD display screen. You can adjust the complete display to be exactly as you want it (with 9 available colors across 10 display elements). Beyond the display, you can fully customize your channels to display their alpha-numeric names or frequency settings.

The X-Series Mobiles also introduces our new dual sync mode! With this option, you can single or dual sync two different channels and display both their frequency and name simultaneously. If you prefer instead to monitor up to four channels; you can single line display a channel's name or frequency. Additionally, as a new feature added: you can even monitor both VFO (frequency) and channel modes simultaneously.

Another feature introduced in the X-Series mobiles is the ability to edit your channel preferences without needing to program a new channel! You can edit tones, additional squelch information, and even add or remove it from your scanning list anytime!

Scanning channels and frequencies has now gotten even easier! A new menu allows you to select scanning resume methods. You can set the radio to start scanning immediately during reboot, resume scanning if you interrupt scanning to transmit, or start scanning soon as it powers on."

BTECH UV-25X2 - 25 watt dual band mobile
BaoFeng Tech link
Amazon link ($114.89)

BTECH UV-25X4 - 25 watt quad band mobile

BaoFeng Tech link
Amazon link ($128.86)

BTECH UV-50X2 - 50 watt dual band mobile
BaoFeng Tech link
Amazon link ($159.89)

TYT MD-2017: Pricing

BuyTwoWayRadios: $219

Grapevine: $219 (Use coupon GARMD2017 for $40 off.)

Which leads me to this article on pricing on the MD-2017.

TYT MD-2017: Menu Options