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 Tech: Nagoya TB-320A Antenna

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

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.

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%

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.

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.

Juentai JT-6188: External Speaker Jack Hack

Modify your JT-6188 to have an external speaker jack.

Baofeng Tech: BTECH UV-5001 & UV-2501 Software

One of my favorite ways to check-out the features of a radio (without actually having my hands on it) is to look at the software. Here are some screenshots for the software for the Baofeng Tech UV-5001 and Baofeng Tech UV-2501 mobile radios.

Menu options:

FM Radio:

Channel memory:

Optional features/settings:

DTMF and tones:

Other/squelch:

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501 and UV-5001 Miklor Reviews

John has been involved with the Baofeng Tech UV-2501 and Baofeng Tech UV-5001 development. He's got a review up that covers actual power output and the new features. He also talks about the issues that do not exist in the Baofeng Tech versions of the radios:

"Early first generation models of similar radios had two audio issues.
- When changing or returning to an Active Channel, there was no audio present until the PTT or EXIT button was pressed.
- During a channel scan, a loud tone was heard when stopping on an active channel, requiring a PTT reset. (or turning off the beep tone)."

He also does a comparison of the UV-2501 and the KT-8900/JT-6188.

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.

Baofeng Tech: BTECH UV-2501

Some more details on the dual band mobile Baofeng Tech UV-2501 ($114.89).

The Baofeng Tech website mentions a few key features that differentiate it from the other similar radios:

"Synchronize Display Mode
Scrambler/Inversion, DTMF, 5Tone, 2Tone, CTCSS, and DCS Calling Modes (Remote Kill/Stun Supported)
VFO Lockout
Menus, Programming, and Reset Lockout
Auto Power Off Function
Dual Watch Delay Time: Allows the receiver to stay on the secondary channel longer after incoming transmission - customize the delay up to 50 seconds; This avoids manually channel switching when you are engaged with simultaneous contacts on two frequencies"

The specs...

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
BTECH UV-2501 Mobile
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 MINI SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency range:
[TX] 136 - 174MHz, 400 - 520MHz
[RX] 136 - 174MHz, 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
1000mW/10%

Baofeng Tech: New Mobile Radios

I'm late to the party as usual these days, so I'll keep apologizing, but continue to work under the "better late than never philosophy."

Baofeng Tech announced two new mobile radios more than a week ago:

"We're excited to unveil the UV-2501 and UV-5001 Dual Band Mobile Radios. We have spent the last several months refining our first mobile radio release. The UV-2501 is a Mini Mobile VHF/UHF radio capable of 25 Watts Output. The UV-5001 is a full-size Mobile VHF/UHF radio capable of 50 Watts Output.

These may look similar in appearance to other radios, but we have re-built our mobiles from the ground up with a new menu system, audio and bug fixes, exclusive enhancements, and much more - with insight and improvements given to us from amateurs nationwide."

The similar radios are the JT-6188 and KT8900 that I've posted about. I like the naming of these - I'm a simple man, so UHF-VHF-50 Watt, version 01 makes sense to me for the UV-5001.