Showing posts with label UV-3R. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UV-3R. Show all posts

Thursday, December 31, 2015

2015 Brickolore Top 10 Links

Looking at my Google Analytics data, the top 10 visited links in 2015 were:

10. QYT KT8900: Software
Both this post and number four on the list suggest a real desire for a good quality, but inexpensive mobile. They made the list despite only getting posted in May of 2015.
9. Baofeng UV-5R: Schematics
The UV-5R remains popular and hams like to tinker/fix things.
8. Brick O'Lore: Ham Radio Page
I'm surprised that this got so many hits as I don't maintain it - looks like I should do some updates.
7. Baofeng UV-5R: Software v2
Again, software posts seem to be popular. And everyone that got a UV-5R wanted to check out the the new version of the software.
6. Brick O'Lore: The Radios Page
I'm glad this gets some hits as I try to keep it updated as a quick reference - I would like to expand it by keeping track of lowest prices and other miscellaneous data.
5. Baofeng UV-B5: Best Kept Secret
The UV-B5 still seems to be a sleeper.
4. QYT KT8900: Dual Band Mobile
I think the Baofeng Tech UV-5001 and Baofeng Tech UV-2501 mobile radios would have been more popular posts than the KT8900 - except they weren't released until November.
3. Brick O'Lore: Baofeng (UV-3R) Page
The little clone of the Yaesu VX-3R, the UV-3R, really got folks interested in the Chinese radios. I can't believe it still gets so many hits.
2. Baofeng UV-5R: Extreme Receive Modification
And hams would love to get something for nothing!
1. Brick O'Lore (main web page)
This tells me that lots of people visit my blog the old fashioned way - by going straight to the root domain.
Here's to an interesting 2016. May it be everyone's best year yet!

Monday, June 22, 2015

Google Trends - Chinese Radios

Just messing around with Google Trends... any other interesting comparisons or surprises?

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Baofeng UV-3R: Wireless Charging

It's been a while since I've done a UV-3R post, but this is a cool project.

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Baofeng UV-3R: Starter Kit from BuyTwoWayRadios.com

Get the UV-3R along with a USB programming cable and quick reference card for $36 plus shipping. Total page includes:
  • Baofeng UV-3R Dual Band Two Way Radio
  • Li-Ion Battery Pack
  • Removable Antenna
  • Belt Clip
  • Wrist Strap
  • C-Ring Headset
  • Charger Tray
  • AC to USB Adapter
  • USB Power Cable
  • Amateur Radio Quick Reference Card
  • USB Programming Cable
  • USB Cable Driver and Programming Software CD
  • Owners Manual

Thursday, May 29, 2014

TYT TH-UV818

From Nate:

"I was wondering when they'll imitate the body design of the Yaesu/Standard/Horizon VX-7R/HX470/VXA-710."

Which reminds of where this all started for me - the Baofeng UV-3R copying the Yaesu VX-3R. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

The TYT-TH-UV818...

http://www.tyt888.com/UploadPIC/2014426144833940.jpg

Horizon HX470 (silver and black)
Yaesu/Vertex VX-7R (silver and black)
Yaesu/Vertex VXA-710
Yaesu FTA-720


http://www.yaesu.com/jp/en/products/marine_img/hx470s.jpg
VX-7http://www.yaesu.com/jp/amateur_index/products_img/vx7b.jpg
http://www.dfwcomm.com/img/product_pics/mids/vxa710v1.png
http://alpha-com.ru/wa-data/public/shop/products/36/54/5436/images/6402/5414.400.jpg



Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Wouxun KG-UV8D: Size Comparison

The first surprise I had was the size of the UV8D. From the pictures I had seen, I thought it was going to be a hefty radio. The reality is different. In the pictures you can see (from left to right) the Baofeng UV-3R, the Baofeng UV-5R, the Wouxun KG-UV8D, and the Wouxun KG-UV1DP.



(And, yes, I found my UV-5R.)

Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Baofeng UV-3R: The Other Blue

I'm sure this is old and not terribly interesting news, but I just stumbled across the light blue UV-3R. I remember when all the colors used to be a big deal. Now, we expect five colors and sixty varieties of the case.


Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Best Chinese Dual-Band HT

Hans says with 100% absolute certainty that the answer to the question, "What's the best Chinese dual-band HT?" is:

It depends.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Baofeng UV-3R: Firmware Hacking

I'm way behind on this topic, but I am posting this in case you haven't see it at all. Lior is working on a custom firmware for the UV-3R. (He started with the UV-5R, but moved to the UV-3R when the project looked to be easier.)

If you have suggestions for features, he's started a thread on the UV-3R Yahoo Group.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Baofeng Shop and Website

Hans noticed that Baofeng has a new website (his post, their site), and I noticed an additional link to the Baofeng Shop. The shop is populated with lots of radios, but they all say $0. Some of the links are broken.

So are they working on cutting out the middle man?

I'll dig a little more, but I found the site interesting.

(And if someone wants to explain this other linked site, that would be cool: www.new-ronway.com)

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Yahoo Group Numbers

The Yahoo Group for the Baofeng UV-5R is insane.

Since it started nine months ago, there have been over 11,000 messages - averaging almost 1,250 per month. September and October will both be over 2,000 each. At this point, it is almost unusable for me. I don't have the time to wade through that many messages - especially when they are mostly repeat issues. Most of which could be solved by searching the group or visiting sites like http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/.

A couple of points of reference...

The UV-3R group had about 3,000 messages over the same nine months. It broke 1,000 messages in a month once (Sept.). The Wouxun group had just over 2,000 for the same period and has never had more than 1,000 messages in a month going back to its start in 2009.


Sunday, July 15, 2012

Extending Frequencies & Warranty Support

"Is unlock software really needed for the 6D? I know the models I sell are factory set for various ranges and sold at varying prices. Unlock software is not available for the 6D radio and I hope it stays that way. When Jim started working on Commander for the 6D, I personally asked him to leave out the unlock feature. I often get "warranty" request only to find bricked radios with RX & TX set for foolish ranges like 0-999 MHz for both VHF and UHF. China gives practically NO warranty support, so all this comes out of the pocket of the dealers. I hope unlock software for the 6D never makes it to the public because it's been a pain in the rear for the other models.
Regards,
Ed Griffin
www.Wouxun.US"
I understand his point, but I would think he should just have a policy that trying to extend the usable frequencies voids the warranty. It might make some people mad, but those are the people he probably doesn't really want as a customer anyway.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Programming Software Trouble-shooting

I've seen it enough times on the Yahoo Group and in the comments here that I think it bears repeating.

Programming Software Trouble-shooting

Step 1: Make sure the plug is firmly pushed in to the radio.
Step 2: Push the plug some more.
Step 3: Find your strongest friend and ask them to push on the plug even more.
Step 4: Check the driver, verify the COM port, download the latest version of the software, etc.

Friday, June 29, 2012

KGUVD1P vs TH-UVF1 vs UV5R

John asks which radio he should get. Hans replies:
"Best of the pack: Wouxun KGUVD1P. No real flaws to report. The KGUVD1P is verystrict when it comes to battery voltage though. It will switch off immediately,there's no escape. Switching to low power won't help. Buy a spare battery!
Runner up: Quansheng TG-UV2. Flaws: no DTMF. Not the prettiest design ever (a
matter of taste, of course). Strengths: capable of RX/TX on 350-390MHz. Batterylife is unbelievable.
The stock antennas of these two HT's are as good as they get, no need for areplacement.
The Baofeng UV-5R is interesting because of its price - you can buy two UV-5R'sfor the price of one Wouxun. If you can live with its quirks, you have a heck ofa deal."
Hans also replies on another thread:
"The cheap UV-3R can't be used here on 70cm. Total RX collapse. The UV-5R does alot better and is usable. The Quansheng TG-UV2 does even better, and the champion of Chinese HT's is the Wouxun KG-UVD1P. I hardly notice the influence of a 5+5+10 KiloWatt digital TV transmitter on that one, which is located only half a mile away from my QTH.
Even the best Chinese HT is no match for my Yaesu VX-177 mono band though. Thatone doesn't give a d*** about these signals. And it should, as I can buy fourUV-5R's for the price of one VX-177."
If you don't already follow Hans at his blog, I highly recommend it.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Baofeng UV-3R: 220 Mhz on the Mark II

Neil (W2NDG) does the expanded frequencies mod to his Baofeng UV-3R Mark II and shares his results:
"During my morning commute, my train passes south of my club’s main repeater site. Now this is on a rather high building, in one of the highest points on western Long Island, and is pretty much line-of-site for a 4-5 mile stretch of my train ride. I tested to see if I could key up our 220 machine, and it seems that the effective range was about 4 miles this morning. Now that was just keying the repeater up. I’ll have to check to see if I can actually be HEARD on it."

Monday, May 7, 2012

Updates from Kight Radio - TYT and Baofeng

"Great News - The TYT TH-UV3R is in stock and shipping. I have been using one for the past 2 weeks and I love it. The size is about the same size as the Baofend UV3 but construction is much stronger."
 "The New TH-UVF9 Dual Band HT (4 watts) will be available soon. I will have 2 of these to test within the next week and I will update everyone on this new radio. I have pictures posted on this site."
This is the first I've heard of the TH-UVF9. Here is the link to the listing. No price yet on this dual band, dual display 4 W unit. He does mention he will have one at Dayton.


"Baofeng UV5 - They report that the problems have been fixed and shipping the updated ones now. We will wait to test them and then release them to sell at that time. If ordering from other companies you might want to wait until they get rid of their old inventory before ordering."
Amazing how quickly they can respond with fixes. They are getting a lot of free testing from the hams that are early adopters.
"Just in case your wondering, the Baofeng UV5 looks like a TYT radio however it is not. TYT did not sell or mft the radios for them, They simply took TYT's case design and copied it. There have been some questions on who makes the TYT radios for them .... TYT is the MFG!"
I am beginning to think the cases are a core competency for China. They can make copies faster than anyone and in any color you like.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

UV-3R: Prevent Transmit

If you are using your UV-3R to monitor frequencies where you do not have transmit privileges, you can program the transmit frequency to "0" or NULL. If you press the PTT, then the radio beeps at you, but nothing is transmitted.

Monday, April 9, 2012

Baofeng UV-3R: FM Broadcast Range

Someone asked in the comments if the FM Broadcast receive frequencies could be expanded. I had read in this thread that 65-108 MHz is the FM Broadcast band in Eastern Europe. So are there regional versions of the UV-3R? In the thread, people report difference coverages.

For something like this, I would assume it is much easier to have one version that has the wider range that covers all regional FM frequencies.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Vero Telecom 2012 HK Electronics Fair

Looks like the VR-2200 (aka TYT TH-9000) and something that looks an awful lot like a version of the TYT TH-UV3R. I will, unfortunately, not be attending...

Dear our valued customer,
We treasure every opportunity to meet  you.
From 13 Apr. - 16 Apr. 2012, we will attend the exhibition of "HK Electronics Fair (Spring Edition)" in HKTDC




We cordially invite you and your colleagues  to visit our booth
3D-A25 in Hall 3.



Thanks and best regards!  


VERO SALES TEAMS

 3 floor,No.3 Chongxiang St,Quanzhou,Fujian,P.R.C 362006
 T: 86-595-22496660 | F: 86-595-86761912 | M: 86-159 6055 9990