New Acronym: BUR

I was writing a reply to a comment and described the Baofeng UV-3R as a BUR. Those from the gun world might recognize the similarity to the short-hand BUG. BUG is a "back up gun", so BUR is "back up radio".

I think the UV-3R fits this bill perfectly. It is small and light weight. You can use the AA battery pack for emergency power. (That's another reason I prefer flashlights that use AA batteries as well - I can move the batteries between devices if needed.) And it is inexpensive enough that I could buy a couple UV-3Rs and toss them in the glovebox without having to get a second mortgage.

General Knowledge

So over at the the Quest for C Class on the Exurban League blog, they have a list of General Knowledge every firearms enthusiast should possess. They have a few categories...

Know the basic operation and use of:
Be capable of:
Know how to (but not always accomplish):
Know (and ALWAYS accomplish successfully):

For ham radio, I wonder what the list would look like? I don't have the experience to complete it, but I'll throw out some things and see what sticks.

Know the basic operation and use of:
UHF/VHF Transceivers on Repeaters
HF Transceivers
Power Supplies
Coax

Be capable of:
Build a half wave dipole
Build a quarter wave ground plane
Use a manual tuner
Sending and receiving CW at 8 wpm.
Soldering
Reading a circuit diagram

As I learn more about ham radio, I think this would be a good list to build.

They lead in with a quote from Robert A. Heinlein and as a bonus I measure myself against the list.

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."

Change a diaper - check!
Plan an invasion - probably not.
Butcher a hog - doubt it.
Conn a ship - I do have some small sailing experience.
Design a building - Do levels for Dungeon's & Dragons?
Write a sonnet - I've heard of iambic pentameter and been to the Globe in London.
Balance accounts - check!
Build a wall - 16 inch centers.
Set a bone -
Comfort the dying - I hope so.
Take orders - Sir, yes, sir.
Give orders - check!
Cooperate - check!
Act alone - check!
Solve equations - check!
Analyze a new problem - check!
Pitch manure - I'm not much of a salesman.
Program a computer - check!
Cook a tasty meal - Sustenance is the goal for me.
Fight efficiently - you don't want to find out.
Die gallantly - untested.

Dropbox

I love Dropbox - especially now that I have an iPad. But remind me to never put anything of a sensitive nature there.

Ham Study Guides

I think I've pointed them out before, but I have a friend who is tempted by ham radio, so I will link to the the KB6NU study guides again. PDF versions are free, but paid versions are available for Kindle and Nook.

Free study guides, inexpensive exam fee, free Echolink, and inexepensive rigs... add it up and it is like the package a dealer gives you to get you hooked.

Baofeng UV-3R: KC2RA Review

A KC2RA (Kings County Repeater Association) review by Gary ( KB2BSL) of the Baofeng UV-3R is below. I had not thought about it, but the review points out how much the of radio is in the software - that it uses the software to leverage a small number of components to build such an interesting little radio.

First Look: Baofeng UV-3R Review

"This radio is undoubtedly a SDR (Software Defined Radio) and has a relatively low part count. I will not cover every part used as a full list is available in the UV-3R Yahoo group file section (Thanks to PY2BBS), but will cover some of the major ones."

"The heart of the radio is a RDA Microelectronics RDA1846 single chip transceiver for walkie talkies. This single CMOS chip provides frequency synthesizer, VCO/VFO, AFC, AGC, pre/de-emphasis (selectable and can be disabled), RSSI indicator, CTCSS/DCS encode/decode, DTMF, 8dBm PA (about 6mw), and more. Basically everything a radio needs is provided by a single chip."

KYD NC-5H, KYD UV-5H

Kenivore found "another UV-3R clone with more button[s]". At first glance, they look more like the Yaesu VX-3R than the Baofeng UV-3R, because of the extra buttons. The specs for the NC-5H and UV-5H are identical and very similar to the UV-3R. I did a quick search on eBay and could not find any for sale. A search on Alibaba has them for sale for $60 from New Century Communication and Electronics Co., Ltd. The company website is here.

In fact, the physical layout of the buttons on the KYD models is identical to the Yaesu VX-3R. For example, the power button is on the side like the VX-3R, but different from the UV-3R. Most reviewers are pleased with simplicity of the UV-3R menus using the limited buttons and knob to do the programming. Looking at the picture, it appears some of the menu items have gotten a dedicated menu in this radio. For example, STEP (MENU 9 on the UV-3R) has its own button. It does not appear to have a flashlight, but does have an inner and outer knob. Also, the web pages say they will support the channel naming via a programmable alpha-numeric display. The NC-5H does not explicitly say that it is a dual band, but the specs have both 2M and 440 listed.

Baofeng UV-3R: Vero Global Communications (Manufacturer)

Boafeng (and others like Magiksun) are re-sellers of the UV-3R. They purchase the UV-3R from Vero Global Communications.

Vero Global Communication Co., Ltd. Established in 1995, we have vast experience in OEM and ODM services. We design and manufacture telecom products, encompassing a full range of products such as Dual Band Two Way Radios, Business two way radios, Dual Band Mobile Radios, VHF/UHF Mobile Radios,CB-Radios,Two-Way Radio Throat Mics, Wireless Portable Radio Microphones, Accessories And Batteries. Our operations are centered in China, integrated of R&D, production, QC and shipping. These ensure fully controll production lines and fast delivery. Our target buyers of consumer electronics in Middle East, Southeast Asian, Africa to Central-South America and East Europe. We are renowned for offering products with high quality and competitive price.

Our pursuit is“Quality First,Customer Supreme”?This means we supply first-rate qualiy,lowest price and full after-sales for our potential and long-term standing customers.Considering the mutual benefit, we welcome our domestic and international customers to visit our factory for establishing a stable business relationship and consulting long-term business cooperation!

If you are interested in any of our radios,please do not hesitate to contact us for more detailed information.We are looking forward to receiving your kind enquiry at the early date.

Maybe I should order 1,000 with the Brick O'Lore brand on them - in Submarine Yellow or Git 'R Done Camo Green.

Yard Maintenance

I've got some trees that need to come down. I need to buy a chainsaw.



From the Gun Source.

November Uniform 5 Delta Echo

I was looking through QST at the upcoming special events. I stumbled across the blurb about the NU5DE event. After reminding you that Hams are generally a bunch of old guys, I will provide the link and picture without further comment.

Naturist Amateur Radio Club

Unstoppable

Combine the tactical genius of RTT-CQB Man with this weapon and he would be unstoppable!



Via Pistol Training.