Ender's Game Reread

I just finished rereading Ender's Game since I wanted a refresher before the movie comes out. I've got my wife reading it, too. (Her transformation to a total geek is almost complete.) I don't remember when I read the book the first time, but there is a lot more depth to it than I recall. I loved the plot and remembered it for the most part. There were some bits that had escaped me.

If you are interested in buying the book, consider using my Amazon link - I get "rich" at no extra cost to you.

Ready Player One

Based on a recommendation from my brother, I just read Ready Player One. The story takes place in a dystopian future where Halliday, the creator of a massive virtual reality world, is giving away his entire fortune and control of his company to the person/player who solve various puzzles and finds hidden keys within the game. Halliday was a child of the 80's and he has built the puzzles around the pop culture of that time - from movies to video games to music.

It was an easy read and I enjoyed all the references from my (roughly) teenage years. It was a great Adventure!

If you are interested, please purchase the book using my link below, so I can retire early - at no extra cost to you!

Feitong FT-808: Kight Radio Update

Dale (KightRadio.com) has an update on the FT-808:

"For those of you that are interested in the Chinese HF Transceiver that waslisted as selling for $400.00, here is the correct price on the radio. 6,000 RMB Chinese money =(USD $975.60) They said they never put $400 on there but we all can see that price on their reps ad. I am in China now on a buying trip and I had my Chinese assistant get this information for us. Anyone that wants to buy one, I will be happy to give you the direct contact number so you can order direct from the mfg. Its normal for the Chinese to put a lower price on their ads just like they advertise the Wouxun 1P as a HF SSB Transceiver in some listings."

It is nice to have boots on the ground to get this information.

Leixen VV-808: Kight Radio $99

Kight Radio has the Leixen VV-808 for $99.95 (free ship). Programming cable is an extra $14.95. And it does come in UHF or VHF versions.

Somebody order one and tell me how great it is!

Leixen VV-808: AliExpress

Bob points out that you can get the VV-808 at AliExpress for $68.55 including shipping. I would have ordered one tonight if I thought it would actually be 2M instead of 440. I sent a message to the seller to see what they have to say.

Feitong FT-808

A post on the X1M Yahoo Group brought the Feitong FT-808 to my attention. It is designed as a marine radio, but looks interesting.

YBDXC introduces it like this:

"A new all mode low priced High Frequency transceiver from China is on the way. Called the Feitong model FT-808 the new radio is being billed primarily as a Marine Band transceiver but its published specifications read more like a mid-range piece of ham radio gear. For instance the FT-808 has a receive range of 500 Khz to 29.9 Mhz and a transmitter that covers 1.6 to 29.9 Mhz. In other words, it covers all the ham radio bands from 160 through 10 and lots more. 

The receiver is a double conversion superhetrodyne with both it and the transmitter capable of operating Upper and lower sideband, CW and AM with 100 memory channels. Tuning appears to be by up and down push buttons with a claimed receiving sensitivity of 12 db SINAD and a squelch sensitivity threshold on SSB, CW, and RTTY of less than 5.6uV.
One thing of note. While transmitter power appears to be in the 100 watt or slightly higher range but according to the public spec sheet there appears to be no provision to lock out transmission on 11 meters. This will likely keep it from gaining FCC acceptance for legalized sales in the United States. At least not in its current non locked out 11 meter configuration.

That said, the Feitong FT-808 carries a delivered list price of only $410 U-S dollars."

Sparky, as usual, has some info. I've copied the specs from here:

Dual mode: shortwave and ultra-shortwave
Dual channels to receive signals,
Distress call, selective cass, group call and all call,
Display anti-collision alarm,
Large LCD.

Specifications:
Frequency range:
Rx 0.5-29.999999MHz
Tx 1.6-29.999999MHz

Mode: USB, LSB, CW, RTTY, AM
Memory channels: 100
Power supply: 13.8V DC(¡À15%)
Current drain (at 13.8V):
Receive Standby 1.4A
Transmit Max. power 25A

Operable temp. range: -10¡æ - +60¡æ; 14¨H - 140¨H
Dimension(WxHxD): 240x200x65mm
Weight: 4kg

Reciever:
Reveive system: Double-conversion superheterodyne system
Sensitivity(12dB SINAD):
0.5-1.5999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY¡Ü1uV , AM¡Ü10uV
1.6-29.9999MHz: SSB, CW, RTTY¡Ü0.5uV, AM¡Ü2uV

Squelch sensitivity(threshhold): SSB, CW, RTTY Less than 5.6uV
Selectivity:
SSB, CW, RTTY:
More than 2.1 KHz/-6dB,
Less than 4.5 KHz/-60dB
AM:
More than 6 KHz/-6dB,
Less than 20 KHz/-40dB

Spurious and image rejection ratio: More than 70dB(1.6-29.9999MHz)
RIT variable range: ¡À150Hz
Audio output power(at 13.8V DC): More than 2.0W at 10% distortion with an 8¦¸ load

Transmitter:
Ourput power: SSB 100W AM 40W
Modulation system:
SSB Balanced modulation
AM Low level modulation

Spurious emissions: Less than -50dB Below peak output power
Carrier suppression: More than 40dB
Unwanted sideband: More than 50dB

UPDATED: I just read Dale's post saying that these things cannot be had for this low price - more like $2000 USD.

Yuehong YH-A8

If it walks like a Baofeng UV-5R and quacks like a Baofeng UV-5R, then the Yuehong YH-A8 is a Baofeng UV-5R. Discussion of this identity confusion is here.

Given the Yuehong website has this image on their main page (note the Baofeng label) and that Baofeng radios dominate their product page, I'm thinking the YH-A8 is nothing new.

3D Printing Is Not Magic

Despite some of the challenges, I still think there is a lot of potential in 3D printing. It's not like the internet started out with wireless tablets and other magical sci-fi tools. Give it some time. I remember when I was a geek since I had a (wired) network in my home. Now grandmothers' have networks and preschoolers zip around iPads.

Leixen VV-808

N9XLC has posted about the VV-808 transceiver.  As he points out, this thing is small. I'm guessing from the pictures and the box that the manufacturer is Leixen, but there is no name on the radio. And we all know how these things get re-branded. The radio itself is $71 USD, but shipping is almost the same.

I'm going to assume the description of 136-174MHz or UHF: 400-470MHz is true and it is a mono-band radio despite some fuzzy language in parts of the listing. DHGate gives these specs:

Main Feature:

1.          Single band :  VHF: 136-174MHz or UHF: 400-470MHz

2.          Dual Reception/Dual Display

3.          Companding and Scrambler

4.          Multi silent mode (QT/QTADT/QTXDT)       107 groups DCS/58 groups CTCSS

5.          DTMF encoding and DTMF decoding

6.          PTT ID

7.          All calls, group calls and selective calls

8.          Monitor, Stun, Kill and Emergency Alarm

9.          FM Radio

10.      Scan/Scan add

11.      Channel name edit available

13.     199 memory channels

14.     High/Low power(10W/4W)

15.     APO(Auto Power Off)

16.     TOT(Time-out timer)

17.     Font Set(Big/Small)

18.     VOX(Level adjustable)

19.     Busy channel lockout

20.     Keyboard lock (Auto/Manual)

21.     Multi scan mode (TO/CO/SE)

22.     Channel steps (5K/6.25K/10K/12.5K/25K)

23.     Wide/Narrow bandwidth selection (25KHz/12.5KHz)

24.     TX Stop

25.     Talk

26.     Beat frequency

27.     Reverse frequency function

28.     1750Hz burst tone

29.     Four key programmable

30.     Lease Function

31.     Input frequency by using hand microphone

32.     Wireless changing frequency

33.     PC software disable frequency input

34.     PTT Times per Minutes Set

35.     All/Function reset

36.     Size: 120*85*40mm

In one word, this product is small but including all function useful for you.

Join the resistance!