Cross-over

So I post a little about ham radio and recently posted about the Ready Player One book that includes a lot of references to 80's video games and Easter Eggs.

Today, I read about this game that has a hidden message from one of its programmers: "DE JN1KTJ K."

Childhood's End

Finished another one... apologies to whoever recommended it. I added it to my wish list some time ago and don't recall who suggested it. Now I'm suggesting it... After reading Ender's Game, I didn't intentionally pick another book that had a mysterious alien race as the center of the story. Deeper than Ender's, this read was more thought provoking - in some ways, it simply felt like I was reading a thriller and was trying to figure out who done it. The themes, despite being written in 1953, still hold interesting questions for today. As usual, I don't do a lot of plot summary, but just post as a general recommendation for your queue if you haven't read this classic.

Buy it using my Amazon link at no extra cost to you and I can afford my next Ferrari.

Leixen VV-808: More pictures

More pictures via Taobao.com and again:

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.