Leixen VV-808: Disassembly

1. Remove the knob for the rotary encoder by pulling straight forward. Mine was very tough to remove.
2. Remove the three screws from the front face plate.
3. The face plate is connected to the main board via a ribbon cable, so gently pull the face plate forward.
4. Remove the four screws from the main part of the radio.
5. Lift the cover straight up.

At that point, all the easy stuff is done.

In my radio, the board with the display is marked:

LEIXEN
R1500-DISP-C
2012-3-31

The main board is marked:

LEIXEN
R1500-A4B
2012-08-06

Lots of new Hams

Several people have been inspired by this post in the AR-15 General Discussion area... over 30 pages of posts about radios (most notably the Baofeng UV-B5), licensing, and other basics of being a ham... and have gotten their license. Ham radio has its own section, but the post above got it in front of a much larger audience.

One little post created a ton of interest. Amazing.

Sportsmanship

Very cool...

"The release went on to state that “[d]espite being engaged in a heated conference game, both teams set aside their battle to show support for a football player, regardless of which uniform he wore. The act displayed both great sportsmanship by the teams gathered as one support unit as well as the impact that Lattimore had on his sport.”"

Flying Car

It is about time. I've been enjoying all my other sci-fi gadgets, but I'm ready for my flying car.

Training

Watch the video, but read the commentary at ENDO's place. I've seen some of the Magpul videos, but I don't have the Dynamic ABS set.

iOS 7

Lots of screen shots - I like the clean look.

Leixen VV-808: VV-808S

Just noticed this while looking for an English manual:

PRODUCT NAME: VV-808S

DTMF / two tone signaling / identification code, Stun / remote halo / activate full-featured voice encryption and other security safeguards your call,

12V, 24V adaptive.

And this:

VV-808S car radio upgrade notification

VV-808S is a VV-808 based on the upgrade, upgrade more powerful, microphone in hand to support the company's UP / DO function, 12V/24V adaptive, the convenience of our size car customers.

Leixen VV-808: Pop

I've got an annoying "pop" from the radio. I hear it every 10 seconds or so and then it won't happen for a minute. I bought a cheap antenna (MFJ-1721) to use with the VV-808. (I hate to spend a ton on accessories for my cheap radios. Also, that was what was in the big box.) My trouble-shooting has been limited to disconnecting the microphone (pop still occurs) and disconnecting the antenna (popping stops).

I'm back on the road again, so I don't expect to figure anything out today.

iRadio UV-588

Hans takes a look at the iRadio UV-588. (Not to be confused with iTunes Radio.)Basic specs are here. His first impressions are here. The full review is here.

It sounds like he thought he had a really good one on his hands until he discovered problems in harmonic suppression.

Leixen VV-808: Power and APRS

Both via F4FWH...

First, power measurements:

High power was measured at 6.5W drawing 1.3A.
Low power was 5.5W and 1A.

Second, on the same page as the power measurements, a wiring diagram for APRS. (PDF)

Lastly, the list of components for building the APRS solution.