KYD NC-UV90A: Dual Band Mobile Update Update

The previous update was "The price is not yet fixed now, but it will be around USD230. The item will be ready at the beginning of April. Right now it is under double testing and will start sample order later soon."

The new update is:

"As to the NC-UV90A, it will be available soon. Right now it is under final testing, and will get to production soon, maybe early of August. 

The price for it now is USD198. Hope it is workable for you."

Dead Man's Switch

Schneier points out that is works both ways for Snowden:

"I'm not sure he's thought this through, though. I would be more worried that someone would kill me in order to get the documents released than I would be that someone would kill me to prevent the documents from being released. Any real-world situation involves multiple adversaries, and it's important to keep all of them in mind when designing a security system."

TDXOne TD-Q8AH:

Via Nate... a followup on the TD-Q8AH.

The guy doing the video doesn't like it. And the batteries aren't compatible with the UV-5R.

Vichy DM4070 LCR Meter

I posted about the Leixen Frequency Counter and asked if anyone was using inexpensive Chinese bench equipment? PA1SBM posted that he got a new toy in the shack - an LCR meter.

Get yours at Amazon here or on ebay.

Brief Description 

This professional LCR meter (DM4070) is made by VICHY brand. It is a stable and accurate instrument with Large 3 ½ LCD display. It is widely used on measuringInductance, Resistance and Capacitance. It is ideal for testing SMD type components.    

The meter offers advanced features such as the ability to perform precision measurements. It is an ideal hand-held tool for labs, factories, radio technology and family use.  

Features    

• New type holster, streamline design
• 3 ½ digit Large LCD Display
• Measure Inductance (L), Capacitance (C) and Resistance (R)
• Metallic screen board with stronger antimagnetic and anti-interferential function
• Full protect function, capacitor with the function of self discharge
• Over Range and Low battery display indication
• Automatic Power Off
• Conformed with CE Standard 

General Specifications    

• Display: 3 ½ digit Large LCD (65 x 41 mm) with a max readings of 1999
• Measuring Range:
  • Inductance (L): 0.1 μH ~ 20 H
  • Capacitance (C): 0.1 pF ~ 2000 μF
  • Resistance (R): 0.01 Ω ~ 20 MΩ
• Zero Adjust: Capacitance under 20 nF is manual ministrant zero adjust
• Over range indication: displays "1"
• Low battery display indication
• Sampling Rate: 0 ~ 5 Times / Second
• Operating Temperature: 0 ~ 40 °C (32 ~ 104 °F)
• Operating Humidity: below 80 % R.H.
• Power: 1 x 9 V PP3 battery (not included)
• Dimensions: 185 (H) x 93 (W) x 35 (D) mm (7.28' x 3.66' x 1.38' inch)
• Weight: approx. 360 g (12.7 oz)    

Accuracy is ±(percentage of reading + number of digit) at (23±5) °C, Relative humidity<75 span="">  

Capacitance (C)                                                                                                       

Range	Accuracy	Resolution
200 pF	± (2.5% + 5d)	0.1 pF
2 nF		1 pF
20 nF		10 pF
200 nF		100 pF
2 μF		1 nF
20 μF		10 nF
200 μF		100 nF
2000 μF	± (5.0% + 5d)	1 μF

 Inductance (L)                                                                                         

Range	Accuracy	Resolution
200 μH	± (3.0% + 5d)	0.1 μH
2 mH	± (2.0% + 5d)	1 μH
20 mH		10 μH
200 mH		100 μH
2 H		1 mH
20 H	± (5.0% + 5d)	10 mH

 1 H = 10³ mH = 10⁶ μH 
 

Resistance (Ω)                                                                                      

Range	Accuracy	Resolution
20 Ω	± (1.0% + 5d)	0.01 Ω
200 Ω	± (0.8% + 2d)	0.1 Ω
2 kΩ		1 Ω
20 kΩ		10 Ω
200 kΩ		100 Ω
20 MΩ	± (2.0% + 5d)	10 kΩ

One Set Included    

• 1 x Digital LCR Meter
• Test Leads
• 1 x Instruction Manual
• Standard Factory Package

  

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.

American Girl Doll

And this is why I buy inexpensive radios... my daughter at the American Girl store. The dolls alone cost about the same as three Baofengs. And then there are the clothes and accessories - like a sailboat. (Luckily, we only got the doll and her grandparents are subsidizing this one.)

She got the doll on Saturday and basically has not put it down for three days. Even in full tightwad curmudgeon mode, I have to admit it is already money well spent.

Yaesu FTM-400DR

Only posting this, because I think it is pretty.

HamRadioOutlet Yaesu has announced the pricing on the FTM-400DR! tinyurl.com/nls6jzt pic.twitter.com/cls7bqvBUpSun, Jul 14 09:21:38 from web

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Name: HRO Inc

Location: 12 stores in the USA

Web: http://t.co/Lmr9DgSCIW

Bio: HRO is the World's largest supplier of Amateur Radio Equipment. Contact us at sales@hamradio.com

Following: 0 Followers: 3515 Updates: 152

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Extra

So I got this in the mail yesterday after renewing my ARRL membership.

And I already had this. I've had it so long that it covers the old question set.

Maybe it is time for me to start studying.

Leixen VV-808: Popping Issue Fixed

Eileen sent me an unprompted follow-up e-mail on the popping issue - which, to me, is a good sign that they want to provide high quality products and fix any issues that are discovered in the field. Here is what she wrote:

"For the "popping" sound, it is a procedure problem, some radio would appear the "popping" sound often, and some may appear seldom, so people ignore the "popping". For fix the problem have to change the CPU of the radio. So it can just fixed by us. If some one want to send the radio back for fixing the problem, we will fix it for free, but he should pay the freight cost. But I think the freight fee maybe too expensive, so if some one can change the clip as attached by himself, I can send one to him. But I think it is difficult for ordinary people. As you know, disassembling the radio may break the radio, and changing the clip would be much difficult. And we won't warrant the radio again since it is disassembled."

I read that as a software/code (procedure) problem in the firmware. Since the chip has to be replaced, then it must be like most other radios with a write-once chip. She sent the picture below, too. I think replacing that chip is beyond my skill level. (I'm just hoping to fix the rotary encoder when I get it and that's just three solder points! That's complicated enough for me.)

American Wouxun

I just noticed that Ed Greany had a URL in his e-mail signature. He is one of the two Eds that were always so helpful - especially in the early days - on the Yahoo group when the Wouxun HTs were just entering the market.
Check out his site: http://www.americanwouxun.com/