Moose Out Front

In my Twitter feed today...

erronious Sorry folks, the country is closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.

Reference

US Government Shutdown

Funny - Day 1.

Wouxun KG-UV950P: Hans on Review

Hans reviews the KG-UV950P. Lots of words and pictures - even a graph. I've not read it yet as I just saw it was I was heading out the door before school kicks my daughter to the curb!

Grammar Grumble Mugs

It is always easier to see the mistakes when other people do it. I don't even want to think about all the errors I've made on the blog. I still think these Grammar Grumble Mugs are funny.

Jot Script Evernote Edition Stylus

I'm still looking for the perfect stylus to allow my iPad to replace pen and paper completely. I wonder if this is it: Jot Script Evernote Edition Stylus.

(I still wish the NoteSlate had been real.)

Wouxun KG-UV920P: Field Test Video

Via Hans and Hans (not to be confused with these guys), a quick look at the KG-UV950P.

 

Wouxun KG-UV950P: US Distributor

Wouxun says that CheapHam.com will be the US distributor for the KG-UV950P. I reached out to CheapHam and they responded very quickly to my request for information about the timing and cost with the following:

"We just started evaluation. No data as of yet.
Very limited quantities currently available, we expect production to pick up towards the end of the year.
We are looking at a selling price in the low $300s probably $319 to $329 range."

WiFi Smoke Detectors

What's the next connected device in your house? How about your smoke detectors?

I can see all sorts of detectors... additional sensors for your thermostat, doors and locks (that I've mentioned before), garage doors, kitchen sensors for smells (is this milk still good?), lights being on/off, etc. Who knows, maybe your radio will be wireless someday.

Xiegu X1M: In the wild

Just a short post by Neil about operating using the X1M in a state park.

Shouao TS-668: Dual Band Mobile

You guys know how excited I was by the Leixen VV-808 mobile... I am on a quest for a simple, inexpensive mobile. I keep thinking if the Chinese can make good, cheap HTs that a mobile should be easy to do as well.

The Shouao TS-688 came across my radar and I thought maybe this is the one. It is even dual-band.

Specs are below.

main functions:

*  Frequency Range:   VHF:136-174MHz   245-245.9875MHz (220-260MHz)                                         UHF: 400-480MHz
*  Output Power:       VHF: 10W/25W/60W                                        UHF: 45W/25W/10W
*  1750Hz Tone	*  CTCSS/DCS setting & scanning
*  0-9 SQL grade setting	*  Frequency/Channel scanning
*  High/Mid/Low power selectable	*  Voice compander
*  Repeater offset shift	*  Keypad lock function
*  Contact book	*  Battery voltage display
*  DTMF/2 tone/5 tone	*  ANI ID
*  Remote kill/ stun/ activate/ revive	*  Emergenvy alarm
*  Wide/Narrow band setting	*  TX inhibit
*  Busy Channel Lock-Out	*  Channel name editing
*  Reverse frequency	*  Talk around
*  Scrambler(Optional)	*  Voice prompt
*  Time-out Timer	*  Auto Power off
*  VFO step setting:5/6.25/10/12.5/20/25/50kHz

Based Functions:
Semi-duplexer channels(UHF/66CH VHF/66CH)
High/Low power output(45W/High 30W/Low)
Large LCD display and button background light
Built-in CTCSS/DCS
Busy channel locked(BCL)
Time-out timer(TOT)
Optional encrypted board
PC and manual programming

That all sounded pretty good. Then I got a reply from the supplier saying that the cost for a single unit was $176 USD. I don't even know if that includes shipping. At that price, it didn't matter.

So what am I missing? Why is it so hard for someone to make a cheap mobile? Or am I the only one interested in them, so there really isn't demand to go down this path?