Saturday, December 21, 2013

Kirisun K700: Digital VHF HT

Thanks to Christian for the heads up via this tweet. Just in time for Christmas (well, not if you actually want one), the Kirisun K700 Digital VHF HT for $135.00 (USD).


Brand Name: Kirisun
Storage Channel: 256
Dimensions: 116mm x54mmx30mm
Frequency Range: 136-174MHz
Model Number: K700
Channel Spacing: 12.5KHz
Operating Voltage: 7.5V DC ±20%
Battery: 1500mAH Li-ion
RF Output Power: 4W/ 1W
Color: Black
Weight: 243g

KIRISUN K700 The transceiver is a micro-miniature multiband FM transceiver with extensive receive frequency coverage, providing local-area two-way amateur communications along with unmatched monitoring capability

Features:

Product Features:
Excellent noise suppression, digital voice clarity
Digital / analog compatible analog devices to ensure a smooth transition
Ten million sets of figures key voice encryption, safe and secure
Digital intelligent signaling, richer management scheduling function

Function Description:
1. FDMA frequency division multiple access technology, spectrum efficiency improved several times;
2. support digital mode, analog mode
3. the digital voice encryption
4. a variety of call mode, all call, group call, a call, emergency call
5. PTT default contact (group) call
6. the emergency alarm (single, joint) 3 × 4 modes
7. Stun, activate
8. the working status query
9. the digital power saving mode
10. 1.8-inch large LCD display, support icon display for easy SMS messages, call records read;
11. low power, signal strength, battery capacity display, real-time understanding work status
12. call history, call records can be displayed 20;
13. address book function, support 50 contacts;
14. you can edit SMS function, the default shortcut short message
15. manual dialing
16. calls and SMS ringing Tips
17. firmware programming mode (software upgrades);

General features:
1. in English operation interface
2. the emission of high and low power selectable
3. three-color LED indicates sending, receiving, scanning and other state
4. channel lock, keypad lock function
5. whisper function
6. sub audio / digital tone
7. the end eliminate
8. the monitoring function
9. mixed scanning
10. TOT emission limit protection
11. the calculator

Specifications:
General
Frequency Range
136-174MHz
Channel Capacity
256
Channel Spacing
12.5KHz
Operating Temperature
-25°c~ +55°c
Operating Voltage
7.5V DC ±20%
Battery
1500mAH Li-ion
Frequency Stability
±2.5 ppm
Dimension (with battery and antenna)
116mm x54mmx30mm
Weight (with battery and antenna)
243g
Transmitter
RF Power Output
4W/ 1W
Frequency Modulation
16KφF3E/11KφF3E (Analog)
4FSK(Digital)
Antenna Impedance
50Ω
Modulation Limiting
±2.5kHz
Radiated Spurious Emission
-36dBm < 1GHz
-30dBm > 1GHz
FM Noise
45dB 25KHz
40dB 12.5KHz
Modulation Distortion
< 3%
Receiver
Reference Sensitivity
0.25μV 12.5KHz
Adjacent Channel Selectivity
60dB 2.5KHz
Intermodulation
60 dB
Spurious Response Rejection
60 dB
Rated Audio Output
1W
S/N
45/40
Rated Audio Distortion
≤3%

Package Contents:
  • 1 x Kirisun K700 Digital Two-way Radio(VHF 136-174MHz)
  • 1 x 7.4V 1500mAh KB-760 Li-ion Battery
  • 1 x VHF 136-174MHz Antenna.
  • 1 x Belt Clip.
  • 1 x ENG Manual
  • 1 x Charger with Adapter (Provide PSU plug for your Country)
  • 1 x Hand STRAP

Knoxville! Knoxville! Knoxville!

In addition to being the Most Bible-Minded City, Well Read, Most Romantic, and Most Patriotic, we are the Heaviest Drinkers (Men)!

Via Says Uncle

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Baofeng GT-3: Review by W9MDB

Mike (W9MDB) shares his thoughts on the GT-3 on a post to the UV-5R Yahoo Group:
"My observations so far. 
#1 Same poor performing antenna as what people refer to as the UV-5R "stock"antenna (it's the Baofeng UV-5R Logo antenna)
#2 Battery/charger is not compatible with UV-5R batteries at all - nomodification possible that I see
#3 Speaker sounds a lot better to my ear (I have some high frequency hearingloss and I hear more low freq on the GT-3)
#4 Had to trim my FTDI cable jack as the radio case around the jack is atouch deeper than the UV-5R so the top pin wasn't seating fully
#5 CHIRP speaks to it as a UV-5R
#6 Firmware is BFS311 and reports as BFB297 on power up so should be fullycompatible with UV-5R
#7 The GT-3 software has one more menu than the UV-5R for setting freq rangeotherwise it's identical that I see.
#8 The specifications in the manual are identical to the UV-5R.
#9 I'm seeing better FM performance on my UV-5R then the GT-3. Stationscoming in weaker on the GT-3 with both radios using identical Diamond RH771antennas. My experience contradicts Jerry's review.YMMV apparently.
#10 I'm questioning the weather resistance. I don't see a lot of differencefrom the UV-5R. The speaker grill is quite open and you can see the LEDlight through the microphone hole. The keys don't look like they are sealedto the case. I suppose they might've coated the board (haven't taken itapart yet to see)..that would be the only thing I can think of that mightmake it more water resistant than the UV-5R.manual/box says nothing aboutwater resistant.
Software available here if you want to try the Baofeng VIP software
http://www.radioddity.com/downloads
Mike W9MDB"

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Baofeng GT-3: UV-5R Comparison

A GT-3/UV-5R comparison video from Radioddity



He points out the different chips used in the GT-3 and UV-5R.













And has the following details on the site:

Radio Frequency IC

  • Upgrade SQ to enhance the anti-interference ability
  • RDA1846S add an new tail tone elimination function,when transmit and receive signal between 50Hz with 55H
  • Improve the receiver AGV switching noise when signal strength changes severe
Frequency-Modulated Receiver Chip
The RDA5802N has a powerful low-IF digital audio processor, this make it have optimum sound quality with varying reception conditions
Power Amplifier IC
  • Low crossover distortion
  • Low quiescent circuit current
LED Flashlight
High lumens degrees
Shell
Upgrade Dustproof, waterproof and drop resistance ability

Baofeng GT-3: Unboxing

An unboxing video of the GT-3 from Radioddity:

PMP - Rita's Process Game

In the PMP Exam Prep book, it recommends playing a game to help memorize the various components of each process group. The game involves cutting out squares that represent each project management process. You mix the squares up and then organize them by process group and see if you can do it mistake free.

Of course, someone has created a way to play the game on-line.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

PMP

When I lost my job, I wanted to fill my time with something of value, so I thought about working on some certifications. I earned my ITIL Foundation cert a while back. I got a lot of good advice here and in the real world about what to do next. For many reasons, but primarily because I think it will help me get a job I am very interested in, I am working on my Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from PMI.

I've been part of more projects than I care to think about - as an individual contributor or project manager and everything in between. I hope learning the PMP material will make me a better project manager, but at a minimum it should differentiate me from other candidates - and that is very important to me right now. You have to document your project experience and have at least 4,500 hours and a bachelor's degree (or 7,500 without the degree) to be eligible for the certification. In addition, you need 35 project management education hours. I'm happy to say that I completed my application and it has been accepted. Now I just need to study and pass the 200 question exam.

I am using the PMP Exam Prep, Eighth Edition: Rita's Course in a Book for Passing the PMP Exam book for the core of my study. YouTube is a great resource as well - see a couple of good examples at the end of this post.



Back to the studying, so my projects don't end up like this.

Learn PMP Critical Path In 17 Minutes Flat



Learn PMP Earned Value in 10 Minutes Flat

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

TN .GOV @ Work

This is just another example of how the government fails to meet the standards of the private sector. I don't seem to recall Amazon.com shutting down during parts of the day and preventing me from just checking the status of an order.