Wouxun Defects

In addition to announcing the AT-3318UV-A and the end of his relationship with Wouxun, Ed takes some parting shots about the quality of the Wouxun radios, the warranties, and services:

- "flop" of a dual band mobile
- ordering difficulties
- lack of a real warranty, only repairs
- memory loss problem on all dual band radios

The last one has the most direct impact to owners. According to Ed, all dual bands have a chip that may go bad causing the radio to revert to Chinese, display the channel numbers, and sometimes erase the programmed channels. Reprogramming the radio might fix it - or only until the power is cycled again.

Best and Worst of 2013

I was going to do a list, but I've been lazy busy. Lucky for me, Hans has updated his "China’s Best and Worst" list for 2013. He does his rankings based on the technical analysis.

Looks like I am going to do a list of sorts after all...

HTs
From a non-technical perspective, I would say looking at the GT-3 has been fun. I'd like to get a ZT-2R as its wide-receive might make it a better micro HT to have around than the UV-3R.

Mobiles
I got to play with the KG-UV950P and learned quite a bit during the testing process. (Thanks again to Buy Two Way Radios for the loaner.) I also was really excited about the VV-808 when it appeared as an inexpensive single band mobile.

HF
The Xiegu X1MKII has taken off - so much that I've not kept up with all the news/mods/firmwares/etc. And I wish that I'd see more about the HF-One MKII.

As for 2014, hopefully we will continue to see advances across the board including the digital radios that are starting to appear. (And hopefully I will get a job, too!)

AnyTone AT-3318UV-A

I had not seen much from Ed at Import Communications. Now I know why. He is ending his relationship with Wouxun. He is selling off his current inventory of the Wouxun KG-UV6D for $109.95 (inc free AA Pack).

And for his next big announcement, he is introducing a line of AnyTone radios - the AT-3318UV. (Astute readers will recall that Buddy asked me what I knew about this radio in July. My answer was not much.) I suspect these will become more popular just because of the visibility that Ed will bring to it.

First off is the AT-3318UV-A for $99.95:

• 6 Watts VHF
• 5 Watts UHF
• 136-174 MHz & 420-520 MHz & FM Broadcast
• Wide Band & Narrow Band
• 2.5 kHz tuning step for splinter frequencies
• 5/Tone encode and decode
• 199 Channels with Alpha Tags
• Squelch level adjustable for each channel
• Squelch tail elimination
• CTCSS that really works - when scanning channels, radio will stop ONLY when CTCSS tone is present
• VFO Scanning - frequency limits can be set for both VHF & UHF
• Channel Scanning - scanned channels can be ADDED or REMOVED via the keypad
• Frequency Reverse button - exchanges TX & RX frequencies
• Talk Around button - sets TX frequency to repeater's output frequency
• Programmable by computer
• EASY to manually program
• Keypad totally lockable to meet FCC Part 90 requirements

There is a Yahoo Group setup for the AT-3318UV.

I'll post more as I learn more.

Baofeng GT-3 and BF-E500S

I got a reply from the 409Shop regarding the BF-E500S and if it shared internals with the GT-3:

"sorry, since we haven't GT-3 and we don't know that"

As a reminder, the response from Baofeng said:

"I am sorry that I do not know the radio in 409 shop is same or not with our GT-3. I think you should confirm this with them."

To sum up... your guess is as good as theirs.

Magic Smoke Captured in HD

Hans has the video.

ZasTone DP-680

UHF digital...

Looks

Christian Diemoz @Chris_Diemoz Looks like a new #dPMR from #Zastone is out: DP-860. aliexpress.com/item/New-Launc… #hamr #hamradio @brickolore @radiosification 09:57 PM - 03 Jan 14

Peyton

Because we don't have much to cheer for with the current state of our football program, we can focus on our glorious past.

Baofeng GT-3: Names

So the story goes like this...

Hans and I found the Baofeng A52 and B-580T a while back.

Rob pointed out the GT-3.

Then Nate found the BF-E500S that appears to be a GT-3.

Now, Martyn says the A52, B-580T, and the GT-3 are all the same.

Applying the transitive property, that would mean A52=B-580T=GT-3=BF-E500S, so I e-mailed Baofeng and asked if the radios were the same and they replied:

"I am sorry that I do not know the radio in 409 shop is same or not with our GT-3. I think you should confirm this with them."

I've tweeted and e-mailed 409Shop with no reply on the BF-E500S yet. Back to the Baofeng reply:

"B580T is same with A52, same internally but different shell with GT-3. "

If they are the same, where did the "BAND" button go?

6-in-1 Programming Cable

I love things like this 6-in-1 cable for programming various radios. Of course, with the problems people have with counterfeit chips, poorly fitting connections, COM port confusion, etc. maybe it isn't the best idea to introduce another variable.

Discovered here.

Baofeng GT-3: Best of Comments

Pulling some good info out the comments left on various posts...

Michael:

I have had my GT3 for 3 weeks now. I'm very pleased with it, The new hardware inside is different. It seems a bit quieter and more stable, than other models I have purchased from Baofeng, and the audio volume is comparable to the UV-82. The software features are similar to previous Baofeng radios. It is easy to manually program. There is no "free" Baofeng software for this GT-3 model yet. Chirp does not have it yet either. I chose RT Systems programming software, which make it very easy to program. I have used it on a local repeater systems here. And changing repeaters is a simple process. The screen has a black background, and is very easy to program by computer. Transmitting is clear, and other contacts have said the audio is crisp, and quite running at 5 watts. I have used the radio for simplex operation, and clarity of voice on flat open terrain is exceptional for 2 - 4 miles. Repeater operation is solid also. I also like the Baofeng UV82. In addition I have a ICOM ID 51 D-Star radio, but find myself on the Baofeng's most of the time for general use. Also because I cannot use a earmic on the ICOM radio without an adapter. Overall I'm very pleased with this Baofeng GT-3. Top items that make this radio very worth while:
1. Light weight, (Due to the closed cell plastic)
2. Compact size (Even the rubber antenna is small, but does not compromise on gain).
3. Improved hardware exceeds previous models.
4. Unique look compared to other Baofeng radios.
5, Better hardware and performance for 2014.
The Chinese seem to be listening to their american customer pool.

Mike (website):

Brick i just got mine today, Cant go wrong with it. 

Pros:
The squelch works now.
Audio sounds much tighter now on the RX at any volume
The radio is more sensitive (at least to me it is)
I can see the screen in very low light when the backlight is not on
The feel of the radio is nice.
The light is much brighter 

Cons:
The stock antenna is still junk.
I don't like the rubber around the main knob
Hopefully the silk screening on the keypad does not wear off like the other models do.