Transmitting from an Undisclosed Location

I'm not at the home base, so posting will be limited - as you've already figured out. It also doesn't help that the network connection here drops between 7% to 11% of the packets, average pings are 400ms, and maximum pings hit 3 seconds. I'm hoping they upgrade to a Sportster 56K soon.

Leixen VV-898: A Review

VK3XRA has a review of the VV-898.

Baofeng BF-F8HP: High Power

So a there is a new kid on the block... the Baofeng BF-F8HP.

From the Baofeng Tech website:

• It has 3 Power Levels (1, 4, 8 watt) 
• A new 76 Page In-Depth User's Guide 
• It includes the High Gain V-85 Antenna to Optimize Performance 
• It is the only second generation BaoFeng with the Tri-Color Display 
• Full Accessory Compatibility with ALL UV-5R accessories 

Miklor has a review. He says it has the same chip as the GT-3. He also has output power measurements and they look good.

You can order one at Amazon for about $63.

Old School

Spent my day building a Windows 2003 Server with SQL Server 2000 (SP3a) on an old PowerEdge 2600. Good times. Don't be too jealous.

Xiegu X108: Testing Results

Some results of the testing... I'm having some difficulty parsing all of this. I'll leave that to the many people who are smarter than me.

"Overall, the test found that the main issue covers both hardware and software, but also more detailed.
The first round of testing yet found a fatal problem, the main problem is the following points:
1, CIV control part of the software is imperfect. (Software perfected)
2, USB port communication, computer recognition, online instability (already rectification)
3, PTT data interference. (Already rectification)
4, some bug (already rectification) software on the
5, optimization of protection mechanisms (already rectification) more than a few problems have been gradually rectification is complete, partial validation machines also made ​​the corresponding comprehensive reform, should be effective, The second round of closed beta has yet to be further verified. Including software on some issues, but also have made ​​the appropriate improvements. Meanwhile, No. 405, No. 406, No. 408 also conducted a precision CNC machine APC improved power control is more precise and stable, and optimized high VSWR protection mechanism to ensure safety when working under prolonged high standing state machine. At the same time, this also verified the reception performance measured X108, or good, with some large base station receives the comparison test results, are also remarkable, I also relieved. Launch is also to force, the indicators are in line with national standard requirements. Niece secretive nothing good question, and found the problem to be improved, which is the measured maximum use and harvest ah"

"USB port problems, one USB port instability, vulnerable to interference, one USB real-time communication interference received, the final decision to abandon USB real-time communication, retaining only brush machine functions. The online task is given to the AUX port, this interface can be extended out."

"USB port to keep the brush machine will use ah. X108 USB port is not simply a serial converter chip, but really USB, brush firmware with USB mass storage mode, and drivers and operating system independent, and do not want to change the structure of the main circuit."

Universal Converter Box

I ordered one of these from Amazon today. If it had Lightning and RS232, it would be perfect.

From xkcd.com

NUT AT-828UV

The description says it is a Quansheng, but I just had to post about the NUT(ty) AT-828UV radio.

Xiegu X108: Controls

Ed (Import Communications) also translated a document showing some of the X108 controls.

Via the X1M Yahoo Group.

Xiegu X108: Import Communications Update

Update from Ed (Import Communications) via the X1M Yahoo Group:

"At my request, the annoying Pacman that continuously chomps, will be history. Hopefully he won't be replaced with a smiley face.

The fit and finish of this radio is excellent. The speaker holes are CNC drilled, the display cover is flush mounted, it is just a nice looking radio. My sample is getting a workout by a friend and reports are good so far. When he's finished, I'll post his comments here. Another friend is going to display it at the Huntsville hamfest in the fleamarket area. I'll report his space number on the forum later.

My X108 sample arrived assembled, not as a kit. The factory says in kit form, the radio will require 99.9% mechanical assembly with only one wire to solder. I assume this would be a wire to the antenna connector.

About X1M. From the information I have, this radio will continue to be produced. I am not sure when the factory will make another run of them because I know all efforts are going into the X108 at this time."

XiOne SDR Indiegogo

XiOne - the portable software defined radio:

"Our XiOne Software Defined Radio has been designed around mobility, not only including the hardware but also a bundle of applications covering smart phones, tablets as well as Windows, Mac OS and Linux systems. Just start-up XiOne and step into a new world of radio frequency applications without the need for special knowledge and therefore steep learning curves. 

To continuously enhance XiOne’s capabilities we like to encourage the maker community to develop their own applications. A well documented application interface and a Software Development Kit, including code examples, make it easy to start the integration of new applications. There is no need to install special drivers because all interfaces are based on standard network protocols, so it is simple to operate the device within all environments. Just connect via Wifi or Ethernet to the SDR-Network or even use the USB-Port which acts as a network interface too. 

A huge frequency range from 100 kHz up to 1.7 GHz opens up a wide field of operations. For example the reception of world wide short wave transmissions or the detection of ship as well as aircraft positions by receiving Automatic Identification System Messages and Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcasts. The built-in wide band amplifier ensures a strong signal to noise ratio to receive weak signals. Strong RF-Shielding assures a low level of cross talk between the RF-Path and the processing unit to keep the noise level as low as possible. 

The SDR has its own power supply allowing more than 2 hours of mobile usage, easily extendable with an external USB battery pack. In combination with dedicated smartphone or tablet Apps the solution becomes mobile allowing to go into areas with very low radio interferences."

 Via Reddit