Xiegu X108: VE3FAL1 Demo Videos

Fred (VE3FAL1) has several videos demonstrating the X108. I've embedded a few below.

X108 on SSB



X108 vs. TJ5A CW SS 20meters





X108 TJ5A Comparison 10meters W1AW KP2

Jingtong JT-168

Jingtong JT-168 (VHF/UHF 136-174/403-470) at the 409Shop for $60.50.

Features:
Single-stage, dual display, dual standby
Frequency range: 136-174 / 403-470.
128 groups of channels storage
FM radio with 25 station memory
Broadband and narrowband 25kHz / 12.5kHz compatible
VOX function, level adjustable
English voice prompts
CTCSS / DCS encoding and decoding, and automatic scanning function
Transmit priority channel selection
Squelch level functions. Level adjustable
Indicator Set
When listening to the radio, walkie-talkie function monitor
Battery voltage display function
Channel name display and editing functions
Shortcut menu operation mode
Emergency alarm function

Specifications:

Model	JT-168
Frequency Range	VHF 136-174 MHz / UHF 403-470MHz
Channel storage	128
RF output power	4W
Frequency stability	±2.5ppm
Sensitivity	<0 .18="" span="">μV
Frequency power	≥400MW
Emission current	≤1.5A
Standby current	72mA
Li-ion Battery	2000mAh
Dimensions (W x H x D)	108 x 51 x 25 mm
Weight	140g (include battery pack)

Help a Curmudgeon Out: Shortwave Recommendation

The Adaptive Curmudgeon is looking for suggestions for an inexpensive shortwave receiver. Got any ideas for him?

I feel like there is good info at the SWLing blog. They also have reviews and a database of shortwave radios.

TYT DM-UVF10: Initial Notes from Hans

Hans shares his initial thoughts on the TYT DM-UVF10. Notables for me:

"RX sensitivity doesn't impress, but this could be antenna-related"
"Secret menus: the firmware of these radios can be upgraded!"

Vero Telecom: VR-6600PRO Pricing

Grapevine Amateur Radio has the VR-6600PRO listed with a price of $419.99. Jason adds this comment on the Chinese Ham Radio Equipment Google+ site:

"I agree. I think the price-point is too high. I had the radio listed at $389, and VeroTel emailed me and told me I had to change it to $420. Their MSRP is $460. I told them I thought that was too high for a Chinese Amateur Radio, but they swear the quality is very high. However, I can't verify this because they won't send me a model for testing (unless I want to pay $55 to ship 1 radio, plus the price of the radio itself) so I am waiting to see if I gain any interest in my pre-order page. Then if I actually get orders (which isn't looking likely at this point) I can get my hands on a unit and review it."

Vero Telecom: VR-6600PRO Yahoo Group

And there is a new Yahoo Group for the VR-6600PRO.

Vero Telecom: VR-6600PRO and FTM-350 Differences

First, Vero Telecom has a blog. Second, they lay out the differences between the FTM-350 and their VR-6600PRO:

- The size of the microphone and the buttons on the mircophone is different.VGC VR-6600Pro has a bigger size than Yaesu FTM 350.
- The bracket of VR-6600Pro can firmly suck on different rough plane,not just the smooth plane.
- You can easily split up the bracket and the control head of VR-6600Pro without using screwdriver.
- The bracket of VR-6600Pro can turn 360°.
- You can adjust the brightness of the button light of VR-6600Pro.
- The VR-6600Pro has the automatic backlight setting function.
- There is a fan on the main body radio of VR-6600Pro.It can automatic make the mail body be cool when it’s too hot while you use.

When I saw the title, I was expecting a list of technical differences.

A video:

Via Hans

Ammo for 3D Printed Guns

Hate the title... but an interesting way around a problem.  The Bullet That Could Make 3D-Printed Guns Practical Deadly Weapons:

"Now an amateur gunsmith has instead found a way to transfer that stress to a component that’s actually made of metal—the ammunition."

"His ammunition uses a thicker steel shell with a lead bullet inserted an inch inside, deep enough that the shell can contain the explosion of the round’s gunpowder instead of transferring that force to the plastic body or barrel of the gun."

"Crumling’s 3-D printing-friendly ammo will serve as a proof-of-concept—and a reminder: If gun control advocates are taking comfort in printed weapons’ impracticality, that comfort gets a little colder with every upgrade."

OnBeep Onyx

I've think I've seen these before... OnBeep Onyx:

"The idea behind Onyx was born from Greg & my experiences as emergency responders. During an incident, an emergency responder needs to be able to communicate with the rest of the team without losing focus. The last thing you want is to have your attention pulled away from the scene in an emergency. To make that possible, we rely on two-way radios. They’re bulky, ungainly and cumbersome, but they’re reliable — and that’s what matters when you’re working in life-or-death situations."

The versions I've seen look like this:

The Survivor Library

The Survivor Library:

"The library contains thousands of books on technologies that can be produced by most reasonably skilled craftsman using tools not as sophisticated as what can be found in many modern home workshops."

And specifically, the Radio Library:

"The Library contains many books on telegraph systems. It has numerous books on how to build simple radios. It has books on how to build a wire based telephone system from the simplest pieces of equipment up through how to build a telephone exchange and lay wires."

Via Slashdot.org