Wouxun KG-UV9D: Upgraded Chip

In January last year, there was a lot of talk about a bug with some of the Wouxun radios that would cause them to lose their memory. A question was asked if the new KG-UV9D used the same chip. I reached out to Danny at BuyTwoWayRadios and he talked with Wouxun:

"Just wanted to let you know that I got a response from Wouxun over the weekend. They acknowledge the memory problems, but say that they are now using an upgraded chip."

 He adds:

"They didn't provide a date for when they switched chips, but I've never seen a radio with the memory problem so I think it’s been a while."

His experience sounds similar to the update at the bottom of Hans' post from last year:

"I just talked to Ruud PE1OPG, owner of Bamiporto.nl. While he sold at least 500 dual-band Wouxun models, he only ran into the problem once. Statistically that’s an irrelevant percentage of failures."

Wouxun KG-UV9D: Software

I always like to look at the software to get a sense of the features and functions. Here are some screenshots from the Wouxun KG-UV9D. (Loaner radio and software courtesy of BuyTwoWayRadios.)

Main Memory Group

Configuration Settings

VFO Settings

FM Broadcast Memories

Remote Settings

Scan Group

Call Settings

Save Settings

How to Fix Your PC

These are just painful... apparently, step 1 is to locate a wrench.

These stock images of people 'fixing' computers are so wrong they’ll give you physical pain - Electronic Products http://t.co/9Lq5f9FizT

— Sverre Holm, LA3ZA (@LA3ZA) April 24, 2015

Tesla Energy

I'm pretty excited about Tesla Energy - not so much for the product itself, but for what I think it represents.  I hope there is a coming wave of battery technology that will have performance improvements and cost reductions.

Baofeng BF-F8HP: Battery Testing

So Hank did an experiment using various batteries and a BF-F8HP:

"AA Battery Monitoring-Only Duration Test 

Conditions: 

Radio: Baofeng BF-F8HP with original factory settings except for 10 second LCD display backlight on-time (Menu 6) to induce heavier battery drain. 

Battery Adapter: Baofeng (Baofeng Tech) BL-5 AA Battery Adapter (and “place holder” battery as needed).

Environment: Indoor environment with stable 72° temperature and typical indoor relative humidity values. 

Tasking: Radio continuously monitored local fire band frequency with an average of 3 to 4 calls per hour at 3/4 full volume. 

Test #1
Energizer brand “Advanced Lithium” batteries (5 batteries + “fake” jumper)
Started on 4/10 at 11:50 AM
Ended on 4/14 at 6:35 AM
Duration: 3 days, 19 hours, 25 minutes (91.4 hours)

Test #2
Kodak brand “Max” alkaline batteries (5 batteries + “fake” jumper)
Started on 4/14 at 7:15 AM
Ended on 4/16 at 6:17 AM
Duration: 1 day, 23 hours, 2 minutes (47 hours) 

Test #3
Baofeng OEM BL-5 Extended Capacity 2100 mAh Li-ion battery
Note: Battery was cycled with four previous charge/discharge cycles to maximize charge capacity.
Started on 4/19 at 10:00 AM
Ended on 4/21 at 7:57 PM
Duration: 2 days, 9 hours, 57 minutes (58.9 hours) 

Test #4
Panasonic brand “eneloop” Ni-MH rechargeable batteries (6 batteries)
Started on 4/26 at 11:47 PM
Ended on 4/29 at 12:40 PM
Duration: 2 days, 12 hours, 53 minutes (60.9 hours)"

Cycle

What is old is new.

The evolution of the mobile phone since 1990, via: @itredux pic.twitter.com/dSQtH8x8uy

— evernote (@evernote) May 1, 2015

NoteSlate Pre-orders

Pre-order for $199... shipping in September for Collector's Edition and October for the standard version.

Celebrate #EarthDay with #Noteslate SHIRO. Pre-order starts now at http://t.co/YRXG98xstr #handwriting #SlateWasBorn pic.twitter.com/oabe9DqHDl

— NoteSlate (@noteslate) April 22, 2015

Wouxun KG-UV9D: BuyTwoWayRadios Podcast

BuyTwoWayRadios has a podcast where the discuss the new Wouxun KG-UV9D.

AnyTone Tech: FCC

Via AnyTone Tech on Google+:

"FAQ: GMRS, MURS, and Commercial: How does it work? A clarification for users as we update our FCC certificates: The radios modes are individually tested and certified in each mode. The modes are able to be locked down to exclusively operate in the radio mode selected, and are ONLY legal to be used on those frequencies while operating in the selected mode. (No GMRS or MURS use while in the Commercial/Amateur mode). These radios are not to be used on FRS as these are not FRS radios or certified for FRS use. There will not be a firmware update to allow simultaneous GMRS/MURS use with the Part 90 frequencies. The NSTIG-8R and ANILE-8R are not GMRS or MURS certified."

As a reminder, the TERMN-8R and OBLTR-8R have the MURS and GMRS capabilities. The NSTIG-8R and ANILE-8R do not.

Life

I came home to a sick kid. We were both up all night, so playing with the KG-UV9D took a back seat. She's off to the doctor this morning, so hopefully we are on the road to recovery.