Baofeng Tech: New Mobile Radios

I'm late to the party as usual these days, so I'll keep apologizing, but continue to work under the "better late than never philosophy."

Baofeng Tech announced two new mobile radios more than a week ago:

"We're excited to unveil the UV-2501 and UV-5001 Dual Band Mobile Radios. We have spent the last several months refining our first mobile radio release. The UV-2501 is a Mini Mobile VHF/UHF radio capable of 25 Watts Output. The UV-5001 is a full-size Mobile VHF/UHF radio capable of 50 Watts Output.

These may look similar in appearance to other radios, but we have re-built our mobiles from the ground up with a new menu system, audio and bug fixes, exclusive enhancements, and much more - with insight and improvements given to us from amateurs nationwide."

The similar radios are the JT-6188 and KT8900 that I've posted about. I like the naming of these - I'm a simple man, so UHF-VHF-50 Watt, version 01 makes sense to me for the UV-5001.

Leixen VV-898SP: Tokmate Version

Lyle points out that the VV-898SP Manpack is available on Amazon as a Tokmate VV-898S for $219 including the antenna and USB programming cable.

And why do I always feel like these notes are directed at me:

"The housing is detachable and the radio can be used alone, but the user must not take the radio apart, otherwise he/she should bear the relevant responsibility"

Kindle Book Cyber Monday Sale

I'm going to pick up a couple of cheap Kindle books from the Cyber Monday sale at Amazon.

I've never read any of the Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser series by Fritz Leiber, so I'm going to get the first one: Swords and Deviltry. I'm also gonna try Bruce Sterling's Schismatrix Plus. Both are just $1.99.

Baofeng UV-82HP: Cyber Monday Deal

I missed the Black Friday sale, but you can get the Baofeng UV-82HP for $48 between 11:40am (Eastern) and 2:40pm (Eastern) today. That price saves you about $17.

Grab one or two, so your tree can start to look a little like this.

Leixen VV-898: MTC Black Friday Sale

I'm slow, but MTC has the VV-898 for $59.99.

Leixen VV-898SP and VV-898P: Manpack

Next up from Leixen is the VV-898SP (25W) and VV-898P (10W) manpack/backpack/piggy back radio.

"Two-stage dual display, dual-tone multi-frequency / two tone signaling / identification code, Stun / remote Halo / activation, voice encryption 

No keyboard player supports microphone UP / DOWN. Power 25W / 10W / 5W"

Leixen VV-898S: Mobile

I got an e-mail from Leixen pointing out a couple of new radios. First, is the VV-898S. (They aren't posted on the English version of their website, so I've let Chrome do the translating for me.)

"Two-stage dual display, dual-tone multi-frequency / two tone signaling / identification code, Stun / remote Halo / activation, voice encryption 

No keyboard player supports microphone UP / DOWN. Power 25W / 10W / 5W"

D&D in VR

There is now an app where you can play Dungeons & Dragons in VR. https://t.co/G5Z97GZ6Er pic.twitter.com/fYdL09mkFx

— Peter Rojas (@peterrojas) November 16, 2015

Garmin 220

Despite the fact that GPS always overestimates the distance, I still wouldn't run without it. I linked to the Garmin 620 on Friday, but if $200 is too much for your budget, you can try the Garmin 220 for $166.

DC Rainmaker review of the 220 and 620.

Licenses

High-water marks for Extra, General, and Tech - I'm still not on board with the hobby is dying crowd. Novice and Advanced can only go down - deaths, expirations.

Month	Extra	Advanced	General	Technician	Novice	ARS Total
Oct-15	139,309	48,631	172,276	361,564	11,104	732,884

Source