Amazon and Zombies

I don't really think of Amazon as has having a sense of humor, but in the Amazon Web Services terms:

"57.10 Acceptable Use; Safety-Critical Systems. Your use of the Lumberyard Materials must comply with the AWS Acceptable Use Policy. The Lumberyard Materials are not intended for use with life-critical or safety-critical systems, such as use in operation of medical equipment, automated transportation systems, autonomous vehicles, aircraft or air traffic control, nuclear facilities, manned spacecraft, or military use in connection with live combat. However, this restriction will not apply in the event of the occurrence (certified by the United States Centers for Disease Control or successor body) of a widespread viral infection transmitted via bites or contact with bodily fluids that causes human corpses to reanimate and seek to consume living human flesh, blood, brain or nerve tissue and is likely to result in the fall of organized civilization."

Via @timbray

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Software

I always like to review the software to get a sense of the options. Here is a snip of the UV-2501+220 software. You can download it from the Baofeng Tech website.

Morning Star

I really enjoyed the first two books in the Red Rising series. I'll be downloading the last book in the series tomorrow: Morning Star: Book III of The Red Rising Trilogy.

Red Rising: Book I of The Red Rising Trilogy: Amazon 4.5 / Goodreads 4.22 Stars

Golden Son: Book II of The Red Rising Trilogy: Amazon 4.7 Stars / Goodreads 4/49 Stars

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Tri-band Antenna and Mount

I really like it when it appears that companies think things through. So if you are going to offer a tri-band mobile like the UV-2501+220, you should probably sell an antenna to go with it. And that's just what Baofeng Tech is doing. They are offering the Nagoya TB-320A tri-band antenna ($57.95) and Nagoya RB-35 5/8 NMO Mount Magnet ($22.99) - details of each below.

(EDIT: So apparently all the antenna and mount links go to the same place. You'll have to select antenna or mount on the Amazon page to see the details for each.)

Nagoya TB-320A - Fold-Over 39-Inch PL-259 Mount Triband 2m/1.25m/60cm (144/220/430Mhz) Antenna:

The Nagoya TB-320A is a 39 inch tri-band UHF (PL-259) mount antenna with up to 5.5 dB of gain. It is designed to be used with your mobile or base radio. An included SO-239 to NMO Adapter allows for flexible installation to both UHF and NMO set-ups.

Fold over design allows the Antenna to Fold-Over which allows you to easily put the antenna down in parking garages or in other places where height matters.

The Nagoya TB-320A triband is a 2 meter, 220 MHz (1.25 meter) and 440 MHz mobile antenna. It is a 1/4 wave on 2 meters providing 2.15 dB gain and a 1/2 wave on 220 providing 3.8 dB gain and a 2 5/8 wave on 440 MHz providing 5.5 dB gain. This antenna can handle up to 200/100/200 watts.

Included in the package is a SO-239 to NMO adapter.

Package:

1x Nagoya NB320A Antenna (PL-259 Base)
1x SO-239 to NMO Adapter

Nagoya RB-35 5/8 NMO Mount Magnet, 18' RG-58 PL-259, Includes Rain Cap:

Nagoya Antenna magnet NMO mounts are premium quality magnetic antenna mounts with very good holding power. They are a heavy 2 lb magnet mount (durable hold) with a 3 5/8" diameter base, and are recommended for antennas up to 45 in. tall.

Package:
RB-35 NMO Magnet (18 Feet RG-58)
Rain Cap

So add the UV-2501+220 radio, the antenna, the mount - and you are ready to rock and roll mobile!

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220: CTCSS

A question about CTCSS on the UV-2501+220:

"John,
Do you think that the phrase:
>>refined our audio and changed our RDA chip set placement to improve performance to audio filtering.

is referring the CTSS audio "picket fencing" issue that requires us to disable CTSS decode on all channels?"

 And the reply:

"Lorrin,
I know that the RDA chip was changed and there were some major firmware changes.
I did several hours of test driving with the +220 and I could not make it fail. 

R-CTCSS has no adverse impact on the receiver. 

The pulsing/chopping that is prevalent in some of the other similar models is not in my beta radio. 

John
http://www.miklor.com"

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Site Updated

Baofeng Tech has updated their site with the full details and specs of the UV-2501+220. You can also pre-order it on Amazon for $139.89. Amazon shows an in stock date of February 9.

In the box:
Mounting Bracket and Hardware
Remote Speaker Mic and Mic Bracket
Inline Fuse and DC Connectors

FEATURES
25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable (Wide/Narrow Band)
FM Radio (65.0MHz-108.0MHz)
Large Tri-color LCD Display (3 Selectable Colors)
High /Low RF Power Switchable
50 CTCSS/ 104 DCS Tones
5Tone Support
2Tone Support
Voice Inversion (Scrambling) Support
Tone searching/scanning
Dual standby
PC programmable
Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)
Remote Stun/Kill

UV-2501+220 MINI SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency range:
[TX] 136 - 174MHz, 210 - 230MHz, 400 - 520MHz
[RX] 136 - 174MHz, 210 - 230MHz, 400 - 520MHz, 68-108MHz (FM Broadcast)

Channel Capacity:
200 Channels

Channel Spacing
25KHz (wide band)12.5KHz (narrow band)

Sensitivity
≤0.25μV (wide band) ≤0.35μV (narrow band)

Operation Voltage
13.6V DC ±20%

Frequency step:
2.5-25KHz Selectable

Antenna:
Antenna Connector: SO-239

Stability:
±2.5ppm

Output power:
25W / 10W

Audio Power Output
2500mW/10%

USNERDOC Giveaway

USN ER Doc is giving away some gear. Check out his video - prizes and rules below.




Prizes

Prize Package #1
CountyComm GP-5/SSB Radio
CountyComm Radio Pouch
AMP-3 Communicator Longwire Antenna

Prize Package #2
Baofang BF8-HP Handheld Radio
AMP-3 Comms Go-Bag
Survival Summit Preparedness Comms DVD

Prize Package #3
Apple Juice 12v Power Supply & Charger
For Apple MacBook from Hardened Power Systems
Hardened Power Systems USB LED Light

Prize #4
Survival Stores – MAC Edition
The Preppers Assistant

Prize #5
Survival Stores – WINDOWS Edition
The Preppers Assistant

When to Enter: Feb 1 – Feb 28

Winner Announced: March 4
Winner will be picked using a YouTube Contest random winner generator

How To Enter

1. Subscribe to USNERDOC
2. Short comment on which prize you like & why
3. Only one entry per channel comment please!

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220 Picture and More Info

So in addition to 220 MHz, the Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220 will...

"...still have the full UV-2501 enhancements: 

- Display Sync
- Scrambler
- The wider coverage range (up to 520mhz)
- Menu and Programming lock-out
- The larger HD mic (not the low end mics shipped with QYT / Juentai variants)"

And...

"...more tweaks not seen in the UV-2501: 

- H/L power switching from Mic (adjustable in VFO and MR modes)
- Audio Out Jack
- Built in Cooling Fan (allowing the mobiles to now be installed in tight spots)"

Based on the all the posts on the interwebs about the similar radios, the addition of the cooling fan is a huge improvement!

As if I wasn't excited enough, it sounds like they've got a few more things coming soon.

Wouxun KG-UV8D Plus

BuyTwoWayRadios announces the KG-UV8D Plus:

Voice CompanderThe KG-UV8D Plus now supports companding, which is a form of compression to improve the signal to noise ratio for clear audio. 

Non-Standard CTCSS/DCSMost radios typically follow a standard set of CTCSS and DCS codes, and radios such as the KG-UV8D have this pre-set list to choose from in the menu of the radio. The KG-UV8D Plus allows you to manually enter non-standard CTCSS and DCS codes into the radio. 

ScramblerThe KG-UV8D Plus is now equipped with a voice scrambler. Since this radio is only approved for use as an amateur radio in the US, and hams are not allowed to scramble their signals, this is not a feature most operators will likely use. However, every country has its own regulations, so the addition of a scrambler may be useful in other parts of the world. 

Backlight AdjustmentOne of the most useful upgrades to the KG-UV8D Plus is the ability to adjust the timing and intensity of the backlight for the LCD display. This is the same upgrade incorporated into the KG-UV9D Plus and is a long time coming. This feature should be in every two way radio with a display. 

FM Radio Frequency Storage and RetrievalThe KG-UV8D Plus now allows you to store up to 20 preset frequencies into the built-in commercial FM radio. Some operators do use the FM radio to hear their favorite local commercial radio stations and will likely find this to be a very handy feature.

And:

"The KG-UV8D Plus currently sells for $119.99, only $10 more than original KG-UV8D with the 2600 mAh high capacity battery upgrade, and you get the bigger battery, too."

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220

Great news for everyone that has been looking at the Baofeng Tech UV-2501 (or variants) and wishing it actually supported 220 MHz:

"This month [Baofeng Tech] will be introducing the UV-2501+220. The name says it all - also we have refined the firmware to allow easier power switching, refined our audio and changed our RDA chipset placement to improve performance to audio filtering."

So 220 MHz and a few more enhancements as well! More info will follow as I get it.