Baofeng Tech Mobiles: CHIRP Support

The latest version of CHIRP now supports the Baofeng Tech mobiles (UV-2501+220, UV-2501, and UV-5001). I got to try out a beta version and had no problems with the basic functions.

Via Miklor on the BAOFENG AMATEUR RADIO NETWORK (B.A.R.N.) Facebook page

Stream DMR

Hose Line:

"Hose line is an online streaming platform for the HAM radio Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Brandmeister network. The project is still under heavy development, so if you encounter bugs, please try again at a later stage."

Via @PD0ZRY

Ham Wars!

Someone needs to Periscope this!

I hereby challenge @michaelossmann to a mobility scooter joust with yagi antennas in Dayton, Ohio!

— Travis Goodspeed (@travisgoodspeed) March 18, 2016

Shi Ying SR-224

Ed updated his site with a note about the Shi Ying tri-band mobile ($335). I don't remember seeing this and I still wouldn't have if Gwen had not commented about it here.

First the usual overview:

Shi Ying SR-224
Manufactured by Anytone - Serviced in US
(with removable face)

Frequency Range:
Left Side RX/TX 136-174 MHz, 200-260 MHz, 400-490 MHz
Left Side RX Only AM: 108-134 MHz (Airband)
Right Side RX/TX 136-174 MHz, 400-490 MHz
Right Side RX Only AM: 108-134 MHz (Airband)

Functions:
Working Mode Full Duplex - UU, UV, VV
Repeater Mode* - UV, VU
Dual Receive Side A & Side B
Output Power 50 Watts VHF, 40 Watts UHF
25 Watts 220
Low Power Steps, 5/10/20w (5/10/15w on 220MHz)
Other Functions

758 Memory Channels / 10 Memory Groups
CTCSS / DCS / DTMF
2-Tone / 5-Tone encode and decode
Bandwidth: Narrow & Wide
Scrambler
Compander
Channel Steps: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/15/20/25/50 kHz
ANI Function: DTMF/ANI, 5-Tone/ANI
DTMF Microphone
*Cross-band Repeat Mode:
144 <-----> 220 No
220 <-----> 440 Yes
144 <-----> 440 Yes

Certification for this radio will not be Part 90
(recent FCC rules make it impossible to obtain Part 90 certification for an analog radio)

And a picture:

And now for Ed's recent update:

"Update: March 2016. The final sample of this radio is being tested in the US and upon approval, factory production will begin by the end of March."

Baofeng Tech: UV-2501+220 Giveaway

Baofeng Tech is giving away a UV-2501+220 via their Facebook page. Details:

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away ONE FREE UV-2501+220 to one of our fans. (Worldwide Entry) 

ENTRY: Share and Comment on this Post 

WHEN: The winner will be notified by a comment reply and will be chosen on March 31, 2016 

PRIZE: The Tri-Band Mobile, the UV-2501+220

Tytera MD-9600: Digital Mobile

BuyTwoRadios.com announces the Tytera MD-9600 as a follow-up to the MD-380 HT:

"The MD-380 was a game changer, and turned Tytera into respected brand in the DMR marketplace almost overnight. 

Now they are about to do it again. Get ready for the Tytera MD-9600 Digital Mobile Radio! 

Yes, that's right, the long-awaited announcement is here. Tytera has introduced a new mobile two way radio capable of operation in both digital and analog modes. 

According to Tytera, the MD-3900 operates on 400-480MHz frequencies at up to 45 watts (UHF model) or 136-174MHz VHF at up to 50 watts (VHF model). As a DMR radio, It uses Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA) technology and is compatible with MotoTRBO Tier I and II."

No pricing yet, but expected release date is in May.

The product sheet can be found here (PDF).

(As a side note, I've probably not given the MD-380 as much attention as I should have.)

Baofeng Tech BF-F8HP and UV-82HP Promo

Baofeng Tech alerted me to a promo for BF-F8HP and UV-82HP that was posted on the Miklor site:

"Until the end of March 2016, by entering the promo code 82HPF8HP at Amazon checkout, the price of the Baofeng 82HP and F8HP will be reduced to $50."

BF-F8HP

UV-82HP

TSA Compliant

This is not the tool you are looking for...

My modified multitool made it through two airports today! It may help that I laser etched "TSA Compliant" on it. pic.twitter.com/eOXwCfzOsw

— John Edgar Park (@johnedgarpark) March 17, 2016

Via @travisgoodspeed

Ninja Training

I've been kicking around the idea of going for my Extra class license or maybe getting a technical cert related to work, but after seeing this ad (via Misfires And Light Strikes) I have committed to some Ninja training.

I hope it is even better than Diemon Dave's Ninja School.



It doesn't mention it, but practicing with the Ninja Glock would be a great bonus.



And I think Sun Tzu would agree that knowing the way of the Ninja could come in handy.

Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220: Programming from the Radio

Programming the Baofeng Tech UV-2501+220 without the software is a lot more time consuming, but definitely doable as this video demonstrates. If you plan on loading it up with lots channels, you'll want to use the software and get the FTDI USB Programming Cable.

Chapter 4 of the manual (PDF) has written instructions that walk you through the programming as well.