Ham Licenses

Ham licenses chart.

Up: General, Technician
This is a high water mark for both.

Down: Overall, Extra, Advanced, Novice
Advanced and Novice will only go down since no new licenses are being issued for these classes.
Overall total (high water mark last month) and Extra (high-water mark in October 2016) licenses down.

Garmin Fenix 5

It's CES time and DCRainmaker has the scoop on the latest watches from Garmin.

The mapping feature looks very cool, but I don't know how much I'd use it.

Baofeng UV-5R: 409Shop 10pcs Battery

Basically, $13 per radio to the US - if you need 10. 12/29 Correction: Reading is hard. Thanks to the correction in the comments - this is for the battery only. Doh.

FOB Price: US$99 for 10pcs x bafeng UV-5R 3800mah battery.https://t.co/4dDzQIjeS7... https://t.co/aCex5u3IsJ

— 409Shop Limited (@409Shop) December 22, 2016

Merry Christmas!

My usual...


And a new one...

Baofeng Tech APRS-K2

John reviews the Baofeng Tech APRS-K2 cable:

"BTECH APRS-K2 TRRS / APRS Cable is a simple way to start using APRS by using devices you already own. The BTECH APRS-K2 Cable will quickly connect your radio to APRS by using virtual TNC (app driven) on your tablet or device. The APRS-K2 cable is built with a custom circuit board that will automatically adjust the audio for clear packet transmissions with minimal adjustment; along with protecting your devices from strong over modulated signals."

So, take your radio, this cable, and an app on your tablet/phone and you are ready to go!

Harris Falcon III Clone

Some folks are giving him grief about the money he spent, but I think it's interesting to see what's out there.

Ham Radio Deluxe Follow-Up

Wow - this is crazy: reddit mega thread re: HRD blacklisting.

Connect Systems CS580 Review

Don at VA3XPR.net reviews the CS580:

"Overall, we are very happy with the Connect Systems CS580 and believe that it is a great value priced DMR radio that is likely to please most users, making it a winner within the ham radio community."

Click the link for all the details.

Ham Radio Deluxe on Slashdot.org

For all the wrong reasons...

Gandalf_the_Beardy quotes a report from The Register:The Register reports on the story of Jim Giercyk, an amateur radio enthusiast who had his copy of the popular Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) software revoked after posting a negative review. Other radio hams have followed up with us regarding claims that this was not an isolated incident and others may have had their license keys blacklisted for being publicly critical of the company. And just to be clear: by blackballing keys, installed copies of the software stop working. Giercyk, a professional musician in South Carolina, U.S., says that after his dealings with HRD Software (which has since reinstated his software key) and the statement made by the developer's co-owner Dr Michael Carper, he takes issue with claims made by the company. Giercyk, aka N2SUB, told us on Tuesday: "The issue is not the refusal of service, the issue is that HRD disabled my software, and then offered to enable it in exchange for the removal of an online review of their product. It's extortion, not refusal of service." Giercyk also said that since he went public about his blacklisting last week, he has received messages from other users who have stories of their software keys being revoked by HRD without their knowledge for speaking up about having a bad support experience. A number of other readers pointed out a collection of bad reviews posted on hobbyist site eHam by customers who had their license keys blacklisted. HRD told us some of those users could have written their assessments after requesting a refund and deactivating their software, thus their licenses will appear revoked. Meanwhile, Reddit threads and follow-up discussions to Giercyk's catalyst forum post reveal similar stories of keys being revoked after critical comments about Ham Radio Deluxe have appeared online. Other sources allege some amateur radio forums have in the past deleted posts critical of HRD.

WB4GBI Repeater Traffic during Gatlinburg Wildfires

No surprise to hams - cell phone service was greatly limited during the disaster.

SharkRF OpensPOT Review

John reviews the SharkRF OpenSPOT:

"Hotspots were not developed to replace repeaters, but rather to supplement them. In areas where there is No repeater, a hotspot allows the user to connect directly to a digital network via the internet. In areas of Heavy repeater use, a hotspot allows the user to access the network without competing for an available time slot.  If your local repeater gives you access to a network such as DMR-MARC, an openSPOT can give access to networks such as Brandmeister. You will now have access to the best of both worlds."

Surecom KT-8900D: Unboxing

Also, via Nate.

Baofeng Tech: UV-5X3 Giveaway

Baofeng Tech is giving away a UV-5X3 via their Facebook page (like + share/comment).

Surecom KT-8900D: Mobile

Via Nate... thanks for the tip!

Surecom KT-8900D 136-174/220-260/350-390/400-480 Mini Color Screen Mobile Radio for $97.00.

• 1 x SURECOM KT-8900D 136-174/220-260/350-390/400-480 MINI COLOR SCREEN MOBILE RADIO
• 1 x Microphone
• 1 x Car Power Cable
• 1 x Fuse
• 1 x Mounting bracket
• 1 x Screw
• 1 x User"s Manual

General specification

Fequency Range	VHF:  136-174MHz  /  220-260MHz  UHF:  350-390MHz /   400-480MHz
Number of channels	200
Channel spacing	25KHz、  20K、12.5
Phase lock step step	2.5KHz、5KHz、6.25 KHz、10 KHz、12.5 KHz、15 KHz、25 KHz
Working voltage	13.8V DC±15%
Squelch  way	CTCSS、DCS、5Tone、2Tone、DTMF
Frequency stability	±2.5ppm
Operat temperature	-20+60℃
Dimension	98(W)*43(H)*126(D)mm
Weight	448g

Receive（ETSI EN 300 086 Standarddized.Test）

	Wide Band	Narrow  Band
Sensitivity	≤0.25μν	≤0.35μν
Channel Cholce	≥70db	≥60db
Intermodulation	≥65db	≥60db
Spurious Rejection	≥70db	≥70db
Audio Response	+1~~3db（0.3~3KHz）	+1~~3db（0.3~2.55KHz）
Signal to noise radio	≥45db	≥40db
Audio Distortion	≤5%
Audio output power	≥2W@10%

Transmit（ETSI EN 300 086 Standarddized.Test）

	Wide Band	Narrow  Band
Output Power	25W/20W（VHF/UHF）
Modulation Mode	16KΦF3E	11KΦF3E
Channel Power	≥70db	≥60db
Signal to noise radio	≥40db	≥36db
Parasitic Harmonic	≥60db	≥60db
Audio Response	+1~~3db（0.3~3KHz）	+1~~3db（0.3~2.55KHz）
Audio Distortion	≤5%

The Map of Physics

Adding to to my general knowledge pool today...


Sheldon wouldn't like concluding with philosophy.

Via openculture.com

kW and kVA

I'm all about educational tools today:

It's easy to understand the difference between kW and kVA pic.twitter.com/gMhWx9fPr1

— Pierre-Yves Maunier (@pymaunier) December 12, 2016

Via @LA3ZA

Connect Systems: Product Line Overview

Jerry of Connect Systems posted the following to the CS7000 Yahoo Group:

"CS580: This radio was designed to be in direct competition to the MD380 radio but have the advantage of being much easier to use because of a few new features we added. We sold over 100 radios before it was officially released and we have about 200 radios left before we have to order more. It takes at least 30 days from placing an order to receiving more radios. We have already received follow on orders from some of the people who have ordered the first batch of radios. It cost $130 each.

CS750: We reduced the price from $239 to $180. At this price, it is a competitor to the Tytera products but you get a better radio with more features. After the CS760 is stabilized, we will be adding more features to this radio as well as fixing any remaining problems.

CS760: This is the follow on to the CS750 series of radios. Besides having the features of the CS750, it has optional Bluetooth, GPS, Man Down, and vibrator. Its IP67 rated (waterproof) and has a color display. It will have the ability to be compliant with ETSI Standard Tier III. Being a new radio with new features now and more new features in the future, you can expect this radio to have frequent firmware updates both to fix bugs and to add new features. It was originally scheduled to ship December 1, then December 10, and now December 19. The basic radio cost $299 and with all the options it cost $399.

CS800: This is our single band UHF mobile (Available in VHF). After the CS760 is stabilized, we will be adding more features to this radio as well as fixing any remaining problems.

CS800D: This is a dual band CS800. I expect the VHF band to be the same as the CS801 and the UHF band to be extended to 512 MHz. It is initially going to be released as an amateur product but later we will get it part 90 certified. We do not have our cost yet but I am hoping the selling price will be $100 more than the single band CS800. We have preliminary schematics and we have a target of getting a working sample shipped by January 23, 2017 to show at the various amateur shows and production starting about two months later.

CS108G+: This is a Xiegu X108G with custom firmware to include a spectrum analyzer and an ID Timer. It covers all the HAM bands from 160 meters to 10 meters. We expect to get our first shipment next week.

CS7000/CS8000: This is a single band multi-protocol (DMR, DSTAR, Analog, and others) radio. We are still working on it but I will not give a definite date for initial shipments.

E-Commerce Web Site: Connect systems now has an online store where you can order most of our Amateur Products 24 hours a day. Please look carefully at the product description to see if in stock. The site is at csi-radios.com. It can also be reached from our main site of connectsystems.com"

Truth

As they say, getting older sucks, but it is better than the alternative.

BuyTwoWayRadios: Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Bundle

If you've got more money to spend on a new radio, you might consider the Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Holiday Bundle from BuyTwoWayRadios.com for $199.99:

"What's in the Kit:

• The Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Digital Portable Two Way Radio - This is the first digital radio from Wouxun and operates on 400-470MHz UHF frequencies at uyp to 5 watts. It lets you switch from analog to digital with one press of a button. The D901 is compatible with MOTO TRBO series Tier I and II using standard encryption.
• Two Lithium-ion Battery Packs - The D901 comes standard with a 2000 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery pack, plus a second battery pack for extra uptime.
• Battery Eliminator - Power your KG-D901 radio in your vehicle for mobile DMR operation.
• Wouxun Mobile Style Speaker Microphone - This heavy duty speaker mic with 20" coiled cord lets you operate your radio from your hip or at your dash, just like a mobile.
• Genuine Leather Wouxun Case - Carry your radio with protection while out an about
• Nagoya RB-CLP-S (SMA) Window Mount - Turn your handheld D901 into a full fledged mobile radio! This handy mount lets you place your antenna outside your vehicle while you operate your D901 from inside!
• XLT EB120 (K1) Earbud with PTT Microphone - This comfortable, lightweight earpiece fits in your left or right ear and has an in-line a Push-to-talk (PTT) microphone for quick communication.
• Wouxun USB Programming Cable (PCO-001) - Program your D901 directly from a PC.
• Belt clip
• Battery charger
• AC adapter
• Wouxun USB Driver and Programming Software CD
• Owner's manual"

Baofeng UV-5RA: $19.99

Put one in your trunk. Leave one at work. Put one in your laundry room.

Baofeng UV-5RA for $19.99.

Via reddit