Boafeng UV-5R: Tests for Common Problems

From Jaap via the UV-5R Yahoo Group:

Off frequency receiver test:
-Tune in to a station with a known transmit frequency
-Note original receiving frequency
-Set the step size to 2.5 khz
-Increase receiving frequency until squelch blocks signal
-Note (upper) frequency
-Decrease receiving frequency until squelch block signal
-Note (lower) frequency
-Add upper and lower frequency and divide by 2
-Compare outcome and original  receiving frequency
-If they are not the same, your radio has the bug

Overheating and blurred display test:
-Set the radio to HIGH power
-Start regular communication 
-The radio might get hot; first noticeable at the top screws at the back of the radio
-The display might get blurred when the radio gets hot

No CTCSS low frequency scanning test:
-Program a channel with a CTCSS decode of a tome below 100hz for a known receiving frequency with this tone encoded
-Start scanning
-When the radio stops at the receiving frequency during reception of an encoded signal, the bug is not there

TYT TH-UV3R: Display and Colors

A quick review on the TYT Yahoo Group... looks like all these Chinese radios are going to be available in colors and I am slightly disappointed it doesn't have the reverse display.

"Noteworthy is the size of the unit is almost identical to the Baofeng UV-3R radios just a little thicker (side by side photos of the Wouxun KG-UVD1, Baofeng UV-5R, TYT and the Baofeng unit). Another photo of the back of the box seems to indicate 4 colors are available. Unlike the brochure photos the display is the standard lcd (not the reverse image as pictured in the ad)."

Game of Thrones + US Politics

If you like Game of Thrones and are paying attention to US Politics, you will laugh. I don't agree with all of them, but "Winter is coming" = climate change is hilarious.

Want

I may just have to go buy an iPad.

arrington I'll probably never buy an actual laptop again. kickstarter.com/projects/55250…Thu, Apr 26 18:16:55 from web

No More Ribbit

Tim, WB4GBI, posted a note about his 900 MHz repeater on his blog. but what caught my eye was this note:

"And on a final note, while at the repeater site, after taking care of a couple of matters for the " Frog," (that's the nickname of the radio station whose tower we share), I was also able to complete some work on the 146.94 repeater which removed the FM broadcast audio from the repeater audio. Now I know some will be disappointed that they can no longer hear the faint country music on 146.94, They can tune to 107.7 and hear it for real."

It is the end of an era.

Cloud Storage

Between Dropbox (3 GB), Microsoft's SkyDrive (25 GB), and Google Drive (5 GB), I've got more cloud storage than I can use at the moment. Whatever you use, be sure to encrypt any sensitive files before you upload them - or don't upload them at all.

BTW - if you've been using SkyDrive, make sure to claim your 25 GB before it drops to 7 GB.

Baofeng UV-5R: Ronson UV-8R

Despite a box that looks like it says 7W in the video and on the 409Shop listing, the specs for the Ronson UV-8R say it is 5W. The HT is $56 USD. Also, I noticed the description calls it a UV-5R as the Item Number.

RONSON UV-8R BLACK 5W Dual Band 136-174/400-480MHZ

VHF/ UHF  DUAL-BAND TWO WAY RADIO

Frequency Range: 136-174 / 400-480MHz

Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display, Dual-Standby
Output Power: 4 /1Watts
128 Channels
50 CTCSS and 104 CDCSS
Built-in VOX Function
1750Hz Brust Tone
FM Radio (65.0MHz-108.0MHz)
LED Flashlight
Large LCD Display
Hight /Low RF Power Switchable
25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable
Emergency Alert
Low Battery Alert
Battery Saver
Time-out Timer
Keypad Lock
Monitor Channel
Channel Step: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25KHz
ROGER SET

■ Dual band, dual display, dual standby
■ A/B band independent operation
■ 128 groups channels storage
■ Shortcut menu operation mode
■ VFO & Memory channels scan
■ Emergency Alarm
■ Tri-color background light selectable
■ 0~9 grades VOX selectable
■ PTT & ANI ID
■ FM radio and 25 stations storage
■ Voice companding
■ 50 CTCSS/104 DCS
■ PC programmable
■ Wide/Narrow Band(25kHz/12.5kHz)
■ Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
■ High/Low TX power selectable
■ Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)

Specifications:
Item number UV-5R
General
Frequency Range 65-108MHz(FM Receive only)
136-174MHZ and 400-480HZ (TX/RX)
Channel No. 128
Frequency Stability ±2.5ppm
Antenna High gain DualBand antenna
Antenna Impedance 50Ω
Operating Voltage DC 7.4V
Mode of operation Simple or semi-duplex
Dimension（W x H x D） 100 x 52 x 32 mm
Weight 250g（including battery, antenna）
Transmitter
Output power 4W / 1W (Max 5W)
Modulation Mode 16kΦF3E / 11kΦF3E
Maximum deviation ＜5kHz(Wide) / ＜2.5kHz(Narrow)
Spurious Radiation ＜7μW
Adjacent Ch. power ≤-65dB(Wide) / ≤-60dB(Narrow)
Pre-emphasis characteristics 6dB
Current ≤1.6A(5W)
CTCSS/DCS deviation 0.5±0.1kHz(Wide) / 0.3±0.1kHz(Narrow)
Intermediation sensitivity 8-12mv
Intermediation distortion ＜10%

Earpiece / mic type : Kenwood Plug type
Antenna : SMA -Female

Via Steve (KF9ZA).

TYT TH-UV3R: 409Shop

I didn't give any details this morning when I posted the video, but Steve (KF9ZA) sent me the link to the 409Shop listing - so info below. 409Shop has the TH-UV3R for $55 USD. (KightRadio is $69.95 USD. I did not see a price on ImportCommunications, but did notice Ed says it will be available in red.)

TH-UV3R
Dual Band Radio 136-174 & 400-470 MHz

1. Dual Band 136-174 & 400-470 MHz
2. FM Broadcast Receive
3. Wide Band / Narrow Band
4. 128 Channels
5. 2.5 Watts High Power -- 0.8 Watts Low Power
6. Full Keypad
7. CTCSS  --  DCS
8. USB Chargable Li-ion Battery
9. 1750 Tone
10. Computer Programmable
11. Alpha Name Tags
12. Dimensions (not inc antenna) 3.62 x 1.89 x 0.94 inches
13. Voice/Beep/OFF

Baofeng UV-5R: Ronson UV-8R

So, we have the Baofeng UV-5R, the Waccom UV-5R, the original TYT TH-F8, and now the Ronson UV-8R that looks like the other radios, but claims to be a7W dual-band HT. I don't see the radio on the 409Shop.com site yet so no price or other details..

TYT TH-UV3R: First Look Video

Do I see a standard USB plug on the side of the TH-UV-3R?