Friday, July 12, 2013
Baofeng UV-82: CHIRP Support
John (K3NXU - http://www.miklor.com and http://www.miklor.com/UV82) let us know that the UV-82 now has CHIRP support. I don't see it in the list, but I suspect it is in the latest builds.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Tactical Helmets
Since I have an account at at AliExpress, I get e-mails with suggestions of things I might also like. For example, this tactical helmet ($41) for operators operating in operations on a tight budget.
Baofeng UV-5R: TDXOne
Nate has been surfing around the interwebs again and is having some fun with YABUV5RC (Yet Another Boafeng UV-5R Clone).
The BaofengGate Conspiracy
From all the Baofeng UV-5R clones we've seen in the past two+ years, this gets the prize for being the most "original".
It all started after I've spotted a seller named "A-plugs" or "A-Plus" selling this radio in their virtual AliExpress store 913499:
Firstly, they have an original name: TDXone
They have changed as much as they could:
- Volume knob.
- Antenna connector (and a different looking antenna).
- Speaker 'grill'
- Location and shape of the RX/TX LED
- The side buttons are both under the PTT, and are both black.
- Shape and location of the VFO/MR and the A/B buttons.
- The belt clip.
- And the charger looks different too.
The specs shows it to be the version where you can either have a standard 144/440 MHz radio or a 220/440 MHz radio. (See the note here regarding versions.)
Now changing labels and plastic is a very Chinese like thing to do, but changing the antenna connector? This is very suspicious.
Then I found the culprit: From the state of Ohio: Universal Radio Inc - apparently, this just appeared about two weeks ago on their website: TDXONE TD-Q8 HT.
This radio is also sold on eBay, but get this, only by Americans. Two sellers, one a company called Lentini Communications, Inc from Berlin, Connecticut, and the other is also from Ohio, that not only claims to beat "Universal" in price, but that the radio is graded IP65.
There you go, the BaofengGate conspiracy is solved.
(And I waited so long to post this, Nate kept digging. - Brick)
The BaofengGate Conspiracy Part II
Some more information about the 'conspiracy':
The domain: tdxone.com belongs to Universal Radio Inc.
I believe the eBay seller from Adamsville, OH, is Walter KD8HWG.
The radio appeared several month ago, maybe around April.
There is a weird claim that keeps repeating itself about this clone:
128+128 Memories, what is that about?
TDXone logo:
Software Download
Specs
This frequency range post here is interesting. Universal talks about the frequency range, but fails to mention that there is a 220 version. The 220/440 versions cover 219-225 MHz, The good people of Universal, left the specs as 245-246 MHz which is really only interesting to you if you want to use it in Thailand.
And looking at the TDXONE TD-Q8 Controls:
- Is "#" the confirm button? For UV5Rs, you press the MENU button again to confirm an action.
- On the bottom left: Scan? What happened to the Monitor function?
After examining the users manual (keep reading), I found out that the graphics was misleading, MENU still confirms changes, and the monitor function still exists.
Menu comparison chart is here.
Yet another American company has it: Radio Inc
Users Manual is here (PDF).
Anderson Communications from Australia also has it. His version is TD-Q8AH with a "super high capacity battery".
From the manual I've learned that the menus are slightly different, and you can change the functionality of one of the side buttons, edit channel names, and the ANI.
They also added PL/DCS scanning.
(And I still didn't get it posted, so he dug some more... - Brick)
The BaofengGate Conspiracy Part III
Also aaRadio.com has it too...
But they call it Tongdaxin TDX1 Q8.
Which brings a whole slew of more information:
TDXChina.com carries the name Tongdaxin.
Their website, shows that this radio is actually 3 sub models:
TDX-Q8(CH)
TDX-Q8(BH)
TDX-Q8(AH)
And there is the TDX-Q8-silver which has the same case as the TDX-Q8(BH); they might be the same radio.
A clone that looks like a simply relabeled UV5Rs: TD-Q6
A clone with an interesting keypad layout: TDX-Q7
(After all that, all I have to add is I think the picture at the beginning of the post makes this the perfect HT for a Cylon - 70's version. - Brick)
The BaofengGate Conspiracy
From all the Baofeng UV-5R clones we've seen in the past two+ years, this gets the prize for being the most "original".
It all started after I've spotted a seller named "A-plugs" or "A-Plus" selling this radio in their virtual AliExpress store 913499:
They have changed as much as they could:
- Volume knob.
- Antenna connector (and a different looking antenna).
- Speaker 'grill'
- Location and shape of the RX/TX LED
- The side buttons are both under the PTT, and are both black.
- Shape and location of the VFO/MR and the A/B buttons.
- The belt clip.
- And the charger looks different too.
The specs shows it to be the version where you can either have a standard 144/440 MHz radio or a 220/440 MHz radio. (See the note here regarding versions.)
Now changing labels and plastic is a very Chinese like thing to do, but changing the antenna connector? This is very suspicious.
Then I found the culprit: From the state of Ohio: Universal Radio Inc - apparently, this just appeared about two weeks ago on their website: TDXONE TD-Q8 HT.
This radio is also sold on eBay, but get this, only by Americans. Two sellers, one a company called Lentini Communications, Inc from Berlin, Connecticut, and the other is also from Ohio, that not only claims to beat "Universal" in price, but that the radio is graded IP65.
There you go, the BaofengGate conspiracy is solved.
(And I waited so long to post this, Nate kept digging. - Brick)
The BaofengGate Conspiracy Part II
Some more information about the 'conspiracy':
The domain: tdxone.com belongs to Universal Radio Inc.
I believe the eBay seller from Adamsville, OH, is Walter KD8HWG.
The radio appeared several month ago, maybe around April.
There is a weird claim that keeps repeating itself about this clone:
128+128 Memories, what is that about?
TDXone logo:
Software Download
Specs
This frequency range post here is interesting. Universal talks about the frequency range, but fails to mention that there is a 220 version. The 220/440 versions cover 219-225 MHz, The good people of Universal, left the specs as 245-246 MHz which is really only interesting to you if you want to use it in Thailand.
And looking at the TDXONE TD-Q8 Controls:
- Is "#" the confirm button? For UV5Rs, you press the MENU button again to confirm an action.
- On the bottom left: Scan? What happened to the Monitor function?
After examining the users manual (keep reading), I found out that the graphics was misleading, MENU still confirms changes, and the monitor function still exists.
Menu comparison chart is here.
Yet another American company has it: Radio Inc
Users Manual is here (PDF).
Anderson Communications from Australia also has it. His version is TD-Q8AH with a "super high capacity battery".
From the manual I've learned that the menus are slightly different, and you can change the functionality of one of the side buttons, edit channel names, and the ANI.
They also added PL/DCS scanning.
(And I still didn't get it posted, so he dug some more... - Brick)
Also aaRadio.com has it too...
But they call it Tongdaxin TDX1 Q8.
Which brings a whole slew of more information:
TDXChina.com carries the name Tongdaxin.
Their website, shows that this radio is actually 3 sub models:
TDX-Q8(CH)
TDX-Q8(BH)
TDX-Q8(AH)
And there is the TDX-Q8-silver which has the same case as the TDX-Q8(BH); they might be the same radio.
A clone that looks like a simply relabeled UV5Rs: TD-Q6
A clone with an interesting keypad layout: TDX-Q7
And something that looks new and probably not on market: TDX-Q10
Of-course you have a bunch of the usual commercial radios.
Of-course you have a bunch of the usual commercial radios.
Wednesday, July 10, 2013
Antenna Recommendation
Despite the tremendous price increase over the earlier recommendation, Hans likes what I am calling the $4.98 antenna.
He says:
He says:
"These antennas now replace about most others here. In some cases they don’t improve performance (Wouxun and Quansheng stock antennas are fine), but this antenna is sturdier than most. Please note that this antenna is only available with an SMA-F connector."
Stay QRO My Friend!
|
Tue, Jul 09 10:19:06 from Photos on iOS
retweeted by 73s |
Name: Ulis K3LU
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Location: Anne Arundel Co., Maryland USA
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Web:
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Bio: All Things Radio (amateur radio & broadcast), Global News, Politics, History and Geography. Seeker of truth. ¡Liberty-Libertad-Liberté-Liberdade!
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Following: 701 Followers: 344 Updates: 766
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Radio Disassembly Tool
Mike got a new radio and I've offered to help him test it. For fine, detailed work like taking apart radios, you need the right tool. Not available at the 409Shop yet.
Monday, July 8, 2013
Quansheng TG-K4AT (UV)
Nate has been following up on the Quansheng TG-K4ATUV that he first talked about here. (Following is Nate's research with some edits from me - so assume any mistakes are mine.)
This is a radio I've sent you the link for, a long time ago, but there wasn't much discussion about it. Now there is a short video:
And a 26 minute full un-boxing, comparison and demo video in Russian:
Can't speak Russian, but minor things like language barriers didn't stop me before:
Highlights:
- Seems like he is happy with the quality of the plastic.
- The battery label reads: 7.4V 2000mV
- The radio is slightly larger than the Baofang UV-5R (slightly taller and wider, roughly the same thickness), including the display, which will be easier to handle for all those who say that the UV-5R was too small. I think the display is clearer/easier to read too (nice side by side picture at 07:50).
* Note that in the video he is also comparing the radio to the TG-K4A - a mono-band radio that, ahmm, 'resembles' the Yaesu FT-50.
- The charger he got (European plug) had the AC plug going directly to the charger's base (no wall wart like the UV-5R).
- The charger has an indentation at the bottom that enables you to charge the battery without the radio (very useful if you use multiple batteries).
- He is talking about the layout of the keypad which is 0 at the button, "like in a telephone'.
- The rubber that protects the accessories jacks has a hinge, it doesn't hang on a band like the one in the UV-5R.
- All in all the quality of the build seems very similar.
- Has both 2.5KHz and 6.25KHz steps.
- Keypad operation is the same as the Baofeng UV-5R.
- A/B operation, if I understand correctly, if you started in A, and a signal made the radio go to B, it will eventually go back to A after 3 seconds of inactivity (I think the A/B on the UV-5R stays where the last signal came from).
- The flash light LED can light up as usual, but it can also be in flashing mode (like the UV-82).
This is a radio I've sent you the link for, a long time ago, but there wasn't much discussion about it. Now there is a short video:
And a 26 minute full un-boxing, comparison and demo video in Russian:
Can't speak Russian, but minor things like language barriers didn't stop me before:
Highlights:
- Seems like he is happy with the quality of the plastic.
- The battery label reads: 7.4V 2000mV
- The radio is slightly larger than the Baofang UV-5R (slightly taller and wider, roughly the same thickness), including the display, which will be easier to handle for all those who say that the UV-5R was too small. I think the display is clearer/easier to read too (nice side by side picture at 07:50).
* Note that in the video he is also comparing the radio to the TG-K4A - a mono-band radio that, ahmm, 'resembles' the Yaesu FT-50.
- The charger he got (European plug) had the AC plug going directly to the charger's base (no wall wart like the UV-5R).
- The charger has an indentation at the bottom that enables you to charge the battery without the radio (very useful if you use multiple batteries).
- He is talking about the layout of the keypad which is 0 at the button, "like in a telephone'.
- The rubber that protects the accessories jacks has a hinge, it doesn't hang on a band like the one in the UV-5R.
- All in all the quality of the build seems very similar.
- Has both 2.5KHz and 6.25KHz steps.
- Keypad operation is the same as the Baofeng UV-5R.
- A/B operation, if I understand correctly, if you started in A, and a signal made the radio go to B, it will eventually go back to A after 3 seconds of inactivity (I think the A/B on the UV-5R stays where the last signal came from).
- The flash light LED can light up as usual, but it can also be in flashing mode (like the UV-82).
Baofeng UV-82 and UV-5R: Fight!
John (K3NXU) and Hans (PD0AC) both take a look at the UV-82 and the inevitable comparisons to the UV-5R are made.
Hans starts off with this:
"If you hate lengthy reviews: this is mainly a Baofeng UV-5R in disguise. If this is all you wanted to know you can leave now."There is a lot more detail, so check it out.
"So what is your current favorite Baofeng if you were buying new without owning anything? What is your current favorite Chinese HT overall?"
"For ham radio use the UV-B5 / UV-B6. While boring in appearance and lacking fancy options, these radios deliver. When price is less important, Wouxun is still the way to go (or maybe the Quansheng TG-UV2 if you don’t need DTMF)."So, I still feel that the UV-B5/UV-B6 continues to fly under the radar. That's despite the love it has been getting on the AR-15 site. BTW - that thread alone has created about 30 new licensed hams.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Leixen N8 Frequency Counter
Eileen of Leixen asked me if I was interested in the their N8 Frequency Counter. The specs and details are below - including a video demonstrating its use. I see a lot about Chinese radios, but I don't see much about tools like this. Is anyone using anything like this?
[ UPDATE ] I should have included the link to buy ($25 plus shipping) at AliExpress.
Description
N8 handheld frequency counter using dot-matrix LCD, it mainly used to measure the frequency, CTCSS and DCS of radio.
The counter adopts the inductive measurement without the use of feeders, which make the measurement convenient and quick.
The counter can also used as a torch for it has a bright LED lamp.
Specs
Measure range: Frequency 1MHz ~ 1000MHz, all CTCSS, all DCS.
Operating Current: 46mA current measurement
Torch current: 20mA
Battery: 3 1.5V AAA alkaline batteries
Auto power off: 60 seconds
[ UPDATE ] I should have included the link to buy ($25 plus shipping) at AliExpress.
Description
N8 handheld frequency counter using dot-matrix LCD, it mainly used to measure the frequency, CTCSS and DCS of radio.
The counter adopts the inductive measurement without the use of feeders, which make the measurement convenient and quick.
The counter can also used as a torch for it has a bright LED lamp.
Specs
Measure range: Frequency 1MHz ~ 1000MHz, all CTCSS, all DCS.
Operating Current: 46mA current measurement
Torch current: 20mA
Battery: 3 1.5V AAA alkaline batteries
Auto power off: 60 seconds
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