Vero Telecom VR-6600PRO: Adding a Repeater to Memory

Thanks again to BuyTwoWayRadios for the loan of the Vero Telecom (VGC) VR-6600PRO.



A few notes...

At about 55 seconds, I'll point out the you his the "V/M" button to actually store the frequency in memory. I kept wanting to just push the knob or use the "SEL" button.

Right after storing it, the radio reverts to main screen. I wish it would give a confirmation that the frequency was stored.

That lack of confirmation is why I go back and double-check.

Vero Telecom VR-6600PRO: On the Air

I finally got the VR-6600PRO on the air tonight. (Thanks again to BuyTwoWayRadios for the loan!) I programmed in a few repeaters and checked into the 470 net. No problems reported with my TX. I need to listen some more and play around, but I felt like I had to turn the volume up quite a bit to hear the RX.

I got used to moving around the menus and navigating. You can't turn the knob too fast or you'll end up somewhere you didn't mean to be. On the other hand, as Hans mentioned, you can't be to slow or it will kick you back to the main menu. One other suggestion I would have is for there to be positive feedback (like a "memory saved" message) instead of just taking you back to the main menu.

Cyanogen: Windows Android Phone

Meet Cyanogen, The Startup That Wants To Steal Android From Google #forbesmagazine http://t.co/IP4HO0zgIZ via @forbes
— Michael Arrington (@arrington) March 23, 2015

"But, these people say, Microsoft and Cyanogen are close to finalizing a wide-ranging partnership to incorporate several of Microsoft’s mobile services, including Bing, the voice-powered Cortana digital assistant, the OneDrive cloud-storage system, Skype and Outlook, into Cyanogen’s devices."

AnyTone Tech: TERMN-8R Give-away!

AnyTone Tech is giving away a TERMN-8R. Check their Facebook page for details.

Cardio Fitness vs Strength Training

Missing cardio workouts result in faster losses than missing strength workouts. So, if you must, skip the weights, but not your run!

Glock 43

Speaking of guns, it does exist!

Guns and Radios

ARRL ARES E-letter:

Weapons, Safety and Personal ResponsibilityRecently, I've seen questions on carrying weapons on ARES deployments. Here is the statement of Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ, released March 31, 2014 and supersedes any prior communication on the subject. 

"Anyone seeking permission to carry weapons during an ARES deployment is to be advised that the ARRL cannot give such permission. Neither does the ARRL prohibit legal weapons, but the ARRL accepts no responsibility or liability for injury or damages to anyone as the result of possession of a weapon by an ARES volunteer. The responsibility or liability for injury or damages to anyone as a result of an individual's possession of a weapon remains with the individual. ARES volunteers must obey all federal, state, and local laws while on deployment. When supporting a served agency, ARES volunteers must also adhere to the policies of the served agency. The ARRL does not expect volunteers to participate in a dangerous activity or to place themselves in what they perceive to be a dangerous or unsafe environment. Volunteers should avoid or cease participating in any ARRL activity or deployment under circumstances which make them uncomfortable."

Via AR-15.com

Vibroplex acquires Bencher

I'm not a CW guy, but I read this post about Vibroplex acquiring Bencher and discovered that Vibroplex was located in Knoxville. I had no idea. Ten-Tec, that I posted about earlier today, is just down the road a piece and Vibroplex is basically in my backyard. Small world.

Ten-Tec Changes

They've got a new home and a new website:

"Change is in the air. As you can see, we have a new, updated website. We have also made staffing changes recently that were necessary to align our strengths with the talents in Colorado and TN. As always we will continue to design, service and support our high performance, Made in the USA products. The changes will allow us to continue to give world class support on both transceivers and receivers in Tennessee and amplifiers in Colorado. 

We are finally caught up filling our back orders from our extremely successful summer sale. We currently have inventory on most radios and amplifiers, and are excited to be able to ship in a timely manner. 

73,
Ken Long N0QO
President and CEO
RF Concepts"

Vero Telecom VR-6600PRO: Unboxing

Danny of BuyTwoWayRadios.com walks through an unboxing of the Vero Telecom (VGC) VR-6600PRO. It looks like he did the video and then put the radio in the mail to me.