Baofeng Tech: GMRS-V1

When you don't blog for a couple of weeks, you get really behind... Baofeng Tech announced the GMRS-V1 on October 13. The GMRS-V1 is FCC certified (Part 95A) for use on GMRS frequencies. The GMRS-V1 is also FCC certified for VHF/UHF scanning capabilities (Part 15B):

15 Modifiable GMRS Two-Way Channels (Channels 0-14) - Receive and Transmit
8 Modifiable GMRS Repeater Channels (Channels 15-22) - Receive and Transmit
105 Programmable Scanner Channels (Channels 23-127) - Receive Only
FM Radio
Flashlight
50 CTCSS Privacy Tones
346 DCS Digital Privacy Tones
NOAA Weather Radio Compatible
Tri-Color Adjustable Backlight

You can order the GMRS-V1 from Amazon for $54.99.

Programming can be done via CHIRP.

It's not the same, but it reminds me of the AnyTone Tech multi-service radios. Since it is only GMRS plus scanning, the certification process should have been much less contentious.

Boafeng Tech: Comparison Chart

Baofeng Tech has updated the comparison chart of all their radios. It's great summary of their options.

Posting

I'd be posting except I'm spending all my time dealing with this Microsoft bug. I'm a) an e-mail hoarder and b) an old school "uses folders to organize everything" curmudgeon*, so this is a huge pain. Sometimes dragging works. Sometimes hitting "Escape" works. Sometimes I right-click and "Move." Other times, I cut and paste.

Fixed in December. Bah, thanks for nothing Microsoft.

* If the Outlook client search was better, I might get away from my folders. It's no gmail when it comes to search for sure.

Beach Front Property

And I've got some beach front property I'd like to sell you...

Technically, Knoxville is considered an international port because you can navigate
waterways all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. #Knox225

— Mayor Rogero (@MayorRogero) October 3, 2016

FEIDA FE-M1: Mini HT with LCD

In addition to the Feida FE-768, there is the FE-M1 which includes a LCD display. 409Shop again wants us to play "guess the frequencies."

Go Vols

I know most people don't follow this blog to learn about my football interests, but this tweet was too good to resist. (It means more if you know the Vols had lost the last 11 games to Florida and were down 3-21 at the half.)

This is literally me watching Tennessee beat Florida pic.twitter.com/uODkFx2AHp

— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) September 29, 2016

FEIDA M2 FE-768: Mini HT

I assume the Feida FE-768 ($25.50) is the tiny HT that the 409Shop teased on Twitter a while back. It looks like an iPhone charger in the second picture. It would be nice if they actually listed the frequencies it used - because they aren't listed as of this post.

Baofeng DM-5R: Tier II Upgrade Option

After being given some choices by Radioddity, Peter chose to get the Tier II version of the DM-5R:

"Dear Customer,

Thank you for your reply. We'll then transfer your order to a DM-5R with upgraded software Tier II (no additional price). And we'll ship your radio once we get it in stock (probably in late October). Thank you again for your patience.

If you have other questions, pls feel free to contact support@radioddity.com :)
Sincerely,
Radioddity"

Interesting that they mention "upgraded software."

Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Yuck. The Start Menu is a step backwards. I kept all my files handy via the recently used and pinned (by app) lists. They've made that much uglier.

I had horrible performance post install for quite a while - the disk was thrashing. I suspect some indexing or updates were still happening. It finally went back to normal.

It's jacked up the colors I'd set on the personalization scheme - in particular on the lock screen.

Outlook is doing weird things after the update as well. It won't let me click and drag messages to folders. (A work-around for this is to press the Escape key and then you can move the message.) It keeps resetting the view as well.

At this point, I see no reason to actually apply the updates to my other machines. Hopefully some of this will get sorted out in the coming days before they force the update on me.

Baofeng DM-5R: Radioddity Pre-Orders E-mail

I get e-mail notifications of comments and one hit my inbox regarding the DM-5R. The actual comment didn't get published - I don't know if the commenter decided to delete it or what. The comment included the text from a Radioddity e-mail regarding DM-5R pre-orders. Can anyone that ordered a DM-5R confirm they got this?

"Dear Customer,

We have an update for you on the status of the BaoFeng DM-5R. 

Your DM-5R is ready to be shipped. We are confident you will enjoy the crisp, clear sound of the DM-5R. The DM-5R comes out of the box supporting only MOTOTRBO Tier I. 

Thanks to the help of our Radioddity Review Team, we have found a bug in the software that makes updating the radio to Tier II inherently risky. If upgraded incorrectly, the user faces the possibility of disabling the radio, which would then need to be sent back to the manufacturer for repair. Radioddity does not suggest that you upgrade your DM-5R to Tier II manually. Manual upgrading should be done only by professionals. 

We are working to fix this. We will re-release the DM-5R in one month’s time with a system update. This re-release will have Tier II standard.  

Here are your options: 

Maintain your order status, receive the DM-5R with the current software in the next 5-10 days. 

Transfer your order to a DM-5R with upgraded software, for no additional price. Receive your radio October 20-30th. 

Cancel your order, receive a full refund. 

We are working to provide detailed documentation to assist in the Tier II upgrading process, to support those who wish to upgrade their DM-5R.

Please respond to this email and let us know which option you would like to take going forward. 

Sincerely,Radioddity"