30 March 2014


UK VHF CB - Where Could it Go?

(Click for bigger)

So looking at the chart:

We could fit in up to 20 channels (12.5Khz spacing) between 147.0 and 147.3Mhz or the same somewhere between 147.5 and 148Mhz or 152.0 and 155Mhz or 155.5 and 155.8Mhz ot 168.3 and 168.8Mhz!

Thoughts? 

Please make your views known to OFCOM: CLICK HERE

Something like this perhaps?


Or


CB27.com Joins The Fight:





They would like to see a European VHF CB System introduced!


(Click images to enlarge)

Check Out The M0DAD Radio Website!
 
 
 

Anytone AT-6666 - First impressions 30 Mar 2014





Another quick look at the Anytone AT6666

Anytone AT-6666 In CQ WW WPX SSB Contest


 
 
My opinion: The Anytone AT6666 has a very similar board to the Lincoln 2 and from what I've seen so far it appears to have similar issues with the SSB receive. The SSB audio is not terribly clear and sounds overloaded just as we've seen in the Lincoln 2.
 
Expect the inevitable VERSION 2 of this radio!
 

29 March 2014

Nevada Selling Lincoln 2 - Version 2!
 
 
It looks like Nevada are the first UK dealer to be selling the modified VERSION 2 Lincoln 2's!
 
Apparently the V2 sorts out the dancing s-meter and poor SSB receive problems!
 
 
 
Just to clarify, these are Version 1 radios which have been modified to fix some of the issues in the original production. Proper Version 2 radios will come in the future!
 
 
 

The Anytone AT-6666 On Air and Power Output Tests


27 March 2014

 
QSO-UK Forum Alive And Kicking!
 
 
Just a reminder that the QSOUK radio forum is still alive and kicking. They went missing a while back but are up and running once again!
 

25 March 2014

The M0OGY Review Of The Anytone AT-6666 10 Meter Radio



Dave does it again, the first UK review of the NEW Anytone AT6666!

VHF CB Radio Coming to The UK?


Release of spectrum 143-169Mhz could mean a new VHF CB/Freenet system in the UK?????
Posted on the OFCOM website:

Responses to the Call for Input and Consultation on next steps of the release of spectrum within the frequency ranges 143 MHz to 169 MHz

 Summary

 1.1 This document provides a summary of responses to an earlier Call for Input (CFI) regarding the release of VHF spectrum and, taking these responses into account, sets out proposals on how we would plan and release around 6 MHz of spectrum in the 143 to 169 MHz band, returned to civil use by the Emergency Services.

 1.2 This consultation follows on from the CFI we published in July 2012(-1-) regarding potential uses of spectrum in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 143 and 156 MHz. Given that it is highly unusual for VHF spectrum to become available in such large amounts, especially in significant blocks of contiguous bandwidth of up to 1 MHz, we decided to publish a CFI to seek stakeholder views on potential uses for this spectrum. The CFI closed on 12th October 2012 and we received 29 responses, six of which were marked as confidential. The responses to the CFI identified a number of potential uses that the spectrum could be put to and these included:
Existing Business Radio products on a licensed basis to allow industry sectors such as transport and utilities to maintain and improve their communications systems, for example to deploy wide area trunked networks;

A requirement to facilitate Amateur Radio development applications such as digital Amateur TV and satellite;

Spectrum for maritime and safety of life applications;

Spectrum for a ‘LTE’ type application / service;

An allocation for Citizens’ Band Radio; and

Higher power licence exempt use.


I urge everyone to submit their comments to OFCOM. If we can show there is enough interest they may allocate some frequencies for VHF CB Radio. I have sent my response today suggesting a VHF CB system with Base/Handhelds with a power output of 1 or 2 watts/small vertical base antennas. (That's all we need trust me).

24 March 2014

President Grant 2 to get an update!

Looks like the President Grant 2 will get an updated firmware to support the new UK AM/SSB allocations.

At present the radio has the UK allocation as 80 channels FM ONLY and you need to switch between country codes to get the AM/SSB allocation. However new versions of the radio will have an updated firmware to allocate 40UKFM + 40EU Multimode as one selection on the radio.

This image is from the latest users manual on the President website:

(Click for bigger)

UPDATE: Extension to the 2M band here in the UK

Posted on the OFCOM website today:

Responses to the Call for Input and Consultation on next steps of the release of spectrum within the frequency ranges 143 MHz to 169 MHz

Summary

 1.1 This document provides a summary of responses to an earlier Call for Input (CFI) regarding the release of VHF spectrum and, taking these responses into account, sets out proposals on how we would plan and release around 6 MHz of spectrum in the 143 to 169 MHz band, returned to civil use by the Emergency Services.

 1.2 This consultation follows on from the CFI we published in July 2012(-1-) regarding potential uses of spectrum in England, Wales and Northern Ireland between 143 and 156 MHz. Given that it is highly unusual for VHF spectrum to become available in such large amounts, especially in significant blocks of contiguous bandwidth of up to 1 MHz, we decided to publish a CFI to seek stakeholder views on potential uses for this spectrum. The CFI closed on 12th October 2012 and we received 29 responses, six of which were marked as confidential. The responses to the CFI identified a number of potential uses that the spectrum could be put to and these included:

Existing Business Radio products on a licensed basis to allow industry sectors such as transport and utilities to maintain and improve their communications systems, for example to deploy wide area trunked networks;

A requirement to facilitate Amateur Radio development applications such as digital Amateur TV and satellite;

Spectrum for maritime and safety of life applications;

Spectrum for a ‘LTE’ type application / service;

An allocation for Citizens’ Band Radio; and

Higher power licence exempt use.

 1.3 Since the CFI, spectrum between 143 MHz and 156 MHz in Scotland has also been returned by the Emergency Services, as has around 0.5 MHz of UK wide spectrum in the range 168 MHz and 169 MHz. The proposals in this consultation also encompass this recently release spectrum.

 1.4 Based on the responses received to the CFI we are proposing to:
Make the spectrum in this range available on a first-come-first-served basis through our current Business Radio licence products. This would be in line with the use of this spectrum in Europe and consistent with the European Electronic Communication Committee (ECC Decision (06) 06)(-2-) which recommends the use of this band for PMR.
Employ an assignment approach that makes new channels available to business radio through a graduated approach in response to spectrum management needs. Our intention is to maintain maximum flexibility for the band should new types of demand emerge in the future.
Allocate 0.4 MHz of spectrum on an exclusive basis to Maritime and Land Search and Rescue to meet the demand of new search and rescue technologies and to ensure safety of life channels have adequate protection from adjacent channel users in this band; and
Make spectrum that is not currently being used for Business Radio in this range available on a temporary basis for Amateur Radio and Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE).

 1.5 Whilst it is anticipated that narrowband PMR use will continue, there is also the possibility of radio use for applications / technologies that have not been present in these areas of spectrum previously. A number of responses to the CFI identified emerging requirements for broader-band applications, particularly among the utilities sector for telemetry, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and possible ‘LTE’ type applications.

 1.6 We believe that these bands in the longer term may offer particular opportunities for new types of use that are not readily accommodated by our licensing arrangement. The approach we have outlined in this document acknowledges that new demand may emerge and our proposed assignment approach is specifically designed to preserve future flexibility. If demand for wideband access or other technologies (such as M2M or ‘LTE’ type services) emerges we may decide to review our assignment approach and may also consult on alternative allocation models, including an award of available spectrum.

 1.7 As demand for both operational and potential future services in the short to medium term is likely to be low we are also proposing to permit temporary access to 1 MHz of this spectrum (146 to 147 MHz) for Amateur Radio use, until such a time as it is needed by Business Radio or other services. Should additional spectrum be needed to meet operational requirements, we will remove the temporary allocation. Amateur Radio use of this frequency will be on a non-protection/ non-interference basis and will be subject to some geographical restrictions to ensure that there is no interference to neighbouring countries. We propose that the authorisation will be implemented by an individual Notice of Variation (NoV) to the Amateur Radio licence.

 1.8 It is also our preferred policy to grant temporary access to this spectrum for Programme Making and Special Events (PMSE). This is already the case with Business Radio spectrum and we will also continue to apply this policy to these spectrum bands.

 1.9 We welcome stakeholder feedback to this consultation document. The deadline to submit responses to us is 5 pm on 26th May 2014. We expect to release a Statement on this consultation later this year having taken into account stakeholder responses to our proposals.

The full document is available below

Footnotes:
 1.-http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/consultations/call-for-input/summary/condoc.pdf
 2.-http://www.erodocdb.dk/Docs/doc98/official/pdf/ECCDEC0606.PDF

22 March 2014

President Lincoln 2 Repair Department Unveiled!
 
 
(Click for Bigger)
 
The TX Factor!
 
The UK's only dedicated Amateur Radio show!
 
Episode 1

 
 
Episode 2
 
 

2 Meter Band Gets Extension?
 


This has been posted on the Southgate Amateur Radio Website:


(Click To Enlarge)

Slide from presentation:


(Click To Enlarge)
Dave, M0OGY, Gets New Position!
 
Dave, M0OGY, who has been Chairman/Vice Chairman of the Brigg and District Amateur Radio Club, for three years has now taken up a new role in the organisation.
 
He is now, Citizen’s Band Officer (Including SWL and 446).
 
Well Done Dave!!!! - I'm sure you'll do all radio operators proud in your new role at the club!
 
Further details can be found here: http://www.bdarc.co.uk/




20 March 2014

Anytone AT5555 V6 ONLY £129.95


Nevada are now selling the AT5555 for only £129.95


http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/amateur-radio/transceivers/mobile-transceivers/anytone-at-5555


Could this be to clear old stock in preparation for the new AT6666?




Anytone AT6666 - CB radio version????

This photo has appeared on the TEAM Electronics website and appears to show the AT6666 on 27MHz


Does that mean a CB Radio version of the radio is on its way? Or does it simply show that the radio can be expanded to cover CB frequencies?????

I guess time will tell!


Original Image: CLICK HERE

19 March 2014

NEVADA Now Say 2 WEEKS For The New Anytone AT6666!
 
 
 
Nevada say they will have a very limited number of the new radio in stock in 2 weeks time!

16 March 2014

Budget AM/FM CB Radio - Luiton LT-318
 
 


12 March 2014

How do you solve a problem like Lincoln 2?

Simon The Wizard is now reporting that president have issued a modification sheet to solve the problems:

http://simonthewizard.com/2014/03/12/president-lincoln-ii-the-updates/

Apparently you need to return the radio to your dealer who will in turn either do the modification or get president to do the modification on your behalf!

Modification sheet (PDF): CLICK HERE

3 March 2014

President Acknowledge Lincoln 2 Problems!
 
Simon the Wizard is reporting that President are aware of and are working on a solution to the issues surrounding the problematic Lincoln 2!
 
 


1 March 2014