FIRST LOOK: Aquário RP-70 CB Radio

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

Dave's back with an exclusive look at the new Aquario RP70 AM/FM/SSB radio!

It's the biggest CB Radio event of the year!

Video:YouTube/Fred in the Shed

CB Radio Anniversary - 44 Years of Legal UK CB

 

It's nearly that time of year again when stations all across the UK and beyond take to the air to celebrate the anniversary of the legalisation of CB radio in the UK.

Sunday 2nd November 2025 - All day with the main event starting at 19:00 hours (UK Time)

CHANNEL 27 UKFM - 27.86125MHz (Please QSY if the frequency is busy in your area)

This popular event has been taking place for almost 20 years and is a great opportunity to make new friends and encourage more activity on the CB radio, so get on the air and give a shout!

NEW Range of Anytone Radios!!!!

 

Anytone AT-5100 AM/FM/SSB

Anytone AT-5000 AM/FM/SSB

Anytone APOLLO III AM/FM

Anytone AT-709 AM/FM

Anytone AT800G AM/FM

Anytone AT-808 AM/FM

NEW Anytone AT-5000 AM/FM/SSB Radio

 

A new all mode radio in the shape of the Anytone AT-5000

Frequency: 24.715~30.105MHz

• AM/FM/USB/LSB/CW/PA mode

• AM: PEP 30W, FM 25W, SSB 25W

• Advanced Menu functions

• Weather / FM Scanner 136-174MHz

• NRC and NPC Function

• Classic RX RSSI S-Meter

• CTCSS/DCS & Repeater Shift

• SQ, ASQ Function

• PC Programmable

• NB/ANL and VOX Functions

M8 and M9 Callsigns.... What's Going On?

 

Back in 2023, Ofcom proposed that intermediate Amateur Radio licence callsigns would cease using the 2E0/2E1 prefix. The original plan was to make this change by the end of 2024. 

They said:

• Ofcom to cease issuing 2x Intermediate calls – to be replaced with M8 and M9
• Existing Intermediates will be encouraged (but not forced) to move to M8 / M9 callsigns

However, Ofcom later announced that the plans had been delayed and should happen by June 2025.

Well, here was are in October 2025, but the changes are still waiting to be implemented, so I emailed Ofcom to see if there was any update. This was the response:

Dear Delboy,

Thank you for contacting Ofcom. 

In reply to your email, our policy team are looking to release some communication about this in Q3 2025.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact the Spectrum Licensing Team on 020 7981 3131 or via email at spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk.

Kind regards,

:: Andrew

Licensing Associate

Spectrum Group

Spectrum.licensing@ofcom.org.uk

 

So it would appear that we should be hearing from Ofcom very soon as Q3 - 2025 has actually just passed! (We are now in Q4 - 2025)

I wonder who will be the first to get a shiny new M8/M9 callsign?

Sirio Starduster M-400 CB Radio Antenna Review

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

Dave takes a look at the classic Starduster M-400 Cb Radio antenna.... 

HemGeek 6699 - The Gory Details!

 

After weeks of anticipation, the new HamGeek 6699 arrived here this week. On paper it looks interesting with transmit covering 21 - 30Mhz and a full HF receive 1 - 30Mhz. It's an all mode, multi-band radio with around 25 watts of power out the back, a colour screen, front facing speaker and a fully loaded microphone with keypad and other functions. The price is good too, so what's not to like?

Well, here we go.....

This is what I found on my radio and the comments reflect how I feel about the radio (These issues may or may not be present on other peoples radios):

Poor quality microphone - It feels very light and cheap, I don't think it will last very long

Bracket screws - Two out of the four wouldn't go in, holes not drilled properly perhaps?

Menu Button does not work... And yes I tried it in Channel Mode and VFO Mode, it did not work in either mode so no way of getting into the menu

S-Meter - Works ok on FM but often doesn't work at all on AM/SSB and when it does work on these modes it only shows a very low signal.  

Hi/Med/Low Power - This made very little difference, the power meter on the screen never shows more than a couple of watts no matter what level the radio was on. Current drain from the power supply only increased very slightly going from Low to High.

Receive Audio - The audio was actually quite good, signals sounded crisp and clear, however I need to have my radio on FULL volume, anything less and I could not hear what people were saying, and that was operating in a quiet room at home. There would be no chance of using this in a moving vehicle.  

Squelch - Only works on FM and I need mine almost fully up just to stop the background noise

Fan - The fan was quite noisy, not terrible, but certainly too loud for easy listening. 

Scan Function - Did not work in channel or VFO mode

Missing Features - No RF Gain, No Clarifier, No branding or serial number, No external speaker jack (although there is a hole on the back)

Condition - The radio has several scratches and marks on the case which has me wondering if this radio was actually brand new or maybe it had already been used and returned? 

A look around the radio:

    Front

    Back

    Top

    Bottom

    Look! - A place for a SIM Card, but there's nothing inside

    And a USB connector.... But once again, there's nothing inside

So definitely could do better, maybe after some time they will iron out all of these issues and a decent radio may appear, but for now it's a big THUMBS DOWN from me!

NEW - Midland 8001 Pro SSB CB Radio

Midland 8001 Pro SSB CB Radio

Functions:

• Large 4.25-inch color display

• Create private channels (CTCSS/DCS tones)

• Dual noise filter with DSP and AI (Artificial Intelligence) for RX/TX

• VOX adjustable in 9 steps

• ECHO function can be set in 6 steps

• HI-CUT filter in 6 steps

• Backlight adjustable in 10 steps

• Customizable Roger beep

• Button tones with adjustable volume

• Emergency channel 9/19

• Keylock

• 7 selectable display colors

• Channel scan function

• Skip channel during scan

• Dual Watch (DW), monitor two channels simultaneously

• Turn the display on/off

• Customizable TOT (Time-Out Timer) from 30 to 600 seconds

• Clarify function

• Microphone with UP/DOWN/LOCK ASQ (automatic noise block) buttons

• Automatic noise barrier, adjustable in 9 levels

• Battery level indicator; TOT countdown; SWR level

• Visual over/under voltage warning

• SWR protection activation – customizable protection threshold

• Monitor function with adjustable pre-listening volume

• Microphone sensitivity adjustment for AM, USB, LSB, FM

 

Specifications:

CB Frequency Range: 26.565 MHz to 27.99125 FM / 26.965 to 27.405 MHz AM

Output power: 4 watts AM/FM, 12 watts SSB

Power supply: 12V

Speakers: 3 watts (8 ohms)

Antenna connection: UHF, SO239

Dimensions (LxWxH): 175x135x55mm

Weight: 1.2kg

HamGeek 6699 - Oh Dear, Oh Dear!!!!

 

So the HamGeek 6699 turned up today and the news is not good!

Multiple issues with the radio, so for now I'd suggest keeping your cash in your wallet!

Full story coming soon!