Happy New Year

 

Yaesu FTM-400 and FT-818 DISCONTINUED!

 

Yaesu have announced today that the popular FTM-400 and FT-818 radios are to be discontinued.

The reason.... Apparently Yaesu are having great difficulty sourcing components for these radios.

See video below from John Kruk at Yaesu....

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

FIRST VIDEO: New Anytone Ares II - RX Noise Reduction

Video:YouTube/Scott's Radios

Here we have the very first video of the new Anytone Ares II curtesy of Scott's Radios in the USA

Anytone Ares II @ Scott's Radios

 

Scott's Radios in the USA have just posted the first photo of an actual Anytone Ares II

Switzerland Gets 70MHz 4m Band

 

Good news for lovers of the 4m (70MHz) band, from 1st January 2023 operators in Switzerland will be able to join in with the fun.

However, the following conditions will apply:

Only radio amateurs with HB9 licenses are allowed to use the band.

Frequency range: 70.0000 to 70.0375MHz and 70.1125 to 70.5000MHz.

Transmission is prohibited in the range from 70.0375 to 70.1125MHz.

The maximum power is 25 watts ERP

All common types of modulation are allowed.

Anytone Ares II - Price Revealed???

 

Scott's Radios in the USA have become the first to put a price on the new Anytone Ares II.

With a classic look but all new insides this radio has certainly raised a few eyebrows and it look like the price is going to be $229 which equates to £190 or €216 at current exchange rates. Of course it remains to be seen if the radio will be made available in Europe as no dealers have released details so far. 

Also this price is likely to change and is probably a placeholder price at the moment. 

Link to Scott's Radios: CLICK HERE

 

NEW: Anytone Ares II AM/FM/SSB

 

Another new radio - The Anytone Ares II 

With a classic look but an all new surface mount board inside.

NEW: President Harrison FCC AM/FM

 

    (Mock-Up Image)

Another new radio for the US market, this time it's the President Harrison FCC AM/FM.

Hot the heels of the EU version of the radio (President Harrison II) which is heading to dealers as we speak, the President Harrison FCC will have many of the same features including the obligatory Noise Reduction Circuit.

40 channel 4 watts AM/FM

26.965- 27.405

NRC/NG

Multi Colour Display Backlight

Roger Beep

Key Beep

USB Charging

NB/ANL/Hi-Cut

Emergency Channel

VOX

Talkback

Memory Channels

PA

CTCSS/DCS

Price and availability to be confirmed.

 

Cobra 19MINI2 - New Photos

 

Some new photos of the Cobra 19MINI2 - Coming to the US market next year.

Radio User Magazine - Time To Say Goodbye

December will see the final publication of Radio User magazine here in the UK. The magazine has been running for many years under different guises but the publishers, Warners Group Publications PLC, have decided to merge its content into sister publication Practical Wireless from now on.

A similar thing happened in 2006 when Radio Active magazine and Short Wave magazine merged to become Radio User. 

Magazine publications in general are diminishing due to the large amount of content available online and I must admit that I rarely buy printed media myself these days but there's still something to be said for flicking through the pages of your favourite publication. 

Practical Wireless magazine will continue to be available in printed form (from all good newsagents) and also as a digital download on the Radio Enthusiast website.

LINK: CLICK HERE

Anytone GRACES CB Radio - Inside & Out for the US

 

New from Anytone is the Anytone GRACES (Yes, it's a silly name and you really won't want to tell anyone that you are using one!)

AM/FM, 4 watts, Noise Reduction (RX/TX), all EU Norms (European version) + Export mode, High power available in export mode.

This radio has been known about for quite some time, but the breaking news is that it will be available in the US in due course with it gaining FCC approval. The US version will be 40 channel 26.965 - 27.405MHz.

USERS MANUAL USA - CLICK HERE

Black Friday @ Nevada

 

10% off most items with code BFNEV10

https://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/

NEW: Cobra 19MINI2 AM/FM

 

Another new radio for the US market from Cobra - The Cobra 19MINI2 AM/FM

4 Watts AM/FM

26.965 - 27.405MHz

(Click images to enlarge)

New: Cobra 29LX A/B

 

News from the US with an updated model from Cobra - The Cobra 29LX A/B

The difference between the A and B models appears to be only cosmetic with the A model having a rounded case at the front. 

Radio is 4 watts AM only, 26.965 - 27.405MHz

(Click on images to enlarge)

41 Years of UK CB Radio - Fred In The Shed

Youtube/Fred in the Shed

Another great video from Fred who had over 130 stations in the log during the UK CB Radio Anniversary event on 2nd November! 

Video: President Walker III FCC CB Radio Review

Video:YouTube/390 WagonMaster

Time to take a look at the new President Walker III FCC AM/FM.....

'Fred In The Shed' and 41 Years of Legal UK CB

Video:YouTube/Fred In The Shed

Fred digs out his Grant 2 to prepare for the anniversary of legal CB radio in the UK which takes place on Wednesday 2nd November....

UPDATED! - CRT SS7900V - New Firmware Version with 5kHz Step

 

It would appear that CRT have updated the firmware on their SS7900V radio, adding the much asked for 5kHz step.

Now I would like to think that CRT will do the decent thing and make this update available to existing customers (like myself) who have only recently bought this radio... I wonder what the chances are???

UPDATE:

Thanks to 'Manu Kilobravozerodixneuf' on Facebook for this video & photo showing the menu system and STEP option on the new firmware.....

41 Years of UK CB Event - November 2nd 2022

Video:YouTube/104's UKCBTV

A video from Gary who is looking forward to the annual UK CB Radio Anniversary on 2nd November....

 

Anytone AT-5555N / CRT SS7900V Stock Microphone Project

Video:YouTube/767 CB

A simple modification to the stock microphone found on many Anytone/CRT radios. Personally, I find the stock microphone to work very well just as it comes but you may wish to try this modification if your audio is a little quiet. 

クInside the Yaesu FT-710 AESS

Video:YouTube

A look inside the new Yaesu FT-710 AESS...... 

41 Years of Legal UK CB Radio - 02/11/2022

 

Well, it's nearly that time of year again when CB radio operators across the UK get on the air to celebrate the anniversary of legal CB radio in the UK.

41 years have passed since CB radio was legalised here in the UK and the celebrations will take place on channel 27 on the UKFM band (27.86125Mhz) - (Please QSY if channel 27 is busy in your area).

In previous years the channel number has matched the number of years - Why channel 27 this year?

As we have now surpassed the 40 available channels, we had a choice of either clicking round to channel 1 or selecting a fixed channel from now on.  A discussion took place online and the vast majority of people wanted to use channel 27 this year and in the coming years, 27 signifying 27Mhz of course.

So, get on the air and give out a call, see how many contacts you can make!

Stryker SR-955 V2 - Same board as the CRT SS7900V

Video:YouTube/Mark19960

An interesting video showing the internals of the Stryker SR-955 V2 radio which has the same board as the new CRT SS7900V TURBO. 

Looking at the main board you can see just how small things have become and these radios (Stryker SR-955, Anytone AT-5555ii, CRT SS7900V) could all have been made much smaller if they had redesigned the cases. Of course, it is cheaper to use existing cases, it also makes it look like you're getting more for your money!

No adjustments on the board as all adjustments are made via a 'Hidden Service Menu'.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT PLAY AROUND WITH THE SERVICE MENU - YOU CAN SERIOUSLY MESS UP YOUR RADIO IF YOU PRESS THE WRONG BUTTON OR TURN THE WRONG DIAL!!!! - LEAVE WELL ALONE!!!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - KEEP OUT - DO NOT TOUCH!!!!!

You can see the CRT SS7900V Service Menu in the video below:

And here is the Service Menu for the Stryker:

CRT SS7900V Turbo Service Menu

I've had a pile of emails and Facebook messages regarding the new CRT S7900V Turbo with many asking if there's a 'hidden service menu'....

Well of course there is, and you can see the various options/adjustments hidden in the service menu in the video above. 

IMPORTANT: DO NOT PLAY AROUND WITH THE SERVICE MENU - YOU CAN SERIOUSLY MESS UP YOUR RADIO IF YOU PRESS THE WRONG BUTTON OR TURN THE WRONG DIAL!!!! - LEAVE WELL ALONE!!!!

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED - KEEP OUT - DO NOT TOUCH!!!!!

Now having said that enjoy the video and here is a list of the various adjustments found in the service menu...

CH-01 CH-01

CH-02 CH-02

CH-03 CH-03

CH-04 VCOFRQ

CH-05 BFOFRQ

CH-06 TX-IQ1

CH-07 TX-IQ2

CH-08 TX-IQ3

CH-09 FMPOWH

CH-10 FMPOWL

CH-11 FMRSSI

CH-12 FMMOD

CH-13 FMTONE

CH-14 CTC

CH-15 DCS

CH-16 AMPOWH

CH-17 AMPOWL

CH-18 AMRSSI

CH-19 AMMODL

CH-20 AMMODH

CH-21 AMTONE

CH-22 ULPOWH

CH-23 ULPOWL

CH-24 USB PA

CH-25 LSB PA

CH-26 USBPWL

CH-27 USBPWH

CH-28 BPFUSB

CH-29 BPFLSB

CH-30 USBTON

CH-31 LSBTON

CH-32 RX BPF

CH-33 TX BPF

CH-34 UL SQL

CH-35 UL SQH

CH-36 AF SQH

CH-37 AF SQL

CH-38 ASQ H

CH-39 ASQ L

CH-40 AF RS1

CH-41 AF RS3

CH-42 AF RS5

CH-43 AF RS7

CH-44 AF RS9

CH-45 AFRS12

CH-46 UL RS1

CH-47 UL RS3

CH-48 UL RS5

CH-49 UL RS7

CH-50 UL RS9

CH-51 ULRS12

CH-52 RFG

CH-53 SQTH

CH-54 ASQTH

CH-55 WXFRQ

CH-56 WXSQ0

CH-57 WXSQ1

CH-58 VBAT

CH-59 VER100

Most items are self-explanatory, but a signal generator and other test equipment would be required to make safe adjustments. 

Please take my advice and keep out of the menu, there's really nothing you can do to improve the radio as the CRT7900V is set it superbly from the factory. They all appear to be spot on frequency, have great audio on TX and RX and work better than most other radios on the market at the moment....

... THE NOISE REDUCTION IS SIMPLY BRILLIANT!!!! 

Quick Test: CRT 7900V Turbo Noise Reduction

A quick look at the noise reduction on the new CRT SS7900V Turbo....

Video: Yaesu FT-710 First Look

Video:YouTube/Ham Radio Outlet

Here we have a first look at the new Yaesu FT-710.....

CRT SS 7900V TURBO England to Brazil

Video:Youtube/26CT2609 DAVE

A cracking video with Dave 26CT2609, using his CRT SS7900V Turbo from his mobile, in contact with a 3SKD351 in Brazil.

The new 7900V is certainly getting some good reports and performs very well, the Noise Reduction Circuit being a real game changer. I feel that this could be the best CB/10m radio on the market at the present time.

Canada Gets FM CB Radio!

 

Great news today with the approval of Frequency Modulation on CB Radio in Canada.

Following a similar decision for USA users this opens up communications on the FM mode for our Canadian friends.

The new specifications will allow AM, FM, and SSB modes to be used on the standard 40 channels 26.965 - 27.405. Power output is 4 watts AM/FM and 12 watts on SSB.

You can read the full document by clicking HERE

  

President George II - Coming Soon?

 

A message spotted on the President Electronics (France) Facebook page appears to suggest that the long-awaited President George II could be on its way soon....

The radio was first revealed on the blog in April 2021 but news has been thin on the ground as President always keep things to themselves, but this post certainly looks promising coming from an official President source. 

Specifications:

40 Channels AM / FM / LSB / USB

European Channels

Rotary channel selector 

Volume adjustment On / Off

RF Power Micro Gain - RF Gain

Manual squelch and ASC

Clarifier

PA (Public Address)

Vox function (hands-free)

Commutation Mode AM/FM/LSB/USB

Switchable keyboard beep - Roger Beep Switchable keyboard beep - Roger Beep

Echo Dual Watch Scan - 4 Memories 2 programmable priority channels

Function key F-SPAN - Function

Electret / Dynamic microphone compatible

Scan-Double Listen

Talkback F-SPAN function key - Talkback function

SWR adjustment using beep tones

Filter ANL/NB/ Hi-Cut / Noise Gate / NRC 

Front microphone plug

External speaker jack

External micro Vox jack 

Dimensions / Dimensions (in mm): 52 (H / A) x 170 (L) x 150 (P)

Weight 1 kg

Accessories included: Power cable with fuse 1 Up / Down microphone and its support

PRICE: Unknown but estimates have ranged from £259 - £350 - The current 'flagship model', the President McKinley EU sells for around £259 so I'd expect this new radio to cost a little more as it has the new Noise Reduction Circuit built in, something which has proved to be very popular since its introduction into the CRT radio range (Especially in the CRT SS7900).

UPDATE:

Thought I'd ask for myself and I got the same reply!

Yaesu FT-710 UK Price Revealed!

 

The UK price for the new Yaesu FT-710 has been revealed to be £1099.99 which according to some websites is a 'Special Introductory Price', the standard price being £1199.99

The price has raised a few eyebrows as it is not much less than the cost of a Yaesu FT-DX10, however the FT-710 comes with the matching SP-40 speaker.  

FT-710 Catalogue: CLICK HERE

FT-710 User's Manual: CLICK HERE 

Rest In Peace

 

EXCLUSIVE: NEW - Uniden PRO538HHFM Handheld CB With FM

 

News overnight from Uniden is that they have announced a new handheld CB radio with FM for the American market.

The Uniden PRO538HHFM will feature 40 channels (26.965 - 27.405) FM with 4 watts output (No mention of AM so far but we assume it has it)

Looking at the diagram below the radio appears to have a BNC antenna connection with Volume and Squelch controls on the top. I looks similar to previous Uniden handheld CB radios but more compact.

     (The new PRO538HHFM)

    (Label Sample)

Price and availability are not yet known.