30 September 2023

President Randy III Hand Held Review (Part 1)

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

Another video from Dave as he takes a look at the President Randy III handset. 

26.805 FM Group

 


A reminder of a group we've featured on the blog before....

'The Original FM Calling Channel 26.805' on Facebook was formed 2 years ago to promote the use of the FM mode in North America and in that time has amassed over 3200 members from around the world. 

They recommend 26.805 (Channel 23 on the low band) as an FM calling channel and when conditions are good you can regularly hear stations calling 'across the pond' to the UK and Europe so make sure you check them out online and on the air. 

Link to Facebook group: CLICK HERE

25 September 2023

Thunderpole T-X FM Modulation Adjustment

 

Since revealing the Thunderpole T-X Debug Software I've had a sack full of messages asking how to adjust the FM modulation as some people say the audio is a little on the quiet side (That's those pesky legal specifications getting in the way!). So, you can do this AT YOUR OWN RISK, be aware that the radio may no longer be within legal specs, and be careful not to mess things up!

So open the Thunderpole T-X Debug Software, Select the correct COM port then READ from the radio. 

Now SAVE a copy of your radios original settings in case you need to put the radio back to the way it was when it came out the box. 

Find 'FM Modulation' near the bottom of the list. My radio's original setting is 217. Reducing this number will INCREASE the modulation level. 

I set mine to 150 and the audio was noticeably louder without sounding distorted. You will just have to see what number is best for your radio by trial an error. 

Once you have adjusted the level, WRITE the data to the radio. 



20 September 2023

President George II Export Mode - HOW TO!

Video:YouTube

You get a really good look at the 'Anytone Style' board inside the new George II as 30LS001 explains in Spanish how the export mode is achieved! 

15 September 2023

13 September 2023

President George II - Dave's Final Thoughts

Video: YouTube/M0OGY

Some final thoughts and questions answered by Dave, M0OGY.

George II - UK PRICE REVEALED!

  


So Moonraker has become the first UK dealer to put a price to the new George II.

£299.95 - My opinion: They should sell well at this price, anything over £300 would have been a big mistake. 


11 September 2023

10 September 2023

Radioddity QT60 First Video Review

Video: YouTube/HamRadioConcepts

A first look at the new Radioddity QT60

Knights' CB Shop Visit Convoy - The Final Day

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

It's the very last day, Knights CB are closing their doors and going online only, so what we have here is a Convoy! 

President George II (Export) On Display At Knights

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

The first EXPORT George II in the UK????

UK-Wide 27/81 Net Tonight!

 

All across the UK and beyond we have a 27/81 net tonight (10/09/23) at 20:00 UK time / 19:00 UTC on channel 38 UKFM (27.97125)

So get those radios on and give a shout!


Yet Another George II Video!

Video:YouTube/GoTechnique

NEW: Baofeng UV-5RH with Airband Receive!

 

The trusty old UV-5R gets an update to UV-5RH with a colour screen and Airband Receive.


FM radio 76-108 MHz; AM aviation frequency band: 108-136MHz (RX)
VHF1: 144-148MHZ (RX&TX) ; VHF2: 200-260MHz (RX)
UHF1: 430-440MHz (RX&TX) ; UHF2: 350-390MH2 (RX)

●One touch search frequency, easy pairing and grouping (copying channel configuration parameters)
●Frequency step, selectable between 2.5K 15.0K I 6.25K I 10.0K |12.5K | 20.0K | 25.0K | 50.0K
●Frequency hopping and scramble functions to keep your call privacy confidential
●1.77" TFT large screen, full keyboard, fully open menu operation
●Channel scan, frequency scan, and three scan and recovery methods: TO, co, and SE
●Up to 999 memory channels.
●Broadcast FM radio receiver 76- 108 MHz
●Power-on password management function
●Dual watch / Dual reception/ Dual band handheld transceiver
●DTMF encoder and DTMF manual dial
●High Capacity Lithium-lon battery.
●VOX (voice activated transmit).
●Stopwatch function
●Alarm function.
●Display illumination programmable via keypad.
●High or low power selectable.
●Function beep on the keyboard.
●Programmable repeater offset.
●Battery save function.
●Transmission time out timer.
●Busy channel lock out.
●LED flashlight.
●End of transmission tone, aka "Roger Beep"
●Ten (10) levels of Squelch adjustment.
● Two (2) pins for Kenwood accessory port
● Support NOAA weather reception function in the United States and Canada

Price: £30-35




9 September 2023

USA on the Thunderpole T-X Indoors with Stock Antenna!


Listening to the USA coming in on the Thunderpole T-X, indoors with the stock antenna!

NEW: JOPIX CB-514 CB Handheld

 


Similar to the Thunderpole T-X and PNI Escort HP82 we have the JOPIX CB -514



NEW: Radioddity QT60 Coming Soon

 


Looking identical to the Anytone 5555N or the CRT SS7900V is the Radioddity QT60 10/11m radio. 

The Radioddity website says "It's Almost There!".

Video:YouTube/HamRadioConcepts 

President George II - €299 in Italy

 


The George II has been seen listed for €299 on the MediaGlobe website in Italy. This is the lowest price seen so far and equates to £257

Still no official UK price but I'm guessing £279 - £299.

Of course the initial launch price, while radios are in short supply, may be higher and the radio could end up selling at a cheaper price in due course. 


7 September 2023

President George II - TWO more videos tonight 19:30 + 20:30 UTC

 


Two more videos of the new President George II heading this way form Dave M0OGY tonight at 19:30 UTC (20:30 UK Time) + 20:30 UTC ( 21:30 UK Time)





6 September 2023

President George II - PREMIERES TONIGHT AT 20:30 HOURS (UK)

 

First UK video of the new President George II lands tonight at 20:30 (UK TIME) from Dave, M0OGY. 


The FIRST President George II in England!


Dave, M0OGY has shared a couple of photos of his shiny new President George II and has promised that videos will be coming soon, including one when the antenna is connected to the radio 😉



5 September 2023

President George II - Unboxing

Video:YouTube/Satonline GmbH

President George II - A SS3900 in sheep's clothing?

 

With the first images of the inside of the new President George II appearing online there's something which strikes you immediately.... The George II board looks remarkably familiar!

It had been rumoured that the new George II would be using the CRT SS3900/Ares II board. This was denied time an time again. We were told that this would be a President board, designed and built by President.

Now, this may well be the case but looking at the inside of the George II you cant help but notice how similar it is to the other two radios.

Here are the three radios internals and there's no doubt in my mind that they are basically the same board. The George II certainly has less components but the majority of the main components are there in all three radios. 

Click To Enlarge
(Ares II and George II photos from simonthewizard.com - SS3900 from a google search) 

So what do you think?

Is the George II unique and special or are you just paying a premium price for a SS3900 in a different box?

I think this will be a great radio, it is very likely that it performs very well and having a similar board to the SS3900 is not a bad thing as that radio certainly works well (and costs about £100 less).

Dave, M0OGY, said in a recent video that he has a George II coming from France any day so I guess we'll find out in due course... Looking forward to your review Dave!


Oh, and just for good measure, here's the inside of the superb CRT 7900V....😁


I'm beginning to notice a theme here!!!!🤣🤣🤣


Thunderpole T-X Back In Stock!

Grab one while you can!!!!


Link: CLICK HERE 

4 September 2023

President George II - Output Power & Software?

 


Seen at rebelcar.fr who quote the new George II as having 10W AM, 35W FM and 35W SSB. They also mention that the radio is "software programmable" which could be interesting... However I've not noticed a programming socket on the radio.....

Price shown as €329 which equates to £281

LINK: CLICK HERE

EXCLUSIVE: Thunderpole T-X Debug Software

 

Just landed here at Delboy Towers is the Debug software for the Thunderpole T-X CB Handheld. 


The program allows users to make changes to settings for Hi Power, Lo Power, Modulation, Deviation, Squelch/ASQ.

   (These are UNIQUE to my radio - Values will be different on each radio)


A programming cable the same as those used on most Baofeng radios is used to connect the radio to your computer. Upon running the software you select the COM PORT and READ from the radio.

IMPORTANT: SAVE A COPY OF YOUR RADIOS CONFIGURATIONS BEFORE MAKING ANY CHANGES!

You can then make changes to the values and then WRITE back to the radio.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT YOU CAN MESS UP YOUR RADIO IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL. THE THUNDERPOLE T-X IS A BRILLIANT HANDSET AND TO BE HONEST IS SET UP PERFECTLY OUT OF THE BOX. 

MAKE CHANGES AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!


The software is available on the Thunderpole T-X Facebook Page: CLICK HERE

3 September 2023

President George II - IN STOCK!

 


The new President George II is now in stock at Go Technique (France)

Price: €339 which equates to £291


2 September 2023

The President McKinley II Has Arrived!

Video:YouTube/Farpoint Films


President McKinley 2 FCC - Dual Watch!!!!

Video:YouTube/Mike Cricket113

Who knew that DUAL WATCH was such a big deal in the USA!!!!

FCC Takes Action Against a CB Radio Operator!

 

It would appear that the FCC has taken against against a CB Radio operator who was causing interference to other users by using high power and non-standard radio equipment. 

I KNOW - What a shocker!


Click images to enlarge...





First President George II Radios Arrive at Dealers!

 

It would appear that the very first President George II radios are now heading out to dealers. Satonline in Switzerland posted on Facebook saying that radios have arrived and are being sent out to people who pre-booked their order. Radios will become more widely available at the end of September.  

The price quoted on this particular site equates to £339 (GULP!)