Alfa Tango Santa Contest 2024

 

Click images to enlarge

Tango Delta Group - Boxing Day Net!

The Tango Delta DX Group have announced their Boxing Day Net which will take place on 26th December 2024 between 7pm and 9pm (UK Time) on 27.515 USB

Alinco DX-10 Amateur/11m Transceiver Review

A radio which has been around for over 10 years, indeed, some say this as a 'classic'...

Dave, M0OGY takes a looks at the Alinco DX-10 (Also known as the Alinco DR135UK)

NEW: TYT MINI CB Radio

 

Introducing the new TYT MINI CB Radio:

Features:

Compact mini size

350 gram light weight radio body

Modulation Mode: FM/AM

Noise Reduction

Echo

RF Gain Adjustment

Mic Gain Adjustment

Backlight Brightness Adjustment

Beep Level Adjustment

Roger Beep

DW

SCAN

TOT

MUTE

ASQ/SQ Feature

VOX

NEW: Aquario RP90 V3 Super AI

Video:YouTube/Ham Radio

An interesting, if rather ugly in my opinion, radio with new improved Noise Reduction which appears to have 15 levels instead of the usual 5. 

This is a version 3 radio and is not to be confused with other, older, radios with similar appearance. 

43 Years of CB Radio - Over 130 Breakers!!!!

Video:YouTube/Fred in the Shed

43 Years of CB Radio with 26TC101

Video:YouTube/Al 26TC101's World of Radio

President Barry II - Contact with Unit 253 in Finland

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

The BIG UK CB NET is tomorrow (Sat 2nd November)

Video:YouTube/Fred in the Shed

Fred looks forward to the CB Radio Anniversary Net which will be taking place on Saturday 2nd November 2024

President Barry II+ Review and More with Dave M0OGY

Dave takes a look at the new President Barry II+ CB Radio....

Radioddity QT80 REVIEW/MODIFICATIONS/TESTS

Video:YouTube/OM0ET

Anytone AT-6666 Pro Firmware Update Changelog

 

For those of you interested in the recent firmware update made available for the Anytone AT-6666 Pro, here is a handy guide to the changes made to the radio....

(Click to enlarge)

Home Made Quansheng UV-K5 Desktop Transceiver

Video:YouTube/OM0ET

A very creative and talented man for sure, converting a Quansheng UV-K5 into a base station!

Holiday Radio Fun with Allan 26TC101

Video:YouTube/Al 26TC101`s World of Radio

President George II - CHEAPEST EVER PRICE!

 

UPDATE 19/10/2024 - PRICE HAS RETURNED TO £299.95 🫤

Talk about a bargain price..... PJBOX have the George II on sale for only £199.95

AND they will do the export modification for FREE

LINK: CLICK HERE

What Are 'President Channels'?

 

President have launched two updated radios recently, The Barry II+ and the Taylor IV CL, both of which have what they call 'President Channels' - But what exactly are they?

President say: 

"Your transceiver is equipped with the PRESIDENT Channels feature, which includes five pre-configured communication channels (P1 to P5). These channels are available after the 40 standard channels, making exchanges within restricted groups easier by providing simple and immediate access."

Which is a roundabout way of saying five pre-set memory channels which utilise CTCSS or DCS so that when selected the radio will only receive stations who are using the same channel/CTCSS or DCS combination.

This doesn't stop other people from hearing your conversation it merely prevents you from hearing other signals on the channels giving the impression of having a 'private channel'.

So here is a list showing the channel/CTCSS/DCS implemented by President:

NEW: President Taylor IV CL

 

Another 'new' radio from President - The Taylor IV CL

With NRC and 'President Channels' 

43 Years of Legal CB Radio in the UK - 02/11/2024

 

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.  

Saturday 2nd November 2024 - 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!

Check out the Facebook group here: www.facebook.com/groups/CBRadioNets/ 

NEW CRT SS9900V - Again!!!!!

 

First discussed on the blog back in June, the CRT SS9900V made a brief appearance on the CRT website then mysteriously vanished. 

But in the past few days the radio has once again made itself known and is said to be 'Coming Soon'.

LINK: CLICK HERE

Listening to the Space Station on an Anytone Ares II - Is it even possible?

The Anytone Ares II has a built in VHF receiver which is used in North America to the emergency weather channels, however it is possible to program the 'weather channels' to any VHF frequency between 144MHz and 170MHz. So I programmed my radio with the Space Station frequency of 145.800 to see if I could pick anything up.

ARISS Contact between the International Space Station NA1SS and Girl Guiding Surrey West at Brooklands Museum GB4GGB with Astronaut Sunita Williams KD5PLB on Saturday 5th October 2024 at 1129UTC/1229BST

Special Event - Celebrating Kris Kristofferson - The Rubber Duck - 06/10/2024

Following the sad news of the death of Kris Kristofferson, the Rubber Duck from the 1978 film Convoy, a special event has been organised to celebrate his life.

From 19:00 hours (BST) / 18:00 hours (UTC) stations across the UK and beyond will take the air on channel 19 AM (27.185) in memory of the man who helped to popularise CB radio across the world. 

Updating the Firmware on the Anytone AT-6666 Pro

Video:YouTube/Ridge Hiker

In this video we see how to update the firmware on the new Anytone AT-6666 Pro.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR DEALER BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO UPDATE THE FIRMWARE AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SOME DEALERS WILL NOT HONOUR THE WARRANTY IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG, EVEN THOUGH THIS IS AN OFFICIAL ANYTONE UPDATE. 

 

President Washington Radio – Review, Modification, Hidden Menus

Video:YouTube/NLK Media

Hamfest Sales Week @ Moonraker

Some cracking deals to be had on the Moonraker website during their Hamfest Sales Week

LINK: CLICK HERE

Including:

Antron 99 - Only £125.96 (Normal price £139.95)

Sirio Gain Master £152.96 (Normal price £169.95)

Sirio Vector 4000 £116.96 (Normal price £129.95)

Jopix CB-514 Handheld £80.96 (Normal price £89.95)

Anytone Ares II £161.96 (Normal price £179.95)

President Washington £314.96 (Normal price £349.95)

Anytone AT-5555N II (Short Case) £179.96 (Normal price £199.95)

Anytone AT-Firmware Update + PC Alignment Software

 

Now available on the Anytone website are the very latest firmware update and PC alignment files.

I suggest that you read the instructions carefully and proceed with caution as you don't want to brick your shiny new radio!

Also note:

The Anytone PC Alignment (service mode) software tool for the AT-6666 PRO, is designed for the professional radio market. This tool is intended for use by qualified radio service providers only, and requires the use of radio test equipment.

LINK: CLICK HERE

CHANGELOG:

 V1.01 (QX6666P_H_V101_20240920) 

- Add MEMORY copy to VFO feature. (Press BAND while in MEM mode to copy the frequency and settings to VFO (uF) mode). 

- Stop the overwriting of saved MEMORY channels. (Changes to saved MEMORY channels are temporary). 

- Add TXCOLOR menu item. (Allows setting of a different LCD backlight color in TX mode).

- Add SCAN to the PF.KEY selection list. 

- Add CW.RX menu item. (Allows setting of CW-U (USB) and CW-L (LSB) modes). 

- Add CW.BKIN menu item. (Allows setting of the CW break-in delay from 0-1000ms). 

- Add CW.SHIF menu item. (Setting "ON" will shift/offset the RX frequency in CW mode to the value set in the CW.FREQ menu. This will set the CW RX tone and CW TX sidetone to the same frequency, automatically).

- Add support for the PC Alignment (service mode) software tool.

- Add Firmware Version menu item (VER.xxx).

Radioddity QT60 Review and On-Air Tests

Dave (M0OGY) has been a very busy bunny recently and amongst the radios he has currently is the Radioddity QT60 Pro. So here is a selection of videos he has produced. 

 

NEW FIRMWARE: Anytone AT-6666 Pro/Radioddity QT-80

Video:YouTube/N8MJS

A first look at the new firmware available for the Anytone AT-6666 Pro (and possible the Radioddity QT80)

Anytone AT-6666 Pro Firmware Update?

 

Some very interesting news posted on Facebook about the Anytone AT-6666 Pro.

It would appear that Anytone are about to provide a firmware update for this radio adding several features and giving access to the 'Service Menu' for those with the correct test equipment. 

"AnyTone will be adding a new a new radio firmware update V1.01, a new PC Alignment (service mode) software tool V1.02, and new PC Programming software V2.05 for the AT-6666 PRO, on their website soon.

This will all be available at https://www.anytone.net/download

PC Alignment (service mode) software tool V1.02

The AnyTone AT-6666 PRO PC Alignment (service mode) software tool for the AT-6666 PRO is designed for the professional radio market. This tool is intended for use by qualified radio service providers only, and requires the use of radio test equipment.

In addition to providing access to the AT-6666 PRO alignment parameters, the software also enables users to READ and SAVE the alignment settings of the radio, allowing for the restoration of original factory settings.

Please note that each radio has unique factory alignment settings. It is not advised to transfer alignment files between different radios, as this will result in incorrect calibrations. A complete alignment is necessary to ensure proper operation.

To use the new PC Alignment (service mode) software tool, you should have the latest firmware updates loaded into the AT-6666 PRO.
(V1.01 - QX6666P_H_V100_20240920 or newer is required.)


Firmware Update V1.01:

The new AT-6666 PRO firmware V1.01 contains the following improvements:

- Add MEMORY copy to VFO feature. (Press BAND while in MEM mode to copy the
frequency and settings to VFO (uF) mode).

- Stop the overwriting of saved MEMORY channels. (Changes to saved MEMORY
channels are temporary).

- Add TXCOLOR menu item. (Allows setting of a different LCD backlight color in TX
mode).

- Add SCAN to the PF.KEY selection list.

- Add CW.RX menu item. (Allows setting of CW-U (USB) and CW-L (LSB) modes).

- Add CW.BKIN menu item. (Allows setting of the CW break-in delay from 0-1000ms).

- Add CW.SHIF menu item. (Setting “ON” will shift/offset the RX frequency in CW mode to the value set in the CW.FREQ menu. This will set the CW RX tone and CW TX sidetone to the same frequency, automatically).

- Add support for the PC Alignment (service mode) software tool.

- Add Firmware Version menu item (VER.xxx).


PC Programming software V2.05

The AT-6666 PRO PC Programming software V2.05 update supports the new radio firmware V1.01.


73"

Information from this Facebook Group: CLICK HERE

153AW02 Carl in Nong Khai (Thailand) in QSO with 26AT379 in Doncaster

The Anytone AT-6666 Pro is certainly receiving very well. In this video Carl, 153AW02 in Thailand was booming in for sure and you can just hear Duncan 26AT379 in Doncaster (Not a place I can normally hear from my location).

Anytone AT 6666 Pro SSB Power Output Test

This time we take a look at the SSB power output on the new Anytone AT-6666 Pro

Anytone AT 6666 Pro FM Output Power Test

Taking a look at the FM power output on the new Anytone AT-6666 Pro

Anytone Ares II SSB Output Power Test

Now, let's see how much power the Anytone Ares II can produce on SSB. 

The specifications are as follows:

Anytone Ares II FM Power Output Test

Time to see how much power the Anytone Ares II can produce on FM. 

The specifications are as follows:

ICOM 7300 Vs Radioddity QT-80 (Receiver Comparison)

Video:YouTube/Scott's Radios

A very interesting video comparing the receive on the ICOM 7300 Vs the Radioddity QT80 (Same as Anytone AT-6666 Pro).

I've always found the same result, the dedicated 10/11m radios always seem to outperform 'widebanded' amateur radio gear. 

PY4RGS - Brazil - Heard on the Anytone Ares II

The Anytone Ares II may have a 'classic old school loo but it certainly receives as good as any other radio with it's modern internal electronics. 

Here we listen to PY4RGS in Brazil on the 10m band. 

Radioddity QT80 - £253.99 Amazon UK

 

The Radioddity QT80 (Same as the Anytone AT-6666 Pro) has appeared on Amazon UK for sale at a very reasonable price of £253.99 with FREE delivery. 

LICK: CLICK HERE

Anytone AT-6666 Pro Menus

A look at the menu options on the new Anytone aT-6666 Pro

Anytone AT-6666 Pro In Stock @ Martin Lynch

 

The new Anytone AT-6666 PRO is now in stock at Martin Lynch & Sons in the UK

Priced at £279 + Postage

The radio covers 15m - 12m - 11m - 10m (When expanded) with power output of 80 watts

LINK: CLICK HERE

*********************************************

Frequency Range: 28.000-29.700MHz(Programmable + EXPORT)

Frequency Band: A/B/C/D/E/F/G/H/I

Channel: 40channels(programmable) in each band

Frequency Control: Phase-Locked-Loop Synthesizer

Frequency Step: 10Hz,100Hz,1KHz,5KHz,10KHz,100KHz,1MHz

Frequency Tolerance: ± 5.0 ppm

Microphone: with push-to-talk /UP/DN and coiled cord

Input Voltage: DC 13.8V normal

Dimensions: L-252 x W-158 x H-48mm

Weight: 1.27kg

Antenna connector: UHF, SO239

Temperature Range: 20 to 50 C

AM,FM,USB,LSB,PA,CW Mode

Am/SSB PEP MAX:80w /FM MAX:50W

Echo Function

SQ and ASQ Function (AM and FM Mode only)

Dual watch function

beep voice prompt

Emergency call function

Hi Cut function

CTCSSS/DCS code

multi colour display

NRC function for TX and RX

User define key for the microphone

PC Programmable

Tot function

Scan Function

VOX function

Package Includes:

Mian Radio Microphone

DC Power cable

Bracket and accessories

Program Cable

User manual

 

CRT SS8900 Only £219 at Knights

 

A cracking price on a really good radio. Knights in the UK have the CRT SS8900 on special offer at only £219

Stock is due in on 10th September.

LICK: CLICK HERE

Videos - Radioddity CB-500 @ Dave's

 

Dave, M0OGY, takes a look at the Radioddity CB-500

ANYTONE ARES II - IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

The Anytone Ares II has been around for a little while now. When it first appeared users commented that a few improvements would be nice. Anytone listened to people and produced a firmware update file and software to add the wanted features. Great news and well done to Anytone for doing this. Many companies just shrug and do nothing, expecting you to simply buy another new version of the same radio to get the features you want. 

Anyway, fast forward a year or so and I have been made aware of three people who have recently bought themselves an Ares II and have encountered a strange 'bug' when doing the firmware update to their new radios. 

The firmware update appears to go well, the radio and computer respond as they should, but when the radio is reset there is no receive or transmit. The radio lights up and you can change channels etc. You can even connect the radio back up to the computer and read the channel data from the radio. Everything seems to be correct but still no RX or TX.

All very puzzling.......

So enquires have been made from my side and it appears that the very latest batch of radios arriving at dealers has already had the firmware updated, and in trying to 'update' it again, this unusual situation may occur. 

So here's some simple advice.... 

If you are currently buying or thinking about buying the Anytone Ares II (and I strongly suggest that you consider it, as these are very good radios and great value), please CHECK WITH YOUR DEALER to see if the firmware on the radio has already been updated. 

One way you can check yourself is to see if the frequency display modification is present. On radios with the new firmware you can hold the UP and DOWN microphone buttons when the radio is receiving, and the current frequency will display on the channel number LED segments, two digits at a time.

27  20  50 (27.2050) for example.

If your radio can do this DO NOT ATTEMP a firmware update.

If any more information is forthcoming I will post it here on the blog.

The Anytone Ares II is currently available from Martin Lynch & Sons who have confirmed that their stock already has the new firmware and as a bonus they currently have the radio on special offer at only £159.95 (Sounds like a bargain to me!)

CLICK HERE: LINK

Radioddity CB-900 PRO EXPORT MODIFICATION

For those of you who are interested.....

(Click image to enlarge)

Moonraker TITAN Now Available

PRICE: £149.95

The Moonraker Titan 10m Multimode is 40W FM/SSB/CW and 12W AM Transceiver

Specification

• Frequency range: 28.000 to 29.700 MHz
• Mode: AM/FM/USB/LSB/PA
• Output Power: LOW 4W, Middle 8W, High 40W
• AI noise reduce (Option)
• Step: 5Hz, 10Hz, 100Hz, 1KHz, 10KHz, 100KHz
• ASQ on/off
• ECHO on/off
• Output power adjustable
• Hi-cut on/off
• Beep on/off
• Dual Watch
• Noise Blanker on/off
• ANL build-in
• Scan
• Roger Beep
• LCR (Last Channel Record)
• Mic gain adjustable
• TalkBack
• Scan list
• TOT
• Digital RFG adjustable
• A-RFG (Auto RFG)

LINK: CLICK HERE

Banding Options: