27.275 The UK's Legal SSB Calling Channel

Just a reminder that the UK's legal SSB calling channel is on 27.275Mhz (Channel 27 Mid Band).

To help promote the calling channel a Facebook page has been created, please join and share this page and hopefully we can see an increase in stations on the SSB calling channel especially during the current sporadic E season.

Facebook Page: CLICK HERE

New Midland M10 In Stock @ Nevada

Now in stock on the Nevada website, the Midland M10 with Bluetooth and USB. 

Bluetooth enables hands-free communications via optional Midland acessories and the USB socket can be used to charge mobile phones/tablets etc.

Features :- 

NEW - White LCD display

AM/FM mode change switch

Automatic digital squelch

ANL: automatic noise limiter

Noise blanker system

Emergency channel 9-19

USB socket for charging most devices

2 pin socket for accessories

External loudspeaker socket

4 pin microphone connector

Supplied with : hand mic, power lead, fixing kit

Price: £109.95

LINK: CLICK HERE

The Big Multimode Nets 2016

Just a reminder that on Monday 27th June 2016 stations across the UK (and Europe) will be on the air to celebrate 2 years of legal AM and SSB. 

It's hard to believe that 2 years have passed by already. SSB has proved to be very popular in many parts of the UK especially on the many 'Midweek DX' nets but I must say that AM is still very rarely used so here's your chance to get on the air and make some contacts!

AM calling will take place on Ch14 - 27.125MHZ

SSB(USB) calling will take place on Ch27 - 27.275MHZ 

Please remember to QSY from the calling channels when contact has been made. 

Yaesu FT-891 - Martin Lynch Taking Orders!

Martin Lynch & Sons would appear to be first off the starting block taking orders for the new Yaesu FT-891.

No price as yet but if you fancy taking a punt here is the all important link: CLICK HERE

CB Radio - The Big Multimode Nets 2016

Just a heads up that The Big Multimode Nets will take place on Monday 27th June 2016 between 6-10pm.

This event is to celebrate the legalisation of AM and SSB in the UK and this year takes on a special role showing that CB is alive and well following news from the ECBF that CB frequencies may be under threat if operators don't make good use of the allocation spectrum - See: LINK  

AM and SSB modes have proved popular in many parts of the UK since legalisation and a number of 'Midweek Nets' have sprung up. I would suggest that for one week only any groups running 'Midweek Nets' could change days and have their weekly net on Monday 27th June, thereby increasing the number of stations on the air at the same time. It would be helpful to keep a log of all the stations who take part in the event so we can show that there are still plenty of CB radio users here in the UK and across Europe.

AM calling will take place on 27.125Mhz - Channel 14

USB calling will take place on 27.275Mhz - Channel 27

PLEASE REMEMBER TO QSY FROM THE CALLING CHANNELS ONCE CONTACT IS MADE

All net activity will take place on the LEGAL Mid Band.

LET'S KEEP CB RADIO ALIVE - USE IT OR LOSE IT!

 

CRT Megopro Now Available @ Knights £79.50

Knights Electrocom appear to be the first UK retailer with the new CRT Megapro in stock. Priced at £79.50 this radio is likely to do very well. Limited stock at the moment so if you fancy one get your order in ASAP!

Knights website: LINK

Contact details:

Knights Electrocom Ltd
11 King Edward Street
Kirton in Lindsey
Lincolnshire
United Kingdom
DN21 4NF

Tel: (01652) 648378

Email: sales@kcb.co.uk

Specifications:

Norm	CITIZEN BAND
Mode	AM / FM European Multinorms
Power	4 Watts AM / 4 Watts FM
Input voltage	12 - 24 Volts
Channels	40
Memories	16 to use the DTMF codes
S-METER	Yes ( TX / RX )
SQUELCH	Manual or Automatic (ASQ)
ROGER BEEP	Roger beep : 8 possibility
CTCSS / DCS (encoder/decoder)	Yes : sub-audio code to activate repeater like selective tone
DTMF (encoder)	Yes : tones selected to activate repeater, internet gateway and other items
Filters NB/HI CUT	Yes : noise filters
DOUBLE WATCH function	Yes
SCAN function	Yes : automatic search of busy channels
COMPANDER function	Yes : TX with a clear voice
Various functions	Direct access to channel 9/19
Bonus	Detachable power cord with plug + Jack plug for external loud speaker + Jack plug for external S-METER
Mike	UP/DOWN selection + multifunction keys + DTMF inclused + 6 pins plug in front pannel. (Standard microphones CRT 520 P6 and CRT 518 P6 compatible)
Display	LCD display : 7 colors (LOOP function to change the color every second)
Options	Programming cable + software + din plate iso
Programmable by software	Yes
Size	139 (l) x 184 (L) x 37 (H) mm
Weight	850 gr
Guaranty	2 years

NEW CB Radio: CRT MEGAPRO

CRT 2000 Price Revealed?

It would appear that the price of the new CRT 2000 has been revealed!

German website "Bensons-Funktechnik" has the radio, under the Team brand, listed for 139 Euros which equates to £112

Link to website: CLICK HERE

The website also appears to indicate that they expect the radios to arrive in July.

CB Radio: President McKinley - First Photos

(Click to enlarge photos)

 

President Electronics USA have posted the above images of the new President McKinley AM/SSB CB Radio on their Facebook page. A nice looking radio for sure, a little basic perhaps for those of you used to more buttons on your SSB radios, but as long as it works and as long as the price is right it should do well!!!! 

A close up of the LCD screen shows separate indicators for MIC GAIN, RF GAIN and S/RF PWR along with three memory channels. There also appears to be a multi segmented area just below HI-CUT which could be used to display text (Maybe a hidden engineering menu there somewhere?)

It will be interesting to see if the radio makes it across the pond to Europe, of course they'd need to add FM and make it Multi Norm. We will wait and see.....

 

Another Day, Another President Grant 2 Modification....

Video: YouTube/Klaus R.

An interesting video which appears to show a modified Grant 2 claiming a massive reduction in noise levels, with noise being reduced from S7/S8 down to S1/S3.

Magnum 1 - 11 Meters RX

Video: YouTube/M0OGY

In the third part of his review, Dave tries the Magnum 1 on 11m RX.

The radio certainly appears to receive very well, certainly a lot better than some of the other radios which have become available recently. 

I think this radio could do well depending on the price....! 

CRT 2000 - Video

Video: YouTube/CRT France

CRT France have posted a short video of the new CRT 2000 AM/FM CB Radio. I notice that there is no price as yet, and this will be what makes or breaks this radio. Priced too high and you may as well get the CRT ONE/Albrecht AE6110, both of which perform very well for little money. But if the performance is good and it is priced just right and this could be a winner.....!

Albrecht AE6110 - UK CB Radio Servicing Review and Testing

Another set of videos from the UK CB Radio Servicing channel on YouTube (LINK). On this occasion they take a close look at the Albrecht AE6110 CB Radio:

CRT One - UK CB Radio Servicing Review and Testing

Always interesting and definitely worth a look at is the UK CB Radio Servicing channel on YouTube (LINK). On this occasion they take a close look at the CRT One CB Radio:

Magnum 1 - First UK Review!

Video: YouTube/M0OGY

Dave, M0OGY, gives us the first UK look at this new radio from Magnum. Basically its a Maxlog 8800, but it will be interesting to see if there have been any improvements/modifications to the radio. 

Specs sheets are shown below(Click images to enlarge):

New CB Radio - CRT2000

A new radio has appeared on the CRT website - The CRT2000

The radio will be supplied with the AM/FM European Multi Norms but can no doubt be modded for export purposes.

CRT WEBSITE: LINK

CB Radio Featured In The Press

I came across this great little article about 40 years of CB radio in the North East of England. Not much to it but good to see CB Radio featured in the local press. It would be nice to think that people might read it, dig out their old rigs and get back on the air.

FULL ARTICLE: CLICK HERE

CTX January AM Net

The CTX Team have announced their latest AM net, which will take place on Saturday 30th Janaury 2016

    (Click Image To Enlarge)

"The latest in our series of the increasingly popular AM Nets!

6pm until 9pm (18:00-21:00 GMT/UTC)

We will call on Ch14 Mid Block (27.125Mhz) with a QSY channel (which we will pick on the night based upon band conditions), but our preferred net channel is Ch10 (27.075Mhz) - if Ch10 is not usable on the night, we try to stay on the lower part of the Mids (we don't use Ch9, Ch14 or Ch19 to hold the net on though)."

CTX Facebook Page: LINK

President Radios With 'muRata' Filters - Any Point?

Following on from the President Grant 2 Premium which includes the much talked about 'muRata' ceramic filter, it would appear that President are adding the filter to other models in their range with the President Teddy and President William apparently getting the upgrade treatment. 

But is this just a marketing ploy to repair their damaged reputation following several recent gaffs?

Do these 'muRata' filters actually make any difference?

Looking at the Grant 2 Premium there does not seem to be much difference in the way the radio handles noise compared to the non-muRata 'standard' Grant 2. The Grant 2 Premium certainly continues to suffer noise problems so the filter is by no means a wonder cure for a noisy receiver.

Anyway time will tell I guess, videos will no doubt appear on YouTube in due course.

So, muRata Filers - Good idea or just a marketing ploy? Let me know what you think!

Jason Takes A Look at the Albrecht AE6110

Video: YouTube/V8CSW

Jason (CTX965) joins the Albrecht AE6110 owners club!!!