Icom IC-7300 - CB Band Optional?

Browsing through the RadCom magazine and I noticed this on the Waters And Stanton advert:

Yes! -  According to Waters And Stanton they offer the option of 60m or 11m on the new Icom IC-7300. Are they really promoting the use of Amateur Radio equipment on 11 meters????

Of course we all know that many radios can be modified to cover additional frequencies and many operators do indeed use Amateur Radio sets on 11m but if this is not a misprint/error this would be the first time I have seen an advert openly offering to modify a radio for use on non-amateur frequencies......  

Magnum 1 - On Air Tests (SSB)

Video: YouTube/M0OGY

In the second part of his review, Dave tests the Magnum 1 on SSB.

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):

Merry Christmas Everyone!

It's that time of year to thank everyone who took the time to visit the blog and my other websites (Almost 10 million hits to date in total) and wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year!

Here's to 2016!!!!

New PMR446 - Midland GB1

The 'world's first mobile in-car PMR446 radio' apparently!

Midland GB1 Features at a glance

• Microprocessor‐controlled frequency
• 8 channels PMR446 FM
• 'Flip' function: the radio can be mounted with the speaker facing up or down; the display can read in either orientation
• Adjustable squelch on 9 levels
• SCAN function
• LCD display
• Integrated magnetic antenna
• TOT (Time out timer)*
• Side tone: noise blanker at end of transmission
• Monitor function
• Busy channel (BCLO‐Busy Channel Lockout)*
• Broad/narrow band selection 25KHz/12.5KHz (only export version)*
• High/low power (only export version)

UK Price Around £169.99

Website link: CLICK HERE

My thoughts - A nice looking radio which certainly makes PMR446 more useful when out mobile. Almost giving users a true UHF CB System, something I've long been asking for. The radio can be modded for extra channels/power if required.

However, this should have come out 15 years ago. Anyone who wanted a UHF CB system is already using 'other equipment' and let's be honest, who in their right mind would spend £169.99 on this radio when for less than £20 they can get a Baofeng UV5R which gives more power, more channels and many more features????

Don't get me wrong, this is a step in the right direction towards UHF CB but way too late and way too expensive in my opinion.