'Mason's Dad' at The Blackpool Radio Rally

Video:YouTube/Mason's Dad

CompareTheBaofengs.Com

Those guys at BaofengTech have produced a handy guide to the different Baofeng Radios to held you choose the one that's right for you:

    (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

I must say that I own most of the radios on the chart and I find them all to be very capable radios. They are certainly amazing value for money!

 

A Bobtail Antenna For 432 MHz

Video: YouTube/VK3YE

An interesting and easy to build antenna for 70cm.

Wouxun KG-UV9D Now In Stock @ MLS

Just a heads-up for those of you who like myself have been waiting for some time to get their hands on this handheld, Martin Lynch & Sons now have them in stock.

Priced at £109.99 for the standard handset or £149.95 for the PROPACK which includes a load of accessories.

Radio: LINK
Propack: LINK

Baojie TM-218 VHF/UHF Mobile Radio

 

Another interesting item spotted on eBay, the Baojie TM-218. A tiny little radio that should fit perfectly into any vehicle, with up to 25 watts of output power and the all important 6.25Khz step!

Price is around £65

Feature:

• Dual display, dual standby & Dual Track
• Frequency adjusting
• Working mode selecting
• Scrambling encryption function
• Voice companding function
• Frequency/Channel scan function
• Reverse frequency setting
• Busy channel lock-out (BCL)
• Time-out timer (TOT)
• High/low power selectable
• CTCSS/DCS encoding and decoding
• Broadband (Wide)/Narrow band (Narrow) selectable
• Frequency Step Selectable 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25/50KHz
• Level Threshold “Squelch” adjustable from 0 to 9
• Tri-color background light selectable
• PC software programmable
• FM radio function
• Operation for manual channel memory and delete
• Automatic lock-out
• DTMF signal setting
• DTMF signal
• PTT ID Setting
• Remote control function
• Remote monitoring
• Remote stun
• Remote kill/shaking
• Remote reliving
• Alarm function
• Group calling function
• Team calling function
• Selected calling function
• Function key guide voice(BEEP)
• SFT/Slip frequency direction
• OFFSET/Slip frequency
• 1000Hz/1450Hz/1750Hz/2100Hz selecting

Specification:

All of our item are brand News
Model	TM-218
Color	Black
Frequency Range	UHF:400-480MHz&VHF:136-174MHz
System	F3E(FM)
Channel capacity	256
Input voltage	DC13.8V(±15%), negative grounding
Output power	H:25W, M:10W, L:5W
Channel Spacing	12.5KHz/25KHz
Frequency Spacing	2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/15/25/50KHz
Squelch way	CTCSS/DCS/DTMF
Antenna impedance	50 ohm
Frequency stability	±2.5ppm @ -10°C~+60°C
Working temperature	-20°C~+60°C(-4°F~+140°F)
Max. Frequency deviation	±5KHz
Noise radiation	<=-60dB
Flexibility	<=0.2Uv(12dB SINAD)
Max. Audio output	2W @ 8 ohm 5% distortion
Working current	Receive	0.3A(SQL)
	Transmit	5A(Max.)
Dimension	105*30*106mm(width*hight*depth not including the outparts)
Weight	About 0.5kg

Package Includes

• 1 x New Black TM-218 Machine
• 1X Handheld Microphone
• 1X Mounting bracket
• 1X Power cable
• 1XUser's manual

eBay link: Click HERE

 

PMR446/UHF CB Radio Changes

Ofcom/CEPT proposals in relation to changes to the PMR446 (UHF CB) band could soon result in a 16 channel analogue and up to 32 channel digital UHF allocation. The output power will remain at 500mw and radios will be required to have a fixed antenna. 

Currently 446.000 - 446.100Mhz is allocated to 8 analogue channels with 446.100 - 446.200Mhz allocated to either 8 or 16 digital channels depending on the channel spacing.

The new proposals will allow analogue and digital systems to use the complete allocation of 446.000 - 446.200Mhz.

More Information on the OFCOM website: CLICK HERE

Below you can see the proposed bandplans (Click Images To Enlarge):

 

Midland GB-1 PMR446 Now Available @ Nevada! - £129.95

"GB1 UK Version

 THE FIRST LICENCE FREE 446MHz MOBILE PMR446 TRANSCEIVER IN THE WORLD!

 
Midland introduces into the market the first vehicular PMR446. GB1, small and compact, has a metal chassis guaranteeing sturdiness and durability.

Although the GB1 has the looks of a modern CB , it works on the frequencies of a standard UHF PMR466 radio, with the big advantage of not being subject to interference and noise generated by vehicle engines and of course, it's licence free.

The integrated magnetic antenna and the 12v socket allow immediate installation and a better performance than a CB radio.

Ideal for campers, cars, GB1 can also be used as a base station to talk to any walkie talkie in range and use the PMR446 as never done before.

Main features

•     Microprocessor controlled frequency
•     "Flip" function:  the radio can be mounted with the speaker facing up or down
•     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)

Technical specifications:

•     Frequency: 446.00625 - 446.09375 MHz (440 - 471MHz export version)
•     Channels: 8 + 91 programmable with CTCSS
•     Channel spacing: 12,5KHz ( 12,5KHz / 25KHz export version)
•     Output power: 0,5w  (5w export version)
•     Power supply: 12.6vdc

Packing and codes:

Box single pack contents :-

Radio, microphone, microphone holder, integrated wired magnetic antenna, mounting bracket, fixing screws, supply cable with 12V car charger.
product code C1198


Optional Programming software   PRG - GB1  code C1227 (AVAILABLE SOON)
Complete with USB cable to connect to a PC"

Nevada Website: LINK

CB and PMR446 - Featuring the Midland GB1

Video: YouTube/26CT1094

Midland GB-1 PMR446 Now In Stock @ Knights!

So there you go folks, you can now get your hands on a Midland GB-1 PMR446 radio from Doug at Knights.

Knights Website: LINK

Midland GB-1 Due in at Knights £119

Doug @ Knights appears to be the first of the main retailers to announce the impending arrival of the Midland GB-1 PMR446 radio. 

The radio is due in the next few days, selling at £119, an expensive PMR446 for sure! But with the ability to be modded for extra fun this may temp some to part with their cash!

Knights Website: LINK

Instruction Manual: LINK

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.

Galashiels Radio Rally 2015

Galashiels Radio Rally 2015

Just a reminder that The Galashiels Radio Rally takes place tomorrow (18th October)

The Volunteer Hall
St John Street
Galashiels
Scottish Borders
TD1 3JX
Doors open at 11.15am (Disabled access from 11.00am)

Video from last years rally:

2 Meter MORE Propagation - Danish Repeater OZ3REI

Yaesu FT-991 Only £991 @ Martin Lynch! - This Week Only!

CLICK HERE

PMR446 (UHF CB) New Analogue Channel Allocation

So word comes from an industry insider that the UK is set to adopt the new expanded PMR446 channel allocation.

No official announcement has yet been made so make of this what you wish but it does appear that the new allocation will go ahead.

The exsisting allocation of 8 analogue channels (446.00625 - 446.09375) have been around since the late 90's and there have been many operators calling for extra channels particularly in busy cities and town center areas. 

Having an extra 8 analogue channels (446.10625 - 446.19375) PMR446 begins to look like a true UHF CB allocation. 

Sure you only get 500mw(!) but it's surprising how far you can get from a favorable location. 

The whole band (446.000 - 446.200) will also be opened up to allow the use of up to 32 digital channels.

New radios, which will have more rigorous specifications to reduce the likelihood of interference, are expected to be available shortly after the new allocation is adopted. 

Rigsearch @ National Hamfest 2015 Part 1

Video: Youtube/Rigsearch

Back Due To Popular Demand: Charlie Tango Xtreme AM Net

Following the great success of their last AM Net the CTX team are at it again. On Saturday 26th Sept 2015 from 18:00 hours - 21:00 hours(UK Time) they will be active on AM.

Calling on the UK AM calling channel 27.125MHz (14 Mid Band) then QSY after making contact.

The AM Net will be part of a fun filled weekend when they join the Delta Alpha group's LOTA weekend.

Yaesu FT-991 - Programming the Memory Channels (ML&S)

Video:Youtube/ML&S