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!

 

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. 

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

Video:Youtube/ML&S

The Big Net - 34 Years Of Legal CB Radio In The UK!

Just a heads up - It's almost that time of year again. On 2nd November 2015 legal UK CB will be 34 years old and stations up and down the country will take to the air during 'The Big Net'.

Previous years have seen many stations taking part and the event has encouraged people to get their old radios out of the cupboard and get back on the air so it's an ideal opportunity to make new friends and get people talking again.   

If you plan to take part please post your intentions on the Charlie Tango or Transmission 1 forums:

Charlie Tango: CLICK HERE

Transmission 1: CLICK HERE

New PMR446 Analogue And Digital Specifications!

CEPT ECC Decision (15)05 regarding 446 MHz PMR was approved on July 3rd 2015 repealing the earlier ERC/DEC/(98)25 and ECC/DEC/(05)12.

The changes which are expected to come into force next year will make changes to radios which operate in the band 446.000 - 446.200 using Analogue or Digital.

Analogue radios will have up to 16 channels with 12.5 KHz spacing.

Digital radios will have up to 32 channels with 6.5 KHz spacing.

It is also specifically mentioned that REPEATER use is not allowed! - This is a big change as internet linking/repeater use has been widespread on PMR446 and up to now has not been illegal.

d) that analogue and digital PMR 446 radio equipment is hand portable (no base station or repeater use) and uses integral antennas only in order to maximise sharing and minimise interference;

9. that all PMR 446 equipment is hand portable and shall use only integral antenna and an effective radiated power not exceeding 500 mW, while any base station, repeater or fixed infrastructure use is excluded;

MAIN POINTS:

1. that the purpose of this ECC Decision is to harmonise the usage conditions for analogue and digital PMR 446 radio equipment throughout Europe;

2. that CEPT administrations shall designate the band 446.0-446.2 MHz for the use of analogue PMR 446 with a channel plan based on 12.5 kHz spacing where the lowest carrier frequency is 446.00625 MHz;

3. that CEPT administrations shall designate the band 446.1-446.2 MHz for the use of digital PMR 446 with a channel plan based on 6.25 kHz and 12.5 kHz spacing where the lowest carrier frequencies are 446.103125 MHz and 446.10625 MHz respectively;

4. that CEPT administrations shall designate the band 446.0-446.2 MHz for the use of digital PMR 446 with a channel plan based on 6.25 kHz and 12.5 kHz spacing where the lowest carrier frequencies are 446.003125 MHz and 446.00625 MHz respectively as of 1 January 2018;

5. that analogue PMR446 equipment operating in the frequency range 446.1-446.2 MHz should use more robust receivers, as specified in ETSI TS 103 236 or equivalent technical specifications;

6. that analogue PMR446 equipment operating in the frequency range 446.0-446.1 MHz should use more robust receivers, as specified in ETSI TS 103 236 or equivalent technical specifications when placed on the market as of 1 January 2017;

7. that subject to decides 8, 9 and 10 below, CEPT administrations shall permit free carriage and use of all analogue and digital PMR 446 radio equipment;

8. that CEPT administrations shall exempt analogue and digital PMR 446 radio equipment covered by the present Decision from individual licensing;

9. that all PMR 446 equipment is hand portable and shall use only integral antenna and an effective radiated power not exceeding 500 mW, while any base station, repeater or fixed infrastructure use is excluded;

10. that the following technical characteristics shall be applied for PMR 446 applications in order to reduce the risk of harmful interference: a) all PMR 446 radio equipment shall have reception capability;

b) PMR 446 radio equipment having Push-To-Talk (PTT) functionality capable of being latched ‘on’ shall apply a 180 seconds maximum transmitter time-out;

c) PMR 446 radio equipment having no Push-To-Talk (PTT) functionality shall apply a 180 seconds maximum transmitter time-out and VOX (Voice activation exchange) control;

11. that compliance of PMR 446 radio equipment with all technical requirements shall be demonstrated with the applicable Harmonised European Standards ETSI EN 300 113-2, EN 301 166-2, or EN 300 296-2;

12. that the definitions in the Annex 1 apply for the purpose of this Decision;

13. that this Decision replaces ERC/DEC/(98)25 and ECC/DEC/(05)12 which are withdrawn;

14. that this Decision enters into force by 3 July 2015;

15. that the preferred date for implementation of this ECC Decision shall be 3 January 2016;

16. that CEPT administrations shall communicate the national measures implementing this Decision to the ECC Chairman and the ECO when the Decision is nationally implemented."

    

FULL DETAILS: CLICK HERE (PDF)