President Lincoln II + Review Part 1

Video:YouTube/M0OGY

So here it is, Part 1 of Dave's review of the latest version of the Lincoln 2. As you will be aware previous versions have been plagued with faults so it will be interesting to see if President have finally sorted out this radio.

This is the first part of Dave's review and more videos will follow in due course.

One thing I noticed on Dave's video was the missing resistor(Seen on Simon The Wizards radio) which is in the same place as the white wire on previous versions which you cut to allow export mode! Dave's radio doesn't appear to be in export mode at the moment so I'm guessing that once the resistor is removed you may need to enable expanded frequency coverage via the software.... 

... OR Maybe the resistor on STW's radio has actually been added and is required for export?

Superstar 3900EU - Where To Buy!

So we are still waiting to hear if this radio has a new board or is just a re-badged version of the older radio, however that has not stopped the retailers lining up to sell the Superstar 3900EU.

Confirmed sellers are:

Nevada

Thunderpole

Knights

Radioworld

The CB Shack

UK 4x4 Centre

Sharman Multicom

Nevada, GISCO and The Shack have been named as service centres and are therefore authorised to add the UK40 EPROM board to the radio without affecting the warranty.

I really do hope that this radio is a good one and that the problems reported from previous versions have been sorted out. If this is the case I think it could do really well....

Might even put an order in for one myself!

NEW ICOM IC-7610

Seen at the Tokyo Ham Show, this is the new Icom IC-7610. 

The IC-7610 is the successor to the IC-7600 and will be a dual-watch capable HF+50MHz 100W base station with built-in antenna tuner. The LCD will be touch screen and you will be able to connect an external display.

Price: TBC

Video:YouTube/IZ0KBA

NEW: Baofeng UV-50X3 Tri-Band Radio

Baofeng have announced their new Tri-Band mobile radio - The UV50X3

(Click images to enlarge)

"The BTECH UV-50X3 is a tri-band radio with Full Duplex capabilities (which enables simultaneous TX/RX within VHF/1.25M/UHF) - as well as dual V/V and U/U receiver capabilities. The UV-50X3 operates on 136-174MHz, 222-225MHz, and 400-480MHz

The UV-50X3 is more than just a radio - it can also act as a full cross-band repeater! Allowing you to connect or extend the range of your repeaters, handhelds, and mobiles. The Cross Band repeater works in between VHF and UHF frequencies.

The UV-50X3 will transmit at 50 watts on both UHF and VHF; and it will transmit at 5 watts on 222-225MHz.

AIRBAND (AVIATION AM) AND WIDE RECEIVER RECEPTION

The UV-50X3 was includes a wide receiver that can receive beyond the transmitting frequencies on VHF/1.25M/UHF.

The UV-50X3 can also receive:

.5-1.71MHz (AM Radio)

76-108MHz (FM Radio)

108-135.995MHz (Air Band (AM))

136-250MHz

300-399.995MHz

400-520MHz

INDEPENTENT - VFO, AUDIO LEVELS, AND SQUELCH

The UV-50X3 includes separate volume adjustments for the independent VFOs. The UV-50X3 has dual speakers in the LCD panel - allowing stereo audio when one station is being received, but separate monaural speakers when both VFOs are active - which are controlled by the separate volume knobs. A third speaker is located on the radio body - which can be set as the only speaker, simultaneously be used with the panel speakers, or can be unused as well.

The UV-50X3 has both line-in and line-out jacks that allow you to output the radio audio to your own speaker system. The UV-50X3 allows you to listen to a line-in source while still monitoring your local nets.

The squelch is adjustable on each side of the display. Separate wide and narrow ceramic filters enable true narrow band operation.

1000 MEMORY CHANNELS

The UV-50X3 has 1000 memory channels and 2 separate memory banks (The Right VFO has 500 channels, the left VFO has 500 channels). You can program both active (TX/RX Channels) and passive (RX Only) channels into the same Memory bank.

SEPERATE, CUSTOMIZABLE FRONT LCD PANEL AND DTMF MICROPHONE

The UV-50X3 has a front panel that is separated from the main radio body. The panel is connected with standard Ethernet cable (15' included) allowing the radio body to be remotely (or trunk) mounted. The Front Panel includes several mounting accessories including a suction cup mount. You can set the LCD Panel to 8 different colors.

The Front Panel has a built-in microphone which allows you to either use either the included DTMF Microphone or Panel Microphone. The Separate DTMF microphone can also be plugged directly into the Main Radio Body.

PROGRAMMABLE AND CUSTOMIZABLE

The UV-50X3 can be completely programmed without a computer (including Channel Alpha-numeric names). 

The UV-50X3 is FULLY supported through the free CHIRP programming software (requires the PC05 Programming Cable). The UV-50X3 is the first radio to exclusively only use CHIRP software for programming. CHIRP is compatible on Windows, Linux and OSX (macOS).

GROUP TONES SUPPORTED

The UV-50X3 supports the most common Analog Tones. It supports CTCSS, DCS, and DTMF calling methods. Set-up your calling methods to call by group tones. Tone calling (private line) is required by most repeater applications and the UV-50X3 supports the latest standards.

The UV-50X3 can send DTMF tones. This allows for sending ANI (Caller ID) or remote commands that require DTMF tones.

THOROUGH QUALITY CONTROL

Each UV-50X3 is individually tested during extreme temperatures (-22 F) to ensure every radio can meet advertised performance requirements. 

The UV-50X3 can endure harsh environments and still perform in the most extreme situations."

Price: Starting at $339

NEW - Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Handset!

Seen on Martin Lynch & Sons Facebook page:

"Gary has been playing with the prototype of the Wouxun KG-D901 DMR handheld. Honestly, it really does exist!"

There has been talk about this new DMR handheld from Wouxun for months and here it is the first photo of the radio 'in the wild'.

(Click Image To Enlarge)

I'm sure it will be a cracking little radio but as it's a SINGLE BAND radio (VHF OR UHF) I think that Wouxun have missed a trick. Most people, including myself, are waiting for a DUAL BAND DMR handheld.

VHF Version: 136 - 174MHz

UHF Version: 400 - 470MHz

Price: TBA (Has been seen on some sites listed for 299 Euros - This is way too much and will need to drop)

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

Yaesu FT-891 - Another Photo Shows Detachable Front

Yet another photo has emerged of the new Yaesu FT-891, this time showing the radio with the detachable front removed: 

   (Click To Enlarge)

As for availability and price, rumours are that the radio should hit the shops during the summer months with a price of around $900/£620 - This of course is speculation and is yet to be confirmed by Yaesu!

 

CB Radio Skip 28/04/2016

The bands have been very quiet for many weeks so it was nice to hear a little activity yesterday! 

NEW: CRT ONE N With S/METER!

The CRT ONE has been around for a while and is a cracking little radio but it lacked one feature, it didn't have an S-Meter. Indeed when I was recently looking for a small radio the very reason I didn't buy a CRT ONE was the lack of the meter, I went for the Albrecht AE6110 which is basically the same radio but with the S-Meter.

Well the video below from CRT FRANCE shows a new version of the radio - The CRT ONE N, which now includes a redesigned display with a signal meter.

So a great little radio becomes a perfect little radio now!

Video:YouTube/CRT France

Price is listed as 69 Euros (£53)

Tim Peake Heard On The Space Station 18/04/2016 (Wouxun KG-UV9D)

FT-891 - New Radio From Yaesu?

 

This photo, which has appeared on several radio forums in the past few days, is reportedly showing a new radio from Yaesu. The Yaesu FT-891.

  

(Click Images To Enlarge)

 

Documentation also appears to show that the radio is for HF and 6M.

 

The power requirements are 13.8V and 23 AMPS, suggesting that the radio will have 100w of power on transmit.

Now we just need to know the price......!

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

 

Albrecht AE5890EU v's President Grant 2

Just a quick comparison between the Albrecht AE5890EU and the President Grant 2 listening to a station in Turkey on SSB this afternoon.

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):

 

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....! 

President Grant 2 - Another Problem Surfaces?

Video:YouTube/Trymtrains

President have certainly been plagued by reports of problems with their radios of late and this video appears to show yet another problem with one of their sets!

HEX (Hill-toppers and Extreme) Ground Wave DX NET

05/03/2016 - 27.405 USB

"Once again the chance to head for high ground and ping some signals around the Country, this is a contact / DX Net for those wishing to log as many +100 mile contacts ( as seen on the placement card ) as possible in a controlled environment .

It's all about the receive and power is not the issue , if you can't hear them_ you can't work them !
Hoping for better weather and Tropo conditions than in December and although I think we all had a great time with some cracking results it only ever reached around 25% of its potential in my opinion . 

QRM from Europe may be a problem and the Net(s) may have move to different channels at times around the mid-block on USB. 

I will be calling out from the Mendip Hills Somerset , at around 6pm on the 5/3/2016 and hope to make contact and be able to pass around as many as possible.

73 & Good DX
Kevin 26CT1685"

Source - Discussion thread on the Charlie Tango Forum: LINK

Wouxun KG-UV9D Dual Band Radio Review

Video: YouTube/M0OGY

Dave takes a look at the Wouxun KG-UV9D

New Year Propagation - 21WR294 - Sweden