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

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?

EXCLUSIVE: Superstar 3900EU UPDATE!

Following on from recent online discussions about the Superstar 3900EU I have received a press release from Superstar UK regarding reported frequency instability on previous versions of the 3900 radio:

"Ranger are unaware of any frequency drift issue with any current Ranger built products, including the 3900 model. To quote Ranger directly "[There is] no drifting frequency problem for our product.". Superstar UK are satisfied that there is no known drifting issue in the current 3900, and the radio is ready for market. Superstar 3900 EU will be in stores from Monday"

So there you have it, Ranger/Superstar UK appear to be confident that their product is in good working order. The statement also appears to suggest that the board in this 'new' version is in fact the same as the current model. 

Now I have never owned a 3900 but have always liked the 'Cobra 148' look of the radio and would definitely consider buying one. Like many others I have also been put off by past reports of problems with the radio.

So given the assurances would you be willing to buy this radio?

Do you already own a RANGER built 3900 radio? Are you happy with it?

Please let me know.... 

The GOOD NEWS is that if you do fancy this radio it should be available from MONDAY 12th September.

Confirmed sellers are:

Nevada

Thunderpole

Knights

Radioworld

The CB Shack

UK 4x4 Centre

Sharman Multicom

Meanwhile you can get the latest on the Superstar 3900EU on Superstar UK's website: www.wearesuperstar.com 

UPDATE: Full technical analysis of the radio CLICK HERE

President Grant 2 - Bank Holiday Special @ Knights

Knights Electrocom have the President Grant 2 (Non-Premium) on offer over the Bank Holiday weekend at a special price of £169

Lick to website: 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. 

New Midland M-10 @ Nevada

Navada are now taking orders for the new bluetooth CB radio from Midland....

   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

Price: £89.95

Nevada Website: LINK

New VHF CB Radio Band Comes To Sweden!

Information coming in via Instagram message is that Sweden have been allocated a VHF CB Radio band. A look on the Swedish Telecommunications website and a bit of dodgy Google translation later would appear to show that there are 10 channels in the 69Mhz band spaced in a similar way to the PMR446 band. Power output appears to be 5 watts with base and handheld radios allowed.

UPDATE:

A further 8 channels are also allowed with a maximum power output of 25 watts:

69MHz Bandplan:

The legal regulations can be found in this document: LINK

 

So if you fancy a go, this little Anytone should do what you need.....

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!

 

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 CB Radio: CRT MEGAPRO

HBAB Daily SSB Net

SSB has really taken off in parts of the UK since it's legalisation in 2014 and one of the fastest growing networks is the HBAB (Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire And Buckinghamshire) group net.

Their net can be heard on the mid band (EU Band) daily from 16:00 hours UK time, calling on the UK SSB calling channel 27.275 USB then QSY to their new net frequency 27.295 USB.

So do listen out if you are in the area or if there is some propagation on the band you may hear them anywhere across Europe and beyond. 

Group members can also be found on FaceBook on their new page "CB Radio Europe".

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.

Ziggy Hudson R.I.P.

Sad news this morning with the passing of Ziggy Hudson. A true radio legend and a dear friend to many radio operators.

Ziggy was well know and loved by many in the UK and beyond. 

"Very sad news mate. A friend to many, myself included - Radio legend - gentleman and good guy of the radio world.

-73 Zig

Smokey Jay"

"Stunned!!!!! very very sad news indeed

RIP Ziggy

Craig - SydTheCat"

"Awfully sad news. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person but he was a true gentleman every time we met on the air.

73 Ziggy

Paul - Morph"

"I'm really shocked and saddened to hear this news!

I had the privilege to meet Ziggy a few times, as well as having many a rag-chew on the radio. He had a great sense of humour and was a genuinely nice person. He will be sorely missed!

RIP and 73s for the last time.

John - John123"                           

Many more comments and tributes can be seen in this thread on the Charlie Tango forum: LINK

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.

UK CB Radio: Single Side Band (Mobile)

Video: YouTube/Steve Stevens

In this video Steve shows us the advantages of using SSB even in flat conditions. Starting a chat with one other station and by the end of the video he has quite a nice little net going with stations in Luton, The South Downs, Peterborough and London.

SSB activity has increased dramatically in many parts of the UK since it was legalised in 2014 with many weekly nets springing up. Steve's video shows that a call on the UK SSB Calling Frequency (27.275 USB) can lead to some great contacts even in poor/flat conditions. 

So why not give it a try? Give out a call on 27 Mid Band (27.275 USB).

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.....!

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

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

The Basics of Switching Mode Power Supplies

Video: YouTube/TRXBench

Another interesting video from TRXBench, this time explaining switch mode power supplies.