Posts Tagged ‘amateur radio’
Episode 71 Practical Amateur Radio Podcast
August 28th, 2016 | 
Author: Episode 71 of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast has been released and is available for download either through iTunes, Android, any other RSS podcatcher software or direct via the PARP website.
The general discussion theme of episode 71 borrows the motto from the Worldwide Floral and Fauna Program “Make Nature your Shack”. While I won’t complain about the warmth of my ham shack on a cold January day, as fall approaches we have many reasons to take our gear outdoors. I discuss the 2016 ARRL National Parks on the Air, Summits on the Air and the Worldwide Floral and Fauna programs.
During the featured website segment I introduce PARP listeners to the FieldRadio.org group and also share a new US amateur radio license preparation site called Ham-Cram.com.
Remember, this Saturday is the Colorado QSO Party. I hope you’ll hear me calling CQ. Thank you for listening to the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast and reading my blog.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK (Jerry)
Episode 71 Practical Amateur Radio Podcast
Episode 71 of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast has been released and is available for download either through iTunes, Android, any other RSS podcatcher software or direct via the PARP website.
The general discussion theme of episode 71 borrows the motto from the Worldwide Floral and Fauna Program “Make Nature your Shack”. While I won’t complain about the warmth of my ham shack on a cold January day, as fall approaches we have many reasons to take our gear outdoors. I discuss the 2016 ARRL National Parks on the Air, Summits on the Air and the Worldwide Floral and Fauna programs.
During the featured website segment I introduce PARP listeners to the FieldRadio.org group and also share a new US amateur radio license preparation site called Ham-Cram.com.
Remember, this Saturday is the Colorado QSO Party. I hope you’ll hear me calling CQ. Thank you for listening to the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast and reading my blog.
Until next time…
73 de KDØBIK (Jerry)
2016 Colorado QSO Party–Next Weekend
As the long, dog-days of summer begin to come to an end it marks one of my favorite operating activities and that is the Colorado QSO Party. While I’m not a native to the Centennial State, I am always proud to represent Colorado and this year marks the 140th anniversary of statehood.
The 2016 Colorado QSO Party takes place on Saturday, 3 September beginning at 0400 UTC (7 AM to 10 PM MDT). I have a few mid morning commitments which I need to take care of, but KDØBIK should be on the air shortly after the lunch hour.
Perhaps it is naïve to anticipate better band conditions for next Saturday. After all…..
But I for one will be giving it a solid effort from the basement ham shack located in grid square DM79np. I hope to work you in the 2016 Colorado QSO Party.
Until then…
73 de KDØBIK
P.S. Episode 71 of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast will release Saturday, 27 August. Thank you for listening!
2016 Colorado QSO Party–Next Weekend
As the long, dog-days of summer begin to come to an end it marks one of my favorite operating activities and that is the Colorado QSO Party. While I’m not a native to the Centennial State, I am always proud to represent Colorado and this year marks the 140th anniversary of statehood.
The 2016 Colorado QSO Party takes place on Saturday, 3 September beginning at 0400 UTC (7 AM to 10 PM MDT). I have a few mid morning commitments which I need to take care of, but KDØBIK should be on the air shortly after the lunch hour.
Perhaps it is naïve to anticipate better band conditions for next Saturday. After all…..
But I for one will be giving it a solid effort from the basement ham shack located in grid square DM79np. I hope to work you in the 2016 Colorado QSO Party.
Until then…
73 de KDØBIK
P.S. Episode 71 of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast will release Saturday, 27 August. Thank you for listening!
RFinder Lifetime Membership
Some very welcome news popped into my inbox this morning from my friend Bob Greenberg, W2CYK. Bob is the owner and founder of RFinder the Worldwide Repeater Directory.
I had the opportunity to meet Bob via social media many years ago when RFinder first launched and have been a fan and supporter of RFinder ever since. I even discussed RFinder in episode 55 of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast back in May of 2012.
For several years I used the ARRL repeater directory along with their TravelPlus digital version to search for and program my transceivers. While this solution worked very well, it was limited to just the ARRL database. For the traveling ham, this meant being at the mercy of the internet to find information on repeaters in the region and countries visited and this information was not always accurate.
In the time I’ve known Bob and been a user of RFinder, it’s grown to become a truly worldwide solution with partnerships with many national radio societies including the Radio Society of Great Britain, Amateur Radio Society Italia, Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, Radio Amateurs of Canada and the American Radio Relay League (just to name a few). Finally, the current database contains current and validated repeater information from over 175 countries.
RFinder the Worldwide Repeater Directory is available in app form for both the iOS and Android platforms and is also supported by both RTSystems and CHIRP radio programming software. Normally the cost for an annual subscription is $9.95 USD, but for a VERY limited time an RFinder Lifetime Membership is available for $99.99 USD. When I say VERY limited time, I truly mean this offer will not last long. It’s a very good deal.
Until next time…
73 de KD0BIK (Jerry)
RFinder Lifetime Membership
Some very welcome news popped into my inbox this morning from my friend Bob Greenberg, W2CYK. Bob is the owner and founder of RFinder the Worldwide Repeater Directory.
I had the opportunity to meet Bob via social media many years ago when RFinder first launched and have been a fan and supporter of RFinder ever since. I even discussed RFinder in episode 55 of the Practical Amateur Radio Podcast back in May of 2012.
For several years I used the ARRL repeater directory along with their TravelPlus digital version to search for and program my transceivers. While this solution worked very well, it was limited to just the ARRL database. For the traveling ham, this meant being at the mercy of the internet to find information on repeaters in the region and countries visited and this information was not always accurate.
In the time I’ve known Bob and been a user of RFinder, it’s grown to become a truly worldwide solution with partnerships with many national radio societies including the Radio Society of Great Britain, Amateur Radio Society Italia, Deutscher Amateur Radio Club, Radio Amateurs of Canada and the American Radio Relay League (just to name a few). Finally, the current database contains current and validated repeater information from over 175 countries.
RFinder the Worldwide Repeater Directory is available in app form for both the iOS and Android platforms and is also supported by both RTSystems and CHIRP radio programming software. Normally the cost for an annual subscription is $9.95 USD, but for a VERY limited time an RFinder Lifetime Membership is available for $99.99 USD. When I say VERY limited time, I truly mean this offer will not last long. It’s a very good deal.
Until next time…
73 de KD0BIK (Jerry)
Review – BTech UV-5X3 TriBand Handheld
UV-5X3Although the case design is familiar, the radio inside is not. BTech has recently introduced the new UV-5X3 to the US Ham Radio market. This radio is a true triband transceiver with internal filters specifically configured for triband operation.The firmware in this radio has been reworked to include several new features not found in similar appearing radios.
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In the Box
Included with the radio are the:
– 1500mAh Li-Ion Battery **
– 85 page User Guide – English
– Charger base & AC adapter
– Hand strap
– Belt clip
– PTT Earpiece / Microphone
– Antenna (1) – VHF / UHF 6 3/4″ (17cm) A-V85
– Antenna (2) – 220 MHz 6 1/4″ (15.5cm)
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** This is the identical battery that is commonly mislabeled as 1800mAh on some handhelds.
The UV-5X3 was specifically designed as a Tri-Band transceiver. The internal filtering allows not only the traditional VHF and UHF frequencies, but also includes the 222-225 MHz Ham band for the US.
Case DesignThe UV-5X3 has the traditional case design, which allows me to use my high capacity BL-5L 3800mAh battery with no alteration to the base. Accessories such as my mobile battery eliminator, Spkr/Micr, etc. are fully compatible.
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Transmitter
The frequency range is VHF 130-176 / 222-225 / UHF 400-480 MHz, supporting both Wide and Narrowband with 2.5kHz steps.The radio’s filtering scheme allows for full power on all bands. My OTA audio reports have been clean with clear with mellow audio. Power levels are respectable using a Bird VHF/UHF Termaline.
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DTMF / IRLP Access
Something new also appearing on this model is a DTMF gain adjustment, allowing me to adjust the DTMF audio to the transmitter to a comfortable level for both repeater control and IRLP access.
If you are in a area that requires tone burst for repeater or network access, the 1000Hz, 1450Hz, 1750Hz, and 2000Hz burst are accessible by pressing the PTT along with one of the four pre-assigned keypad keys.
The receiver sensitivity is excellent, and the audio quality is clear, loud, and undistorted. Along with the 3 TX/RX bands, the receiver also includes the traditional commercial FM radio band. (65MHz-108MHz)
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Tone Scanning – The receiver also has the ability to identify the tone of a repeater being transmitted by a received signal.
This feature gives me the ability to add / delete channels from the scanning list using the keypad. No longer a software only function. The more I can do from the keypad, the better I like it.
A Long Press of the [*SCN] button will start the scanning process.Channel Mode – When scanning with the Display Sync set to ON, the upper and lower display will scan together. This is explained below under Display Synchronization.Frequency Mode – When entering Scan, the image below will appear on the screen. Enter the first 3 digits set the range start, the second 3 digits sets the stop.
Example: Entering 146 : 146
Start the scan range at 146.000
Ends the scan range at 146.999
AntennaI found two antennas included with the radio. One was the standard upgraded A-V85 antenna, and a slightly shorter one for the 220MHz band.
Antenna (1) – VHF / UHF 6 3/4″ (17cm) A-V85
Antenna (2) – 220 MHz 6 1/4″ (15.5cm)
The separate antenna specifically tuned for 220 MHz is a great addition. The SWR shows 1.3 which is excellent. No compromise. I labeled my 220 antenna, as they are very close in appearance.
.Display
The radio has a tri-color display, allowing the color options of the blue, orange and purple. The LCD can be formatted in either of three formats. Choices are Frequency, Channel number, or up to 6 Alpha Characters.Display Synchronization
The UV-5X3 supports display syncing, which gives ability to track both the upper and lower LCD. I keep mine set to display the channel name in display A, and the frequency in display B. When you change the channel, both the upper and lower displays move together.
.Programming
Manual programming is pretty straight forward once you enter a few channels. A programming guide can be found at Manual Programming with a Menu Definition summary available at Menu Definitions.
The software support for the UV-5X3 can be found in the Latest Daily Build of CHIRP. There are a few new options that will be added to the 5X3 in the near future. One is the ability to Stun, Kill, Revive. This gives you the ability to disable your radio remotely.
The new chipset (RDA1846S and RDA5802N) provides reduced AGC switching noise and a low-IF digital audio processor for improved sound quality.
The programming cable requires a traditional two pin Baofeng / Kenwood style. There are several cable available. The generic cables may require special drivers, due to the use of cloned chips. For Plug and Play, a cable using an FTDI chip is recommended.
ConclusionThe UV-5X3 firmware has obviously been reworked to include:
– Tri-Band Support: VHF/1.25M/UHF
– D-ANI (Display incoming DTMF Tones)
– Synchronized Displays
– DTMF audio gain level adjustment
– Add / Remove Channels from Scanning list via keypad (LCD Dot Indication)
– On the Fly scanning by Frequency Range
– 4 Tone Burst options
– Remote Stun, Kill, Revive
