“HamRadioNow doesn’t do ‘unboxings’, and we don’t do product reviews per se, but this time we do both. A new BaoFeng UV 5×3 tri-band handheld (144-220-440) caught Gary’s eye, and at about $80 he thought ‘why not’. He needed to learn more about this wave of cheap Chinese radios, and very few radios include the 220 band.
The main rap on the Chinese radios is that they’re hard to program. Gary finds this one different than the Japanese brands, but not necessarily more difficult. And it programs easily with free Chirp software.
Harmonics have been an issue. This episode includes an interview and demo from ARRL Lab Product Review Engineer Bob Allison WB1GCM from the 2014 Hamvention, where Bob was testing ham’s radios on a spectrum analyzer.”
Digital Modes
Raspberry Pi Ham Radio SSTV
In this project the Raspberry Pi with the PiCam is used as a wireless camera which can transmit images over long distances, usually hundreds of meters... Read more
WSJT-X Version 1.9.0-rc2
The WSJT Development Group is pleased to announce a Release Candidate of WSJT-X Version 1.9.0. This is a second beta release, so it’s called v1.... Read more
A New Spin on JT Alert HRD Logbook and WSJT X
WSJT-X for rig control. There’s no need for HRD rig control to be running. Just HRD Logbook, WSJT-X and JT Alert. Read more
Contesting
ARRL 160-Meter Contest
Photo Credict ARRL : Gene Shea, KB7Q, of Bozeman, Montana, logged more than 830 contacts and earned his Worked All States Award by the time the Sun ro... Read more
ARRL Rookie Roundup Returns: SSB Event is Sunday, April 19!
The SSB version of ARRL Rookie Roundup is back on Sunday, April 19. The event gets under way at 1800 UTC and continues through 2359 UTC. For th... Read more
Worked All Europe DX Contest 2015 – WAEDC
Many leading contesters claim the WAEDC to be the most challenging contest of the year. Being a true blue DX contest, only intercontinental QSOs betwe... Read more
Review
Anytone AT-D578UV Pro Quick Review with Katie WY7YL
“The Anytone AT-D578UV Pro is a mobile, dual-band, analog and DMR radio. With tons of features in a nice compact build, it’s sure to be a... Read more
Palstar AT2KD Review & How to Use a Differential Antenna Tuner
“Jarrad VK3BL reviews Palstar’s AT2KD and talks about the advantages of having a large, high powered tuner even if you only run barefoot.... Read more
Civility in Ham Radio: The Amateur’s Code
The Amateur’s Code was written in 1928 and very much applies today. Let’s take a look at the Code and how it can improve civility in our h... Read more
Equipment
The One Person Antenna Raiser by KL7JR
The One Person Antenna Raiser Like to operate portable? Do you have trouble finding help for antenna raising at your QTH? This may just be the... Read more
CD-45II METERED ROTATOR W/FRICTION BRAKE 8.5 SF MT N TOWER
The CD-45II handles 8.5 sq. feet mounted inside a tower, or 5 sq. ft. with mast adapter. Low temperature grease good to -30 F degrees. Bell rotator de... Read more
SDRplay releases ExtIO plugin for the RSPduo
“We are pleased to announce the release of the ExtIO plugin for the RSPduo. This release uses the latest API (v3.01) which is also being updated... Read more
VHF
3000km plus contact made on 433 MHz from St.Helena to South Africa
On the 16th of October 2020, there was a remarkable 3000+ km contact made on the 70cms band between South Africa and St.Helena in the South Atlantic.... Read more
Radioddity GD-55 UHF Waterproof DMR Digital Radio, with GPS Function! 10W with 2800mAh Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) Battery
Introducing the Radioddity GD-55, A Tougher DMR Radioddity’s first proprietary radio is designed to meet the most demanding of conditions, and dole ou... Read more
Compact D-Star Transceiver, Icom ID-31 upgraded!
Newly released handy transceiver ID-31PLUS for amateur radio which can enjoy long distance communication with D-STAR ® easily Product name / model nu... Read more