Random ramblings and notations

My most recent radio purchase has been a Wouxun KG-UV8D. I have to say that the quality is better than a lot of fellow Chinese imports .... but ......

For the price it's a little light on features, sure it has dual VFO's and cross band repeat and a nice display but it falls short on many levels. Receive audio is horrible, outgoing audio is reported as quiet and battery life is pitiful. I paid just shy of £100 for mine, only to find that it doesn't have the 2.5kHz step that would be useful for satellite work, and has a chassis and case so prone to scratching that it looks old (despite only having it for three weeks). In short, I'm not impressed - a Baofeng UV-5R would be far better value at a quarter of the price. Add the fact that you can buy an Alinco DJ-V500 for £65 and the prospect looks unattractive.

In other news, I have recently had cause to buy a replacement battery charge cradle for my Alinco DJ-V57 handheld (after being somewhat ham fisted with the original - my own fault for having a short temper 😈). I found one online at Nevada Radio and promptly ordered it. It was delivered today, I say delivered, what I mean is that the Courier still has it as Nevada (in their infinite wisdom) shipped it with a "do not leave with neighbour" marker. Don't these people realise that if one had the cash to spend on their products the chances are that they work for a living and just might not be at home to accept the delivery!!! Makes my blood boil!!

The HF radio fund is amassing nicely, have looked at the Yaesu FT450 D - I  think I have settled on this one for my shack.

More ramblings and rantings soon

73's

New Year Ramblings

After the New Year celebrations it's good to be back to relative normality. As you can see from the pictures the temporary "shack" (corner of kitchen) is fully equipped for V/UHF operations. The re- sited mast is holding firm.

The AOR AR-3000 communications receiver is working well - not bad for an item given to me - and has a Moonraker Whizz Whip attached. This antenna is supposed to be for portable operations and has its own "tuner" - the reality is that it does work but nowhere near as well as Moonraker would have you believe. I use it with the AR-3000 and it works quite well.

Things are pretty quiet radio - wise at the moment as I'm putting money aside to get that long awaited HF rig.

Christmas has brought a load of PMR446 radios to the local kids and channel 1 is buzzing with pre - pubescent squeals - it may just spark an interest in radio in them.

Short and sweet this time, so more to come as and when something happens.