Megahertz-Radio

About Radiocommunication – VHF – UHF – HF

Posts Tagged 2m

Feidaxin FDC FD-150A/450A – Handheld VHF/UHF radio

Dec 23

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FDC FD-150A/450A

The first VHF radio I imported was a Feidaxin FDC FD-150A. This is a 2m (or 70cm) handheld radio. The price is about 60$USD. It’s a full 5 watt transmitter with everything you need. (Simplex, Duplex, CTCSS, DCS, memories..)

for 60 dollars this is a fantastic radio, but some drawbacks are there:

- Poor selectivity. 

- Useless S-meter

- no 1750 hz (for opening repeaters)

- Like every other handheld: useless original antenna. 

- When scanning, it will continue to scan after 5 seconds even if it’s traffic on the frequency. 

The last year I bought 8 of these radioes on all work great! Can use if for hunting, amateurradio and even listening at the police, firedepartment etc. 

Reviews: http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/7191

Buy: http://www.asiaradiosales.com

 

PS: This radio work like a dream in a APRS setup. (GPS Tracking)

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Yaesu VX-8R

Dec 18

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Yaesu VX8R

The Yaesu VX-8R HT provides a full 5 watts FM on 50/144/430 MHz plus 1.5 watts on 222 MHz. It supports Bluetooth® hands-free operation with the optional BU-1 and BH-1 or BH-2 accessories. There is also an optional GPS unit and antenna with loads of features. This radio supports APRS 1200/9600 bps data communication (B band only). Like the VX7R, the VX8R is submersible and meets IPX57 specifications (3 feet for minimum of 30 minutes). A powerful 7.4 V 1100 mAh Lithium Ion battery is included. This HT is small, intuitive tooperate only 2.36 x 3.74 x 0.92 inches (thinner than VX-7R). It supports simultaneous independent 2-signal dual receive function with both V + V or U + U. It has weather band receive with Weather Alert. A barometric sensor is included. You can even operate Amateur radio whilereceiving FM broadcasts! The receive coverage is wider than VX-7R, with an independent AM/FM broadcast receiver circuit. The dot matrix LCD display provides Memory tag up to a maximum of 16 characters. You even get a high-resolution Spectrum Analyzer with ±60 channels indication with wave monitoring of received/modulated signal! And DCS and CTCSS encode and decode is standard.

The VX-8R comes with the SMA antenna, FNB-101LI Lithium Ion battery pack, belt clip and NC-86B battery charger. (The NC-86B should only be used for receive, because it is not capable of supplying sufficient current to support transmit).

 

Features
  • Optional Bluetooth®
  • Optional GPS
  • APRS 1200/9600 bps (B band only)
  • CTCSS/DCS Encode & Decode
  • Weather Receiving with Weather Alert
  • Wideband Receive
  • Dual Receive
  • Submersible IPX57
  • Dot Matrix LCD
  • Hi-Rez Spectrum Analyzer

 

 

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ISS 70cm to 2m FM Repeater operational

Dec 17

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David Barber has reported on the AMSAT Bulletin Board that the International Space Station (ISS) 70cm to 2 metre FM Repeater is operational.

The Space Station FM repeater has it’s input on 437.800 MHz and it’s output on 145.800 MHz. Unlike terrestrial repeaters there is no need to use CTCSS or any toneburst to activate it.

For information on how to use it see ‘ISS Repeater Tips’ by Miles Mann WF1F at
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/februa … r_tips.htm

You never know, you may get to talk to one of the Astronauts on-board the space station.

AMSAT Bulletin Board AMSAT-BB
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/maillist/

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First-ever contact between South Africa and Reunion Island

Dec 17

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Glen ZS2GK and Phil FR5DN have made the first ever 2M VHF contact between Reunion Island and South Africa via the South Indian Ocean.

Glenn ZS2GK reported that early this morning at 0215 SAST he heard the FR5DN beacon from Reunion Island. The message reads: de FR5DN/b FR5DN/b followed by a long tail.

At 0339 SAST he established a two-way contact with Phil FR5DN on 144,200 MHz SSB and also on 144,400 MHz FM.

The signal strength was S5/6 with no QSB over the VHF path of 2875 km. This is a new SARL record on 144 MHz.

ZS2GK Antennas were 4 x 9el Horizontal (made by ZS6OB) on a H frame which is 2M above roof.
Antenna gain – 12,7dB
Array gain – 18.5dB
Power gain – 26dB
Total ERP – 44,5dB
ERP in Watts – 28,100W
Power used was 400W on SSB and 200W on FM.
Masthead pre-amp 12.6dB gain and 1/2″ Heliax Hardline co-ax cable.
With the pre-amp out of line there was almost no copy!

Antenna on the FR5DN end is a single 17el at 6M
Power used was 120W SSB/FM with ERP at about 1800W
Phil also used a masthead pre-amp.

More information and audio files of the contact available here: http://www.astrorun.com/~fr5dn/radio/tropo/
zs2gk_12august2008.html

Congratulations to Glen ZS2GK and Phil FR5DN!!!

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