[amsat-bb] Re: Very Interesting Radio - Possible Sat Use

[Clayton Coleman W5PFG]

Excellent idea and post, Tom.

I have posted two YouTube videos of the Baeofeng UV-3R being used for
satellite work.  I would suspect performance of the UV-X4 to be
similar in nature.  AC0RA and I have made a few "Baofeng to Baofeng"
contacts to test the performance on several of the LEO FM satellites.
Timing and antenna orientation is key and I would recommend two the
radios be used for full-duplex, as in your suggestion Tom.

Here's a video of receiving AO-27 using the stock rubber duck:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYZyC_vkew0

here's a video of receiving AO-51 using an Arrow:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRN4uJXvnK0

(I did make a contact on this AO-51 pass, though I wouldn't recommend
it because of the semi-duplex limitation)

73,
Clayton
W5PFG

On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 9:49 AM, Thomas Doyle <tomdoyle1948 at gmail.com> wrote:
> This may have been discussed previously but just in case it has not.
>
> I purchased an interesting radio that might be an inexpensive way to
> operate full duplex on the FM sats.
> The radio cost $65 including shipping and all accessories. It runs 2W on
> both 2M and 70cm. It has
> almost all the bells and whistles you would expect on a dual band handi. 99
> memories - tone squelch ...
>
> In addition to the low cost the radio is very small. See pic - I have
> fairly normal size hands so you can see how
> small it is.
>
> http://www.tomdoyle.org/UV-X4.jpg
>
> I purchased it expecting the worst. Much to my surprise it actually works
> quite well. The menu system is
> the most intuitive I have found on any radio. The only negatives I could
> find were
>
> - no channel lockout when scanning - I put the local weather station in one
> of the memories.
>  Since it is always on you can not use the scan function.
>
> - I fully expected a radio of such a small size would not have adequate
> sound from the speaker.
>  In fact the sound from the speaker is really loud. Everything is set
> using a rotary digital switch
>  with detents. This works great for selecting channels and using the menu
> functions. There are
>  only 9 detent positions for the volume. The lowest volume setting is
> mute, one click up and it is
>  loud and it keeps getting louder as you go up. There was nothing wrong
> with my radio - they
>  all do it.
>
> - no DTMF pad
>
> None of these negatives affect the use of the radio with an FM sat. You
> could buy a pair of these
> for $130 including shipping. Add a diplexer and Elk/Arrow antenna and I
> think you would be good to
> go with a very compact low cost full duplex portable FM station.
>
> I bought mine from http://www.maintradingcompany.com and received excellent
> service. In case you
> were wondering what the goofy looking LED between the switch and the
> antenna is - it is for the
> flashlight function the radio offers as a feature. The flashlight feature
> is invaluable :-)
>
> Sent from my computer.
>
> W9KE  Tom Doyle
> _______________________________________________
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