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

[KP4TR (Ramon Gonzalez)]

Looks like a knock off of Yaesu VX-3. For $65 not bad

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 12, 2012, at 12:49 PM, Clayton Coleman W5PFG <kayakfishtx at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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