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

[John Geiger]

You can find them for $46 shipped on ebay.

73s John AA5JG

On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 12:22 PM, KP4TR (Ramon Gonzalez) <
kp4tr.ramon at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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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> author.
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