New Iradio Handset

Just bought the latest iradio UV-98 plus GPS, GPRS and wanted to blog on it ( not like others who are advertising or reposting info found in the Internet.

The latest version 1.14

It has 3 independent vfo's on display which can be monitored all at the same time ( in multi standby mode)

The quality of this handset is very good and hosts loads of features like band scan, gps coordinates, aprs decode, HF receive which is very good quality using its BFO.

All in all it seems to be a top performer with 3 companies listing them ( iradio uv-98 and radtel 880 and one not so known).

I love the idea of FM, AM and SSB ( tx only on FM) with a fantastic receive on AM Aircraft Band with USB C charging and 1024 channel capacity makes this radio a top performer for under £100.

Main Features:

● Dual band radio / NOAA / FM / Air Band RX     
● 1024 channels
● Type-C Charger
● Dual standby
● One-click Privacy Decode
● Remote Scanning for CTCSS / DCS
● Two TX end tones
● MDC1200 Signaling Tone
● Editable Device Name
● Editable Channel Name
● Power Saving

● Talk Around and Reverse Frequency
● Priority TX
● Scanning for Channel and Frequencies
● Definable Side-keys
● TOT / VOX / Scanning/Monitor
● Emergency Alarm
● Single Tone Send
● Definable Startup Logo and Greeting
● DTMF Encode/Decode
● DTMF Stun / Kill / Activiation
● Cross-Band Repeater
● 148×63×38mm，about 305g without antenna 

Some more pics for your enjoyment

If you do buy one you won't be disappointed.... Barry G0SCI 

5kw in the shack?

5kw in the shack?

Yes I'm thinking of the temperature of my shack and since I'm trying to save money due to the massive price hike I'm thinking of buying a diesel heater....  I've seen a couple on amazon and they have decent specs ... 

https://amzn.to/3VGhCRa

Is That a FT991A ?

 Yes that's right ... a Yaesu FT991A ..... I bought it due to the new trending C4FM HF beaconing trend which you have to own C4FM HF radio to beacon.

I went out and added to my catalogue of handies which is somewhat true ...i bought a Yaesu FT5D and sold my Yaesu FT2D to a good friend of mine (otherwise i would have just kept it hi hi)

Then i added a SP-10 speaker and MD200 base mic to round off the party ...

This all came about after i had played with the FT5D and the decision was made i must have the FT-991A

So all in all if you want to play with HF C4FM beaconing this is the route i took and you will probably come to, but its a expensive purchase just for the one part of the radio to function as a beacon.

The FT991A has took its pride of place in my shack and is a very capable rig.. so much i bought one for my radio club Wears in Sunderland

for more info check out the Facebook group 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/c4fm10/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/249799482598245

Weather to make a antenna

whether weather two to too their there...

Well I decided to make a 137mhz weather antenna but have hit a wall as it looks like I need to add a preamp at the masthead .

The signal is poor and may need to even reduce the coax length, or even change it all together ( I am using 75 ohm sat cable as i read it makes no difference as there is no transmitter connected)

I am using a SDRplay for receive with a 137 mhz bandpass filter at the input of the sdr.

Software 

SDR Uno for receive 

Com0com for virtual com ports

VB-Cable for virtual audio leads

Orbitron for frequency doplar control 

WxtoImg for decoding and storing images

Pics of antenna

The curves

The preamp

The preamp above will be the tester .. first I will bypass the blocking cap so I can inject 5v up the coax to power the preamp via a bias-t

.... to be continued 

New Certificate

Woke up to a email stating I had a new award ..... thinking to myself "WHAT AWARD" anyway since it had a few details about me right and mentioned a qso and qrz I sent with it .....

Yes I had indeed had the qso but never knew it was to support our heroes in New York 

Respect to all emergency services, carers,food banks, shop and infrastructure workers... THANK YOU ... you guys rock!

Carolina Windom with bat wings

Well I needed to dust off the old Windom and though it was time to play antennas since the weather was nice

Once in place I decided to add 6 and 4 meters to the bat cave....

Once out of the bat cave the sun was getting tropical so after a quick refreshments it was back to the bat cave to make a lazy balun .....

With the balun constructed the project was finished and the tests began....

To be Honest 70 mhz did not come to much but I didnt expect miracles... but I was surprised how well 6m turned out ... oh well here we go 50 mhz is ready for action

Hustler Btv6 Upgrade

Well the old Hustler has done me proud over the years but theres a time we need to use the warc bands so here we go ...

Shes down for a clean ... and a upgrade

Supports added and wires cut to length for 18 and 24 Mhz

Heres the results on the analyser.

All in all it worked out well and a fun day was had by all