Category Archives: Technical

Amateur Radio, Emergency Communications, Federal Communications Commission, News, Technical

FCC Petition RM-11831 Threatens Amateur Digital Operations Like Winlink

By Lor Kutchins, W3QA, Winlink Development Team, President, Amateur Radio Safety Foundation, Inc

April 5, 2019–The FCC has opened for comment RM-11831, a proposal for rule making that would do two things the the US amateur radio rules:

1) remove paragraph (c) of 97.221. This would disallow narrow-bandwidth ARQ modes of 500 Hz or less from outside the specified 97.221 sub bands for automatically controlled digital stations. This will require all US Winlink HF gateway stations, regardless of mode/technique, to only operate within these narrow sub bands.

2) modify the wording of 97.309(4) thusly:
(4) An amateur station transmitting a RTTY or data emission using a digital code specified in this paragraph may use any technique whose technical characteristics have been documented publicly, such as CLOVER, G-TOR, or PacTOR, (remove –, add the following:) and the protocol used can be be monitored, in it’s entirety, by 3rd parties, with freely available open source software, for the purpose of facilitating communications.

This effectively eliminates Pactor 2, 3, and 4 from the US amateur bands unless SCS steps up and publishes complete technical specifications, including their proprietary signal processing methods, and produces an open-source monitoring program allowing on-air eavesdropping by third parties (not likely).

The Winlink Team will have to produce monitoring software for an unconnected eavesdropper for WINMOR, ARDOP. VARA’s author must do the same. The alternative is for Winlink to close shop for US licensees on HF amateur bands, or to eliminate B2F compression for messages sent by US-licensed amateurs. This will cause US users of all modes to suffer much longer transmission times by a factor of 2-10 times. Limits would not be placed on other users.

See and read the new proceeding from the link below. The 30-day comment period opened on 28 March. We have prepared a document containing useful arguments you may paraphrase for your comment filing. The formal ARSFI Motion to Dismiss RM-11831 and Petition for Rulemaking is also here for your review.

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=RM-11831&sort=d…

Unless we receive support from users on this serious threat, Winlink may be forced to close shop on HF in the USA. US and non-US users and gateway operators are urged to educate themselves and file a comment soon!

Amateur Radio, Antenna, Equipment, Review, Technical

Not much you can do with a 2-meter whip

Nagoya NA-771 15.6″, Dual-Band, about $17 dollars
Diamond SRJ77CA 15″, Dual-Band, about $28 dollars
Nagoya NA-24J 16″, Dual-Band, about $18 dollars

As you have gathered by my series of articles, I’m pretty much relegated to going cheap. I use Baofeng, for the most part. You know the rubber duck antenna that comes with most radios are not great. That is putting it politely. Thus the after market whips.

Nagoya is the official antenna for Baofeng. They are designed to fit all models of Baofeng and work on the new GMRS V-1 by BTech—which is really Baofeng by another name. I saved my pennies and recently purchased the Diamond SRJ77CA which has a reverse SMA to fit Baofeng.

When I originally bought the UV-82, I purchased the Nagoya NA-771 15.6″ whip. I used it on UV-5rs, the BF-F9 and the UV-82HP and GMRS V-1. It works good on each and much better than the rubber duck that comes with the radio. I’ve not been nice to the antenna but it seems to have held up good for over a year.

The next purchase was the Nagoya NA-24J. It is a very pliable antenna. The problem is that the audio reports with it were not as good as the NA-771. It did not seem to have the range of the 771. I tried it as a scanner antenna, but it seemed to pick up a lot of noise.

Recently I purchased the Diamond SRJ77CA 15″ with it’s claimed 2.15 dbi gain. Amateurs know what “dbi gain” means. If it had any gain over the NA-771, I did not notice it. It performs as good as the NA-771, though. I’ve closed the car door on it a couple of times and can’t find a nick on it.

In summary, if you want the Diamond name, go ahead and spend the money. The NA-771, however, performs just as well and is cheaper than the other two. I cannot recommend the NA-24J.

Equipment, FRS, GMRS, Midland, Radio Services, Review, Technical

Midland MXT90 GMRS not good out of the box

An advantage of having a GMRS license is being able to test GMRS equipment. I was hopeful when I saw the Midland MXT90 GMRS Micro-Mobile manufactured exclusively for Walmart. I was hopeful because I am always looking for good equipment at a good price for emergency use. Unfortunately I was disappointed.

The MXT90 is a small mobile 5-watt with the 15 GMRS channels. Channels 1-7 are the shared GMRS/FRS channels and 15-22 are the channels for licensed GMRS users only.

The unit features:

  • 15 GMRS Channels
  • 10 NOAA Weather Channels
  • 142 Privacy Codes (38 CTCSS/104 DCS)
  • Monitor Function
  • Keypad Lock
  • Power HI/LO settings
  • External Speaker Jack

The MXT90 does NOT have repeater capability built in. It comes with a nice microphone and is sturdy. It also comes with all of the mounting hardware like any radio.

The manual is complete and well-written. Although I believe there is a mistake in the manual concerning GMRS licensing. If you are familiar with GMRS handy-talkies, you should know that channels 1-7 are shared GMRS/FRS channels. Channels 8-14 are reserved for Family Radio Service and 15-22 are strictly licensed GMRS channels. A GMRS licensee can operated on channels 1-7 and 15-22 on high power. Radios with FRS will not allow you to set channels 8-14 to high power and are limited to around 1/4-watt. The manual states that you must have a GMRS license to use channels 1-7. I believe (and this is my own, unverified opinion) that is incorrect. Since these channels are shared, a non-licensed person should be able to use them on low power ONLY. This is one of the things I am trying to verify through reading Part 95, Subpart A concerning GMRS.

The operation of the unit is easy and then menu functions are easy to memorize once you get used to it.

I immediately tore the package open and started to experiment. It is a standard 13.8-vdc plug which goes into the cigarette lighter or accessory plug. The mag-mount antenna is small and has a long enough cable to reach through just about any vehicle.

I scanned through the NOAA channels. It would not catch any of them. Later I attached a dual-band Baofeng antenna I had and was able to scan and find the ones I usually find in my area. At home I powered it with my Fatmax battery booster. I was not able to do a proper test right away, since there are not many GMRS licensees in my area. I did scan and received some people on radios.

The next chance I had to do an actual test was on a recent trip to Utah. My companions and I were in two vehicles. I used the mag-mount antenna that came in the package and they were on a small Motorola hand-held. The audio was very good until they got a few miles away. That could have been the limitations on the hand-held, though. It turned out to be useful in an emergency situation we faced.

The manual does tell you how to purchase a better antenna, but for $99 I feel that better antenna should have been included. I would not recommend purchasing this unit.

That being said, Midland is not a poor radio manufacturer. They manufacture citizens band radios and other GMRS Micro-Mobile models. I checked their web site and found they have two other models with higher power. They have an MXT105 model which is essentially the same as the MXT90 sold through Walmart.

The MTX115 is a 15-watt model which adds repeater capability. It also has a USB charging port for mobile devices. This model comes with an antenna which probably works, but I suspect you will probably want to purchase an upgrade antenna. This model is $149.00.

Midland also offers the 40-Watt, MXT400 Micro-Mobile with the repeater capability also built-in. The only problem is that it does not come with an antenna, cable or antenna mount which must purchased separately.

If you go to their site you can find their latest in citizens band gear.

Midland is not the only manufacturer of GMRS and CB radio equipment. I only add the above information to this article since you might want to go with a higher power GMRS or citizens band equipment. The advantage of mobile radios is that you can create an effective base unit by purchasing an appropriate power supply and antenna for your home. If you must evacuate, or just chose to use it while driving, you can simply unplug the unit and plug it into your car; providing you set it up with an appropriate antenna and power plug.

No matter which service you choose to use, you should do some research. Questions on amateur radio gear can be directed to your local amateur radio club. You probably have one local to you. If you have friends that operate other radio services, you can ask them what they use and what they like. It boils down to the fact that it is your money purchasing the radios.

Amateur Radio, Equipment, News, Review, Review, Technical, Yaesu

Yaesu FTM 3200DR Transceiver Review

Just to prove I don’t just buy BaoFeng, I was going to do a review on the FTM-3200DR that I purchased. In this months issue of QST, I found they already reviewed it. Here it is.

Of course they cover just the basics. I purchased my radio used through a local Ham operator for a few dollars less than the going price about six-months ago. You can find them as low as $150 at GigaParts.

The unit is VHF only, but it is solid. It’s audio quality is so much better than my BTech UV-2501. The microphone is much better quality than the BaoFeng UV-2501 microphone. The keypad works much better. That is, of course, to be expected.

I did test the digital mode with my friend and was able to talk over 20-miles away on SIMPLEX. If memory serves, we had to use the high power mode of 65-watts.

The problem is that it is VHF and most of the people setting up Fusion repeaters establish them in UHF. It does not transmit digital pictures as do some of the higher end Yaesu models. It does not have APRS built-in. I do not know enough about the digital mode to comment much more on that feature.

The analog side, however, works great. It is relatively easy to program. It cannot be programmed with CHIRP. You can order a programming package from RT Systems for about $50.

I accidentally transmitted briefly without the antenna connected, once. I do not recommend you try it. You note that I said I did it accidentally and briefly. Amazingly it still worked without any noticeable degradation.

I use it mainly in analog mode, though with my current antenna I receive a lot of static receiving long-distance signals. When used with my local repeater it sounds great.

I really recommend new amateur radio operators look into this unit as a first mobile. I use mine on a power supply obtained through the same Ham friend. It is around the same price as the BTech UV-2501. Most of the repeaters I use are VHF, so this is not a problem for me. The FTM-3200DR, however, is more solidly built. I believe any amateur radio operator will find it is a good value.

Baofeng, Equipment, News, Review, Technical

BTECH GMRS-V1 Not Rocket Science

UPDATED: 11/20/2016; 20:24

gmrs-v1-161117-4SOURCE: BaoFeng Tech; $54.99 + Shipping

As we all know by now, BaoFeng is increasing power and audio quality on all of their radios. This includes my favorite model—the UV-82. With the new UV-82HP, I guess the question at BaoFeng was what to do with all of the UV-82 models laying around.

The answer was to turn them into Part 95 machines.

BaoFeng Tech now offers the GMRS-V1 preprogrammed with the GMRS and eight repeater channels. The rest of the slots are available for programming for receive only. It can be programmed with the free CHIRP program.800-frequency-chart-1The GMRS-V1 is identical to the UV-82 except for the BTECH label. It comes with the FM radio. It has the flashlight with strobe mode. It even has the alarm which broadcasts over the GMRS channel just as the amateur version does on amateur frequencies. The keypad on the GMRS-V1 is identical to the UV-82. The battery and charger are the same. You should even be able to use the battery eliminator for the UV-82. It even has 1- or 5-Watt transmit power.

You could also use the cheap external speaker-microphones available online, if you choose. I recommend against it because it sounds as bad as when they are used for amateur radio use.

It comes with the seven channels that are used for FRS/GMRS. This corresponds to channels 1-7 on the blister-pack models that you purchase at Wal-Mart. So technically anyone can use these 7-channels on low power. Channels 15 through 22 are also preprogrammed with the GMRS channels which requires a GMRS license.

CHIRP allows you to change the names of the channels, the CTSS tones and all of the other setting of the preprogrammed channels, but not the frequencies. The rest of the 128-channels can be programmed to scan only. You cannot set them to transmit. Thus, you can program the NOAA and emergency channels into the other slots and use it as a scanner. In fact I am a little disappointed that they did not preprogram the NOAA channels in.
noaa-channel-sx700-1
Because the antenna mount on the GMRS-V1 is the same at the UV-82, there is another advantage. You can use your existing 70-cm Ham antenna (or install another antenna outside) to eliminate radio interference from items inside your home. I used this to test against store-bought FRS/GMRS combination units and the audio seems to be fair.
gmrs-v1-161117-2My interest in the GMRS-V1 stems from the fact that I obtained a GMRS license before I realized that I could get an amateur license cheaper. I can use this one on the road and make contacts on repeaters just by knowing the channel numbers of repeaters along the way. That is if they are open systems. Some are closed, some are members only (paid members only) and some are private. Since it acts as a scanner, as well, I can free up channels on my amateur radios for amateur use.

A list of current repeaters can be found at myGMRS.com. Local GMRS groups in different States publish repeater information including usage requirements.

The other reason for my interest in GMRS radios is for emergency use. Access to these radios is relatively easy and cheap for a family. In fact many families have and use these radios in normal communications. So those that have them can contact the established emergency center for help. These radio are also commonly used for neighborhood watch programs.

Use of two of the shared FRS/GMRS and two of the strictly GMRS channels are restricted along the Canadian border. Remembering this is important for a GMRS license. From the FCC web site:

GMRS channels Along the Canadian Border

GMRS applicants must certify that they will comply with the requirement that use of frequencies 462.650, 467.6500, 462.7000and 467.7000 MHz is not permitted near the Canadian border North of Line A and East of Line C. These frequencies are used throughout Canada and harmful interference is anticipated.

Graphic from the Lakes Area GMRS Repeater Group web site.
Graphic from the Lakes Area GMRS Repeater Group web site.
I have played around with the GMRS-V1 since it arrived. I have programmed it for use as a scanner and the sound quality is good outdoors. I have too many radio interference sources to use it inside. The fact that I can use it as a scanner freeing up my amateur channels is a plus.

Amateur Radio, Baofeng, CHIRP, Equipment, News, Review, Technical

BaoFeng UV-82HP: Much improved

uv-82hp-16-11-12-02
UV-82HP comes with all you see here. Actually it also comes with an earphone mic that I could not find for the photo.
SOURCE: BaoFeng Tech
$62.89 + Shipping

Two things really got me into the idea of amateur radio. The first was February 25, 2015 when “vandals” cut a fiber optic cable in Phoenix severing phone, Internet and credit card and debit services to northern Arizona. The second was my introduction to the BaoFeng UV-5R. The interesting part was the capability of programming the unit. Some further Internet research (After February 25, 2016 of course) revealed that amateur radio was much more advanced than I realized.

As I explained in an earlier article, I chose to go with the BaoFeng UV-82 for my first radio. I received it, programmed it and was listening in before I actually obtained my amateur license. I had to get a little help from BaoFeng Tech technical support, but the minute I received word on my license I was on the air.

I continued to purchase BaoFeng mainly because I am not rich. Not always from BaoFeng Tech. I have tried the UV-5R, BF-F9 V2+ (really a knock-off of the BF-F8HP) and the UV-2501 mobile unit. The UV-2501 makes a great portable emergency unit.

I broke my original UV-82 after about six-months of dropping it on the ground. Not intentionally, mind you. I’m just clumsy sometimes. But it held up pretty good overall.

I was finally able to replace it with a UV-82HP and was pleasantly surprised. Except for the fact that I thought I was buying the camouflage model and accidentally ordered the black. Still looks good.

When I go for new BaoFeng radios, I usually go through BaoFeng Tech because they seem to have the latest. You can go through my previous article to get the particulars of the UV-82HP because it operates exactly the same as the old unit. I even programmed it with CHIRP using my old cable and old UV-82 CHIRP image. I had to add a line, of course, for the new power level. The HP adds 8-watts to the 1- and 4-watts of the older model.

The surprise was when I went to operate it. My local critic, Ted KF7QPG, kept asking if I was on my Yaesu FTM-3200D that I use as a base. He mentioned that I usually sounded muffled, but the audio on this unit was clear. That is with the built-in microphone, not with the Kenwood mike I reviewed. I confirmed that in another QSO with J.D. N6IME. J.D. mentioned that a friend of his recently acquired the tri-band BTECH UV-5X3 ($59.89 + Shipping) and that the audio quality was much better than previous UV-5R style radios.

Another good thing is that the battery from my broken UV-82 fits the HP model, so I had an instant back-up battery. I do not know if the antennas are interchangeable because of the higher wattage. I have to remember to drop a line to BaoFeng Tech and ask.

Almost all of the radios coming through BaoFeng Tech are either tri-band or tri-power. It seems that, also, BaoFeng tech is improving the audio quality of their newer models. You can still find older models through Amazon and other online sources. They are okay if you are really on a budget. If your budget can stand just a little more strain, however, I would recommend that you check the BaoFeng Tech web site for the latest models.

Their tech support department, by the way, responds quickly to emails. I have received a reply in as little as six-hours, but usually within 24-hours you will receive some reply.

I will note that there are better hand held radios that do more. For me, it becomes a choice of loosing a $300 radio or a $70 radio. If you are just interested in making contacts and talking with friends, you really cannot beat the price. Especially if BaoFeng continues to improve.

Amateur Radio, Amateur Radio Organizations, Federal Communications Commission, News, Technical

FCC Invites Comments on Petition to Eliminate 15 dB Gain Limit on Amateur Amplifiers

The FCC has put on public notice and invited comments on a Petition for Rule Making (RM-11767), filed on behalf of an amateur amplifier distributor, which seeks to revise the Amateur Service rules regarding maximum permissible amplifier gain. Expert Linears America LLC of Magnolia, Texas, which distributes linears manufactured by SPE in Italy, wants the FCC to eliminate the 15 dB gain limitation on amateur amplifiers, spelled out in §97.317(a)(2). Expert asserts that there should be no gain limitation at all on amplifiers sold or used in the Amateur Service.

“There is no technical or regulatory reason [that] an amplifier capable of being driven to full legal output by even a fraction of a watt should not be available to Amateur Radio operators in the United States,” Expert said in its Petition.

Read more at ARRL

CHIRP, News, Technical

CHIRP just gets better

There is more good news for BTech users. The latest version of the CHIRP program now supports menu settings for the mobile line of BTech radios by Baofeng.
chirp-1chirp-2
The last upgrade to CHIRP allowed you enter repeater frequencies and CTCSS codes without having to do the math. The latest update allows you to change the menu items just like your other Baofengaled radios. Or any other radios for that matter.

It still does not cover my old Yaesu FT-11R, but you can’t have everything. CHIRP is developed by a volunteer corp of programmers and supported by donations.

CHIRP, News, Technical

Good news for BTech fans. CHIRP now supports.

BaoFengSoftwareMobileDownload There is good news for the growing base of fans for the BTech UV-2501, UV-2501 +220 and UV-5001 radios. The popular free programming tool CHIRP now supports this series.

Apparently the the volunteer programmers for the CHIRP program added support for the radios in the last two updates.

You may recall that I have been developing an emergency radio system using the UV-2501. So far it has worked well. I am hoping to get the +220 model to add next. I have been using the Baofeng program that you download for Baofeng for the unit. It is complete but complicated to use. The new CHIRP version is a real blessing.

I downloaded the latest version of CHIRP, chirp-daily-20160329, and installed it immediately. I did not do any fancy programming, but did download the memory to a file. CHIRP does not yet have a tab for the extra settings, such as welcome message and initial setting for the FM radio.

It does let you program in the frequency for a repeater and the offsets and takes care of the math for you. In the Baofeng program, you have to enter the Rx frequency and then add or subtract the offset to enter the Tx frequency. It also allows you to add 7 alpha characters for the name and transmit inhibit for scanner only channels.