The wait is over for the small TTI that we featured some weeks ago. It is actually now released with a half ok retail price of a little under 80 euros. And well you get a multi EU radio this time with an s-meter.  I am not convinced the radio is actually a new one, maybe it is the 560 base with a new front and an s-meter. But the 560 worked excellent, was easily modified so let us hope this one will be the same. Check your dealer for availability but if you want to order direct then check out K-PO (link below)

Image (c) http://www.k-po.com

Direct Link: http://www.k-po.com/TTI-TCB-565-MULTI.2.html

WOW so the radio that was signalled to be in stock December is now sat for sale. 169.00euro and available now in such places as http://www.neuner.de for example. As we know the radio is a multi-norm EU and based on the Uniden 680 which was an all AM radio for the USA. Before you ask me no I have not seen one at all but can tell you the details of the bands covered on this radio:

U: 40 channels FM ending .125 and 40 channels CEPT FM (not any AM)

PL: 26960-27400 AM/FM with the -5KHz which is used in Poland

EU: 26965-27405 40 channels 4 watts AM & FM

EC: 40 channels 26965-27405 with NO AM Mode

IN: The band for our friends in India. In this band you get 27 channels AM/FM with 4 watts

D: 80 channels FM (26565-27405) and 40 channels AM Mode 26965-27405 both with 4 watts

Direct link to the page:

http://www.pmr-funkgeraete.de/Funkgeraete/CB-Funk/Stabo-CB/Stabo-XM4060e-Multinorm-CB-Funkgeraet::8891.html

Some days have passed since I added the piece about the New Zealand radio that was released in UHF format. Well I started to think what if something like that would come to market with SSB in either Europe or the United States and what could it be like and would it actually be worth anything when the dust settled. Back then I thought a little about it, then some more and now a little more on how or what it would need to behave like:

So we take another look at the radio now and see what could be on offer and what could be done to make this with SSB.

Top Right Hand Side of the removable front I would have here a clarifier and a course. This would need to be like VFO in format and track the way the frequencies are (export mode only) so if asked to change frequency then you could go to 27397 or 27392 and so onwards. If it cannot track the way the frequencies are like VFO mode on CRT9900, Optima, AT5555 or Lincoln II then it is not worth nothing

Below The Top Right Buttons This would need to be a multi-norm radio after all. So why not add some of the things that are needed these days and always. ANL, NB, HI CUT, CTCSS, DCS and I would use in the menu for RF Gain and Mike Gain so not to clutter the front panel more than needed. IT IS the front panel that makes the radio stand out, this is the key point of the radio (The Face) And make sure the audio is strong all modes. It is once again no good if loud on AM and dull on all other modes. Mike Gain 0-80 for example with a default set. Let the user decide how much they need to have it open. Roger Bleep Something new and different not the same old that many have these days.

Top Left Of Display Minimum controls like on/off and squelch. Below the buttons maybe a MODE switch to allow switching in EU modes to AM or FM and in UK Config to AM / FM / SSB so can be easily achieved while not making a mess of the front. Plus you need the F button to access menu options.

Menu Driven Put all the usual suspects in the menu system. RF Gain, Mike Gain, Screen colours, roger bleep, key bleep, Split feature for export modes. There is nothing to say a legal SSB radio cannot have SPLIT when in export and this option enabled via modification.

Junk Side Of Life So the down sides are also common and easy to see. Size is small so cooling would need some heat sink and then what? 12w PEP in legal format and 25-30w in export could cause come component issues. But needs some grunt. 12w export mode don’t cut it anymore. RJ45 not many people like it and to keep the minimal lines then the mike needs to be RJ45. Work around is include an adapter from RJ45 to 6 pin so you can use different mikes on the radio. Display cable. So, detachable head then you need cable to hide the base unit, and also to use the mike (unless you can work it so the mike fits into the headset via a RJ45 Socket) that way keeps cables to a minimum. RADICAL change of looks means money. So it is indeed a pipe dream radio. One way to offset costs is make it for sale as a CB and also as an Amateur Radio covering 10-12m in amateur format and legal as a CB in CB Format (Albrecht do this with AE5890EU and AE7500) so is an option. And if allow 10-11-12m then allow 24500-30000MHz in export. OH an it would sure need a socket for an extension s-meter. Some don’t trust light fairy lights after all?

Too much Tetley (tea) and too long sat looking at the picture. Thanks to the many who sent me ideas and asked me to write more about it. So I have, yep it is almost the same as the first article just with a few more ideas held onto it. So there you are have elaborated on it for Maciej, Roman, Paul, Pete S and others. No radio will be what all want, it is not possible and will likely with all be a mix of wanted and not wanted.. A nice dream and nice to see. Easiest solution is move to New Zealand have it today on air… Better than an article, too much tea drunk and dreams of course. MOST OF ALL, market is not big. Remember this and that’s why we cannot have all the radios from back in the day like Ham International, Cobra 148GTLDX, Superstar 360′s, 2000′s and others. Too small and too many people don’t invest and make do with what they have had for many long years

So it sure must be almost Christmas time as two radios that many (including myself) have been waiting for come almost for release at the same time. If you have been waiting for the new CRT Mike and One well now is the time to ask at the dealers as small numbers are out now. These radios have been a real talking point in some areas of the EU as they are small, easy to hide in the smallest places and in the case of the CRT Mike it is something many have wanted since the Stryker was released as an amateur radio. Many wanted this as a CB. SO CRT did it and have it now.

CRT MIKE Produit EN

And the CRT One which is based on the super sexy and small Qixiang will be along soon. Now that is am told something special via people in Asia. To me it looks like a shrunk down AT310 chassis so be sure there will be things “hidden” inside and also excellent audio on AM something that was once only Uniden related. Delivery date now not known but keep asking at the dealers as these promise to be something special according to sources in Asia.

New CRT ONE

So another old friend comes back to the market with 12/24v so all fine and well for the truckers. Not sure really otherwise what has changed, but sure it will have export and also ALPHA when you reach an A channel. Export mode will enable 25615-30105 AM/FM and price not sure at the moment.

> 9 Bands Programmable (all European countries)
> AM/FM 4W
> 3-Digit Band/Channel Blue Color LCD Display
> Manual or Auto (fixed) Squelch
> RF GAIN Control
> ANL (Automatic Noise Limiter)
> EMG (Emergency Channels) quick access
> Quick UP/DN channel selection
> 3W Speaker
> Soft type microphone curl cord
> 4-pin Mic Connector
> Dual Voltage 12-24 VDC

M-130EX DUAL International Version, features 12 bands, 450 channels including 50 Alpha channels. Not available for sale or use in the EEC countries.

So another radio that returns now with the skin of a 12v and 24v radio. Seems “the thing” at the moment with President and also Intek doing the same thing. Guess they see where the market expands? And why not have the best of both worlds shall we say. We all know the radio under many different names so no need to expand on that. Nice to see the return…

Photo has the sole copyright of (c) http://www.k-po.com and the price 74.95 euros

Some weeks ago we announced a competition to win a radio. There are 3 radios on offer so have a go at winning one?. A CRE8900, A President Lincoln II v3 and a CRT Superstar 9900 all sat for a winner. The idea of the competition is simple, so I will explain 1 more time and then if you want to enter then you can. If you don’t want something for nothing then that’s up to you.

So I need a postcard with these details to be entered into the competition:

Name, Address, email and telephone number (Prize is sent EMS and needs telephone number for courier)

Then all you need do is choose what you want:

A: CRE8900

B: Superstar 9900

C: President Lincoln II v3

Now sadly the rest of the rules:

Anyone anywhere can enter. Inside the EU there will be no duties and taxes to be paid. Outside of EU then the duties and taxes are for the recipient to pay. This is at your cost.

Lincoln II, CRT 9900 and CRE8900 are the prizes. Choose 1 and that’s what you get. No alternatives offered.

Last Day of the competition is 26th January 2015 and after this date the winner will be notified via email so add this to the entry to the competition please.

Send entries to:

Simon

PF 446

Budapest

H1242

Hungary

All radios will be sent locked to 10m and should you need them modified then am sure you know a way to do this. I will not offer the radios modified and cannot supply the instructions how to do this.

Worth the cost of a stamp?

News from Paul at Sigma Eurocomm is that he has or will soon take delivery of the Team 1011 which as we know has been selling rather well in Germany in past months. I cannot tell you any news more about it other than it is arriving or has arrived so check the website and see If it is already up there. The address is as follows:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/sigmaeurocommltd

As you know with a simple key press these radios unlock to use them as nature intended. Price is unknown at the moment and also whether they come with the CTCSS included or as an extra.  I have seen some websites with them being supplied with and some without. Best to ask.

Christmas time approaches and many companies relax after a busy year. CRT bucks this by announcing the new CRT 4CF which will come at the end of January 2015 and here on the blog we are letting you see a sneak peak of the radio. Yeah Yeah another hand held I hear you cry but this is a hand held with a little something different shall we say

Now take a look at the specifications:

144-146MHz (Sure can be unlocked) 430-440MHz (Guess can be Unlocked)

Cross Band & Duplex Mode

Short Wave Receive: 0.2 – 29.99 MHz

Air Band Receive: 118-136MHz AM

Long Wave Receive: 0.52 – 1.71MHz

6.25KHz for the PMR 446 Men out there (Including Myself)

CRT 4CF fond blanc

English specifications CRT 4CF

So now we have the super long waiting time in radio terms for the radio to arrive on the market. CRT has carved a niche for some of the most interesting radios in 2014 with the 9900, the CRT Mike and the CRT Mini II and add to this the super small CRT One. And already kicking off 2015 with another radio of something different. WOW is all can say.

So we like to feature those that go beyond the normal to use the radio. We know the CTX Guys from the UK working all over the world with there T2LT antennas and on many a mountain in Wales and the UK. This time we have a look at a team from Slovakia who ventured to Skúška Suchého (vrchu) 1468m, JN99LE and take a look at what was greeting them there on there adventure. I understand they even made a QSO of 371km on a hand held with its normal antenna?

Below is a direct link to the page and you can use google translate or any other to see what is going on. And now the link:

http://www.cbdx.cz/clanek2716-skuska-sucheho-vrchu-1468m-jn99le-v-zime.htm

Photo (c) Za exp. Marco Polo
Kaso Partizánske

So this is the last part of the trio of pages about the radio that will take the UHF market by storm, well that’s what some that are waiting for the unit are telling me. This is a UHF only radio and I sat and thought too much and drank too much tea and wondered what would I do it I had made the radio or could make it with SSB. Was it worth it, was it something that could be interesting and then came all the ideas.

The last part is Programming:

What are the biggest niggles with radios these days? Firmware issues with the Qixiang made stuff, no PC Programmable with the Lincoln II, echo not adjusted right and not able to make updates in the comfort of your home and need send it away or sell it on ebay and buy something else.

So, USB to RJ45 cable that will attach to the head of the radio (same place as cable to the base unit) and is powered low voltage via USB and this can update the software on the radio. BUT I would also use this to make export mode possible, enable hidden features inside the radio such as SPLIT and maybe also adjustable TX Bandwidth (1800KHz to 2800KHz) so there is some use for the programming needs of the radio and not simply the find it online and hope it works approach some use today.

Cuts down revisions of units so no AT5555 version 82 and Maxlog M8900 Version 21 and no Lincoln II v 4. Do it all via an update server where the customer is registered. Yes that needs integration into IT departments but pain now setting it up makes less work in the future when legal formats change, simply change the software to meet the desired need.

And the people who write to me yes of course cash is king and this idea and also this three part column of writing is simply that. I have decided that there will be 3 radios in this series of ideas. They will come on an as is basis and will feature stuff that have had a time to mess around with (present radio excluded as never seen one)

The possible next victims I will look at: CRE8900 radio, Emperor Shogun, Midland 8001XT and also a tti 560 CB Radio. Remember this is for fun, no need abusive emails and frustrated messages.

After a lot of questions from readers of the blog about the Yosan radios that have been featured here over the past months there will be in the next one to two months a review and a video of them here and on the you tube channel of simonthewizard. Today an exceptionally large box arrived at the Wizard’s Lair and time will be made during the festive season to have a look at these radios that are “Engineered in Korea”

Radios We Will Be Looking At:

Yosan CB 250 (Handset Black Box Like William & Venus)

Yosan JC 2205

Yosan CB100 (Detachable Front)

Yosan CB 300

Yosan JC 350

Yosan JC 850

Yosan JC 650

Yosan Micro ( The much talked about radio )

Yosan CB 50 ( Looks Like Lafayette Pro )

Yosan JC 3031M Turbo

Yosan Pro 120

So please watch this space and we will have more news, videos and information here just as soon as possible during the next weeks till the festive season. All of these units as I can see are all labelled with possible output of 12w so that shows there is something hidden under the hood and more news of this later also.

All Rights Reserved (c) http://www.simonthewizard.com 2013-2014 Unathorised Use / Or Duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to simonthewizard and http://www.simonthewizard.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Winter is here and we all need something to keep our hands and feet warm when mobile and also something keep the room warm when we are sat at home. So here she is, the Lemm (RM) Testa Rossa 1000 amplifier. A little bit of loveliness to keep the radio going well and the stations replying when you call. Input on AM/FM up to a a maximum of 15w delivers 600w AM/FM and then flick the switch and out the 30w from your Lincoln II or CRE 8900 and a maximum of 1kw will light up the airwaves

This little lady is showcased in the new Lemm Catalogue and and sure brings another level of interest for the DX’ers out there.

All Rights Reserved (c) http://www.simonthewizard.com 2013-2014 Unathorised Use / Or Duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to simonthewizard and http://www.simonthewizard.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

I woke up this morning and thought i’d been transported back a few years in time? A good solid SSB radio for less than £100 i thought my tablets had stopped working. Alinco DR 135 UK is on offer while stocks last for an amazing price it has to be said. By reading on the forums i know how much this radio is rated so am happy to put it here on the blog and the link below.

Even if you do not need it now it is sure worth getting one while Mike has stopped taking his tablets for sure? Oh and the link:

http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/amateur-radio/transceivers/mobile-transceivers/alinco-dr-135dx

Photo (C) Nevada

And remember it is while stocks last, and they will sure not last at £99.95

.All Rights Reserved (c) http://www.simonthewizard.com 2013-2014 Unathorised Use / Or Duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to simonthewizard and http://www.simonthewizard.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

As this is the day that I guess the worlds supply of DR135DX is sold via Nevada Radio in the UK then it is also the time to tell you how to enable the hidden feature of ASQ which is there hidden within the software of the radio. You all know Qixiang so there are some goodies there on the inside:

So how to enable it:

Turn on radio with the FUNC and DW pressed

ASQ d will come on the screen so you need turn the channel selector till En comes on screen. Switch radio off and on and then the ASQ will be working for you.

Software or Firmware internal is same as the CRE 8900 and will be V3.10

Export Mode:

TURN on the radio while pressing the FUNC and EMG Together

1 Band is on screen, turn channel change till reads 2 band

PRESS AND HOLD FUNC and res will come on screen followed by rend

Turn Radio OFF and ON and you have export modified the radio

Big in Poland and the Baltic states. In fact this one came from Riga and from Telesputnik. Small, super small sized radio with a big heart and audio. As you see from the video the radio comes in EU multi format with d4, U, PL, E and works really well it has to be said. But don’t let the small frame surprise you as inside is 5 band A-E export mode with 0 and 5 ending frequencies and the ability to make 12w from such a small radio is quite amazing.

ASQ Auto Squelch has 32 settings from 0-32 and can be adjusted and locked via the F on the mike and the “Fun” button which we all remember from the Maycom EM27 and the much loved President Harrison ASC. This Yosan some may know as the Megajet MJ50 and with the EMG this is where band change is.

Multi display colour you see, flip to enable the screen to be in the correct direction now matter which way up the screen is. Receive is good, my location is noisy and when tested you can hear all the areas of Russia plus local taxi all on the same channel albeit 5KHz apart so nothing bad against the radio was just busy frequency.

Normally I have seen videos from Poland with this radio in the car and indeed after the video I spoke to Tashkent in Kirghizstan with 50w and the audio report was top class according to who I spoke with. More time is needed and this I will try over next weeks. So watch this space. I like it, it is a keeper and not a seller from my side. But it is my opinion based on how it worked and what was like. Sometimes the camera does not show it all.

Next time from the car… We try the radio mobile

http://youtu.be/Vr5-9EyeVgs

So:

EU Norms: d4, U, PL, E

7 colour display

ASQ Auto Squelch

Scanner

12w Possible

Export Mode A-E

DX/Local Button

Mega Small for new cars and when leave put it in your pocket.

Direct Link: http://www.telesputnik.lv/en/YOSAN-MICRO/21/194/2025

With my thanks to Dave @cubwolf for taking the time and making a recording to add to you tube. There is many people who talk about the Grant II and how it does not work for them, and here we can see a recording on how it works for me and it is quite ok. YES it suffers the same white noise as the Lincoln II but take a listen to the video and it sounds fine to me.

Radio was the Original Grant II V1 and was with the RF Limited CR577 mike, 25-30w and the antenna was the President Himalaya antenna against the fence post.

Sometimes I see photos and sometimes am sent them and more often or not I forget to add them or mislay the photo. The same can be said for the photo below. Robin from Germany with a nice little station to make some noise with. Myself, yes have spoken to him using the equipment below and although I cannot remember the antenna I know it was blowing smoke:

President Lincoln II Kucha Version, Astatic Minuteman? and a KL500

Go BIG or go home……

Here is something that is interesting for those that want an instant museum or indeed want a incredible collection of President, Midland, Lafayette, Stalker, Teaberry and the list goes on and on. Take a look at the photos with this collection. For someone in the business, or indeed a manufacturer to get stuff for a museum then this is an amazing selection. A real work of art.

Just in the time I have been looking I can see Ranger AR3500, President Madison, Jack, Emperor Shogun, Ham Internationals of all sorts, Washingtons, Lincolns, Grants, Jacksons and more and more. Are you someone wanting this or a dealer that can take the equipment on as a collection?

http://www.ebay.ch/itm/CB-Funkgerate-Sammlung-/141490230426?pt=DE_Handys_Kommunikation_Funktechnik&hash=item20f179949a

Not so expensive when you see the history and the stories involved with this collection. Hmm what is the going rate for a decent used kidney these days? One owner and low mileage.

Photos: (c) roman2995

The blog was set alight with the news that a hand held comes in 2015 with SWL and LW abilities as well as the usual VHF and UHF which all hand held radios have. Thanks to the kindness of Eric from CRT I can let you see the manual in English here now. REMEMBER please this radio at the moment is not released and comes only in 2015 January. It is very kind of Eric to let us all have an advanced copy of the manual and in the same time it also allows people time to read if the radio covers all that they want from it.

English specifications CRT 4CF

CRT 4CF-english MANUAL

AND ALSO AN FM RADIO Included too………

Remember this can also be open for change as and when needed so bear this in mind..