Ah got ya. That was the answer. I thought that was an answer to something else. Nice pun. Forgive me I am a bit thick sometimes. x
Multi band radios - teach me
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I have bookmarked a few 2nd hand ones but just came across this new one which looks pretty decent . It even has Radio Ham on it although I have never seen that before. It could have come a long way since I had them 40years ago. There are tonnes of them on Ebay. Its a big subject but a very simple one. Low power usage, 12v, so solar, windmill or car battery and depending on what frequency I opt for, a pretty decent range. My only concern would be would anyone else even have one. But if someone was a part of a group they would make sure they all had one. This set on ebay looks like its got it all. x
x
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I got my Tecsun PL-880 primarily to use as a radio at home and in the camper, it runs an 18650 which lasts months on standby and weeks in use, and it also has decent sound quality for a radio this size. But my secondary purpose is partly because I saw the CountyComm radio that is the Tecsun PL-360 (pictured below) in a different guise. I wanted something I can scan the airwaves for anything, news or otherwise, over great distances should we ever be in ‘that situation’. I have no need to chat, and don’t want limited range. I’d hope that someone would at some point set up or man an existing transmitter and start broadcasting and I’ll be able to turn the radio on and hear “This is the BBC World Service, and here is the shipping forecast”. 
PL-360. Very portable listening station. I very nearly got one of these but went for the extra options and more classic transistor radio look of the 880 for it’s daily versatility.
PL-360. Very portable listening station. I very nearly got one of these but went for the extra options and more classic transistor radio look of the 880 for it’s daily versatility.
To get good range on the CB Radio freq's people are using their usual ham radio with for a 'base station' 100w plus. A chap I know throws an amplifier on top for added power. He quotes big ranges but I don't have any experience personally.
Getting back to radios it all depends on what it's for. Listening, the Tecsun's are good or XHDATA most of these come with a rechargeable battery and USB C cable. There's one doing the rounds at the minute for about £30 on aliexpress which covers most of the amateur and SW bands. About the size of a thick swan vestas matchbox I believe.
The Baofeng or current hot handhelds, Quansheng UV K5/K6, are good as long as you put a better aerial on it and get elevation. I have a couple for SOTA, I use a foldable 'tactical' antenna, a measuring tape with aerial connector, and have got 30+ miles. With a Slim Jim aerial mounted on a mast further. A licence is needed.
Again what's it for? listening to the Archers on repeat if it all falls down or talking to people. Who are you talking to?, what's the distance? Have you thought about who else is listening?
I believe the necessity for CB licence was removed, but don't quote me. For every other radio that you transmit on you have to be licensed, pretty easy there's online resources that got me through mine.
My Quansheng, £14 delivered via Aliexpress, is great. It's pretty robust but if it gets stolen or trashed no tears. I have the 2m freqs programmed into it, the maritime VHF freqs (I also hold a Long range radio certificate from my maritime days) and the airband freqs for local airports. I don't transmit on maritime freqs as the transmission is noisy compared to the common equipment and probably doesn't fit the specifications. I obviously don't transmit on the airband freqs and the radio defaults to 0.5mW on those freqs anyway. It does FM too for regular domestic radio listening.
For SW listening I have a couple of vintage Sony radio's from the 90's lovely kit.
This is the online 'course' I used and his following on Intermediate course to get me on the air. All free all he asks is for a donation to a charity. There is now a programme from zero to hero Full radio certificate course. Check out the RSGB website for details.
gm6dx.thinkific.com
Links to some radios below. Not affiliated just an example of what's available. Prices can vary drastically on Aliexpress or other sites so research. Again Baofeng and Quansheng radios need a license to operate.
www.aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
Getting back to radios it all depends on what it's for. Listening, the Tecsun's are good or XHDATA most of these come with a rechargeable battery and USB C cable. There's one doing the rounds at the minute for about £30 on aliexpress which covers most of the amateur and SW bands. About the size of a thick swan vestas matchbox I believe.
The Baofeng or current hot handhelds, Quansheng UV K5/K6, are good as long as you put a better aerial on it and get elevation. I have a couple for SOTA, I use a foldable 'tactical' antenna, a measuring tape with aerial connector, and have got 30+ miles. With a Slim Jim aerial mounted on a mast further. A licence is needed.
Again what's it for? listening to the Archers on repeat if it all falls down or talking to people. Who are you talking to?, what's the distance? Have you thought about who else is listening?
I believe the necessity for CB licence was removed, but don't quote me. For every other radio that you transmit on you have to be licensed, pretty easy there's online resources that got me through mine.
My Quansheng, £14 delivered via Aliexpress, is great. It's pretty robust but if it gets stolen or trashed no tears. I have the 2m freqs programmed into it, the maritime VHF freqs (I also hold a Long range radio certificate from my maritime days) and the airband freqs for local airports. I don't transmit on maritime freqs as the transmission is noisy compared to the common equipment and probably doesn't fit the specifications. I obviously don't transmit on the airband freqs and the radio defaults to 0.5mW on those freqs anyway. It does FM too for regular domestic radio listening.
For SW listening I have a couple of vintage Sony radio's from the 90's lovely kit.
This is the online 'course' I used and his following on Intermediate course to get me on the air. All free all he asks is for a donation to a charity. There is now a programme from zero to hero Full radio certificate course. Check out the RSGB website for details.
GTG-UK Foundation Amateur Radio License
Course containing material to help you pass your UK Foundation Amateur Radio License exam
gm6dx.thinkific.com
Links to some radios below. Not affiliated just an example of what's available. Prices can vary drastically on Aliexpress or other sites so research. Again Baofeng and Quansheng radios need a license to operate.
Quansheng UV-K6 Upgrade UV-K5 (99) Interphone 5W Air Band Radio Tyep C Charging UHF VHF DTMF FM Scrambler NOAA Wireless Frequenc - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
XHDATA D-109 Stereo Digital Portable Radio AM SW MW FM Radio Bluetooth Compatible Multifunctional Radio Support TF Card Player - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
SI4732 0.5-108mhz Portable Radio LSB USB AM FM Pocket Mini Radio 1.9inch IPS Screen All Band Radio Receiver HF SW MW VHF Radio - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
www.aliexpress.com
Are there any like that that you can transmit on?To get good range on the CB Radio freq's people are using their usual ham radio with for a 'base station' 100w plus. A chap I know throws an amplifier on top for added power. He quotes big ranges but I don't have any experience personally.
Getting back to radios it all depends on what it's for. Listening, the Tecsun's are good or XHDATA most of these come with a rechargeable battery and USB C cable. There's one doing the rounds at the minute for about £30 on aliexpress which covers most of the amateur and SW bands. About the size of a thick swan vestas matchbox I believe.
The Baofeng or current hot handhelds, Quansheng UV K5/K6, are good as long as you put a better aerial on it and get elevation. I have a couple for SOTA, I use a foldable 'tactical' antenna, a measuring tape with aerial connector, and have got 30+ miles. With a Slim Jim aerial mounted on a mast further. A licence is needed.
Again what's it for? listening to the Archers on repeat if it all falls down or talking to people. Who are you talking to?, what's the distance? Have you thought about who else is listening?
I believe the necessity for CB licence was removed, but don't quote me. For every other radio that you transmit on you have to be licensed, pretty easy there's online resources that got me through mine.
My Quansheng, £14 delivered via Aliexpress, is great. It's pretty robust but if it gets stolen or trashed no tears. I have the 2m freqs programmed into it, the maritime VHF freqs (I also hold a Long range radio certificate from my maritime days) and the airband freqs for local airports. I don't transmit on maritime freqs as the transmission is noisy compared to the common equipment and probably doesn't fit the specifications. I obviously don't transmit on the airband freqs and the radio defaults to 0.5mW on those freqs anyway. It does FM too for regular domestic radio listening.
For SW listening I have a couple of vintage Sony radio's from the 90's lovely kit.
This is the online 'course' I used and his following on Intermediate course to get me on the air. All free all he asks is for a donation to a charity. There is now a programme from zero to hero Full radio certificate course. Check out the RSGB website for details.
GTG-UK Foundation Amateur Radio License
Course containing material to help you pass your UK Foundation Amateur Radio License exam
Links to some radios below. Not affiliated just an example of what's available. Prices can vary drastically on Aliexpress or other sites so research. Again Baofeng and Quansheng radios need a license to operate.
Quansheng UV-K6 Upgrade UV-K5 (99) Interphone 5W Air Band Radio Tyep C Charging UHF VHF DTMF FM Scrambler NOAA Wireless Frequenc - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
XHDATA D-109 Stereo Digital Portable Radio AM SW MW FM Radio Bluetooth Compatible Multifunctional Radio Support TF Card Player - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
SI4732 0.5-108mhz Portable Radio LSB USB AM FM Pocket Mini Radio 1.9inch IPS Screen All Band Radio Receiver HF SW MW VHF Radio - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
Ps can anyone access the link on this post to ebay? it s not comingup here but appears when I go to edit or reply?
sorry if I wasnt clear. i will rephrase the Q. is it possible to transmit on any of those radio on the links you posted? and if so what so of range? I am guessing you have got one. cheers. dale x
To get good range on the CB Radio freq's people are using their usual ham radio with for a 'base station' 100w plus. A chap I know throws an amplifier on top for added power. He quotes big ranges but I don't have any experience personally.
Getting back to radios it all depends on what it's for. Listening, the Tecsun's are good or XHDATA most of these come with a rechargeable battery and USB C cable. There's one doing the rounds at the minute for about £30 on aliexpress which covers most of the amateur and SW bands. About the size of a thick swan vestas matchbox I believe.
The Baofeng or current hot handhelds, Quansheng UV K5/K6, are good as long as you put a better aerial on it and get elevation. I have a couple for SOTA, I use a foldable 'tactical' antenna, a measuring tape with aerial connector, and have got 30+ miles. With a Slim Jim aerial mounted on a mast further. A licence is needed.
Again what's it for? listening to the Archers on repeat if it all falls down or talking to people. Who are you talking to?, what's the distance? Have you thought about who else is listening?
I believe the necessity for CB licence was removed, but don't quote me. For every other radio that you transmit on you have to be licensed, pretty easy there's online resources that got me through mine.
My Quansheng, £14 delivered via Aliexpress, is great. It's pretty robust but if it gets stolen or trashed no tears. I have the 2m freqs programmed into it, the maritime VHF freqs (I also hold a Long range radio certificate from my maritime days) and the airband freqs for local airports. I don't transmit on maritime freqs as the transmission is noisy compared to the common equipment and probably doesn't fit the specifications. I obviously don't transmit on the airband freqs and the radio defaults to 0.5mW on those freqs anyway. It does FM too for regular domestic radio listening.
For SW listening I have a couple of vintage Sony radio's from the 90's lovely kit.
This is the online 'course' I used and his following on Intermediate course to get me on the air. All free all he asks is for a donation to a charity. There is now a programme from zero to hero Full radio certificate course. Check out the RSGB website for details.
GTG-UK Foundation Amateur Radio License
Course containing material to help you pass your UK Foundation Amateur Radio License exam
Links to some radios below. Not affiliated just an example of what's available. Prices can vary drastically on Aliexpress or other sites so research. Again Baofeng and Quansheng radios need a license to operate.
Quansheng UV-K6 Upgrade UV-K5 (99) Interphone 5W Air Band Radio Tyep C Charging UHF VHF DTMF FM Scrambler NOAA Wireless Frequenc - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
XHDATA D-109 Stereo Digital Portable Radio AM SW MW FM Radio Bluetooth Compatible Multifunctional Radio Support TF Card Player - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
SI4732 0.5-108mhz Portable Radio LSB USB AM FM Pocket Mini Radio 1.9inch IPS Screen All Band Radio Receiver HF SW MW VHF Radio - AliExpress
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
Thank you for this, I ended up buying the xhdata radio receiver.
It’s a cracking little radio. I can’t remember if it comes with one of the little reel aerials, if not they’re very handy and really help with signal reception. I use them when away for work in Airbnb/hotels. Sony An-71 would be my recommendation.
That’s a cracking little radio for the price. Easily portable is important, and good advice from Scoman to grab a little wire aerial. Just dangling that out of the top window at your place will give you miles of extra coverage.
@SCOMAN and @Nice65 bought the XHDATA D109WB, which is the update, and was available on Amazon for the same price at £30, but does not come with an external aerial...any recommendations?
But looking around thinking maybe I should have bought the XHDATA D-808?
I still thinking about Baofeng UV-5RH Max Tri Power 15W Two-Way Radio? @SCOMAN what do you think? The radio is better for listening in, which is the main interest.
But looking around thinking maybe I should have bought the XHDATA D-808?
I still thinking about Baofeng UV-5RH Max Tri Power 15W Two-Way Radio? @SCOMAN what do you think? The radio is better for listening in, which is the main interest.
I don’t know enough about any of them to make comparisons. My Tecsun came with a long that winds around a spool like a kite line. Scoman recommends a Sony-an71 which looks tidier than mine but quite expensive, nearly the price of the radio.
I got my Tecsun from here, good company, their antennas are cheaper than the Sony.
www.anon-co-eu.com
I got my Tecsun from here, good company, their antennas are cheaper than the Sony.
Anon-Co - Tecsun Radios Online Shop for the EU & UK
Anon-Co is a renowned online dealer of Tecsun radio receivers, antennas, accessories and replacement parts since 2005.
www.anon-co-eu.com
Nah not obvious to me. I have got no experience with any of the modern devices discussed on this thread. I only have a decent amount of forty year old knowledge on CB radio. Theres not that much changed from what I can make out so it is still up to date x
A quick reminder and sorry to harp on about it but to transmit on a Baofeng, Quansheng and to hell with it most other radios, look up your own exceptions, you need to be a licensed operator. In the UK and Northern Ireland the license is issued by OFCOM and RSGB administer the exams. I've posted previously a link to an online self-learning course. If you transmit without a license you are breaking the law and liable for a fine.
On to aerials and radios;
My recommendation for an additional aerial would be to look for a Sony AN-71 on eBay. They don't make them anymore but so it'll be second hand. It clips to the top of the radio aerial and gives improved reception. It's not magic so don't expect to be hauling in Radio NZ like it's Radio 1 but it'll improve on the built in Aerial. In reality any length of long wire will improve reception but the wee reel aerials are a neat package.
Check out this post
Taking a look at the XHDATA D109-WB . . . a sweet spot on the price/performance curve
By Jock Elliott, KB2GOM The XHDATA D109-WB is a small radio that hits a sweet spot on the price/performance curve, delivering a lot of performance for not a lot of money (probably less than $60 US,…
swling.com
A comparison video here. I haven't watched it but it'll give some idea.
Check out YouTube re the Baofeng power statements. I think the 10w and 15w power projections are fanciful at best. Do you want 10 - 15 w right in front of your face when you're transmitting? I had a baofeng but went for the Quansheng UVK6. The Quansheng is a better radio by far.
p.s. found this as alternative to the Sony AN-71
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Unfortunately it doesn't seem possible to enrol on the foundation course from that guy, just the intermediate course.
Essex ham do have an online foundation course (no affiliation ) - am planning on doing mine this year
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