LIVE - W8BAD VOIP Node

W8BAD LIVE STREAMING CAM

LIVE DSTAR AUDIO courtesy of AK4EG Ustream

ISS SSTV Images

W8BAD Shack video

HD TV Coat Hanger antenna

LIFECHAT ZX-6000 2.4G (Bluetooth Wireless)

Currently testing the Microsoft Life chat. The TX audio is Very Poor to say the least. I drilled out around the microphone condensor with a dremel tool to get more audio.BE CAREFUL!. Although doing so did not improve the audio. I still have to move the unit closer to mouth by actually removing it from my ear and holding it closer. However the RX audio quality is outstanding. Furthermore the battery last well over 12 hours depending on use. Usually I keep it configured as just the RX portion of echolink and continue to use the wired microphone for Tx. It is nice to be able to get up for any reason and do things and maintain RX reception with a bit of a distance. This without disturbing anyone with the PC speakers. For what I have found on ebay in an echolink format there well worth getting one.

K1RFD ECHOSTATION

FDC-150A $55 2 meter radio

Negatives! NO DTMF/ Stock Antenna Stinks.

Feidaxin FD-150A/450A Programmable Compact Transceiver

Feidaxin FD-450A is a UHF (VHF FD-150A) Two-Way Radio from in China.
FD-450A covers 400~470MHz, FD-150A covers 136~174MHz. The Radio requires no computer/external device to program. TX/RX independent 99 Channel Memory capacity with 50 CTCSS, 104 DCS. A very rugged build radio, professional use in mind.

▲ Rugged Build
FD-450A is very well built around Aluminum Alloy chassis inside. Case housing is thicker than most of other radios. The radio is a bit bigger and heavier than others due to large 6.0v 1200mAh Ni-MH battery pack; nearly 50% of volume.

▲ Easy to read Alphanumeric LCD
Blue backlit large Alphanumeric LCD is easy to read and navigate settings. Viewing angle of LCD is set correctly so that LCD is legible when held by hand. Keypad tone corresponds to volume level and can be turned off.

▲ 50 CTCSS & 104 DCS / Auto Keypad Lock
I could see this radio was designed for Business/Professional use. Auto Keypad Lock prevents accidental changes on settings, small but useful feature for Business/Professional use. The radio is equipped with not only CTCSS but DCS (normal/inverted), making application much wider. Screw hole below remote speaker/microphone jack is to attach connector securely, another small detail for Professional use.

▼ Remote Speaker/Microphone
Motorola* type 8mm pin pitch remote speaker/microphone can be used. But exposed jack has very unprotected looking and both 2.5mm & 3.5mm jacks are not supported by housing; usually barrel of jack is inserted to the hole on housing to relief stress on jack. Stress from pull & twist of the connector goes to soldering points of jacks which is not really comforting. Probably speaker/microphone from Feidaxin is proprietary shape to fit and secured with screw, not giving any stress to jacks and covers opening fully. The radio comes with plastic cover to protect jack opening.

▲ Desktop Charger
Desktop battery charging base contains a LM317 voltage regulator. Charging process is better than dumb charger but indicator is not accurate (could be just mine).
Updated: Battery charger is NOT dumb as stated before.

N1YZ HF NET LISTINGS

Echolink Add-ons

Check this site for various Echolink add ons Including the all new Echo producers Plus

GLOBAL TUNERS HF Recievers

GlobalTuners provides access to remotely controlled radio receivers all over the world.
You can listen to- and tune the receivers after you have created a (free!) account.
You can also share your own receiver on GlobalTuners and benefit from some privileges.
DXTuners users: you have to create a new account to use this website!
This website had been started in cooperation with HamSphere, click here for more information