UK RAE Exams - No Change

Despite rumours to the contrary, Alan Betts has confirmed that the Advanced (or any of the exams for that matter) are NOT about to be made tougher. So if anyone says anything to the contrary tell them it ain't so.

Sorry for the lack of posts here of late. Another case of life's little hiccups getting in the way of life. Not that I have had much to write about, my last planned SOTA outings got cancelled due to persistent rain and I was all set up for the RSGB's 80 metre SSB club contest when I was told I was moving boxes for my son Adam 2W0DPI was has moved back home for a while. My brother recently was in a serious condition in hospital and now we are worried sick about my eldest son James' fiance who has been rushed in to hospital. It always seems to rain but just lately it is the monsoon season in our lives. Lots of upheaval at work too has kept me busy.

Wouxun KG-UVD1P/L 2m/4m Full Dual Band Handie

These days I tend to be quite up to date on what is happening in the world of amateur radio mainly because I constantly am on the prowl for something to write about, so when Radcom (the Radio Society of Great Britain's magazine) drops through my door it is usually yesterday's news.  The June issue had a little surprise for me however because on page 15 I saw the words 'Wouxun handy with 70 & 144MHz' and over on the back page a full page colour advertisement from Martin Lynch and Sons announcing the KG-UVD1P/L. I had heard rumours of this rig but had put them down to an April Fools joke that arrived too late. It seemed almost too unlikely to be possible and for those sceptics amongst us the doctored photograph used in the advert tells me that (at least the time of the photograph) M&S did not have one in their sticky palms. The tell tales in the image is that the seven is not consistent with the seven on the other Wouxuns and both bands are selected at the same time as shown by the arrows.

I searched the Internet and there was nothing at all about this rig even from the Wouxun web site. So all the data shown is from the ML&S advertisement.

Wouxun KG-UVD1P/L 2m/4m Full Dual Band Handie!

Main Features:

• Frequency Range: 66-88 MHz (4m) & 136-174 MHz (2m) RX/TX
• Work Mode:VL-V or V-V or VL-VL can be set freely
• SOS Function
• 1750Hz tone
• DTMF Encoding Function
• CTCSS/DCS Scan(Digital/Analog)
• Bright Flashlight Illumination
• Band Can Be Set Freely on The Same Channel VHF TX-UHF RX or UHF TX-VHF RX
• Output power  5W
• English Voice Guide
• FM Radio (76-108 MHz RX)
• Wide/Narrow Bandwidth Selection(25khz/12.5khz)
• Priority Scan, Add Scanning Channel
• High/Low Power Selection
• Channel Name Edit and Display
• 50 Groups CTSS/105Groups DCS
• Multi Step Frequency:(5K/6.25K/10K/25K/50K/100K)
• Multi Scan
• VOX Transmission
• Transmit Overtime Voice Prompt
• Begin/End Transmitting BEEP Prompt
• Auto/Manual Keypad Lock
• Wire Clone, Programmable By Computer
• Stopwatch Function
• Low Voltage VOICE prompt
• Busy Channel Lockout

The supplied accessories are: 1.3Ah LI-ion battery pack, Base charger with mains transformer and 12V leads, Belt clip, Dual band antenna, Wrist strap and Handbook.

Available from Martin Lynch & Sons from end June 2011, taking orders now. Please note your card will not be debited until stock arrives. Price (Inc VAT at 20%): £99.95

http://www.hamradio.co.uk/acatalog/Am_Handheld_Wouxun.html#a4853

Personally I need another handy like a hole in the head but I am biting my lip trying not to pick up the telephone and order a couple. Will I resist the temptation? Watch this space!

PS: I faked my photograph too.

Update: from Martin Lynch via Twitter 1400 1/6/2011: "Wouxun KG-UVD1P/L 2m/4m Full Dual Band - Over 300 Orders placed Already"

Update 3/6/11: I have ordered mine from ML&S. Estimated time of stock arrival: 5 weeks