When the Wouxun KG-UV8D VHF/UHF handheld radio was launched earlier this year featuring a large color screen, dual VFOs with crossband repeat, I knew I wanted to try one out. I recently ordered the radio from Powerwerx.com for $150, who becaue I'm local, had it delivered to me within a day.

The radio comes with the basic necessities that all Wouxun radios come with: radio, battery, antenna, belt clip, drop-in charger, wrist strap and manual. Here's a pic of the radio assembled next to the charger:


Although this radio isn't much smaller than the other Wouxun radios, the shape and size makes it feel really good in the hand. I think the ergonomics are excellent.



As you can see in the following picture, the radio is fairly small, similar in size to the Icom ID-51:...

I recently ordered the 2 meter transverter option for the Elecraft KX3 and did the install. Here are the photos.

This is the final assembly of the board, absent the shield that snaps on top:


To install the board, you have to remove the tuner (if installed), add the SMA connector, then replace the mounting screws for the tuner with posts, and then reinstall the tuner. This procedure is all very simple and only takes a few minutes. You also have to install two cables, one that runs to the local oscillator and the other that attaches to the 2m board for the antenna. These cables simply snap onto the mounting posts on the KX3 board. Lastly you mount the 2 meter board and then attach the RF shield (not shown.

Here are the pics that show the two cable runs.

Antenna:
...

The Tromelin Island DXPedition is now on the air, operating as FT4TA for the next 10 days. Tromelin Island is just east of Madagascar and this is a very rare contact. The last time it was on the air was year 2000 or so. More information can be found on their website at http://www.tromelin2014.com/en/

Ameritron has finally released the long anticipated update to the ALS-1300 solid state amp, the ALS-1306 1.2KW amp which now includes 6 meters.



Other updates include minor changes to the various indicator lights and included 10/12 meters (this is an option on the ALS-1300). The price is $3299 or $400 more than it's predecessor. The amplifier uses the same MRF-150 FETs, has a very similar chassis size and the same power supply as the ALS-1300.

A little while ago, I discovered that my little 2m/400 SWR/Power meter had bit the dust while I was trying to tune a 440Mhz base antenna. Unfortunately, my MFJ-259 analyzer only covered up to 2 meters, so I decided it was time to look for a new analyzer that could cover HF through 400+Mhz. I had been looking lustily at the RigExpert line of analyzers and decided to go with the AA-600 analyzer that covers 0.1-600Mhz. I ordered the unit from rigexpert.net at a price of $575 shipped and had the unit in my hands in a few days.

Here is everything that comes in the package: The analyzer, a carry pouch, the manual, Antscope software, USB cable, 3 NiMh AA batteries with charger, and a S0-239 to N connector adapter.



Here is a close-up shot of the analyzer turned on showing the initial menu:...

I now have a respectable station...

HF:

-Homebrew triband Vertical (built from an old Antron 99 CB antenna, some wire and a old coax)

-Wilson SY-33 3 element Triband beam
-about 14.5 feet long boom
-nearly 30 feet wide on each of the 3 elements

_So far it's held up find in very strong winds(30-40 mph)





...

A few of the WorldwideDX.com members made me aware of some small, inexpensive switching power supplies being sold on Amazon and eBay and they swore that they were free of hash. After my unbearable experience with the MFJ-4275MV supply (original thread here), I was curious to find out myself if the $30, 30 amp switching supply on Amazon made for a better operating experience.

This is the product that I purchased on Amazon:



And this is the MFJ-4275:

The Amazon unit doesn't come with a power cord, but must of us have those laying around to sacrifice. After wiring up the AC, I also wired up a DC cord for the rig, complete with Anderson power poles.

The first thing I wanted to find out was how bad the hash problem is on the $30 Amazon unit. I turned on the NaP3 Panadapter, used with my Elecraft K3 and took a print screen so you can see the hash...

Since few years already I've been following what the guys at Chameleon Antenna were doing and in 2014 they've released a couple of new and interesting antennas. From what I’ve seen so far their product quality went up drastically!

Is there anyone on this forum who is actually using them?

They've been selling on Ham Radio Outlet (http://www.hamradio.com/) since January 2014 which is where I saw their latest products few months ago.

I really like their light weight and portable HYBRID-MICRO as I saw a guy using it on a man pack system that he built himself. It was so cool. The man pack looks like the one in that video:



http://chameleonantenna.com/PORTABLE ANTENNA/CHA HYBRID-MICRO/Chameleon HYBRID-MICRO.html

Few weeks ago I also noticed that Chameleon Antenna are working on a portable magnetic loop antenna (something like the Alex Loop but really different). I don’t know anything about loop but this thing looks...

Yaesu has announced the new all band FT-991 compact rig for base and mobile use that will replace the FT-897D. In addition to the standard modes, it will also support Yaesu's C4FM Digital mode. With the absence of a true mobile HF rig from Icom's lineup, the new FT-991 could become a major player in the ham market, if for no other reason than its form factor.

Here are a few pics from the 2014 Tokyo Ham Fair:

Here is the press release:

We are pleased to announce the launch of an exciting new product, The FT-991 HF/50MHz/VHF/UHF Base Station Transceiver. The Yaesu FT-991 Transceiver is capable of operating SSB, CW, AM, FM, Packet and System Fusion C4FMDigital. The legendary tradition of Yaesu design is a legacy of excellence established decades ago, providing quality, stability and durability. The Yaesu FT-991 is designed for the most competitive operating situations, with a suite of new features to’enhance the experience. Whether you primarily...

Have 2 of these 30 amp supplies. Daily users. Awesome deal on ebay … blah blah you know them.

There's dust everywhere. Can't avoid it …. although it has been suggested to slide a leg of thin panty hose over the unit to keep dust out …. or rig your own filter.

One of mine experienced a dust buildup on the fan blades and it when it reached a critical point it put the fans blades off-balance making the fan suddenly hard-to-start and noisy.

Easy fix. The top comes right off and the fan is the only thing attached to the top. Open top and with a small brush, remove all the dust from both sides of the fan blades, then if you have it, blow off the fan with compressed air be sure to get into the little crack-space where the fan blade mounts onto the fan motor.

Fan operation right back to normal.