Ham Radios

The KG-UV8D is one of the most popular Wouxun handheld transceivers on the market, and with good reason. It has a crisp, color LCD display that dwarfs the screen of other analog radios in its class, it's loaded with powerful features found on high end amateur radios, and it's very reasonably priced. Not only that, on a local ragchew, it's just plain fun. Now, Wouxun has released a new iteration of the 8D to market that adds even more to the mix: The KG-UV8D Plus.

It's not the first time Wouxun added a plus to its line. They did it quite recently with a significant update to the its barely year old KG-UV9D, when they introduced the KG-UV9D Plus, and in a Limited Edition, no less. The upgrade was apparently in response to hams who liked the 7 band 9D but lamented the omission of the cross band repeat feature first introduced into the UV8D.

This time, Wouxun is giving the KG-UV8D a Plus. Well, several, actually, in the form of several upgrades to existing functions and some brand new ones (or rather, new to the 8D).

Voice Compander
The KG-UV8D Plus now supports companding, which is a form of compression to improve the signal to noise ratio for clear audio.

Non-Standard CTCSS/DCS
Most radios typically follow a standard set of CTCSS and DCS codes, and radios such as the KG-UV8D have this pre-set list to choose from in the menu of the radio. The KG-UV8D Plus allows you to manually enter non-standard CTCSS and DCS codes into the radio.

Scrambler
The KG-UV8D Plus is now equipped with a voice scrambler. Since this radio is only approved for use as an amateur radio in the US, and hams are not allowed to scramble their signals, this is not a feature most operators will likely use. However, every country has its own regulations, so the addition of a scrambler may be useful in other parts of the world.

Backlight Adjustment
One of the most useful upgrades to the KG-UV8D Plus is the ability to adjust the timing and intensity of the backlight for the LCD display. This is the same upgrade incorporated into the KG-UV9D Plus and is a long time coming. This feature should be in every two way radio with a display.

FM Radio Frequency Storage and Retrieval
The KG-UV8D Plus now allows you to store up to 20 preset frequencies into the built-in commercial FM radio. Some operators do use the FM radio to hear their favorite local commercial radio stations and will likely find this to be a very handy feature.

Editable Power-On Message
Well, technically, it isn't really editable, since you can't seem to create your own. However, you can choose which power-on message displays when you turn the radio on. Your choice is either the Wouxun logo graphic bitmap or a graphic representation of your battery level and voltage.

With these additions and improvements, The KG-UV8D Plus really does a one up on the original UV8D, plus it does all this without upping the price significantly when you get it from Buy Two Way Radios.

The KG-UV8D Plus currently sells for $119.99, only $10 more than original KG-UV8D with the 2600 mAh high capacity battery upgrade, and you get the bigger battery, too.

Now, that's a PLUS.

We've been impressed with the Tytera TYT product line ever since the introduction of their digital DMR handheld radios, the MD-380 and the MD-280. So, When Tytera came to us with the announcement of a new dual band mobile radio, jumped right on it, ordered one in and tested it out. The result is the Tytera TYT TH-7800.

So far, the TH-7800 hasn't disappointed us, and based on the majority of reviews from our customers who have purchased this mobile, they seem to feel the same way.

Compared to other dual band amateur mobiles such as the Wouxun KG-UV920P-A, the TYT TH-7800 appears to be a simple radio. In some ways it seems oddly reminiscent of a mobile Yaesu, and when we showed it at several local hamfests, hams who give it a first look agreed. This may be due, at least in part, to a chassis with rounded edges and the orange backlit detachable display. While it isn't outwardly flashy, there seems to be a lot of functionality packed inside.

The TH-7800 is, indeed, a dual band mobile two way radio. Like many other amateur mobiles in its class, it transmits on the 2 meter VHF (136-174MHz) and 70cm UHF (400-480MHz) bands. With 40 watts on UHF and 50 watts on VHF, the 7800 seems to have the TX on these two bands adequately covered.

Reception is a bit broader. it receives wide band AM and FM on 108-180MHz, 134-174MHz and 350-520MHz. It supports 800 memory channels (809 to be more precise, according to the manual) and allows settings to be configured independently for each individual channel.

As a dual bander with separate A and B sides, The TH-7800 is capable of V+U full duplex operation and V+U simultaneous reception, with independent controls for each (left and right) band. Not surprisingly, it can function as a cross-band repeater.

Tytera TYT TH-7800 Key features

• Dual Band UHF/VHF transmit and receive
• 108-180/134-174MHz/350-520MHz (Receive Only)
• 5/10/20/40W Transmit Power (UHF)
• 5/10/20/50W Transmit Power (VHF)
• 809 Memory Channels
• 8 Group Voice Scrambler
• Repeater Capable
• V+U Full Duplex Operation
• Cross-Band Repeater
• Power Selectable
• Companding
• Busy Channel Lockout
• CTCSS/DCS Encode/Decode
• CTCSS/DCS Tone Scan
• 2-Tone and 5-Tone
• Backlit LCD Display
• Backlit Keypad
• Channel Name Edit and Display
• Channel Scan
• Priority Scan
• Skip Channel
• Dual Watch
• Talk Around
• Auto Power Off
• Timeout Timer
• Keypad Lock
• Audible Button Beeps
• 3.5mm Speaker Port
• Cloning Capable
• PC Programmable (Requires Optional Cable)
• Programmable Buttons
• Built-in Internal Speaker
• Backlit DTMF Hand Microphone
• Cooling Fan
• DTMF Encoding and Decoding
• Remote Front Panel Installation Option
• Reset

One interesting feature to note is the inclusion of the Auto Range Transponder System, or ARTS. When another radio equipped with ARTS is within communications range, it notifies both radios. This allows everyone within a group to maintain contact. When the radios move out of range, for more than one minute the radio will sense it and inform you that one or more stations are out of range. This is particularly useful in case of an emergency or Man Down situation, such as a search and rescue operation. ARTS is commonly found on Vertex Standard business radios.

As for the quality of transmission, we tested the TH-7800 quite a bit on a local repeater and everyone who heard it seemed to really like how it came through. When we first began to transmit, we received reports about over modulation, however, this was quickly remedied by moving the hand microphone a little farther back from the mouth. It seems the pickup of this mic is a bit more sensitive than the hand mics on some other radios, so, if you traditionally hold the mic up close to you during transmit, you will need to back it off a few inches when using this one. Then it sounds great.

Speaking of audio, one advantage the Tytera TYT TH-7800 has over the Wouxun KG-UV920P-A is the volume control for the speaker. As great and popular as the Wouxun is, the one drawback is the volume adjustment. It isn't very gradual. It is a series of level "steps", and there are fifteen levels. When set to the first level, the audio is so low you can barely hear it. However, when set to the second level, the loudness is increased significantly, much more than one would expect at a second level, and about where one would expect it to be at a level 4 of 5. The volume control on the TH-7800 is more like a real potentiometer, a volume control you would find on just about any other audio device that allows you to adjust the volume very, very gradually, fading the audio in and out. Simply put, you have more control over the volume.

Like the Wouxun mobiles, the Tytera TH-7800 has a detachable front face plate. This allows you to put the main unit in the trunk, under a seat or in another location, and mount the display in your dash or somewhere else in the interior of your vehicle.

Programming the TH-7800
The TH-7800 can be programmed direct from the radio or through a computer via programming software. Although it really is simple to program through the unit itself, If you have more than a few frequencies to program into it or if you are adding more than one repeater, it is highly advisable to get the programming the cable and software. It will make life a lot simpler for you.

If you really want to program the radio directly on the fly, the chart below will help you navigate and understand the menu. It consists of 42 items. Default settings are bold.

The TH-7800 matches up very well to the Wouxun KG-UV920P-A in price. At only $199, this radio seems like a great value compared to $259 for the Wouxun.

For $199.99 you get the radio, the mic, the mounting brackets and hardware, power cords, extension cord, and owner's manual. The TH-7800 is available from Buy Two Way Radios.

One look at the Leixen VV-898 and you can tell it isn't just another mobile radio. It's less than half the size of a conventional mobile two way radio and at just over 11 ounces, it's also lightweight, but don't let its tiny footprint fool you. This little radio packs a punch on both UHF and VHF bands with only 10W of operation. It's a solid solution for densely packed dashes. You can even install the VV-898 without drilling any holes. All things considered, the VV-898 is a great choice for those who want a small and discreet radio on the road or in vehicles in which installation of a full size mobile is difficult or out of the question.

Sure, it's easy to put in your vehicle, but what can you do with it, and what can it do? Is it difficult to program? is it easy to operate? Let's take a closer look.

The Leixen VV-898 - what is it good for?
For starters, this little radio is handy for hams who cruise around town while on the local nets or a ragchew in the 2 meter (144-148MHz) or 70cm (420-450MHz) amateur radio bands. But that's not all it does. The Leixen VV-898 is also Part 90 type accepted as a full fledged business radio, which means businesses can also it as mobile transceiver or even a base station radio when connected to an AC power source and mounted to a wall or desk. The typical mobile business radio can cost hundreds each. Investing in the VV-898 for an entire mobile fleet can save a company a lot of money on two way communications. Type accepted for business use? Really? If you don't believe me, look it up. FCC ID: 2AC2Z-898UV.

Key features - what can it do?
Okay, so it's somewhat versatile and can be used in more than one radio service. But what can it do? Plenty. Although it may be light in weight, it is not light on features.

• Dual Band UHF/VHF transmit and receive
• 200-260MHz/87.5-108MHz (Receive Only)
• 4W/10W Transmit Power
• 199 Channels
• Voice Scramble - Configurable per channel
• Emergency Alarm
• Channel Scan
• Skip Channel
• Dual Watch
• Companding - Configurable per channel
• Busy Channel Lockout
• CTCSS/DCS Codes
• Backlit LCD Display
• Backlit Keypad
• User Customizable Power-On Display Message
• Power Save Feature (Auto Power Off)
• Timeout Timer
• VOX
• Keypad Lock
• English Voice Prompts
• Wireless Frequency Change (Wireless Cloning Capable)
• PC Programmable
• Built-in Speaker
• DTMF Code
• Supports 2.5k Step
• Reset
• Individual Call
• Group Call
• Remote TX/TX Inhibition
• Adjustable Squelch
• Adjustable Display Font Size (No kidding!)
• PTT ID - Send a code that IDs your transceiver
• Roger Beep Enable/Disable
• Reverse - Swaps out the offset frequency for simplex operation
• Tail Elimination
• Talk around
• Wideband/Narrowband operation

Programming the VV-898 - how difficult is it?
As with many mobile two way radios, the VV-898 can be programmed in one of two ways, either direct from the console and/or keypad, or through a computer via programming software. Let's take a quick look at both.

Direct from the radio
At first glance, programming the radio directly through the console seems complicated and foreboding, but not because there are a lot of buttons, knobs and dials, but because there aren't. In fact, there are no knobs or dials on this radio at all. There are only 9 buttons on the face of the radio itself, four of which are function keys, and a rather plain looking keypad on the hand microphone consisting of sixteen keys, four of which are labeled with the letters A, B, C, and D, respectively. Although the keys are marked, there is nothing intuitive at all about them in regards to actually programming the radio. In addition, the user manual, at only 55 pages, seems rather basic, providing the essentials of operation without much detail. In other words, the simplicity in design of the radio itself and within the pages of its user guide may give the user a sense it is a complicated device to program.

However, it isn't complicated at all. You just need to read the manual before you start, and not necessarily in page order. That is the key. You will also need to use the buttons on the console and the keypad on the hand microphone combined to do it efficiently. It takes longer at first, but once you understand the sequence needed to enter a frequency, assign it to a channel and save it to the radio, the entire procedure makes sense. I personally think setting up frequencies and channels on the VV-898 is easier than programming a Baofeng UV-5R, but then, so are many other radios.

The menu consists of 51 items. Default settings are bold.

Programming with software
The VV-898 programming software is a lot more intuitive, of course, and generally easier than manually programming through the physical interface of the radio itself. Although the VV-898 does have a nice feature set, its full capabilities become more noticeable once you run the software. It's not complicated, but the software is more comprehensive and offers more programming options than you may expect from such tiny, simple looking radio. Considering its size and price, the VV-898 can do quite a lot more than just transmit and receive.

The USB programming cable is proprietary to this radio, so it isn't like you can mix and match them like you can with, say, Baofeng and Wouxun handheld transceivers. The programming software is also specific to the radio. However, the software is available as a free download, and for the most part it is self-explanatory, so unless you have never programmed a two way radio before, it should not be difficult to master. The USB cable driver needs to be installed, the programming software is available for Windows PCs only, and you do need a username and password to run the program, but once it's all set up, you are ready to program the radio. Oh, yes, in case you need it, the username is ham (all lower case) and the password is 89812345.

Operation - is it easy?
Once programmed, the VV-898 is fairly simple to operate. To turn it on, simply hold the power button down for a second or two, and release. Use the CHA+ and CHA- buttons on the console (or the * and # buttons on the hand mic) to change channels, adjust volume with the VOX+ and VOL- buttons on the console (or the UP and DN buttons on the side and top of the hand mic), and of course, the PTT on the mic to transmit, and your pretty much good to go. There are three buttons on the console that are user programmable to your needs. The A, B, C, and D buttons on the hand mic are preset for functions according the the chart below:

The Leixen VV-898 seems like a plain, low power, unimpressive little radio, but it really does have a lot to offer. Is it a 125W PEP powerhouse Icom mobile or a feature rich Wouxun KG-UV920P-A? Of course not! Considering its small size, weight and unassuming looks, when you take a closer look at the Leixen VV-898, in some ways it seems even better.

The Tytera MD-280 and MD-380 DMR digital radios support both analog and digital operation with many options, but what about accessories? Are existing audio accessories and other components compatible with these radios or do they require a unique set of their own?

In this video, Danny Feemster from Buy Two Way Radios displays all of the accessories included in the Tytera MD-380 Digital Ham Radio DMR Starter Kit - HT as well as a plethora of other compatible accessories available for both models.

More resources

• Tytera MD-380 Digital Radio Unboxing video
• TWRS-92 - New Tytera DMR Digital Radios

The Tytera MD-380 video series continues with another quick tutorial. In this video, Danny Feemster from Buy Two Way Radios shows you how to add a contact to contact list directly from the keypad of the Tytera MD-380 DMR Digital Two Way Radio.

More resources

• Tytera MD-380 Digital Radio Unboxing video
• TWRS-92 - New Tytera DMR Digital Radios

In this brief video tutorial, Danny Feemster from Buy Two Way Radios shows you how to edit a channel directly from the keypad of the Tytera MD-380 DMR Digital Two Way Radio.

More resources

• Tytera MD-380 Digital Radio Unboxing video
• TWRS-92 - New Tytera DMR Digital Radios

Want a closer look at some of the features of the Tytera MD-380 DMR Digital Two Way Radio? Here it is!

Danny Feemster from Buy Two Way Radios takes you through the menu and shows you what the MD-380 can be programmed to do in a brief tour of this new digital radio from Tytera that is destined to be a winner in the world of DMR!

More resources

• Tytera MD-380 Digital Radio Unboxing video
• TWRS-92 - New Tytera DMR Digital Radios

Digital technology has created the next big wave in two way radio communications, yet the migration to digital has been rather slow, primarily due to the high cost. Although digital radios offer higher quality audio and a plethora of bells and whistles, in a world with tight budgets, analog still does the job at a much lower price.

However, the tide is turning. Tytera is changing the game of digital two way radio with the introduction of the MD-380 DMR Digital Two Way Radio!

Watch as Danny Feemster from Buy Two Way Radios unboxes the Tytera MD-380 and give you a brief first look at this exciting new DMR radio with the amazing low price that's destined to take the world of digital radio by storm!

For an in-depth discussion of this new digital two way radio, listen to Episode 92 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast.

The digital age has dawned, and it was only natural that the two way radio would come along. Unfortunately those who prefer digital over analog, adoption has been slow. For many businesses, the migration to from analog to digital is a long term process, and for consumers in the FRS and GMRS arena, the digital radio has yet to become a reality. As for amateur radio operators, going digital depends on what you are doing with the hobby, and although a growing number of hams are getting on board the digital bandwagon, most are still in analog mode.

The primary reason? One word. Cost. Digital radios are traditionally and significantly more expensive than their analog cousins. Take business radios, for example. Compare the typical Icom analog handheld to a comparable Icom digital radio and the difference is easily several hundred dollars.

Not anymore. The game is about to change.

Now Tytera is turning digital radio on its ear with the launch of its MD-280 and MD-380 DMR digital portable radios!

Tytera has just released two new DMR radios that not only rival the typical $400 digital transceiver in features, it also rivals many analog portable handheld radios in price!

Tytera MD-280 - NOW AVAILABLE! The Tytera MD-280 is the basic model with not so basic features. It operates on up to 5 watts in both analog and digital modes on UHF 400-480MHz frequencies.

The MD-280 is compatible with any standard analog UHF radio compatible on the same frequencies. In digital mode, it uses TDMA Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Tier 2 Standard protocol. for compatibilty with other popular DMR radios, including Motorola MOTO TRBO series Tier I and II with standard encryption.

The Tytera MD 280 does not have a display or keypad, but it does has 32 channels, two-color LED, a programmable function key, CTCSS/DCS, channel scan, priority scan, Double Priority Scan and English voice prompts. Other standard features include Private Call, Group Call, All Call, lone worker mode, power save mode, low power alarm, and an emergency alarm. The price: $189.99.

Tytera MD-380 - NOW AVAILABLE! This is the premium model that many DMR enthusiasts have been waiting for. It has all the primary features of the MD-280 plus a few more of its own. It has large a color LCD display, DTMF keypad, and 1000 programmable channels. It has all this for only about $10 more! Price: $199.99

The Tytera MD-280 and MD-280 are now available to ship from our warehouse at Buy Two Way Radios. Both models use standard Kenwood (K1) connectors, so there is an instant plethora of audio accessories to choose from. Other accessories such as a battery pack, car charger (aka battery eliminator), leather case and programming cable with software are also available to order.

Need a compact mobile radio for a compact vehicle? Here it is. The Leixen VV-898 is an extremely compact UHF/VHF dual band radio that can get you on the air with about half the footprint of the standard mobile radio. It's not just an amateur radio either. It's FCC Part 90 type accepted as a mobile business radio for commercial and institutional use as well.

In this video, Danny Feemster opens the box, gives you a brief look at the VV-898, and talks about some of its key features. The Leixen VV-898 is available from Buy Two Way Radios.