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Hams around the world rejoice. April 18, 2015 is World Amateur Radio Day!

It was on April 18, 1925 that the The International Amateur Radio Union or IARU was founded in Paris, France. The IARU is an organization dedicated to the use and development of amateur radio around the globe and boasts over 3,000,000 licensed operators worldwide. Each year on April 18, amateur radio operators around the world get on the air to celebrate World Amateur Radio Day or WARD.

To celebrate, nearly a dozen World Amateur Radio Day Special Event Stations will be in operation. Two of these stations include:

World Radio Network: Special WARD IRLP net -
1600-1730 UTC via the World Conference Server (IRLP Node 9251) and the Hi-Gate Server (IRLP Node 9250). KD2HWN, net control. Stations around the world are encouraged to check in.

United States -
North Carolina: W4SNC - Iredell County Amateur Radio Society, 1100-1600 UTC

In celebration of World Amateur Radio Day 2015, Buy Two Way Radios is offering a WARD special: Purchase a qualifying model from our selection of Amateur Radios and take an additional 10% off with Promo Code: HAMDAY15! This special discount is valid from 2 PM EDT April 17, 2015 to Midnight Monday, April 20! Simply enter Promo Code: HAMDAY15 at checkout and your 10% discount will be applied to your order.

The celebration doesn't end there. In addition to the promo code discount, we're also offering freebies and other add-ons with the purchase of select Baofeng, Leixen and Wouxun amateur radios!

Note: This special is valid during the weekend of World Amateur Radio Day only beginning at 2 PM EDT Friday, April 17, 2015 and expires at midnight, April 20, 2015.

Join the celebration and Get On The Air Saturday, April 18, 2015 for World Amateur Radio Day!

In early 2014 Wouxun announced the launch of a dual band handheld amateur radio with a large color display and cross-band repeat capability, the KG-UV8D. This radio quickly became one of the most anticipated new ham radios of the year and was very well received. Buy Two Way Radios was one of the first radio dealers to tell you about it, and the first to bring it to the US market. It has remained one of our most popular amateur radios since.

One year later, the company has just announced a new model that aims to deliver even more excitement to the ham community. It's the Wouxun KG-UV9D, and it takes the 8D to a whole new level!

Billed by Wouxun as a multi-band, multi-RX, multi-display, multi-modulation and multi-functional two-way radio, the KG-UV9D offers dual band transmit and 7 (that's right, you read seven) bands reception. The list includes 76-108MHz (FM radio), 108-136MHz (AM RX), 136-174MHz FM RX/TX), 400-512MHz (FM RX/TX), 230-250MHz (FM RX), 350-400MHz (FM RX) and 700-985MHz (FM RX).

While the full color display is similar in design to the KG-UV8D, the new radio looks and feels different. The KG-UV9D also has some new or improved features. According to Wouxun, some of the features of the KG-UV9D include Twin Band Simultaneous Scan, Multi-Keypad Lock Modes and the ability to adjust the brightness of the backlight with five level settings.

One interesting and unique feature is Lock Mode. You can lock the keyboard, lock the keyboard and the encoders, lock the keyboard and the PTT, or lock it all.

The most exciting part of this announcement? We just received two samples of the KG-UV9D today and are checking them out now. The KG-UV9D unboxing video is now available so you can get a first look at this new multi-band radio from Wouxun. Stay tuned for more!

Subscribe to our blog at Buy Two Way Radios for the latest on this exciting new radio coming very soon from Wouxun!

For more details, read the Wouxun KG-UV9D spec sheet.

UPDATE (5/13/2015): The Wouxun KG-UV9D is now available!

Vertex Standard just announced the new VX-260 Series UHF/VHF portable business two way radios designed to deliver an "ideal combination of features and performance for efficiency, reliability and interoperability". According to Vertex Standard, the new VX-260 Series offers enhanced audio output and expanded interoperability while promoting the safety of radio users working alone. It also utilizes Vertex Standard's Universal Battery System, which allows VX-260 series radios to use the same charger as all of the other Vertex Standard radios equipped with UNI batteries.

The VX-260 Series will consist of two models, the VX-261 and VX-264.

VX-261 NOW AVAILABLE - This is the base model of the series, with no display. It has 16 channels, 1 group, two customer programmable keys and a 700mW internal speaker. Price: $169.00

VX-264 NOW AVAILABLE - The higher end model has an 8-character alphanumeric display, 128 channels, 8 groups, 6 custom programmable keys, embedded voice inversion encryption and a 700mW speaker. Price: $219.95

Additional features of both models include MDC1200® Encode, FleetSync® ANI Encode, DTMF ANI Encode, 2-Tone Encode/Decode, 5-Tone Encode/Decode, CTCSS/DCS Encode and Decode, emergency alert, Lone Worker timer, multiple scan options, ARTS™, and internal VOX (when used with a VOX capable accessory). Both models are MIL-STD 810C, D, E, F, and G and come with a 3 year manufacturer warranty.

These new radios will eventually replace the VX-230 and VX-350 series in the future, including the VX-231, VX-351 and VX-354. However, we do not have any specific timeline for this yet. Pricing will be announced soon.

Vertex Standard just announced that it is expanding their line of audio accessory products for their business two way radios in 2015. These new accessories will be digital capable and compatible with their entry and mid-tier radios. At least one product will also be SGS approved to be intrinsically safe.

The new portfolio of Vertex Standard accessories include the following:

VH-150A Behind the Head VOX Headset - this headset is SGS approved with an Intrinsically Safe rating for Vertex Standard IS radios. MSRP $70.00.
VH-150B Over the Head VOX Headset - this headset is also SGS approved with an Intrinsically Safe rating for Vertex Standard IS radios. MSRP $80.00
MH-100 3.5mm Earpiece MSRP $19.00
MH-101A4B - This is a 1 wire surveillance kit. MSRP $40.00
MH-102A4B - Similar to the MH-101A4B, this is a 2 wire surveillance kit. MSRP $55.00
MH-103A4B - This 3 wire surveillance kit will be available in Q2 2015. MSRP $70.00
MH-104A4B - A heavy duty OTH (Over The Head) headset due for release Q2 2015. MSRP $400.00
MH-105A4B - This heavy duty BTH (Behind The Head) headset will be available Q2 2015. MSRP $400.00
MH-37A4B-1 - An earpiece microphone available now. MSRP $40.00

All of the new accessories listed above work with the Vertex Standard VX-231, VX-350, VX-261/264, VX-450 and EXV-530 series radios.

All of us at Buy Two Way Radios would like to wish you a very happy and safe holiday season! Our offices will be closed for the day on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25, 2014. If you need assistance, please send us an e-mail, visit our forums or give us a call after 8 AM EST Friday, December 26, 2014. Have happy holidays and please stay safe while traveling.

Motorola Solutions recently announced its intent to cancel VHF and UHF versions of some popular analog business radios. The models to be discontinued are the Motorola CP200, CP200XLS and PR400 portables. Motorola also discontinued the CM200, CM300 and PM400 mobile radios. The last day to order these models was November 22, 2014, and the last ship date is December 22, 2014.

The CP200 was Motorola's most popular business radio, which may leave many businesses that use them wondering what to do. If you are one of the many CP200 users suddenly facing the demise of your favorite radio, don't despair. There are other models that will fill the void and maintain compatibility with your existing CP200 fleet.

The Motorola RDU4160d is a great replacement for the UHF version of the CP200. Like its counterpart, the 4160d operates on 4 watts and meets Mil-STD standards for durability. Battery life is comparable as well, and it is even lighter than the CP200, weighing in at under 11 ounces with the battery pack.

For businesses on VHF frequencies, the Motorola RDV5100 is a way to go. It meets the VHF version of the CP200 with 5 watts of power, Mil-STD C, D, E, and F standards and boasts a similar battery life to the RDU4160d.

In addition, both the UHF RDU4160d and the VHF RDV5100 are compatible with the same Motorola audio accessories used for the CP200 radios. This makes things even better, since it won't require a complete overhaul of radio accessories to accommodate new radios to replace the old ones as time goes on.

Of course, there are other alternatives, as well. One notable model from Vertex Standard is the VX-231. It is available in both UHF and VHF versions with wattage, durability, battery life and weight comparable to the Motorola CP200, RDU4160d and RDV5100 radios.

The CP200 may soon be a thing of the past, but there is no cause for concern. There are plenty of options available to fill the void and maintain compatibility across the fleet with no worries.

Update: The Motorola CP200 was replaced by the Motorola CP200d.

The Midland GXT2000 is a very capable GMRS radio. It is based on the extremely popular GXT1000 with a few improvements, tweaks and upgrades. One important upgrade was the battery pack. The GXT1000 uses a BATT-5R Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack. The GXT2000 uses a BATT12Li Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) battery pack, boasting a faster recharge time of about two hours. In its initial launch, the GXT2000 Series, which included the GXT2000 and GXT2050, was designed to also accommodate four disposable AA alkaline batteries as an alternate power source. This was big news, as a dual Li-Po/Alkaline power option was considered a rare feat.

However, after the initial introduction of the GXT2000 Series, Midland made a change to this radio that was not widely advertised or reported, yet it was a very important modification that affected its overall versatility, particularly when it is used for some extended activities. The GXT2000 Series can no longer be powered by disposable alkaline batteries.

Soon after it was launched, users of the GXT2000 began to experience power problems related to the LiPo battery pack. The issues became so pervasive the radio was quickly pulled off the market. After some tweaking, the GXT2000 went back into production with assurance from Midland the problems were solved. Then something mysterious happened.

On re-launch, Midland changed the design of the battery chamber so the radios could no longer accept four AA alkalines, as the slot that previously held the fourth battery was now permanently blocked, and although the additional AA battery contacts were still there, they no longer functioned. The radio was reconfigured to accept the LiPo battery pack alone, and a sticker plastered inside the chamber confirmed this in large, silver print.

There was only one complication with this change. Apparently Midland didn't tell anyone about it. They certainly didn't tell us, an authorized Midland dealer. The change wasn't specifically noted in their marketing, either. Customers who purchased the new radios found out about the design change when they opened up the back of their radios for the first time. We found out when customers began to notify us. In fact, the online version of the GXT2000 Owner's Manual on Midland's own web site still claimed the radio would accept both Lithium Polymer and disposable alkaline batteries. To their credit, Midland did change the online manual to instruct users to only use the BATT12Li Lithium Polymer battery pack after we contacted them and requested an update.

At this time, we have received no official notification whatsoever from Midland that disposable AA alkaline batteries cannot be used in the original version of the GXT2000 Series radios that can accommodate them. If you have the original version of the GXT2000 or GXT2050 with the ability to accept all four alkalines in the battery chamber and your radio is working, swapping the BATT12Li battery pack with AA disposable alkaline batteries is solely at your risk and discretion.

However, if you have the newer version of the Midland GXT2000 or GXT2050 and it contains a sticker with the words Only use Midland BATT12Li Li-Polymer battery pack, your radio will not accommodate the alkalines and you should not attempt to use them with the radio.

The Leixen VV-898 UHF/VHF Dual Band Mobile Two-Way Radio is not just ultra-compact, it's very economical. It also makes a great holiday gift. Now this amazing transceiver is an even better value! This holiday season, when you purchase a Leixen VV-898, you get a FREE Tram 1185 mobile antenna, a $20 value!

The Tram 1185 is an amateur dual band 144-148/440-450MHz magnet mount mobile antenna with 2.5 dBd gain on UHF and Unity gain VHF. It comes complete with a 3 1/4" magnet mount and a 12ft premium 95% tinned copper shield RG58 A/U cable with a UHF male (PL-259) connector. The 1185 works with many amateur mobile two way radios, including the Leixen VV-898. It is even used with popular handheld ham radios such as the Baofeng UV-5R. The Tram 1185 is one of our most popular mobile radio antennas, and now it can be yours FREE with the purchase of a Leixen VV-898 from Buy Two Way Radios!

This is a special promotion just for the holidays. No promo code is necessary. Your free antenna will be added to your order automatically at the time of purchase. Plus, there's no purchase limit. Purchase more than one Lexien VV-898, you will receive a Tram 1185 with each radio, but only while supplies last.

Note: This offer is valid until December 31, 2014 or while supplies last, whichever comes first. No rainchecks. Get one now before they are gone!

The Wouxun KG-UV8D dual band UHF/VHF transceiver was one of the most eagerly awaited new handhelds to enter the amateur radio market in 2014. Buy Two Way Radios was the first dealer to break the news and introduce it to hams in the US, and since it's initial launch, it has become one of the most popular amateur radios in our online store.

Throughout the year, we've worked hard to add value to an already high value, feature-rich radio, such as including the ever popular green buttons, a free upgrade to the high capacity 2600mAh battery pack and, more recently, a factory set frequency range increase to 520 MHz on UHF. Now, we're going to make the UV8D an even better value.

This holiday season, when you purchase a Wouxun KG-UV8D, you get a FREE XLT SM400 Heavy Duty Speaker Microphone, valued at $40!

The XLT SM400 is a compact, heavy duty speaker / shoulder microphone with a high stress belt clip that swivels 360 degrees. It features a standard 3.5mm port to connect a listen only earpiece and a coiled cord with heavy duty strain relief. It's used by businesses, consumers and amateurs alike and is available for many popular makes and models of two way radios, including the KG-UV8D. This is no cheap toy. It's a real speaker mic, valued at $40 US.

Tip: The KG-UV8D makes a great holiday gift for that special ham in your life, as well as yourself. When you add a bonus speaker mic to the package, especially at no extra cost to you, it makes that gift even better! Just sayin'.

This is a special add-on just for the holidays. No promo code is necessary. Your free speaker microphone will automatically be added to your order at the time of purchase. There's no purchase limit, either. For each Wouxun KG-UV8D purchased, you will receive an XLT SM400 speaker mic, while supplies last.

Note: This offer is valid until December 31, 2014 or while supplies last, whichever comes first. In other words, When we're out of radios or speaker mics for the holidays, we're out. No rainchecks on this deal. So, get yours now while you can.

For over a decade now Motorola Talkabout radios have been designed, manufactured, marketed and distributed by a company called Giant International. Giant International is a Motorola Solutions brand licensee, which essentially means that they are allowed to sell Motorola branded products in exchange for a percentage of the sales. Motorola has maintained some control over how the products look and are marketed, but Giant has been in charge of the Motorola Talkabout line of radios in most every way. This is about to change.

Motorola Solutions has decided to take over research and development of the FRS/GMRS radio line. This means that in the future, new models of Motorola branded FRS and GMRS radios will have been designed internally at Motorola. So what does this mean for the Talkabout line? Unfortunately we don't have any solid answers. Motorola certainly has a lot of experience designing radios, so we're hoping that this will be a positive step for the product line. Giant is the largest FRS/GMRS radio manufacturer in the world, however, and they know this industry better than anyone. In anticipation of this change, Giant recently launched their own line of FRS/GMRS two way radios under their Olympia brand.

Change is in the air for the Motorola Talkabout. It is certainly not a given that this change will be a good one.