Buy Two Way Radios

We tell you about an exciting new multi-band two way radio from Wouxun. We also review the new Vertex Standard VX-260 Series radios.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:15

Discussion Topic 1:34
Today we tell you about the new Wouxun KG-UV9D Multi-Band Two Way Radio. We'll give you an overview of its features and specifications and compare its overall look and feel to the popular Wouxun KG-UV8D.

Commercial Break 21:39
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 22:35
We review the new Vertex Standard VX-260 Series Portable Two Way Radios, the Vertex VX-261 and the Vertex VX-264.

Questions and Answers 38:10
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 41:44
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2015 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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Since our announcement of the upcoming launch of the Wouxun KG-UV9D, we have received numerous queries for more details about the capabilities and features of this new radio. Some of the more frequently asked questions are related to bands and frequency ranges covered by the KG-UV9D and which of the two sides or areas of this dual receive radio (A, B, or both) support them.

The KG-UV9D does indeed perform Twin Band Simultaneous Receiving, which means both A and B areas of the radio can independently receive and audibly emit a signal through the speaker, allowing you to hear two bands and, on some bands, two frequencies on the same band at the same time.

We put the emphasis on the word some, because not all 7 bands are supported in both A and B areas of the radio. The table below maps the bands and frequencies supported by the KG-UV9D and the area(s) of the radio in which each will operate.

In a nutshell, the 2 meter VHF (144-148MHz) and 70cm UHF (420-450MHz) bands are available on both A and B for transmit and receive operation. In addition, the KG-UV9D can also receive up to 180MHz in the A area only. The only other band available on the B side is the FM radio. The other bands can be only received in the A area.

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!

Earlier this week we told you about a brand new multi-band two way radio coming soon from Wouxun, the KG-UV9D. Now you can get a good look at this new radio up close for the first time!

In this exclusive unboxing video, Danny Feemster from Buy Two Way Radios opens the box, gives you a brief overview of what's inside and performs a physical and cosmetic comparison between the Wouxun KG-UV9D and its popular cousin, the KG-UV8D side by side. For more information, read the full specs on the Wouxun KG-UV9D.

UPDATE (4/20/2015): The Wouxun KG-UV9D is now available for pre-order!

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!

We introduce you to the world of digital two way radios. We also review the Vertex Standard eVerge EVX-530 Series Radios.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:18

Discussion Topic 1:37
We discuss the differences between digital and analog radios, the different types of digital standards available, and how you can comfortably migrate from analog to digital radios without a lot of cost and confusion.

Commercial Break 26:17
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 27:13
We review the Vertex Standard eVerge EVX-530 Series Radios.

Questions and Answers 44:25
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 49:19
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2015 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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The Baofeng UV-5R is perhaps the most popular handheld two way radio in the modern world, especially among hams. It's compact, feature rich, versatile and, most notably, very inexpensive. Whether you are an old or new amateur radio operator, chances are you own a UV-5R or one of its many variants. Even if you don't have one, two, three or more of these economical little radios, you very likely know or at least have heard of Baofeng. It is one the most recognizable Chinese brands in the two way radio marketplace today, and its reach is global.

However, as popular as this brand is, there is one major disagreement surrounding the manufacturer that has long been a point of contention between the users of Baofeng radios. It's been the subject of discussions and debates in articles, newsgroups, forums, social media groups and other venues. The argument is so much an issue that it even became a serious topic in more than one episode of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast.

One would think that with such global brand recognition, it wouldn't be an issue at all. Yet it exists, and at the end of each day, untold numbers of Baofeng users are still left wondering and scratching their heads, pondering the one simple, yet confusing question about the brand:

How do you pronounce the name BAOFENG?

We wanted to answer this greatly mystifying, universal question and put the issue to rest once and for all. So, we went to IWCE in Las Vegas, met with Baofeng officials, and did what anyone else in our position would have done.

We asked.

To be absolutely sure there was no mistake, we recorded the official audible response directly from the Baofeng representatives themselves. Since the common mispronunciation and mangling of their beloved brand name was apparently even more frustrating to them than it was to the users of their products, they were ready and willing to comply - in unison.

To find out how to correctly pronounce the name Baofeng, click the player below.

[ Download MP3 ]

Call it what you wiil, but you now have the official pronunciation of Baofeng. No matter how you say it, we still call Baofeng the manufacturer of a cool and very affordable little radio.

We tell you about some new two way radios from Cobra for 2015. We also review the Cobra 29 LX HD LE Harley Davidson CB Radio.

Intro :00
Billboard 1:19

Discussion Topic 1:37
We talk about a few new radios from Cobra. We'll give you the specs on the new CXT645 consumer FRS radio, introduce their new VHF marine radios and tell you when we expect them to be available.

Commercial Break 17:25
buytwowayradios.com 1:00

Product Review 18:21
We review the Cobra 29 LX HD LE Harley Davidson CB Radio.

Questions and Answers 26:20
Questions from readers of our Two Way Radio Blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum.

Wrap up and Close 32:36
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

© 2015 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

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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.

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.