WOUXUN KG-UV6D

Hello and welcome back......In the value for money dept, this radio gets all the ticks.
Chinese company"Wouxun" sell several handheld and base/mobile units to suit all flavors.
The quality that I have heard is second to none, very high, as is the reliability of their products.
The unit I will focus on is the KG-UV6D, its a hand-held unit with awesome specs, what interested me is not only can you receive on these units you can also transmit on most channels as well.
Eerr on the side of caution as this could land you in hot water with various officials so don't be an idiot and start transmitting on fire, police channels etc because eventually they will be banned/made Illegal and spoil it for the radio loving community out there.



These units offer dual frequency receive/transmit on 136-174mhz and 420-520mhz ( some radios have other frequencies available like 370-470mhz) check spec before buying because one model number can have several variances.
Also on these radios you get Digital FM radio (76-108MHz) (receive only)....Excellent

The price is mindblowing, these units sell on ebay roughly about $120-150....Stunning

For piece of mind, Andrews Communications in Greystanes NSW sells these units for $169 with oodles of accessories as well, in stock (see link below)

I was hoping to try one of these units but so far none of my emails have been answered by Wouxun, slightly disappointing, hope their customer service is not the same :(

SPECS

* Dual Band, Dual Frequency, Dual Display and Dual Standby
* IP55 WaterProof Standard
* Wider RX/TX Freauency RX 420-520MHz TX 420-520MHz
* SMA Antenna Socket ( same as Yaesu ICOM Radio )
* Free Upgrade 1700maH High Capacity Battery Pack
* Multi Step Frequency 5, 6.25, 10, 12.5, 25, 50 or 100 kHz ( Without 2.5Khz )
* DTMF Encoding Function
* CTCSS / DCS Scan
* Auto / Manual Keypad Lock
* Band Cab Be Freely: VHF TX UHF RX or UHF TX VHF RX
* VOX Transmisson
* Dual watch receive; continually checks VFO A and VFO B freqs.
* FM broadcast band receive
* ALL repeater offset modes!
* Wire cloning function

KG-UVD6D Technical Specification :

Frequency Range	136-174 & 350-470M Hz  (RX/TX) FM: 76-108MHz (RX)
Memory Channels	199 channels
Frequency Stability	±2.5ppm
Operating Voltage	7.4V
Operating Temperature	-30℃～+60℃
Waterproof	IP 55
Antenna Impedance	50Ω
Dimension	65x119x39.5(mm)
Weight	253g
Transmitter
Frequency Stability	±2.5PPM
RF Carrier Power	UHF: 4W VHF: 5W
Effective Radiation Power (ERP)	within pre-determined value ±7.5dB
Max. Frequency Deviation	Channel Space: 25KHz  ±5KHz Channel Space: 12.5KHz ±2.5KHz
Audio Modulation	+3dB (pre-emphasis by 6dB between 0.3-3KHz)
Adjacent Channel Power	Channel Space: 25KHz  ≥70 dB Channel Space: 12.5KHz  ≥60 dB
Frequency Steup	5 , 6.25 , 10 , 12.5 , 25 , 50 , 100kHZ
Spurious Radiation	≤-30dBm
Inter modulation Attenuation	≥40dB
Modulation Distortion	≤10%
Residual FM	≤-35dB
Residual AM	≤3%
Receiver
Sensitivity (12dB SINAD）	0.16µV
Squelch Rejection Sensitivity	≤0.8µV
Squelch Sensitivity	≤0.2µV
Audio Output power	500mW
Audio Distortion	≤5%
Audio Response	（300-3000Hz)  +1 to -3dB
Co-channel Rejection	≥-8.0dB
Performance of Amplitude Limiter	≤3
Adjacent Channel Selection	Channel Space: 25KHz  ≥70 dB Channel Space: 12.5KHz  ≥60 dB
Inter-modulation	≥65 dB
Resistance	≥84 dB
Spurious Radiation	9KHz-1GHz≤-57dBm 1GHz-4GHz≤-47dBm

FEATURES

• Dual (V/U) squelch set levels
• Dual repeater offsets selectable
• Multi-function scanning
• Single key for repeater reverse
• Repeater offset; 0-69.950MHz
• Voice annunciation
• CTCSS rx/tx included (50 groups).
• DTMF encode included!
• DCS (105 groups)
• VOX function
• frequency steps selectable
• Battery save mode
• Busy channel lockout selectable
• Low battery voice prompt
• VFO or computer programmable
• Wire cloning function
• Multiple scan modes including

Superior crossmodulation, intermodulation rejection and strong signal performance guarantees far less received interference compared to all other amateur radios

Commercial quality and commercial performance, too!

Excellent 0.18uV sensitivity across the 2m and 70cm bands
5W output 144-148MHz (2m), 4W output 430-450MHz (70cm)

IP55 waterproof Standard

High/low output power levels

199 memory channels

Digital FM broadcast band radio

Dual or single frequency display

Dual watch receive; continually checks VFO A and VFO B freqs. Each VFO accepts VHF or UHF

Priority scan in VFO mode and memory channel mode

Wide/narrow bandwidth selection (25 or 12.5 kHz)

PC Programmable

  
Standard Accessories Included Radio Box Set :

    * Dual band radio ( 136-174 / 350-470 )     * Dual band antenna
    * Extended life 1700 mAh high capacity li-ion battery pack
    * Intelligent desktop 3-4 hour rapid charger
    * Car Charger cable
    * Desktop charger AC power cord
    * Belt clip
    * Wrist strap
    * English user manual
    * Free 1x Earpiece

****NOTE****  BEFORE ORDERING CHECK CONTENTS AS VARIOUS SITES HAVE VARIOUS DEALS.....MAKE SURE YOU GET A PC PROGRAMMING CABLE AS PART OF YOUR DEAL....THEY ARE VERY HARD TO PROGRAM WITHOUT THE SOFTWARE AND CABLE (so various videos tell me)

 

 

 

An Excellent value for money, not only could you use the WOUXUN KG-UV6D as a scanner, you can also transmitt on UHF CB and Amateur Radio as well.

 

LINKS

 

ANDREWS COMMUNICATIONS 

 

WOUXUN PRODUCT RANGE 

 

CURRENTLY ON EBAY 

 

 

 

 

TRAINS, TRAINS & MORE TRAINS

Hello and welcome back.....I thought I would post some Trains that go through the Blue Mountains on a regular basis, Mainly using 450.050mhz to stay in contact.

Photos by Michael Bailey, Springwood, NSW

CAR ACCIDENT - VALLEY HEIGHTS - NSW

Hello and welcome back...... A motor vehicle accident happened this afternoon, 31/05/2013 around 3pm at corner of Peninsular RD & Great Western Highway, Valley Heights, NSW.
In attendance was Police Rescue, Ambulance, Fire & Various Police Vehicles.
Vehicles involved was a White Van and a Yellow Hyundai?.

Photos by Michael Bailey, Springwood, NSW

AIRCRAFT FLYOVER - BLUE MOUNTAINS CROSSING

Hello and welcome back.....To celebrate the first crossing of the Blue Mountains NSW by explorers Blaxland, Wentworth & Lawson, a flyover by up to 80 aircraft went ahead in stunning sunny conditions.

I was at a Viewing site at Faulconbridge and saw some awesome aircraft, everything from Vintage Aircraft to the RAAF Roulettes, C130 Hercules J series and even a Sea-king Helicopter.


FREQUENCIES

135.500mhz (Richmond Tower)... most aircraft came from Richmond or Bankstown
124.550mhz (Sydney Radar)
135.100mhz (same as 124.550 but stronger)

An enjoyable day :)
                                               (Photos by Michael Bailey, NSW)

DUBBO FREQUENCIES

 

Hello and welcome back..... Dubbo is a town in the northwest of NSW, about 302kms from Sydney.
Dubbo has a Zoo, old jail and even a Airport.



FREQUENCIES

St John Ambulance = 84.150, 168.9625, 411.400, 412.100, 462.0375, 472.200
ATIS = 114.400, 119.800
FIS = 123.900,127.100, 251.000(Flight Info)
MBZ = 134.100
REX = 135.550 (Regional Express Airlines)
Ambulance service = 3.7415, 4.9515, 7.5975, 9.3115, 13.5525, 11.4485, 132.750
TNT Couriers = 126.400
Scotts Auto spares = 82.020
Rural land protection = 163.510
Crest = 7.3275, 473.975
VRA = 77.6875, 78.150, 78.4625, 148.4875(pager?), 467.350 (Volunteer Rescue)
Police = 2.6335, 3.2535, 3.7535, 4.5585, 4.5615, 6.9065, 7.6615, 7.6585, 10.5065, 14.5735, 18.5435, 78.2875, 78.350,  78.3625, 78.4375, 78.450, 78.6375, 450.900, 451.225, 460.400, 460.725, 468.375, 468.550, 469.075, 852.5875,  852.6875, 928.6875,
Rural fire = 2.6615, 4.6465, 6.9415, 9.4065, 11.5455, 148.5875(pager?), 404.075, 404.18125, 412.900, 414.40625, 415.050, 417.425, 450.675
SES =  119.100,  459.1375, 467.250, 468.600, 468.6125, 468.625, 468.650,
Golf club = 461.08125
State Rail = 411.625, 418.800, 418.9125, 418.4375, 450.050(main traffic),
Fire & Rescue = 148.9875(pager?), 450.550, 460.050,
Orana region Amateur radio club  = 146.725, 439.950, 442.300, 442.450,
Holcim pty ltd = 82.530
Ross Shearwood Communications = 476.550
Leo Fardwell Earthmoving = 486.550
WA Roberts -= 473.925
RSL Club= 40.750 (paging?)
Stanaway pty ltd = 472.350
JR & EG Richards = 485.350
Dubbo Council = 79.1875, 79.3875, 100.500, 148.7125(pager?), 450.225, 450.250, 461.80625, 461.95625,  463.500, 469.575, 469.650, 471.275, 471.600, 485.100, 486.575, 486.875,
Western Broadcasters =  91.100, 163.200
Radio Cabs =  450.8250,  460.325 (Taxi)
Dubbo Zoo =  165.760
JE Tink = 73.310 (agriculture)
Glendale Pty Ltd = 473.600, 465.200
Big W = 450.325, 458.078
Comet Aust Pty Ltd =  492.500
Burson Automotive Pty Ltd = 474.950
Dept of Juvenile Justice = 471.725,  475.100, 485.000
Buslines Group Pty Ltd = 475.1250
Buramey Transport =  160.300
CJ Poyner = 472.700 (Vet)
Radio 2DU = 163.200
McKeowens real estate = 161.300

CHRIS HADFIELD - ISS (INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION)

Hello and welcome back....I found this interesting, I covered the ISS (International Space Station) in a previous post... SEE HERE
This is a song that one of the Astronauts on the space station has done, I have watched several videos by Canadian "Chris Hadfield" and he really shows a side to space that I don't think anyone else has.

SPACE ODDITY



As I am writing this, a capsule containing Chris and 2 others has just touched down back on earth after spending 6 months on the ISS.

WELCOME HOME CHRIS

TOP SECRET - INSIDE JETSTAR'S HEADQUARTERS (behind the scene's at the Airport)

Hello and welcome back...... Found this very interesting

Behind the scenes at Jetstar

Let the team a Jetstar take you on a behind the scenes look at what really happens when you fly.

 

Being on the plane alone is a strange feeling. 

I'M sitting on a completely empty passenger plane. Not another soul is in sight and there's not an object out of place. It's an eerie and surreal feeling, and I know I'm witnessing the calm before the storm... the storm of passengers, that is.

But before I know it the flight attendants and pilots sweep onto the Jetstar plane with an air of confidence, and congregate at the front of the Airbus A321. The crew perch on the edges of the seats with their carry-on luggage beside them as they listen to the head cabin crew member’s briefing, while the pilots ready the cockpit.

They're told to be on the lookout for passengers bringing overweight bags on board - a common problem for budget airlines these days. They're also informed it will be a full flight, and that a trainee member will be watching on.

A few minutes later they spring into action and busy themselves checking the plane including the seats, overhead lockers, toilets, the galley and oxygen tanks which are positioned at the back of the plane.

Behind the scenes at Jetstar. Picture: Kate Schneider

In the galley they remove each compartment and check it before placing it back in position, to make sure there's nothing in there that shouldn't be.

They move fast. They have just 15 minutes to complete the briefing and “turn around” before passengers begin boarding.

Jetstar flight attendants perform their checks. Picture: Kate Schneider

I then watch as they then greet passengers, with one placing a dirty tissue in the hand of a staff member, who remains polite and smiles at the passenger.

This is what it's like behind the scenes at an airline.

Jetstar have taken me on a tour of their operations, both at Melbourne Airport and their nearby Operational Control Centre (OCC).

Jetstar. Picture: Kate Schneider

Before we leave the airport for the OCC I was given a glimpse of where the baggage belt ends up – underneath there’s a collection area where the bags are shuffled off into large containers and driven to the planes - but it's an area where filming isn't allowed.

Last stop at the airport was the crew area, where weary staff can relax. The room has a splash of orange paint, and computers line the side of the office facing the window, which also had a TV screen displaying the flight departure times. Of course, there were also several tables and chairs and an equipment room.

At the airline headquarters

Next stop was the Jetstar Operational Control Centre, located approximately 15 minutes away in the heart of Melbourne's CBD. It's where all of the airline's operations are co-ordinated.

I couldn't wait to see the wheels turning. How do they keep track of so many planes and what routes they’re taking? What happens when a passenger - or a flight attendant - falls ill? Or when a volcanic ash cloud is threatening flights? And how do they cope with the flow-on delays any action will cause?

Well today’s my lucky day, but not so much the airline’s: a volcano has been spewing a plume of ash 4570 metres into the sky over southern Indonesia. Let’s just say it was all systems go.

A map displayed on the computer shows a dizzying array of lines and colours tracking planes from different airlines and routes, along with two large red icons that indicate the extent of the volcanic ash plume. The maps are definitely the most intriguing part of the operations.

Luckily the ash cloud eventually abated so it didn’t cause too much disruption, but it did spark some flight delays for Jetstar while a “wait and see” approach was adopted. The situation needed close monitoring in case it escalated, and it was one this team of 20 people was highly skilled in dealing with.

The headquarters are covered in blue wallpaper dotted with clouds, with a large world map positioned near the centre. Six clocks displaying times from around the world adorn the one side of the wall.

And if you were wondering, this is the device they use when there’s a medical emergency on board:

The roles

Twenty employees work at the Jetstar Operations Control Centre monitoring up to 300 flights over 24 hours.

The Duty Manager is responsible for getting you there on time, while the Operations Controller monitors the network and looks out for events such as airport delays, engineering requirements and weather.

Meanwhile, the Flight Dispatch team provides pilots with information on routing, fuel requirement and weather forecasts for each trip. They communicate with pilots when required during the flight via radio, satellite phones and a data system that allows them to send short messages to and from the aircraft – similar to an SMS. They can help handle medical emergencies, diversions and security concerns.

There’s a Crewing Team who handle the rosters of the staff and arrange a replacement crew member in the event of illness or lack of sufficient rest. The Customer Recovery Team looks after passengers affected by disruptions including notifying them of delays, finding alternate flights if needed and arranging hotel accommodation and transport.

And of course, there’s also an engineering and maintenance team.So the next time your flight is delayed, spare a thought for the team figuring out how to get you in the air as soon as possible and dispose of your own dirty tissues.

Massive thanks to News.com for the article and photos.

CLICK HERE for radio frequencies.