PLEASE INCLUDE RADIO & ADDRESS IF ARRANGING PROGRAMMING

Hi, Just a Quick Note That If Your Arranging For Me To Do Programming, Can You Include 'Radio Model' and if getting card posted, 'Your Address' in the Notes section in Paypal

Allows me to do the programming faster for you.. Many Thanks

Michael

MALAHIT DSP2 SDR RADIO - A REVIEW

 Hello and Welcome Back.. I have owed a Malahit DSP2 Radio for around 2 weeks and thought i would do a review on this interesting radio.. Could this be the Swiss Army Knife of the Radio World?

So, what is the Malihit DSP2 Radio?

The Malahit DSP2 is a Full SDR (Software Defined Radio) housed in a Metal Casing. Being that this radio runs via software, the update potential is limitless. Also housed in its metal shell is a Preamp & Noise Reduction capabilities.

Frequency range is what i call DC to Daylight, meaning its range starts at 10Khz (Shortwave) and ends at 2Ghz (Satellite). There is a small gap at 380Mhz to 404Mhz but seriously, that's a small thing considering what this radio can do.

CONSTRUCTION

This radio is extremely well built. Made in China, its kinda future proof if something should go wrong. The battery is separate and uses a plug to connect to the radio. The speaker (2 of them) is connected the same way. If something goes wrong, just order a new part and its plug and play.

The top part of the radio uses two screws that holds the board together. This top part houses 2 SMA antenna connectors and 2 turn dials. Once again, if something should fail, the top part is also a spare part and available to order.

Its not all roses though. My own experience and reading online comments have come across a few niggling issues. First issue is the 2 SMA connectors that are attached to the top board. My radio had the top screw come loose after 2 days while changing antennas. The problem is that if you tighten the top nut too much, it can break the solder that holds the connector in place. Solution would be to put a nut under the bottom of the radio housing and to tighten the top nut to stop movement. Several people online have replaced the two SMA connectors with BNC connectors (including the top & bottom nuts to secure in place). Myself, I have used 2 little rubber washers that comes with various 2nd hand antennas and it works well. (see pic below)

 

The second fail is a little on & off switch. This radio has 2 on/off buttons. A main circular illuminated button that when turning off, says 'Good Bye' in Morse Code (clever). The second button is a miniature on/off button that looks like it could break if you sneeze on it, and it does. Its weird to have two power buttons. I have read online that many people have had this little micro switch fail only to stop the radio working. The idea behind the micro switch is if your not going to use it for a while, it turns the battery off for storage. Me personally, i don't use it. I just use the circular illuminated switch to turn the radio on / off. If there is battery drain using the radio like this, i haven't seen any or its not worth mentioning.

 

USING THE RADIO

The 1st thing i noticed when you take this radio out of its carry pouch is how heavy it is. Being that the DSP2 is housed in a metal case, it adds a nice touch. It doesn't feel cheap at all, granted it cost me $550 Australian, $500 for the radio & $50 import taxes (thanks Gerry Harvey). 

The 2nd thing that caught my attention is the large LCD screen. Very pretty..

Included in your carry pouch is a Retractable Metal Antenna (SMA), a Touch Pen with one tip that fails to work, (you can use your finger, just keep the protective screen cover on the radio), a well written Instruction Manual, Two Knobs that are rigid (the two knobs that come already on the radio are slippery, replacing the knobs with the rigid knobs works best) & a small lead to charge your radio via computer.

The 3rd thing i noticed was the two SMA connectors on the top of the radio. The first SMA (from the left) is 'Hi-Z' meaning it can do Shortwave only. You would use this connector for 10Khz to 30Mhz band and if your using a 'Longwire' antenna (50ohm?). There is also an option for 'Powered' antenna's in the menu using this antenna. The second SMA (middle) covers the whole band including 'Shortwave' and is the one i use, rather than swapping antennas all the time. You could have 2 antennas connected and switch during radio listening with the little LED light on the top of the radio letting you know which antenna is in use (Green = Normal / Blue = Hi-Z)

Be sure to use an outdoor antenna if you can, it really brings your radio listening to a new level.

There are 6 pages of menu systems on this radio and can get real confusing in no time. I highly recommend getting the book The Radio Today Guide - Malahit Receiver DSP2 to help you learn about the menu systems. (see below)

One of the menu settings in this radio is the wicked FM Radio 'Retro' screen which you activate by pressing the waterfall feature twice.I have gone through and named each station and it now looks like this (below)

How Cool Is That?

I'm using an outdoor antenna which is nothing special. Its just a Bandspanner (Mobile One) ripoff on my patio roof. Being that the patio is metal, the roof acts as a ground-plane and picks up extremely well, add to the fact that there is a built in amplifier in this radio, Signals come in very well.

Airband comes in excellent as does AM radio.

I have the 'Preamp' enabled and 'RF Gain' set to 20. 

From my house in Springwood, i have been able to listen to AM radio stations like i did when i was a little boy. Back in 1983, i was 13yo and was a real handful (ask my mum) so most weekends, i would go to my nan's to give my mum a break. While i was at my nan's, she would let me listen to her old transistor radio that only had 2 bands (AM & Shortwave). I would lay awake at night slowly turning the dial to see what i could pick up. Back in those days, i could hear 3XY (Melbourne), 4ZR (Roma, QLD) & 6AD (Adelaide, S.A). Fast forward today, with the Preamp on and RF gain set to 20, these are the stations i have been able to pick up so far, clear enough to be able to hear songs and station announcements and match them with online stations

1323Khz = 5DN (Cruise) South Aust
918Khz = 4VL (Charleville) QLD
1071Khz = 3EL (Maryborough) VIC
1278Khz = 3EE (Magic) Melbourne, VIC
936Khz = 7ZR ABC Hobart, Tasmania
1044Khz = 5AU/5CS (Port Pirie) S.A
1242Khz = 3GV (Sale) Victoria

This was done from Springwood, NSW.. Pretty Good with just using a Mobile One Bandspanner Antenna ripoff

The Malahit DSP2 also has various decoders hidden in the software like 'FT8', 'RTTY' & 'CW DEC'. The pic below shows FT8 decoding on Shortwave with hits from 'VK5COL' (South Aust) & 'VK3AXI' (Victoria)

One hopes that future software enables DMR (Digital Mobile Radio)

Another cool feature is when you  connect your radio up to a computer and following the steps in 'Radio Today Guide' Book (Link Below) you can use the radio to connect to your computer and run via HDSDR software and have your computer run the radio (see below)

CONCLUSION

At $500 Australian, it wasn't a easy purchase for me. I sold my UBCD536pt Desktop scanner to fund this radio. Add another $50 for import taxes thanks to Gerry Harvey who had a whinge that people buying stuff cheaper online was harming his business (pathetic) and its a costly buy. 

Did I Regret Buying This Radio

No, Its been a great ride listening to Shortwave, Airband, FM, AM radio thanks to the built in Preamp, it makes all the difference and sets it apart from other radios.

Back in the day, i had brought a Realistic Desktop radio and set up a TV Amplifier to see how far i could pick up. It had variable gain so once you locked onto a decent frequency, you turned the gain up and listen to see where they were broadcasting from. One station i picked up was 'Centrepoint' Information Radio. This station was only around 5w and was meant for visitors to the tower that could tune in via a radio and hear different points of interest in Sydney as seen from said tower. Meanwhile back in Springwood, I locked onto a faint channel on FM around 88mhz and cranked up the amp. Sure enough, I was listening to their station. I sent Centrepoint a message to let them know that i could hear them and the reply was one of shock that their info channel could be heard so far away.

Having a Preamp on a radio like the Malahit DSP2 is a game-changer, all in one well made, well constructed portable radio without the need for a computer.. Its a Win Win

Highly Recommend  9/10

LINKS

https://www.amazon.com.au/Radio-Today-guide-Malahit-receiver/dp/B0CWYMPLW9/ref=asc_df_B0CWYMPLW9/?tag=googleshopdsk-22&linkCode=df0&hvadid=649975794423&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5914628496421787&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1000286&hvtargid=pla-2281582526079&psc=1&mcid=5c2b5050eee43ac4b08a20b5e4f21a17 (The Radio Today Guide To The Malahit DSP2)

 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006002813127.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_home.0.0.6e1862e6o1DqbY&gps-id=pcStoreLeaderboard&scm=1007.22922.271278.0&scm_id=1007.22922.271278.0&scm-url=1007.22922.271278.0&pvid=0b0bf482-b59c-42bf-9ede-1af00691b590&_t=gps-id:pcStoreLeaderboard,scm-url:1007.22922.271278.0,pvid:0b0bf482-b59c-42bf-9ede-1af00691b590,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238110%231995&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21495.15%21485.21%21%21%21323.73%21317.23%21%402101c5a717184330106932653ef0fb%2112000035270386090%21rec%21AU%21%21ABBuy (BUY RADIO (I Used Deepelec, Aliexpress) (Took 1 week to get to me) (be sure to search for Ver 2.4)

 

#malahitdsp2

#malahit

BALLINA / BYRON GATEWAY AIRPORT (YBNA)

 FREQUENCIES

120.300  Brisbane Centre
121.300  Lighting
124.200  CTAF / Tower
126.050  Ground (Brisbane Centre)
129.050  Virgin Air
129.525  Pelair
130.125  Jetstar
130.750  Qantas
131.000  Airservices Aust
131.450  Mills Oakley Lawyers
131.550  SITA
134.800  AWIS (Weather)

412.850  Airservices Aust
413.350  Airservices Aust
426.325  Airservices Aust
465.600  Virgin Air
466.175  Qantas
495.075  REX (Regional Express)
500.7875 Airservices Aust
505.175  Jetstar
505.475  Jetstar

 

LINKS 

https://ballinabyronairport.com.au/ 

 

#ballinaairportfrequencies

#ballinabyronairport

#airportfrequencies

#nswradio&communications

 

ARMIDALE AIRPORT NSW (YARM)

 FREQUENCIES

125.750 Brisbane Centre
127.500 CTAF / Tower
131.650 Qantaslink
134.750 AWIS (Weather)
135.550 REX (Regional Express)

411.750 Airport Comms
494.950 Qantaslink

 

LINKS

https://www.armidaleregional.nsw.gov.au/our-region/transport/armidale-regional-airport 

http://www.armidaleairport.com/

 

#armidaleairportfrequencies

#armidaleairport

#nswradio&communications

ALBURY AIRPORT NSW (YMAY)

 FREQUENCIES

115.600  ATIS
121.800  SMC (Ground)
122.800  Hazair Agriculture Services
123.250  CTAF (Tower)
125.200  Melbourne Centre
126.450  REX (Regional Express)
129.125  Aust Flight Handling
130.050  Virgin Air
130.375  Virgin Air
130.625  Fuel Services
131.650  Qantaslink
133.850  ATIS
134.525  AWIS (Weather)

484.950  Qantas
485.075  Virgin Air
495.125  REX (Regional Express)

NOTES = Bird Hazard 

LINKS 

https://www.flyalbury.com.au/

 

#alburyairportfrequencies

#alburyairport

#nswradio&communication

 

 

 

 

UNIDEN UBCD536PT - A REVIEW

 Hello and Welcome Back... Probably The Most Enjoyable Scanner I Have Come Across..

 

 

The Uniden 536PT is one of those rare scanners that just about has everything. Big brother to the Uniden UBCD436PT (Handheld), the 536PT is a hybrid of Analog & Digital SDR (Software Defined Radio) Technology. What that means, is that analog frequencies like Airband, Marine, ect, ect is just as achievable as Digital P25 networks in a Desktop / Mobile Radio.

Connect a 536PT to an outdoor antenna and the sky's the limit. The sensitivity of this radio being a Base / Desktop unit is excellent. 

One thing i noted is how heavy this scanner is, its very solid. The main radio is housed in a metal housing for desktop use but unscrew the 4 screws at the back and it becomes a mobile scanner that will fit into a regular din sized car slot, just like a car radio. (The 536PT without its outer casing (below)

The 536pt in the nude (without its outer cover).. aka Scanner Porn (above) hahaha

Like the 436PT, its memory is provided by a 4-32gb memory card which slots into the front of the unit. I noticed that you have to angle the small card on a downward angle or the card will lodge into a small space that's just above where the slot and cover meet and over time, will damage your card. Once the card is in place, you have to push the card a little further until you hear a click as it will then lock it into place.

Also on the front of the radio is a 'Mini USB' socket. You can get the scanner to talk to the Sentinal software using this Mini USB but i find its easier to just take the card out, put it into a SD card adapter and use Sentinal that way, once finished, just slot the card back in its place.

The front of the Uniden UBCD536PT with Micro SD card in place (above)

On the back of the 536PT there is an Antenna (BNC) Connector , Extension Speaker socket, USB Connector, 9 Pin Remote / GPS Plug, and 2 Power plug connectors (House & Auto)

The back of the Uniden 536PT (below)

The USB plug is weird. Its suppose to drive a WI-FI dongle so it can connect to a wireless set-up but no idea how to do this, or what dongle you can use. (anybody know??) 

There was also a Mobile APP, that using this method, you could use your scanner while out and about as long as you have a WiFi connection. The scanner stays connected at home and using the App, you could be in your car, at work, ect, ect and be able to operate your scanner remotely.. allegedly.

The best part of this scanner is the 9 pin Remote / GPS plug. You can remotely connect this scanner to your computer and using ProScan software, operating the scanner remotely with a mock scanner face. (see pic below)

This setup took me a while to workout but is excellent once you have it up and running.

The first thing you will need is the ProScan Software Program up and running. Next, you will need some cables to connect the scanner to your computer. 

I use 2 cables. One is a Null Modem Cable (9 Pin Female to 9 pin Female).. It has to be a Null Modem cable or it wont work. 

I was using just a 9 pin cable adapter to USB and spent many hours of swearing and hair pulling to realize i was doing something wrong. Turns out there a difference between a Null Modem Cable and an ordinary adapter cable, who knew, who knew ???. Turns out the Null Modem Cable allows the path to return as well as send out which makes all the difference. (thanks to 'Michael James' for explaining it to me)

The other cable i use is the 9 pin (male) to USB. It has to have a Prolific chip in the lead for it to work which then means that you will need a driver for your computer so the lead (Prolific) can talk to the computer. 

You will find the driver here = Download and save to your computer

Here's where it can get tricky. 

Every time your computer does a windows update, it will rewrite over the driver for the Prolific lead and suddenly your lead no longer works and you will see a message like this (see below)

So what you need to do is tell the computer to allow the previous driver to work .. 

This is how =

Download the Driver HERE and save it somewhere where you will find it.

Double click the driver file that you just downloaded and let the program run, it will put the driver to where it has to go...

Next, go to windows control panel and click on 'Hardware & Sound' (you can also put in 'Device Manager' in the windows search bar, bottom left of windows)

Click on Device Manager

Click on 'Ports & LPT'

Right click and select 'Properties', click on 'Driver' then 'Update Driver' 

A new window will open 'How Do You Want To Search For Drivers'

Click on 'Browse My Computer'

The click on 'Let Me Pick From a List of Available Drivers'

Look for the driver dated 25/10/2008 

Double Click 25/10/2008

It will install the driver and click 'Close'

If you check the Device Manager 'Ports & LPT' it should have changed to (pic below)

 

Now that the lead is talking to the computer and is working, we now need to open Proscan.

Once open, go to 'Scanner Type' in the drop down link and select 'UBCD536PT', click 'OK'

Next, on the front of your scanner, go into the scanner menu by pressing the 'Menu' button on the front of your scanner. Scroll to 'Set Your Location', press 'E Yes', scroll to 'Set Up GPS', Press E Yes, scroll to 'Set Serial Port', press E Yes, scroll to '115200bps', press E Yes... Now just keep pressing 'Menu' button to exit.

Next, in Proscan, go to 'Comm Port' and a new window will open (see below)

Be sure that your 'Baud Rate' in ProScan is set to 115200 as it is above.

Next, set Port to 'None' and press 'Refresh'.. This will clear the port

Next, press 'Auto Detect' and it should show whats available like the pic below

Click on the '5 (or what ever port is available on your computer) Available UBCD536-PT 115200' line and it will highlight Blue, then click on 'Set Selected Available Port' and then press 'Close'

The window in ProScan should now be active. If not, go to Device Manger in your computer and make sure your lead is active. Also try plugging the lead in and out, sometimes, it takes a few goes. Also try shutting down the computer and re-starting as the drive for the prolific lead may not work until you do this.

The Uniden UBCD536PT decoding P25 Digital (above)

MY OPINION

I Love this scanner. 

I have owned in the past, a Uniden 396XT, a Uniden 325P2, Uniden 436PT (still got it) & Uniden SDS100. 

Although, the Uniden 536PT is quiet heavy and is used as a desktop scanner, Its become my favorite radio. 

I have it hooked up to an outdoor antenna, nothing special, just a Pactel Scanner Antenna on a Z mount on my patio roof. The metal roof acts as a ground-plane which helps. I have had this antenna plugged into my 436PT and while I get good results, I was blown away by the reception on the 536PT. 

The sensitivity on Airband (analog) and P25 (digital) PSN (Public Safety Network) decoding goes hand in hand. I am very pleased with this radio. I highly Recommend using an outdoor antenna to really get the best from this radio.

The UBCD536PT also decodes DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) and NXDN using unlock keys from Uniden website.

Bad Points?..  None Really. If i had to be picky, i would like the buttons on the front of the radio to be bigger but that's about it.. 

Its an excellent radio 10/10

The Uniden UBCD536PT in the Wild (above)

Hope this helps

Michael @ NSW Radio & Communications

P.S If you do happen to buy one of these excellent radios, i can program it for you so you can get the best from your most excellent radio

Programming Links Here = https://scanradionsw.blogspot.com/2021/11/radio-programming-services-available.html

 

#uniden

#unidenprogramming

#programscanner

#programmingradioscanner

#uniden536pt

#ubcd536pt

#unidenreview

#radioscannerreview

SEARCH FUNCTION ON YOUR SCANNER (Whats In My Scanner)

 Hello and Welcome Back... The search function on your radio scanner is a great way to find new frequencies.

Sometimes, scanners like Uniden have their own pre-programmed search banks (called 'Service Search') like Airband, Marine, UHF CB , etc, etc, but its more fun to do it yourself

You will find the 'Custom Search' in the menu system of your scanner

This is how mine is set out..

BANK

1 = VHF LOW (30-55mhz) Searching through the 30-50mhz band (use NFM or FM) has military users as well as older baby monitors which can make your house bugged as they are often very sensitive. I had a neighbor once who was using a older style baby monitor and being that the house was open plan, you could hear everything. Frequency was around 48mhz

2 = VHF LOW 2 (55-87.5mhz) Continuing bank 1, 55-87mhz (NFM) range covers NPWS (77.700mhz) which is an old frequency but i sometimes hear it from time to time, also some military use this band as well as kids toys/walky talky's (around the 55mhz) range.

3 = AIR BAND (108-137mhz) (AM / 8.33mhz steps) Chat channels are fun to find, usually 123.450 but i have found some around 126mhz as well. I once found a chat frequency , to what sounded like a Flying School teaching the fine basics of flying with some choice words spoken when things went wrong. (from the students)

4 = MARINE (156-162.050mhz) (NFM / 5Khz steps) Ships to Shore, Shore to Ships and ... Pirates

5 = MILITARY UHF1 (225-300mhz) (AM) (5Khz steps) I find its better to break up the military satellite band, that way you can concentrate on a small portion at a time. Sunrise & sunset is a good time to go searching. I have picked up many Russian users who are using this band (and Bank 6) chatting away (in Russian) from my place in Blue Mountains (NSW) coming in strong for around 30 mins before fading. Interesting Listening

6 = MILITARY UHF2 (300-380mhz) (AM) (5khz steps) Continuing on from Bank 5... Lots of interesting listening, its just getting the timing right, Sunrise / Sunset is the best time. Outdoor antenna works wonders.

7 = MILITARY UHF3 (380-400mhz) (NFM) (5Khz steps) Following on from banks 5 & 6. Sometimes hear p25 links on this band from Military Traffic

8 = FM RADIO (88-107.9MHZ) (FMB = FM Broadcast Band) Excellent for testing for range if your using an outdoor antenna. From my place in Blue Mountains, i can get radio station 2ST (Bowral) in the Southern Highlands on a good day.

9 = UHF (450-500mhz) (FMN) (6.25khz steps) great for finding hidden frequencies / users and once you find something interesting, use the ACMA page search to narrow down the frequency. I have found various Bus company's / Taxis who go under a different name (usually just someones name, Eg John Smith = West Sydney Taxi's). In the ACMA page, under 'Find', change to 'Registrations' enter the frequency found and in the 'Where' box, change to 'Mhz' and it will give you all the users for that frequency.

10 (0) = UHF CB (476.425 - 477.4125) (NFM) (6.25Khz) Only if your really bored, you can listen to the idiots arguing who has the best antenna and how they have more power and everyone else is just ...Mud

And that's it. That's how i set out my 'Custom Search' in my Uniden 436PT (Handheld) & MY 536PT (Desktop)

Always use an Outdoor Antenna if you can, it opens the door to a whole new world..

Enjoy

#unidensearch

#uniden

#radioscanner

#scanner