One of the things about writing a blog - you get a lot of "out of the blue" e-mails. I guess that's a consequence of becoming somewhat "known". I get e-mails offering me exciting ground level opportunities to engage in marketing or distributing radios or radio related electronics products. I also get e-mails with "exciting" new product developments. Generally, I just delete these e-mails, as they are not CW or QRP related, but every now and then one comes along that is rather interesting and catches my eye.
The other day, I received one such e-mail form VGC which is an electronics company in China (of course) informing me about a newer 50 Watt VHF/UHF mobile radio for under $200. Here's the link.
I don't know if this is or ever will be FCC Type Accepted, or whether or not it's a piece of cr@p. It's distributed here in the USA by GigaParts, so I guess it's somewhat reputable. But the one thing did intrigue me is that it is supposedly Bluetooth compatible and I guess that would allow you to program the frequencies via your smartphone, or a tablet.
I'm not in any way endorsing this product or advising anyone to buy it. Heck, for all I know, the app could be spyware. I certainly don't know if it's any good and I've never heard of this company before. The thing is that I've never heard of a radio that can be programmed via a Bluetooth compatible device before. Maybe one already exists and I'm so cooped up in my QRP CW bubble that I've never noticed it or heard of it before. Nevertheless, that's one innovation that I think would be cool to have. Maybe the "Biggies" need to get on board with that concept.
I'm not that big into VHF/UHF, but especially in an EMCOMM situation - a radio that you could program frequencies into on the fly as needed, using your smartphone and not having to be hardwire tethered to a laptop? That would be neat!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Good morning, Larry. While reading your post, I was reminded that yes, the rig may be advertised for 200.00, but you may be adding tariffs to that price as well. Not sure what or if it is on amateur radio gear, but then again, I don't think those in control really know what tariffs are, what the tariffs are on and what the amount is it seems to change like the wind.
ReplyDelete73,
Mike
VE9KK
Hi Mike!
DeleteWell, I'm not looking to buy one, I was just intrigued by the Bluetooth control. Maybe that's the next big thing in radios!
Larry W2LJ