Hardware Chat

Doubt it. Traditionally, handhelds have been 5-watt max. Pete mentioned that a seller at the Canvey Ralley had 8-watt handhelds on offer. A quick Google produces the Tonfa UV-985 which looks like a re-badged Baofeng. I've not heard any reliable reviews whether it can indeed produce the full 8-watts or how well the 1800mAh battery lasts.

Personally, having not long picked-up a Yaesu FT-60 I'm inclined to suggest that you buy a reputable brand unless you're planning on dropping the radio, taking it mountain climbing or not-too-fussed if it falls down the toilet!

Hi I've never seen a 10w handheld. 5 watts is the norm. This gives a good compromise between performance, weight and battery life. Standard antennas on handhelds are often below par. I have a Watson WHSM-270 that is a 1/4 wave on 2m and 1/2 wave on 70cm. It' really boosts the performance of a standard handie. For example, I can work GB3DA from Maldon on my 1.5w VX-3r using this antenna. The standard antenna struggles to get across town. This antenna on a 5w FT-60 is a real performer.

Thank you for your reply. I thought it might be the case. I have one of those Baofeng Chinese radios at the moment. I can receive GB3DA but my audio isn't going through. I have changed oryginal antenna with Nagoya NA 771 recommended by many people online. To be honest with you I haven't noticed much of the difference.
I have tried from indoors and outside SS2 6RW.
My X-50 arrived yesterday and will be temporarily going to the loft. If that won't improve my situation the last option will be to install it on chimney.
I'll let you know with the results.

It doesn't matter how powerful your transceiver is if your antenna and feeder are poor quality; all you'll do is end up heating up the air around them!

I'd recommend getting your antenna outside and as high as you can and invest in a good feeder (RG-8X minimum) and connectors as a first step. :-)

With regards to audio - Those Baofengs have a reputation for poor transmitted audio. There are a couple of solutions to this: Drill a hole to allow more of your voice to get to the (hidden) mic, open the radio and perform some surgery on the surface-mount components (not for the faint-hearted!) or use an external speaker-mic. Also ensure that the radio is transmitting CTCSS at 110.9Hz because GB3DA is now CTCSS-only and a simple carrier will not work through the repeater.

If you're at the Danbury "Skills" night tomorrow - I'll be the one demo'ing PSK+Digimodes and I'll have my FT-60 handheld with me if you want to try it out. We can also give your Baofeng a check-up, if you like.

Nicholas, Charlie thank you for your reply and advice. I'm going tomorrow to buy coax cable. I was thinking about 25m of W103 or RG213 and connectors. Is 25m too long for UHF/VHF?
Also I will be there tomorrow in Danbury for skills workshop. It would be great if you could have a look at my radio, in case I have set it up wrong.

And we have it 10 Watts handheld radio. It has been announced few days ago and its not that expensive. Topsung TS-689.