Posted on 7 Comments

Which Network Radio to choose?

«Network radios» is a new concept in hamradio. No matter where you go, you can still be in touch with your ham friends. All you need is to connect to the IRN – International Radio Network, that functions as a gateway to the live RF world. The IRN offers a plenitude of channels across the world and it is free to use. However, you are required to hold a valid hamradio license if you want to transmit on hamradio channels, as your transmission will be heard on live repeaters. To make things more exciting, like in the old days, manufactures started to build Android Transceivers, where you can install apps like TS3, or Zello, that offer connectivity to the IRN. Such net transceivers, or network radios, come with a nice PTT button, so you just operate them as any conventional radio. But… Is this hamradio? Read this article.

So, which network radio to choose? There are several types… Let’s see the options.

If you want a simple, but high-quality one, without any RF module, then you will find the Radio Tone RT4 a great choice: It is 4G, GPS tracking system, amazing audio and Android 6.0.

It has a lasting 4600 mAh battery giving you several days of continuous operation. The RT4 has the best specifications on its category.

Just arrived to the market, the Talkpod N58 is 3G compliant, it offers US and EU versions, brings an amazing design, very compact and has a superb audio quality. The Talkpod will become, for sure, a best seller in its segment.

A brand new mobile network radio is the Inrico TM-7. It’s the first 3G Android mobile radio. It became a best-seller since the first day.

If you want something more hybrid, I mean, a network radio with an RF module too, then you want to take a look into the Inrico T298s.

The T298s comes in two different versions: VHF and UHF. It offers an output power of 2 Watt and it’s a great gadget to carry when travelling. You will always be connected. If a nearby repeater is not available, you just have to switch into the IRN or Echolink via WiFi or 3G connection. It is a very robust device, that offers IP54 protective design with a military quality.

If you want the supreme, then you have to take a look into the RFinder M1 or the new RFinder K1. It is much more than a network radio. It does DMR, and FM analogue. It’s all a matter of what you need and can afford. One thing is for sure. Hamradio is changing. As always.

Posted on 6 Comments

Do you have antenna restrictions?

So, you are an amateur radio enthusiast. You just moved in into a new apartment and came to the conclusion that your neighbours won’t let you install an antenna on the roof.

Well, that’s ok. You are still excited with the new home, so you decide to just stick to your old FM handheld. You go close to the window and start trying to hit all the repeaters in the area. You don’t hit a single one. Already desperate, you stick your arm outside the window, set the HT to full power, and still, nothing. You can hardly hear a transmission.

Don’t dispare. You are not alone. This has happened to many other hams across the world. If you really like hamradio for the essence of having QSO’s with other hams and discuss about technology, you can still use the IRN – The International Radio Network.

This system is connected to several hamradio RF channels across the world and you can stay in touch with the community. All you need is WiFi connection, or a 3G/4G data plan and you are connected. Note that you need a valid hamradio license if you want to transmit on IRN.
It’s fun. It’s still hamradio! (unless you think that hamradio is only CW – Don’t let others tell you what is and what is not hamradio. Think for your self. Enjoy the hobby! We are not in the 60’s anymore)

Hamradio is what you want it to be!

by CT1EIZ

 

Posted on 11 Comments

Win a free Inrico T298s 3G/Wifi + UHF Radio (400-470 MHz)

This is your great chance to win a free UHF network transceiver – the best seller Inrico T298s 3G/Wifi + UHF Radio (400-470 MHz)

You don’t have to buy anything. All you have to do is to register in our newsletter with your callsign and you get a free entry to the sweepstake that will occur on the 31/12/2017.

We will contact the winner by e-mail so make sure you add our e-mail address to your contacts so it will not end up in the spam folder. Our e-mail address is hamradio@megahertz.shop

But you can increase your chances to win, by earning additional free entries to the sweepstake! See how you can get extra entries:

Once you register you get your unique code and you just need to share with your friends. Look how you can increase your chances:

Each referred signup +100 entries
Share on Facebook +10 entries
Share on Twitter +10 entries
Share on Google+ +10 entries
Share on WhatsApp +10 entries
Each referred visitor +1 entry
Share on LinkedIn +1 entry
Share on Pinterest +1 entry

Just register below. Once you do it, you can check how many entries you have accumulated! Good luck!



Posted on

Add GPS tracking to your Network Radio using a RadioTone RT4

The Radio-Tone RT4 comes with an embedded software solution that allows to check the whereabouts of your co-workers, friends or other Hams.

Either you use it for work with apps like Zello, or for the hamradio hobby with IRN, the RadioTone is the most advanced network handheld radio. It features a robust case with the looks of a modern Motorola. Its battery lasts forever and the speaker delivers an amazing loud and crystal clear sound.

 

The RT4 PTT Smartphone is a license-free product and it has no distance limitations unlike traditional radios. It is suitable for 3G, 4G and Wifi Network, with High-accuracy GPS Antenna with Online Positioning Software Included. Instant location can be tracked by different platforms (PC and smartphones). Owners can track Location History and Speed of any phones; there will be an alarm and notifications for any phone if out of geofence, set by the network owner.

Purchasing information can be found here

Posted on 1 Comment

Hamradio on a train

We all love talking to the hamradio comunity, right? What if you could keep in touch with other hams, when travelling with your handheld and without access to a local repeater?
Imagine a cross country, long train ride full of nice and relaxing QSO’s.
The other day, RedBull Air Race came to Oporto, Portugal. As I live in Lisbon, I decided to take the 300 kms ride by train to watch the race. I took my handheld network radio with me. It looks just like a conventional handheld transceiver. But it’s not. It is a cellphone with a PTT button. With TeamSpeak 3 installed and tuned into the IRN – International Radio Network, I was connected to my favourite hamradio Talk Group: The Guild QSO channel. I tell you… What a fantastic ride. Well, I must admit, I love a nice cross-country train ride. I just sat back, relaxed and enjoyed the views through my window, while talking to my ham friends. Luckly, this train offered free Wi-Fi connection, but I could also have used my 3G dataplan.
I know this is far from conventionl hamradio, but things are evolving. If for you this is not hamradio, because you are using a commercial network for voice transport, I respect you, but… The way I see it? A hamradio OM, on a relaxing train ride, with a cute radio-like handheld, talking to other hams, on the other side of the ocean. For me, this is nothing but “hamradioing“.
Enjoy your ride!

Posted on

How to activate AT&T 4G/LTE on Rfinder radios

There is a special procedure to activate the 4G LTE service on your RFinder with AT&T Wireless:

Send an e-mail to jr5788@att.com with W2CYK@rfinder.net in CC.
SUBJECT: M1 CONVERT TO LTE
BODY:
«JOSH, PLEASE CONVERT MY M1 TO LTE.
MY IMEI IS: <PUT YOUR IMEI HERE>
MY PHONE NUMBER IS: <PUT THE PHONE NUMBER OF OF YOUR M1 HERE>
MY AT&T PIN IS: <YOUR AT&T 4 DIGIT PIN>

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
YOUR NAME AND YOUR CONTACT NUMBER»

 

Then, you just need to wait up to few days until the activation is in place. Enjoy your RFinder LTE capabilities.

Such procedure is not necessary in other countries.

 

Posted on 2 Comments

IRN – International Radio Network

What is the IRN?

The IRN (International Radio Network) is a VoIP/RoIP system using Teamspeak 3 (TS3) that allows radio users to TX/RX using RF around the World using  different devices (Mobile Phones, Tablets, Computers etc) for free.

The system also allows users to create private talkgroups for point to point or private group QSO’s.
If you would like to add your link, repeater or hub to the IRN system, please use the contact us section to drop us a line.
TS3 is available on Apple, Android, PC, Mac and Linux. The IRN has it’s own private server allowing hundreds of connections at once. There are different talkgroups (channels) within that allow users full RX/TX capabilities across different radio networks and systems from across the globe.
To make it more interesting, you can use PTT-enabled smartphones like the ones listed below. Most of the hams use PTT-enabled phones, so they can use the IRN with the same style as they use a handheld radio. The IRN talk groups can be accessed via GPRS / 3G / 4G / Wifi or RF (depending on the repeaters).

Is this still hamradio? Read this article.

Please note: This system is free to use for both non-licensed* & licensed hams. Live ham-radio repeaters can only be accessed by licensed hams.

*Non-licensed users must apply for membership of IRN in order to have a callsign generated for them (Don’t worry, it’s also free).

The following devices have a dedicated PTT button that will make your experience even better when using the IRN.
 

Watch a demo video

Live QSO using IRN with a Mobile Radio – Inrico TM-7

Posted on

Hamradio during holiday

I just got married and we were about to head to a distant island in the Maldives. I still looked at my Yaesu FT-857D and the ATAS-120 but I din’t think the wife would aprove them on the luggage. No problem, I took my Sure F22 that would do the trick.
Hanimaadhoo is a small island, in the north of Maldives, with two 4G/LTE cell antennas, each one belonging to the two available carriers. The hotel has wifi, so I would be good with this radio.
At this time of the year, the wet monsoon takes place so the weather is very unstable. You can have a wonderful morning doing some snorkeling and constant sunshine and one hour after you will face a heavy, but warm tropical shower.
During the rainy part of the day, I could play with my Sure F22. I was concerned at first that I could have had trouble with customs. It’s a mobile phone anyways, but with its typical shape of a handheld radio there could have been trouble. No questions were asked, so you are ok to bring such radio to Maldives.
I know that some “old” Hams claim that using network radios is not hamradio. I have a very different opinion. I can only guess that during the CW era, many Hams back then would consider voice communications as non-hamradio when they first started. Voice is no fun, nothing “amateur” would they think.
For me, amateur radio is what you want it to be. Amateur radio is something in your soul. You just like to speak with other Hams, mostly about ham topics. Going to a ham radio club and meet fellow hams, for me, is doing hamradio. You share knowledge, you share experiences and you learn.
I was never the type of guy who loves ham contests. Some Hams consider contests as the “only” hamradio thing. Honestly, what I do like, besides all the rig experimental part, is the real QSO with other Hams, with different cultures. I like to know their name, what they do for a living, what type of station they are using. Very far from the “You are 5 and 9, good bye”. I am glad the hamradio world is so vast that there are flavors for all tastes.
Coming back to the subject, is network radio a form of hamradio?
Talking to my common hamradio community over a network radio like the Sure F22 (over 3G) or a Sure F25 (over 4G/LTE) is hamradio. Just use the IRN and they are all there! No matter where I am in the globe, I am in touch with them. It’s not CW, it’s not a communication full of static noise, fading like in HF, but it’s still a round of tens of Hams talking and discussing about hamradio. Isn’t that hamradio for you? At the end, it’s all about the joy! And that, I can assure you I get from this little new net transceiver.
73