ADAPTER UHF-MALE TO 3/8X24-FEMALE HEAVY DUTY

In Europe there are many different ways to mount a mobile antenna. The magmount with a PL connection (UHF-Female or SO-239 on magnet) and a whip with a UHF-Male (PL-259) are common for CB and low frequency use.

Sirio MagMount with UHF-Female (SO-239) connection

In the USA most whips have a 3/8×24 thread, this is also common in the United Kingdom but not on the European continent.  But CB and HAM operators love certain USA brands, so it is handy to have an adapter that allows the use of a 3/8×24 threaded whip on a PL-(Mag)Mount.

When the whips are long there is a huge force on the mount, so the best you can do is use a Heavy Duty adapter to prevent damage to your antenna or mount. The RoadPro adaptor is a heavy duty adapter that we consider the best solution on the market.

To find the product on our Avera-Distributing website use this link: https://www.avera.eu/roadpro-uhf-male-3-8×24-female-hd.html

We stock many different adapters, if you can not find a certain model on the website, feel free to email or phone us.

The UHF-Male (PL-259) side from the adapter

SDS200 / SDS200E

Photo: SDS200 for USA market

At the last day of CES 2019 in Las Vegas Uniden officially announced the introduction of the new scanner SDS200. The SDS200 is the mobile version of the portable SDS100. The SDS100 was developed with new technology, so not be compared with earlier models. Same counts for the SDS200. It is total new technology and totally different from other mobile models like BCT15X or BCD536. Technology of SDS100 and SDS200 is now based on SDR chip technology. That allowed the SDS100 and the new SDS200 to have several new features. The SDS200 has a large display that can be programmed for many different colors. And of course the SDS200 has the famous Uniden trunking technics that no other brand of scanners is offering.

Uniden writes: << “Uniden extends the True I/Q portfolia with the SDS200 True I/Q Scanner. Boasting incredible digital performance in even the most challenging RF environments, the SDS200’s digital performance is better than any other scanner in both simulcast and weak-signal environments. The SDS200 also lets you decide what to display, where, and in what color. Custom fields put the information important to you right where you want. And, one more first, the SDS200 includes an integrated Ethernet interface that allows for remote programming, streaming, updates, and control”.>>

Photo: Rear view of SDS200

The casing of the SDS200 is bigger than casing for SDS100. This results in more space for the components and less chance of internal interferences. Also more filters could be added to SDS200 compared to the SDS100.

ETHERNET CONNECTION

Looking at the front of the SDS200 you will notice the ethernet connection socket. That slot can be used to connect the scanner to a computer and the internet. It will allow control, programming and streaming of the scanner and the signals received. Laws in Europe and USA are different. In USA it is common to publish police or other public service communications through a website on the internet as a streaming service. In Europe it is not always legal to distribute signals that are being received. Certainly not if the signal is coded or scrambled. But trunking is not encrypting or coded. It is jumping through several frequencies to allow more users on a limited number of channels.

Photo: USA flyer for SDS200

TRUMP AND SDS200

Because the US president want his wall there is a government shut down in USA now. It also means that the FCC is partly closing down. The approval for SDS200 came just in time, but Uniden and other manufacturers are getting delays now for several products that need FCC involvement before they can put these on the USA market. SDS200E FOR EUROPE For Europe there will be the SDS200E. The model is expected to arrive on European marker in second quarter of this year. It will be great addition to the existing analog mobile models UBC355XLT, UBC370CLT and BCT15X. For European model UBCD3600XLT users can buy an activation key to upgrade for NXDN or they purchase a model that has the upgrade already included. For SDS100E users had to purchase activation keys for DMR, NXDN and ProVoice or purchase a model that had these activations already entered. DMR – NXDN – PROVOICE ON SDS200e Avera is happy to announce that the European model SDS200E will be sold with DMR, NXDN and ProVoice already activated by the factory. The final price for the European market is not published yet, subscribe to this blog to be informed when more info gets available for the SDS200E.

SAVE THE DATE – MEET PAUL

Photo: Uniden’s Paul Opitz showing Avera the SDS200

The photo shows Paul Opitz during presentation of USA model SDS200 at CES 2019 in Las Vegas. Paul is the ‘scanner guru’ from Uniden USA. On September 14 – 2019 we have the 2nd Avera dealer event. We are exited to say that Paul is invited to give a presentation about scanners. Dealers can meet him and ask questions. So save that date on your calendar. The event is by invitation only. Send me an email if you want to join us that day. More info about the dealer event will be published on our homepage www.avera.eu

DAYTON HAMVENTION 2018

May 18-19-20 was the annual Dayton Hamvention 2018 in Xenia, a little village close to Dayton Ohio. Few years ago the show moved from Dayton to Xenia, but the name Dayton Hamvention is so world famous there was no need to change the name. Some people also refer to the name Hamfest, probably that comes from Hamfestival.Photo: Entrance at Dayton HAMVENTION

DAYTON vs FRIEDRICHSHAFEN
Dayton Hamvention can be compared to the HAM RADIO in Friedrichshafen Germany. This year that show will be June 8-9-10.
* On both shows are the famous brands like Yaesu, Icom and Kenwood promoting their HAM products.
* On both shows there are dealers selling the products.
* On both shows there is a flee market where dealers and individuals are present to sell their ‘specials’.
* In Germany all is concentrated in a real convention center with several halls.
* In Dayton it is on the County Fair Grounds. Many cities have such an area, a few small halls, a large outdoor area where all kind of ‘local festivals’ are organized.  From origin it is an area where cattle is sold.
* That the location is not as ‘professional’ as Friedrichshafen is absolute no problem. That is… if there is no rain.

Photo: Dayton is famous for the yearly rain

The big brands and shops are in a few halls and tents that have been put up.
But the majority of the participants is out on the field and on a race track. When it rains it becomes a lot of mud. The organization puts hay on wet muddy parts to keep it a bit in shape, but if it really rains the water is on the fields, the tracks and sometimes even runs through the halls.

Photo: hay to cover the mud

But if the sun is shining the Dayton show is big fun with all the outdoor activities.

WHAT WE NOTICED
I did not count but I am sure that in Dayton more brands are present than in Friedrichshafen. There were many antenna brands that are really unknown in Europe that showed their products. It was impossible to find out for all these brands what was new on the market.
In Friedrichshafen you will find many more HAM clubs from all over the world.

Just a few things we noticed during our visit:

YAESU introduced the new HF set the FTDX101D.

Photo: FTDX101D

But Yaesu also brought 12.000 caps to hand out to visitors. A pretty impressive number.

Photo: 12.000 Yaesu Caps

SCANNERMASTER USA is a major scanner distributor in USA. In their booth we spoke Gommert Buijsen from BUTEL Software.
Avera is the exclusive distributor for the BUTEL software in Europe on CD-ROM, in USA that is Scannermaster.
Photo: Gommert Buijsen

Gommert showed the sample they had from Uniden SDS100, a total new scanner for USA market. The electronic design is totally new. It is technically a bigger difference than when scanners with Xtals were replaced by programmable processor scanners.
Photo: Uniden SDS100 a new scanner for USA market

Avera is talking with Uniden about a SDS100 version for Europe, if there is news we will publish that in this blog, on the Avera website and Avera Facebook page. Check the video about SDS100 we published 2 weeks ago.

Scannermaster also showed a kit based on the Uniden Homepatrol. There is a cabinet/frame with speaker, amplifier and connection options. (Gommert vragen). This is a model that is not available in Europe.
Photo: Uniden Home Patrol – not available for Europe

WHISTLER showed nothing new. But said that 2 new scanners might be coming to the USA market. But it will be a surprise if these are available within 12 months. In USA brands like to introduce something new a very long time before it is actual coming to the market.
Photo: Whistler booth

There was a rumor that this year Butel software might be available for various Whistler models. That might help their sales in USA and Europe.

The field and the race track area is not only a flee market. There are also brands that promote the products from under a simple party tent or from the trunk of a car.
There we met Boris from Bulgaria. He is a HAM, but also an engineer that develops new HF radio’s under brand name Ameco. He showed there prototypes from his  HF kits that will be available soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo: Ameco projects from Boris

MORE DAYTON
The Dayton Hamvention is always in may. The weather is unpredictable in that period. There was regular rain, but there was also a tropic shower for 4 minutes and after that the sun was shining again.

The show is typical American, it has nearly the same vibes as on a rodeo. Many people, all outdoor, food trucks, friendly people and everyone is enjoying the festival.
But next time I bring my boots and a large umbrella, because there never seems to be a complete 3-day sunny Dayton Hamvention.
Photo: My shoes were ruined

It was my first visit to the Dayton Hamvention and to be honest I loved it.

See also this video with a photo impression of Dayton 2018.

 

UNIDEN SDS100 FOR USA MARKET

June 2018 Uniden USA hopes to introduce the new scanner Uniden SDS100 on the USA market. many scanner listeners are asking Avera when the European version of the SDS100 will be available in Europe.

Photo: Flyer of SDS100 for USA

UNIDEN SDS100EU (?)
The truth is that we can not tell at this moment, we are discussing this with the manufacturer Uniden Japan, but we can not give any information yet. Follow this BLOG ( subscribe) and for sure we will announce it on our Facebook page and Avera website homepage.

SDS100 USA VERSION
We had the pleasure to interview Paul from Uniden USA and ask him about the Uniden SDS100 for the USA market. Please watch the video, his voice is a bit crispy, he just had some surgerey, but he was willing to make this video with us. Thank you Paul for sharing with us!

Link to Avera video:

Video from 2nd party Vlogger, Radar Busters
Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zAdjX0sxC8&t=63s

SDS100 USA PRICING
The expected price for the USA market will be around USD 649 – USD 699.
Buying upgrades for DMR, ProVoice and NXDN will cost an other USD 170.
These prices are ecxluding the USA sales tax. In Europe most countries have a sales tax from around 15 – 22%.
As mentioned before, the Uniden SDS100 for USA will be available somewhere in June 2018.

SDS100 – NXDN
There is a lot of talking on internet about SDS100 for USA, the UBCD3600XLT for Europe and availability of NXDN. Often people refer to Whistler TRX-1 and TRX-2 as having standard TRX-1 and TRX-2 included.
Avera-Distributing is also talking with Uniden about adding NXDN to the European UBCD3600XLT. But Uniden has not deciced yet on how to do this.

The SDS100 has REAL NXDN trunk tracking while TRX-1 and TRX-2 do receive the frequenties but do not really provide the trunktracking. If there is low traffic it will be okay, but if there is a busy system you need a real trunk tracking system to be able to detect and follow the communications on such a trunk tracking system.

SUBSCRIBE TO THIS BLOG
If you want to be the first to learn about SDS100EU subscribe to this blog and we will keep you informed.

 

 

 

 

 

DAF TRUCKS AT CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

Each year, early January, is the annual CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas. At CES products and services are introduced that will be available for the general public in the coming years.  Audio, video, computers, robots, drones and now-a-days also self driving cars.

TRUCK MANUFACTURER AT CONSUMER ELCETRONICS SHOW
But it was surprise for me to see at CES the company Paccar, the mother company of the Dutch truck building company DAF and the famous USA truck brands Kenworth and Peterbilt.
Since long time the CES is more than a consumer electronics show. It is an event that informs about all the innovations going on in the world today.

PACCAR INNOVATION CENTER
Paccar has their own innovation center in Silicon Valley. One of the things they study there is the use of drones to deliver spare parts to mechanics on the spot.
The idea is that when a truck brakes down a mechanic goes on the road to get the truck repaired and driving again. But it is impossible for a mechanic to have all the spare parts in the service van. So if he calls the service center a drone should be used to deliver the desired spare part to fix the truck.

DRONES TO DELIVER SPARE PARTS
First Paccar did a research to all of their spare parts. It seemed that 87% of the spares was under 4,5 Kg (10 lbs) .
On the photo you see a regular professional drone with a plastic box under it.
The box should be able to hold the spare part. The weight of 4,5 kg should be no problem, nor the dimensions of the plastic box to hold one of these 87% of the spare parts.

MANY PROBLEMS TO SOLVE
It sounds all simple, but there are many problems before this drone delivery will be reality. The distance the drone that was showed can cover is 14 Km (9 miles). But according to US law it can only be used when the drone is in sight, That means a maximum reach from approx 1,5 km (1 mile).
But even if the distance is 14 km, it is a 10 minute ride for a car to deliver the spare part. Does it make sense to use a drone in those circumstances?
It is only one of many questions, no one knows what the future will bing.

PACCAR’s TIME LINE FOR USA DRONE DELIVERIES
2017  
Drone delivery within the pilot’s line of sight (LOS) expands in rural areas.
2018   Deadline for FAA’s new drone delivery rules
2019   NASA plans to release recommendations around air traffic control systems for drones.
2020   Limited commercial deliveries start with autonomous flights.
2021   Commercial drone deliveries begin in parts of the USA as air traffic control and autonomous flight systems mature, enabling more complex delivery operations.

ONLY TIME WILL TELL what the future will bring us, but CES made clear again than many exiting things start to happen the coming years also within the trucking industry.

 

 

PALOMAR MAX-MOD TRANSISTOR

Does the regulator in your radio run hot? Excessive heat from a transistor means the part is undersized for the circuit or that the circuit itself is not very efficient.
Changing the radio’s modulation circuit is impossible. But the solution for this problem is the Palomar MAX-MOD Transistor.

Photo: MAX-MOD transistor including mica insulator

PALOMAR
Palomar is a famous old CB brand name from USA. The name is owned and used now by EKL Components, the mother company also for Magnum Radio’s and Motocomm helmet sets.
New in the Palomar program is the MAX-MOD, a special transistor.

MAX-MOD TRANSISTOR
The MAX-MOD is a replacement and upgrade PNP transistor for the modulation circuit in most radio’s. The MAX-MOD replaces the common 2SB and TIP parts.
The MAX-MOD works very well in 10M radio’s, including President models.

The MAX-MOD will give the RF section the current it needs and will increase the peak power by and average of 10% or more.
The MAX-MOD has the same lead spacing as the smaller transistors it replaces, making soldering very easy. The MAX-MOD uses a hughe TO-3PL package for improved heat dissipation, and comes with a mica insulator so you do not need to try to find one.
The MAX-MOD is available in single pack and 10-pack for technicians.

Photo: Palomar MAX-MOD Transistor  in single pack

FESATURES OF PALOMAR MAX-MOD TRANSISTOR: 
• High Current / High Power PNP Power Transistor (AM Regulator)
• Replaces & Upgrades 2SB688, 2SB754, 2SB817, 2SB827 and other AM
• Regulator Transistors in CB and Amateur Radios
• Supplies Necessary Current Levels for Maximum Modulation
• Most Radios See a 10% Increase in Peak Power Levels
• Runs 40%* Cooler than Stock Regulators
• Massive TO-3PL Package for Improved Heat Dissipation
• Comes with Mica Insulator

Photo: Palomar MAX-MOD Transistor in 10-Pack

 

The  MAX-MOD Transistor is available from stock at Avera-Distributing.

For a datasheet of Palomar MAX-MOD Transistor click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SANTIAGO 1200 STILL AVAILABLE

 Photo: Page from Sirtel Catalogue

The Santiago 1200 is very well known model antenna that has been around for many many years. I am in the CB for over 40 years and that model exists as long as I can remember. I have no idea who the original manufacturer was. All popular models in this industry have been copied and copied again.

SIRTEL
Certainly for the last  20 years, every one thought the Sirtel Santiuago 1200 was the original model. But as I wrote before, I can not be sure about that. But since some time the Sirtel model is not available anymore. There are stories in the market, but I could not find a person to tell the true story until now. What I do know is following:

COOPERATION
Around 15 years ago some antenna manufacturers decided to cooperate more closely. The Italian companies, Sirtel, Mantova, Sigma and Lea combined forces to attack the European market. That went well for some time, but few months ago the doors of the factory closed. Some people think there will be a re-tart, but others doubt this.  Honestly, I have no idea what will happen.

SANTIAGO 1200
The most popular models from the factory were the Mantova base antenna and the Santiago 1200. No need to be disappointed because there are still several Santiago 1200 or S1200, or SS1200 on the market. As I wrote in the beginning, many factories copied this model. It is copied so many times that we do not know anymore from who the original is. It also does not mean that the copies are from less quality. Sometimes copies can better than the original.

At Avera we have two different and equal Santiago 1200 models  for sale. So for those who still want the Santiago 1200 , no need to be sad – the antenna is still on the market.

Photo: Detail of Santiago 1200

MIDLAND GB-1 TEARS EUROPE APART

Photo: Midland GB-1, a PMR446 with fixed antenna

USA vs EUROPE
In the USA it is the FCC that rules the world of communications for all 50 states. In Europe we have the European Union, that are 28 National States. The EU is managed by the European Commission (EC). In the EU the kind of ‘FCC-department’ is called the “Directorate General for Communication-networks and Technology (CNET)”.

It might look the same structure but the difference is really big. Where the FCC has the complete power in all the US states, the European Commission can make Directives . The national governments have to implement the Directives as national laws. Can you imagine a European Directive written in English or French and translated by 28 national bodies in their own language….
Yes that often results in a ‘fight’ about the meaning of content of the Directive and meaning of national translations.

In our industry we have a ‘nice’ example for this struggle. There is a European Directive for the so called PMR446 regulation. It can be compared with USA radio’s for FRS or GMRS. The directive tells us the equipment for PMR446 needs to have a fixed antenna. So basically the idea was to have small portable radios, walki talkies, operating on 8 channels in the  446 MHz band.

THE EUROPEAN WAY
To put such a radio on the market the manufacturer needs a Document of Compliance. An accredited laboratory investigates such a product and if it is complying with all the applicable rules they give a Declaration of Conformity. In short this is the way to act when bringing radio’s on the European market with the necessary  CE or CE! ( CE-alert) sign. So manufacture according to the technical specs of the directive and ETSI norms, have it tested by an accredited laboratory, get the necessary paperwork done for CE and you are in business!

MIDLAND GB-1
This was exactly what Midland did when they put the Midland GB-1 on the market. A portable radio with a fixed antenna. The antenna was fixed with a  cable to the radio. The test lab saw no problem, it was according to the Directive, the antenna was fixed and not detachable.

The Midland GB-1 came on the market with all the necessary markings for CE, that is a CE sign and a listing of the countries for which applicable.

Photo: A dark shadow is already hanging over the listing of all EU-countries (some non-EU countries also adapted EU-laws)

It did not take long before some national European Authorities saw the product in the market and told Midland “this is not according to the Directive for PMR446”. Midland told them “this is the documents from an official accredited laboratory, so what can be the problem? “.

In such a case of discussion or rejecting by a national Authority , each Authority can inform the DG of the European Commission to file a complaint. There will be a short investigation and it might result in an instruction to all 28 national Authorities “take this product out of the market”.

In the case of Midland GB-1 there was a discussion between all the national Authorities in Europe and the votes were quite divided. Countries that had no problem with the construction of this radio were: Denmark, Malta, Czech Republic, Hungary, Germany, Estonia, Slovakia, Italy, The Netherlands.

Photo: The listing of the countries without objections

Countries’ that say “not allowed” were Croatia, Switzerland, Finland, Portugal, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Latvia, Luxemburg, France.

Some countries thought it was hard to decide and needed time to think: Bulgaria, Ireland, Sweden, UK, Greece, Poland, Spain, Cyprus, Lithuania.

Because of all the discussions in the various countries Midland had to change the paperwork for this radio and also the printing on the box. For an end-user it  looks easy but for a manufacturer this is quite a big and expensive operation to make a small change like this.

Photo: The Midland GB-1 used to be code C1198 but is now code C1198.01 also the barcode had to be changed.

So we have a European Commission making Directives. The national Authorities have to turn these Directives in to national law. But at the end of the day the national Authorities still want to have the final word.

The case of Midland GB-1 illustrates exactly how divided Europe can be. As a European tradesman I love the European Union for all the good things achieved. I just hope that people from national Authorities will start to think more European than they do now. Or the European countries must give more power to the European Commission and European Parliament. If there is a European Directive/Law there must be a product for the complete European market and individual countries should not have the possibility to ban products from their national market.

The Midland GB-1 is a fine product, it is manufactured according to the EU standards, there is a demand in the market for this product and it should be available for the benefit of all European people.

Photo: Midland GB-1, only legally available in some European countries

USE OF DASH CAMS IN EUROPE

Many brands offer action camera’s or dash cams for use in trucks or cars.  The most recent in the Avera stock programma is the Midland STREET GUARDIAN NIGHT. For details about this product visit our website.

Photo: Midland Street Guardian Night

More and more drivers purchase  a dashcam. It allows to film scenic routes and gives ‘proof’ in case of an accicdent. But not in every country the use of dashcams is legal.

DIFFERENT LAWS IN ALL COUNTRIES
Most users have no idea about the laws in the various European countries.  Here is some listing from info we received:

BELGIUM: allowed
Not allowed to publish or distribute the video’s made if people in the video can be identified.
DANMARK: allowed
Dashcam and cables should not block the views of the driver. No filming on private property, be aware for privacy regulations.
GERMANY: advise is ‘do not use’.
UNITED KINGDOM: Allowed
Be aware of privacy regulations when publishing videos
FRANCE: allowed
Unclear about legal aspect for use in court. Be aware of privacy regulations.
GREECE: No legal information available.
HUNGARY: allowed
Publication of video only wen people can not be recognised.
ITALY: allowed
Privacy regulations not only for persons but it is also not allowed to publish a  video with readable license plates.
CROATIA: allowed
Be aware for privacy regulations, Also certain objects like country borders should not be recorded.
LUXEMBURG: NOT ALLOWED
Data protection laws do not allow the use of dash cams.
AUSTRIA: advise is ‘do not use’.
It is not allowed to video people, this affects also use of dashcams.
POTUGAL: advise is ‘do not use’.
Only allowed if one has a license from Portugese Data Protection Authority.
SLOVENIA: allowed
Restrictions when people are filmed without permission.
Spain: advise ‘do not use’.
Use should not distract the drivers attention. No allowed to use in public areas.
CZECH REPUBLIC: allowed
Sight of driver should not be blocked.
Not allowed to publish video without permission.
SWITZERLAND: allowed
Sight of driver should not be blocked.
Not allowed to operate during driving.
Be aware of privacy regulations before publishing.
(Source AAA – NL )

GENERAL ADVICE:
If the use of a dashcam is not allowed do not show the camera on your dash board, even when not in use.
• Always make sure the dashcam does not block the sight of the driver.
• Never operate the dashcam during driving.
 Do not publish video’s when people can be recognised.
Always respect the privacy from others.

DRIVE SAFE AND ENJOY YOUR VACATION !

 

DELTA DFC100 WIRELESS FREQUENCY COUNTER

 Photo: Delta DFC100

Last time i introduced the Delta M2 Desk Microphone. This post is about the Delta DFC100 wireless frequency counter from the same company.

BACK PANEL
Although the DFC100 is called a wireless frequency counter it can also be used as a regular wired counter. On the back panel are 4 connecting possibilities.
Two pieces SO-239 connectors for direct connecting to a transceiver and antenna. Next to these is the slot to connect  a 12 Volt DC source.
Last but not least is the connection for the antenna for wireless measurement of the frequency from a transceiver. This antenna is included in the gift box and has a length of approx. 62 cm.

FRONT PANEL
The display reads the frequency in the range from 0.5 – 50 MHz in blue LED’s. On the left hand side is a switch to select wireless measurement on/off. On the right hand side is the general on/off switch.

POWE SUPPLY

Photo : KIM KE600

Manufacturer Delta is based in the USA. In the gift box is a USA 110 Volt AC/DC adaptor. For operation in Europe is is necessary to use a 12 Volt DC adaptor with EU plug. When we used a switching power supply it resulted in a ‘noise’ in the receiver. Maybe this was a one time event.
When using a very cheap KIM KE600 adaptor there was no noise to be heard.

CONCLUSION:
The Delta DFC100 wireless frequency counter is a good counter, easy to use. The extra option for wireless measurement of the transmitted frequency can come in handy.
Do not forget to use a good functioning 12 Volt DC adaptor.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Below is a part of the user manual that shows the specifactions for the Delta DFC100 Wireless Frequency Counter.

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