Midland GB-1 @ Knights £119

[delboyonline]

Doug has announced that he is expecting the new Midland GB-1 PMR446 radio in the next few days....

http://delboyonline.blogspot.co.uk/2015 ... st_27.html

[Admiral]

Does it conform to ERC/DEC/(98) 25, 26 and 27 or whatever they are now?

If not then you may as well get a Leixen VV-898 for half the price, or an (insert name) MT-270M.

[delboyonline]

Apparently they are legal for use on pmr446....

Expensive when compared with alternative solutions!

[LeakyFeeder]

Very expensive for what it is

[Farty]

It's a joke at the price.

[NiCdeth]

How can this be legit if the antenna element unscrews? I know the coax is fixed, but if you can unscrew the element it defeats the object of non-removabel antennas. Aside from that, it looks like a good radio. It's nice to see a rig with a low (sub 5W) power output for a change.

[Admiral]

How can this be legit if the antenna element unscrews? I know the coax is fixed, but if you can unscrew the element it defeats the object of non-removabel antennas. Aside from that, it looks like a good radio. It's nice to see a rig with a low (sub 5W) power output for a change.

The non-removable antenna clause went out a few years ago.

[listner132]

Also why has it got 99 channels thought pmr 446 were only 8.

[rocket]

Also why has it got 99 channels thought pmr 446 were only 8.

It has only got 8 actual PMR446 frequencies (channels) those same frequencies could be programmed up with different CTCSS and DCS codes to fill all the apparent 'channels'.

Still only 500mW though, what erp will there be after the loss with that RG174 coax though? Be lucky to get a couple of hundred mW out of it I'd have thought.

An interesting new idea, but far too expensive IMHO.

[GeeFull]

Also why has it got 99 channels thought pmr 446 were only 8.

It has only got 8 actual PMR446 frequencies (channels) those same frequencies could be programmed up with different CTCSS and DCS codes to fill all the apparent 'channels'.

Still only 500mW though, what erp will there be after the loss with that RG174 coax though? Be lucky to get a couple of hundred mW out of it I'd have thought.

An interesting new idea, but far too expensive IMHO.

As some of the blurb mentions "opening up", and increase of power being "programmable", the example given as possibly being for "70 cms amateur use", I doubt many will remain frequency and power restricted for too long!

[Admiral]

There is no way any tight-fisted walt would buy one for 70cm unless they got it for a fiver at a car boot sale.

[GeeFull]

There is no way any tight-fisted walt would buy one for 70cm unless they got it for a fiver at a car boot sale.

Fair point, but I am sure the software expansion and power upping won't be passed over by the 446+ brigade, who still think a Baofeng whatever is quite acceptable!
And how long before the fixed antenna wire is snipped, and an inline connector shoved on the stubby end, hooked up to whatever gives the best external gain?

[BaDBoY1985]

kenwood 880 it is programable for pmr to good radios

[M3VBS]

It makes no sense at all to a bunch of radio enthusiasts who have the knowledge, connections and patience to get a good quality second hand commercial pmr (ala icom f210, tk880 etc) programmed up on the frequencies for less than half the price.
But they can't market sets like that to people like us. This is the off the shelf, I don't know better version for occasional users or the odd small business who has been convinced 446 suits their needs better than pmr or have to be legit. And for that it makes a bit more sense

[Admiral]

Nevada have it for £129.95, and they say this in their blurb:

"and a better performance than a CB radio"


I would be interested to see their data on this one.