Puxing 777 info required

[drifter]

Before the sceptics start, I know, I know, I know that strictly speaking Puxing and the unendless array of alternatives for bike comms have their legal implications, IF being used in the UK, but I would appreciate any and all constructive advice about the availability of headsets, PTT extensions and compatibility with UK sourced products that might make the purchase of radios such as this quite viable. I mean lets be honest UK supplied alternatives are very expensive by comparison and quite poor range. Likewise any alternatives that you could have had experience with would also be considered, thanks cheers

 

[Ste@SSB]

Pretty sure that the Autocom cable for a Kenwood 3201 fits (1429)... of course you'd have to buy Autocom as well ... now would be a good time as there is a half price sale on...

I also seem to remember that one of the pair of 777's that I fitted for a customer had a fault and he struggled to send it back from whence it came...

 

[ebbo]

We have 2x Puxing 777 plus radios, both work fine. They take the Kenwood Autocom cables and I have used them successfully with my Autcom. The PTT handlebar button works ok despite cutting the original button off and fitting my own. I’ve also used a battery eliminator clipped on the back of the radio and powered by the bikes 12v successfully.

Programming the PMR channels can be done on the radio or via a Kenwood programming cable and Puxing software, I like using the PC to do it, it’s nice and quick. The manual that comes with the radio is not great, but it can be worked out.

Antenna fitting is SMA and adaptors are available on fleabay

These are also good scanner radios, so you can listen to pub and shop security if you fancy

You could just get one to try, they’re not expensive


________________________________
Martin Ebdon, England, R1200RT
Portugal & Spain 2008 trip report

 

[drifter]

Programming the PMR channels can be done on the radio or via a Kenwood programming cable and Puxing software, I like using the PC to do it, it’s nice and quick.


________________________________
Martin Ebdon, England, R1200RT
Portugal & Spain 2008 trip report

Sorry but not being a comms buff can I presume that it's nice and quick for even the less experienced amongst us as well?

 

[ebbo]

Sorry but not being a comms buff can I presume that it's nice and quick for even the less experienced amongst us as well?

I'm not a radio buff ether, but I managed to program it after a short while, to be honest, if you put one in my hands right now, I couldn't do it but I'd soon pick it up again.

Programming via cable and PC is much easier, you can keep different files of pre programmed frequencies on your PC and just dump them in to the Puxing when you want to do something different

 

[drifter]

Sorry but where do you get the pre programmed frequencies and as I have spent most of the afternoon browing info on the radios I have been confronted with another dilema, VHF or UHF? Ha ha, thanks for your patience

 

[techno]

UHF

UHF is what you want. For PMR (UK/Europe) the frequencies are:

1. 446.00625 MHz
2. 446.01875 MHz
3. 446.03125 MHz
4. 446.04375 MHz
5. 446.05625 MHz
6. 446.06875 MHz
7. 446.08125 MHz
8. 446.09375 MHz

And in the states (FRS) the frequencies are:


1 462.5625 Unofficial National Call/Distress Channel by REACT International, Inc. and National SOS Radio Network. Shared with GMRS.
2 462.5875 Shared with GMRS.
3 462.6125 Shared with GMRS.
4 462.6375 Shared with GMRS.
5 462.6625 Shared with GMRS.
6 462.6875 Shared with GMRS.
7 462.7125 Shared with GMRS.
8 467.5625 FRS use only
9 467.5875 FRS use only
10 467.6125 FRS use only
11 467.6375 FRS use only
12 467.6625 FRS use only
13 467.6875 FRS use only
14 467.7125 FRS use only


I have some Icom PMR's but have bought a 777 on ebay to see if it is any good as I want more power and re tune when I go to the states.

The 777 will cover these frequencies (if you buy the 400-470Mhz one) and offer a lot more for your money like ANI, scrambling and external antenna fitting options.

Of course if you are using them outside the allocated 'free' frequencies (freebanding?) you are asking for trouble from other serious 'HAM' radio users who probably have the kit to find you (they have to pay for a licence)

Oh and you are only allowed 1/2W power in the UK (these are up to 5W) and you can't fit an external antenna either....

See http://www.ofcom.org.uk/radiocomms/ifi/licensing/classes/business_radio/information/ofw57/

 

[black1100]

go away and do your foundation amature liscence. It costs a few quid and is quite simple. you will then be able to legally broadcast upto 5 W, with the radio fixed to the bike and via an external arial. You will also know which frequencies to use for your own best needs.

Have been running 2 x 777's on mine and my wifes bikes for almost a year now, via autocoms. With the high screens of the GS's i have found no need for PTT switchs as the autocom VOX is very good indeed.

The main thing is that you will get to dump the overpriced crap that is PMR for once and for all

 

[ebbo]

go away and do your foundation amature liscence. It costs a few quid and is quite simple. you will then be able to legally broadcast upto 5 W, with the radio fixed to the bike and via an external arial. You will also know which frequencies to use for your own best needs.

Have been running 2 x 777's on mine and my wifes bikes for almost a year now, via autocoms. With the high screens of the GS's i have found no need for PTT switchs as the autocom VOX is very good indeed.

The main thing is that you will get to dump the overpriced crap that is PMR for once and for all

What frequency are you using with the 777, and why is it better than PMR's frequencys? maybe you can talk me in to taking the test!

Personally I use an open face helmet with my Autocom and had to give up on vox, despite being behind a very good fairing, it just wasn't reliable for me.

 

[techno]

Licence.

go away and do your foundation amature liscence. It costs a few quid and is quite simple. you will then be able to legally broadcast upto 5 W, with the radio fixed to the bike and via an external arial. You will also know which frequencies to use for your own best needs.

Have been running 2 x 777's on mine and my wifes bikes for almost a year now, via autocoms. With the high screens of the GS's i have found no need for PTT switchs as the autocom VOX is very good indeed.

The main thing is that you will get to dump the overpriced crap that is PMR for once and for all

As I said I was looking for a radio for the USA, Europe and the UK. The 777 can be (I think) reduced to 500mW for the UK so I don't need a licence. In the USA the FRS is 5W anyway. The radio is capable of using the PMR frequencies and in narrow band it should't be a problem for other users anyway.

Had my antenna on for ages and nobody has batted an eyelid. I think it is just the UK that has the fixed antenna rules for 500mW PMR(?).

If I were to get my licence, wouldn't I have to transmit my callsign everytime? I hope your wife has a licence too as you are using a pair and if she hasn't then that is no better than anybody else (like me) using it.

Can you point me (and readers of this thread) in the direction of information on obtaining said licence so I can read up on if it is worth it.

Thanks

 

[adilmoreno]

You think you can just program the PMR channels but you are not supposed to use a radio with an antenna that you can detach.

 

[adilmoreno]

BF 5208

I prefer the BF-5208 that comes with an attached antenna.

 

[techno]

Antennas

You think you can just program the PMR channels but you are not supposed to use a radio with an antenna that you can detach.

Oh and you are only allowed 1/2W power in the UK (these are up to 5W) and you can't fit an external antenna either....

The BF-5208 looks like a nice radio too but a little large for me. From the photos I have seen it comes with a detachable antenna as well...

 

[adilmoreno]

I got it from asiaradiosales dot com an you cannot remove the antenna it is fixed.

 

[chen2755]

I am a new hand here

I am a new hand here

 

[chen2755]

This is Ronnie from Quanzhou,China,we are the BFDX two way radio manufacturer,BF-5208 is one of our model with heavy-duty and durable,any question just feel free to contact me,my Email address is: [email protected],thanks.

 

[techno]

888

Just bought a few Puxing 888's and they are much better than the 777's in terms of features and build quality.

And you get an FM radio to boot. Not tested this on the move and I doubt it will do well but nice idea for some weather updates or background music round the camp fire

 

[ebbo]

Just bought a few Puxing 888's and they are much better than the 777's in terms of features and build quality.

And you get an FM radio to boot. Not tested this on the move and I doubt it will do well but nice idea for some weather updates or background music round the camp fire

Oh bugger! I can feel my wallet comming out...

How's the FM reception, does received PMR transmission cut it out? (that would be nice) can you recommend a seller?

 

[techno]

Yes the radio is pretty good and the audio is good too. If a signal is received the radio stops and turns back on about 15-20 seconds later.

Nice roger beep and you can name the channels too - get the programming cable. The software needs to be 'tweaked' a bit for it to work with the 888, but that might be sorted if you get one.

Mine was a 400-480Mhz, but my mates was a 400-470Mhz ??

Did a quick test on them last night and the range was about 2 miles (as the crow flies) before test subject went the other side of a hill (in his car - I was in my house)..probably get a bit more on flat ground, but accross town I think that was pretty good with a portable.

Think I got mine from 'radiofactory' for £46 inc shipping and a programming cable, but they are a bit more now, so best do a search.

 

[roddy]

whats the build quality of these units, are they IP rated ? or MIL spec'd