Baofeng Tech has announced a new version of their 2M/440 UV-2501. As the name implies, the UV-2501+220 is a tri-bander that includes 220. We were kinda hoping for this since other branded versions of the radio were said to support 240. They've got their custom version that includes 220.

Links
Baofeng Tech site - UV-2501+220
Amazon ($139.89) - my link
My Blog coverage - more will be added as I get mine next week!



Specs:

WHAT'S IN THE BOX?
BTECH UV-2501+220 Mobile
Mounting Bracket and Hardware
Remote Speaker Mic and Mic Bracket
Inline Fuse and DC Connectors

FEATURES
25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable (Wide/Narrow Band)
FM Radio (65.0MHz-108.0MHz)
Large Tri-color LCD Display (3 Selectable Colors)
High /Low RF Power Switchable
50 CTCSS/ 104 DCS Tones
5Tone Support
2Tone Support
Voice Inversion (Scrambling) Support
Tone searching/scanning
Dual standby
PC programmable
Transmitter time-out timer(TOT)
Busy channel lock-out(BCLO)
Remote Stun/Kill

UV-2501+220 MINI SPECIFICATIONS
Frequency range:
[TX] 136 - 174MHz, 210 - 230MHz, 400 - 520MHz
[RX] 136 - 174MHz, 210 - 230MHz, 400 - 520MHz, 68-108MHz (FM Broadcast)
Channel Capacity:
200 Channels
Channel Spacing
25KHz (wide band)12.5KHz (narrow band)
Sensitivity
=0.25µV (wide band)  =0.35µV (narrow band)
Operation Voltage
13.6V DC ±20%
Frequency step:
2.5-25KHz Selectable
Antenna:
Antenna Connector: SO-239
Stability:
±2.5ppm
Output power:
25W / 10W
Audio Power Output
2500mW/10%

Cheers,
Brick
The Radios

It'd be great if these had simultaneous receive.

We have absolutely zero 222 activity around here, although I've always been a fan of the band due to low noise and interference and good propagation characteristics.

The bad news about 220 is fewer people use it, but the great news is fewer people use it. It's nice to hang out in less populated corners sometimes.

:)

Will it connect to a normal base station type power supply? I don't see a different power supply cable as an option. What would it take if not a simple plug and play?

Nice radio, thanks.

Yes, it just needs red to red and black to black

Do you know if they have corrected the fluttering receive audio with the CTCSS decode system that is present in the standard version of the UV-2501?

Anderson power poles for the win!

I just posted about this before I came here to check this thread. According to John, who has had a beta version for a while, he can't reproduce the problem in the UV-2501+220.

I'll test when I get mine at the end of the week.

Cheers,
Brick
The Radios

Others are right about using Anderson Power Poles or just connecting up the wires - no magic to it. Here is a different picture that will show a little better what you would be getting.

Spec on it says 13.6v +/- 20%  (10.9v - 16.3v), so if you watch the full charge voltage on a 4S LiPo & keep it to 16v, you could run one as a source without any extra voltage regulation...  just a voltage readout to avoid over-discharge.  Just add a plastic dry-box and that could make for the start of a fairly light weight 25w portable.

Nick

I may have to reconsider my ban on CCRs.

I loves me some 220!

It's all but unused in my area, so simplex coms are easy and fairly private. We have a few local repeaters, but I've never heard a peep out of them except for a scheduled net. It also seems to propagate well (better than the usual 2 meter / 440 FM) through the low hills and canyons typical of my county.

I have been considering adding a 220 mobile unit to my home station and have been looking at the Alinco DR-235T, but will have to consider this one as well.

Thanks for the "heads up!" Jim...

They are also selling an antenna and mount. I wonder if they will eventually sell the radio, antenna, and mount as bundle.

Cheers,
Brick
The Radios

Amazon shows them in stock.  Who will be the first to get one?

I'll be watching them.  I've been wanting a 220 radio for a while, and other than a couple HTs there is not a lot out there.



 

I wonder how well that antenna would do without a vehicle under it for a ground plane?

I remember my dad used a mag-mount CB antenna in the attic, which he set on a piece of steel sheet perhaps 12"x14". Seemed to perform very well, and we would chat most nights as I drove home from work over distances as great as 20 miles or so. Hmm....

Brick,

Thanks, as always, for a quality review of the chicom radios.

This looks like a very inexpensive way to get on 220.

Don't know about "first," but I can tell you that Amazon has one less in stock now.

Make that two.

First?

Thanks for the info Brick, that is great news.

Best,

Radiolax

Do you have access to test equipment? I'd like to see the spurious emissions on all three bands, if you have time, please.

I'm waiting for the ARRL lab to review these before I get excited.

Nice find.  I've been wanting to buy a 220 radio and wanted a cheap one since I probably won't use it often.  We do have some 220 repeaters in my area of SE PA.

I don't have my own test equipment, but if I can arrange it, I will definitely test for spurious emissions.

my Bridgecomm 220 mobile should be here in about a week

Yikes, did you guys see the review on amazon posted yesterday in regards to spectral purity? Not sure if he just got a dud radio or if this is what it is. Does anyone have any test to compare to the guy on amazon?
I was thinking about getting one, but will hold off for now.