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Reviews For: Hora F-50 VU dual-band waterproof

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Hand-held

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Review Summary For : Hora F-50 VU dual-band waterproof
Reviews: 1MSRP: 110.00
Description:
VHF/UHF Dual-Band Waterproof
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.horaradio.com.tw/qpdtView.asp?nid=207
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0014
KV6S Rating: 2014-06-16
Best Value in VHF/UHF Submersible Transceivers Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased this radio while in Taiwan. I paid 3350 Taiwan NT. That is approximately $110.00 American. As of the writing of this review, I have not seen this radio for sale in the United States.

Per the manufacturer, the basic specifications/features are as follow:

o Frequency Range: 144 ~ 146 MHZ. 430~440MHZ
o Dual Channel Display
o Output power: 5W / 5W
o VHF, UHF dual channel waiting, dual standby
o A/B button to quickly switch the main and sub channels
o Built-in FM radio
o tail elimination
o Emission limit TOT
o 199 Memory Channels
o Built-in CTCSS & DCS anti-jamming device
o Operating voltage: 7.4 V
o Support Computer write frequency
o VOX function (voice)
o Busy channel lock
o Difference frequency mode (supports relay station)
o Automatic keylock function
o Wide, narrow emission bandwidth setting
o Channel name edit function
o 1500 MAH waterproof efficient lithium battery
o Body size: 100 X 52 X 30 mm

This radio is built in Taiwan. The Taiwanese take pride in products manufactured in their country. When I was looking at the radio, the salesman kept pointing to the “Made in Taiwan” logo. Over the past few decades, Taiwan has transitioned to quality electronic manufacturing. Approximately 1/3 of all notebook computers are manufactured in Taiwan.

The special feature of this transceiver is that it is submersible. There is a foreign language YouTube video demonstrating this feature.

The build quality of the radio is very good. If you were to go on a scale of typical Chinese transceivers (1) to Japanese transceivers (10), I would rate this as a 7. In other words, much better than you typical Chinese transceivers but not quite as good as a typical Japanese transceivers.

The user manual that comes in the box is only in Chinese. However, the menu functions are for the most part easy to follow. However, the memory functions are not so obvious. I spent a lot of time figuring out how to save memories. I could not figure out how to delete a memory, so I had a Taiwanese friend tranlate the manual for me.

A downside of the radio is the scanner feature. It is extremely slow.

Another downside of the radio is the microphone. As with other radios that are waterproof, the waterproofing keeps water off the microphone, but unfortunately it also muffles the sound. On the positive side, the waterproof speaker is load and clear.

Although the manufacturer’s web site list the frequency range as 144 -146 MHZ and 430 - 440MHZ, it has the typical Chinese range of 136-174 Mhz and 430-480 MHz. Some Amateur Radio operators are not comfortable with the expanded range, but I love it. It has a low power setting so you can properly communicate with FRS radios. It also enables me to communicate with my race car team on the 466 Mhz frequencies.

Unlike many of the Chinese transceivers, it does not have a LED flashlight feature.

Bottom line: For $110.00 dollars, this is a great submersible VHF/UHF hand held transceiver.
Pros:

1. Good build quality
2. Submersible
3. Expanded frequency range
4. Unable to find software to program the unit by computer
5. Price

Cons:
1. Painfully slow scan function
2. Waterproof design somewhat muffles the microphone
3. No English user manual
4. No known USA dealers