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Practical test by DL5AH: Diplexer - high isolation and low losses for HF/VHF/UHF
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Many people face the challenge of operating HF and VHF/UHF transceivers efficiently over a shared line without having to resort to expensive remote switches or complex cabling.
Dr. Holger Altmaier, DL5HA, took a close look at the Diamond diplexer. In his test report, he not only highlights the differences between diplexers and duplexers, but also provides precise measurement results for insertion loss and isolation.
Particularly exciting is his test setup, in which two diplexers were connected in such a way that a shortwave antenna and an FM antenna could be controlled via a single coaxial cable. Read his report to find out how the system performs in the 80 m to 70 cm band and whether the measured values stand up to reality.
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For a limited time only – Yaesu FT-4XE handheld radio greatly reduced
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What is a must-have for any OM? A reliable handheld radio, of course!
Take advantage of this opportunity now and secure top Yaesu quality at a low price. But you'll have to be quick, because there are only a limited number of units available at this reduced price!
The Yaesu FT-4XE is a compact and robust dual-band handheld radio that, despite its handy dimensions of only 5.2 x 9 x 3 cm, offers an impressive transmission power of up to 5 watts. It features a comprehensive range of industry-standard features, including 200 memory channels, a variety of scanning options, and an integrated FM radio receiver. The powerful 1-watt speaker ensures excellent clarity, while the included 1750 mAh Li-ion battery provides long operating times of up to 15 hours.
Once they're gone, they're gone – so grab yours now before stocks run out!
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FT2: The new high-speed mode in amateur radio
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The world of digital amateur radio has reached another significant milestone, which we would like to present to you today. FT2 is a new mode that has been developed specifically for situations where maximum speed is essential. This innovative protocol was developed from scratch by Martino (IU8LMC) and the ARI Caserta team and sets new standards in efficiency.
FT2 is considered the fastest digital mode ever created for amateur radio. It uses the proven FT8 codec with a 77-bit payload, LDPC 174/91, and 8-GFSK modulation, but compresses the transmit-receive cycle from 15 seconds to just 3.8 seconds. This technical innovation allows you to complete a full QSO in just about 11 seconds, which is a massive time savings compared to the usual 60 seconds with FT8.
The theoretical throughput rate is an impressive 240 QSOs per hour, making FT2 four times faster than FT8. Although the sensitivity is lower than that of FT8 with a signal-to-noise ratio of around -11 dB (based on 2500 Hz), this mode offers you invaluable advantages with stable signals. This speed is invaluable, especially for your use in contests, DXpeditions, or during very short propagation windows.
A historic moment recently marked the launch of this technology when the world's first FT2 connections were successfully made on February 16, 2026, on the 40m and 80m bands from Italy. If you would like to try this mode yourself, you can establish your first contacts on the frequencies 7062 kHz in the 40m band and 3573 kHz in the 80m band.
To operate, use the dedicated DECODIUM 3.0 software, which is provided exclusively for FT2. As this is a standalone project, there are no plans to integrate it into WSJT-X, which is why you should use this specialized tool for your high-speed contacts. The DECODIUM 3.0 software is available as a free beta version for all common platforms. You can easily install the program on Windows systems in 64-bit or 32-bit versions, as well as on Linux (Ubuntu) and macOS.
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Exclusive one-of-a-kind items: grab a bargain in our outlet!
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We regularly present carefully inspected individual items that we can offer you at a significant price advantage. Since these bargains are often individual items or attractive B-grade goods, the principle of speed applies here, as each offer is only available once.
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Heil Headset BM-17-IC, single side Icom
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MFJ 989D
1.8-30 MHz, 1500W
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It's worth taking a regular look at our complete outlet category, where you can discover more bargains at any time.
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Please make a note of the date for the HAMtastic Experience 2026 in Herxheim. Once again, you can look forward to an exciting program of specialist presentations and product demonstrations from leading manufacturers, as well as exclusive insights into WiMo's own brands. Whether it's amateur radio, SWL, CB radio, BOS, or the latest highlights: our trade fair offers the perfect platform for all technology enthusiasts. We look forward to welcoming you in person soon.
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Did you know that a modern coaxial cable can be the ultimate “diplomacy” for domestic peace? Thanks to its high shielding attenuation, all radio signals remain securely trapped inside, so that the landlord or housewife in the next room is completely unaware of the high transmission power. So you're not installing disruptive technology, but simply a highly efficient “confidentiality agreement” for radio waves in the living room.
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New at WiMo: Meshtastic Solar Node with battery and GPS
The Solar Node P1-Pro from Chelegance is a self-sufficient, solar-powered LoRa GPS node that has been specially developed for stable off-grid communication in mesh networks. Thanks to pre-installed firmware, the device immediately functions as a reliable repeater and extends the range in remote locations without an external power source. An integrated XIAO nRF52840 Plus microcontroller, combined with the Wio-SX1262 LoRa module and multi-GNSS receiver, ensures precise tracking and efficient data transmission.
The robust, weatherproof housing accommodates a 5 W solar cell and four 18650 rechargeable batteries, enabling maintenance-free continuous operation at extreme temperatures. Open interfaces such as Grove (I2C/GPIO/UART) and USB-C allow additional sensors for IoT or environmental monitoring projects to be easily connected.
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Want to publish your own customer review?
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Share your experiences with us and other customers by writing and submitting your own customer review. We will reward your efforts with a € 50 WiMo voucher if we publish your review. Your opinion is important to us!
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See you in the next newsletter!
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