Puxing PX-888K Information and Review.
The Puxing PX-888K transceiver is the latest dual band
transceiver in the current rampage of HTs invading the USA.
This Radio is FCC approved. This radio is Part 90
type-accepted for commercial use. This radio is NOT FCC Part
95 type accepted for FRS/GMRS, MURS use, and. This
radio can only be used for commercial and amateur radio services
in the USA. Persons in other nations need to check their
appropriate regulations.
This page in new and under
construction. Appearance and content will be improved
through August 2012
PX-888
Specifications:
| GENERAL |
|
| Frequency Range |
136-174MHz & 400-470MHz |
| Operating Voltage |
-20?~+50? |
| Operate Mode |
Simplex or Semi-duplex |
| Dimension |
100mm x 55mm x 32mm(Not included antenna) |
| Weight |
220g(Including battery) |
| Antenna Impedance |
50 O |
| TRANSMITTER |
|
| Frequency Stability |
±2.5PPM |
| Output Power |
VHF5W/UHF 4W |
| Max Frequency Deviation |
=5KHz/2.5KHz |
| Audio Distortion |
=5% |
| Modulation Character |
+3dB~-3dB |
| Adjacent Channel Power |
=70dB/60dB |
| Spurious Radiation |
=7.5uW |
| Occupied Bandwidth |
=16KHz |
| RECEIVER |
|
| RF Sensitivity |
>0.2uV |
| Audio Distortion |
=5% |
| Audio Response |
+2dB~-10dB |
| Co-Channel Rejection |
=-8dB |
| Adjacent Channel Selectivity |
=60dB |
| Intermodulation Rejection |
=65dB |
| Spurious Response |
=70dB |
| Blocking |
=80dB |
Features of this radio:
DTMF: Select Call, Group Call, Broadcast Call
CTCSS/DCS can be random programmed with CTCSS/DCS scan
5 tone selcall(ZVEI,CCIR,EEA,EIA,Etc)
Working frequency:U/V dual band
128 groups of memory channels
VHF 5W/UHF 4 W output power
TX Stun or RX Stun function
DTMF Encode and Decode
1750hz repeater tone
Voice annunciation
8 scramblers option
Roger tone 1-10
Built-in FM radio
5 tone signal Scrambler
MSK ANI
Discussion Here:
PX-888K Review
Pros:Low
cost, Many great features, great performance. Narrow band
compliant.
Cons:Low
battery life, very slow scan speed.
The Bottom
Line: All in all a very good radio. It is perfect
for amateur use and has all the functions needed for a great
radio.
Puxing PX-888k Review
FCC ID:AUJPXDZ888K001
This radio is FCC Part 90 certified for commercial use.
It is also legal for Amateur radio use. It is not approved
for FRs/GMRS/MURs use.
Features of this radio:
DTMF: DTMF ANI and selective calling
CTCSS/DCS
5tone selcall and ANI
UHF/VHF
128 memory channels
VHF 5W/UHF 4 W output power
Transmit/receive enable/disable
DTMF (touch tone) Encode and Decode
1750hz repeater tone
Voice annunciation
Scrambler operation
Built-in FM radio
MSK ANI
Alphanumeric channel name capability
Front panel programmable
PC programmable (required for some advanced functions)
Custom power-on message capability.
Two line LCD display
Wide/Narrow band capability.
Compander function to improve narrow band
fidelity.
Radio Operation:
This radio has an easy to use menu system that allows programming
of basic functions.
Frequency programming, CTCSS/DCS programming, scan step, power
level and memory channel
assignment can be programmed. Channels can be added or deleted
from the scan function via
the front panel also.
The selective calling functions must be programmed from a
computer, using the optional
software and cable. The cable is the same used on other
chinese manufactured radios, such
as Wouxun. This radio has 5tone and DTMF selective calling
and Automatic Number Identification
(ANI) It also uses an MSK data burst in alphanumeric format
for an ANI, if selected. All ANI
ans selective calling identifiers are displayed on the LCD display
of the radio.
This radio has narrow band capability, as well as a full narrow
band receive filter. Most chinese radios do not have a true
narrow band receive. This radio has a compander which will
improve fidelity on narrow band. All radios in the
communications system must have a compander for this function to
be effective. Many people think this is a speech compressor
or mic gain. This is not true. It compresses
transmitted audio yo fit in bandwith, then the receiver re-expands
it to proper fidelity.
My observations:
Programming: This radio is easier to program than any
other radio I have used, including
other Chinese manufactured radios. The front panel allows
the abovementioned abilities, as well
as a few more not covered. I especially want to note that it
is a big plus to allow setting scan
lockouts from the front panel. Accessing the programming
menu can be done with a single press of the
"MENU" button. From there you can either press another of
the indicated keys as shortcuts or use
the volume control to scroll through menu options. From
there, options can be programmed.
Use of the computer software is generally easy. You should
have some experience with some of the
more advanced modes, such as 5tone and DTMF signalling. I
noticed no computer error, however, it
is important to have a USB programming cable with a genuine
Prolific chipset or other genuine
chipset. Some of the "clone" chipsets may not work with
genuine drivers. One work around is to
use an older version of genuine drivers.
I give an above average on programming.
Operation: Radio operation is easy and
straightforward. Selection of the upper or lower channel
display can be done on one keypress. The radio has a
dual-watch, rather than a dual receiver.
This still is an effective way to monitor two
frequencies/channels.
Audio on receive is strong and clear with no distortion.
Volume in all cases can be loud enough
in most cases without distortion. Transmit audio is loud and
clear, with emphasis towards a
little "bassiness". There is no indication of "muffled"
sounding audio, which has been a fault of
earlier Puxing radios.
Transmit range seems on par with other handheld radios I have
used. The supplied antenna is
sufficient for normal use.
The radio is supplied with a 1500 mAh battery. Battery life
is average; but nothing special.
With intense high power operation, battery life is a bit shorter
than I would like. After extended
use, neither the battery, nor the radio got excessively
warm, even at high duty cycle.
What is really cool is the selective calling system and the
ANI. With simple MSK ANI, you can
have a name come across the display of a receiving radio.
with the selective calling system,
you can call specific radios, via programmed codes, and can
set up a "dialing directory" in
your radio to call specific radios. The called radio can be
set to "ring back" to acknowlege the
call. You can also enable/disable the radio via a tone sent
from another radio. These functions
could be useful for search and rescue teams, or emergency
services. In a commercial setting, this
could identify specific departments.
This radio does not have menu or software configurable 2.5 kHz
frequency steps. However, all narrow
band frequencies can be programmed via software. There was
an earlier version of the programming software that included 2.5
kHz step configuration, however it did not work and was removed
from a later edition of the software. Perhaps a later verion
will fix these issues.
Summary:
What I liked: This is the least expensive FCC
approved full-feature Dual band radio I have owned.
The custom message on power on can display my call sign when I
turn it on. Functions are easily
selected, and programming is a snap. The ANI and selective
calling is really neat and fully
implimented. The radio accesses all the repeaters any other
radio I have used can access. It
sounds good on both transmit and receive.
What I did not like: The battery life could be
better; but this can be fixed by getting a more
powerful battery. The scan speed is terribly slow! If
the dual watch function is disabled and
the radio operating in single channel mode the scan speed does
improve a but; but is still slow.
while Part 90 commercial approved, there is no provision to lock
out the front panel programming
as required for commercial use. Perhaps a new version of the
programming software will correct
this omission.
All in all, a very good radio. I have ordered three! I
am very glad I made my purchase.
Recommended.
Note: page was edited on 8-31-12 to include discussion on
narrow band capability.
Pros:Low
cost, Many great features, great performance. Narrow band
compliant.
Cons:Low
battery life, very slow scan speed.
The Bottom
Line: All in all a very good radio. It is perfect
for amateur use and has all the functions needed for a great
radio.
Puxing PX-888k Review
FCC ID:AUJPXDZ888K001
This radio is FCC Part 90 certified for commercial use.
It is also legal for Amateur radio use. It is not approved
for FRs/GMRS/MURs use.
Features of this radio:
DTMF: DTMF ANI and selective calling
CTCSS/DCS
5tone selcall and ANI
UHF/VHF
128 memory channels
VHF 5W/UHF 4 W output power
Transmit/receive enable/disable
DTMF (touch tone) Encode and Decode
1750hz repeater tone
Voice annunciation
Scrambler operation
Built-in FM radio
MSK ANI
Alphanumeric channel name capability
Front panel programmable
PC programmable (required for some advanced functions)
Custom power-on message capability.
Two line LCD display
Wide/Narrow band capability.
Compander function to improve narrow band
fidelity.
Radio Operation:
This radio has an easy to use menu system that allows programming
of basic functions.
Frequency programming, CTCSS/DCS programming, scan step, power
level and memory channel
assignment can be programmed. Channels can be added or deleted
from the scan function via
the front panel also.
The selective calling functions must be programmed from a
computer, using the optional
software and cable. The cable is the same used on other
chinese manufactured radios, such
as Wouxun. This radio has 5tone and DTMF selective calling
and Automatic Number Identification
(ANI) It also uses an MSK data burst in alphanumeric format
for an ANI, if selected. All ANI
ans selective calling identifiers are displayed on the LCD display
of the radio.
This radio has narrow band capability, as well as a full narrow
band receive filter. Most chinese radios do not have a true
narrow band receive. This radio has a compander which will
improve fidelity on narrow band. All radios in the
communications system must have a compander for this function to
be effective. Many people think this is a speech compressor
or mic gain. This is not true. It compresses
transmitted audio yo fit in bandwith, then the receiver re-expands
it to proper fidelity.
My observations:
Programming: This radio is easier to program than any
other radio I have used, including
other Chinese manufactured radios. The front panel allows
the abovementioned abilities, as well
as a few more not covered. I especially want to note that it
is a big plus to allow setting scan
lockouts from the front panel. Accessing the programming
menu can be done with a single press of the
"MENU" button. From there you can either press another of
the indicated keys as shortcuts or use
the volume control to scroll through menu options. From
there, options can be programmed.
Use of the computer software is generally easy. You should
have some experience with some of the
more advanced modes, such as 5tone and DTMF signalling. I
noticed no computer error, however, it
is important to have a USB programming cable with a genuine
Prolific chipset or other genuine
chipset. Some of the "clone" chipsets may not work with
genuine drivers. One work around is to
use an older version of genuine drivers.
I give an above average on programming.
Operation: Radio operation is easy and
straightforward. Selection of the upper or lower channel
display can be done on one keypress. The radio has a
dual-watch, rather than a dual receiver.
This still is an effective way to monitor two
frequencies/channels.
Audio on receive is strong and clear with no distortion.
Volume in all cases can be loud enough
in most cases without distortion. Transmit audio is loud and
clear, with emphasis towards a
little "bassiness". There is no indication of "muffled"
sounding audio, which has been a fault of
earlier Puxing radios.
Transmit range seems on par with other handheld radios I have
used. The supplied antenna is
sufficient for normal use.
The radio is supplied with a 1500 mAh battery. Battery life
is average; but nothing special.
With intense high power operation, battery life is a bit shorter
than I would like. After extended
use, neither the battery, nor the radio got excessively
warm, even at high duty cycle.
What is really cool is the selective calling system and the
ANI. With simple MSK ANI, you can
have a name come across the display of a receiving radio.
with the selective calling system,
you can call specific radios, via programmed codes, and can
set up a "dialing directory" in
your radio to call specific radios. The called radio can be
set to "ring back" to acknowlege the
call. You can also enable/disable the radio via a tone sent
from another radio. These functions
could be useful for search and rescue teams, or emergency
services. In a commercial setting, this
could identify specific departments.
This radio does not have menu or software configurable 2.5 kHz
frequency steps. However, all narrow
band frequencies can be programmed via software. There was
an earlier version of the programming software that included 2.5
kHz step configuration, however it did not work and was removed
from a later edition of the software. Perhaps a later verion
will fix these issues.
Summary:
What I liked: This is the least expensive FCC
approved full-feature Dual band radio I have owned.
The custom message on power on can display my call sign when I
turn it on. Functions are easily
selected, and programming is a snap. The ANI and selective
calling is really neat and fully
implimented. The radio accesses all the repeaters any other
radio I have used can access. It
sounds good on both transmit and receive.
What I did not like: The battery life could be
better; but this can be fixed by getting a more
powerful battery. The scan speed is terribly slow! If
the dual watch function is disabled and
the radio operating in single channel mode the scan speed does
improve a but; but is still slow.
while Part 90 commercial approved, there is no provision to lock
out the front panel programming
as required for commercial use. Perhaps a new version of the
programming software will correct
this omission.
All in all, a very good radio. I have ordered three! I
am very glad I made my purchase.
Recommended.
Note: page was edited on 8-31-12 to include discussion on
narrow band capability.