Wednesday, May 6, 2026

YAESU FT-70D EXTENDED BATTERY - W0AEZ

 



THIS BATTERY IS HIGHLY RESPECTED BY ALL FT-70D OWNERS.  

BP-Y24L v3 — High-Capacity USB-C Battery for Yaesu FT-70

More Power. Modern Charging. Built to Last.

The BP-Y24L is a 3,500mAh (26Wh) extended-life battery pack that replaces the stock 1,800mAh Yaesu FT-70 battery — delivering 1.9× the capacity. Charge it with any USB-C cable, swap the cells when they wear out, and stop carrying spare batteries.

Designed, printed, and hand-assembled in Colorado, USA. 

Specifications:

  • Capacity: 3,500mAh / 26Wh (1.9× stock)
  • Cells: Samsung 35E 18650 (or equivalent high-capacity cells), user-replaceable
  • Charging: USB-C, 15W with PPS (Programmable Power Supply) support
  • Charge Time: Under 2 hours typical, under 3 hours max
  • Runtime: Up to 32 hours (receive standby)
  • Protection: Built-in BMS — overcharge, over-discharge, and short-circuit protection
  • Housing: 3D-printed ASA (heat-resistant, UV-stable, textured grip)
  • Weight: 4.6 oz
  • Thickness: 24mm
  • Color: Black
  • Warranty: 1 year

Compatibility:

Yaesu FT-70D / FT-70DR

What's Included:

  • (1) BP-Y24L v3 battery pack, fully assembled

Design Details:

The v3 shell features improved exterior texture and a secure fit to the radio. Each battery is 3D-printed and hand-assembled — minor texture variations are cosmetic and do not affect performance.

Charging Notes:

Not all USB-C cables are created equal. If charging doesn't start, try a different cable. USB-A to USB-C cables are the most universally reliable. PPS-capable chargers will negotiate the optimal charge rate automatically.

Recommended Charger:

Any USB-C charger rated 15W or higher will charge the battery at full speed. Lower-wattage chargers will still work — they'll just charge slower. PPS (Programmable Power Supply) chargers will automatically negotiate the optimal charge rate but are not required. A USB-A to USB-C cable with a standard USB-A wall adapter also works and is the most universally reliable option.

Charging Indicator:

  • Red + Blue(May appear purple): Charging
  • Red only: Fully charged
  • Blue only: Slow charge
  • Red flashing: Cable or charger issue — swap the cable

User-Serviceable Cells:

The BP-Y24L is designed for long-term ownership. When cell capacity eventually degrades, you can open the pack and replace the 18650 cells yourself. No need to buy a whole new battery.

LED Visibility Note:

The status LED is visible through the open side of the battery. If you can't see it while the battery is installed on the radio, remove the battery to check charging status.

Lead Time & Shipping:

Batteries are made to order in small batches. Current lead time is posted at the top of the site — please check there for the most up-to-date estimate. Shipping options and costs are calculated at checkout.

  • USA: USPS, UPS, and FedEx
  • International: UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Customer is responsible for any import duties, taxes, or brokerage fees.

FAQ:

Q: My battery isn't charging.
A: Try a different USB-C cable. If the red light flashes, the battery detected a cable issue — swap it and try again.

Q: Can I replace the cells myself?
A: Yes. The BP-Y24L is user-serviceable. The cells are 18650s and can be swapped when needed.

BP-Y24L User Guide PDF

Friday, May 1, 2026

Why Verified QSOs Matter on QRZ.com.



Why Verified QSOs Matter on QRZ.com.

Verifying your QSOs on QRZ.com is more than just good log hygiene—it’s how you build credibility, earn recognition, and collect those coveted Gold Stars. Each verified contact confirms real, on‑air achievements and strengthens the integrity of your operating record. This group is dedicated to making verification easy and fun by coordinating scheduled meetups on the air, whether RF or DMR or any other mode, so operators can connect with confidence and confirm contacts quickly. By working together, we help each other rack up verified QSOs, grow award counts, and showcase the best of amateur radio operating.

Friday, March 20, 2026

RAGCHEW.SITE

 

RagChew.site



About RagChew.site

This website displays information from ongoing on-the-air gatherings (or "nets") for amateur radio hobbyists. You still need a radio to communicate properly with the other netizens, but this website makes it easy to see who has checked in and from where. It shows checked in station details and notes written by the operator logging for the net.

Additionally, you can chat on the "blue screen" or "AIM" window, without downloading any software.

This website works in any modern browser or mobile phone.

How does it work?

This website mirrors the information on NetLogger servers. Any net where the operator has chosen to use NetLogger should show up here. If you really want to know how it all works, you can check out the source code.

We have permission from the NetLogger folks to display this information, but we are not affiliated with them. If you have any questions about or problems with this site, please contact Tim.


They have an App!



Thursday, March 12, 2026

wb2jkj.org - Radios you can write off - kids you can't.



DONATE YOUR RADIO

https://wb2jkj.org/



Turn your excess Ham Radios and related items into a tax break for you and learning tool for kids.

Donate your radio or related gear to an IRS approved 501 (c)(3) charity. 

Get the tax credit and help a worthy cause.

Equipment picked up anywhere or shipping arranged. 

Radios you can write off - kids you can't.

Call (516) 674-4072

FAX (516) 674-9600

crew@wb2jkj.org


WB2JKJ.org belongs to a long‑standing, real 501(c)(3) nonprofit

The domain wb2jkj.org is the official website of:

The Radio Club of Junior High School 22 NYC, Inc.

A nonprofit founded in the early 1980s to bring amateur radio into schools as an educational tool.

Thursday, February 26, 2026

APRS.fi

 

APRS.fi provides:

✔ Real‑time GPS tracking of stations

When a radio beacons its position on 144.390 MHz, APRS.fi shows:


Your last position

Your moving track

Speed & altitude

Time of last packet


✔ APRS Messaging logs

You can view:


Text messages you sent

Messages sent to you

Delivery status


✔ Weather station data

APRS.fi shows APRS‑enabled WX stations including:


Temp

Wind

Humidity

Rainfall


✔ Objects & beacons

You’ll see:


Repeater locations

Nets

Events

Road closures

Search & rescue objects

Tactical markers


✔ Historical track playback

You can rewind and replay a station’s movement.

Great for storm chasers, SAR teams, bike events, and ARES.

Thursday, January 29, 2026

Prepper Radio Firmware for QuanSheng K5 (8), K6, 5R Plus, 99, (88), V3, K1 radios.

 

PrepperRadio


PrepperRadio is a remote communication project for the management of emergencies from a prepper perspective. Including the creation of the PrepperRadio firmware that modifies the ergonomics and functionality of two-way radios, simplified for those who are not familiar with and implements with functions more similar to a telephone. PrepperDock, a computer application that interfaces with PrepperRadio.


This firmware currently only installs on QuanSheng K5 (8), K6, 5R Plus, 99, (88), V3, K1 radios.


The IJV firmware repositories on GitHub only host binaries and documentation, not C source files for the firmware itself. [github.com] That alone disqualifies it from being open source. 

“Prepper Radio” is not an official project name or license — it’s a community nickname/branding used for certain IJV (IndiaJulietVictor) firmware builds. These firmware builds are distributed as pre‑compiled .bin files only, not source code.