Caution! HamFest Satire

 The things you see at EVERY Hamfest..

Vibroplex Out of the Hamfest Business

Vibroplex will not be attending the 2026 Orlando HamCation or any other future hamfests, including the Dayton Hamvention.  Our business owner Scott Robbins W4PA went into mostly-retirement in July 2025.  He is no longer involved in the day-to-day operation of Vibroplex but continues to participate in customer service functions as needed.  We are continuing with business as usual as it's been the last 16+ years and look forward to a prosperous 2026.

New Baofeng Mini-5i Ultra

New Baofeng Release!

Baofeng Mini-5i Ultra Compact Two-Way Radio with OneKey Pairing and Bluetooth. 

T-Dongle C5 Release

 Information on the T-Dongle C5's listing is being prepared.

Ailunce HA2 Firmware Upgrade is now available!

👉🏻 Download here: https://www.ailunce.com/Supports/HA2/Software

Droidstar get's BIG update.. but only for iOS. Sorry Android!

What's New in the Latest Update

I'm thrilled to announce a major update with significant improvements and highly requested features:

• Complete Major Design Overhaul: Fresh UI, smoother navigation, and a much cleaner overall experience that modernizes the entire app.

• Dynamic Island Support for iOS: One of the most requested features! You can now monitor activity and status right from the Dynamic Island, providing at-a-glance information without opening the app.

• iPhone Notification Center Display: Real-time TX/RX status updates are now visible in the notification center, keeping you informed even when multitasking.

• Lock Screen TX/RX Display: Monitor transmission and reception activity directly from your iPhone's lock screen for ultimate convenience.

• Control QSO Log Length: Adjust how many entries you want to keep directly from the QSO page without digging into settings. Customize your log management with ease.

• Toggle Self-TX Logging: A small but powerful quality-of-life improvement for those who prefer cleaner logs. Turn self-transmission logging on or off based on your preference.

And this is just the beginning. More updates are coming soon, including a few surprises I think you'll really enjoy!

What the color of your HT really says about You!

1. The "Only Professional" Black

• The Reputation: This is the color of Icom, Yaesu, and Kenwood. It’s the color of NASA, the Secret Service, and people who know how to calculate "SWR" in their head.

• The Vibe: When you hold a black radio, people assume you have a plan for when the grid goes down. You are a "Comms Officer." You are a "Radioman."

• The Unspoken Rule: If it’s black, it’s a piece of equipment. If it’s anything else, it’s a toy.

2. The "Prison Clear" (Transparent)

• Why it’s a joke: To a serious operator, a clear radio looks like it was designed for a 14-year-old’s bedroom in 1997.

• The "Toy" Factor: It screams "I’m more interested in looking at the circuit board than I am in knowing the offset for the local repeater." It looks like a prop from a low-budget sci-fi movie where the "hacker" is a teenager in a basement.

• The Verdict: You won't be asked to lead the emergency net; you'll be asked if it glows in the dark.

3. The "Safety" Neon Yellow & Green

• Why it’s a joke: You think you look like a Search and Rescue pro; everyone else thinks you look like you’re holding a giant Highlighter.

• The "Toy" Factor: These colors are the international symbol for "I am prone to losing things." Carrying a neon radio is an admission of failure—it says you don't trust yourself to not drop your gear in the dirt.

• The Verdict: It’s a "My First Construction Radio." Real hams find their black radios in the dark by memory and skill, not by following a glowing yellow beacon.

4. The "Casual" Blue

• Why it’s a joke: Blue is the color of "I bought this on a whim because it matched my cooler." It’s the least intimidating color in existence.

• The "Toy" Factor: A blue radio looks like it belongs in a "Beach Day Essentials" kit. It has the gravitas of a plastic sand shovel.

• The Verdict: When you key up a blue radio, people expect you to ask about the weather at the lake, not provide tactical coordinates.

5. The "Emergency" Red

• Why it’s a joke: Nothing says "I'm trying too hard" like a red radio.

• The "Toy" Factor: Unless you are literally standing inside a burning building, a red radio looks like a Fisher-Price "Fireman Sam" accessory. It’s the "look-at-me" color of the guy who hasn't actually been on a call in five years.

• The Verdict: It’s a "Whacker" beacon. The more your radio tries to look like an emergency tool, the less people believe you know how to use one.