Update - Still using.... Going Strong... Interfaced now to drive Full 4 person Comms. I've gone through stages with this. Originally installed stand alone as shown in this video. Then added a jumper to hook it directly into a Rugged Radios Alpha headset (Next Video) and about a year ago I hooked it into a Rugged Intercom System so I could talk with passengers. The radio has been through a lot (beat up and dirty now...lol) but still works great. I have about 3500 miles using this radio and its never failed. Very pleased with reliability so far....for the $$$ this has been an amazing value. I also added a second TH-8600 to my RV and use it sometimes to chat with folks out riding when I'm hanging out at camp or to listen to the Ham bands.
How is the volume while riding? Can you hear it well over engine noise? What about with a sound bar playing music? Would an external speaker be needed to hear while music is playing?
From external speaker volume is pretty loud but I have since interfaced it to a Rugged Radios intercom system so don't have to worry about it. When I was just using it through the external speaker only there were times where I had trouble understanding what was coming out but I do wear a helmet which covers my ears.
I haven't hooked it up yet and they gave me an Internet that goes with it I will have to look at it and tell you once I get home it will be a couple hours but I will post or take a picture of the one that gave me with the radio so you can see it what type did you use
You will need the programming cable, the programming software (from the TYT website), and a configuration file with the frequencies defined. I have a configuration files posted on the “Quest SXS and Off-road” Facebook group in the files section which gives rugged radio and pci channels as well as the GMRS channels.
I'm using a Comet SS-460SB and it works great. I have it mounted with a cheap lip mound bracket off amazon. Doesn't need a ground plane (it would probably have a better signal with one though). I'm really happy with the setup. SWR is just under 1.1
I’m confused looking at Tyt radios on Amazon (this radio) it only shows it going to 420-450 isn’t GMRS above those frequencies? 462-467??? I’d like to get one for my Razor but want to confirm. Maybe two different models ? I believe they do maybe have another model just like this that is an ip67 rated GMRS mobile. Rugged radio and Retevis….etc I bought one, evidently you have to unlock them which should not be very difficult. Now I am looking for an antenna that will cover the full capability of the frequency spectrum of this radio. Which includes all the way to 480? Do they make a quality antenna that is durable that will go from 144-480 to cover both bands and GMRS etc? 30”-40” black and preferably non ground plane With a good SWR on all frequencies or am I dreaming. Of not maybe two antenna’s, one for lower band and one for upper band specific etc. With a duplexer ?
Hi, mine was locked as delivered but came with instructions on how to unlock it. I don’t know if that is still the case or not. It was a Simple unlock step just requiring a couple of button presses at power up. Mine does TX/RX on the amateur and commercial 2m bands including the licensed rugged and pci off-road frequencies. Also works on 70cm GMRS bands and amateur bands. I’ve really abused this radio in outdoor conditions and it continues to hold up well. I have since connected it to a rugged intercom and sound quality is still good.
@@southwestsxstrailridesandd4110 thanks, I bought one and seller said it was easy to unlock and gave me some detail’s. What antenna are you using and are you getting GMRS frequencies with your current antenna? Not sure if they make an antenna that does a “good” job from 140-480 etc?
Good Range. But it really is Line of Sight Dependent. To give some comparisons. With my 8W handheld I can reach out over 8 miles pure line of sight (I tested this with some guys up in UT last year where I was coming over a pass at 7Kft elevation and to my surprise I was able to reach my friends who were out riding on a completely different trail system 8 miles away below at around 5K ft elevation), they said I was noisy but they could understand me fine. Normally I can only get about 3-4 miles max with that 8W hand held when entire group is same altitude on flat desert out near El Centro. With the 8600 at 25W I have been able to reach out 8-12 miles under same desert conditions. While up on Superstition at about 500ft Elev I've been able to reach nearly all the way to the border ~20 miles which is sea level pure LOS. I will note my antenna SWR is tuned really well so I don't have much loss on Tx. I've been really happy with it. I like that it is dual band and I can talk on the Rugged Radios Licensed Channels plus talk to Jeepers and other folks on the GMRS bands if I want to. I would definitely recommend a dual band radio no matter what power you get.
Yep if you program them in it will. I have mine setup for 2m Offroad Fequencies, GMRS Frequencies, MURS frequencies, and the 2m/70cm Ham Calling Frequencies. (I do have my Ham License and GMRS license which is needed to transmit on the Ham and GMRS high power frequencies).
No I don't. The programming software which comes with it is terrible but it works. I just figured it out on my own. It works much like a dumbed down version of Chirp without the features.
I was hoping that the Chirp folks would create a config for it but so far they haven't. One guy offered to buy them a radio if they would do it but they didn't take him up on the offer.
If you program it for the 2m/70cm ham bands then yes you need at least a technician class license (easy to test and get for most people). If you program it for GMRS you would need a GMRS license (just fee no testing req) to transmit high power. If you program it to use the MURS bands then no license needed.
Update - Still using.... Going Strong... Interfaced now to drive Full 4 person Comms. I've gone through stages with this. Originally installed stand alone as shown in this video. Then added a jumper to hook it directly into a Rugged Radios Alpha headset (Next Video) and about a year ago I hooked it into a Rugged Intercom System so I could talk with passengers. The radio has been through a lot (beat up and dirty now...lol) but still works great. I have about 3500 miles using this radio and its never failed. Very pleased with reliability so far....for the $$$ this has been an amazing value. I also added a second TH-8600 to my RV and use it sometimes to chat with folks out riding when I'm hanging out at camp or to listen to the Ham bands.
How is the volume while riding? Can you hear it well over engine noise? What about with a sound bar playing music? Would an external speaker be needed to hear while music is playing?
From external speaker volume is pretty loud but I have since interfaced it to a Rugged Radios intercom system so don't have to worry about it. When I was just using it through the external speaker only there were times where I had trouble understanding what was coming out but I do wear a helmet which covers my ears.
it would be better if he installed it overhead.
Any idea for installation of a TYT TH-8600 IP 67 ON A 2019 TOYOTA COROLLA LE PLEASE? THANK YOU.
What antenna, mount, and connector between the antenna and radio did you use? I’d really appreciate if you could answer this!
I haven't hooked it up yet and they gave me an Internet that goes with it I will have to look at it and tell you once I get home it will be a couple hours but I will post or take a picture of the one that gave me with the radio so you can see it what type did you use
Sorry for late reply. I didn't see the message alert for some reason on this video. See my comment I just posted above on Titanium Master's question.
How do I program it to be compatible with rugged radios? And does chirps work for a download for it?
You will need the programming cable, the programming software (from the TYT website), and a configuration file with the frequencies defined. I have a configuration files posted on the “Quest SXS and Off-road” Facebook group in the files section which gives rugged radio and pci channels as well as the GMRS channels.
Last I checked there was not a chirp module so you have to use the TYT software
What antenna are people using for this radio to cover 144-480?
And do they have an antenna that requires no ground plane ?
I'm using a Comet SS-460SB and it works great. I have it mounted with a cheap lip mound bracket off amazon. Doesn't need a ground plane (it would probably have a better signal with one though). I'm really happy with the setup. SWR is just under 1.1
I used it 95% of the time on 2m but I have talked with people on 70cm and it seems to be good.
I’m confused looking at Tyt radios on Amazon (this radio) it only shows it going to 420-450 isn’t GMRS above those frequencies? 462-467???
I’d like to get one for my Razor but want to confirm. Maybe two different models ?
I believe they do maybe have another model just like this that is an ip67 rated GMRS mobile. Rugged radio and Retevis….etc
I bought one, evidently you have to unlock them which should not be very difficult.
Now I am looking for an antenna that will cover the full capability of the frequency spectrum of this radio. Which includes all the way to 480?
Do they make a quality antenna that is durable that will go from 144-480 to cover both bands and GMRS etc? 30”-40” black and preferably non ground plane With a good SWR on all frequencies or am I dreaming.
Of not maybe two antenna’s, one for lower band and one for upper band specific etc. With a duplexer ?
Hi, mine was locked as delivered but came with instructions on how to unlock it. I don’t know if that is still the case or not. It was a Simple unlock step just requiring a couple of button presses at power up. Mine does TX/RX on the amateur and commercial 2m bands including the licensed rugged and pci off-road frequencies. Also works on 70cm GMRS bands and amateur bands. I’ve really abused this radio in outdoor conditions and it continues to hold up well. I have since connected it to a rugged intercom and sound quality is still good.
@@southwestsxstrailridesandd4110 thanks, I bought one and seller said it was easy to unlock and gave me some detail’s. What antenna are you using and are you getting GMRS frequencies with your current antenna?
Not sure if they make an antenna that does a “good” job from 140-480 etc?
@@titaniummaster1532 hi, I’m using the Comet SS-460SB. It seems to work well.
@@southwestsxstrailridesandd4110 thank you !
What range does it have . How far can it reach out and still be clear
Good Range. But it really is Line of Sight Dependent. To give some comparisons. With my 8W handheld I can reach out over 8 miles pure line of sight (I tested this with some guys up in UT last year where I was coming over a pass at 7Kft elevation and to my surprise I was able to reach my friends who were out riding on a completely different trail system 8 miles away below at around 5K ft elevation), they said I was noisy but they could understand me fine. Normally I can only get about 3-4 miles max with that 8W hand held when entire group is same altitude on flat desert out near El Centro. With the 8600 at 25W I have been able to reach out 8-12 miles under same desert conditions. While up on Superstition at about 500ft Elev I've been able to reach nearly all the way to the border ~20 miles which is sea level pure LOS. I will note my antenna SWR is tuned really well so I don't have much loss on Tx. I've been really happy with it. I like that it is dual band and I can talk on the Rugged Radios Licensed Channels plus talk to Jeepers and other folks on the GMRS bands if I want to. I would definitely recommend a dual band radio no matter what power you get.
Will this radio transmit on GMRS frequencies?
Yes
Yep if you program them in it will. I have mine setup for 2m Offroad Fequencies, GMRS Frequencies, MURS frequencies, and the 2m/70cm Ham Calling Frequencies. (I do have my Ham License and GMRS license which is needed to transmit on the Ham and GMRS high power frequencies).
do you know of a video to program the TH 8600?
No I don't. The programming software which comes with it is terrible but it works. I just figured it out on my own. It works much like a dumbed down version of Chirp without the features.
I was hoping that the Chirp folks would create a config for it but so far they haven't. One guy offered to buy them a radio if they would do it but they didn't take him up on the offer.
How fast does it scan?
Not super fast. Typical. You can program it to skip channels in your list so you can just scan a few key ones. That is what I do.
Do you need a ham radio license to use this?
If you program it for the 2m/70cm ham bands then yes you need at least a technician class license (easy to test and get for most people). If you program it for GMRS you would need a GMRS license (just fee no testing req) to transmit high power. If you program it to use the MURS bands then no license needed.
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