$50 Talkpod A36Plus Radio - Lots of Good, one BIG BAD!
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- Опубліковано 8 лип 2024
- Today I take a look at the Talkpod A36Plus VHF/UHF ham radio. Definitely better than the #baofeng, but it still has a glaring issue.
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I started into ham radio in 1987 with Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood equipment. 37 years later when purchasing “toys” the budget dictates way more than it used to exactly what I can get. I rely on Josh and a few others to let me know A: what actually is clean enough to not be a problem, and 2: what actually fits in my meager radio budget. Thank you Josh!
YES!! ICOM I want a clear case for my ID-52.
I totally agree about the clear case comments. I got super excited when I found out I could get a clear case for my Pine64 Pinecil soldering iron. The Pinecil is super cool but a Pinecil in a clear case is freakin awesome!
Thanks for the shoutout! Its an interesting radio and I wish them well!
Love the review and the take on the filtering. I think it’s great just to hear airband for that price.
Thank you for responsibly BUYING this radio and reporting some nice features but also demonstrating its unethical for us with licenses but also illegal and unethical transmission for all consumers.
It goes to the core of too many of these producers of cheap gear giving all consumers and regulatory bodies who keep the airwaves usable a huge amount of outright CONTEMPT and DISRESPECT.
Words aka "marketing and reviews" from them and many of the YT channels are not only being a disservice but morally being thieves and liars on top of bootleggers putting this on the market in any place that has regulations designed to keep our bandwidth usable.
Spurious Emmisions and lack of recieving protection and detection makes a radio a box of junk parts not an HT Transceiver.
I appreciate, like so many others your honest and instructive videos without gaslighting and misplaced loyalty to vendors. Your an asset to us all especially those of just getting into the latest tech in ham radio. Thank you for your service Josh. Max respect to you!
Thank you! I greatly appreciate it!!
Absolutely LOVE clear cases!! I really want that trend to return.
Loving that clear case! I had a clear green iMac back in the day and all my desk accessories were also clear green. I think I will wait until they improve the harmonic splatter before I get one. Great video though! 👍🏽
I learn alot from you..... Thank you so much!!!
Outstanding video! Thanks for the reminder of The Block in Orange!! Dig the hell out of the clear case.
Guess we can always hope they come out with an A36MK3 or A37 that adds the filtering without losing any functionality and remains cost competitive. Time will tell.
Don't wait. Add a 5-filter Chebyshev low pass at the antenna port to improve 2m reception and transmission. Take it off for 70cm. I don't think the second harmonic at 70cm will be offensive (lost in the megawatt TV bands).
@@akademic2619 I wish there was an affordable one that was also durable and looked decent, but it's cheaper to just get a more expensive rig
I know it's I months ago that you put out this video but I wanted to say that the programing cable actually works great. I use it on my Tidradio H8 Gen 2 and also on my Wouxun KG Q10G radios without any problems. I'm running Windows 11 and never had to download any drivers at all. For me it works great and glad I have it.
Wow thanks for taking my back in time. The clear case on the Nokia's used to be so cool hahahaha. Ah the good old days.
I was just reading about that loop in QST. I smell another review video coming along!
I've heard about "spurious emissions" never really knew what they were.Thanks for the great explanation. Very Good to know.
Glad to help!
My favorite radios that I drag around right now are the TYT UV390, TYT UV88, and Yaesu FT-65R. All of them would benefit from high capacity batteries with USB-C charging.
I really want to like the Talkpod, but don’t really care for the harmonic problem. If they fix it, I’ll buy one.
I’ve also noticed that this same menu, probably the same core radio, is in a few different new models.
Hoping for TYT to refresh their line up soon to include USB-C batteries and better water proofing - an FCC compliant UV98 with USBc would be cool. UV390 is due for an update too I think.
Oh, and I really want every future ham radio to be able to receive air band.
@Billmakesmovies the Radiodity GM-30 USB C battery fits the UV88. Worth the upgrade!
@@michaelpohl348 I knew that the moment I saw it. Bought two of those GM-30 spare batteries, however, I would very much like to have the same thickness of the 3200mah battery. It makes the radio feel better in the hand, and stand up better on a table. So what happens is those USBC batteries become the spare for emergency use if I somehow burn through the 3200 batteries and don’t have a cradle to charge off of. Cheers.
It reminded me of my pagers!! Also it’d be sweet if the battery was clear too!!
Ordered the clear mostly for Novelty alone .. Will display nicely with my clear with white LED battery, Nokia 3310 cell phone and the clear Handspring Visor with clear docking station. You shoujld see my Clear old school LAN Party gaming rig with a Lightning Globe inside and a clear HDD top cover :D
I had a clear case Game Boy Colour... purple... I wish now I had of gotten the clear case Talkpod too lol. Nice video Josh.
Also the Quansheng is as of about a week ago, supported natively in Chirp.
Thanks!! Time to update CHIRP. LOL
Great video. After watching this, I fired up my spectrum analyzer and confirmed the harmonics - dang! This thing obviously has no filters, but what can one expect from a cheap Chinese radio. That being said, it is a cool radio, just gotta love the MDC sound it can generate for a roger "beep", although MDC systems can't seem to be able to decode whatever it is saying - it must be sending some kind of Chinese code. For all I know, this thing is probably trying to hack into my wireless network...
It's not cost cutting; it is an organized approach to trashing our comms w our participation. THINK, smart sheeple avoidancers!❤
LOL when I asked for a radio that could transmit on both ham and gmrs I didn't mean one that would do both at the same time. :D
thanks for doing the hash test, I'm surprised the FCC passed the radio for sale in the US, seeing they outlawed a lot of wireless mics.
How do you shut the static off the tail end of the receive frequency? After I finish having a transmission. I get the static at the end. Also, do you know how to set up priority channel when listening to 2 separate channels?
I have the green one I like it waiting on the extented battery for it should arrive tomarrow.
Just got the USA version from Amazon. I was able to expand the TX and RX by pushing the PTT and 8 key while turning the radio on. I noticed that the radio menu items in the radio are different from those listed in the owner's manual; different order and some menu items not available on the radio.
Hey I STILL have my clear Game Boy Pocket from my childhood - I understand your excitement.
Josh thanks for sharing the video you're awesome I just come to you I'm seeing a lot of new items you're putting out on UA-cam some interesting radio Tstank you try is really
Haha yes! Gen x and i was immediately head turned bc of the clear case. I bought one as well about one week ago
I am going to buy a clear model one just because it is CLEAR! LOL! Luv those 90's throw backs!
I bought two just to play with, along with a Baofeng. Won't replace any of my Kenwood, Icom, or Yaesu radios, but the Chinese manufacturers are learning fast.
The latest CHIRP build does have the Quansheng UV-K5 available. I programmed mine using CHIRP.
i ordered 1 a few weeks ago, tracking it currently through YT Yun Express! cant wait for it to arrive. i want that SA..where do u get the 10 watt antenuator???
Josh, Chirp will not allow for any programming other than the H (High Power) setting in the software on this A36 Plus radio. Using the latest Mac version of the software, firmware v1.19. Wonder if anyone knows about this bug? Thanks for the video.
Josh, I don't have any interest in the Talkpod A36Plus, but I checked out the Mirkit cables you mentioned in the video. I ended up ordering them from Amazon. I'm pleasantly surprised so far. They work with CHIRP on my Yaesu FT-60, and Icom 2730A. 😎
Good choice!
great review. In your opinion, what radio would you recommend for trail riding with others that is compatiable with Rugged Radios. My goal is to get an adapter to make this bluetooth with my exisiting bluetooth headset. Looking at alternatives to Rugged Radio that has bluetooth capabilities to an exisiting bluetooth headset.
Thank you in advance
I used the programing cables that came with my talkpods and no additional downloads just straight from CHIRP. Plus the new a36plus has no problem with spurious omissions that are above the approved levels. They are good radios and there is no way around that fact when you get the package for 50 bucks. Besides I don't fit in the SAD HAM namebrand upper echelon.
Josh, a receiver sensitivity and selectivity test would have been an interesting addition to your "lab test". The cheap junk coming out of china (primarily the many Baofengs under various names) are notorious for having lousy front ends. Stacked up against a Kenwood, Yaesu, Icom, et al, the front ends of these cheapies are easily overloaded.
Wasn't quite clear from your comments re lack of transmit spectral purity but the loss of power to the fundamental is another problem associated with the power going to the harmonics.
But, then it's a cheap radio ...
I want that clear case so bad. I had the purple/clear gameboy colour when I was younger...
Same.
I am a fan of the clear cases too. Does that mean I have a propensity to be institutionalized?
I think I'll take a chance at one. I like the Lime Yellow... "green" It's the closest I've seen to the "green" P25 Motorolas for Fire Depts.
I prefer dual watch over the scanning function on these. So I’ll have a radio station on one channel and then if anything happens on the local airport’s UHF ground relay I’ll hear that. Works great on the Quansheng.
I remember my Mountain Dew clear green pager. I was the $hi+[or so I thought ]
How do you eliminate squelch tail on the A36+, for after a repeater is done transmitting?
I remember when i got clear case cranberry (maroon color) pager!
If it is that bad on the harmonics and spurious emissions, which is a bad thing that is largely avoidable, then I will stick with radios from manufacturers that know what they are doing.
A good follow-up video to this one would be going into detail on the FCC testing processes on how they approve or deny are radio for the US market. That knowledge is always helpful.
My first HT was a UV5R, it served its purpose, and it is still the radio I tell our new hams to get, well proven over time, can be had for about $55CAD. After that I tell them if they want to upgrade something like a FT60 or FT70 are great options unless they are looking at massive digital/DMR use, can't help them there! I think my buddies dad has rave reviews of the Alinco MD5. I know Lewis, M3HHY from across the pond has played with a Jianpai 8800 that piqued my interest, almost like a knock off of a FT5DR minus a bunch of the sexy Japanese features, but I believe it was tri-band TX and something like quadband receive, but so dang hard to get outside of China.
I got the mirkit but the only adapter I could get to work was the K2 Kenwood style connector. I'm disappointed in them. Maybe all other adapters were bad but I kinda doubt it.
Thanks for the video, I been looking for an inexpensive radio to listen to the air band, this set seems to fit the bill, I noticed in Amazon that the 5w Talkpod A36Plus sells for $29, will this cheaper option work for me since I will only be receiving and not transmiting? thanks again.
How durable is the clear plastic compared to plastic that's opaque? I've had my Alinco DJ-195 for 20 years, it's holding up quite well, to the point I wish that 20 year old me could have afforded the dual band version. Quality materials in a case matter even if the item is inexpensive, I wouldn't want a radio that will become crumbly or brittle.
What would you recommend as a good first hand set.
finally a nice clean looking font
Thanks for the review that clearly shows how dirty this radio is. Looks cool and it's a shame they didn't bring it to market in a form that a responsible ham could justify using to transmit.
So it has some spurious emissions, big deal. Use it anyway.
@@josephhacker6508 sounds just like what a LID would say
It's not that bad. Testing using a spectrum analyzer is one thing. All spectrum analyzers have a internal dummy load that shows 50 ohm impedance on the fundamental frequency and all the harmonics, when used with a resonant antenna for 2 meter or the 70 cm bands all the harmonics are attenuated.
@@Flagrazi I was wondering the same thing. It would be interesting to see what his other radio would receive monitoring harmonic freqs if he was using stock antenna and not having the radio several inches away. That being said, lol, I'm sure that radio is as dirty as a politician!
@@higginsreport no, politicians are the dirtiest things in the whole world. It would be a insult calling a Boafeng that.
Looks really cool Josh, thanks for doing the video. Went on Amazon link and I don’t see the clear one available 😢
I’m a commercial drone pilot and have been struggling to find a good radio I can use on GMRS frequencies while also being able to listen in to air band frequencies. Anyone have a suggestion for such a unicorn of a radio? Kinda thought this might be it but with it being all over the place on frequency harmonics, I’m not sure what to do. Thanks in advance for all you awesome radioheads out there!
Haha the 1st thing it reminded me was of an old Nokia i had back in the early 00's too 🤣
So is there a low cost, FCC compliant entry-level radio? I'm curious about Ham radio but don't want one that transmits in ways that can cause interference on other channels. Thanks for your videos and sharing your info.
What would it take to filter out the harmonics externally?
There’s already people out there that make aftermarket clear shells for retro game consoles and the like, maybe with a push in the right direction we could get a Baofeng case made
If you get a chance try to do a video on the baofeng UV 17r it's a pretty good and rugged radio. It also has the USB C charging port on the back of the battery as well. I have been using it for the past four months and it seems pretty good
The lighted key pad is best, I can see coming full circle having a usb c dock of some sort
MIRKIT dongle, can it program UNIDEN ubc30xlt or ez133xlt or ubc90xlt?
Any RF burns? Saw some claims that people were getting zapped on transmit.
All The Feels🔥👍
I wish you had made this two month ago. BEFORE I brought my Baofeng UV-5R and the Mirkit cable :{
So, I guess I’m going to try and cancel my order.
What radios would you recommend to get that isn’t the Baofeng?
Naaaah man! I love clear electronics! One of the first things I did back in the day was put a clear case on my XBOX 360. Everyone thought I was nuts.
A clear gameboy? Sign me up!
You can use the cable that comes in the box with chirp for MacOS w/o installing their drivers.
Yep MacOS and Linux should be fine with the stock cable. Not Windows however.
I really wanted to like this radio, I bought the black one and programmed it up with my favorite frequencies and was rally getting into it until I tested it myself, i was appalled, so I just returned it to Amazon. Too bad.
what and where is that particular Interference Hunting Loop found?
I like that it has the compass and attenuator in perfect line of sight of direction you would be pointing at.
Found on the ARRL site.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thank you Josh
It was an ad
The Boafeng UV-9R Pro has an available battery with usb-c charging. Also it is waterproof....allegedlies.
Latest CHIRP does have Quansheng K5 ;)
Realistically, in everyday usage , is this just bleed over that is less audible or intrusive with each respective harmonic ? Like on the first harmonic , is the transmition going to be just as clear as the transmition on the main frequency ?
Mine bled over one channel on either direction. Tx on channel 18, 19 & 20 and I could hear them all on a different radio receiving on 19.
What is a good radio that does GMRS and HAM (2m/ 70cm) and ideally receive some more with good filtering (e.g. no harmonics)? Love my UV-5R for the flexibility it brings but want a ‘cleaner’ radio.
There isn’t a radio that works on both radio services off the shelf.
I couldn't get mine to eliminate the squelch tail when listening on GMRS repeaters. Super annoying.
Can you perform the same test with distance 😊
Don't ask me where or how, but I got a clear case talkpod for $29.00 (and that includes shipping). Shipped and now waiting for the boat to arrive to dockside and placed on a truck to head to my house, delivering date is July 11 to sometime no later than July 31.
I mean, you gotta share your source!
can this be used as a police scanner?
Me knowing bugger all about radios: ah yes, mmm-hmm, you don't say.
The best quick Tone sniffing menace 😉
Chirp, does now support the Quansheng 😀
IMPORTANT!! The UV-K5 is in development with chirp, and you can download the development driver and it works fine. Also, the UV-K5 requires a dumb usb c charger, you can’t use power delivery.
Was looking at this as a emergency backup radio may still get it for the price.
I own the Abbree version A-730 no GPS. I gotta test the spurious emissions on them.
You can use any SDR dongle or radio that displays a full band waterfall on itself or computer with just a wire antenna and a few carbon non inductive(wire wound) resistors connected to your SDR Radio. Its been a long and old tradition to use just sucha a setup to monitor your station broadcasting quality and sound processing.
The SDRPlay RSP1 and others in that same quality and computer screen can literally show the entire band or even several 100 Mhz if your computer is that powerful.
Keep that antenna far away from your transmitting rig or antenna while using some protection like an attenuator or carbon resistor and also have the outer shield running to ground or using protection Such as W2AEW and others teach about to protect recievers or test equipment monitoring and testing the output.
I got the black one
I may have missed a previous video, but did you try to charge the Quansheng with a USB A to USB C cable? I have another "USB C" radio and it won't charge with a USB C to USB C cable. Still don't understand why, but apparently it's a thing.
Ohhhh. I’ll try that.
The reason supposedly is with usb-C to usb-C is that the charge block and the device will decide what power to push but with usb-A to usb-C it doesn't do this is will blindly push power. so these cheap usb-c chargeable battery don't likely have a computer in them to tell the block to charge them. Im not entirely sure, that's just what I heard floating around as the reason for not charging usb-c to usb-c.
Did you know that you can get a purple (and other colors of the N64 controller era) clear case for the Nintendo Switch?
it looks like they are going to release a Ham version per their website
I see a new product for someone to design... An 8 watt rated dual band bandpass filter... sits between the radio and the antenna so it would have to be made with surface mount components...
I immediately followed your Amazon link for the radio… no more clear case available. Totally bummed.
Thank you! I was wondering about it, as there were positive reports, but like You, I don't want to be talking trash. That was some serious harmonics. How does the ICOM compare?
The major brands seldom have spurious emissions.
I think I'm sad Amazon doesn't show the clear case one anymore lol
does it receive on AM military air (225 to 400mhz)?
I don't think so. I understand that the new Icom Dstar has AM MilAir. Which I would like to hear again. But the Icom is too rich for me.
CLEAR ELECTRONICS>>>>>> I'M SO GLAD I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE
"give your computer AIDs" lol
Would you please provide me thr info on the atinuator you used. I would like to do your test at our ham club meeting. Thanks DE: Dave N6PGG/7
Dumb question, how can you transmit outside the 144.0 - 148.0 and 420.0 - 450.0 MHz?
Nice video
Thank you!
How can they sell this model in US without Type Acceptance ? How can it be accepted with +15db spurs (-25 on your sa + 40 from the att) ?
I'm starting to think they gamed the certification system to the fullest of their ability.
Your UVK5 doesn't USB charge? Make sure you aren't plugging into a PD charger. It works fine with a standard charger.