Great video. I really like how you present the information, and you seem to have knack for finding cool equipment at affordable prices. Links and timestamps are outstanding bonuses. I'm glad I found your channel.
@@texasprepperprojects and thanks to your link I discovered the radio is on sale for $28... For the features, that price is too low to not buy it. So thanks again!
This is an excellent video! I have been updating several kits like this. I already had several HT's, and updated the batteries to usb C charge capability. So I have those plus backup batteries, plus bricks to charge should I need them. The aprs HT intrigues me and is probably going to be my next purchase. One thing I do like about my Tidradio HC3's is they can easily be programmed for local repeaters via bluetooth app ODmaster. Downside to the HC3 is only 199 memories, and if wifi is down, the app doesn’t work. On my ht's with 999 freq, I do it by zone/city for areas that I go to or would in an emergency. I am caught between hard case (heavy, but great protection and almost waterproof) and soft case (lighter and easier to carry around, easy to carry a lot of accessories. K9TAX and Ed Fong antennas plus an Elk dual band beam/painters pole for me, but I do need your toss it up a tree gizmo! Thanks again for the video. You have put together some good kits, and it gives me more ideas to consider. 73, Brett K5WXP
I personally like the soft shell case for easy portability but if I was going to go full on end of the world mode having a really hard case with room for the laptop and solar panel I'd go that way. Or if I had do air drop something to someone stuck on a roof. The N76 radio is being updated constantly and almost has a fully functional Bluetooth TNC for under $200. The A1 is a great basic radio and I didn't care for the TID. With 999 memories you have plenty of room. Thanks for the comment!
Well done video, probably getting that N76 for all the features. Have licenses for GMRS and Amateur General. I would go with the Tid Radio H8 or H3. I have doubts that the Retevis is truly IP67 at that price point. Very good job. 73
I don't know if anybody's mentioned it but just in case they haven't You have the same Amazon link for your SMA to whatever adapter for antennas as you do on the slim USB battery.
Amazon has the Retevis A1 on sale right now for less than $29. I just bought four of them. Thank you for the review. Also, would you post a video on how you tied the string onto the end of your antenna to connect the pull cord?
What makes Meshtastic a huge scam? It seems to me that there are clear differences between Meshtastic and APRS, such as who would be able to use the two, ease of use, encryption ability, cost, etc..
I have a couple of issues with meshtastic. First. The real world range. Yeah sure it's possible to go miles and miles from the top of a mountain but in the city it's a few blocks. Meshtastic entirely depends on mesh nodes to work and you have any real range. It's 'deceentral' sure.....but you still have to have nodes, which adds cost. Lastly the data rate. 1200 baud. Compare that to APRS, which is 9600 baud, and you can use an 80 watt yaesu 2980 and connect simplex. Meshtastic is a nerd toy in my opinion. It will never replace cell phones or wifi or ham radio. There is too much infrastructure that you need to make it work. A mesh node every half a mile just isn't practical
@texasprepperprojects It seems to me that maybe you are missing some of its applications while completely ignoring some of the negatives surrounding APRS. Comparing any of the forms of comms to cell phones is an exercise in futility. It is the overall best form of communications platforms. With that said, it also has its negatives like every other form of comms.
@texasprepperprojects How about you give me any negatives about APRS vs. Meshtastic. They both have positives and negatives. You already listed one, which was the fact it can not be encrypted, which is important to some people.
Great video. I really like how you present the information, and you seem to have knack for finding cool equipment at affordable prices. Links and timestamps are outstanding bonuses. I'm glad I found your channel.
Thanks! We are all on a budget these days so I like to find stuff that makes sense!
@@texasprepperprojects and thanks to your link I discovered the radio is on sale for $28... For the features, that price is too low to not buy it. So thanks again!
It smokes any baofung and that is a heckl of a deal!
Thank you I did learn a lot
glad to hear it!
Excellent video.
Thank you!
Great info, thanks for introducing me to the VGC radio. It appears to have some great features in a handheld.
And it keeps getting better. It can do winlink voad now.. sort of..
Great info. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
This video was interesting and informative. I haven't bought radios yet and it gives me one more possibility to think about.
Great! The A1 is an amazing starter radio and beats the socks off any baofung
This is an excellent video! I have been updating several kits like this. I already had several HT's, and updated the batteries to usb C charge capability. So I have those plus backup batteries, plus bricks to charge should I need them. The aprs HT intrigues me and is probably going to be my next purchase.
One thing I do like about my Tidradio HC3's is they can easily be programmed for local repeaters via bluetooth app ODmaster. Downside to the HC3 is only 199 memories, and if wifi is down, the app doesn’t work. On my ht's with 999 freq, I do it by zone/city for areas that I go to or would in an emergency.
I am caught between hard case (heavy, but great protection and almost waterproof) and soft case (lighter and easier to carry around, easy to carry a lot of accessories.
K9TAX and Ed Fong antennas plus an Elk dual band beam/painters pole for me, but I do need your toss it up a tree gizmo!
Thanks again for the video. You have put together some good kits, and it gives me more ideas to consider.
73, Brett K5WXP
I personally like the soft shell case for easy portability but if I was going to go full on end of the world mode having a really hard case with room for the laptop and solar panel I'd go that way. Or if I had do air drop something to someone stuck on a roof.
The N76 radio is being updated constantly and almost has a fully functional Bluetooth TNC for under $200. The A1 is a great basic radio and I didn't care for the TID. With 999 memories you have plenty of room. Thanks for the comment!
Well done video, probably getting that N76 for all the features. Have licenses for GMRS and Amateur General. I would go with the Tid Radio H8 or H3. I have doubts that the Retevis is truly IP67 at that price point. Very good job. 73
Check my other videos where I drop the retevis in water. The N76 now has full TNC abilities! I got a TID radio and didn't like it
I don't know if anybody's mentioned it but just in case they haven't You have the same Amazon link for your SMA to whatever adapter for antennas as you do on the slim USB battery.
thanks!
Amazon has the Retevis A1 on sale right now for less than $29. I just bought four of them. Thank you for the review. Also, would you post a video on how you tied the string onto the end of your antenna to connect the pull cord?
I literally just super glue the sting on both sides of the antenna and then put heat shrink over the top
I didn't see your antenna on the list in the description. May I please have the name of it? Thanks.
www.ebay.com/itm/225960807333?_s
What makes Meshtastic a huge scam?
It seems to me that there are clear differences between Meshtastic and APRS, such as who would be able to use the two, ease of use, encryption ability, cost, etc..
I have a couple of issues with meshtastic. First. The real world range. Yeah sure it's possible to go miles and miles from the top of a mountain but in the city it's a few blocks. Meshtastic entirely depends on mesh nodes to work and you have any real range. It's 'deceentral' sure.....but you still have to have nodes, which adds cost. Lastly the data rate. 1200 baud. Compare that to APRS, which is 9600 baud, and you can use an 80 watt yaesu 2980 and connect simplex. Meshtastic is a nerd toy in my opinion. It will never replace cell phones or wifi or ham radio. There is too much infrastructure that you need to make it work. A mesh node every half a mile just isn't practical
@texasprepperprojects It seems to me that maybe you are missing some of its applications while completely ignoring some of the negatives surrounding APRS. Comparing any of the forms of comms to cell phones is an exercise in futility. It is the overall best form of communications platforms. With that said, it also has its negatives like every other form of comms.
And what applications does it have that APRS does not? Other than 'encrypted chat'
@texasprepperprojects How about you give me any negatives about APRS vs. Meshtastic. They both have positives and negatives. You already listed one, which was the fact it can not be encrypted, which is important to some people.
Drawback to APRS is Encryption, the lack of ability to mesh. The limitations of the number of digi hops it can do, and chat room functionality