Randy, you and all other wannabe preppers are fools to think that you can use a ham radio during an emergency without a ham radio license. As I stated before many times, during an emergency it is not the FCC that will be enforcing the law of the land and handling the emergency - it will be FEMA, ATF, FBI, Local and State Law Enforcement, The National Guard, and many others. Even the Red Cross will be there. The first thing they will do if knock on doors to the registered and known Radio Operators to help assist with Coms, and then they start chase down unlicensed operators and arrest them. NOTE: I did not say the FCC. They have no say in what happens in an emergency, FEMA does and they are the ones that orders the arrest and confiscation of any equipment they see fit, including: Radio, Firearms, Vehicles, Generators, food stash supplies, and so on and so forth. They will even take over your home as they see fit. This happened in every emergency in the past, including most recently Hurricanes Jose and Maria, in Puerto Rico where Ham Radio Operators not willing to cooperate with the government agencies found themselves arrested and their radios taken. This has happened in all other emergencies as well, in nearly every emergency I witnessed or part of in the past 45 years I have been using a radio (CB & FRS) and 35 years as a licensed Ham Radio Operator. And in every time the FCC was never around and it is FEMA that is handling the dogs. I'll give to you that you know most of your radio tech, but do you know your radio science? Getting on the airwaves and talking with non-descript randos? The same can be said of FRS/GMRS, MURs, and CB. But as a licensed ham operator, I only talk to friends and friends of friends within a large community. Once in a while I will try out talking to the IIS or listening on some satellite/moon bounced signal to see what it going on. And we all have call-signs from which we can be easily identified with on an FCC Database search. Half of which are wned by female Ham Radio Operators. Call me a snitch, but I found a couple illegals using my friend's (RIP) call sign, tracked down their locations and reported them to the FCC. The FCC had them arrested. You won't find that on their enforcement database. Also, where do you get off of telling users to use the Business Band? Business Band requires a license like GMRS and Ham. They are allocated to various frequency allotment by the FCC. You key up willy nilly on a business band frequency, you are going to have your local WalMart/Kmart/Mall/Private Organization/Business on your rear end and have you arrested for tampering with their frequency allotment. Also beware, the bands you mentioned: 2M (140MHz) and 1.25M (220MHz) there exist a tiny sliver in the 150MHz - 170MHz which is for Marine Band - Ship to Ship and Ship to Shore communications. Interfere with at, and the Coast Guard will be knocking on your door and arresting you. Just like below 136MHz you have the Airband for planes and airports. Mess with them and you will have the FAA knocking on your door and arresting you. On top of that part of the upper area of 220MHz Band is used by the Military for local rescue communications, As a Ham we know where we can go to talk on and in what mode, and where to stay away from. Wanna-be Preppers and unlicensed mofos transmits anywhere and everywhere they please not caring about the rules because during an emergency they have to tell their best buds to pick up a six pack and report to the house, not caring that their signal is stepping on actual emergency coms because that getting 6-pack is the emergency to them. We Hams do follow a code of ethics and morality, we do not go about showing off who has the biggest antenna tower or who blows how many watts out of the end of their coax cable. We communicate like any other group of people but we use technology on our side, and have a slice of the Internet on the airwaves to have web and email at the end of our radio connected computers. So Hamming it about it a lot more than just flapping your tongue like an Ugly American trying talk to Momojimbo in Zimbabwe about the politics of HIS nation. But don't you have a GRMS Repeater? Connected to Zellos? Why you allowing Unlicensed GMRSer's to transmit willy nilly on your system? Lets not forget that one such "operator" decided to take over your repeater and for the two or three videos you bitched, whines and complained about it like a Sad Ham. The you took action to find this person and had the hammer of the law drop on his head, like a Sad Ham would. Don't he have a right to The Free Airwaves like you said here? But you violated his rights to the free airwaves yourself. You are the Sad Ham here though you are a Licensed GMRSer and not a Licensed Ham. Having the government oversee the licensing of radio operators is a must. If not you will have idiots out there buying equipment and modifying them to broadcast on any frequency they want, including emergency services and TV & Radio broadcast frequencies. By laying down the laws, rules, and guidelines ensure safe operations of public and privately owned radio stations, including repeaters. Having individuals tested is to ensure that they know their basic radio science and radio safety, as radiation from an antenna can give radio burns, and give the operator various illnesses if the equipment is not properly shielded. It gives them the "Smarts" not to grab their antenna while keying up to test their range and SWR. (Doing this with a 10watt radio will insure that you will never go that again unless you one of those freaks that likes being shocked by a taser), but doing just that to a 40 to 100 watt radio on full power will land you in the hospital and anything about 100 watts will put you into your grave. I wonder how many preppers know that? My advice to the preppers out there - you got the radio, then be a Grey Man about it. Anyone asks if you got a rig at home or in the car, pull out a FRS/GMRS radio from your pocket and say that is all you have. Do not transmit on the Ham Bands unless it is absolutely necessary. but use CB and GMRS as needed to check up on friends, neighbors and relatives. You do not want attention brought onto yourself and what you own. Because when the SHTF, People are going to go total ape-shit on everyone else, especially to those who have something to their nothing and they are going to steal it from you. Great video, great review, very educational to those that do not know. But you better remember one thing, The price of freedom is not free, and to have a society that helps itself and helps others, rules, laws and guidelines need to be established and enforced. If not we would have total anarchy and then we will have the true meaning of Democracy in our streets. In Greek, Demos = Mob and Cracy = Rules; thus Democracy becomes "Mob Rules."
I do not have a license to operate my boofang, but when it is dark enough, I sit in my closet and listen carefully until I hear chatter, then I will click the Mike briefly and smile knowing I am a true badass outlaw......
KQ4LNZ here and I am 13 years old and a ham operator. I have that radio set up at my grandparents house with LMR400 coax and I love it it sound great on TX and RX. Also simplex on 440MHz I was able to talk 14 miles with a 6db gain antenna. I just love it!!!. And the vids are awesome too. @notarubicon 73's -Landen KQ4LNZ.
Impressive young Padewan, very impressive. Please do us all a favor though if you would be so kind. As you get older, please please please don't turn into a sad ham. Don't be tempted to the dark side by all of those evil deviled hams out there. It could be that you may be our only hope! May the force be with you. 😀
I freaking love this channel. He uses a broken pencil to make sensitive people (not me) mad, and he disses people that are hating on his content. I also love when he says, "My giggle hertz" 🤣 Great review on this radio, keep up the great content.
Got my GMRS license for me and my Dad, showed him this video and he bought the radio. After I helped set it up for him we made our first contact with some kid talking to himself and boyyyyy was he all kinds of confuckulated about how radios worked so I recommended your channel to him.
I am licensed in both GMRS and HAM communications and dabble in MURS and have two of these radio in the GEN 1 series. Absolutely love the BTECH UV-25x2 units. Thank you for doing the review!
If you don't mind me asking, what is the difference between this radio and the QYT KT-8900D? I mean beside the logo, button layout and default color scheme. I don't have the BTech, but I have looked at the QYT next to the Radioddity DB-25G, and the front panel layout and microphone layout are the only things that appear different. Case, back panel and knobs look like they came off the same moulds.
You can get the UV-25X4 ham radio from the Brushbeater online store here: brushbeater.store/products/baofeng-tech-25x4-25w-tri-band-mobile Or, from Amazon, here: amzn.to/3R0fFQO You can get the PC04 programming cable needed to program this radio here: amzn.to/466HR8F Get the Duracomm LPX-14 DC power supply here: amzn.to/466Trkg And you can check out the Jackery solar power-stations here: amzn.to/3G2xl7L
You know, everybody's on here talking about sad hams and all that, which I love, but I haven't seen one single person congratulate you for being the Worlds #4 Dad. So let me be the first to say congratulations! That's a hell of an achievement and one I'm sure took a lot of effort on your part. For that I say 69 good sir. Mike WRQD567 (or k8mrd I guess)
Darnit! I usually read through comments before making mine, as to keep from repeating sentiments...you stole my thunder with that one. WQZF521 or K4TXN
The title alone should get the sad hams all wound up and pinched. Since we are nearing the Christmas season, "It's A Wonderful Life" comes to mind. The difference is every time you trigger the transmit button on a ham radio, an angel gets its wings, and a sad ham gets zapped.
Thanks for this review. I took a look at the specs and I am impressed at the advertised output for 220 on this multi-band radio. Most mobile multi-band radios that have 220 capability advertise only 5 watts for output on that band and this one advertises 20 watts peak and 15 watts average. I am definitely going to put this radio on my wish list. It might not replace my current 50 watt 2m/70cm radio, but would make a nice compliment for my two way radio communication needs. The price isn't too bad either considering most single band 220 radios are more expensive than this radio. Taking bets on how long it takes before my truck starts looking like a porcupine.
I have ham and GMRS licenses, I have this radio, and I like it. It has a few small issues. Sometimes when it powers up, the screen does not work. If you unplug and replug, it fixes itself. The knobs are molded rubber and just press onto the shafts. They fall off very easily. I just 3D printed replacements with set screws.
Owned copy of that radio for several years and it works well enough to be the only mobile radio I own. Had my fill of paying many multiples the price for Icom, Yaesu or Alinco mobile. This radio has been more durable than any of them and if it ever did break, I would not ponder where I had gone so wrong again with radio equipment. But it works. For power, there are cheaper options. I use a replacement power supply intended for an arcade game. These are cheap, fully shielded, and can handle the amps needed.
I have a 25x2 gen 1 in my jeep and love it. I have not tested the antenna for 220 band but the comet cs2x4sr is a search and rescue antenna that will tune 2m, 70cm, gmrs, murs and so on. I run it on my truck and highly recommend it. Like I said not sure if it will tune 220 band though.
I have a Comet 2x4 mobile antenna (40 inches tall) on my house roof and with a good ground plane under it,. It pretty much will cover the frequency range of the BTech UV-25x4 at 1.1 to 1.7 swr across the frequency range in my testing with good signal reports. NMO or PL-259 connector. Broad-banded antenna designed for those needing voice communications on ham radio, public service , land mobile, GMRS, and FRS frequency range. Cost around $69.95. Max power 150 watts. Gain 3.8/6.2 dbi. Your swr range may very depending on how good a ground plane you attach the antenna to and coax quality. Just a suggestion. I have had good luck with mine. 😊
I have a different brand of this same radio. I have it attached to a home made 1/4 wave ground plane tuned for GMRS... but it works a treat for 70cm too... 1:1 GMRS and 1.1:1 on 70.
I got the QYT and it failed on me after a week :( I really liked it and just got it programmed and the screen just went dim, no volume and the screen flickers when on a receiving frequency. I have returned it and another one is on the way. Hopefully this new one will be fine
I have the first gen of this radio and this radio. I did have some screen issues but B tech has been great making it right. I also have the 50 watt but i dont really get more fars with the 50. Both are great.
Thanks for the review. As a newbie, what antenna would be recommended? Any links to a general antenna that would cover all the bases? You mentioned tri or quad band. Thanks!
Rumor has it, if you are Not a Certified Ham Radio Operator, and pull the trigger on that radio, a small nuclear ☢️ missle will suddenly descend from a Zenu satelite, to your location! 😮
Well, I am probably one of the stupid ones that's a non licensed novice, but.... I am about to get one for my vehicle and I really want to mount it on my dash. However, someone mentioned the radio can fry out due to the sun baking it during the day. Is this true? I thought they would be built to handle being on the dash like vehicles I had in the service and other jobs. Will it be okay or should I just find a new spot to mount it? I wanted to ask here because I love the blunt honesty you give. I have thick skin 😌 I just want to learn and grow from knowledge when I can.
If you are somewhere hot like So.California, Arizona, Texas, etc, then I would avoid mounting it where it will be in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
If you've ever turned your steering wheel upside down when you park your car you can understand why top of the dash may not be a great idea@@TheNotaRubicon
There’s a lot of things to consider when dealing with electronics heat in the car. A big one is when it’s used and when it’s sitting. I run a dashcam 24/7 for security and in the summer with the windows rolled up during the day, it’s near meltdown. It gets really hot on its own, but in that condition I’m surprised I didn’t lose it already. I’ve built a little garage for it with two 5v 3.5cm cooling fans that I can clip over it if I know it will be sitting during the day. This “garage” also has a silver reflector on its roof. It has one fan pushing regular car cabin air in from the back left and one pulling hot air out from the right side. The ceiling is about a half inch above the top of the camera. I’m building a solar panel to sit behind it for next summer so it can just run all day without effecting the car battery at all. Those little fans don’t take much. I mean, they really don’t move much but any free airflow is good. I wired them all, the fans and the camera through an inline battery condition monitor for now that will shut them down before bringing the car battery below a certain voltage so I’ll always be able to start up. It also helps to have a longer reserve rating on the battery, and don’t leave it for days on end without starting and running the engine. So, back to radios, just laying a layer of foundation and sidetracked myself into battery stuff which is mostly irrelevant here and now but if you plan to leave the radio mounted all summer, maybe you can use some of the info. So, if the car is sitting at night and you’re using it in the day, I assume you’re going to keep some air circulating so you don’t fry. If the radio is shielded from direct sunlight and has air flow, the little 3.5cm fan on the back will probably push enough. Keep in mind, I’m saying the dashboard isn’t the greatest idea but if you can shield it from the sun, that’s almost enough. Something shiny above it but not sitting on it. You want those heat sinks exposed to as much free air as you can. I would also run an extra case fan under the shield. You don’t have to worry about those little fans too much if you’re driving or at least running the engine. The battery won’t care. If you are active at night and it sits during the day, you might want to take it out of your preferred direct sunlight dashboard location and maybe even put it under the seat or take it indoors or wherever you go. If your vehicle has a decent air vent up near where you want to place the radio on the dash, you could always consider building a little duct that blows cold dashboard air on it. That’s something I’ve done with electronics in the past but it’s tough to give advice since I don’t know how your vent controls are set up, if you can close all but one, if you’re okay with periodically checking the radio for overheating and changing your whole vent settings to take care of the radio. It’s all really up to you. I like messing around with things like that. I got the “garage” for my dashcam for free from a friend. It was an aircraft hangar from his old model train stuff. A little spray paint and some clever wire management, nobody even knows what it is. Looks like it belongs there. The switches for the camera and fans are sitting in a dummy panel on the dash, in a place that there would have been switches if my truck had different options. The in-line battery monitor was like twenty or thirty bucks. Anyway, just have fun with it. You can get cheap accurate digital thermometers anywhere. Some with remote contact probes on wires that you can tape down to the deepest part of the heatsink. Check the radios recommend operating temps in the specs and see if you’re going outside that. Maybe also put little spacers underneath the radio so it isn’t sitting directly on the dash. Any little extra amount of airflow is always good. Cya round. Lemme know if you think of anything I might be able to help work out.
Here's my entry for your stupid highlighted comment of the month: I have really enjoyed your channel, and I appreciate the in-depth help you gave me with my Boo Fwang UV-5R. I also get that you come at radio from the prepper/paranoia side and that's fine too. The irony is that as such a smart and well organized guy, if you put half the effort that you put into one of those UV-5R reviews into prepping for the technicians and general tests, you would easily breeze through them. And then you would see what the HF bands really have to offer and I dare say you would probably enjoy them. There are even parts of the 40 m and 80 m bands where I hear pepper's communing, apparently completely undisturbed by the evil, overbearing FCC.
How will having a license help me talk with my friends when I'm off-roading and they are all talking on FRS/GMRS radios? And, how will a license help me in a SHTF scenario?
@@stevenwilkinson8373 You may be joking, but Morse code is not on the technician's or general license tests. It may have been a long time ago, but no longer.
I have this radio really like it. It’s plugged into a power supply and has a mobile antenna. I mainly have it for ham and GMRS. I had no luck with MURS. I really want another for my car.
Love your videos. Bought one for my FJ Cruiser after watching your video. Question for you, does the UV-50x2 have the same capabilities at 50w. Was thinking for a base station at my cabin. Ive read it may not be able to transmit on GMRS but cannot confirm. Hope you do a future review of that one.
Randy, assuming gmrs use and with a decent base station antenna, do you recommend this one over the btech gmrs-v2? Seems like this model has the advantage of tx frequencies. However lower wattage. Thanks for the awesome content!
For a base station connected to an antenna on the roof with a long cable, the extra wattage on this would be preferable.. Everything else is personal preference.
Are there any other mobile radio options that have this ability to TX/RX on GMRS and Ham freqs? Preferably one with a detachable face for vehicle mounting? Love this concept but only need Tri Band and optimal mounting solutions.
My favorite feature too is the adjustable mic gain. Finally the person I'm talking to doesn't have to endure hearing my wife's fat mouth constantly gabbing in the background.
BLAH,BLAH, BLAH. Great review. Like the (almost) insert parts of the video. Already have 2 BTech 50 watt radios. GMRS & HAM. BETECH works! "Some People" like your channel.
Does it make sense to put this radio into an ammo box type container with its own power supply to make it handheld/mobile?🇺🇸 I was thinking you’d get more fars out of this than a HT.
I guess that I am an idiot. I can't even program this radio with the chirp software. I downloaded the GMRS, NOAA, and MURS frequencies but can't figure out how to get them to show on the display 🤔
Is there a particular antenna that you would recommend for mounting on an offroad vehicle for gmrs channels? One that will work for gmrs ,listing only, and gmrs ?
Hmmm That RJ45 to K1 cable is a cool idea. I'd rather have a military style handset. I did a good search and could find the Y cable separately from the radio bundle
Hi Randy!!! I have this radio among others. This happens to be my newest purchase. I also have been playing around with one of my six uv-9g's. Somehow, I managed to unlock it. I am now able to talk on ham, murs, gmrs, weather and off bands. I dunno how I did that. It was locked down tight as dicks hat band when I bought them. Matter of fact the other five are still locked down to gmrs only (talking about transmitting). I'm hoping that when I copy the programing from the one to the other five it will unlock them as well. I'll keep you informed if it does. I would send you a copy of the frequency list that it will transmit on but I'm not sure that will show you how I unlocked the radio. Has to be in the settings somewhere I'm guessing. BTW I used chirp to program it BUT I copied the programing from another radio that is NOT a uv-9g. I think I copied it from an AR-152 and as you know that radio is unlocked. Anyway, if you have any guesses as to how I did that I'd love to hear from you about it. Thanks saltwater61
KILLDOZER!!! I have not heard the name of that 1974 movie in a very long time. The full length movie seems to be available for free right here on youtube. Bazinga!
I''m new to the ham/gmrs radio scene, used CB back in the 70's and 80's. I am curious since you did this video could you/would you perhaps do one on how to "tune an antenna" ie quad band for this particular radio???
I was thinking while watching of all the sad hams watching this and just shaking at their keyboards. Then I read that pinned comment and thought, "Randy got another one!" 😆
In both Jeeps I have Motorola XTL5000 radios.. When I get out of the Jeep I carry a Motorola XTS2500.. When sitting on the couch I use a Motorola XTS5000. For my office-base station I use a Wouxun KG-1000G+, my 'main' base station is a Motorola XTL5000.
With this new microphone adapter cable, I wonder if the 2nd Gen. Radio will do APRS, using that fancy K1 connector wire thinga-majig, and a cellular phone or PC? I would sure be swell if it did!
I just binge watched you for about 10 hours. I was wanting your input. I was originally wanting walkie talkie for going on a cruise from Temu and since finding you on you tube have decided to go GMRS. I would like 2 units that can be used with one another on a cruise but I’m interested in GMRS. One unit for someone who has no interest in programming just basic use but access to repeaters and mine. I am interested in programming to achieve repeaters GMRS and ham. The brand on Temu is baofeng. ANY SUGGESTIONS. Chirp compatatable desired on second unit. Mine
Just get whatever radios meet your budget and feature requirements... Be aware that there could be restrictions on radio use while on a cruise-ship so you should ask someone on the boat wearing a hat about that.
Just purchased this radio and had trouble with “programming” this on chirp to transmit to others on an actually useful band. Anybody have the same problem?
Update: you can indeed copy your settings and channels from your UV5R to the UV-25X4. Here is how I did it First download the factory memories from the UV-25X4 to chirp THIS IS KEY STEP!! Copy your existing memories from the file you made for the UV5R overwriting the memories downloaded from the UV-25X4 (unless you want to keep those memories, but your channel numbers won't match your UV5R) Paste those memories on the file downloaded from the UV-25X4 Make any edits needed (there will be some) Save the new file Upload it to the UV-25X4 Voila! After I uploaded the memories I went into the direct menu on the radio, checked for any setting that needed editing, made those then downloaded the file to CHIRP and saved the changes. This may have been an extra step but I did it anyway
Randy, you and all other wannabe preppers are fools to think that you can use a ham radio during an emergency without a ham radio license. As I stated before many times, during an emergency it is not the FCC that will be enforcing the law of the land and handling the emergency - it will be FEMA, ATF, FBI, Local and State Law Enforcement, The National Guard, and many others. Even the Red Cross will be there. The first thing they will do if knock on doors to the registered and known Radio Operators to help assist with Coms, and then they start chase down unlicensed operators and arrest them. NOTE: I did not say the FCC. They have no say in what happens in an emergency, FEMA does and they are the ones that orders the arrest and confiscation of any equipment they see fit, including: Radio, Firearms, Vehicles, Generators, food stash supplies, and so on and so forth. They will even take over your home as they see fit.
This happened in every emergency in the past, including most recently Hurricanes Jose and Maria, in Puerto Rico where Ham Radio Operators not willing to cooperate with the government agencies found themselves arrested and their radios taken. This has happened in all other emergencies as well, in nearly every emergency I witnessed or part of in the past 45 years I have been using a radio (CB & FRS) and 35 years as a licensed Ham Radio Operator. And in every time the FCC was never around and it is FEMA that is handling the dogs.
I'll give to you that you know most of your radio tech, but do you know your radio science?
Getting on the airwaves and talking with non-descript randos? The same can be said of FRS/GMRS, MURs, and CB. But as a licensed ham operator, I only talk to friends and friends of friends within a large community. Once in a while I will try out talking to the IIS or listening on some satellite/moon bounced signal to see what it going on. And we all have call-signs from which we can be easily identified with on an FCC Database search. Half of which are wned by female Ham Radio Operators.
Call me a snitch, but I found a couple illegals using my friend's (RIP) call sign, tracked down their locations and reported them to the FCC. The FCC had them arrested. You won't find that on their enforcement database.
Also, where do you get off of telling users to use the Business Band? Business Band requires a license like GMRS and Ham. They are allocated to various frequency allotment by the FCC. You key up willy nilly on a business band frequency, you are going to have your local WalMart/Kmart/Mall/Private Organization/Business on your rear end and have you arrested for tampering with their frequency allotment.
Also beware, the bands you mentioned: 2M (140MHz) and 1.25M (220MHz) there exist a tiny sliver in the 150MHz - 170MHz which is for Marine Band - Ship to Ship and Ship to Shore communications. Interfere with at, and the Coast Guard will be knocking on your door and arresting you. Just like below 136MHz you have the Airband for planes and airports. Mess with them and you will have the FAA knocking on your door and arresting you. On top of that part of the upper area of 220MHz Band is used by the Military for local rescue communications,
As a Ham we know where we can go to talk on and in what mode, and where to stay away from. Wanna-be Preppers and unlicensed mofos transmits anywhere and everywhere they please not caring about the rules because during an emergency they have to tell their best buds to pick up a six pack and report to the house, not caring that their signal is stepping on actual emergency coms because that getting 6-pack is the emergency to them. We Hams do follow a code of ethics and morality, we do not go about showing off who has the biggest antenna tower or who blows how many watts out of the end of their coax cable. We communicate like any other group of people but we use technology on our side, and have a slice of the Internet on the airwaves to have web and email at the end of our radio connected computers. So Hamming it about it a lot more than just flapping your tongue like an Ugly American trying talk to Momojimbo in Zimbabwe about the politics of HIS nation.
But don't you have a GRMS Repeater? Connected to Zellos? Why you allowing Unlicensed GMRSer's to transmit willy nilly on your system? Lets not forget that one such "operator" decided to take over your repeater and for the two or three videos you bitched, whines and complained about it like a Sad Ham. The you took action to find this person and had the hammer of the law drop on his head, like a Sad Ham would. Don't he have a right to The Free Airwaves like you said here? But you violated his rights to the free airwaves yourself. You are the Sad Ham here though you are a Licensed GMRSer and not a Licensed Ham.
Having the government oversee the licensing of radio operators is a must. If not you will have idiots out there buying equipment and modifying them to broadcast on any frequency they want, including emergency services and TV & Radio broadcast frequencies. By laying down the laws, rules, and guidelines ensure safe operations of public and privately owned radio stations, including repeaters. Having individuals tested is to ensure that they know their basic radio science and radio safety, as radiation from an antenna can give radio burns, and give the operator various illnesses if the equipment is not properly shielded. It gives them the "Smarts" not to grab their antenna while keying up to test their range and SWR. (Doing this with a 10watt radio will insure that you will never go that again unless you one of those freaks that likes being shocked by a taser), but doing just that to a 40 to 100 watt radio on full power will land you in the hospital and anything about 100 watts will put you into your grave. I wonder how many preppers know that?
My advice to the preppers out there - you got the radio, then be a Grey Man about it. Anyone asks if you got a rig at home or in the car, pull out a FRS/GMRS radio from your pocket and say that is all you have. Do not transmit on the Ham Bands unless it is absolutely necessary. but use CB and GMRS as needed to check up on friends, neighbors and relatives. You do not want attention brought onto yourself and what you own. Because when the SHTF, People are going to go total ape-shit on everyone else, especially to those who have something to their nothing and they are going to steal it from you.
Great video, great review, very educational to those that do not know. But you better remember one thing, The price of freedom is not free, and to have a society that helps itself and helps others, rules, laws and guidelines need to be established and enforced. If not we would have total anarchy and then we will have the true meaning of Democracy in our streets. In Greek, Demos = Mob and Cracy = Rules; thus Democracy becomes "Mob Rules."
dude wrote A WHOLE NOVAL..........
He’s boot licking troll.
I'm not sure if he's trolling or...
My God. I think he's serious! 😂😂
i vote real not troll has to much realness or a troll that has mad knowledge
@@thedoobie1 LOL he's probably serious.. SAD HAMS take Randy's video's too seriously 😂...
“Making contact with anonymous men from around the world”😂 I swear I love Randy he is the best UA-camr out there.
Creepy old men, sitting in their dark basements!
@@chrissewell1608sounds like those old fetish guys on Grinder.
Archaic Grindr 😂
"This radio is far less confuckulating to operate....almost choked on my coffee...LMAO. He's the best!
I am a licensed ham radio operator, but I have friends... keep up the good work
A Happy Ham
@@DanT271great cheese comes from happy hams…
Then why are you searching for validation in a youtube comment section? That's pathetic.
Relax, Francis. He's joking @@huntersparmspecial632
Hello friend
I do not have a license to operate my boofang, but when it is dark enough, I sit in my closet and listen carefully until I hear chatter, then I will click the Mike briefly and smile knowing I am a true badass outlaw......
You're a monster
I thought I was the only one! 😂😂
Let everybody hear that beautiful Roger Beep
KQ4LNZ here and I am 13 years old and a ham operator. I have that radio set up at my grandparents house with LMR400 coax and I love it it sound great on TX and RX. Also simplex on 440MHz I was able to talk 14 miles with a 6db gain antenna. I just love it!!!. And the vids are awesome too. @notarubicon 73's -Landen KQ4LNZ.
Impressive young Padewan, very impressive. Please do us all a favor though if you would be so kind. As you get older, please please please don't turn into a sad ham. Don't be tempted to the dark side by all of those evil deviled hams out there. It could be that you may be our only hope! May the force be with you. 😀
OUTSTANDING!!
Welcome to amateur radio, it’s a fantastic activity that I’m sure you’ll enjoy for a very long time. I hope to work you on the air, 73, George
I freaking love this channel. He uses a broken pencil to make sensitive people (not me) mad, and he disses people that are hating on his content. I also love when he says, "My giggle hertz" 🤣 Great review on this radio, keep up the great content.
Got my GMRS license for me and my Dad, showed him this video and he bought the radio. After I helped set it up for him we made our first contact with some kid talking to himself and boyyyyy was he all kinds of confuckulated about how radios worked so I recommended your channel to him.
We need to fight for our 2A rights and right to use a radio
Shoot!?
I am licensed in both GMRS and HAM communications and dabble in MURS and have two of these radio in the GEN 1 series. Absolutely love the BTECH UV-25x2 units. Thank you for doing the review!
If you don't mind me asking, what is the difference between this radio and the QYT KT-8900D? I mean beside the logo, button layout and default color scheme. I don't have the BTech, but I have looked at the QYT next to the Radioddity DB-25G, and the front panel layout and microphone layout are the only things that appear different. Case, back panel and knobs look like they came off the same moulds.
You have inspired me to get my ham ticket. I'm a happy ham now. Love your vids.
You can get the UV-25X4 ham radio from the Brushbeater online store here:
brushbeater.store/products/baofeng-tech-25x4-25w-tri-band-mobile
Or, from Amazon, here: amzn.to/3R0fFQO
You can get the PC04 programming cable needed to program this radio here: amzn.to/466HR8F
Get the Duracomm LPX-14 DC power supply here: amzn.to/466Trkg
And you can check out the Jackery solar power-stations here: amzn.to/3G2xl7L
Thanks for the brushbeater link.. Very cool link!
Great video! Do you have any thoughts on the 25x2 version?
The X2 is just like the X4, but it only monitors 2 channels at a time instead of 4.
That pencil is looking glorious, don't change a thing!
I take it that Fido is getting extra graphite and wood fiber in his diet
You know, everybody's on here talking about sad hams and all that, which I love, but I haven't seen one single person congratulate you for being the Worlds #4 Dad. So let me be the first to say congratulations! That's a hell of an achievement and one I'm sure took a lot of effort on your part. For that I say 69 good sir. Mike WRQD567 (or k8mrd I guess)
A happy ham!
Darnit! I usually read through comments before making mine, as to keep from repeating sentiments...you stole my thunder with that one. WQZF521 or K4TXN
Keep up the good work man. I love watching your videos.
Loved your conversation on Radio Contra with NC Scout. Great podcast. Keep up the good work @NotaRubicon.
I burst out laughing at work the other day when you said transmitting through house full of fat people. I'm fat, so it's ok for me to laugh.
The title alone should get the sad hams all wound up and pinched. Since we are nearing the Christmas season, "It's A Wonderful Life" comes to mind. The difference is every time you trigger the transmit button on a ham radio, an angel gets its wings, and a sad ham gets zapped.
Recently acquired my technicians license last year, and will probably install this brick on my truck.
Thanks for this review. I took a look at the specs and I am impressed at the advertised output for 220 on this multi-band radio. Most mobile multi-band radios that have 220 capability advertise only 5 watts for output on that band and this one advertises 20 watts peak and 15 watts average. I am definitely going to put this radio on my wish list. It might not replace my current 50 watt 2m/70cm radio, but would make a nice compliment for my two way radio communication needs. The price isn't too bad either considering most single band 220 radios are more expensive than this radio. Taking bets on how long it takes before my truck starts looking like a porcupine.
I have ham and GMRS licenses, I have this radio, and I like it.
It has a few small issues.
Sometimes when it powers up, the screen does not work. If you unplug and replug, it fixes itself.
The knobs are molded rubber and just press onto the shafts. They fall off very easily. I just 3D printed replacements with set screws.
NERD!!!🤣
Owned copy of that radio for several years and it works well enough to be the only mobile radio I own. Had my fill of paying many multiples the price for Icom, Yaesu or Alinco mobile. This radio has been more durable than any of them and if it ever did break, I would not ponder where I had gone so wrong again with radio equipment. But it works. For power, there are cheaper options. I use a replacement power supply intended for an arcade game. These are cheap, fully shielded, and can handle the amps needed.
I have a 25x2 gen 1 in my jeep and love it. I have not tested the antenna for 220 band but the comet cs2x4sr is a search and rescue antenna that will tune 2m, 70cm, gmrs, murs and so on. I run it on my truck and highly recommend it. Like I said not sure if it will tune 220 band though.
I have a Comet 2x4 mobile antenna (40 inches tall) on my house roof and with a good ground plane under it,. It pretty much will cover the frequency range of the BTech UV-25x4 at 1.1 to 1.7 swr across the frequency range in my testing with good signal reports. NMO or PL-259 connector. Broad-banded antenna designed for those needing voice communications on ham radio, public service , land mobile, GMRS, and FRS frequency range. Cost around $69.95. Max power 150 watts. Gain 3.8/6.2 dbi. Your swr range may very depending on how good a ground plane you attach the antenna to and coax quality. Just a suggestion. I have had good luck with mine. 😊
I put a radio very similar to this in my wifes truck. Good stuff. I did end up getting licensed for amateur, but mostly because I'm a friggin nerd.
In AvE talk, the electrons coming out of the wall socket or car battery are called "Magic Pixies".
I have a different brand of this same radio. I have it attached to a home made 1/4 wave ground plane tuned for GMRS... but it works a treat for 70cm too... 1:1 GMRS and 1.1:1 on 70.
Is it a QYT? I have one of those. Its a great little radio, for the money!
@@chrissewell1608 mine is the QYT KT-8900D. Basically a mirrored image of this one. And yes it is an awesome radio!!!
@@chrissewell1608 yessir I got the 8900D
I got the QYT and it failed on me after a week :( I really liked it and just got it programmed and the screen just went dim, no volume and the screen flickers when on a receiving frequency. I have returned it and another one is on the way. Hopefully this new one will be fine
I have the first gen of this radio and this radio. I did have some screen issues but
B tech has been great making it right.
I also have the 50 watt but i dont really get more fars with the 50. Both are great.
I had the 1st gen of this radio and liked it a lot. It was my first mobile radio
Cheers Fren! Stay strapped or get clapped!
I'll keep ny spurious emissions in check.
Thanks for the review. As a newbie, what antenna would be recommended? Any links to a general antenna that would cover all the bases? You mentioned tri or quad band. Thanks!
Just got my GMRS license and call sign today! So excited to actually talk on some nets :)
I have been in search of the perfecto radio for my Killdozer THANK YOU RANDY!!!!!!
5:39 Nothing runs like a Komatsu through a municipal building 😉
Rumor has it, if you are Not a Certified Ham Radio Operator, and pull the trigger on that radio, a small nuclear ☢️ missle will suddenly descend from a Zenu satelite, to your location! 😮
Im already Liking Brushbeater!!! nice....
Love the shirt
And counting.
Well, I am probably one of the stupid ones that's a non licensed novice, but....
I am about to get one for my vehicle and I really want to mount it on my dash. However, someone mentioned the radio can fry out due to the sun baking it during the day. Is this true? I thought they would be built to handle being on the dash like vehicles I had in the service and other jobs. Will it be okay or should I just find a new spot to mount it? I wanted to ask here because I love the blunt honesty you give. I have thick skin 😌 I just want to learn and grow from knowledge when I can.
If you are somewhere hot like So.California, Arizona, Texas, etc, then I would avoid mounting it where it will be in direct sunlight for long periods of time.
Northern Missouri
If you've ever turned your steering wheel upside down when you park your car you can understand why top of the dash may not be a great idea@@TheNotaRubicon
There’s a lot of things to consider when dealing with electronics heat in the car. A big one is when it’s used and when it’s sitting.
I run a dashcam 24/7 for security and in the summer with the windows rolled up during the day, it’s near meltdown. It gets really hot on its own, but in that condition I’m surprised I didn’t lose it already. I’ve built a little garage for it with two 5v 3.5cm cooling fans that I can clip over it if I know it will be sitting during the day. This “garage” also has a silver reflector on its roof. It has one fan pushing regular car cabin air in from the back left and one pulling hot air out from the right side. The ceiling is about a half inch above the top of the camera. I’m building a solar panel to sit behind it for next summer so it can just run all day without effecting the car battery at all. Those little fans don’t take much. I mean, they really don’t move much but any free airflow is good.
I wired them all, the fans and the camera through an inline battery condition monitor for now that will shut them down before bringing the car battery below a certain voltage so I’ll always be able to start up. It also helps to have a longer reserve rating on the battery, and don’t leave it for days on end without starting and running the engine.
So, back to radios, just laying a layer of foundation and sidetracked myself into battery stuff which is mostly irrelevant here and now but if you plan to leave the radio mounted all summer, maybe you can use some of the info.
So, if the car is sitting at night and you’re using it in the day, I assume you’re going to keep some air circulating so you don’t fry. If the radio is shielded from direct sunlight and has air flow, the little 3.5cm fan on the back will probably push enough. Keep in mind, I’m saying the dashboard isn’t the greatest idea but if you can shield it from the sun, that’s almost enough. Something shiny above it but not sitting on it. You want those heat sinks exposed to as much free air as you can. I would also run an extra case fan under the shield. You don’t have to worry about those little fans too much if you’re driving or at least running the engine. The battery won’t care.
If you are active at night and it sits during the day, you might want to take it out of your preferred direct sunlight dashboard location and maybe even put it under the seat or take it indoors or wherever you go.
If your vehicle has a decent air vent up near where you want to place the radio on the dash, you could always consider building a little duct that blows cold dashboard air on it. That’s something I’ve done with electronics in the past but it’s tough to give advice since I don’t know how your vent controls are set up, if you can close all but one, if you’re okay with periodically checking the radio for overheating and changing your whole vent settings to take care of the radio.
It’s all really up to you. I like messing around with things like that. I got the “garage” for my dashcam for free from a friend. It was an aircraft hangar from his old model train stuff. A little spray paint and some clever wire management, nobody even knows what it is. Looks like it belongs there. The switches for the camera and fans are sitting in a dummy panel on the dash, in a place that there would have been switches if my truck had different options. The in-line battery monitor was like twenty or thirty bucks.
Anyway, just have fun with it. You can get cheap accurate digital thermometers anywhere. Some with remote contact probes on wires that you can tape down to the deepest part of the heatsink. Check the radios recommend operating temps in the specs and see if you’re going outside that. Maybe also put little spacers underneath the radio so it isn’t sitting directly on the dash. Any little extra amount of airflow is always good.
Cya round. Lemme know if you think of anything I might be able to help work out.
Great review. Is there a repeater cable available so I can make a repeater out of two of these?
No, Two Way Radios sells a radio that does that, um don’t remember the model but it’s a great superheterodyne transceiver.
Randy, does it have the roger beeper option?
“Plan accordingly”? Cody will be proud 🤙🏼
Everythung about these videos is awesome... The pencil, coffee cup, shirt, down to explanations and information. 😂😅😂😂
I love the Killdozer reference. Another great video.
An hour after upload, and no pinned sad ham comment.
Disappointing and awesome at the same time!
Word is getting out in the sad-ham underworld to not leave comments on my videos.. I have become a victim of my own success.
UPDATE!
Thanks Randy. Just got mine. Disappointed there isn't any roger beep though. ☹
Here's my entry for your stupid highlighted comment of the month:
I have really enjoyed your channel, and I appreciate the in-depth help you gave me with my Boo Fwang UV-5R. I also get that you come at radio from the prepper/paranoia side and that's fine too.
The irony is that as such a smart and well organized guy, if you put half the effort that you put into one of those UV-5R reviews into prepping for the technicians and general tests, you would easily breeze through them.
And then you would see what the HF bands really have to offer and I dare say you would probably enjoy them.
There are even parts of the 40 m and 80 m bands where I hear pepper's communing, apparently completely undisturbed by the evil, overbearing FCC.
How will having a license help me talk with my friends when I'm off-roading and they are all talking on FRS/GMRS radios?
And, how will a license help me in a SHTF scenario?
Way too pleasing and friendly to get pinned however he is still trying to convince real people with normal lives to go towards the ham light.
When they stop our southern invasion, I will start to respect their laws... otherwise they, like anyone who doesn't like it, can go eat fudge
but I don-wanna learn morse code
@@stevenwilkinson8373 You may be joking, but Morse code is not on the technician's or general license tests.
It may have been a long time ago, but no longer.
I saw some of them do not have a “Roger beep” in them and people complaining about it. Does this one have one?
I have this radio really like it. It’s plugged into a power supply and has a mobile antenna. I mainly have it for ham and GMRS. I had no luck with MURS. I really want another for my car.
Love your videos. Bought one for my FJ Cruiser after watching your video.
Question for you, does the UV-50x2 have the same capabilities at 50w. Was thinking for a base station at my cabin. Ive read it may not be able to transmit on GMRS but cannot confirm. Hope you do a future review of that one.
Randy, assuming gmrs use and with a decent base station antenna, do you recommend this one over the btech gmrs-v2? Seems like this model has the advantage of tx frequencies. However lower wattage. Thanks for the awesome content!
For a base station connected to an antenna on the roof with a long cable, the extra wattage on this would be preferable.. Everything else is personal preference.
Got mine thanks randy your the best queen 💞👑 🌺🌹🎉
Can you hook the k1 connector to a sr112 simplex repeater
I have a b-tech kt8900. It's a good little radio. Lots of possibilities! This one looks good too.
is there any water resistant rating on this radio ? how many waters can it surf
I really like mine. Got it from Brushbeater. Great little radio.
Is there any way to make the screen only show and monitor only 1 or 2 channels rather than 4
My Baofeng uv-5r8w is hearing from Portland repeater to east coast repeater and even hearing Australia. But also all of Americas repeater networks.
Are there any other mobile radio options that have this ability to TX/RX on GMRS and Ham freqs? Preferably one with a detachable face for vehicle mounting? Love this concept but only need Tri Band and optimal mounting solutions.
My favorite feature too is the adjustable mic gain. Finally the person I'm talking to doesn't have to endure hearing my wife's fat mouth constantly gabbing in the background.
You sure can draw out some nuts. My rubacon and I are in Az. Would enjoy meetiing you someday.
BLAH,BLAH, BLAH. Great review. Like the (almost) insert parts of the video. Already have 2 BTech 50 watt radios. GMRS & HAM. BETECH works! "Some People" like your channel.
Does it make sense to put this radio into an ammo box type container with its own power supply to make it handheld/mobile?🇺🇸 I was thinking you’d get more fars out of this than a HT.
Wish it would fit in my operator 115 that was meant for the midland 115 you reviewed.
I guess that I am an idiot. I can't even program this radio with the chirp software. I downloaded the GMRS, NOAA, and MURS frequencies but can't figure out how to get them to show on the display 🤔
I've been using a clone of this for a bit as a home base station. Excellent cheapo radio. With my roof antenna, it gets all the fars.
Are the UV-50x2 and x3 second generation radios unlocked as well?
Great review as always!
Does this radio have the ability to scan through, say, programmed gmrs channels?
QUESTION- what quad band antenna would you recommend for both Home and car? Thanks in advance.
No peel-off screen protector?
I was honestly expecting that pleasure of him slowly peeling it off. 😂
You got me beat. I’m the #5 Dad.
Could you please recommend your favorite tri-band antenna for this radio as well?
Is there a particular antenna that you would recommend for mounting on an offroad vehicle for gmrs channels?
One that will work for gmrs ,listing only, and gmrs ?
I use the Midland MXTA26
Hmmm
That RJ45 to K1 cable is a cool idea.
I'd rather have a military style handset.
I did a good search and could find the Y cable separately from the radio bundle
Love your shirt.
Hi Randy!!! I have this radio among others. This happens to be my newest purchase. I also have been playing around with one of my six uv-9g's. Somehow, I managed to unlock it. I am now able to talk on ham, murs, gmrs, weather and off bands. I dunno how I did that. It was locked down tight as dicks hat band when I bought them. Matter of fact the other five are still locked down to gmrs only (talking about transmitting). I'm hoping that when I copy the programing from the one to the other five it will unlock them as well. I'll keep you informed if it does. I would send you a copy of the frequency list that it will transmit on but I'm not sure that will show you how I unlocked the radio. Has to be in the settings somewhere I'm guessing. BTW I used chirp to program it BUT I copied the programing from another radio that is NOT a uv-9g. I think I copied it from an AR-152 and as you know that radio is unlocked. Anyway, if you have any guesses as to how I did that I'd love to hear from you about it. Thanks
saltwater61
KILLDOZER!!! I have not heard the name of that 1974 movie in a very long time. The full length movie seems to be available for free right here on youtube. Bazinga!
Lets see if Randy and/or UA-cam will let me post the link to the movie Killdozer ua-cam.com/video/1r3y-SRsNPI/v-deo.html
TREAD is a fascinating documentary of a man who was all out of sh*ts to give!
I''m new to the ham/gmrs radio scene, used CB back in the 70's and 80's. I am curious since you did this video could you/would you perhaps do one on how to "tune an antenna" ie quad band for this particular radio???
If its a multi band antenna then usually its tuned at the factory and ready to go
I was given a UV25x2 as a gift. will the 25x2 unlock, too, so it can also transmit from 430mhz to 520mhz?
im actually looking for this answer right now was looking through the manual on a PDF and was sadened to see it was not set to TX 450-520
Anyone have suggestions for a tri-band antenna that matches this radio?
I was thinking while watching of all the sad hams watching this and just shaking at their keyboards. Then I read that pinned comment and thought, "Randy got another one!" 😆
Dang Randy you have kicked an ant bed here. Even HRCC is talking about this tonight. LOL
Triggered....
I watch a LOT of your videos. What HT, mobile (in car), and home radio are you currently using?
In both Jeeps I have Motorola XTL5000 radios.. When I get out of the Jeep I carry a Motorola XTS2500.. When sitting on the couch I use a Motorola XTS5000. For my office-base station I use a Wouxun KG-1000G+, my 'main' base station is a Motorola XTL5000.
With this new microphone adapter cable, I wonder if the 2nd Gen. Radio will do APRS, using that fancy K1 connector wire thinga-majig, and a cellular phone or PC? I would sure be swell if it did!
I’ve got the QYT KT7900D and it’s been good. It’s a re-brand of this. Needs a good antenna though
iIm just here to watch a Sad Ham get shredded. C'mon hams!! I wanna see ya REEEEE!!!
I just binge watched you for about 10 hours. I was wanting your input. I was originally wanting walkie talkie for going on a cruise from Temu and since finding you on you tube have decided to go GMRS. I would like 2 units that can be used with one another on a cruise but I’m interested in GMRS. One unit for someone who has no interest in programming just basic use but access to repeaters and mine. I am interested in programming to achieve repeaters GMRS and ham. The brand on Temu is baofeng. ANY SUGGESTIONS. Chirp compatatable desired on second unit. Mine
Just get whatever radios meet your budget and feature requirements... Be aware that there could be restrictions on radio use while on a cruise-ship so you should ask someone on the boat wearing a hat about that.
Will you come to Dayton Hamvention if I can get you enough security?
Just purchased this radio and had trouble with “programming” this on chirp to transmit to others on an actually useful band. Anybody have the same problem?
What IS the actual problem?? what does "trouble" mean?
does anybody Happen to know the Low Power outputs?
Thumbs up for the Killdozer reference!
You are a hoot! Subscribed
What an absolutely perfect pencil!
Thank you for another great upload!
I love your ability to both make ham radio sound weird as fuck and awesome as shit at the same time.
Also monitoring 4 frequencies is wild; I thought dual receive was wild on the Baofeng; but here we gooooo! This is a sick radio!
As a licensed amateur radio operator allow me to express our collective butthurt for this video.
Randy, So Damn good, I LMAO when you say " Shituation" 😂😂👍👍👍👍👍👍
Sold out everywhere… for a while … I would like to get one
Sorry.. That tends to happen when I make videos about a radio.. You gotta be quick!
Your killin me....Fun to watch...tooooo funny...
Randy I’m curious if it’s possible to use the same file that’s been set up for a UV5R or will a new one need to be made
No.
@@patrickhenry8425 dammit
Update: you can indeed copy your settings and channels from your UV5R to the UV-25X4.
Here is how I did it
First download the factory memories from the UV-25X4 to chirp THIS IS KEY STEP!!
Copy your existing memories from the file you made for the UV5R overwriting the memories downloaded from the UV-25X4 (unless you want to keep those memories, but your channel numbers won't match your UV5R)
Paste those memories on the file downloaded from the UV-25X4
Make any edits needed (there will be some)
Save the new file
Upload it to the UV-25X4
Voila!
After I uploaded the memories I went into the direct menu on the radio, checked for any setting that needed editing, made those then downloaded the file to CHIRP and saved the changes. This may have been an extra step but I did it anyway
It looks very similar/almost identical to the Radioddity QB25 Pro Quad Band.
Station 51... Ringers lactate with D5W... I am old.
You are the first, and so far, the ONLY one to 'get it' !
Squad 51?...Rampart?
Also old.
yes, but you missed the actual reference/Easter Egg in the video.
Wow...caught me. You really are the superstar UA-camr!@@TheNotaRubicon
Thank you!!