Regarding the battery being sealed, there is a rubber gasket around the battery contacts so it would appear there is some water proofing going on. See 2:13 mark.
I also picked up two of these radios from Woot. I programmed them with Chirp (GMRS, FRS, etc) and have yet to hear anything. I put the RD-771 antenna on it and still nothing. I live in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. I’m not fully sure what frequency one can transmit on. (GMRS with a license or FRS with no license?)
Upon further investigation, this is a ham radio. Elsewhere on youtube there are instructions on how to factory reset this radio so one can use the GMRS and FRS channels.
I personally own 3 of these. Well, 2 1/2 of them. The first one I ever bought has a different battery well, so the more recent batteries (newer GT3WP, UV9R, GMRS9R) won't fit so I just use that around the house. They are a sturdy, well built radio with just a few drawbacks. 1) The UV5R platform.... Face it, UV5R, UV82, GT3 and a slew of other off brand models... It's getting up there in age and doesn't remotely compare to newer radios that can be had for the same price (retail, not what you got it for 😉) 2) The accessory port is a bit of a pain. 95% of my cables, mics, headsets, etc are the smaller, newer Moto type, while the GT3WP and it's kin use the larger port. 3) Lack of USB. In 2023 we really need to be able to charge radios in the field via USB-C. Especially in mission critical situations (SAR, CERT, Skywarn, etc) which is what you'd primarily use this radio for. Those aside, this radio is a brick, I have never broken one in hundreds of hours use. You could pay a lot more for a lot less. They really shine with an NA701 or 771 though, ditch the duck.
Regarding the battery being sealed, there is a rubber gasket around the battery contacts so it would appear there is some water proofing going on. See 2:13 mark.
I also picked up two of these radios from Woot. I programmed them with Chirp (GMRS, FRS, etc) and have yet to hear anything. I put the RD-771 antenna on it and still nothing. I live in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. I’m not fully sure what frequency one can transmit on. (GMRS with a license or FRS with no license?)
Upon further investigation, this is a ham radio. Elsewhere on youtube there are instructions on how to factory reset this radio so one can use the GMRS and FRS channels.
Good concise video.
Thank you! I hope you subscribed, I am trying to get better!🙂
I personally own 3 of these. Well, 2 1/2 of them. The first one I ever bought has a different battery well, so the more recent batteries (newer GT3WP, UV9R, GMRS9R) won't fit so I just use that around the house.
They are a sturdy, well built radio with just a few drawbacks.
1) The UV5R platform.... Face it, UV5R, UV82, GT3 and a slew of other off brand models... It's getting up there in age and doesn't remotely compare to newer radios that can be had for the same price (retail, not what you got it for 😉)
2) The accessory port is a bit of a pain. 95% of my cables, mics, headsets, etc are the smaller, newer Moto type, while the GT3WP and it's kin use the larger port.
3) Lack of USB. In 2023 we really need to be able to charge radios in the field via USB-C. Especially in mission critical situations (SAR, CERT, Skywarn, etc) which is what you'd primarily use this radio for.
Those aside, this radio is a brick, I have never broken one in hundreds of hours use. You could pay a lot more for a lot less.
They really shine with an NA701 or 771 though, ditch the duck.
I agree 100%, and thank you for highlighting those points!
I just got one today. Can't beet it for 30 bucks
Not even with a ten foot pole! LOL