Great review, I've been considering one of these radios for some time, Off the back of this video I'm going to be getting one. Thanks again 73 de G0USL
this was a fantastic video, you obviously have acquired a good amount of knowledge on the subject. The tests you run are so helpful for someone like me who really doesn't like to depend on many UA-camrs . They could say" this radio works very well, the best I've tried". that really means nothing, no specifics, probably have only tried two radios that belong to friends. Thanks so much for taking the time to evaluate these walkie talkie radios. I have been getting into prepping, am retired, was ham radio for about 10 years, really enjoyed that and had an advanced license. So, in my zeal, I purchased a pair of Midland GMRS on Amazon......then, I found your channel. Although the Midlands dont suck, in my neighborhood of older tall oak trees and two story houses, in Florida so its basically flat, I get readable copy at around three miles. I would like to set up a vertical antenna or a dipole above my house. with my old Yeasu? radios, I had a BNC antenna connector but this toy radio just has a coiled wire that is soldered to the board. I could use the thinner coax and run it about 15-20 feet above my roof which would make line of sight without obstructions much better. The problem is I don't know where to connect the shield wire, looking for a ground on the circuit board. I can easily measure and cut the alum tubing or wire for the proper frequency . My Swr meter won't cover that high of frequency I don't think. but then again, there is the connector issue. I can change it to BNC without too much hassle. Thanks again, Ted in Sebastian, FL.
Have been coming here since the early 70's. Was planning on moving here just before Covid messed up the world. But at this point in my life to be honest it is beginning to wear a little thin. Just trying to get simple things done like wiring and plumbing (to get it done correctly that is) is such an effort. AKA Pain in the A$$. Dealing with the way people drive after all these years is getting old also. No common sense. The trash that is thrown everywhere without any recognition of what it is doing to the environment. I guess at 73 I am running out of patience.
I have the TD-3 You mentioned two PTT buttons yes what I found was I have GMRS on channel 1 set to low power and when I ingage the PTT it shows 2 watt or less but, if I press the 2nd PTT on that same channel the power is full on. So with that being said, if your transmission is a little spotty you just ingage the 2nd PTT and it throws out full power. That seems pretty handy. Just saying. If you unlock the unit I have pre programed a few VHF Marine channels as well as GMRS, you can also program repeaters as well. You can also program Ham repeaters in a pinch since GMRS are not that abundent in an emergency sittuation. I will not transmit on Ham until I get my Tach License.
I have studied the history of China since Mao destroyed the country. Before Mao the country was ruled by Taoism but it speaks of how a ruler should behave, so Mao closed all of the Taoist temples, with the monks inside, and burned them down. But as a retired person living only on retirement income, the TD-H8 is perfect for me.
I also try to not purchase items made in China if possible. The only thing I ever got from China that lasted more than a few weeks was Covid. Ya gotta say, they build one heck of a railroad!!
You came soo close. Wish you would have went to the 2nd screen and the PTT-ID function. Seems a lot of these radio's have encode but NO decode(like caller ID )
All anti virus software as well as the default windows defender will unzip and scan anything you download. As long as there isn't a password on the zip file, they are no more dangerous than any other installer or executable
These tiny handsets must have very small tubes inside them :-) but they work very well. Excellent review, very thorough and fair. If I was the supplier of this equipment I'd be happy. Actually I'm interested to see what else they offer. Thanks for sharing!
I heard this is chirp compatible as well. Not sure if it’s true. The models that have Bluetooth and Mobil app programming should tighten your trust sphincter. I would suggest a VPN if your that worried about the pc software. I am curious if the Bluetooth allows for a wireless handset.
8:50 What do you mean? A zip file is just an archive file. You can extract it and scan with a virus scanner before executing it. A file on a thumb drive or CD isn't any safer.
Good question, and Not easy to answer. The power requirements are a bewildering mish mash. Some channels allow 5 watts, some channels allow 50 watts and some limit you to 1/2 watt. Technically this radio would be non conforming as it can only select 2 watts/5 watts. The list I have in front of me states that FRS can use 2 watts or 1/2 watt depending on channel. And is limited to fixed antenna only. Meaning you cannot have a radio with a removable antenna. I swear I saw on line that some channels FRS only allow 100 milliwatts ( 0.1 watt ) but I cannot find that now. The lists can be found many places on line and are too extensive to put here.
I don't feel bad for the "big three" makers. The reason they are losing so much market share is not simply because of money but they have failed to innovate. A simple example, customers want radios that can easily be unlocked and yet the "big three" continue to make their radios hardware locked. They also follow an antiquated business model of relying on dealers which significantly increases the cost compared to selling direct on platforms like Amazon. I would be happy to pay higher prices if I felt I was getting more for my money.
Confusing? If you make an effort to read and understand the rules it's simple. If you have a license then one part of the rules applies to you, if you don't have a license, then the others applies to you, simple. All you have to do is understand the parts that applies to you and disregard the parts that doesn't apply to you.
Does GMRS type acceptance apply to this radio if the undocumented feature is used to start it in non-GMRS mode? Can you provide us a simple yes or no answer? Please provide us with your legal advice.
Either your HP 8924C is broken, or something is up with the testing methodology of your spurious emission testing. NONE of the sub $125 radios have much filtering, if any at all, to alleviate harmonics when transmitting. Many other tests have been posted online and on UA-cam channels, showing the exact opposite of your conclusions.
1 - There is nothing wrong with the 8924C, Those results are real. 2 - I haven't seen anyone else do a spectral analysis, only gush on how great the radio is. 3 - This one is a tri-band radio, 90% of the "Wonderful" reviews are single or dual band. 4 - I notice how much excellent content you have posted, Oh Wait, that would be NONE. Negative comments ALWAYS come from those who do nothing themselves but post nonsense.
@@theradiomechanic9625 Just because you have not "seen", does not automatically mean that it has not been done. I urge you to use basic logic. Chinese manufacturers are supplying radios at a price point, removing as many components as possible, while still having a functional product. Not even Kenwood HTs, with a ton of filtering on their front end, are as clean as what you showed. Automatically assuming that constructive criticism is a negative comment, is asinine. Resorting to attempted shaming shows all I need to know about your character. Enjoy playing with your antiques.
Measures the same on my Agilent/HP service monitor. What kind of SA do you have that says otherwise? Many do not know how to make these measurements and overload the test gear.
@@theradiomechanic9625Because most are AI generated comments designed to test us... Facebook has made false comments on small businesses that put small business out of business just to see how productive people respond.
Great review, I've been considering one of these radios for some time, Off the back of this video I'm going to be getting one. Thanks again 73 de G0USL
Dude. Excellent review
Great unbiased review!
I also heard every word you didn't say because I also have trust issues, especially outside my home.
this was a fantastic video, you obviously have acquired a good amount of knowledge on the subject. The tests you run are so helpful for someone like me who really doesn't like to depend on many UA-camrs . They could say" this radio works very well, the best I've tried". that really means nothing, no specifics, probably have only tried two radios that belong to friends. Thanks so much for taking the time to evaluate these walkie talkie radios. I have been getting into prepping, am retired, was ham radio for about 10 years, really enjoyed that and had an advanced license. So, in my zeal, I purchased a pair of Midland GMRS on Amazon......then, I found your channel. Although the Midlands dont suck, in my neighborhood of older tall oak trees and two story houses, in Florida so its basically flat, I get readable copy at around three miles. I would like to set up a vertical antenna or a dipole above my house. with my old Yeasu? radios, I had a BNC antenna connector but this toy radio just has a coiled wire that is soldered to the board. I could use the thinner coax and run it about 15-20 feet above my roof which would make line of sight without obstructions much better. The problem is I don't know where to connect the shield wire, looking for a ground on the circuit board. I can easily measure and cut the alum tubing or wire for the proper frequency . My Swr meter won't cover that high of frequency I don't think. but then again, there is the connector issue. I can change it to BNC without too much hassle. Thanks again, Ted in Sebastian, FL.
Loved Thailand. I lived there. I miss it. Are you planning on moving there?
Have been coming here since the early 70's. Was planning on moving here just before Covid messed up the world. But at this point in my life to be honest it is beginning to wear a little thin.
Just trying to get simple things done like wiring and plumbing (to get it done correctly that is) is such an effort. AKA Pain in the A$$. Dealing with the way people drive after all these years is getting old also. No common sense. The trash that is thrown everywhere without any recognition of what it is doing to the environment. I guess at 73 I am running out of patience.
Great to see your content again! 😀
I thought I was ripped off the second battery too but it was under the plastic tray in the box
Lol I thought so as well
...and I missed second antenna, but it was, of course, includet.
I have the TD-3 You mentioned two PTT buttons yes what I found was I have GMRS on channel 1 set to low power and when I ingage the PTT it shows 2 watt or less but, if I press the 2nd PTT on that same channel the power is full on. So with that being said, if your transmission is a little spotty you just ingage the 2nd PTT and it throws out full power.
That seems pretty handy. Just saying. If you unlock the unit I have pre programed a few VHF Marine channels as well as GMRS, you can also program repeaters as well. You can also program Ham repeaters in a pinch since GMRS are not that abundent in an emergency sittuation. I will not transmit on Ham until I get my Tach License.
I have studied the history of China since Mao destroyed the country. Before Mao the country was ruled by Taoism but it speaks of how a ruler should behave, so Mao closed all of the Taoist temples, with the monks inside, and burned them down. But as a retired person living only on retirement income, the TD-H8 is perfect for me.
I also try to not purchase items made in China if possible. The only thing I ever got from China that lasted more than a few weeks was Covid. Ya gotta say, they build one heck of a railroad!!
Mao makes really cheap gear. What am I supposed to do when Sam takes the rest of my money?
Thats all good for a history channel but not for a radio test, Sir! 😂
You came soo close. Wish you would have went to the 2nd screen and the PTT-ID function. Seems a lot of these radio's have encode but NO decode(like caller ID )
All anti virus software as well as the default windows defender will unzip and scan anything you download. As long as there isn't a password on the zip file, they are no more dangerous than any other installer or executable
These tiny handsets must have very small tubes inside them :-) but they work very well. Excellent review, very thorough and fair. If I was the supplier of this equipment I'd be happy. Actually I'm interested to see what else they offer. Thanks for sharing!
I heard this is chirp compatible as well. Not sure if it’s true. The models that have Bluetooth and Mobil app programming should tighten your trust sphincter. I would suggest a VPN if your that worried about the pc software. I am curious if the Bluetooth allows for a wireless handset.
Still pretty cheap over here Vern. Very interesting testing, beyond my pay scale 😊
5:31 Amen!
8:50
What do you mean? A zip file is just an archive file. You can extract it and scan with a virus scanner before executing it. A file on a thumb drive or CD isn't any safer.
What's the power output for GMRS?
Good question, and Not easy to answer.
The power requirements are a bewildering mish mash. Some channels allow 5 watts, some channels allow 50 watts and some limit you to 1/2 watt. Technically this radio would be non conforming as it can only select 2 watts/5 watts.
The list I have in front of me states that FRS can use 2 watts or 1/2 watt depending on channel. And is limited to fixed antenna only. Meaning you cannot have a radio with a removable antenna.
I swear I saw on line that some channels FRS only allow 100 milliwatts ( 0.1 watt ) but I cannot find that now. The lists can be found many places on line and are too extensive to put here.
@@theradiomechanic9625 - They don't make it easy, do they.
@@tubeDude48 nope
@@theradiomechanic9625 - Anyway, look forward to your next installment!
I don't feel bad for the "big three" makers. The reason they are losing so much market share is not simply because of money but they have failed to innovate. A simple example, customers want radios that can easily be unlocked and yet the "big three" continue to make their radios hardware locked. They also follow an antiquated business model of relying on dealers which significantly increases the cost compared to selling direct on platforms like Amazon. I would be happy to pay higher prices if I felt I was getting more for my money.
I have Baofeng Ham handheld it looks a lot like yours !
Tariffs help, but when the politicians are on the pocket of the big C, it makes things hard.
Lets go Brandon!!!
Confusing? If you make an effort to read and understand the rules it's simple. If you have a license then one part of the rules applies to you, if you don't have a license, then the others applies to you, simple. All you have to do is understand the parts that applies to you and disregard the parts that doesn't apply to you.
doodoo
Does GMRS type acceptance apply to this radio if the undocumented feature is used to start it in non-GMRS mode? Can you provide us a simple yes or no answer? Please provide us with your legal advice.
Either your HP 8924C is broken, or something is up with the testing methodology of your spurious emission testing. NONE of the sub $125 radios have much filtering, if any at all, to alleviate harmonics when transmitting. Many other tests have been posted online and on UA-cam channels, showing the exact opposite of your conclusions.
1 - There is nothing wrong with the 8924C, Those results are real.
2 - I haven't seen anyone else do a spectral analysis, only gush on how great the radio is.
3 - This one is a tri-band radio, 90% of the "Wonderful" reviews are single or dual band.
4 - I notice how much excellent content you have posted, Oh Wait, that would be NONE.
Negative comments ALWAYS come from those who do nothing themselves but post nonsense.
@@theradiomechanic9625 Just because you have not "seen", does not automatically mean that it has not been done. I urge you to use basic logic. Chinese manufacturers are supplying radios at a price point, removing as many components as possible, while still having a functional product. Not even Kenwood HTs, with a ton of filtering on their front end, are as clean as what you showed.
Automatically assuming that constructive criticism is a negative comment, is asinine. Resorting to attempted shaming shows all I need to know about your character. Enjoy playing with your antiques.
Measures the same on my Agilent/HP service monitor.
What kind of SA do you have that says otherwise? Many do not know how to make these measurements and overload the test gear.
GMRS IS UHF
@@the1spyderryder I know
Why is it that people who never make any content of their own are the first to find fault?
@@theradiomechanic9625Because most are AI generated comments designed to test us... Facebook has made false comments on small businesses that put small business out of business just to see how productive people respond.
talking aimlessly too much.
Always a troll with no real content whatsoever who is an expert....Obviously a little pink.....
You can in the CHIRP menue uncheck KILL and Stun