"Convoluted" ... a polite way of saying "incasinato fottuto" 😮 I ordered an RA89 this afternoon AFTER I watched yours and Retevis' videos on how to unlock it. It does appear to be built well and tough... and it puts out close to the advertised 10 watts with vis a vis clean signals. It would be nice the manufacturers would design these to the needs of the end users. I have the "new" HA1G and acquired it with the presumption that it could be unlocked. It CAN be, but it has to be done on an actual computer. And I don't have one since I have no use for one. Retevis has a bad habit of requiring a PC to be able to fully use all the features e.g. scanning, channel banks etc... Appreciated your video.
Hey Sean, Here’s an idea for a vid’… What does adding BNC antenna adapters do to your IP rating and also to your signal? I have a Yaesu FT5D and I added a BNC….always wondered if the radio is still IP67? Also wondering if the radio is fine, if the transmit signal is affected by the water in the BNC connection. And most importantly, it’s not as important how much water will kill a radio, but if it will recover once dried out (perhaps days later). In this video, it would have been cool to submerge it until it was unusable and then see how long it takes to work again (if ever). Thanks much for your efforts.
Another great video Sean, thank you. Does this radio have Fast copy frequency button like Baofengs, Quashengs, Radioddity and all other radios? Thanks you
I believe the IP67 rating did hold up to its claim. There didn’t appear to be any water intrusion to the radio itself. The contacts in battery the compartment were protected by the gasket, yes? And the K type mic/spkr jacks were also sealed by the gasket under the cover. I would consider this a “Pass”. Yes the compartments were compromised, but the radio was not. Although, I don’t like the use of “jacks”. If you were to actually use an external mic/spkr at the time of immersion, I suspect that would be a fail. I would rather have sealed contacts like used on the Baofeng UV9R radios. I use mine while kayaking, I use the external mic/spkr clipped to my PFD, always ready when I need it. I tethered a float to the radio so if I tip it won’t sink to the bottom. They don’t float like VHF Marine HTs.
Thanks' for the input. I was thinking about it last night, and I agree. After inspecting the radio this morning, Even with the crack, I still observe no signs of water internal to the radio. .I believe it held up also! Thanks again for watching and commenting
Idea: I dont know how difficult it is, so it may not be worth it, but adding chapters to your video reviews would help people jump to different parts they are especially interested in without seeking around and trying to find the right spot in the video Thank you for the information and review, i see you may have an update on this radio; gonna watch that next and see how things turned out.
There is an update! And I could do a quick video. Just a couple features added. But most importantly, the update removes the functionality for the ability to unlock the radio
Great review Dude. Curiously, it's identical to my Baofeng AMG that is 14 months old (I have 3) 2 or 3 differences in the menu / programming. Although the the Driver and Final Mosfets are rated 25 watts, it maxes out at 7.25 watts. C😎😎L Dude.
Evil test. Back in the Blackberry days mine fell off the belt while loading a printer in the back of a van. Once back at my office I called the BB and someone answered at the office I just left. It was found in the parking lot and the screen was shot, probably ran over by me. Still worked, but not very useful beyond receiving calls.
Nice torture test. Although, it would be more realistic to drop it from say 4 feet to some concrete surface instead of running over it with a car. Most likely, radios fall off belts, tables for example, or end up in water, or are just used in rain or snow. I had a friend's Yaesu FT23R fall from a communications tower, like more than 70 Ft high on concrete, and radio just kept working and had no problem whatsoever. Curious which radios would survive such a fall. Although it depends which side they touch ground, could have different results.
By the way Radtel has great rigs with 470 series, the only missing feature is that they are not weatherproof...you could give them a try in a review...
In the new firmware they did not add the R icon when in reverse and the T icon when in talk around. In TYT99 all this has already been corrected, and the modulation has become much better than that of RA89.
They send me another firmware just a couple of days ago that I need to test out still. I did specifically mention to them the no reverse option in their firmware. So I hope that it's been fixed in its latest firmware but have you seen the condition of my radio, it's kind of hard to test at the moment lol
Haven't had time yet to watch the whole thing yet but I did learn how to get to VFO mode. I find it to be strange I can't enter WX frequencies. Not really a problem for me since I hame a WX radio too.
5:09 ... that's usual. All the software for my Ailunce HD1 had issues so bad, even my neighbors anti-virus software went nuts. 28:33... you have the simplex calling frequency, labelled as "NOAA WEATHER"
Thanks, I'm not perfect when it comes to importing things. I probably forgot to change it when I was focusing on making a video, editing a video, testing the radio, figuring out how to utilize the radio etc.
I always err to the side of caution. I would, if I was worried about water ingress at the antenna connector, I would use a washer. A good Boy Scout is always prepared with washers in his pocket.
@@HAMRADIODUDE I must have missed that you mentioned that they were for sale. My apologies. But, I thought that I would point out that they were for sale, in case anyone else wants to buy. Great radio for a bargan price. Thanks for testing.
@@ralphnunn3 I thought maybe I missed them somewhere in the site lol. I have seen them on other sites like AliExpress and banggood, but I just don't know anything about their affiliation with Retevis. I sent an email to my contact over there to see if they can give me a better update about when they'll be available again. As you might see from the video, I need to buy a new one because I do agree, great bargain radio. I was thinking of maybe doing a group by because I can get 20 of them for like $42 each
Is there some kinda o ring in the stock antenna? I’m wondering if it’s ONLY water resistant with the included antenna. I would appreciate any insight, I think I’m putting this on my Christmas list!
As of right now when I try to listen to FM radio I’m stuck in channel mode. It will only let me listen to frequency slot 1 which is 94.0. I can’t figure out how to get fm radio out of channel mode, even though I’ve been able to type in fm frequencies before. Any tips are much appreciated!
Dude, you always cost me money. JK I was looking for a waterproof beater to take in the Jeep instead of my Icom or Yaesu. Between those 2 I have a grand wrapped up. I don’t use digital while wheeling and for 69 bucks I don’t have to worry about dents and dings. Last time out I lost the top knob on the ID-52. Bummer.
Awesome! I have another one and am testing the new firmware now. But, yeah, i definitely see the use to have a less expensive radio around . My buddy lost his ft-70d because he left it on the back of his truck or it got stolen at a fire. I would hate that to happen with that radio, much less a 500$ HT. Cheers.
The RT 85 is 8 ounces · 4.76 x 2.32 x 1.34 inches and the RT 89 is 4.96 x 2.69 x 2.44W and 10 ounces. I don't recall too much about the RT85 as the video series I did on that was about 3 years ago, but I have looked at the RA89 as a upgraded rt85. More power, waterproof, bigger battery (If I recall correctly). So I call the RA89 the big brother to the RT85.
Not sure how old this video is, but I’m listening to weather radio right now on my new Retevis RA89. They must’ve updated it because as soon as I preformed the unlock function, I had access to those frequencies.
Clone1137 is correct. I mentioned in a video where I unlock the radio, how you can now type in the noaa weather radio frequencies. I still think they should be preset into the radio,
They should have designed it just like the RT87 with dual S METERS it looks just like my RT85 which I'm not really excited about this company is about to piss off
But you roll a ton of wait on that I expect that to happen just normal sand and water it still will remain waterproof put you roll a lot of weight on that it look like asphalt of course you're going to expect that
You are very cool and I want them to make another RT87 which multicolored even if it's $20 or $30 I don't care please tell them to make another RT 87 with multi-colored display please please please please please please only you could do you can convince them I love you love you❤❤❤❤ and I'm not gay😂
Why do you have fun destroying a piece of nice technical stuff? Someone had put time and energy into designing and assembling this radio. You throw it into the water just because it is cheap? Everyone can imagine what happens if your car goes over this box. Quite a shame for a licensed radio operator.
Are you really shaming me for testing the product to its fullest capabilities? Better go watch a video where they tell you every radio is the best thing in the world with no backing to their claims. Gatekeeping in Ham Radio is the worst.. My apologies though, I forgot if I'm an amateur radio operator, I cannot have fun
@@HAMRADIODUDE It is a plastic box basically, no surprise its display cannot survive a few thousand kilograms over it. Instead of throwing the radio into the water and pushing it into the sand (which HAM operators do on a daily basis, heh?), you could show us internals, schematics etc. since you've destroyed the radio already. You did the unnecessary torture just because it is cheap. Giving this radio to someone who could enter our community would make more sense. Regards from OK1HEV.
@@pavelhazdra6498 you really have no clue. I give a lot of stuff away for hams. I have a stream in an hour with that. Also, has a ham radio ever needed to survive in a national disaster? How do you know it will hold up??? Because I tested it
@@HAMRADIODUDE Pavel has a point. And giving away is great, but a destroyed radio is a radio no one will ever be able to use. And before you tube, I don't think HAM community used to do that kind of tests. And IP68 should be enough as an information (I would never do that kind of tests to my professional HT which i know it WILL withstand the elements, as it did since 2014). And it should have been enough to simulate the radio falling from a table or a someone's belt, or falling in a bath loaded with water. In a national disaster, duty will be on organizations which will rely on more professional brands, not on toys which are for the HAM community. And I will add, that in my opinion, social media has something (a lot) to do with some of us which will do things they "think" are "fun", yet maybe not so much... HA7WX / VA3KWX
Timestamps/Chapters Added for Ease of Browsing! Check out my Other Retevis RA89 Videos here: ua-cam.com/play/PLQQNWPUnngvcWTzPwoURrmr7w3KEnW_oi.html
Why I wait to buy a radio.Get the low down,before I make a purchase.Thanks for the video.
"Convoluted" ... a polite way of saying "incasinato fottuto" 😮
I ordered an RA89 this afternoon AFTER I watched yours and Retevis' videos on how to unlock it. It does appear to be built well and tough... and it puts out close to the advertised 10 watts with vis a vis clean signals.
It would be nice the manufacturers would design these to the needs of the end users. I have the "new" HA1G and acquired it with the presumption that it could be unlocked. It CAN be, but it has to be done on an actual computer. And I don't have one since I have no use for one. Retevis has a bad habit of requiring a PC to be able to fully use all the features e.g. scanning, channel banks etc...
Appreciated your video.
Hey Sean,
Here’s an idea for a vid’…
What does adding BNC antenna adapters do to your IP rating and also to your signal?
I have a Yaesu FT5D and I added a BNC….always wondered if the radio is still IP67? Also wondering if the radio is fine, if the transmit signal is affected by the water in the BNC connection.
And most importantly, it’s not as important how much water will kill a radio, but if it will recover once dried out (perhaps days later).
In this video, it would have been cool to submerge it until it was unusable and then see how long it takes to work again (if ever).
Thanks much for your efforts.
Another great video Sean, thank you. Does this radio have Fast copy frequency button like Baofengs, Quashengs, Radioddity and all other radios? Thanks you
I believe the IP67 rating did hold up to its claim. There didn’t appear to be any water intrusion to the radio itself. The contacts in battery the compartment were protected by the gasket, yes? And the K type mic/spkr jacks were also sealed by the gasket under the cover. I would consider this a “Pass”. Yes the compartments were compromised, but the radio was not. Although, I don’t like the use of “jacks”. If you were to actually use an external mic/spkr at the time of immersion, I suspect that would be a fail. I would rather have sealed contacts like used on the Baofeng UV9R radios. I use mine while kayaking, I use the external mic/spkr clipped to my PFD, always ready when I need it. I tethered a float to the radio so if I tip it won’t sink to the bottom. They don’t float like VHF Marine HTs.
Thanks' for the input. I was thinking about it last night, and I agree. After inspecting the radio this morning, Even with the crack, I still observe no signs of water internal to the radio. .I believe it held up also! Thanks again for watching and commenting
Idea: I dont know how difficult it is, so it may not be worth it, but adding chapters to your video reviews would help people jump to different parts they are especially interested in without seeking around and trying to find the right spot in the video
Thank you for the information and review, i see you may have an update on this radio; gonna watch that next and see how things turned out.
There is an update! And I could do a quick video. Just a couple features added. But most importantly, the update removes the functionality for the ability to unlock the radio
Thanks for the suggestion about the chapters, I'll try to be more mindful of it but it's just I don't have a lot of time
Great review Dude.
Curiously, it's identical to my Baofeng AMG that is 14 months old (I have 3)
2 or 3 differences in the menu / programming.
Although the the Driver and Final Mosfets are rated 25 watts, it maxes out at 7.25 watts.
C😎😎L Dude.
Usb C and IP68 makes this radio banger already. 73
Evil test. Back in the Blackberry days mine fell off the belt while loading a printer in the back of a van. Once back at my office I called the BB and someone answered at the office I just left. It was found in the parking lot and the screen was shot, probably ran over by me. Still worked, but not very useful beyond receiving calls.
Nice torture test.
Although, it would be more realistic to drop it from say 4 feet to some concrete surface instead of running over it with a car.
Most likely, radios fall off belts, tables for example, or end up in water, or are just used in rain or snow.
I had a friend's Yaesu FT23R fall from a communications tower, like more than 70 Ft high on concrete, and radio just kept working and had no problem whatsoever. Curious which radios would survive such a fall.
Although it depends which side they touch ground, could have different results.
I threw it out my car?
i had no issues listening to noaa and gmrs with this
By the way Radtel has great rigs with 470 series, the only missing feature is that they are not weatherproof...you could give them a try in a review...
Thanks for the suggestion. I am currently unable to purchase much.
In the new firmware they did not add the R icon when in reverse and the T icon when in talk around. In TYT99 all this has already been corrected, and the modulation has become much better than that of RA89.
They send me another firmware just a couple of days ago that I need to test out still. I did specifically mention to them the no reverse option in their firmware. So I hope that it's been fixed in its latest firmware but have you seen the condition of my radio, it's kind of hard to test at the moment lol
I see the TYT99 has an analog audio scrambler. Is that legal to use in the US?
Yes and if you did it in dirt and ran it over the LCD with a still worked😮
I would expect it to be programmable by chirp, most the other Retevis radios I have are supported.
Haven't had time yet to watch the whole thing yet but I did learn how to get to VFO mode.
I find it to be strange I can't enter WX frequencies. Not really a problem for me since I hame a WX radio too.
Thank you! I am going to order 1 or two.
That poor little radio 😣 Fun test
I can rebuild it
You can find on the web the process to open the whole frequencies range, from 136 to 174 & from 400 to 480...
Where at?
@@TimHarperW5TAH press "f" and "4" when you start the radio
5:09 ... that's usual. All the software for my Ailunce HD1 had issues so bad, even my neighbors anti-virus software went nuts. 28:33... you have the simplex calling frequency, labelled as "NOAA WEATHER"
Thanks, I'm not perfect when it comes to importing things. I probably forgot to change it when I was focusing on making a video, editing a video, testing the radio, figuring out how to utilize the radio etc.
I always err to the side of caution. I would, if I was worried about water ingress at the antenna connector, I would use a washer. A good Boy Scout is always prepared with washers in his pocket.
That should do it! Thanks!
Nice review..Best tactical forward radio on a budget?
Tactical forward radio? I'm uncertain
It's amazing rolling that radio with your big tires that is amazing it still works😊 yippee ki-yay❤
FYI - This radio IS for sale on their website. I own two of them myself...
Check again? Also I did mention that they were for sale for a while
@@HAMRADIODUDE I must have missed that you mentioned that they were for sale. My apologies. But, I thought that I would point out that they were for sale, in case anyone else wants to buy. Great radio for a bargan price. Thanks for testing.
@@ralphnunn3 I thought maybe I missed them somewhere in the site lol. I have seen them on other sites like AliExpress and banggood, but I just don't know anything about their affiliation with Retevis. I sent an email to my contact over there to see if they can give me a better update about when they'll be available again. As you might see from the video, I need to buy a new one because I do agree, great bargain radio. I was thinking of maybe doing a group by because I can get 20 of them for like $42 each
A radio in that caliber should have the weather channel in built right in😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢
Hopefully they will take my advice.
Oh man you tortured my radio I'm scared to see the outcome😮
haha. :D
Is there some kinda o ring in the stock antenna? I’m wondering if it’s ONLY water resistant with the included antenna. I would appreciate any insight, I think I’m putting this on my Christmas list!
As of right now when I try to listen to FM radio I’m stuck in channel mode. It will only let me listen to frequency slot 1 which is 94.0. I can’t figure out how to get fm radio out of channel mode, even though I’ve been able to type in fm frequencies before. Any tips are much appreciated!
Yes, I often watch videos more than once.
Awesome. Thanks for that, I appreciate it, Thanks!
Love your videos❤❤❤❤❤
Ill be #2 Hey Sean and everyone yet to come.
Dude. I really enjoy your videos but why run over the radio with your truck?
The fact that it still works shows how durable it is. I rolled over a radio so you could see how durable it is.
Now that's a real review. :) KO4HPC 73
Thanks for watching
Dude, you always cost me money. JK I was looking for a waterproof beater to take in the Jeep instead of my Icom or Yaesu. Between those 2 I have a grand wrapped up. I don’t use digital while wheeling and for 69 bucks I don’t have to worry about dents and dings. Last time out I lost the top knob on the ID-52. Bummer.
Awesome! I have another one and am testing the new firmware now. But, yeah, i definitely see the use to have a less expensive radio around . My buddy lost his ft-70d because he left it on the back of his truck or it got stolen at a fire. I would hate that to happen with that radio, much less a 500$ HT. Cheers.
Hey, guess I'm the first one today...Krisy - N6KV
how does this compare to RT-85 in your opinion doesn't really feel or look any different other than the programing cable cover plug and usb c
The RT 85 is 8 ounces · 4.76 x 2.32 x 1.34 inches and the RT 89 is 4.96 x 2.69 x 2.44W and 10 ounces. I don't recall too much about the RT85 as the video series I did on that was about 3 years ago, but I have looked at the RA89 as a upgraded rt85. More power, waterproof, bigger battery (If I recall correctly). So I call the RA89 the big brother to the RT85.
Can this radio be modded to have expanded TX? And of course RX
ua-cam.com/video/NIEjttbvBmc/v-deo.html
No NOAA radio. Oh well not buying one. You lost out Retevis.
Not sure how old this video is, but I’m listening to weather radio right now on my new Retevis RA89. They must’ve updated it because as soon as I preformed the unlock function, I had access to those frequencies.
Clone1137 is correct. I mentioned in a video where I unlock the radio, how you can now type in the noaa weather radio frequencies. I still think they should be preset into the radio,
@HAMRADIODUDE which video please ?
Dude if you ran it over endured I promise you your LCD would have still worked but you did it in gravel 😞
Radio dude I would like you to review the RT-87 for me please for $69 it offers a lot please review it for thank you so much for your greatness❤
You torture tested this radio. I am wondering if it would survive a tactical nuke?
7.62 test
There is a battery eliminator for retevis ra 89?
Thank you
Not that I am aware of.
Do not bad mouth my radio😅😅😅😅
They should have designed it just like the RT87 with dual S METERS it looks just like my RT85 which I'm not really excited about this company is about to piss off
3rd ones the Charm...lol
I want NOAA weather in my RADIO
But you roll a ton of wait on that I expect that to happen just normal sand and water it still will remain waterproof put you roll a lot of weight on that it look like asphalt of course you're going to expect that
You are very cool and I want them to make another RT87 which multicolored even if it's $20 or $30 I don't care please tell them to make another RT 87 with multi-colored display please please please please please please only you could do you can convince them I love you love you❤❤❤❤ and I'm not gay😂
🤣 Pure Chinesium…
Why do you have fun destroying a piece of nice technical stuff? Someone had put time and energy into designing and assembling this radio. You throw it into the water just because it is cheap? Everyone can imagine what happens if your car goes over this box. Quite a shame for a licensed radio operator.
Are you really shaming me for testing the product to its fullest capabilities? Better go watch a video where they tell you every radio is the best thing in the world with no backing to their claims. Gatekeeping in Ham Radio is the worst.. My apologies though, I forgot if I'm an amateur radio operator, I cannot have fun
@@HAMRADIODUDE It is a plastic box basically, no surprise its display cannot survive a few thousand kilograms over it. Instead of throwing the radio into the water and pushing it into the sand (which HAM operators do on a daily basis, heh?), you could show us internals, schematics etc. since you've destroyed the radio already. You did the unnecessary torture just because it is cheap. Giving this radio to someone who could enter our community would make more sense. Regards from OK1HEV.
@@pavelhazdra6498 you really have no clue. I give a lot of stuff away for hams. I have a stream in an hour with that. Also, has a ham radio ever needed to survive in a national disaster? How do you know it will hold up??? Because I tested it
@@HAMRADIODUDE Pavel has a point. And giving away is great, but a destroyed radio is a radio no one will ever be able to use. And before you tube, I don't think HAM community used to do that kind of tests. And IP68 should be enough as an information (I would never do that kind of tests to my professional HT which i know it WILL withstand the elements, as it did since 2014).
And it should have been enough to simulate the radio falling from a table or a someone's belt, or falling in a bath loaded with water.
In a national disaster, duty will be on organizations which will rely on more professional brands, not on toys which are for the HAM community.
And I will add, that in my opinion, social media has something (a lot) to do with some of us which will do things they "think" are "fun", yet maybe not so much...
HA7WX / VA3KWX
@pavelhazdra6498 máš naprostou pravdu ; 73 de ha7wx