The benefit of using the APP is the ability to load in all of the repeaters in your area, this includes GMRS, in addition to the ham repeaters on UHF, and VHF. You can also load the 5 MURS channels, Add the ham UHF and VHF calling frequencies for monitoring. I also load the International Space Station frequency. When you are done you might have 100 channels to scan. One of the other benefits is the ability to label the names of repeaters not in your area such as when you vacation or travel. The APP is a great way to load up the radio. Thanks for posting an introduction to this radio. I’ve got the BTech GMRS PRO, which also loads channels from a phone APP. You’ll see the benefit after you’ve discovered other communications in the area.
_@TIDRADIO_ -- I can provide a bit more information that you might find helpful. I have a couple of 2nd-gen TD-H8 radios similar to yours. By the way, their dust/water resistance rating is *IP65.* However, I chose the "Ham" version of the TD-H8. Both the GMRS and the Ham versions share the same three operational modes and you can switch between them with an undocumented boot sequence. *Warning:* Changing the operating mode will clear all your settings and the radio will be back to its factory defaults for that mode. So you may want to save your settings with programming software _before_ changing the mode so your settings can be restored later if you ever decide to return to the previous mode. (Odmaster, Chirp and RT Systems all have programming software that supports the TD-H8. But Chirp and RT systems do not support Bluetooth -- so you'll need an appropriate USB programming cable.) The three modes of a TD-H8 are Ham, GMRS and Unlock. When you change the mode of your radio, it will stay in that mode until you manually change it to another mode. This means, it will stay in the mode you select even when you turn your radio off and back on. *Ham mode* -- To switch a TD-H8 to Ham mode, press and hold the */SCAN key _plus_ the PTT key when you turn on the radio. (It's intentionally difficult to do. With the radio off, use the thumb of your right hand to press and hold the */SCAN key. Use the thumb of your left hand to press and hold the PTT key. Reach across the top of your radio with the index finger of your left hand and use it to rotate the On/Off knob clockwise to the On position.) A message will appear asking you to confirm that you want to change to this mode. Release the keys. Press the MENU key for "Yes" or the EXIT key for "No". If you pressed MENU for Yes, your radio will boot into the Ham mode and you'll be able to transmit in VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator/Operation) / Frequency mode at any Ham frequency supported by your radio's transmitter. *GMRS mode* -- To switch a TD-H8 to GMRS mode, press and hold the 0/SQL key _plus_ the PTT key when you turn on the radio. Again, a message will appear asking you to confirm that you want to change to this mode. Release the keys. Press the MENU key for "Yes" or the EXIT key for "No". If you pressed MENU for Yes, your radio will boot into the GMRS mode and you'll be limited to transmitting in MR (Memory Recall) / Channel mode and you'll only be able to transmit on GMRS channel frequencies. *Unlock mode* -- To switch a TD-H8 to Unlock mode, press and hold the #/KeyLock key _plus_ the PTT key when you turn on the radio. And so on. The Unlock mode removes all transmit restrictions and you can transmit at _any_ frequency supported by your radio's transmitter, including all supported Ham, GMRS and MURS frequencies. Being able to change the mode of my TD-H8 radios (especially the Unlock mode) is by-far the most important feature to me. Why? Because the FCC rules allow ANY person to transmit on ANY frequency, at ANY power level with ANY bandwidth during a true life-or-death emergency. You do not need any FCC radio license to transmit on any channel during such an emergency. And the FCC time limits do not apply during the emergency -- you can transmit as long as needed until you are rescued or out of danger (although your radio's TOT limit will force you to periodically release the PTT and rekey again to continue transmitting and it may be prudent to conserve your radio's battery by keeping your transmissions as brief as possible). So, if you live in hurricane or tornado alley and you want a radio primarily for emergency use, get one that gives you the best chance of getting help. Remember, there is no prohibition against owning a radio that transmits at a frequency for which your are not licensed as long as you don't transmit when you are now allowed. And, during an emergency, some of those prohibitions are temporarily suspended.
Using my H8 HAM since June 2023 only issue ever had was 2 batteries went bad and they replaced them within a week Great support from them. Im on version 3 firmware and the latest odmaster app . I use nano vna and other bench equip and spurious radiation has been well with fcc limits tx has been 9.5 to 10.6
The benefit of using the APP is the ability to load in all of the repeaters in your area, this includes GMRS, in addition to the ham repeaters on UHF, and VHF. You can also load the 5 MURS channels, Add the ham UHF and VHF calling frequencies for monitoring. I also load the International Space Station frequency. When you are done you might have 100 channels to scan. One of the other benefits is the ability to label the names of repeaters not in your area such as when you vacation or travel. The APP is a great way to load up the radio. Thanks for posting an introduction to this radio. I’ve got the BTech GMRS PRO, which also loads channels from a phone APP. You’ll see the benefit after you’ve discovered other communications in the area.
_@TIDRADIO_ -- I can provide a bit more information that you might find helpful. I have a couple of 2nd-gen TD-H8 radios similar to yours. By the way, their dust/water resistance rating is *IP65.* However, I chose the "Ham" version of the TD-H8. Both the GMRS and the Ham versions share the same three operational modes and you can switch between them with an undocumented boot sequence. *Warning:* Changing the operating mode will clear all your settings and the radio will be back to its factory defaults for that mode. So you may want to save your settings with programming software _before_ changing the mode so your settings can be restored later if you ever decide to return to the previous mode. (Odmaster, Chirp and RT Systems all have programming software that supports the TD-H8. But Chirp and RT systems do not support Bluetooth -- so you'll need an appropriate USB programming cable.) The three modes of a TD-H8 are Ham, GMRS and Unlock. When you change the mode of your radio, it will stay in that mode until you manually change it to another mode. This means, it will stay in the mode you select even when you turn your radio off and back on.
*Ham mode* -- To switch a TD-H8 to Ham mode, press and hold the */SCAN key _plus_ the PTT key when you turn on the radio. (It's intentionally difficult to do. With the radio off, use the thumb of your right hand to press and hold the */SCAN key. Use the thumb of your left hand to press and hold the PTT key. Reach across the top of your radio with the index finger of your left hand and use it to rotate the On/Off knob clockwise to the On position.) A message will appear asking you to confirm that you want to change to this mode. Release the keys. Press the MENU key for "Yes" or the EXIT key for "No". If you pressed MENU for Yes, your radio will boot into the Ham mode and you'll be able to transmit in VFO (Variable Frequency Oscillator/Operation) / Frequency mode at any Ham frequency supported by your radio's transmitter.
*GMRS mode* -- To switch a TD-H8 to GMRS mode, press and hold the 0/SQL key _plus_ the PTT key when you turn on the radio. Again, a message will appear asking you to confirm that you want to change to this mode. Release the keys. Press the MENU key for "Yes" or the EXIT key for "No". If you pressed MENU for Yes, your radio will boot into the GMRS mode and you'll be limited to transmitting in MR (Memory Recall) / Channel mode and you'll only be able to transmit on GMRS channel frequencies.
*Unlock mode* -- To switch a TD-H8 to Unlock mode, press and hold the #/KeyLock key _plus_ the PTT key when you turn on the radio. And so on. The Unlock mode removes all transmit restrictions and you can transmit at _any_ frequency supported by your radio's transmitter, including all supported Ham, GMRS and MURS frequencies.
Being able to change the mode of my TD-H8 radios (especially the Unlock mode) is by-far the most important feature to me. Why? Because the FCC rules allow ANY person to transmit on ANY frequency, at ANY power level with ANY bandwidth during a true life-or-death emergency. You do not need any FCC radio license to transmit on any channel during such an emergency. And the FCC time limits do not apply during the emergency -- you can transmit as long as needed until you are rescued or out of danger (although your radio's TOT limit will force you to periodically release the PTT and rekey again to continue transmitting and it may be prudent to conserve your radio's battery by keeping your transmissions as brief as possible). So, if you live in hurricane or tornado alley and you want a radio primarily for emergency use, get one that gives you the best chance of getting help. Remember, there is no prohibition against owning a radio that transmits at a frequency for which your are not licensed as long as you don't transmit when you are now allowed. And, during an emergency, some of those prohibitions are temporarily suspended.
Using my H8 HAM since June 2023 only issue ever had was 2 batteries went bad and they replaced them within a week Great support from them. Im on version 3 firmware and the latest odmaster app . I use nano vna and other bench equip and spurious radiation has been well with fcc limits tx has been 9.5 to 10.6
Thanks for this video!
Minute 11:20. How do you see the rpt channels? Out the box, I only see regular channels, no rpt channels
He talked about his local repeaters. Maybe he has added them :-)
That would make sense. Thanks!
Looks like a much better radio than the Baofeng..