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FYI<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
Terry McCarty
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:3t3@comcast.net">3t3@comcast.net</a>
President - AMRAD
wa5nti</pre>
<br>
<br>
-------- Original Message --------
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<td>[W4OVH] Bargain priced, sub-mini tri band radios</td>
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">Date: </th>
<td>Sat, 20 Aug 2016 09:37:08 -0400</td>
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">From: </th>
<td>Bill South <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:williamsouth@comcast.net"><williamsouth@comcast.net></a></td>
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<th align="right" nowrap="nowrap" valign="baseline">To: </th>
<td>Reflector-W4OVH <a class="moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:w4ovh@googlegroups.com"><w4ovh@googlegroups.com></a></td>
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<div class="WordSection1"><i>If you are interested in some extremely
small tri-band radios, take a look at the BTech UV-2501+220 radio,
currently on Amazon for $128, and other sites as well. About the size
of two packs of cigarettes, it is rated at 20 to 25 watts, covers 2
meters, 220 MHz and 440 MHz. <br>
<br>
Another radio of interest, which seems to be identical, is the QYT
KT-8900R, now at $95 on Amazon and other sites. Also a tri band radio,
however the second VHF band states 240 to 260 MHz, where the BTech
specifically states 210 to 230 MHz. <br>
<br>
Some tech guys tell me the KT-8900R will work on the 220 ham band, but
the jury is out as to how well. Given the radios are identical from
all indications, you may want to take a chance on the KT-8900R and save
$35…which will pay for the programming cable. But like many, maybe
most of these really cheap Chinese radios the quality control is always
suspect, so caveat emptor.<br>
<br>
<br>
The popular CHIRP programming software claims to work on both radios,
as well as several other makes and models with different names but
identical characteristics. However be careful in what you are
ordering, as there are dual band versions of these radios with very
similar names and numbers, same look and in the same price range. The
“R” at the end of the KT-8900R is important, as this seems to indicate
the tri-band version. Similar with the Btech, the “+220” indicates the
triband radio and 220 ham coverage…at least that is the claim in their
advertisements.<br>
<br>
<br>
One warning from the CHIRP site, if you buy a programming cable you may
want to pay a bit more and get one with a real FTDI chipset. These are
in the $20 to $30 range, but the drivers load up usually directly from
Windows. Some of the under $10 cables have chipsets that are very
difficult to get drivers for. Some even have pirated FTDI clone chips
and may not work at all, so be aware. Also be careful of the Chinese
programming software, as it is loaded with issues according to some of
the reviews. CHIRP is free and from my experience works well and is
easy to program for radios it states it works with.<br>
<br>
<br>
I opted for one of the KT-8900R radios, it came in a neat little box
and has all the usual accessories you would expect with a mobile radio,
like DTMF mic, mounting bracket and hardware, and a fused power cable
with a cigarette lighter connecter already attached. Some guys tell me
theirs even had the programming software and cable included (mine did
not), which might be a nice plus if you don’t mind taking a chance on
the Chinese software and likely cloned cable. <br>
<br>
<br>
Like most of these really cheap Chinese radios however, the manual is
nearly worthless, trying to translate the translation is at sometimes
hilarious and other times extremely frustrating. Programing software
and a programming cable seems to be a must to program channels and
repeaters. <br>
<br>
<br>
I haven’t received my cable yet so I can’t report on how well, or even
if the radio will work on 220, so it may be worth it to you to spend
the additional $35 to get the BTech UV-2501+220 to assure 220 MHz ham
coverage. <br>
<br>
By the way, I mention Amazon because both of these radios are part of
Amazon Prime, so if you are a Prime member you can get it in two days.
Places like EBay have these radios for less, but in most cases you are
ordering directly from China or Hong Kong, which as you likely know can
take a month or more to get, FYI.<br>
<br>
<br>
Enjoy!<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
73, Bill, N4SV<br>
<br>
</i>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> -- member of
</span>Google Groups "Ole Virginia Hams, Amateur Radio Club"</i><br>
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