[Fwd: [W4OVH] Bargain priced, sub-mini tri band radios]

[Terry McCarty - WA5NTI]

FYI

-- 
     Terry McCarty
    3t3 at comcast.net
   President - AMRAD
        wa5nti



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	[W4OVH] Bargain priced, sub-mini tri band radios
Date: 	Sat, 20 Aug 2016 09:37:08 -0400
From: 	Bill South <williamsouth at comcast.net>
To: 	Reflector-W4OVH <w4ovh at googlegroups.com>



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. 

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. 

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.


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.

           
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.

           
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.  


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.


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.

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.


Enjoy!

 

73, Bill, N4SV

    -- member of Google Groups "Ole Virginia Hams, Amateur Radio Club"


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