AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: The links listed below will contain AFFILIATE LINKS that are connected to a site that sells these items. They are affiliate links, where if you click on the link, and buy the item within a certain period of time, I will be paid a small commission for the sale, at no cost to you.
There are a lot of choices for HAM and GMRS radios. Many of them are okay, and a few are great. I always look for a radio that has clear audio, easy to view display, and easy to program on the fly. This radio has all of that at a very good price. I did buy one from a US retailer, and another from a non-US retailer. Here are the things I like about this radio.
- Compact (approximately 3.5×1.75×1.5 inches)
- Easy to read color screen
- It has a flashlight at the top that is either a steady light or flashing
- Clear audio both transmit and receive
- Dual band, dual watch, and dual PTT (it does not have dual receivers)
- GMRS repeater capable
- Air bands (must enable on the radio, and need a different antenna for clearer reception)
- FM radio
- NOAA frequencies
- Hack for more bands of transmit (this is not legal to use a GMRS radio for both HAM and GMRS)
- Quickly pair one channel by holding down the 1 key, hit STOR, and key up PTT on the other radio (currently this cannot be stored but it provides info on the frequency and the TONE or DCS to save manually)
- Easy to program with CPS, CHIRP and Odmaster and can program on the fly using Odmaster and Bluetooth on radio
- 2500mAh battery with USB C charging (port on the battery)
- USB C programming for CPS and CHIRP (port on the radio by the Speaker/Mic ports)
The package includes the radio, antenna, belt clip, tether, USB A to USB C cable, and USB power adapter, and manual.
I wouldn’t say this is rugged or water resistant, but what do you expect for a radio at this price.
Sound for both transmit and receive are clear and loud. I do recommend a Nagoya NA-771 antenna for this radio.
The hack for the radio, and do this at your own risk and your own liability, will allow it to transmit on bands outside of the designated frequencies. Transmitting on HAM bands on a GMRS radio is illegal, so do not transmit. Here is the hack. Hold down the top PTT button and the * button, and turn on the radio. You will see 1. HAM, 2. GMRS, and 3. NORMAL. Selecting any of these and confirming YES will erase all memory slots so be sure to backup on the programming tool of your choice. The HAM mode allows transmitting on HAM frequencies only. The GMRS mode allows transmitting on GMRS frequencies only. The NORMAL mode allows transmitting on multiple bands, including HAM and GMRS frequencies. If you purchase this radio from a US online retailer, you will not be able to enter the HAM mode. It will be either GMRS or NORMAL. You can purchase it here (AFFILIATE LINK) from AliExpress.
Some quirky things I noticed on the radio which may stump you. You need to use the USB A to USB C cable to charge the battery and not a USB C to USB C cable. You do need the CPS to set the FM radio reception at this time (CHIRP and Odmaster doesn’t work). Air band needs to be enabled on the radio or CPS (CHIRP and Odmaster doesn’t support this). You can clone a channel by holding down the 1 key, hit STOR, and key up PTT on the other radio. Currently this cloned info cannot be stored but it provides info on the frequency and the TONE or DCS to save manually.
Other than the minor quirks, it is an amazing compact radio. It does everything I need, and at this price, I can keep it in the car for emergencies or for a quick chat. Pick one up if you want a low-priced radio with great features using the AFFILIATE LINK below. Thanks and I hope this was helpful.
AFFILIATE LINK: TIDRADIO TD-H3 Radio
