I'm a little surprised they put the 8P8C jack right next to the knob, instead of over on the other side where there's no controls to have the protruding cable get in the way of.
Just had this radio delivered less than 30 minutes ago. I flipped on YT and your video popped up! LOL So who needs a manual when Steve KM9G is here! :)
That's why I bought mine when it first came out a year or so ago. But too many squirrel and it hasn't made it on the Harley. It does perform well in my mobile usage in vehicles that weren't mine.
I've had one of these radios for a while. It's mounted in my truck as my mobile, the only issue I have is that it will randomly change CTCSS tones on my saved repeater channels. Which is hard to change back while driving. It also seems like you can't program and save new channels without using the CPS.
I have been able to hand program in contacts and channels but it is not a pleasant experience. I have also had issues with the CTCSS changing on me, especially with programmed repeaters. its very frustrating. making it mostly unreliable and unusable.
I sold mine. The issue with CTCSS is that if you click the tone button next to the band button, the radio goes to the first tone and messes up the channel.
I’ve had this radio for a while. The one thing I don’t like about it is that in analog mode, it cannot send or receive APRS messages. It will only beacon its position. It can send and receive APRS messages in digital mode.
it works great as a beacon, I agree. it works great as a packet radio with an external TNC as well. sucks in every other way for APRS! I use it to track the location of my truck while in the desert.
@@temporarilyoffline I totally agree! I've reached out to Radiodditty at times, but they just send me a canned response that they might enable it in futurure firmware upgrades. But nothing so far.
The benefit of the beacon only mode is great for marathons or simple asset tracking. An External TNC is easy with this radio thanks to the K1 connector otherwise. Here in the High desert, its sometimes nice to just turn it on in beacon mode when the wife is going for a LOOONG drive (3 hrs to north end of county) and I want to make sure she just gets there in the expected time. There are several areas without cell coverage, and she is not a General class license yet. As well, she doesnt think to use the radio all that often, so just it beaconing takes much of the work out of the thinking for her!
This little guy has been in my jeep for 3 years now. Interface is a pain to learn, but the size and being waterproof is huge. This thing has been exposed to the elements its entire life. Rain, days of direct sun and still chugging along fine
I love my DB25D. there are a couple oddity's about it the size is the first. You can use a spkr mic with this radio, and the hand mic at the same time.... The APRS is odd. This is my second radio from them, the first one developed an issue, the second one acts a little different on APRS. The APRS seems to occupy the VFO, while on the first radio it acted like it was hidden in the background allowing me to use both VFO still. in other words I could use VFO A on 2 meter simplex, and VFO b on 70cm simplex, and still have the APRS active. One the second radio, I am unable to do this, or havent figured out how. This radio will do a lot of strange(neat) things ! I have had mine for a few years. I am looking to get the 40 watt version next. My biggest complaint is the volume setup, it seems to effect both VFO, no matter what you do. The GPS is weird at times. sometimes it works fine and seems to work while indoors as well, other times, it seems to not find its way out of a wet paper bag with written directions and scissors! I just noticed the last couple days that it sounds like mine is starting to dev. an issue again. not sure if what it is, power in, RF out, all look good, but the sounds its making arent so encouraging! It sounds like its dying on keyup! The RTSystem K4Y cable will work perfectly to program this radio. But wait, isnt this cable for a Wouxon UV6X? Oh yes it is, and it works on many of the Baofengs as well, it just so happens, I tried it on the DB-25-D, and it works to program all the features, including DMR!
interested to see more on this little radio. Really interested if the AIOC will work with the K connector on the side and if that could maybe get this to be a Allstar node radio. Thanks for the great videos!!
That was a fun rabbit hole! I can't connect the kyderra to the dynascan yet, so there is a missing link. I'd like this radio even better if it wasn't DMR 🤣🤣
Thanks for the vid steve. its an interesting radio for sure but with some potholes and what not in the programming and setup. ive had mine for 3 or 4 months now, on test in the mobile as a 2m and 70cm dmr rig. havent killed it yet so thats a plus! cheers vk2moe
This is a cool radio! I've been considering a MicroTrak RTG by Byonics to run in the background as just a position beacon. However, this little thing looks like it could be ready for the same duty; plus, be useful as a voice radio when not doing APRS. What do you think? My first look at the manual does not tell me if it works for APRS without a computer. So, I hope to see you share something about APRS. I haven't touched that mode in a very long time! 73! -Scott
Hey, Steve! I am missing the USB-A cable to program that radio, and having issues finding one. Do you happen to have the product skew / number so I can get one ordered? 73 de Bill
I have 2 of those now, I really like them, but programming from the radio seems more difficult than I could dedicate to figuring out. More to come... so many radios!
In the video, when you went to change bands for the power test, you changed the receive frequency but not the transmit frequency. So you tested the same band twice. I got good signal reports on mine in my brother's Ram 2500 with a mag mount. Perhaps life won't get in the way this summer and I can get it mounted on the Harley
Hi Steve, I am intrigued with how you may end up using this thing...the size and weight is awesome. Btw they have the GC-5 ht's on sale this week for 15.99. At that price, you could use it just as an NOAA receiver! 73, Brett K5WXP
@temporarilyoffline I talked to a local guy who was using his yesterday. It sounded very good, but the stock antenna was not hitting the repeater that well. I reminded him that Tidradio sells long antennas at 3 bucks a pop. Who says ham radio has to be expensive!?! He is looking at buying the rig you reviewed here. 73, Brett K5WXP
I have/had the RT73 version of the DB-25D in my car. But somehow these radios are not compatible with the Texas heat. The heatsink of the PA is poorly designed. On Facebook in the user group they advise not to run the radio on the High power setting as it will blow the VHF PA. Weirdly most if not all use of this radio was monitoring and analog APRS.(moved to North Texas and still had to figure out LoneStar) Checked my SWR and that was reasonable and below 2:1. But still the 2 minute interval APRS burst was enough to damage the PA on two radios within a year. One radio was replaced under warranty, second they asked for $100 payment which I opted out for.
T.O. Put that thing through the paces on 2 meters would you? Like a good couple days of heavy use on 2 meter analog. Myself and my dad bought this radio over a year ago and the 2 meter side completely went out for use on tx. Transmitter didn’t hold up. And yes we checked SWR. We were at a 1.1:1 the whole time. Thanks!
curious as to what failed. I had to send my first one back, as it developed an issue as well. They sent me a replacement after a while, but it does act a little different then the first.
I've owned one in my mobile for close to a year now, one side is Analog 2m/440 & the other just Beacons my APRS position without any problems. Locks GPS very quickly, great audio & easy for me to operate & program. Never once have I used the DMR side in the rig so I can't comment. Picked it up for 169.95 on a Prime Day sale. Great, small & out of the way in my car & I do use the lighter jack in my car that's rated for 20a. Simple & quick.
I can say also I have no intermod problems & I'm in the City (Dayton) passing nearby FM stations & literally working next to an AM station. It's really been a surprising good radio for the $
What's a Cigarette Lighter Plug ?? 😀😁 (However) Don't rely on them being capable of 15 Amps now-a-days.. Best to check the fuse first and wire gauge... As it may not be able to handle the current..
I'm a little surprised they put the 8P8C jack right next to the knob, instead of over on the other side where there's no controls to have the protruding cable get in the way of.
Me too
Great video as always. Soon if they get any smaller mobile radios will be smaller than the mic. Looking forward to more videos on DMR
Radio in a mic would be great!
Thanks for the video. I’ve been eyeing this radio due to dual band and DMR, small, good price. I’m glad you are going to try out APRS on it.
I'm digging!
Just had this radio delivered less than 30 minutes ago. I flipped on YT and your video popped up! LOL So who needs a manual when Steve KM9G is here! :)
Strap in!
2:40 I’m betting this form factor was originally designed for use on motorcycles and mopeds.
I think this is a great form factor for a bike!
That's why I bought mine when it first came out a year or so ago. But too many squirrel and it hasn't made it on the Harley. It does perform well in my mobile usage in vehicles that weren't mine.
Also goes amazing in a jeep due to limited dash space and this being waterproof. Been in my jeep for 3 years now.
@Eaglerugby04 I bet it works well in that Jeep!
3 amps max on 20 watts.
The mic p4 - p7 can be setup to operate "most" everything you'll need.
I'm digging!
I like it, I found a miniature ammo can and made a go box for this radio. Lives in the truck and works out great
I bet it makes a great go box!
I've had one of these radios for a while. It's mounted in my truck as my mobile, the only issue I have is that it will randomly change CTCSS tones on my saved repeater channels. Which is hard to change back while driving. It also seems like you can't program and save new channels without using the CPS.
I have been able to hand program in contacts and channels but it is not a pleasant experience. I have also had issues with the CTCSS changing on me, especially with programmed repeaters. its very frustrating. making it mostly unreliable and unusable.
I'll be on the lookout for this.
I sold mine. The issue with CTCSS is that if you click the tone button next to the band button, the radio goes to the first tone and messes up the channel.
@@ChrisRobinsonKF6NFW how do you save it as a new channel, vs just editing an existing channel?
Great form factor!
Its pretty slick!
I’ve had this radio for a while. The one thing I don’t like about it is that in analog mode, it cannot send or receive APRS messages. It will only beacon its position. It can send and receive APRS messages in digital mode.
it works great as a beacon, I agree. it works great as a packet radio with an external TNC as well. sucks in every other way for APRS! I use it to track the location of my truck while in the desert.
If you have an external TNC, its kinda pointless to have an internal APRS setup at times... but I kinda get it.
Being able to send and receive APRS messages only when in digital mode doesn't make a lot of sense.
@@temporarilyoffline I totally agree! I've reached out to Radiodditty at times, but they just send me a canned response that they might enable it in futurure firmware upgrades. But nothing so far.
The benefit of the beacon only mode is great for marathons or simple asset tracking.
An External TNC is easy with this radio thanks to the K1 connector otherwise.
Here in the High desert, its sometimes nice to just turn it on in beacon mode when the wife is going for a LOOONG drive (3 hrs to north end of county) and I want to make sure she just gets there in the expected time. There are several areas without cell coverage, and she is not a General class license yet. As well, she doesnt think to use the radio all that often, so just it beaconing takes much of the work out of the thinking for her!
I was just pondering buying one of these.. Great timing ! Now I really want one, lol
I love the size!
This little guy has been in my jeep for 3 years now. Interface is a pain to learn, but the size and being waterproof is huge. This thing has been exposed to the elements its entire life. Rain, days of direct sun and still chugging along fine
I didn't even look to see if it was waterproof, not one of my operating requirements. Good to know it's been tested!
I love my DB25D. there are a couple oddity's about it the size is the first.
You can use a spkr mic with this radio, and the hand mic at the same time.... The APRS is odd. This is my second radio from them, the first one developed an issue, the second one acts a little different on APRS. The APRS seems to occupy the VFO, while on the first radio it acted like it was hidden in the background allowing me to use both VFO still. in other words I could use VFO A on 2 meter simplex, and VFO b on 70cm simplex, and still have the APRS active. One the second radio, I am unable to do this, or havent figured out how.
This radio will do a lot of strange(neat) things ! I have had mine for a few years. I am looking to get the 40 watt version next. My biggest complaint is the volume setup, it seems to effect both VFO, no matter what you do.
The GPS is weird at times. sometimes it works fine and seems to work while indoors as well, other times, it seems to not find its way out of a wet paper bag with written directions and scissors!
I just noticed the last couple days that it sounds like mine is starting to dev. an issue again. not sure if what it is, power in, RF out, all look good, but the sounds its making arent so encouraging! It sounds like its dying on keyup!
The RTSystem K4Y cable will work perfectly to program this radio. But wait, isnt this cable for a Wouxon UV6X? Oh yes it is, and it works on many of the Baofengs as well, it just so happens, I tried it on the DB-25-D, and it works to program all the features, including DMR!
I'm going to be digging into the APRS on this radio myself. I have heard similar war stories.
This radio is in my shack right now. It is my DMR dedicated radio.
Nice! I would be hard pressed to say that having an HT for DMR hotspot work is better because this is about the same size.
interested to see more on this little radio. Really interested if the AIOC will work with the K connector on the side and if that could maybe get this to be a Allstar node radio. Thanks for the great videos!!
I have some plans for the AIOC, hadn't thought about allstar direct since I have a hotspot for that... 🤔
This is Exciting!!!😮
I am curious if the AIOC plug could run this radio as an AllstarLink node.. . I didn’t want to spend 200 smack-a-roos to find out…
I'll be asking you a bunch of questions I'm sure...
Rear back cover and microphone is the same in Dynascan P72
That was a fun rabbit hole! I can't connect the kyderra to the dynascan yet, so there is a missing link. I'd like this radio even better if it wasn't DMR 🤣🤣
I'm really interested in this one. I've seen someone build a man pack with it.
You'll see somebody else build one soon ;-)
Thanks for the vid steve. its an interesting radio for sure but with some potholes and what not in the programming and setup. ive had mine for 3 or 4 months now, on test in the mobile as a 2m and 70cm dmr rig. havent killed it yet so thats a plus! cheers vk2moe
Cheers! Thanks for the heads up!
I picked one up as my 2nd dmr radio. I do like how a boofwang cable works with it for a digirig and aprs.
Imma haveta try that
This is a cool radio! I've been considering a MicroTrak RTG by Byonics to run in the background as just a position beacon. However, this little thing looks like it could be ready for the same duty; plus, be useful as a voice radio when not doing APRS. What do you think? My first look at the manual does not tell me if it works for APRS without a computer. So, I hope to see you share something about APRS. I haven't touched that mode in a very long time! 73! -Scott
The radio is supposed to do beaconing without a computer, I'll be testing it out in a future video.
Great radio, I have the Retevis identical version.
Sweet! I think the parent is "Kyderra"
Hey, Steve! I am missing the USB-A cable to program that radio, and having issues finding one. Do you happen to have the product skew / number so I can get one ordered? 73 de Bill
Hey Bill! Why yes, I do: www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-pc001-ftdi-usb-programming-cable-work-with-baofeng-radioddity-kenwood-tyt
That's very compact, great review, tnx Man!
Its a wee thing!
That FT-90 was my first ham radio..wish I still had one.
I have 2 of those now, I really like them, but programming from the radio seems more difficult than I could dedicate to figuring out. More to come... so many radios!
In the video, when you went to change bands for the power test, you changed the receive frequency but not the transmit frequency. So you tested the same band twice. I got good signal reports on mine in my brother's Ram 2500 with a mag mount. Perhaps life won't get in the way this summer and I can get it mounted on the Harley
Good catch! I'll have to check again.
Hi Steve,
I am intrigued with how you may end up using this thing...the size and weight is awesome.
Btw they have the GC-5 ht's on sale this week for 15.99. At that price, you could use it just as an NOAA receiver!
73, Brett K5WXP
I like the GC-5. I gave mine away to a new ham a while back. Can't beat $15.99, might have to get another 2 or 3.
@temporarilyoffline I talked to a local guy who was using his yesterday. It sounded very good, but the stock antenna was not hitting the repeater that well. I reminded him that Tidradio sells long antennas at 3 bucks a pop. Who says ham radio has to be expensive!?!
He is looking at buying the rig you reviewed here.
73, Brett K5WXP
Y'all will have to see my build to find out if TO can build a smaller kit...
Check out the video on Scott's channel: www.youtube.com/@Rusted_Link
I have/had the RT73 version of the DB-25D in my car. But somehow these radios are not compatible with the Texas heat. The heatsink of the PA is poorly designed. On Facebook in the user group they advise not to run the radio on the High power setting as it will blow the VHF PA. Weirdly most if not all use of this radio was monitoring and analog APRS.(moved to North Texas and still had to figure out LoneStar) Checked my SWR and that was reasonable and below 2:1. But still the 2 minute interval APRS burst was enough to damage the PA on two radios within a year. One radio was replaced under warranty, second they asked for $100 payment which I opted out for.
I will be sure to keep that in mind when testing mine!
Have you tried using your K1-APRS cable on it yet? Will it key up using your phone?
Not yet, but it's on the list
@ I’ve since bought this radio and tried it myself, it does in fact work flawless. You have to press and hold the P1 key first.
@@alexgraf3567 I'll hafta try it
T.O. Put that thing through the paces on 2 meters would you? Like a good couple days of heavy use on 2 meter analog. Myself and my dad bought this radio over a year ago and the 2 meter side completely went out for use on tx. Transmitter didn’t hold up. And yes we checked SWR. We were at a 1.1:1 the whole time. Thanks!
Went out within the first couple of days
curious as to what failed. I had to send my first one back, as it developed an issue as well. They sent me a replacement after a while, but it does act a little different then the first.
Interesting! I think I've found out a good stress test for that too!
"Data hole" sounds ruder than it is.
Agreed
That little buster does APRS, check it out!
Will do!
Not loving the top mounted buttons
Understandable
I dig it. But does it do custom ringtones? I want it to sound like my old Nokia 3900.😆🤙🏾
That would be fun
you're a poet and didnt know it :)
Hidden talent
I've owned one in my mobile for close to a year now, one side is Analog 2m/440 & the other just Beacons my APRS position without any problems. Locks GPS very quickly, great audio & easy for me to operate & program. Never once have I used the DMR side in the rig so I can't comment. Picked it up for 169.95 on a Prime Day sale. Great, small & out of the way in my car & I do use the lighter jack in my car that's rated for 20a. Simple & quick.
20a is more than enough overhead for this radio! I'd be surprised if it draws more than 10a!
I can say also I have no intermod problems & I'm in the City (Dayton) passing nearby FM stations & literally working next to an AM station. It's really been a surprising good radio for the $
What's a Cigarette Lighter Plug ?? 😀😁 (However) Don't rely on them being capable of 15 Amps now-a-days.. Best to check the fuse first and wire gauge... As it may not be able to handle the current..
Exactly!
👍
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