This is my current favorite budget Chinese HT. Easy to program while I'm on the go, very legible screen, easy charging and solid battery life. Great review. Cheers from South Lyon.
I have two of these. Love them, its actually very hard to find anyone explain these settings the way you have. Thank you. I am not new to radios but haven't taken the time to get my Ham yet. I am studying for that now, but as I do I am figuring out all of this now. My first HT was an old Yaesu FT416 back in the early 90's when I was a medic. I had it modified to use on EMS business channels. lol Anyway, great video, I will check out your others.
Fantastic review Mike! I can't believe how many features you get for $29. I am strongly considering getting this even though I already have 4 other HTs. This is cheap enough that you could take this to events or places that you wouldn't want to take the $450 FT5DR. Just wish the output power was a little higher. Oh crap, I just went out and put this in my cart. I will end up with it. Thanks a lot Mike. Now I gotta figure out how to explain that I needed a 5th HT and how this one will serve a purpose that the other 4 couldn't.....
*Mike ~ Your review/tutorial on the TD-H3 is the best I have seen yet! Great job, Sir! 😎 I currently own twelve (12) *Tidradios, I share those with my neighbors for our (very rural) neighborhood watch network. I still need to update the firmware on my TD-H3 radios from 240229 to the latest 240427. 🤠 p.s. There is also a TD-H3 Hack to fine-tune the power settings.
just updated mine to the most recent firmware, 240530 ! adds an option to adjust the screen brightness, which is awesome! firmware updates have worked without issue over usbc for me! awesome little radio, keeps growing on me. apparently they've addressed / fixed the emissions as well on the newer units. going to be ordering more & extra batteries.
@@ensom ~ Very helpful, Thank you! I purchased the complete 2-radio set on Amazon. The set includes 2 radios, 4 batteries, 4 antennas, 4 belt clips, 2 charging cradles, 2 A/C to USB adapters, and 2 USB charging/programming cables, etc..
I was thinking of getting one but the output on 1.25M isn’t what I expected. Do you know of any other tri band that you could recommend with a similar price and features that would actually work well on 1.25M
Definitely SMA. At HRO, we called it reverse SMA vs regular SMA like a Yaesu. The difference with the SMA knub on the antenna was reverse SMA. The knub on the radio is regualy SMA. Both are SMA.
@@Yankees_1996I call the Chinese radios "innies" and Japanese ones "outies" because female, male, reverse polarity, reverse pin, all those phrases are confusing. For example, a typical "outie" is often called female because there's a hole in it to accept a pin but the plumbing industry would call it a male because the threads are on the outside. Don't even get me started with router antennas.
@@cornbread-KO5RN It's not the best radio of all I have but it's the radio I want to pickup and bring with me, my favorite. It's so small and it can do all I need. USB-C, Bluetooth, VHF/UHF. The only negative I would say is the antenna but that can be swapped out. Would be nice to see a nice stock antenna once in my life tho :P
Good afternoon, I have been looking for a video showing someone in a MAC. Have you successfully upgraded the firmware using your MAC? I downloaded all files from walkie-talkie site but seems like it is windows only.
Have you monitored the Tx frequency on another receiver? Also do you have the CTCSS TONE SET PROPERLY MOST REPEATERS REQUIRE A CTCSS TONE TO OPEN THE REPEATER.
Can the TD-H3 only transmit on the “A” or is there something in my settings that I have to flip in order to transmit on my “B” channel? Note: I have the radio in “Normal” mode.
thanks for a great video! when i connect my new TD-H3 to my MacBook Pro and launch chirp, i don't see a usb option in the port pulldown menu. is there something i'm missing? thanks!
Everyone was condemning the H8 when it first came out and maybe justified. I waited until all the problems were fixed and got mine and it's the best Chinese HT I have ever owned. I even got follow up emails and coupons from Tidradio. So I'm looking forward to getting my H3. As bfeng is dieing its nice to see a new company stepping up and replacing them. And I learned some new stuff from your review Mike.
I am also primarily a Mac owner. I notice that you were programming the H3 with the Mac version of Chirp. I can't get Chirp to recognize the H3 on my Mac. I have a M1 Max MacBook Pro (16") and a M1 MacBook Pro 13". Both exhibit the same problem. Any ideas?
My TD-H3 is ticking me off. It transmits fine on simplex frequencies, but I can't get it to hit the local repeater. I know it's getting out, so I don't know what's wrong. I copied the exact settings in Chirp from two other radios that hit the repeater fine (Both my F8-HP and a Radioddity HT hit the repeater fine). And I downloaded the repeater settings from repeaterbook. So it's not the settings. It's not the antenna - I can connect it to my outside antenna.
But they still don’t make them to simply connect to a Bluetooth headset. Is ridiculous in 2024 to only have 1 or 2 radios that connect to a phone or headset.
They can connnect to a bluetooth PTT so I would not be surprised if a firmware update opens it up to headsets since it can obviously talk to other devices already
The fact China can mass produce items like this and sell at such a super low price. If these radios were made in Europe or the Usa they would be four times the price! And what a great radio it is, easy competition for the likes of Baofeng UV5RH.
Got one and returning it. The iOS app is a mess. Trying to program using the web app is okay but sometimes the web app loses its ability to connect. Trying to program it through its keyboard is not simple/easy. The only plus with the iOS app is APRS, but I think I’ll find another place to spend my $35
Do not plan on using any ham radio as a police scanner they don't scan fast enough and they dont cover most of the police frequencies you might hear paramedic calls or county sherriff calls but don't count on it buy a good scanner.
You are right, the antenna is sma. It pisses me off when a "newby" jumps on youtube and talks about something that they dont know crap about. Theres a newby telling people to buy this USB power supply to charge their portable, but it puts out 12 volts not 7.5 or 8 volts so be awere! Just because you have a ham license it doesnt mean you know anything and you definately are not an expert! You know the definition of an expert.... Ex is a has-ben Spert is a drip under pressure. The worst thing that the FCC ever did was putting hams incharge of writing the question pool.
You're so angry 😂 oh no someone on the internet made a mistake, off with their heads! TH-cam is a place for REGULAR PEOPLE to make videos, if you only want vetted experts who never make mistakes why are you even here?
Update edit (2024-06-09): disregard, they fixed the download. I'll keep the original comment as it is though. Original comment: Extremely disappointed. Bought it to use as a scanner when the newest firmware being hyped as receive frequency is expanded. Well, went to the download page: have to register. Registered (now receiving spam when I never have, thankfully used my one of my throwaway e-mails), and the zip archive that is supposed to have the updated firmware has nothing but the programming software (which is junk.)
My 1st H3 went out in flames while charging, replacement radio doesn't transmit at all. TID refusing to send the replacement, advising me to put the battery of replacement radio to 1st radio (one that burned out in flames). Tragi-Comedy...
Guess I can't trust this video when the you don't even know what type of antenna connectors are on the radio and antenna. They are not BNC connectors they are SMA connectors. Pershaps you need to really learn more about ham radio and antenna connectors before making these types of videos.
This is my current favorite budget Chinese HT. Easy to program while I'm on the go, very legible screen, easy charging and solid battery life. Great review. Cheers from South Lyon.
Thanks!
Nice work! It is appreciated.
Thank you for the information great explanations I'm very new to this so I will have questions about ham radio operations
The only extra feature, I would incorporate is water proofing to some extent for being outdoors in harsh wet weather
IP68 is what I look for with a HT. I have dirty hobbies. 73, KF0NNQ.
I totally agree, the IP rating should be IP67 on all radios these days.
It's a fine looking radio especially for the price. Great review Mike!
I have two of these. Love them, its actually very hard to find anyone explain these settings the way you have. Thank you. I am not new to radios but haven't taken the time to get my Ham yet. I am studying for that now, but as I do I am figuring out all of this now. My first HT was an old Yaesu FT416 back in the early 90's when I was a medic. I had it modified to use on EMS business channels. lol Anyway, great video, I will check out your others.
Fantastic review Mike! I can't believe how many features you get for $29. I am strongly considering getting this even though I already have 4 other HTs. This is cheap enough that you could take this to events or places that you wouldn't want to take the $450 FT5DR. Just wish the output power was a little higher. Oh crap, I just went out and put this in my cart. I will end up with it. Thanks a lot Mike. Now I gotta figure out how to explain that I needed a 5th HT and how this one will serve a purpose that the other 4 couldn't.....
Thanks for the review. USB-C is the biggest feature IMO. Also picked up a pair of FRS USB-C radios.
*Mike ~ Your review/tutorial on the TD-H3 is the best I have seen yet! Great job, Sir! 😎
I currently own twelve (12) *Tidradios, I share those with my neighbors for our (very rural) neighborhood watch network. I still need to update the firmware on my TD-H3 radios from 240229 to the latest 240427. 🤠 p.s. There is also a TD-H3 Hack to fine-tune the power settings.
just updated mine to the most recent firmware, 240530 ! adds an option to adjust the screen brightness, which is awesome! firmware updates have worked without issue over usbc for me! awesome little radio, keeps growing on me. apparently they've addressed / fixed the emissions as well on the newer units. going to be ordering more & extra batteries.
@@ensom ~ Very helpful, Thank you! I purchased the complete 2-radio set on Amazon. The set includes 2 radios, 4 batteries, 4 antennas, 4 belt clips, 2 charging cradles, 2 A/C to USB adapters, and 2 USB charging/programming cables, etc..
Absolutely
Good evening Mike, thanks for sharing this video especially since your power is out ( thanks to the Texas power grid ).
Just bought a pair this morning
Can you listen to the radio with a bluetooth device? Such as Headphones or bluetooth earpiece?
No, the Bluetooth feature is for programming
Thanks Mike, good review. I am awaiting the arrival of a pair of TD-H3 any day now so looking forward to the new toys.
Também comprei dois desse,um transparente e outro preto, ancioso também...
How did you update the firmware using a Mac?
How did you update the version?
How is it at scanning memories?
Slow like a uv5r?
Yes
Good stuff, Mike. I think I need one. Maybe two.
Another fantastic vidio, thank you! Would you know if Td H8 model has that scanning feature???
I was thinking of getting one but the output on 1.25M isn’t what I expected. Do you know of any other tri band that you could recommend with a similar price and features that would actually work well on 1.25M
The Antenna is not BNC it looks to be SMA.
I think all the Chinese HTs are SMA...at least all the ones I have picked up.
I have one of these radios…it’s SMA
Definitely SMA. At HRO, we called it reverse SMA vs regular SMA like a Yaesu. The difference with the SMA knub on the antenna was reverse SMA. The knub on the radio is regualy SMA. Both are SMA.
@@Yankees_1996I call the Chinese radios "innies" and Japanese ones "outies" because female, male, reverse polarity, reverse pin, all those phrases are confusing. For example, a typical "outie" is often called female because there's a hole in it to accept a pin but the plumbing industry would call it a male because the threads are on the outside. Don't even get me started with router antennas.
@@presw2pw123 Non-binary identifying as universal heterotrophic. 😊
I ordered 2. Thanks Mike.
You bet
This is my favorite radio.
@@cornbread-KO5RN It's not the best radio of all I have but it's the radio I want to pickup and bring with me, my favorite. It's so small and it can do all I need. USB-C, Bluetooth, VHF/UHF. The only negative I would say is the antenna but that can be swapped out. Would be nice to see a nice stock antenna once in my life tho :P
Can you show us on the gmrs settings? I want one to be compatible with other gmrs radios.
Good afternoon, I have been looking for a video showing someone in a MAC. Have you successfully upgraded the firmware using your MAC? I downloaded all files from walkie-talkie site but seems like it is windows only.
Have you monitored the Tx frequency on another receiver? Also do you have the CTCSS TONE SET PROPERLY MOST REPEATERS REQUIRE A CTCSS TONE TO OPEN THE REPEATER.
Can the TD-H3 only transmit on the “A” or is there something in my settings that I have to flip in order to transmit on my “B” channel?
Note: I have the radio in “Normal” mode.
Does Chirp application work native on Apple / Mac computers, or are you using a emulator?
Do you know if there’s a way to disable transmit on the h3?
thanks for a great video! when i connect my new TD-H3 to my MacBook Pro and launch chirp, i don't see a usb option in the port pulldown menu. is there something i'm missing? thanks!
Everyone was condemning the H8 when it first came out and maybe justified. I waited until all the problems were fixed and got mine and it's the best Chinese HT I have ever owned. I even got follow up emails and coupons from Tidradio. So I'm looking forward to getting my H3. As bfeng is dieing its nice to see a new company stepping up and replacing them.
And I learned some new stuff from your review Mike.
Did they ever fix that annoying audio buzzing feedback when TX'ing on 2 meters at high power?
I am also primarily a Mac owner. I notice that you were programming the H3 with the Mac version of Chirp. I can't get Chirp to recognize the H3 on my Mac. I have a M1 Max MacBook Pro (16") and a M1 MacBook Pro 13". Both exhibit the same problem. Any ideas?
I’m nervous after the H8 debacle. Had transmit issues with several of those. Sent all four radios back to Amazon.
Caveat the arirband only works up to 136Mhz. It does not include mil-air, or at least doesn't recognize it as airband and does not switch to AM.
Здравствуйте. Есть мысли, как можно разблокировать передачу в диапазоне 118 - 136 ?
I've got three of them and I'm able to copy to two other H3's at once.
I am going to buy this radio in the clear case.
I'm listening to my local net on a TD-H3 right now!
My TD-H3 is ticking me off. It transmits fine on simplex frequencies, but I can't get it to hit the local repeater. I know it's getting out, so I don't know what's wrong. I copied the exact settings in Chirp from two other radios that hit the repeater fine (Both my F8-HP and a Radioddity HT hit the repeater fine). And I downloaded the repeater settings from repeaterbook. So it's not the settings. It's not the antenna - I can connect it to my outside antenna.
idc how i have to program it...once its programmed, is there a scan function?
Yes there is a scan function
looks like I need one.
But they still don’t make them to simply connect to a Bluetooth headset. Is ridiculous in 2024 to only have 1 or 2 radios that connect to a phone or headset.
They can connnect to a bluetooth PTT so I would not be surprised if a firmware update opens it up to headsets since it can obviously talk to other devices already
If you look under the packaging there iis a longer antenna hope ylou didnt throw it out
The fact China can mass produce items like this and sell at such a super low price.
If these radios were made in Europe or the Usa they would be four times the price!
And what a great radio it is, easy competition for the likes of Baofeng UV5RH.
Sad HAM...😥 You guys didn't wait on me...
Between this and the super H8 there is no need for the Baofeng these days.
Got one and returning it. The iOS app is a mess. Trying to program using the web app is okay but sometimes the web app loses its ability to connect. Trying to program it through its keyboard is not simple/easy.
The only plus with the iOS app is APRS, but I think I’ll find another place to spend my $35
Is there an "easy" radio to program? I see alot of comments about HT programming difficulty
Bluetooth programming on B-techs is fantastic and very user friendly
So that’s your Icom 50 killer? Lmao 😂
🤣🤣🤣
Oh no! Not another HT! They are everywhere! Like the rent a scooters!
Buy a Btech amp for the ht or buy a Mirage vhf uhf amp 40 watts.
I do not understrand hot spots, rasberry pi and alternates, and linux, etc.
Does it pick up police channels?
Do not plan on using any ham radio as a police scanner they don't scan fast enough and they dont cover most of the police frequencies you might hear paramedic calls or county sherriff calls but don't count on it buy a good scanner.
I think you meant SMA not BNC antenna, bud
I like the clear plastic shell. I wish more manufacturers would make them with it. Where is it made???
For the price I assume it is CCP sanctioned.😂😢
LOL the connectors are not BNC they are SMA connectors.
Lol, you already said that.
Not touch pad. Buttons you need to Push!
You are right, the antenna is sma. It pisses me off when a "newby" jumps on youtube and talks about something that they dont know crap about. Theres a newby telling people to buy this USB power supply to charge their portable, but it puts out 12 volts not 7.5 or 8 volts so be awere! Just because you have a ham license it doesnt mean you know anything and you definately are not an expert!
You know the definition of an expert....
Ex is a has-ben
Spert is a drip under pressure.
The worst thing that the FCC ever did was putting hams incharge of writing the question pool.
You're so angry 😂 oh no someone on the internet made a mistake, off with their heads! TH-cam is a place for REGULAR PEOPLE to make videos, if you only want vetted experts who never make mistakes why are you even here?
Video is only 7 hours old and no discount that I see. Still $32
That may be because I forgot to mention to use code K8MRD at checkout. That will get you an extra 10% off.
😂😂😂 Sassy.@@hamradiotube
Oops, you boobooed, that is an SMA connector, NOT a BNC!!!
Update edit (2024-06-09): disregard, they fixed the download. I'll keep the original comment as it is though.
Original comment: Extremely disappointed. Bought it to use as a scanner when the newest firmware being hyped as receive frequency is expanded. Well, went to the download page: have to register. Registered (now receiving spam when I never have, thankfully used my one of my throwaway e-mails), and the zip archive that is supposed to have the updated firmware has nothing but the programming software (which is junk.)
BNC. LOL
Most of you guys dont understand radios do you?
Did you say BNC? That is NOT A BNC it is a SMA just like a Baofeng. Come on, get important things right.
Can you listen to your local police?
Worst radio one can buy.
My 1st H3 went out in flames while charging, replacement radio doesn't transmit at all. TID refusing to send the replacement, advising me to put the battery of replacement radio to 1st radio (one that burned out in flames). Tragi-Comedy...
You guys must work for baofeng.😂😂😂
Sounds like the problem may be you, bud
@@evocati6523 There's always has to be a dick head 🤡
@@evocati6523There's always has to be a dkhead 🤡
Guess I can't trust this video when the you don't even know what type of antenna connectors are on the radio and antenna. They are not BNC connectors they are SMA connectors. Pershaps you need to really learn more about ham radio and antenna connectors before making these types of videos.
Oh my god, you've never misspoke before? You must be perfect. How's that working out for you?
People like you are why the ham hobby is always struggling, you're miserable, unhappy people who ruin it for everyone else
40501 Kyra Knoll