ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ก.ย. 2023
- This video is a simple update (or lack thereof from Guohe) on the TBR-119 radio station.
In short, if you don’t feel like listening to me ramble on for 12 minutes, read this.
I originally released this in September. Guohe asked me to pull it down as it wasn’t flattering and didn’t help with the new release of their PMR-171.
They asked me to give them time to honestly fix the software problems. So I thought that was fair and I pulled it down.
They promised a new well tested binary in early November, then two weeks later promised Wednesday 11/15, now 11/18 there is still no update.
I am rereleasing this as I said I would if they didn’t deliver on what they promised.
Basically, Guohe hasn’t released anything new for this radio or the Q900 since April of 2023 and the same issues with the software persist. They have released a new model/version of the Q900 (v4) and a new radio called the PMR-171. So this appears to be where their current focus has stayed, not on assisting existing customers.
Basically all radios have the same underlying software and experienced owners of the Q900 and TBR-119 are advising new potential customers to stay away from these products until Guohe fixes existing and known issues.
To date they have not provided (an industry standard) list of known bugs, dates for when they will be fixed or any other helpful information.
I would love to purchase and evaluate the new products (and leave honest reviews), however I am not going to waste any more money on any product from Guohetec until they resolve known issues for existing customers and products.
This is the link to the video I referenced in the video.
• My terrible experience...
So in summary, buyer beware!!!
Would you feel better about the TBR if it had a new firmware with higher stability and better digital modes? I was thinking about eventually porting OpenRTX to the PMR/TBR family of radios, after I finish the G90 port. My goals are adding ALE-2G and FreeDV/Codec2 digital voice to these budget HF SDR rigs.
I absolutely would feel more comfortable.
The ALE etc sounds exciting. I look forwards to seeing how I can help you test that.
@@brianc0620 Have a Xiegu G90? That is the first build target of my project.
Have you had a chance to do anything regarding OpenRTX yet for these?? I would be very willing to help you test.
@@brianc0620 Hey Brian, we moved forward with targetting the Xiegu G90 first, and made a new front head unit to allow wi-fi and bluetooth connections for novel use cases. Q900 hardware seems dubious after further analysis.
Thanks for this video. It was an honest look at the product and company. I was going to buy this version a Xeigu G90, Cooling fan/stand and their DE-19 USB interface. Principally because the PMR-171 would allow me to use 6 and 2 meters and 70 cm. As a U.S. Tech those are the bands that are open to us BUT I would also like to explore 10 meter SSB and 40 and 15 meter CW.
This radio seemed perfect. But after watching your video and other videos on the PMR-171 I will save my money. ESPECIALLY if they do not give a damn about their customers and want to give out snarky and condescending responses.
Hey John.
Glad it was helpful to you.
The games continue from them.
They released a new binary in December, after 6 months. It immediately crashed. Bricked some people’s radios. They had to drain the on-board battery on the Q900s to get them back to a state they could reload the old binary. 171 and 119, we just pulled the battery pack. That said, how do you take 6 months to release a “fully tested” firmware update and it literally crashes immediately. What an embarrassing disaster!!
They scrambled to release a fix to that and it has since been…… ok. Still has anonymous bugs all over the place and they continue to have issues overall. My advice continues, stay away from them for now.
That said….
I did purchase a set of xiegu radios (G90, x6100 and xpa125 amp). I love the x6100.
@@brianc0620 Well the xiegu G90 had problems when it first came out. BUT unlike most Chinese companies xiegu actually LISTENED to the feed back they were getting and fixed the problems right away. It seems to me that Chinese manufacturers should study history.
In the late 40's and 50 Japanese companies started shipping product to the US. The products were cheap but their quality was crap. The Japanese took them back and worked on the quality for both their domestic and export markets. By the 70s they controlled whole swatches of markets in several categories. Try to name ONE totally American made electronic product??? NOT American assembled but made from American sourced base materials. You cannot.
The Japanese companies had the foresight to actually LISTEN to their customers and fixed the problems that their customers were complaining about.
@@John_Henry83 I agree 1000% with that.
well SCREW Guohetec then, Take them for a swim? WTF, Well im so glad I looked over your review here i almost pulled the trigger on oner of these today. I'll hold off for the x6200 or perhaps look at a WOLF. But in the end, i think it's going to be the s6200. Thanks for making the video. you saved me a bunch of frustration man.
Glad I was able to help. The last software release (345) definitely was better. But I say that with a heavy load of caveat. The radio does work better now, but still nothing near what was promised. Additionally they are so heavily focused on that PMR 171 release that they genuinely don’t give a fiddler tail about previously released radio model/versions. It’s like an afterthought for them.
But even outside of the radios themselves, the drama continues with them not getting anything right. In the chat that I am in regarding this family radios on WhatsApp. They mailed somebody a 171 when he ordered a 119. The 171 that another guy ordered was a total shit show, in that nothing was working correctly on it. That’s including transmission on certain bands.
I ordered a 119 handset off Guohe of Amazon. They sent me a tracking number that showed a delivery date of ‘three days’ before I even ordered. I thought that was annoying, and once again as a symptom of lack of attention to detail. Then to compound that, when the handset arrived, it was for a 171. When I tried to return it on Amazon, they blamed me, saying I ordered the wrong one that I was supposed to put the model in the comments. But they had two models listed as separate items in the Amazon listing. THEN they try to get me to personally mail, the 171 handset to some other customer in the US. I refused.
This is typical of their ineptitude.
Aloha Brian C.,
SEMPER FI to my fellow Marine!
I finally bought the PMR 171 today and while shopping for an extra battery from the same seller(shenjd) on eBay, I discovered that he also has the TBR-119 for $1,964.89 and I wanted to see what the difference was between the TBR-119 verses the PMR-171 when I ran across your YT video.
NOTE:The audio for your video was super soft on my widescreen tv.
I already own two G90’s, last I bought from a buddy on JBPHH, two different firmware versions because I bought the first one four years ago.
I’ve been wanting to buy the PMR-171 for a year now for the HF, VHF, UHF +Compass+GPS+DMR features w/Battery packs.
On my G90’s, I averaged 5,026 miles on one watt of power here in Honolulu.
After watching your video on the TBR-119, I’m starting to wonder if I made a good choice or not now.
I mainly bought the PMR 171 after it was on the news here two weeks ago that China and the USA would not enter into a conflict until after 2027.
It was the realization that both sides acknowledge that a war is going to happen is very concerning and living in the middle of the Pacific, this is the closest military type rig that I could find on the market currently. It’s not like we can go out and buy a new PRC-77 these days.
I am interested in the antenna you had mounted on the green case radio in your video. What is the make and model of that antenna and where can I buy one? 🤔
Thanks for the update, saved me $2000
Gouhetec WOULD HAVE the perfect product for you U.S Amateur radio market. IF IT ACTUALLY WORKED!!! They have all the UHF and VHF bands covered with DMR. So it would be perfect for beginner Techs that are just getting into the hobby or thinking of it. It is also all mode on the HF bands. So when Techs upgrade to General they would not have to buy a new radio unless they wanted more power. Battery included so you do not have to buy an extra battery or power supply to operate portable or as a base station. You can detach the battery and access the back ports using the included cable to power the rig from the battery if you wanted to operate cw or data modes Once again perfect. It includes a 2.5 mm jack to power the rig so you do not have to buy a separate ham radio power supply.
As I said this would be a HIT in the USA. IF IT ACTUALLY WORKED AS ADVERTISED. IT DOES NOT.
Thanks again for the update Brian. Sorry to hear this. I never bought one myself. I occasionally look through the WhatsApp discussions myself, but it has only been discouraging. Like you, I recognized the incredible promise of these radios but the utter failure of support and transparency makes these non-viable. If so much of the software capabilities and bug fixes weren't proprietary, I'd still consider it knowing I'd have my work cut out for me. But as is, consumers are dependent on Gouhe who seems to be an otherwise distracted sole proprietor.
For now, I've ordered the PA500 amp and plan to get a IC-705. But I remain very interested if you find another SDR HF, VHF, UHF especially if it supports (functional) DMR and/or is more open / less proprietary. If something like this was open-sourced (with paid support), it would develop into a amazing product and business. Shame.
Thanks for the response. My interest is something that can be used for emergency communications, SAR or community help. So radios need to be rugged and somewhat weather resistant. Therefore most ham shack radios are not exactly what I am looking for as they tend to be not as rugged.
That said, there are very few rig options in that category.
Until there are options, two rigs I am considering are the Wolf DDC/DUC and I am hearing that Xeigu is possibly coming out with a new version similar to the X6100. Looking forward to seeing what options that has.
@@brianc0620 I heard about a Wolf radio that was 100% open source hardware. I like that! Although the builds I've seen were a bit bulkier than manportable. And if Xeigo offered a HF +VHF/UHF SDR that would be very interesting.
@@AquaeAtrae agreed. Love the open source idea. Much more talent can be applied, then the manufacturer can just focus on producing solid hardware. Install a base and functional OS, then people can do as they wish thereafter.
I,m glad i did not pull the trigger on one of these. I'm getting a Codan 2110m instead.
Would love one of those myself. Can’t seem to locate them easily in civvy land.
Source and price? I WANT!!! Would almost hock my grandkids for one ...
@@brianc0620 MCQ Communications Queensland Australia MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS QLD
@@jimpiper5297MCQ communications QLD Australia $3070 USD USED UNITS BUT FULLY CHECKED
@@brianc0620$3070 USD COMPLETELY CHECKED OVER USED RADIOS
I spied your framed pics on the wall above you n your right: Jarhead Corp, eh? Welcome Home Brother vet!
Re the TBR, I had been looking forward to your update on this rig and am really disappointed to hear your report. I've been wanting a man pack radio for "field expedient" operating and from your previous videos was hopeful this one might be a candidate to spend my bucks on. Now, unless GouheTec who build it come to jesus, I'm scratching 'em off my list. Too bad.
I'd really like a Codan 2110M, but, without a source and having to hock my grand kids to afford it, I've gotta redirect my sights on the G-90. If only it had a connector socket for a direct connection from an H-250, an on-board sound circuit (ala Icom), and a USB interface for CAT control ...
Jim / n6med
Thanks Jim!!
The G90 does have a H250 style handset that you can get. See below.
KJDEYT Handheld Emergency Communication Microphone for G90 G90S HF Transceiver Radio a.co/d/dMulGUS
@@brianc0620 Many thanks for the kind response. I did see the H-250 clone you gave me the link to. I'm using a genuine H-250 with my Icom 7200 (I removed the U-229 connector plug , replacing it with the 8-pin Foster connector that that Icom uses. Seems there are a bunch of cheap chinese imitations of the H-250 on eBay. Also I prefer the noise cancelling capability of the H-250 vs. what KJDEYT has, even though I need to ensure I'm speaking directly into the mic rather than holding the handset away from my chin ala Kirk Douglas to "get my good side". I've both recorded the audio from the H-250 on remote SDR's as well as solicited reports from those I've connected with. The former sounds good to my ears, albeit with a narrower audio range than the stock mic and I've gotten good reports from the latter.
I'm anticipating rigging a connector interface to be able to use a real McCoy H-250 and either a U-229/U-183 or an 8-pin Foster.
Jim n6med
@@jimpiper5297 that’s great to know Jim. Thanks for the detailed explanation.
The tbr-119 has a ‘h250 style’ handset that is very much an imitation of the real one. The plastic it’s made of is so thin, the mic, speaker, buttons, cable etc, all cheaply made. Considering the inexpensive price of even a real h250, (less than $50) I am shocked that’s what they supplied with a $2000 rig.
That’s why my buddy removed the one that came with the radio and replaced the 119’s SA-12 connector with a 229. Much more rugged, weather resistant and overall better made. The CAT data cable that came with my 119 is also made of cheap cable, the insulation is already cracked and I haven’t used it all that much.
Overall they got cheap and their support and overall attitude is the very same. I could have bought an Icom 7000 and used a waterproof bag (as I used in the Corps) and had a better overall radio for less money.
@@brianc0620 Good copy all (so say those folks in the USCG ;-) Presuming you checked out my QRZ page you see that my HF (sole) rig is an Icom 7200. I follow FB groups for the 7200 and Mil man-packs. A lot of folks have stuffed the 7200 along with a batt into a Harris SINGCARS (?) "man-pack" bag (maybe like the one you used in the Corps?).
Though I'm a former squid, I kinda like the Mil look of the TBR-119 (which has the look of Mil man-packs like the Codan 2110 or similar Harris rigs) and thought it might fit my bill as a "field expedient" hf rig. Your reports together with Zenit's on it have given me cause to yank it off the table and stomp on it.
Too bad as it seemed to have promise. Sigh.
I'm thinking your service time came a bit after mine so you likely can't answer my wondering about how effective our 5" naval gunfire support worked for the grunts in the bush between the 'Z and Danang back in the day.
73s (bestest regardseses...)
-- Jim n6med
@@jimpiper5297 Hey Jim.
So there are a few pack that I use depending on what I’m doing and how long I’m doing it.
Day type packs: if you want a ‘strictly radio pack” then the Harris ranger is great. Downside is that it is only for the radio and nothing else really (food, water etc)
Here’s the link: www.ebay.com/itm/385199040996?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=cRaq6ElpSo2&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=FsnKPsZBREG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
The second day ++ patrol pack is the current issue USMC pack. It’s a great day pack as is but made for manpack radios. So this way you can carry the radio plus anything else you need on a day hike for example. It has the radio pocket and all the correct pouches and Velcro flaps for a manpack radio. Best there is in my opinion.
Link: www.ebay.com/itm/225471109055?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=XZb-1BQ6RKm&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=FsnKPsZBREG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY
Then we get to the extended range packs. Once again military packs are designed for just this. The USMC ILBE and older CFP-90 are excellent examples of those, where you can jump a radio in addition to the kitchen sink needed for extended days out.
I am too young for VN but I do love naval 5” guns. 😁
Semper Fi.
Very sad to see this radio is not living up to the promise.
Agreed. Especially with the price tag.
It has so much promise, especially from a hardware perspective. Software is just a mess.
Let me know when you are planning to go out to the dessert to use those for target practice!
Love to see what a .50 cal does to it. :)
That’s what my buddy was planning 😂
What firmware version ？
3.4.1
What's problem of this version？
My machine is 3.4.0 ,Do you think I need to upgrade?
There are quite a few bugs related to WFM/NFM modulation and transmission power.
DMR is a bit of a mess.
Some people have complained about HF spurious emissions. So, it’s buggy.
I would hold off for now. They are supposedly releasing a ‘robustly tested’ binary soon…. We’ll see. It’s been 7 months since 341.
@@murphychan2493 they just released 3.4.3 today. It seems decent, from the light testing I’ve done so far
I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by the lack of support and flakey performance of these. Same with Xiegu. It's a cheap knock-off based on stolen IP. If people continue to spend money on this sort of trash, the reputable companies that have been around for years and innovated in this space wont be, and this trash is all that will be left.
there is a lot of truth in that. like as soon as the s2600 is in the marketplace place the continued development on the 1600 will end if it has not already. The china based companies just don't seem to give a rat's arse about anything but getting the next sale and if it has bugs oh well. whereas Icom Yasue and Kenwood etc have a rich history and are committed to all the current models of gear well past the 6 months after its release.