I've used this for about a year and really enjoyed it so far. The incredibly small size made it so easy to mount in my 4runner without taking up a ton of space; I basically tucked it into what used to be the cigarette ash tray with just a little bit of dremel work on the dash trim. It's so compact, it completely stays out of the way, and yet so capable for its size and cost with all the things it can do. Really fun little radio! I'm considering getting a second for mounting on my off-road ebike for a little portable adventure radio.
Also happy to see an actual review of this, alot of the other channels just did unboxing and didnt really put it to use on camera. Earned a Subscriber.
I'd love to see a follow up video on the various interfaces possible with the K Connector on the left side. I plan on putting a TNC on mine soon. A simple Audio cable to Android phone is a cool touch as well.
It's the same radio as the Retevis RT-73. Yes it's a very nice size and it holds so much promise but it will eventually brick like mine and others. It'll start by losing frequencies and then will start shutting down until it just won't boot up anymore.
TY for all the detail on the radio. Been looking at it to take on the road when in a rental. Wish there was a lower power option for working with a hotspot but that wouldn’t dissuade me.
3M Hook & Loop fasteners do work, but if you really need something to 'stick' to something else, I recommend 3M Dual-Lock. I've found that it has a much better hold for heavier items or items that may get quite a bit of vibration, such as a radio mounted in a vehicle, and it doesn't seem to wear out as quickly or get clogged with fuzz like Hook & Loop fasteners.
Another great video. I borrowed one of these from a friend for a couple weeks. I like it for the most part, but there were a couple little oddities that frustrated me. I'm thinking if I had a little more time with it I would have grown to like it a little more. Now that I see that you have used it and like it, I might order one just as a little DMR base here in the shack! 73
Were they radio-ities? LoL Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I was thinking of one as a base on our property as well. To go with a bunch of Motorola xpr-6100 radios that I rescued from being thrown away.
I just got my tech and general license. I only have a HT right now. I see many people recommend the RT-95 as a good first radio on a budget. This looks to be able to do everything the RT-95 can do while adding DMR and digital for about 80 more dollars. What would you think about this as a first radio? I live not to far from you. Good to see a local TH-camr!
This is a great little radio for sure, and I can recommend it for a budget base station UHF / VHF. So, it doesn't do HF, but I'm sure you know that. DMR is my favorite digital mode (compared to Fusion and D-Star); but some people find it hard to learn...I don't. If you think you're up for learning DMR, and you have a DMR repeater near you (or a hotspot), then this is a pretty good little radio.
I have had mine for right at a full year, mostly use in the shack to reach local repeater and occasionally use with my hotspot depending on what talkgroup and how long i want to be on. Seems to work well on analog as well, programming wasnt the monster it is being made out to be if familiar with dmr. So far no complaints. 73! KO4UHP
Thanks for the feedback on this little gem; I always like to hear what other people experience with gear, even if it doesn't match mine. The more info the better for others.
Unfortunately the DB25-D radios I purchased from Radioddity toward the end of 2021 that sat in the box on a shelf until recently, ended up being totally useless pieces of sh!t. They were intended for APRS primarily but have a bizarre problem where the TX light comes on at the preprogrammed TX interval, but the power amplifier in the radio won't actually turn on until you manually cycle through the three sub-audible tone options (QT/DQT/DQI). Makes absolutely no sense. Same result if you use the mic PTT. This was using the newest versions of firmware and CPS. The receive sensitivity is also total crap. I can hear certain clear, analog transmissions on my old TH78A handheld just fine, where the same transmissions on the DB25-D can't be heard at all, even in monitor mode. That means with APRS it transmits in the blind since the receiver is mostly deaf and can't monitor. Then the squelch and volume functions won't adjust. You can lower the squelch to 0 and it won't open, but will if you go through the menu and do it that way. Radioddity support won't help since the radios are past the warranty period even though they were first setup and tested only a week or so ago. Lessons learned - always fully test new purchases regardless of plans to use the product later, and purchase products with a better quality control history even thought they're more expensive. The headaches aren't worth the few extra $$. Many times you simply get what you pay for. These radios will probably go in the trash since they're basically garbage.
Thanks for the detailed feedback. I appreciate when someone provides their experience, even when counter to mine, so viewers have a larger body of information and can make informed decisions.
DMR often uses the internet, in my example I was using a hotspot that was connected to the internet. You could hit a local repeater with RF...that repeater may connect to the internet at some point in the process of sending the transmission around the world...Talkgroup 91 for example.
Nice compact DMR rig! Thanks for taking the time to make this video for us Bob.
Amazing performance for the small form factor; appreciate the view and comment.
Had this one in my vehicle for 3 years and love it😀👍
Good to here; I'm thoroughly impressed so far.
I've used this for about a year and really enjoyed it so far. The incredibly small size made it so easy to mount in my 4runner without taking up a ton of space; I basically tucked it into what used to be the cigarette ash tray with just a little bit of dremel work on the dash trim. It's so compact, it completely stays out of the way, and yet so capable for its size and cost with all the things it can do. Really fun little radio! I'm considering getting a second for mounting on my off-road ebike for a little portable adventure radio.
It really it a little marvel! Couldn't agree with you more.
Also happy to see an actual review of this, alot of the other channels just did unboxing and didnt really put it to use on camera. Earned a Subscriber.
Thanks for the sub; I do try to give viewers some value in exchange for the time investment thy make to watch.
Great review. I really want this radio, gotta make room for it.
Thanks T.O. The size of a stack of 3 X 5 cards is all the space you'll need.
I'd love to see a follow up video on the various interfaces possible with the K Connector on the left side. I plan on putting a TNC on mine soon. A simple Audio cable to Android phone is a cool touch as well.
It's the same radio as the Retevis RT-73. Yes it's a very nice size and it holds so much promise but it will eventually brick like mine and others. It'll start by losing frequencies and then will start shutting down until it just won't boot up anymore.
Appreciate sharing your experience; the more information available, the more informed individuals can be in their decision making. Thanks.
TY for all the detail on the radio. Been looking at it to take on the road when in a rental. Wish there was a lower power option for working with a hotspot but that wouldn’t dissuade me.
Its a pretty impressive radio for the size. Very happy with mine.
I have this radio on my mobility scooter and it is awesome!
It's a pretty amazing performer for its size.
3M Hook & Loop fasteners do work, but if you really need something to 'stick' to something else, I recommend 3M Dual-Lock. I've found that it has a much better hold for heavier items or items that may get quite a bit of vibration, such as a radio mounted in a vehicle, and it doesn't seem to wear out as quickly or get clogged with fuzz like Hook & Loop fasteners.
Thanks for the feedback and suggestion.
I love this 20w dmr radio small but its so nice ❤❤❤great video thank you thats my next radio list
Will be in Tampa Pota Sat Sun from Ocala Kg4Vet
Great vid .. been looking at the 25 for awhile! Thanks for making up my mind
Thanks for the feedback; I'm impressed so far. Hopefully more people chime in with their experience so it can be added to mine.
Another great video. I borrowed one of these from a friend for a couple weeks. I like it for the most part, but there were a couple little oddities that frustrated me. I'm thinking if I had a little more time with it I would have grown to like it a little more. Now that I see that you have used it and like it, I might order one just as a little DMR base here in the shack! 73
Thanks for the view and positive feedback. Its still on top of my 7300 and I don't have any plans on moving it...
Were they radio-ities? LoL Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I was thinking of one as a base on our property as well. To go with a bunch of Motorola xpr-6100 radios that I rescued from being thrown away.
I just got my tech and general license. I only have a HT right now. I see many people recommend the RT-95 as a good first radio on a budget. This looks to be able to do everything the RT-95 can do while adding DMR and digital for about 80 more dollars. What would you think about this as a first radio?
I live not to far from you. Good to see a local TH-camr!
This is a great little radio for sure, and I can recommend it for a budget base station UHF / VHF.
So, it doesn't do HF, but I'm sure you know that.
DMR is my favorite digital mode (compared to Fusion and D-Star); but some people find it hard to learn...I don't. If you think you're up for learning DMR, and you have a DMR repeater near you (or a hotspot), then this is a pretty good little radio.
Thanks for the video! Watch out for flooding and tornadoes today!!
Thanks for the view. Monitoring local UHF / VHF for weather updates now; all good so far.
Can this radio be manually programmed? I see everyone having issues with the software and programming, I don't even have a computer.
Curious if the DB25D will transmit outside of the ham bands. According to their website, it is Part 90, but the manual says ham band transmit only.
Ham bands only. If there is an unlock sequence, I'm not familiar with it.
Does it have vfo access input? Looking seriously at this radio with also the vgc n7500.
Yes in frequency mode you can enter via the mic keypad
00:55 Worthy of a 👍 by itself. 😂
LOL, another member to the small club of people who get me wise guy side.
Can this radio be programmed manually without the software?
Is this able to be unlocked for GMRS usage as well? Thanks!
I've not seen anyone unlock it or provide the super secret sequence to do it....
@ thanks!
I have had mine for right at a full year, mostly use in the shack to reach local repeater and occasionally use with my hotspot depending on what talkgroup and how long i want to be on. Seems to work well on analog as well, programming wasnt the monster it is being made out to be if familiar with dmr. So far no complaints. 73!
KO4UHP
Thanks for the feedback on this little gem; I always like to hear what other people experience with gear, even if it doesn't match mine. The more info the better for others.
Curious what your attic antenna is for 2 & 70CM?
www.arrowantennas.com/gp/gp146.html
Unfortunately the DB25-D radios I purchased from Radioddity toward the end of 2021 that sat in the box on a shelf until recently, ended up being totally useless pieces of sh!t. They were intended for APRS primarily but have a bizarre problem where the TX light comes on at the preprogrammed TX interval, but the power amplifier in the radio won't actually turn on until you manually cycle through the three sub-audible tone options (QT/DQT/DQI). Makes absolutely no sense. Same result if you use the mic PTT. This was using the newest versions of firmware and CPS.
The receive sensitivity is also total crap. I can hear certain clear, analog transmissions on my old TH78A handheld just fine, where the same transmissions on the DB25-D can't be heard at all, even in monitor mode. That means with APRS it transmits in the blind since the receiver is mostly deaf and can't monitor. Then the squelch and volume functions won't adjust. You can lower the squelch to 0 and it won't open, but will if you go through the menu and do it that way.
Radioddity support won't help since the radios are past the warranty period even though they were first setup and tested only a week or so ago. Lessons learned - always fully test new purchases regardless of plans to use the product later, and purchase products with a better quality control history even thought they're more expensive. The headaches aren't worth the few extra $$. Many times you simply get what you pay for. These radios will probably go in the trash since they're basically garbage.
Thanks for the detailed feedback. I appreciate when someone provides their experience, even when counter to mine, so viewers have a larger body of information and can make informed decisions.
Is DMR running over the internet?
DMR often uses the internet, in my example I was using a hotspot that was connected to the internet. You could hit a local repeater with RF...that repeater may connect to the internet at some point in the process of sending the transmission around the world...Talkgroup 91 for example.
No Bluetooth built in?
No BT
Mine locks up and the cooling fan stoped working.
KN6JHC
Thanks for sharing for others to see...the more info the better.