Waterproof FRS Radio for Kayak Fishing - Retevis RT47 Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- If you fish with a buddy, having a waterproof FRS radio when kayak fishing is important to share results. But, without a waterproof radio, you are just going to waste money given the wet environment associated with kayak fishing. I take a look at the Retevis RT47 waterproof two way radio and compare it to the Cobra waterproof walkie talkie in this FRS radio review.
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Range is pretty good. I am an industrial millwright foreman and use on my jobs. 3 weeks after receiving and usung in the field, one of the radio is stuck on 1 channel, thank god it is the one I use. Range is really good over all. light weight, easy to use, and batteries last at least a 10 hr shift
Thanks for sharing
I have 4 of these and they work great. If you use it around salt water bring some fresh water to rinse it.
Does this model have a working 'scramble' mode in software settings?
Good review thanks!
" privacy codes" aren't really private btw, it just limits what YOU hear. Everyone else on that frequency can still hear you.
lol! Yes. Anyone set to the same code will hear everything.
@@KayakhacksFishing So if you have the retevis radio and another brand 2 way radio they can communicate with each other out of the box, with no programming of any kind? Great videos as always. We actually used this brand radio at my old job and they held up great but never thought for fishing.
@@comcast515 Yes, I could get it to communicate with my other radios as long as I did not set a privacy code
@@KayakhacksFishing Thanks I actually used this brand of radio at my old job and just wondered. If you bought like motorola or another brand from walmart / academy that can communicate with each other. great review by the way!
Try looking at baofeng software for programming. The sounds are the same on your radio and the software is just a general cheap radio software so it may work.
Yes use them all the time
thank you for this video I found it very helpful
You're welcome!
Walmart is selling cobra radios for $40. Ip67 water resistant and up to 32 mile range. Ready to go right out of the box.
I could not find the one you mentioned. Careful... If you are talking about the radio on the link below, it is not really waterproof. It is only IP54. That only protects against splashes. www.walmart.com/ip/Cobra-RX685-Walkie-Talkie-Rugged-Waterproof-Dustproof-with-up-to-40-Mile-Range/566782183
@@KayakhacksFishing this is the one I was talking about.
Cobra Cxt-565 32-Mile 2-Way Radios Walkie Talkies, 2-Pack with Drop In Charger, Weather and Emergency Radio
www.walmart.com/ip/Cobra-Cxt-565-32-Mile-2-Way-Radios-Walkie-Talkies-2-Pack-with-Drop-In-Charger-Weather-and-Emergency-Radio/49674151
I've had bad experience with Cobra marine radios. They seem to get water in them alot more easily the they should. In addition, the buttons are very easy to chip, say you drop in in your kayak. Once one does chip, it lets water in and ruins the radio. You would think that at least the circuit board in a marine grade product would have some conformal coating on the circuit board, but nope.
You are right. I was able to get mine replaced under warranty once.
@@KayakhacksFishing there is no way your going too get that range out of FRS unless its perfect condition. If you dont want too mess with license go with MURS better option then FRS
Wonder how those brass contracts hold around salt water.
lol! So far so good. I am going to give these away later this month and the winner will get to figure that out.
Looks like something my wife and I could put to good use.
There is a website called chirp you can use to programm them great review
Thanks!
nice
Great video. I learned more about the frs radios that I know little about. I'm looking for a new plb vs replacing the expensive battery in my old plb. Its $125 for the battery and about $215 for a new unit. I'm thinking I should just replace the 5 year old unit. What would you recommend?
I have two PLBs. One like yours and the SPOT. The SPOT, and others like it, take regular batteries. In addition, they have some built in commo features. The downside is you have to pay for the annual subscription. I replaced the battery in mine a few years ago. Given the price drop, I think I would just get a new one. If you do not need the commo features of the SPOT/equivalents, it pays for itself in 2 years.
@@KayakhacksFishing I've got a spot too. Maybe I should just re-new the spot subscription and carry only it.
I periodically test mine by having it send the OK and I need non-emergency help messages (after warning the recipients).
Yanni? Or laurel? Nub question here. Can different brands talk to each other, or does each have a secret code? I know you kind of answered that, but whatever.
The more expensive ones have many codes you can set on the channel. This cheaper version does not. But, it will talk to an expensive FRS with the channel set without a privacy code. Assuming all FRS radios are like the COBRA unit I tested this against.
A channel is a radio frequency. As far as most any other radio the channel use the same frequency. Exception is HAM radios where a channel, simply a number, is assigned to a frequency.
Another great video, I know you fish salt water, why wouldn't you invest in a regular marine VHF handheld unit? They ARE waterproof, lots of channels, and the ability to use ch16 if you really get into trouble. You have already invested as much in those and the cobra's as you can purchase a VHF one for.. Thanks for sharing!!!
I do have a VHF as well. You do make a good point.
There are a couple of valid reasons why FRS radios are useful:
- you can use them anywhere. We use them on our motorcycle trips, while camping, and for short range vehicle to vehicle communications
- vhf marine communications are more “formal”. Due to the amount of traffic messages need to be short and to the point. Sometimes it is hard to get a free channel. Frs channels out on the water are less crowded, and Make casual conversations easier. Quite frankly I feel kind of guilty using a marine channel to ask my brother if he prefers a ham or a turkey sandwich!
If I am kayaking in an area that doesn’t have good cell service, I take a marine band radio along. Same thing if I am going to be kayaking or sailing in a high traffic area. But most of my trips are on coastal sounds and bays, in shallow water and with good cell service. In those situations (90% of my trips) FRS radios are perfectly adequate, and are cheap enough that I can hand one out to everyone participating in the trip.
Nice review thx
Thanks for watching!
Nice review. I am curious, why not use a side channel on your VHF radio for ship to ship chat? Don't you usually have that on you for emergencies? Thanks
VHF radios are expensive and my buddy does not have one. I also use these when hiking/fishing in the mountains.
@@KayakhacksFishing I certainly agree with you. Everybody has a different use for their kayaks and their fishing habits. You are correct in saying that FRS can be used anywhere off the water. VHF is restricted to waterways. Where I live in So Cal, the Coast Guard and Commercial boaters monitor the emergency frequency. The distress signal also sends out GPS coordinates for quick location in an emergency. Many of the marine VHF radios do float and integrated lithium batteries. I agree on the price, a good VHF is usually double that of an FRS radio. Where I fish, there is usually someone in range of 5 miles from me. Thanks I really enjoy your videos.
You actually mean the person at the company. I am sure it was not just a random person.
Yes, the company rep.
What was the longest distance you were talking to each other
About 1/2 mile. We do not fish that far apart.
Frs is allowed on land and water but is not anywhere near a vhf. But on a frs you can shoot the breeze. With a vhf you can not use on land or shoot the breeze. But vhf has an emergency channel if you need it ?
Is that correct? I'm just looking toward the safety or an emergency use if needed.thanks have a happy 4th
I have never heard of the FRS vs VHF conflict. Yes, my VHF radio has an emergency channel. In fact, it will automatically transmit the GPS in an emergency.
@@KayakhacksFishing do you carry frs as well as vhf.
Yes, I use the FRS to talk to my buddy. VHF for emergency only.
VHS radio. Only channels Coast Guard monitor.
Brass tarnishes.
Absolutely true on VHS. FRS is personal. Brass tarnishes, but I do not think it rusts to the point of losing the ability to connect with the charger.
It doesn’t float ? Not much use on the bottom tho 🤔
lol!
Wow... Must be a water shortage where ever you are.
Tide comes and goes
You can find the download for the software for the RT47 here: www.retevis.com/retevis-rt47-ip67-license-free-radio/
Click the Support button in the top right next to the Buy button. From there, you'll see Firmware/Software and it'll list the software download.
The direct link to the current software is: www.retevis.com/resources_center/software/RT47_softwarev1.41.zip I downloaded it and it scanned clean with my AV software.
Thank you for that link!
I hear is crickets chirping (:
Clean radio SOFTWARE is AVAILABLE now: www.retevis.com/retevis-rt47-rt647-ip67-license-free-radio#A9163M-MURS
Confused on what is "waterproof?" I explain here - th-cam.com/video/tJcBVdC6S8I/w-d-xo.html