Jason, what I haven't seen covered but would like to know is the quality of performance as an analog VHF/UHF. Adding DMR sounds like a great idea, but many of my friends, contacts, family members who are on the radio are on analog radios so being able to talk with them carrying only one radio remains important. What was your experience when testing the RT72 in the analog world. I have watched reviews by a number of TH-cam reviewers and it's a topic I don't see covered. The other topic I haven't seen covered is the GPS. Seems a lot of DMR radios offer a GPS model or it just comes with the radio, some APRS so the use is obvious, I have read that for some the GPS helps the radio locate nearby repeaters, not sure if that is the case with just a couple or do they all do that?
I'll look at doing some videos on testing analog from a few of these radios. None of the manufacturers have chosen to use the GPS technology inside of DMR to do repeater finding. The technology exists, but for some reason, no one grabs onto it. So at the time I am posting this, GPS is basically worthless in most DMR radios. It will tell you the location of the radio in Lat/Lon but that is about all it does right now. Some of the radios that incorporate APRS work great over the digital network, but they don't fully TX/RX APRS on analog. That is something that needs to be looked at and updated as well.
@@HamRadio2 Thank you for considering giving this a look. DMR seems to answer to be the answer to a problem I am trying to solve connecting to my son in law in rural northern VA where there are amazingly no repeaters, a long shot to an echolink, and internet is satellite, but the rest of the time being in So. Cal with the win system, and echolink I use analog a lot. Simplex is usually vehicle to vehicle. When I move to central Texas next year that may be different, but the large channel storage of the DMR radios (why most analog don't have that I don't know) is what really enticed me.
When it came up as a 1702 that is the Baofeng DMR radio. Audio on DMR sounds good. Would be interested in hearing analog audio. I take it no digital contacts can be loaded?
If anybody has an RT72 and has figured out how to upload a code plug, (not build a code plug but upload one such as those offered by Retevis) please post how it is done? When you loaded contacts did you have to use the LContact Radio program? When you open CPS does it make you read the radio before you can work any files? These are the issues I am having and no one has done a real video on the weird workings of programing this radio from code plugs or on line help. Additionally it seems there is a relationship between the RT72 and Ailunce HD1 but the software is very different, and the RT72 software is different than the RT82 or RT3? Or am I imagining this?
Have you looked at the Retevis RT73 mini?? That looks like a solid mobile option for dmr, but there are not many reviews of it bc it is brand new... Price is $169.99 with programming cable and a mag mount antenna... seems like a killer deal. Your Thoughts?
I bought one of the radios a couple of years ago because Amazon were advertising it with APRS, however I didn’t manage to get APRS working at the time, it does make a decent DMR radio though. Has anyone been able to get APRS working on it?
Will the Retevis RT72 roam? Have heard about but not seen anything on RSSI (I think it's called) Roaming between repeaters seems like it would be a great add when mobile. On another DMR topic I have noticed that Retevis is not represented on the Pappa system code plugs page, nor on many others. Is the DX Texas. net site dead/dormant? I noticed a lot of the links are broken, and the report page where your supposed to report broken links comes back with an error as well.
I just got this same radio, and though it's advertising says it's got GPS, it's not on the menu. Does it have to be activated by the pc programming? Aprs is on the menu, but no GPS. Also, when I try to interrogate the dmr repeater (with correct color code and slot, I can't, and the screen reads "bs link" then "bs time out". What is the problem ? While I generally like the Retevis radios, I find that their customer service doesn't really know their products. If you go to Amazon and read the questions posted about this radio, you'll see that "Angela" in china answers the same question three different ways. Also, it's not totally programmable by key pad. Only came with 2 zones, and 25 analog and digital channels.
Hi Jason, thanks for the great review of this new DMR. May I know what is the max tx power of this and if it is at par or better than the Anytone DMR. Meanwhile, I have a separate query about the Baofeng UV9R plus. Is this radio really 15 watt? Hope to hear from you soon and have a blessed day ahead. 73s
You have to be very careful and review the specs. Baofeng has gotten clever with 18 watts of power but that means 5 watts plus 5 watts plus 5 watts plus 1 watt plus 1 watt plus 1watt equals 18 watts TOTAL. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same thing. Channels and power settings added together for 15 watts. Decpetive but not false advertising. Another reasion to avoid this Chinese junk.
@@twohandsandaradio Thank you so much Jason for your prompt response. Yes, I was a little doubt about the UV9R series' claims of their tx output and you have just cleared it. Besides, even in reality if these handies were capable of 18 watt tx then I guess it would have been a potential health hazard for the user. On the lighter side, I have got so used to watching your videos and trust me, sometimes I can guess when a particular rig is not up to the standards simply by your expression even though if you would not like to talk something negative... :) I am one of your many subscribers who watch your channel keenly for authentic reviews of ham radios. What I understand now is that among the standard VHF & UHF Base station and HT rigs manufactured by Chinese companies are Anytone, TYT and Retevis? Meanwhile, I look forward to the Ailuence HS2 all modes HF SDR transceiver. Thanks-za-million and have a great day ahead. 73s
So apparently I am the only Bozo to have problems with programing this radio, but when I try to copy the installed data or pull up the contact list Retevis provides I get Enter CPS Mode Failed. I am using windows 10 home edition. Contacted Retevis, they sent me to Retevis eBay, and I am staring at the radio. Any help would be appreciated, ever example I see on TH-cam it loads perfectly out of the box. I have the CPS software, I have the contact list, I just don't seem to be able to get the radio to talk. When I canceled out it asked me if I wanted to save some kind of file, I did, and I seem to have one channel under the baseline? Not sure if this was in the software or came over from the radio. As a CHIRP user, not used to this. In my computer view I don't see the radio. Hope you had a successful hunt.
What's up friend, unfortunately you're not the only one with problems programming the RT-72 through the computer, I already downloaded the program and driver several times and I can't get it to work, I sent an email to Retevis and I haven't had a reply, Someone who can support us how they got their radio to work, Greetings.
Looking forward to hear on this. Until then my understanding is that, all USB ports are for 5 volts only and if the mini USB on the HT is for charging then I guess it might have a step-up voltage internal circuit for 9 or 10 volts to enable it to charge from a standard smartphone wall charger or a power bank... :) 73s
Looks like the TYT but with some nice improvements. I did notice the CPS showed VFO A and VFO B but can't remember which screen. Thanks for the reviews and keep them coming. Always enjoy watching. 73 from W9JTC
Hey Jason my name is Rory and I’m taking my exam on Thursday and i have the rt72 radio is that a good radio please let me know thank you have a blessed day
I wish DMR was like Fusion, you set the channel only and none of this messing about, press the wires-x and you're done, really simple and convenient compared to this DMR madness. Channel for every talkgroup and double that for each repeater and again for a hotspot, it's a joke. People really should notgo with DMR and go to Fusion it's just so much easier. I made a mistake getting DMR. Sure DMR is cheaper but the quality of radio audio differs for each radio and the rx volume is always up and down so you have to constantly adjust audio, really, in 2020 ? you don't have to do that with Fusion.
Easier doesn't mean better. Often times, things that are more challenging are also more rewarding. You can certainly set 1 channel for a repeater and change TGs on the fly. That's been doable for a long time. The reason audio differs between radios is because multiple companies make DMR radios. With Fusion, you are locked to only Yaesu. With anything that is open source, like DMR, you will always have variables.
@@o00scorpion00o Some radios will allow you to enter manually, yes. Other radios require you to have the TG already programmed in the codeplug - in either case, you can switch back and forth as often as you need. You have given me a great idea for a new video, so thank you for posting this comment.
@@HamRadio2 Yes mostly the TG are programmed but they need a channel associated with them, this is the pain of DMR, then you have to do all that again for each repeater if you need them. Sure if you just want to set it up on 1 hotspot it's easier. It would however be great if you just have to enter the repeater or hotspot frequency like Fusion then hit Wires-X to get a list of TG, this would be really cool on DMR.
Looks like the MD 2017 minus the track ball. Thanks as always for the review Jason. Nice radio for less that $100.
Agreed
Jason, what I haven't seen covered but would like to know is the quality of performance as an analog VHF/UHF. Adding DMR sounds like a great idea, but many of my friends, contacts, family members who are on the radio are on analog radios so being able to talk with them carrying only one radio remains important. What was your experience when testing the RT72 in the analog world. I have watched reviews by a number of TH-cam reviewers and it's a topic I don't see covered.
The other topic I haven't seen covered is the GPS. Seems a lot of DMR radios offer a GPS model or it just comes with the radio, some APRS so the use is obvious, I have read that for some the GPS helps the radio locate nearby repeaters, not sure if that is the case with just a couple or do they all do that?
I'll look at doing some videos on testing analog from a few of these radios.
None of the manufacturers have chosen to use the GPS technology inside of DMR to do repeater finding. The technology exists, but for some reason, no one grabs onto it. So at the time I am posting this, GPS is basically worthless in most DMR radios. It will tell you the location of the radio in Lat/Lon but that is about all it does right now. Some of the radios that incorporate APRS work great over the digital network, but they don't fully TX/RX APRS on analog. That is something that needs to be looked at and updated as well.
@@HamRadio2 Thank you for considering giving this a look. DMR seems to answer to be the answer to a problem I am trying to solve connecting to my son in law in rural northern VA where there are amazingly no repeaters, a long shot to an echolink, and internet is satellite, but the rest of the time being in So. Cal with the win system, and echolink I use analog a lot. Simplex is usually vehicle to vehicle. When I move to central Texas next year that may be different, but the large channel storage of the DMR radios (why most analog don't have that I don't know) is what really enticed me.
When it came up as a 1702 that is the Baofeng DMR radio. Audio on DMR sounds good. Would be interested in hearing analog audio. I take it no digital contacts can be loaded?
4:12 sound familiar? TYT MD 380/390 and UV MD 380/ UV MD 390 power on tones.
LOL no. Those are Motorola tones, copied by TYT, CSI and multiple Chinese companies.
If anybody has an RT72 and has figured out how to upload a code plug, (not build a code plug but upload one such as those offered by Retevis) please post how it is done? When you loaded contacts did you have to use the LContact Radio program? When you open CPS does it make you read the radio before you can work any files? These are the issues I am having and no one has done a real video on the weird workings of programing this radio from code plugs or on line help. Additionally it seems there is a relationship between the RT72 and Ailunce HD1 but the software is very different, and the RT72 software is different than the RT82 or RT3? Or am I imagining this?
I am looking at getting my first DMR radio and want you opinion of what is a good, easy to use DMR HT for newcomers to the DMR world?
Have you looked at the Retevis RT73 mini?? That looks like a solid mobile option for dmr, but there are not many reviews of it bc it is brand new... Price is $169.99 with programming cable and a mag mount antenna... seems like a killer deal. Your Thoughts?
I have the Kydera version which was released several months before the Retevis one.
I bought one of the radios a couple of years ago because Amazon were advertising it with APRS, however I didn’t manage to get APRS working at the time, it does make a decent DMR radio though.
Has anyone been able to get APRS working on it?
I want to see the replacement to the now dated HD1.
The amazon listing says it’ll listen to 2 freq. at the same time. Is this radio able to tx on vhf and rx on uhf???
No it isn't full duplex, but it's dual timeslot
Does this radio have the same feel in your hand as the md-2017?
Will the Retevis RT72 roam? Have heard about but not seen anything on RSSI (I think it's called) Roaming between repeaters seems like it would be a great add when mobile.
On another DMR topic I have noticed that Retevis is not represented on the Pappa system code plugs page, nor on many others. Is the DX Texas. net site dead/dormant? I noticed a lot of the links are broken, and the report page where your supposed to report broken links comes back with an error as well.
I just got this same radio, and though it's advertising says it's got GPS, it's not on the menu. Does it have to be activated by the pc programming? Aprs is on the menu, but no GPS. Also, when I try to interrogate the dmr repeater (with correct color code and slot, I can't, and the screen reads "bs link" then "bs time out". What is the problem ? While I generally like the Retevis radios, I find that their customer service doesn't really know their products. If you go to Amazon and read the questions posted about this radio, you'll see that "Angela" in china answers the same question three different ways.
Also, it's not totally programmable by key pad. Only came with 2 zones, and 25 analog and digital channels.
Hi Jason, thanks for the great review of this new DMR. May I know what is the max tx power of this and if it is at par or better than the Anytone DMR.
Meanwhile, I have a separate query about the Baofeng UV9R plus. Is this radio really 15 watt? Hope to hear from you soon and have a blessed day ahead.
73s
You have to be very careful and review the specs. Baofeng has gotten clever with 18 watts of power but that means 5 watts plus 5 watts plus 5 watts plus 1 watt plus 1 watt plus 1watt equals 18 watts TOTAL. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same thing. Channels and power settings added together for 15 watts. Decpetive but not false advertising. Another reasion to avoid this Chinese junk.
@@twohandsandaradio Thank you so much Jason for your prompt response. Yes, I was a little doubt about the UV9R series' claims of their tx output and you have just cleared it. Besides, even in reality if these handies were capable of 18 watt tx then I guess it would have been a potential health hazard for the user.
On the lighter side, I have got so used to watching your videos and trust me, sometimes I can guess when a particular rig is not up to the standards simply by your expression even though if you would not like to talk something negative... :) I am one of your many subscribers who watch your channel keenly for authentic reviews of ham radios.
What I understand now is that among the standard VHF & UHF Base station and HT rigs manufactured by Chinese companies are Anytone, TYT and Retevis?
Meanwhile, I look forward to the Ailuence HS2 all modes HF SDR transceiver.
Thanks-za-million and have a great day ahead.
73s
Does this device using Double Conversion Superheterodyne in it?
Any dmr in sac ???
New at this and want a HAM. Watched the review " Best hand held HAM 2020 and RETC RT-72 review as well. I can spend up to $150? Suggestions??
I'm working on a video with this exact title. Right now I'd say the Yaesu FT60 or FT65
Wouxun KG-UV9D? just asking I'm going to purchase something today and get a license. Is that hard to obtain?
Those are a bit over $150, but a solid choice
@@HamRadio2 function between the models on KG-UV9D vs Dm1702?
Sorry to bug - excited to jump in the HAM world I was watching the D/L you did on the RT-72 - does the KG-UV9D and Yaesu FT65 same stuff ?
So apparently I am the only Bozo to have problems with programing this radio, but when I try to copy the installed data or pull up the contact list Retevis provides I get Enter CPS Mode Failed. I am using windows 10 home edition. Contacted Retevis, they sent me to Retevis eBay, and I am staring at the radio. Any help would be appreciated, ever example I see on TH-cam it loads perfectly out of the box. I have the CPS software, I have the contact list, I just don't seem to be able to get the radio to talk.
When I canceled out it asked me if I wanted to save some kind of file, I did, and I seem to have one channel under the baseline? Not sure if this was in the software or came over from the radio. As a CHIRP user, not used to this. In my computer view I don't see the radio.
Hope you had a successful hunt.
What's up friend, unfortunately you're not the only one with problems programming the RT-72 through the computer, I already downloaded the program and driver several times and I can't get it to work, I sent an email to Retevis and I haven't had a reply, Someone who can support us how they got their radio to work,
Greetings.
Just wondering if the micro-sub port is strictly for data transfer or can it be charged through it as well.
Good question, I will try that
Looking forward to hear on this. Until then my understanding is that, all USB ports are for 5 volts only and if the mini USB on the HT is for charging then I guess it might have a step-up voltage internal circuit for 9 or 10 volts to enable it to charge from a standard smartphone wall charger or a power bank... :)
73s
Would be really cool for a radio at this price point to have that feature!
@@rawwar7189 All that we need now on these speculation is the answer from Jason, whom I guess will be checking the rig once again... :)
Yep. I was "yelling" at the screen. ;-)
LOL
Looks like the TYT but with some nice improvements. I did notice the CPS showed VFO A and VFO B but can't remember which screen. Thanks for the reviews and keep them coming. Always enjoy watching. 73 from W9JTC
Thanks for commenting
как сбросить настройки на заводские? . привет
Hey Jason my name is Rory and I’m taking my exam on Thursday and i have the rt72 radio is that a good radio please let me know thank you have a blessed day
Good luck on your test. That is a decent radio
Any idea how to get aprs working?
No, I didn't check. It didn't seem to have all of the menus it needed.
@@HamRadio2 Yes, aprs and talker alias is perfect
Did it transmit APRS? What is the good of receiving APRS?
Yes, good aprs and talker alias. Perfect
@@luizsergiolemos7720 Analog or digital APRS?
satcom?
FYI there is zero support from Retevis for this product. Replacement batteries are not available, so you'll have to improvise your own.
2:00 Is that code for contacting aliens??? I knew your channel was a little off!!! FIRST!!!
LOL
That's a lot of dmr radio for not much money.
And maybe not. Revetis and others are great at marketing (junk). Damn I need coffee.
That is absolutely a fact, Radio Active.
Exactly why we all like watching these videos.... Less Propaganda & Marketing
I wish DMR was like Fusion, you set the channel only and none of this messing about, press the wires-x and you're done, really simple and convenient compared to this DMR madness. Channel for every talkgroup and double that for each repeater and again for a hotspot, it's a joke. People really should notgo with DMR and go to Fusion it's just so much easier. I made a mistake getting DMR. Sure DMR is cheaper but the quality of radio audio differs for each radio and the rx volume is always up and down so you have to constantly adjust audio, really, in 2020 ? you don't have to do that with Fusion.
Easier doesn't mean better. Often times, things that are more challenging are also more rewarding.
You can certainly set 1 channel for a repeater and change TGs on the fly. That's been doable for a long time.
The reason audio differs between radios is because multiple companies make DMR radios. With Fusion, you are locked to only Yaesu. With anything that is open source, like DMR, you will always have variables.
@@HamRadio2 Change TG on the fly, you mean enter TG manually ?
@@o00scorpion00o Some radios will allow you to enter manually, yes. Other radios require you to have the TG already programmed in the codeplug - in either case, you can switch back and forth as often as you need.
You have given me a great idea for a new video, so thank you for posting this comment.
@@HamRadio2 Yes mostly the TG are programmed but they need a channel associated with them, this is the pain of DMR, then you have to do all that again for each repeater if you need them. Sure if you just want to set it up on 1 hotspot it's easier. It would however be great if you just have to enter the repeater or hotspot frequency like Fusion then hit Wires-X to get a list of TG, this would be really cool on DMR.
I am struggling to understand this radio.