Just got a black one today, and the PTTs are specific to the different sides of the radio, N8WWR. The wife asked "what does this radio do different that the others won't?" My response was "it looks cool"......
I have an Motorola APX4000. I'm a firefighter/emt. I've been through fires and have had tobuse my apx for self defense. I got my apx 8 years ago and it's still going strong. I've tested 3 different baofeng radios and they don't last more than 2 years. I'm going to try this radio. I don't expect a baofeng to be used as a duty radio but I carried one on my pocket, using it with the Fire Department repeater. I had it on every day and they lasted between 1 to 2 years. I also test kenwood on the Land Mobile Radio System in Alaska.
@HamRadio2 I want something civilians in my Community can have to listen to our transmissions so they are informed. I also want them to be able to call in emergencies. Most of my community (198 souls) are or were First Aid responders. We have 30 City Emergency Response Team members, 10 Firefighters/EMT. We respond to 20 medevacs a year.
@@Lecon60 I'd suggest buying some xts 3000 radios price between $100-$250.....they were the radios of choice by first responders.....so they definitely held up to durability tests....This might be the next best thing for you if you want the durability.....and the are p25....
I ended up buying one after I watched this video. Radio is pretty cool and I found out it also TX and RX on 825.00 MHz. I ordered mine with a speaker mic. My radio seems to work pretty well but when the spkr mic is connected, in both TX and RX the radio will start jumping into different frequencies and different bands. I contacted the guy I got it from in China and at first he said it shouldn’t be doing that. He later got back to me saying they have a problem with the speaker mic doing this. He offered me a refund but I’d like to hang on to the radio because it’s pretty cool ! I can tell you right now that the speaker mic is not shielded and that little USB plug is not very good.
I am definitely what you would consider a Motorola fanboy! Youi are correct, the APX series of radios are a magnificent bit of kit. I'm in LEO as a communications officer for my local SP troop, we happen to use the APX6000, a great radio but not as feature/capability packed as the 8000. A local SO has the 8000 and we have one here at the troop to communicate with them, and I can tell you that the 8000 does perform as a tri-bander. The radio we have from that sheriff's office has VHF/UHF/700/800... its code plug includes all the marine VHF freqs, all of the parish school boards, utilities, railroad freqs. Basic. I havent tried it but I think it also has all of the parishes fire departments as well along with EMS services. The radio will pretty much does everything except whip up a bowl of gumbo!
I've been carring a Moto APX 8000 around for about 5 years. VHF/UHF/7/800. Will also do 900 but we didn't buy that feature. Does P25, encryption, the works. First couple of weeks having it, I took it in my Jeep Wrangler up to a radio site. Whiped a corner and the 8000 went flying across the dash and out the half door of the jeep on to the mountain goat road, bounced about 5 times and landed face down in the rocks. Thinking that I just lost my job by destroying my new work radio, I picked it up, looked it over VERY carefully and was shocked that it didn't have a scratch on it! This thing is a TANK! Now after 5 years and being dropped at least once every other week, it's still going strong. Only wear you can see is from the oils on my hands making the front shiny. They are made to take abuse and LOTS of if! BTY, Motorola radio model numbers reflect their price. Mine was just over $8K. Crazy price and I'm glad I didn't have to buy it! 73, de N7LT!
ATTENTION: I have this exact radio, and I inadvertently "Jailbroke" it. If you power this on while holding the Menu button,(Should look like a house,) on the screen at the top left corner SHOULD be a letter 'F' inside a red Box. that is your visual confirmation that the radio is now Jailbroke.(Should look like a house,) you can access: the AirBand RX, 136-174 MHZ, 220-260 MHZ, 350-390MHZ, 400-520MHZ, and 840-999MHZ. Please be responsible.
I've seen some of the tests that are done with the Motorola radios - I doubt this would survive the same type of tests, although it is pretty cool looking!
My hamgeek apx-8000 does 220. Tested the TD H3 with it on 223.500Mhz. Works fine. Admittedly, I bought this one because I was looking for a more durable radio. One that seemed it could take a lickin and keep on ticking. One that was not asking a big 'M' price. This radio seems like it might do ok taking some punishment. It might be water resistant. Not sure if I'd say water proof.
@@HamRadio2 Sure does. Power it on while holding the Menu button, if a red f appears in the left top corner, its "free". now you have access to 220-260 MHz, 340-390 MHz, and 840-999 MHz. RX, unsure about tx, I'm unlicensed. figured this out while fiddling with it back in February when it first hit Ebay listings for me. I'll never have the money for a real APX, so i figured this is the best i'm gonna get, and i'm not disappointed.
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 Got my HAMGEEK APX8000 in and I like the radio, it's not perfect by no means but it works. I also found out the PTT on the left is for the screen mic side, and the right PTT is for the speaker mic side. I have ordered another one with the programing cable and software...
Not sure if I'd say its waterproof either. I disassembled part of it, and the area where the battery slides into is definitely not gonna keep ot water with some of the gaps in the housing. Additionally, the battery doesn't even latch in, it's screws in to a single part on the bottom, so that'll definitely let water in if it falls someplace wet.
Dang, if this did P25 it would definitely be competing with my Harris XG100P. We have a robust P25 system here in Dayton, so its nice not having to carry two radios if we want to switch to it.
Unfortunately, you are likely never going to get P25 on a low-cost radio. The way P25 is licensed is insane, and seems to have been designed to allow as many companies to get their snouts into the trough as possible. The overall result of this is that for a compliant P25 device you have to pay so much in per-device license fees that it would likely more than double the cost of the radio, even excluding the up-front costs for getting the licences in the first place. Couple that with the fact that a huge majority of the P25 applications are either fully or partially federally funded and hence subject to US source requirements there is zero incentive for the current manufacturers to reduce prices and also zero incentive for any non-US manufacturer to get into the market because they are effectively excluded from the vast majority of potential sales. This is why you can get cheap TETRA radios (which is a system that's of similar technical complexity) while all the P25 stuff is blindingly expensive. In fact, a lot of the DSP platform radios are technically perfectly capable of running P25 just with software changes - but the combination of the absurd license costs and lack of transparency means that it ends up not making any commercial sense to actually write the software to do so.
Got my HAMGEEK APX8000 in and I like the radio, it's not perfect by no means but it works. I also found out the PTT on the left is for the screen mic side, and the right PTT is for the speaker mic side. I have ordered another one with the programing cable and software...👍
Motorola currently has three primary APX radios in their product lineup. The APX 6000 is a single band radio. Therefore, you will have to choose between VHF, UHF R1, UHF R2, or 7/800 MHz. There is also the APX 7000. Which is a dual band radio. You can choose any two frequency bands listed above. I.E. VHF and 7/800 MHz or something like VHF and UHF R1 for the ham bands. Then, there is the APX 8000; which, as mentioned in the video is a "All band" radio. It can operate in all of the pre mentioned bands. These three models of radio also have "XE" models associated with them; which simply refers to that model having larger knobs and a ruggedized rubber bumper around the top of the radio. You will typically see these models labeled as "APX8000XE". There are other APX models available such as the APX 3000, 4000, and APX NEXT. All of these radios have specialized features that they bring to the APX product line but are out of the scope of this comment. Lastly, all APX series of radios support analog FM and p25 digital.
I ordered a few and have really enjoyed them. The software is pretty janky but like that it AlphaNumeric through the programing software and program cable. Also another quirk is when the battery gets low the receive on vhf gets very grainy. My meter says near 8 watts on VHF and 11 watts on UHF.
I think this radio was originally designed for Chinese ham market. The UHF ham band is 430-440MHz in China, that's why it can only put out 12W in that range. Anything out of that range is consider out of band. The radio can do it, but it is not optimal.
Just spent over $100 st M&P. Wish I knew about the coupon code. Next time. I want to work at getting me General so when I get my first HF I’ll hit them up again.
You should test the power output (and receiver sensitivity) on the low, mid and high portions of the band. Just to do complete testing. Nice looking radio for the price, 73
I got one. The speaker is ifi could be better, and the antenna could be longer or better for better reach. Also I would put a 3.5 output to plug an ear plug.
After watching your video I ended up purchasing one. Just got it the other day and I have to say it’s not bad I was little apprehensive at first but after messing around with it I like it. For the money it’s not a bad deal. Programming was indeed easy, looking for a spare battery any idea where I can purchase one? Thanks for the review. 73…
APX 7000 is dual band - comes in various configurations. APX 8000 is all band - VHF, UHF R1 and R2, 700- 800. I actually own 7 APX 7000’s and an 800 MHz P25 repeater
I really appreciate these videos. You buy all the weird Random things that catch my attention too!😂 Have you ever considered reviewing the Reel Pot’able EFHW?
Are they water resistant to any extent? I'm not so worried about actual water. I do live in a snowy area and snow has wrecked about 4 radios this year.
Yea. The APX8000 all four bands REAL ONE is really good. I use one and the sister APX8500 with all four bands. My ham gear sits in boxes, as M has been my go to. Even for Dmr.
What completely escapes me is how people afford one of these. real APX ain't happenin' on a social security income. I couldn't even afford a brochure for one.
Hey buddy I watched your TH-cam video watched it more than once I saw this same radio on Ebay as well but I didn't know if it did p25 for Fire EMS and police but I do see that it does all of the ham radio stuff I do have a gmrs license as well
Hello. I have this radio. It unfortunately does not do P25, but it is analog. Air Band Rx 109-135, VHF RX-TX 136-174MHz, and UHF 400-520 Mhz. along with three other bands if you jailbreak it which i posted how to do in my previous comments.
Can the radio actually be programmed with alpha tags ? You mention that can be done using software... have you done this and how certain are you? Have you used the software if how use is it to use ?
i was browsing ebay searching for mototrbo compatible radios and this came up in the similar and soon as i saw it i was like wait that is a super blatant ripoff of the motorolas my city has (the apx8000s my city has are 800mhz 150mhz not sure what the police use other than 800mhz ) nice to see its not a total pile of crap maybe i can pick one up if i ever get a decent job
I brought one of these just after obtaining my amateur radio licence you can get software and also a cable to properly set it up with frequencies/channel name found programming it using my laptop was a whole lot easier I've only got a handful of amateur channels,5 VHF marine and a handful of UHF CB channels
@@ChuckBigbie i used the software available on RT Systems website of course you've got to pay for it but worth the money there is also an option to have a programming cable sent in the mail as well
I guess they did not have DMR in mind? nor GPS or APRS...I would like to see btech come up with some replacement boards for the Motorola jedi's turning some of 800 Mhz radios into DMR+GPS+APRS 2 meter and 70 centimeter handhelds
@@psychodadsn The Quangsheng UVK58 is capable of receiving SSB with custom firmware. It's just a matter of time before someone figures out the TX side of it.
@@ABRetroCollectionsnot 9nly that, but the latest K5 has a new v2 add on board that allows SSB, etc. On HF bands... I have a funny feeling the next official version will come with that circuit already included. That radio is an amazing rig for developers & electronic geeks. 😊
@@jptucsonaz8503I would pay someone to do the mod if they were reliable and affordable. ME?. I'm pressed to solder two wires together. That being said, the K5 (8) is a fun dang radio and for less than 30 bonz. I have a radio snob that hates to hear me talking about it...I got the Ezgumer 2.0 firmware on it now.Thinking of buy a couple more this summer to try with other firmware packages. As far as this Hamgeek model?. NOT for the price. Tidradio H8 is my choice for just under half the price of this.
@HamRadio2 unrelated question, why are you and @HamRadioCrashCourse radio silent on the LOTW issue? It has been a long time of nothing and curious why you are not covering this? Integrity of logging has been turned on its head and there is not a story? Many of us, myself included are ARRL members and we are just pretending like there is not a serious issue it seems. Would really like to see the two experts many of us rely on help us understand.
I have this radio and I love it but don’t know I to lock a few because the 483.0375 the minute I shut to radio of I loose the freq. what do you mean by Roger beeb
This is what I put on radioreference verbatim: (ordered one from ebay) Welp... ordered one from greedbay. Impressions: looks great, build quality good, loud audio, not hi-fi but not baofeng-tinny either. Sensitivity on a par with your average CCR. More hefty, better feel than most other consumer grade radios. Call it prosumer. Not so good: on some frequencies the squelch tail is horrible, even a double tail. Audio dropouts unless you have the right bandwidth selected. Other radios of mine aren't so fussy. On ham freqs unless you have it set to wide, audio will mute on a received signal. The real kicker: in scan, if you have PL on receive, it skips past the frequency and won't stop IOW you hear a burp and it keeps scanning. Death sentence. In CSQ scan works fine. If you try to change channels with the top knob while radio is receiving, numbers change but the radio stays on the frequency you're trying to change. I have a message in to the seller to see if I can try another one but not holding my breath. (not responding now) Hand programmed, didn't wanna wait weeks for a cable. Life's too short. At least I got the radio from a U.S. based source. Anyone else here get curious and get one? What are your *polite* thoughts? Symptoms? Anything similar? Buy-an-APX comments will be ignored, one of those is 3/4 of my whole yearly income. For us wacker wannabe proles this could be a good alternative if they'd fix the problems. **** Except for looks, this thing sucks. It was sold to me as new but was an obvious used return. The unresponsive seller got negative feedback.
@@HamRadio2 Ah! So getting a replacement would't change anything. Seller gave me a 50% refund. Appreciate the review! They could fix this with a firmware update.
Jason, when you figure out what all the menu items do and what the screen icons are please post it somewhere and let us know. The manual really isn't much help.
You can get a motorola sticker and put it in the same location and fool everyone! Lol. I'm not suggesting you do. It is the same case as the Fontool 6500, which is very clean? Only does UHF and GMRS. Also does Global PTT. In our GMRS group there are at least 12 Fontools and they work quite well. And our global ptt works great and is completely free and works everywhere. The white cord is for programming. I found so far, no other cord worked for that programming. The bottom one is charging and all cords work. Yeah, it's Chinese. The Fontool seems to have better reception, at least on gmrs.
Another thing you didn't even check out was m u r s frequencies on that radio that would have been nice to know what the power output on that would have been and those five frequencies
It appears from eBay picture charge cable is micro USB and mic cable is USB C ? Also on that sellers page it mentions a customs fee possible by shipper. Did you pay an additional shipping fee?
Any suggestions on programming software and cable?? I haven’t received my radio yet but pre planning. The only one I found online is by Rt systems. ??? 🤔
I know NOT MUCH about out radios but just wondering an you program MURS FREQUENCIES INTO THIS RADIO IF IT DOES I’ll.buy 2 of these. Can you find out and respond? It the. I don’t know how to program it lol I just want it programmed so I can just turn on and talk Please help?????
Antennas... the Smiley Antenna single band tuned antennas. I've been using them for years and you can purchase them tuned for 2m, 70cm, MURS/LMR, GMRS, VHF Marine, VHF Railroad. Can get them in various sizes/lengths. I can QSO repeaters that the factory dual & wide mono band antennas won't touch. The Smileys are available in your choice of SMA M & F, SMA Motorola, BNC, TNC, ICOM... Just out of curiosity I took the factory dual band Antenna off my Yaesu ft4xr and put it on the "new & improved" 8 watt Talkpod and that was a significant improvement. Yesterday I ordered a Hamgeek APX8000 and I'll be experimenting with the Antennas. * FYI ... there's counterfeit Motorola and Kenwood Antennas floating around on eBay. Radios too. Saw 3-4 fake Icoms (IC V-8, V-82, and V-85) all of which have been out of production for 10-20 years.
Got one downloaded the programming app. Never seen a programming app like it. Is there a better programming app or a TH-cam to teach how to use it. Please help.
I agree. I’m genuinely disappointed because I hope to one day find a cheap alternative p25 handheld to use for ham and public safety as well. Doubt I’ll ever see it but technology is evolving for sure. Love the radio for sure, but it’s essentially a glorified Baofeng in a APX housing really.
@@dillonlewis3645Astro Sabers, do P25 and if so equipped DES-XL but don’t expect to find many repair parts for it and batteries can be scarce. In todays market a relatively cheap P25 radio but single band only.
@@HamRadio2 I agree unfortunately. Anything P25 is stupid expensive. Seeing this radio really makes me miss, and appreciate when my local volunteer fire departments, and public safety agencies were still analog. I would run this heck out of this thing if we were lol. Man I love your videos! I live in southwest MS, and I haul LP gas. I travel through the DFW area multiple times a week. Hope to catch you on a local DMR repeater sometime. 73 brother!
@@HamRadio2 I am a little confused, APCO PROJECT 25 is supposed to be an open source format so anyone can comply with a universal communications standard as compared to Motorolas patented formats that limit small departments from having interoperability amounts the big players.
Issue keeps happening with mine. When I turn it on it will automatically start transmitting and start making a tone noise like I’m hold the PTT and another button. Weird! No external mic was plugged in and no vox on. No buttons feel stuck or anything🤷♂️ I managed to get it to stop by turning it on and repeatedly pushing the 🏠 (lol) button to get into the menu. This was many of tries to get it to stop. I turned off menu #37 RPT-SW and haven’t had a problem so far. Anyone else have issues with theirs?
I just got one and it worked Cora minute the. Hasn’t come back on since The battery is fully charged, ow ?, o lights, o lights. O nothing at all is working
IDK. I have only FPP'd mine because I hate trying to figure out programming software. I can create channels but there is no way to assign names, even though there appears to be an option to do so.
Mine only works with cross band. I have not been able to get it to do Single band relay. I don't recommend it either because as soon as the first transmission comes across with the relay function activated, the unit starts heating up like a toaster.
pretty interesting, there are a lot of CCR (cheap chinese radio) companies starting to copy the look of the T-grip P25 radio. another ive seen is the Inrico IRC590. looks like a motorola with smooth skin.
Just got a black one today, and the PTTs are specific to the different sides of the radio, N8WWR. The wife asked "what does this radio do different that the others won't?" My response was "it looks cool"......
You're correct that the APX8000 can be ordered with 3 bands (Motorola considers it 4)
VHF 136 to 174
UHF R1 380 to 470
UHF R2 450 to 520
7/800
I have an Motorola APX4000. I'm a firefighter/emt. I've been through fires and have had tobuse my apx for self defense. I got my apx 8 years ago and it's still going strong. I've tested 3 different baofeng radios and they don't last more than 2 years.
I'm going to try this radio.
I don't expect a baofeng to be used as a duty radio but I carried one on my pocket, using it with the Fire Department repeater. I had it on every day and they lasted between 1 to 2 years.
I also test kenwood on the Land Mobile Radio System in Alaska.
This one will not live up to an actual APX radio
@HamRadio2 I want something civilians in my Community can have to listen to our transmissions so they are informed. I also want them to be able to call in emergencies. Most of my community (198 souls) are or were First Aid responders. We have 30 City Emergency Response Team members, 10 Firefighters/EMT. We respond to 20 medevacs a year.
@@Lecon60 I'd suggest buying some xts 3000 radios price between $100-$250.....they were the radios of choice by first responders.....so they definitely held up to durability tests....This might be the next best thing for you if you want the durability.....and the are p25....
Nice review. Much appreciated. You are the best reviewer on the Tubes. Not many will do as thorough of a review on a "cheap" inexpensive radio.
I appreciate that!
I believe that's a fontool. They make another one that is a POC as well. Works really well.
The POC one has better firmware that this
I ended up buying one after I watched this video. Radio is pretty cool and I found out it also TX and RX on 825.00 MHz. I ordered mine with a speaker mic. My radio seems to work pretty well but when the spkr mic is connected, in both TX and RX the radio will start jumping into different frequencies and different bands. I contacted the guy I got it from in China and at first he said it shouldn’t be doing that. He later got back to me saying they have a problem with the speaker mic doing this. He offered me a refund but I’d like to hang on to the radio because it’s pretty cool ! I can tell you right now that the speaker mic is not shielded and that little USB plug is not very good.
I bought both black and yellow ends. Your review was fantastic. Thanks so much, Jim
Do you know if I can use feq-464-225/125 which is the police freq to be able to listen to the pd
🙏
@@fairfield003 I Just tried it and it works !!
Thank you reviewing this, I was looking into this radio on Ebay.
Thanks for this-been waiting for a review. Just might get one.
I have been looking at this radio. Thanks for reviewing it.
I am definitely what you would consider a Motorola fanboy! Youi are correct, the APX series of radios are a magnificent bit of kit. I'm in LEO as a communications officer for my local SP troop, we happen to use the APX6000, a great radio but not as feature/capability packed as the 8000. A local SO has the 8000 and we have one here at the troop to communicate with them, and I can tell you that the 8000 does perform as a tri-bander. The radio we have from that sheriff's office has VHF/UHF/700/800... its code plug includes all the marine VHF freqs, all of the parish school boards, utilities, railroad freqs. Basic. I havent tried it but I think it also has all of the parishes fire departments as well along with EMS services. The radio will pretty much does everything except whip up a bowl of gumbo!
They should make sure all their units have NIFOG in them
I've been carring a Moto APX 8000 around for about 5 years. VHF/UHF/7/800. Will also do 900 but we didn't buy that feature. Does P25, encryption, the works. First couple of weeks having it, I took it in my Jeep Wrangler up to a radio site. Whiped a corner and the 8000 went flying across the dash and out the half door of the jeep on to the mountain goat road, bounced about 5 times and landed face down in the rocks. Thinking that I just lost my job by destroying my new work radio, I picked it up, looked it over VERY carefully and was shocked that it didn't have a scratch on it! This thing is a TANK! Now after 5 years and being dropped at least once every other week, it's still going strong. Only wear you can see is from the oils on my hands making the front shiny. They are made to take abuse and LOTS of if! BTY, Motorola radio model numbers reflect their price. Mine was just over $8K. Crazy price and I'm glad I didn't have to buy it!
73, de N7LT!
Jason the PF1 short press changes the orientation of the small screen on top of the radio
Thanks for the tip. Jim
I probably pressed that button 100 times trying to figure out what it did
ATTENTION: I have this exact radio, and I inadvertently "Jailbroke" it. If you power this on while holding the Menu button,(Should look like a house,) on the screen at the top left corner SHOULD be a letter 'F' inside a red Box. that is your visual confirmation that the radio is now Jailbroke.(Should look like a house,) you can access: the AirBand RX, 136-174 MHZ, 220-260 MHZ, 350-390MHZ, 400-520MHZ, and 840-999MHZ. Please be responsible.
Awesome, thanks for the info. I'll try it
Sure thing.
@@HamRadio2did you?
@@Gta2O13 not yet, I have been at Field Day all weekend
THANK YOU !!!
Bought one on ebay (still waiting for it to arrive)..broke down & bought RT systems SF/cable...thanks for what you do...
Did it come
I've seen some of the tests that are done with the Motorola radios - I doubt this would survive the same type of tests, although it is pretty cool looking!
No, I am sure it wouldn't
My hamgeek apx-8000 does 220. Tested the TD H3 with it on 223.500Mhz. Works fine. Admittedly, I bought this one because I was looking for a more durable radio. One that seemed it could take a lickin and keep on ticking. One that was not asking a big 'M' price. This radio seems like it might do ok taking some punishment. It might be water resistant. Not sure if I'd say water proof.
There must be different versions out there because this one doesn't TX on 220
@@HamRadio2 Sure does. Power it on while holding the Menu button, if a red f appears in the left top corner, its "free". now you have access to 220-260 MHz, 340-390 MHz, and 840-999 MHz. RX, unsure about tx, I'm unlicensed. figured this out while fiddling with it back in February when it first hit Ebay listings for me. I'll never have the money for a real APX, so i figured this is the best i'm gonna get, and i'm not disappointed.
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 Got my HAMGEEK APX8000 in and I like the radio, it's not perfect by no means but it works. I also found out the PTT on the left is for the screen mic side, and the right PTT is for the speaker mic side. I have ordered another one with the programing cable and software...
Not sure if I'd say its waterproof either. I disassembled part of it, and the area where the battery slides into is definitely not gonna keep ot water with some of the gaps in the housing. Additionally, the battery doesn't even latch in, it's screws in to a single part on the bottom, so that'll definitely let water in if it falls someplace wet.
@HamRadio2 power it on while holding the menu button and then key in 220. Should do 220 thru 260
Dang, if this did P25 it would definitely be competing with my Harris XG100P. We have a robust P25 system here in Dayton, so its nice not having to carry two radios if we want to switch to it.
Get a VP8k. Don't bother with this chingdong shit.
Unfortunately, you are likely never going to get P25 on a low-cost radio. The way P25 is licensed is insane, and seems to have been designed to allow as many companies to get their snouts into the trough as possible. The overall result of this is that for a compliant P25 device you have to pay so much in per-device license fees that it would likely more than double the cost of the radio, even excluding the up-front costs for getting the licences in the first place. Couple that with the fact that a huge majority of the P25 applications are either fully or partially federally funded and hence subject to US source requirements there is zero incentive for the current manufacturers to reduce prices and also zero incentive for any non-US manufacturer to get into the market because they are effectively excluded from the vast majority of potential sales. This is why you can get cheap TETRA radios (which is a system that's of similar technical complexity) while all the P25 stuff is blindingly expensive. In fact, a lot of the DSP platform radios are technically perfectly capable of running P25 just with software changes - but the combination of the absurd license costs and lack of transparency means that it ends up not making any commercial sense to actually write the software to do so.
@@TrimeshSZ well said
@@P25AES you referencing the Kenwood VP8000 Viking EFJohnson radios
@@AntonioClaudioMichael yes
Got my HAMGEEK APX8000 in and I like the radio, it's not perfect by no means but it works. I also found out the PTT on the left is for the screen mic side, and the right PTT is for the speaker mic side. I have ordered another one with the programing cable and software...👍
Did you get the programming software? Who did you get if from and does it work?
@@ChuckBigbie Has not came in yet.
@@ChuckBigbie Yes i have the software.
Motorola currently has three primary APX radios in their product lineup. The APX 6000 is a single band radio. Therefore, you will have to choose between VHF, UHF R1, UHF R2, or 7/800 MHz. There is also the APX 7000. Which is a dual band radio. You can choose any two frequency bands listed above. I.E. VHF and 7/800 MHz or something like VHF and UHF R1 for the ham bands. Then, there is the APX 8000; which, as mentioned in the video is a "All band" radio. It can operate in all of the pre mentioned bands. These three models of radio also have "XE" models associated with them; which simply refers to that model having larger knobs and a ruggedized rubber bumper around the top of the radio. You will typically see these models labeled as "APX8000XE". There are other APX models available such as the APX 3000, 4000, and APX NEXT. All of these radios have specialized features that they bring to the APX product line but are out of the scope of this comment. Lastly, all APX series of radios support analog FM and p25 digital.
great job explaining the radios features...
Thanks
I ordered a few and have really enjoyed them. The software is pretty janky but like that it AlphaNumeric through the programing software and program cable. Also another quirk is when the battery gets low the receive on vhf gets very grainy. My meter says near 8 watts on VHF and 11 watts on UHF.
where do you get the software for this radio im looking at getting one
I think this radio was originally designed for Chinese ham market. The UHF ham band is 430-440MHz in China, that's why it can only put out 12W in that range. Anything out of that range is consider out of band. The radio can do it, but it is not optimal.
Just spent over $100 st M&P. Wish I knew about the coupon code. Next time. I want to work at getting me General so when I get my first HF I’ll hit them up again.
You should test the power output (and receiver sensitivity) on the low, mid and high portions of the band. Just to do complete testing. Nice looking radio for the price, 73
I did that, I just didn't show all of that on video. I did talk about it though
If only they put the anytone 878 guts into it that would make it awesome
Right
Just wish someone would name a radio brand 'RadioShed'🌐🖖😏 Your awesome brother!
I just purchased one today, just to try it out.....
I got one. The speaker is ifi could be better, and the antenna could be longer or better for better reach. Also I would put a 3.5 output to plug an ear plug.
After watching your video I ended up purchasing one. Just got it the other day and I have to say it’s not bad I was little apprehensive at first but after messing around with it I like it. For the money it’s not a bad deal. Programming was indeed easy, looking for a spare battery any idea where I can purchase one? Thanks for the review. 73…
APX 7000 is dual band - comes in various configurations. APX 8000 is all band - VHF, UHF R1 and R2, 700- 800. I actually own 7 APX 7000’s and an 800 MHz P25 repeater
All band or go home, imo (which is why I don't have one lol)
I'll never have that money. My dream is to get an APX 7000 one day.
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 I have 4 for sale but these are only 7/800 as uhf R1 is not turned on with the dual band enable QA00579
Jason, you need to order a EF Johnson VP8000. I dont think you will be disappointed.
Definitely baofeng software also reminds me of tidradio H3 software with the hi and low only
Its actually way buggier than baofeng software
@@Ghost_Swe appreciate the Information good to know. I haven't bought one at all
Where can I get that radio pillow plushie thing? Id like to add that along with my hellfire missile plushie
Its a great radio better than the UV5R just remember its ANALOG ONLY
Yes but so is the UV5R
If it did P25, I would pick one up to play with. It only does analog though. They could have made the battery compatible with APX.
I really appreciate these videos. You buy all the weird Random things that catch my attention too!😂 Have you ever considered reviewing the Reel Pot’able EFHW?
I was the first person to review that antenna - th-cam.com/video/ihbzipUF1oQ/w-d-xo.html
@@HamRadio2 Oh man thank you! I didn’t see this video at all, the TH-cam algorithm failed me.. lol watching it now. Thanks for the content.
Are they water resistant to any extent? I'm not so worried about actual water. I do live in a snowy area and snow has wrecked about 4 radios this year.
Also on my HAMGEEK APX8000 handheld if you hold the PF1 button down and turn the radio on it will go into copy mode "UPDATA"
Interesting how its ebay listing says dual band but looks like its a tri band From the testing in the video
one little feature makes it a 6-bander. I put the directions in my above comment. LMK if it works for you too.
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 interesting
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 what above comment the comment above is mine
@@AntonioClaudioMichael I've made a comment above. Not directly above, but you may have to hunt for it.
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 okay well not that important I'm not hunting through thousands of comments for 1. Take care
Yea. The APX8000 all four bands REAL ONE is really good. I use one and the sister APX8500 with all four bands. My ham gear sits in boxes, as M has been my go to. Even for Dmr.
What completely escapes me is how people afford one of these. real APX ain't happenin' on a social security income. I couldn't even afford a brochure for one.
I just ordered one for my travel radio if it gets stolen I won't be heart broken...Hopefully it does APCO 25 too
This one does NOT do APCO25. Not for that price...
Hey buddy I watched your TH-cam video watched it more than once I saw this same radio on Ebay as well but I didn't know if it did p25 for Fire EMS and police but I do see that it does all of the ham radio stuff I do have a gmrs license as well
Hello. I have this radio. It unfortunately does not do P25, but it is analog. Air Band Rx 109-135, VHF RX-TX 136-174MHz, and UHF 400-520 Mhz. along with three other bands if you jailbreak it which i posted how to do in my previous comments.
Can the radio actually be programmed with alpha tags ? You mention that can be done using software... have you done this and how certain are you? Have you used the software if how use is it to use ?
I believe it can. I'm working on another video to answer these questions
i was browsing ebay searching for mototrbo compatible radios and this came up in the similar and soon as i saw it i was like wait that is a super blatant ripoff of the motorolas my city has (the apx8000s my city has are 800mhz 150mhz not sure what the police use other than 800mhz ) nice to see its not a total pile of crap maybe i can pick one up if i ever get a decent job
Radtel is also making these (Radtel probably has good firmware)
10w is legal on 462.550 if you are licensed (legality of this radio not withstanding).
Up to 50w on the repeater channels.
Yes true. My point was that the radio itself was not legal
@@HamRadio2 Gotcha 👍
I brought one of these just after obtaining my amateur radio licence you can get software and also a cable to properly set it up with frequencies/channel name found programming it using my laptop was a whole lot easier I've only got a handful of amateur channels,5 VHF marine and a handful of UHF CB channels
What software did you use to program ?
@@ChuckBigbie i used the software available on RT Systems website of course you've got to pay for it but worth the money there is also an option to have a programming cable sent in the mail as well
Have you found any problems or parts of the radio that doesn't work......thinking of getting one.
Well I ordered one after watching. Lol I have a collection of similar. 🤷♀️
Would you have any idea of programming software, cable . The only one I can find that’s definitive is rt systems
Picked one up about 9 months ago from a Chinese site. It's another clone like the prc152. Just a uv5r in a new case.
More like a 5RM in another case, but yes
I guess they did not have DMR in mind? nor GPS or APRS...I would like to see btech come up with some replacement boards for the Motorola jedi's turning some of 800 Mhz radios into DMR+GPS+APRS 2 meter and 70 centimeter handhelds
I'd be far more interested if it did 2m, 220, 440, 900 MHz & 1.2/2.4 GHz & all mode.
I'm surprised these Chinese companies haven't released a ht with SSB yet.
@@psychodadsn The Quangsheng UVK58 is capable of receiving SSB with custom firmware. It's just a matter of time before someone figures out the TX side of it.
@@ABRetroCollectionsnot 9nly that, but the latest K5 has a new v2 add on board that allows SSB, etc. On HF bands... I have a funny feeling the next official version will come with that circuit already included. That radio is an amazing rig for developers & electronic geeks. 😊
@@jptucsonaz8503I would pay someone to do the mod if they were reliable and affordable. ME?. I'm pressed to solder two wires together. That being said, the K5 (8) is a fun dang radio and for less than 30 bonz. I have a radio snob that hates to hear me talking about it...I got the Ezgumer 2.0 firmware on it now.Thinking of buy a couple more this summer to try with other firmware packages.
As far as this Hamgeek model?. NOT for the price. Tidradio H8 is my choice for just under half the price of this.
@@jptucsonaz8503I thought it was a quasi SSB. At least that's what I've heard.
This radio came in on your audio when you push transmit.
That's common
Would be nice if it had some of the Digital modes
How much distance on ideal conditions this radio would make on 446? With Low and High TXP, Thanks
@HamRadio2 unrelated question, why are you and @HamRadioCrashCourse radio silent on the LOTW issue? It has been a long time of nothing and curious why you are not covering this? Integrity of logging has been turned on its head and there is not a story? Many of us, myself included are ARRL members and we are just pretending like there is not a serious issue it seems. Would really like to see the two experts many of us rely on help us understand.
I have this radio and I love it but don’t know I to lock a few because the 483.0375 the minute I shut to radio of I loose the freq. what do you mean by Roger beeb
It seems so big!
This is what I put on radioreference verbatim: (ordered one from ebay) Welp... ordered one from greedbay. Impressions: looks great, build quality good, loud audio, not hi-fi but not baofeng-tinny either. Sensitivity on a par with your average CCR. More hefty, better feel than most other consumer grade radios. Call it prosumer.
Not so good: on some frequencies the squelch tail is horrible, even a double tail. Audio dropouts unless you have the right bandwidth selected. Other radios of mine aren't so fussy. On ham freqs unless you have it set to wide, audio will mute on a received signal. The real kicker: in scan, if you have PL on receive, it skips past the frequency and won't stop IOW you hear a burp and it keeps scanning. Death sentence. In CSQ scan works fine. If you try to change channels with the top knob while radio is receiving, numbers change but the radio stays on the frequency you're trying to change.
I have a message in to the seller to see if I can try another one but not holding my breath. (not responding now)
Hand programmed, didn't wanna wait weeks for a cable. Life's too short. At least I got the radio from a U.S. based source.
Anyone else here get curious and get one? What are your *polite* thoughts? Symptoms? Anything similar? Buy-an-APX comments will be ignored, one of those is 3/4 of my whole yearly income. For us wacker wannabe proles this could be a good alternative if they'd fix the problems. **** Except for looks, this thing sucks. It was sold to me as new but was an obvious used return. The unresponsive seller got negative feedback.
The one I got was new but your comments about the squelch tail and sensitivity are accurate
@@HamRadio2 Ah! So getting a replacement would't change anything. Seller gave me a 50% refund. Appreciate the review! They could fix this with a firmware update.
Jason, when you figure out what all the menu items do and what the screen icons are please post it somewhere and let us know. The manual really isn't much help.
Do you know if I can use 460.225/125 the police scanner band. I bought a radio something like this and I was able to pick up police band.
🙏
You can get a motorola sticker and put it in the same location and fool everyone! Lol. I'm not suggesting you do. It is the same case as the Fontool 6500, which is very clean? Only does UHF and GMRS. Also does Global PTT. In our GMRS group there are at least 12 Fontools and they work quite well. And our global ptt works great and is completely free and works everywhere. The white cord is for programming. I found so far, no other cord worked for that programming. The bottom one is charging and all cords work. Yeah, it's Chinese. The Fontool seems to have better reception, at least on gmrs.
Another thing you didn't even check out was m u r s frequencies on that radio that would have been nice to know what the power output on that would have been and those five frequencies
That's kinda pointless since MURS is max limit is 2 Watts
It appears from eBay picture charge cable is micro USB and mic cable is USB C ? Also on that sellers page it mentions a customs fee possible by shipper. Did you pay an additional shipping fee?
No additional fee
Both USB C....
Can you make a video on the programing software to use and how to use the software thanks
Yes I'm looking at it but the radio doesn't seem to like my computer connection
Do a programming video on this radio
I'm trying. My computers don't recognize the USB device. I'm looking for a driver
Any suggestions on programming software and cable?? I haven’t received my radio yet but pre planning. The only one I found online is by Rt systems. ??? 🤔
I have this and I have no clue. Just FPP it. There is no way to Name channels by FPP, but Im not going to plug it into my computer.
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 I received the cable and downloaded the program software from RT systems. It programmed nicely and it’s a keeper.
I know NOT MUCH about out radios but just wondering an you program MURS FREQUENCIES INTO THIS RADIO
IF IT DOES I’ll.buy 2 of these.
Can you find out and respond?
It the. I don’t know how to program it lol I just want it programmed so I can just turn on and talk
Please help?????
Can you do an update on what you have figured out on the features & how to use them? Thanks man & very good video!!
Right now I am trying to get my computer to read this radio so that I can program it
Do you have a reccomendation for a better antenna for that radio?
Antennas... the Smiley Antenna single band tuned antennas. I've been using them for years and you can purchase them tuned for 2m, 70cm, MURS/LMR, GMRS, VHF Marine, VHF Railroad. Can get them in various sizes/lengths. I can QSO repeaters that the factory dual & wide mono band antennas won't touch. The Smileys are available in your choice of SMA M & F, SMA Motorola, BNC, TNC, ICOM... Just out of curiosity I took the factory dual band Antenna off my Yaesu ft4xr and put it on the "new & improved" 8 watt Talkpod and that was a significant improvement. Yesterday I ordered a Hamgeek APX8000 and I'll be experimenting with the Antennas.
* FYI ... there's counterfeit Motorola and Kenwood Antennas floating around on eBay. Radios too. Saw 3-4 fake Icoms (IC V-8, V-82, and V-85) all of which have been out of production for 10-20 years.
Could it be used for MONITORING POLICE/FIRE frequencies and can it be used on FRS/GMRS?
Police/Fire, it depends on what frequencies your local departments use. It is possible, but unlikely. FRS/GMRS, yes.
Is it analog or digital Trunktracker
Analog only
Didn't get message digital or analog
Ty
What’s the link to buy it from please
I sure wish they had included DMR…
Agreed
Have you seen a drop in charger for it?
And any way to have the alpha names display on the top display?
As of right now, I dont see a drop in charger online made for it. even though it has the metal contacts on the bottom which is odd.
@@Wesley-WSEL-698 Anyone want to take the battery apart? I'm wondering if the contacts are at all connected to the battery lol
@evanplatt1325 I wondered the exact same thing. I dunno. I kinda don't wanna take it apart. I dont have a second one.
Anyone who thought they were getting anything close to APX quality with this should probably have their head examined
h
@@Alexagnick h
Radio people are basement dwellers
Also some of the HAMGEEK APX8000 radios my have a bad or light connection to the battery.
Mine didn't have that issue
Do the senhaix gt-12 by far my favorite radio it does about 10.5 W
I have that one also and will be making a video with it soon
Also does this apx do Am like GT -12
That was for tone burst not pl tones.
If that radio actually did the 12 watts, I would have gotten it. So far my UV-17 Pro Max is winning. It will do the 10 watts advertised.
Which program can i use with this radio? Chirp?
Is it worth buying?
Broke down and ordered one. LOL
I say yes. I love mine. Have had it for over 4 months.
No PTT adaptor for headsets?
Got one downloaded the programming app. Never seen a programming app like it. Is there a better programming app or a TH-cam to teach how to use it. Please help.
Found a new RT Systems app for the APX8000 !
Why would they copy the Motorola radio, but not make this do P25? Like the original model!
I agree. I’m genuinely disappointed because I hope to one day find a cheap alternative p25 handheld to use for ham and public safety as well. Doubt I’ll ever see it but technology is evolving for sure. Love the radio for sure, but it’s essentially a glorified Baofeng in a APX housing really.
@@dillonlewis3645Astro Sabers, do P25 and if so equipped DES-XL but don’t expect to find many repair parts for it and batteries can be scarce. In todays market a relatively cheap P25 radio but single band only.
I don't think Chinese companies want to pay for P25 licensing.
@@HamRadio2 I agree unfortunately. Anything P25 is stupid expensive. Seeing this radio really makes me miss, and appreciate when my local volunteer fire departments, and public safety agencies were still analog. I would run this heck out of this thing if we were lol. Man I love your videos! I live in southwest MS, and I haul LP gas. I travel through the DFW area multiple times a week. Hope to catch you on a local DMR repeater sometime. 73 brother!
@@HamRadio2 I am a little confused, APCO PROJECT 25 is supposed to be an open source format so anyone can comply with a universal communications standard as compared to Motorolas patented formats that limit small departments from having interoperability amounts the big players.
How do you program it
Issue keeps happening with mine. When I turn it on it will automatically start transmitting and start making a tone noise like I’m hold the PTT and another button. Weird! No external mic was plugged in and no vox on. No buttons feel stuck or anything🤷♂️ I managed to get it to stop by turning it on and repeatedly pushing the 🏠 (lol) button to get into the menu. This was many of tries to get it to stop. I turned off menu #37 RPT-SW and haven’t had a problem so far. Anyone else have issues with theirs?
Is there a way to label the Chanel’s instead of the frequency
I think you can with the software
I just got one and it worked Cora minute the. Hasn’t come back on since The battery is fully charged, ow ?, o lights, o lights. O nothing at all is working
Is this a NAC capable P25 radio?
No
can you alphanumeric label the channels?
Can you program name and channel or just channel and frequency?
IDK. I have only FPP'd mine because I hate trying to figure out programming software. I can create channels but there is no way to assign names, even though there appears to be an option to do so.
Do a video compearing it to a motorola
So, true working dual receive and same band relay?
Mine only works with cross band. I have not been able to get it to do Single band relay. I don't recommend it either because as soon as the first transmission comes across with the relay function activated, the unit starts heating up like a toaster.
Meh, it's a baofeng in drag.
Yes
Lot of guys here are into that
Amen! Overpriced UV5R. It'll stick to my Harris 100P. Not only does it look like is does P25, it actually DOES P25!
@@TheOldVeganDude and also costs like $500 used. It looks like $700+ brand new lol
Yeah Motorola is kinda 🌈
Does this come with a desktop charger?
No
Pretty interesting Motorola Knockoff that had baofeng software
pretty interesting, there are a lot of CCR (cheap chinese radio) companies starting to copy the look of the T-grip P25 radio. another ive seen is the Inrico IRC590. looks like a motorola with smooth skin.
Can an APX8000 battery and drop in charger work for this?
it will not. Different battery, and this one does not have a drop in available online as far as Ive seen.
If you have the programming software you can add name
what is the dimension