The Tidradio H3 is one of the new budget-friendly, high performing portable radios based on the Beken BK4819 IC, performing quality demodulation functions on a single chip. While I don’t personally own one, a fellow HAM operator that was a satisfied H8 owner bought one, and found that the new H3 actually outperformed the 10 Watt H8 in terms of range, using the same aftermarket Diamond antenna. This we attribute to the H3 having somewhat improved receive characteristics: sensitivity, dynamic range, etc. The more discreet, smaller form factor is actually a big plus for me, though I always have to weigh this against the size and quality of the internal speaker. I find it amazing that all this can be delivered in the US for about the cost of a McDonald’s lunch for two. This represents an incredibly great value in my opinion. Happy Holidays!
I am more than happy with the TD-H3 radio, own several of them. There are desk top chargers available from TIDRADIO. As for the scrambler, I would not waste my time with it's voice inversion as it is useless. Alternative Firmware is also available that adds additional functions to the radio.
@@vk3xemontheweb oh for sure, i addressed voice inversion in the encryption video, couldn’t agree more with you….. I didn’t know about the additional functions, and that you think are worth mentioning?
I have a Quansheng. The reason I bought it was because it's receive range is a large. I did notice the receive quality is lacking. But $20, what do you expect. This radio sound pretty much about the same. I did get a TYT MD-UV390 plus for my birthday. They seen to have good receive capabilities, is digital, can do 256 encryption. and is IP 67 rating. From now on all my HT's are going to be IP rate. Now for someone to release a IP rated HF/VHF/UHF radio (that can be opened up) with a tuner and battery. Do enjoy you videos. Thanks
@@tangle70 wouldn’t that be nice to have! Great work though in the reasoning behind your gear selection…. I have an ip rating video coming out next week, with a whole lot of stuff behind that oh and don’t forget about the live video next Saturday to win this radio!
The IP rating... I have (had) a couple of UV5Rs that I used on GMRS freqs for watershed cleanups; at $20 they are not a lose. This weekend someone had one of the Fengs, in a carry pouch and lease, and still dropped the radio in the creek. Prays for the UV5R as it dries. Can we at least have quick immersion waterproofing? I have two UV68s but the RX/TX is poor. My RA89 has decent RX/TX and a good IP rating.
@@KF0NNQ while yes, they are basically a disposable radio, depending on what your application for them is, as here we are focused on emergency preparedness…. You don’t want your radio quitting on you if it gets wet. Not because of a financial loss, but for the fact that could literally be your lifeline
I've heard good things about the TID radios. I have a pair of Talkpod A36s which rx & tx (advertised as 8 watts 144 & 440) from 25 - 610 mhz ("developer mode" - FM ONLY). It does rx AM Air band. Also has NOAA Alert. They are the same size as the Icom F1000/2000 series. If you're interested in larger size portables, take a look at the Radtel RT-730 & RT-751 (same size as Motorola 7500 series). The RT-730 rx & tx 136 - 610 mhz. I'm waiting for the 751 to arrive & and I'm curious to see what it'll do. Both are advertised as 10 watts. The 730 operates as if it is. I can interrogate UHF repeaters that my 4 watt Icom F2000 can't... ATB !
@@tshirley05015 well s%i#. LOL. Guess I’m going to have to purchase another one to test that out. Not that what I said wouldn’t still be relevant as it’s an incredibly convenient way to clone radios, it would not be as easy as I thought and has to be tested.
@@brianfromflorida8816 appreciate the info, and yes, definitely still holds true as being an incredibly easy way to clone radios, even if it is one at a time
Unfortunately dry cell AA/AAA battery cases aren't as popular as they once were. Used to be an almost standard accessory. Almost a stroke of luck now to find a model who has that accessory option.
You don't need the clamshell anymore. The USB-C battery makes that obsolete. The purpose was years ago certain HTs with Nicad batteries would die in the field. The batteries were expensive and took a long time to charge. The only way to charge those was the cradle, wall wart or car charger. All stuff Yaesu and Icom would charge big money for. These radios run cheap batteries that last all day. They can easily be charged on or off the radio with a USB-C, which just about everyone has already. The clamshell might have some value for cache or give away kit use case, where the radio will be sitting unused for years at a time. Pairing it with some lithium batteries would have value.
The Tidradio H3 is one of the new budget-friendly, high performing portable radios based on the Beken BK4819 IC, performing quality demodulation functions on a single chip.
While I don’t personally own one, a fellow HAM operator that was a satisfied H8 owner bought one, and found that the new H3 actually outperformed the 10 Watt H8 in terms of range, using the same aftermarket Diamond antenna. This we attribute to the H3 having somewhat improved receive characteristics: sensitivity, dynamic range, etc. The more discreet, smaller form factor is actually a big plus for me, though I always have to weigh this against the size and quality of the internal speaker.
I find it amazing that all this can be delivered in the US for about the cost of a McDonald’s lunch for two. This represents an incredibly great value in my opinion.
Happy Holidays!
@@Retro_Guy awesome comment! Thanks for the additional info!
Really enjoy my TID H3/ It's a solid radio and like it better than my UV5R. I definitely recommend the TID H3.
H3 is way better than booFwang
I am more than happy with the TD-H3 radio, own several of them. There are desk top chargers available from TIDRADIO. As for the scrambler, I would not waste my time with it's voice inversion as it is useless. Alternative Firmware is also available that adds additional functions to the radio.
@@vk3xemontheweb oh for sure, i addressed voice inversion in the encryption video, couldn’t agree more with you….. I didn’t know about the additional functions, and that you think are worth mentioning?
I have a Quansheng. The reason I bought it was because it's receive range is a large. I did notice the receive quality is lacking. But $20, what do you expect. This radio sound pretty much about the same.
I did get a TYT MD-UV390 plus for my birthday. They seen to have good receive capabilities, is digital, can do 256 encryption. and is IP 67 rating. From now on all my HT's are going to be IP rate.
Now for someone to release a IP rated HF/VHF/UHF radio (that can be opened up) with a tuner and battery.
Do enjoy you videos. Thanks
@@tangle70 wouldn’t that be nice to have! Great work though in the reasoning behind your gear selection…. I have an ip rating video coming out next week, with a whole lot of stuff behind that oh and don’t forget about the live video next Saturday to win this radio!
I really like my TidRadio TD-H3 also I like my /TidRadio TD-H8 Radio
Would you say the build quality is that of the H3?
@RANTStrategies yes definitely. If not better IMHO.
The h3 is like a little ninja radio that does so much for its size. The h8 is a heavy duty brick with which you could defend yourself.
I just looked at my antenna on both of my H3's. The yellow ring says, VU 144-435 mhz. So mine does in fact cover, as they say, the 2 meter band.
Barry
@@barrykery1175 that’s so weird…. Yea, this “gmrs” version only says UHF, but I do appreciate you sharing that
👍
The IP rating... I have (had) a couple of UV5Rs that I used on GMRS freqs for watershed cleanups; at $20 they are not a lose. This weekend someone had one of the Fengs, in a carry pouch and lease, and still dropped the radio in the creek. Prays for the UV5R as it dries. Can we at least have quick immersion waterproofing? I have two UV68s but the RX/TX is poor. My RA89 has decent RX/TX and a good IP rating.
@@KF0NNQ while yes, they are basically a disposable radio, depending on what your application for them is, as here we are focused on emergency preparedness…. You don’t want your radio quitting on you if it gets wet. Not because of a financial loss, but for the fact that could literally be your lifeline
I've heard good things about the TID radios. I have a pair of Talkpod A36s which rx & tx (advertised as 8 watts 144 & 440) from 25 - 610 mhz ("developer mode" - FM ONLY). It does rx AM Air band. Also has NOAA Alert. They are the same size as the Icom F1000/2000 series. If you're interested in larger size portables, take a look at the Radtel RT-730 & RT-751 (same size as Motorola 7500 series). The RT-730 rx & tx 136 - 610 mhz. I'm waiting for the 751 to arrive & and I'm curious to see what it'll do. Both are advertised as 10 watts. The 730 operates as if it is. I can interrogate UHF repeaters that my 4 watt Icom F2000 can't... ATB !
@@baronedipiemonte3990 thanks for the info!!!! I may be checking those out as well!
I think you can only Bluetooth program 1 radio at a time
@@tshirley05015 well s%i#. LOL. Guess I’m going to have to purchase another one to test that out. Not that what I said wouldn’t still be relevant as it’s an incredibly convenient way to clone radios, it would not be as easy as I thought and has to be tested.
I have 6 TD-H3’s. They will only clone one at a time via BT. Still a great radio for the money.
@@brianfromflorida8816 appreciate the info, and yes, definitely still holds true as being an incredibly easy way to clone radios, even if it is one at a time
I would gladly trade USB-c charging for a battery eliminator accessory, and even more useful, a battery shell/case that holds AA batteries.
Unfortunately dry cell AA/AAA battery cases aren't as popular as they once were. Used to be an almost standard accessory. Almost a stroke of luck now to find a model who has that accessory option.
You don't need the clamshell anymore. The USB-C battery makes that obsolete. The purpose was years ago certain HTs with Nicad batteries would die in the field. The batteries were expensive and took a long time to charge. The only way to charge those was the cradle, wall wart or car charger. All stuff Yaesu and Icom would charge big money for. These radios run cheap batteries that last all day. They can easily be charged on or off the radio with a USB-C, which just about everyone has already.
The clamshell might have some value for cache or give away kit use case, where the radio will be sitting unused for years at a time. Pairing it with some lithium batteries would have value.