These really are great little radios. I bought a pair off the back of this video and i'm really impressed with how well they pull in signals. They also prove that 0.5 watts used efficiently with a decent built in antenna is far better than higher power with a poorly matched antenna whether its built in or external. Keep up the great work Lewis.
Still it would be interesting to see once unlocked with the usb programming cable, if full power at 2 watts would make a difference. Lewis any chance the programming cable would change the freq for 70cm amateur band, Obviously you dont want to get caught on pmr with a radio outputting 2 watts ;-)
"Hello CQ, hello CQ 67 cm!" Hahahaaa! Fantastic! I'm going to have to dig my stuff out for PMR446 and join you guys some time. Always have my Baofeng handhelds programmed with all the 16 channels in. Hope all is well, man. Great video as always.
I've recently found out about this Sunday PMR 446 Ch. 8 at 8pm thing from a contact I made on my mobile CB whilst driving home one Friday. Despite my house being in a far from ideal location I still manage at least a couple of contacts. It's good fun and great for sharing tips and knowledge about all things radio. Great video and an interesting pocket sized radio.
Sounds like there is also a Wednesday night North West PMR446 net as well, I dusted off an old Binatone MR200 radio that I have and tuned in to Chanel 8 and caught bits of intermittent and sometimes weak activity with interference. I'm not in the best place to transmit though as I am surrounded on all sides by houses and my location is in a bit of a natural dip in the landscape.
Just not long got one of these then realised you already had a vid of it, looks like I made a good choice then, decent wee backup in my bugout bag while a baofeng on low as main comms in an emergency
Very interesting. I'm still using CB. So channel 8 PMR, analogue 8pm every Sunday evening? I have several old 'walkie talkies' with and without sub channels. Will have to give this a go. Weather permitting, I would use outside the vehicle for improved performance high up near Pendle Hill Clitheroe. You never know. Amazed how well that unit performed, especially with such a small antenna! Subbed on twitter :)
Looks good. Will buy the FRS version, USA. Thank you for the net. Oh, GMRS and FRS reorganised by our telecomm agency (FCC). Up to 2 watts licence free, and a licence for higher power.
I've had a set of these radios for a couple of weeks and on Sunday I remembered to switch on at home hoping to hear a local on high ground (I live in a Valley Surrounded by hills) but I was Surprised to to hear a Station from 15 - 25 miles away it was loud and clear booming in the Receive was far better then my Florion and my other radio larger Antenna I'll definitely be taking one with me on my next walk I go on
I'm no expert, in fact I'm quite new to it all, but my understanding is this - It is technically illegal because the UV-5R is advertised as transmitting over the 1/2 watt power limit required to stay legal on PMR 446. There was something about PMR 446 radios have non removable antennas to stay legal but I believe this has changed. All that said, some people have tested the Uv-5R and on low power settings it pushes about 1/2 a Watt despite the manufacturers claims, so would be legal. Programming the PMR channels is straight forward too. Hope this helps until someone more knowledgeable comes along.
@@amateurspotter2656 you're welcome Eamonn. I have the Uv-82 and have programmed it to low power on the 446 PMR channels. It works fine and I pick up a couple of people on the 8' O'clock channel 8 net. Don't forget they are legal channels - it's the Baofeng that is capable of doing slightly illegal stuff because of the power output. If you are still wary about it all, don't forget that you can still listen in to PMR 446 using a Baofeng legally.
how do lewis, I hadnt visited your channel ages until during the week on this video, anyway i had a listen in to this tonight, and got a good signal on most people here in wilmslow. I might have another listen next week and announce myself.
Nice one Nik! Check out the PMR 446 Channel 8, 8PM UK net group I've set up! Let's see if we can get some PMR446 activity going! facebook.com/groups/1476579085858318/
Even a half a watt, if you can see it you can work it! Not bad for inside the car and not facing the direction you want to talk to. Atop the church tower is a good place to be NCS. There's lot more activity, here in the states, with social distancing. Perhaps more people will get them? Cellphone's don't work in a disaster!
Hi Lewis I just wanted to ask mate what date do you all use the 446? I know that it's at 8.00pm but I just need the date you guys go on the 446? Because I will come on definitely and give you a shout and it would be really interesting to see if you can hear me in the Liverpool area I live in Kirkby and that's near the Knowsley area so hopefully I'll able to speak to you mate OK. And if you monitor channel 1 on the 446 of a day then you can probably hear us on that channel and there's another frequency that a mate uses 446.150mhz so if you can listen to that part of the band then you can hear the lads from Liverpool I don't use it because it's illegal to use and you could end up loosing your amateur licence that you've worked so hard to get I know that it's tempting to use that frequency but I wouldn't go on it if I was you and just leave them to it basically OK. Anyway you take care and I'll speak to you very soon then mate OK cheers and best 73's for now then mate OK cheers buddy. Stephen M3SNV 73's.
Have you tried the retevis rt667 radio I got a pair £19.99 each they charge via mini usb they have a monitor button and proper 3500mah battery and a small grub screw at the bottom of the stock antannae which when removed antannae screws off revealing male mini sma I've now fitted a quarter wave on mine and it works really well these are the most solid built radios I've owned from the retevis range and cheap as chips and 16ch is ch 7 on them radios 7 with ctcss 16?
@@ignoreme123 It`s in the folder your programming software is installed. This file type may be hidden by default but it`s there (I use Total Commander file manager).
Oh man.. I wanted to DM you about these since I saw them. They look really cool and functional. I saw them after I bought two radios and I was mad that I didn't saw them sooner although these are only PMR. Great for car rides, outdoors and work when you don't want shout at longer distances. I think they were under $25 with free shipping for a par. Ridiculous.
Hi Lewis. I’ve just bought 2 Retevis rt619 radios for use with my crew mate on my patience transport ambulance. I wish I had seen this radio before so I can program my own cctss and dcs channels. Is this a fairly new radio? And where is the best place to get them? Love your videos I’ve just added you as friend on Facebook I’m in surrey so I don’t think it’s possible to get you on a dxing pmr8pm Sunday lol. Keep safe.thanks. Wayne.
UHF is quite a good band but its not given that much credit. I love PMR446 I wish that 70cms simplex would get some more attention as well. Great video.
Comrade Wingray. Thank you for notifying me of the imposter. It is the duty of all D.P.M.R.K citizens to dob people in! Using very advanced technology on my very advanced smartphone and a very advanced TH-cam app (all only available to me), I was able to triangulate the position of the Stakker Humanoid pretender and they will be dealt with henceforthwith.
Great video. I'm a newbie and just bought a pair of these and love the portability but so far I haven't been able to hear anyone else and I live in a big town, do you know what setting I need to use? I don't have any encoding on and the band is set to N.
The range is very poor amongst the bricks and concrete of an urban district, unless you are in a high rise building, or unless if you are in an attic room etc. Kind regards.
@@onanysundrymule3144 UHF is inferior than VHF when it comes to range. For really long distance simplex communication, use SSB 10 meters band (29MHz) and rooftop antenna for base station and mobile whip for car. 25 miles of simplex range can be achieved.
My longest transmission on PMR was with a Baofeng T-1 on low TX (0,5W) got a full signal of Malta from Pozzallo in Sicily, I was received with a full signal also, sea level, 97Km. PMR can be pretty impressive in open spaces.
PMR radios are ridiculously under powered for towns and cities. Ok for rural areas yeah but try getting that 0.5 watt to penetrate buildings, no chance. I do like the idea of trying to get a local area net going. On channel 8. PMR446 Channel 8 nets forming all over the country, awesome!
0.5 W is very important, otherwise you are cheating. 4W only in life saving situations, otherwise it will create chaos. (if you cheat with 4W what stops anyone for cheating with 50 W ?!!!! (got my drift ? .....) Congratulations: Short and sweet comms.
There is one problem no one in amateur radio on the TH-cam videos ever discusses the price what it costs to get a license is it free or does it cost thousands of millions of dollars or hundreds of dollars or $10 and I'm talking about USD over here what does it cost to get a license and unless you discuss what it cost to get a license Kylie don't make such videos because all it gives is people buying these radios starting to broadcast for free and then they can get into trouble because they don't have a license because of course when they find out the cost if it if it there's a cost then you know people are going to start using these things and not going to have call signs not going to have nothing because no one discusses the price of the license which is a very important topic here so if you're not going to discuss that then Kylie close out all these videos because these videos are giving the wrong impression to people stating that the basically you're saying that license is free and anyone can jump on it just buy a radio and broadcast and you want to just get to go to the course and just get it for free is that the real story or is there a cost like $10 per license $50 $100 $1,000 a million dollars per license what the heck does it cost
That’s a lot of waffle…. The license doesn’t cost A lot but it varies that’s why we don’t give the price. It’s not our price to give. It costs around £50-£70 all in here in the uk. For the weekend course, books and test.
These really are great little radios. I bought a pair off the back of this video and i'm really impressed with how well they pull in signals. They also prove that 0.5 watts used efficiently with a decent built in antenna is far better than higher power with a poorly matched antenna whether its built in or external. Keep up the great work Lewis.
Thanks a lot Liam!
Still it would be interesting to see once unlocked with the usb programming cable, if full power at 2 watts would make a difference.
Lewis any chance the programming cable would change the freq for 70cm amateur band,
Obviously you dont want to get caught on pmr with a radio outputting 2 watts ;-)
"Hello CQ, hello CQ 67 cm!" Hahahaaa! Fantastic!
I'm going to have to dig my stuff out for PMR446 and join you guys some time. Always have my Baofeng handhelds programmed with all the 16 channels in. Hope all is well, man. Great video as always.
I've recently found out about this Sunday PMR 446 Ch. 8 at 8pm thing from a contact I made on my mobile CB whilst driving home one Friday.
Despite my house being in a far from ideal location I still manage at least a couple of contacts.
It's good fun and great for sharing tips and knowledge about all things radio.
Great video and an interesting pocket sized radio.
I'll listen out see if I can hear anything 8pm Sunday night anybody confirm that's the time....
@@philkennedy342: Yes....Sundays at 8pm on PMR channel 8.
Very impressive little radio. I'll have to get one of those.
The net is a great idea.
I like the look and sound of that little rig. Might have to grab one of them for work.
I see the RB618 is super cheap from banggood but the 615 is not available apart from amazon 3 times the price :(
Good little radio that Lewis
Hello Lewis Tried pmr446 channle 8 on Sunday but no one was around my area. I will try again next time. Great video Thanks
Sounds like there is also a Wednesday night North West PMR446 net as well, I dusted off an old Binatone MR200 radio that I have and tuned in to Chanel 8 and caught bits of intermittent and sometimes weak activity with interference. I'm not in the best place to transmit though as I am surrounded on all sides by houses and my location is in a bit of a natural dip in the landscape.
Nobody does the PMR Net down south here in Sussex.
Was some enchanced propogation from italy heard ? It sounded like it
Thanks for the video Lewis. Has anyone had any luck finding an appropriate programming cable for these? The voice alerts are driving me nuts!
So, ever try an earpiece with it? When I plug in an earpiece, it stays in transmit mode.
Where can I find out where PMR nets go on? It will be handy as I'm studying for Foundation.
Really love the net in Sundays! Always using at least 200W and X510.
That’s not enough 😂
Yeah, maybe 1KW and X700 sounds more adequate... thanks Lewis
It’ll do I guess…
@@RingwayManchester Yes I think it will be enough
Just not long got one of these then realised you already had a vid of it, looks like I made a good choice then, decent wee backup in my bugout bag while a baofeng on low as main comms in an emergency
Very interesting. I'm still using CB. So channel 8 PMR, analogue 8pm every Sunday evening? I have several old 'walkie talkies' with and without sub channels. Will have to give this a go. Weather permitting, I would use outside the vehicle for improved performance high up near Pendle Hill Clitheroe. You never know. Amazed how well that unit performed, especially with such a small antenna! Subbed on twitter :)
Spot on as usual.
Very good audio for such a tiny radio
How can the voice notifications be turned off... Is it only through programming? Or can it be done by some form of key stroke? Thank you.
Looks good. Will buy the FRS version, USA. Thank you for the net. Oh, GMRS and FRS reorganised by our telecomm agency (FCC). Up to 2 watts licence free, and a licence for higher power.
Great channel Lewis keep up the great work buddy 👍
RT40 Digital/Analog Radio or TK-3601D Compact PMR446/dPMR446 also have digital modes.
Was that a tropo at 9.15 ?
hi all I just got two of these radios and they came with a programming cable dose anyone know what software to use and where to get it?
We've now came into 3 of these the voice prompts are doing our heads in.
Brilliant video Lewis. I love this little pmr handheld. I'm gonna buy some. Cheers
I've never heard anyone on mine what 446 frequency are they on can they be reprogramd Lewis??
What is pmr is that like frs?
I've had a set of these radios for a couple of weeks and on Sunday I remembered to switch on at home hoping to hear a local on high ground (I live in a Valley Surrounded by hills) but I was Surprised to to hear a Station from 15 - 25 miles away it was loud and clear booming in the Receive was far better then my Florion and my other radio larger Antenna I'll definitely be taking one with me on my next walk I go on
My two Retevis RB615 radios communicate with each other, but not with another radio. What did I mess up?
Ctcss turned on
Hi Lewis. Can you tell me if I can put PMR446 frequencies into a UV- 5R ? Or is that illegal? Thanks 🙏 Eamonn.
I'm no expert, in fact I'm quite new to it all, but my understanding is this -
It is technically illegal because the UV-5R is advertised as transmitting over the 1/2 watt power limit required to stay legal on PMR 446.
There was something about PMR 446 radios have non removable antennas to stay legal but I believe this has changed.
All that said, some people have tested the Uv-5R and on low power settings it pushes about 1/2 a Watt despite the manufacturers claims, so would be legal. Programming the PMR channels is straight forward too.
Hope this helps until someone more knowledgeable comes along.
Mark Johnson . Thanks for that Mark, it’s what I thought but not sure 🤔 I’ll stick to legal channels. Thanks again. Eamonn.
@@amateurspotter2656 you're welcome Eamonn.
I have the Uv-82 and have programmed it to low power on the 446 PMR channels. It works fine and I pick up a couple of people on the 8' O'clock channel 8 net.
Don't forget they are legal channels - it's the Baofeng that is capable of doing slightly illegal stuff because of the power output.
If you are still wary about it all, don't forget that you can still listen in to PMR 446 using a Baofeng legally.
Brilliant video Lewis enjoyed it
Great video Lewis. Hope to speak soon I have my foundation test next month 👍🏻
9:15 What was that?
O lalalio😂
O lalalio😂
That’s an impressive little radio! Great video! 👍
Which FB group is the 446 net advertised. Not sure if anyone is on the air but I ll give it a try next Sunday.
Does this still happen?
The size and design remindes me of the old nextel push to talk phones.
On channel there are 2 other bands of sub channels, dcs and dtcss?? what channel of these if they are other sub channels? Thanks Lewis
Can you tell me if this bet is still active on a Sunday night. If so do I need to set a CTS tone Thanks .
Yes and no :)
I will put a few calls out this sunday, I will see if I can hear anyone
Hi Lewis, thanks great video. 73’s from Pete M0ACD in sunny Templecombe, Somerset 👍
Great test, super little radios, will speak to Retevis and get a set for the kids.
Is this radio version PMR (0,5W)?
Range with buildings?
Did you tested?
Was going to monitor on the FT-897D for some signal reports but, by the time I remembered, it was too late!
RX Audio and squelch very nice sounds like pro gear!
Love the music and your background. Manchester?
Hi Lewis great video question the CTSS tones for PMR 82,5 77 94.8 are they for the same areas as 2M 70cms for example my local repeaters are 82.5
Paul
It`s universal codes.
I lost it when he started calling CQ!
how do lewis, I hadnt visited your channel ages until during the week on this video, anyway i had a listen in to this tonight, and got a good signal on most people here in wilmslow. I might have another listen next week and announce myself.
Nice one Nik!
Check out the PMR 446 Channel 8, 8PM UK net group I've set up! Let's see if we can get some PMR446 activity going!
facebook.com/groups/1476579085858318/
I’ve just seen the link where to buy thanks. I’ve also checked amazon available 21 June 2020 £34 pair. I’m gonna get 2 I think. 🙂. Cheers Wayne.
Is this unit to unit or are you going through a repeater?
Even a half a watt, if you can see it you can work it! Not bad for inside the car and not facing the direction you want to talk to. Atop the church tower is a good place to be NCS. There's lot more activity, here in the states, with social distancing. Perhaps more people will get them? Cellphone's don't work in a disaster!
Hi Lewis I just wanted to ask mate what date do you all use the 446? I know that it's at 8.00pm but I just need the date you guys go on the 446? Because I will come on definitely and give you a shout and it would be really interesting to see if you can hear me in the Liverpool area I live in Kirkby and that's near the Knowsley area so hopefully I'll able to speak to you mate OK. And if you monitor channel 1 on the 446 of a day then you can probably hear us on that channel and there's another frequency that a mate uses 446.150mhz so if you can listen to that part of the band then you can hear the lads from Liverpool I don't use it because it's illegal to use and you could end up loosing your amateur licence that you've worked so hard to get I know that it's tempting to use that frequency but I wouldn't go on it if I was you and just leave them to it basically OK. Anyway you take care and I'll speak to you very soon then mate OK cheers and best 73's for now then mate OK cheers buddy. Stephen M3SNV 73's.
Have you tried the retevis rt667 radio I got a pair £19.99 each they charge via mini usb they have a monitor button and proper 3500mah battery and a small grub screw at the bottom of the stock antannae which when removed antannae screws off revealing male mini sma I've now fitted a quarter wave on mine and it works really well these are the most solid built radios I've owned from the retevis range and cheap as chips and 16ch is ch 7 on them radios 7 with ctcss 16?
Hi mate, I was offered them for review but didn't take them
Can you program this radio to include 70cm amateur frequencies?
John Fisher: All of the LEGAL PMR radios will only have the PMR frequencies.
Philip Fletcher yeah but I’ve seen a programming cable being mentioned and the same radio is sold on PMR446 and FRS versions.
You can, locate .ini file of programming software and edit frequencies in text editor, it`s easy...
@@sasvimnovitube interesting, where is the location of the .ini you speak of???
TIA
@@ignoreme123 It`s in the folder your programming software is installed. This file type may be hidden by default but it`s there (I use Total Commander file manager).
Says "Unavailable" in the retevis.com link, in your video description.
You can try the RB615 model here: www.retevis.com/License-free-two-way-radio-RB615-with-Vibration/
Oh man.. I wanted to DM you about these since I saw them. They look really cool and functional. I saw them after I bought two radios and I was mad that I didn't saw them sooner although these are only PMR. Great for car rides, outdoors and work when you don't want shout at longer distances. I think they were under $25 with free shipping for a par. Ridiculous.
I use this almost 3 month, cool radio.
16 "No worries"..... quite nice!!! ;^D
8:23 Taxi lee off CB 19 😎👍
Funciona en Mexico ? Works in Mexico?
Get the US version, they should be higher power. Legally they can be 2 watts in the US.
More compact and easier than getting on 160m (Topband) lol.
Hi Lewis. I’ve just bought 2 Retevis rt619 radios for use with my crew mate on my patience transport ambulance. I wish I had seen this radio before so I can program my own cctss and dcs channels. Is this a fairly new radio? And where is the best place to get them? Love your videos I’ve just added you as friend on Facebook I’m in surrey so I don’t think it’s possible to get you on a dxing pmr8pm Sunday lol. Keep safe.thanks. Wayne.
You can program the RT619 with the cable and software from the Retevis software
Very good sir
Hello.
Does this radio program the frequencies?
They are PMR446, so already programmed with those channels.
there is a programming cable avaiable , not sure what for though www.retevis.com/shop/Programming-Line-For-RB15-RB615/
You can program it, locate .ini file of programming software and edit frequencies in text editor, it`s easy...
UHF is quite a good band but its not given that much credit. I love PMR446 I wish that 70cms simplex would get some more attention as well. Great video.
True. I call CQ on 433.500 FM and get squat all replies☹
Never tried PMR, may give it a try in the future!
Canny little rigs. I have 4 (klepto 🤣) Midland G7’s, love em, might try and kick off a 446 net up here 👍🏻👍🏻
I am looking for a good pmr walkie talkie and because of your video i think i will buy this device. Thank you! 👍🏻
Comrade Wingray.
Thank you for notifying me of the imposter.
It is the duty of all D.P.M.R.K citizens to dob people in!
Using very advanced technology on my very advanced smartphone and a very advanced TH-cam app (all only available to me), I was able to triangulate the position of the Stakker Humanoid pretender and they will be dealt with henceforthwith.
Great video. I'm a newbie and just bought a pair of these and love the portability but so far I haven't been able to hear anyone else and I live in a big town, do you know what setting I need to use? I don't have any encoding on and the band is set to N.
Unlikely there are many users in your part of the town.
The range is very poor amongst the bricks and concrete of an urban district, unless you are in a high rise building, or unless if you are in an attic room etc. Kind regards.
@@onanysundrymule3144 UHF is inferior than VHF when it comes to range. For really long distance simplex communication, use SSB 10 meters band (29MHz) and rooftop antenna for base station and mobile whip for car. 25 miles of simplex range can be achieved.
@@joymukherji2702 Yes, 29 mhz is CB band isn't it? I was trying to help out the guy who had just bought these pmr sets. Kind regards.
@@onanysundrymule3144 Yes, CB. Even VHF hand-helds with longer antenna will have more range than UHF.
How is everyone having 446 nets when it's only 0.5w ?
Or is everyone just running illegally, genuine question.
M7MLB-Lee: Most of them are probably on high ground.....you can get some long-distance contacts on PMR if you get up high enough.
My longest transmission on PMR was with a Baofeng T-1 on low TX (0,5W) got a full signal of Malta from Pozzallo in Sicily, I was received with a full signal also, sea level, 97Km. PMR can be pretty impressive in open spaces.
Stakker Humanoid What a Toooooooooon!!!!!!
Fiddlers Ferry in Liverpool? I think your a county out there m8ty 😄
Could I get 446 on a realistic pro 26, and listen in on a Sunday night?
👍😎👍MDS
These radios are top notch, but has anyone figured out how to turn off the voice announcements? Ear piercing!!
Same here Martin.
no worries
Nice
67cm, nice;D
I’m trying to do a conversion. Is 446 MHz really 67cm ?
PMR radios are ridiculously under powered for towns and cities. Ok for rural areas yeah but try getting that 0.5 watt to penetrate buildings, no chance.
I do like the idea of trying to get a local area net going. On channel 8. PMR446 Channel 8 nets forming all over the country, awesome!
0.5 W is very important, otherwise you are cheating. 4W only in life saving situations, otherwise it will create chaos. (if you cheat with 4W what stops anyone for cheating with 50 W ?!!!! (got my drift ? .....)
Congratulations:
Short and sweet comms.
Well said. Couldn’t agree more.
Not sure how a kid will manage all those functions.
They’re standard on any cheap kids pmr sets
There is one problem no one in amateur radio on the TH-cam videos ever discusses the price what it costs to get a license is it free or does it cost thousands of millions of dollars or hundreds of dollars or $10 and I'm talking about USD over here what does it cost to get a license and unless you discuss what it cost to get a license Kylie don't make such videos because all it gives is people buying these radios starting to broadcast for free and then they can get into trouble because they don't have a license because of course when they find out the cost if it if it there's a cost then you know people are going to start using these things and not going to have call signs not going to have nothing because no one discusses the price of the license which is a very important topic here so if you're not going to discuss that then Kylie close out all these videos because these videos are giving the wrong impression to people stating that the basically you're saying that license is free and anyone can jump on it just buy a radio and broadcast and you want to just get to go to the course and just get it for free is that the real story or is there a cost like $10 per license $50 $100 $1,000 a million dollars per license what the heck does it cost
That’s a lot of waffle….
The license doesn’t cost A lot but it varies that’s why we don’t give the price. It’s not our price to give.
It costs around £50-£70 all in here in the uk. For the weekend course, books and test.