A Solid 10 Meter Radio with One Major Issue..

[@conorturton]

It's not a ham radio. It's a CB radio targetted at the CB freebander DX market sold as a ham radio to get around certification requirements for CB radio. It's actual target audience use channelised bands which is why it has a channel selector rather than a proper VFO for tuning.

[@JamieStuff]

That radio is being sold at US CB shops under at least 4 different names. If you hold a couple of buttons while turning it on, it suddenly covers 24-30 MHz, and when set to one of the "bands", the channel numbers just so happen to exactly match the US CB channels. What a coincidence!

[@g8ymw]

Plenty different badges over this side of the pond MAAS DX5000, KPO DX5000, CRT ss6900, Anytone AT5555 Afectionaly known as the Anyclone.

[@KlausR]

@@g8ymw but the big difference between HS4 and all the other clones is that it comes with completely new, improved 2024' firmware. This applies in particular to the improved DSP RX audio filter option, which is now better adjustable over 5 levels on RX and for TX as a noise gate for loud ambient noise, e.g. with the VOX function the radios you mentioned belong to the old generation from 2010 onwards it has absolutely nothing to do with the new generation and technology of the 2021/2022 completely newly developed hardware

[@warp9988]

I guess theres two things you don’t understand. 999 of 1000 of these sold will be used on CB ONLY. Secondly the weird behaviour with the channel switching is because the clarifier is really editing your preset (channel). It doesn’t do a consistent jump when changing channels because you have tweaked your channels by turning the clarifier. Channel 1 might be at 28.7 and channel 2 could be at 28.77 and then chanel 3 at 29.2. The jumps are any amount you want them to be, and unless you wrote down a map turning the knob is just changing which memory slot is active, and is only consistently 5 khz until you start fiddling with altering memories with the clarifier which really is a weird way to work. They would sell fewer of these if they made a proper non channelized 10m rig, so they won’t do it.

[@JamieStuff]

@@warp9988 I was being facetious. No self respecting Ham would buy an HF righ with a channel selector.

[@M0RMY]

I think you can alter which frequency readout number changes when turning the clarifier knob by using the PUSH function of the clarifier knob. The MENU 17 PUS function allows this to be done (PUS Stp) and MENU 16 CLA needs to be set to RT. These radios are fun but we all know what they are designed to be used for!

[@HamRadioDX]

Yeah I tried the push function on the clarifier knob. When you TX you can adjust the TX frequency, but it only allowed +/- 10 KHz adjustment

[@Kake84]

@@HamRadioDX I have CRT 6900 (looks same radio) and there is menu PUS (COA) then you can push knob and change those last 3numbers. Radio remember changes on chanels. I normaly not even need change those 2last numbers. That "tuning" knob is not problem anymore when using that radio more. What is the problem is that radio have very bad filters. When propagation is super, strong station splatters make very hard to listen weak stations.

[@KlausR]

@@HamRadioDX ? with my version it is +/- 30 Khz. regardless of how the Clarifier is configured as RIT, XIT or RIT/XIT (both)

[@jonathanfauver7395]

Thank for the review on that one. Ive been eyeballing the qt80. Which is very similar. The qt80 probably has the same issues

[@SevenFortyOne]

I'm testing one of these at the moment too. It's a weird little radio, but I was able to work a couple of VK stations on it. There are definitely some limitations but the things it can do it seems to do fairly well. My expectations were much lower for this radio so I'm pleasantly surprised.

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks Rob! Curious did you get the programming software running? I just tried again and I’m still getting the error shown in the video. I’ll try on another PC

[@SevenFortyOne]

@@HamRadioDX I haven't gotten that far with it yet but I'll let you know if I get it working. One thing I found was you can quick set the clarifier step by pushing in on the knob.

[@HamRadioDX]

Yes I discovered that myself in post. In the function menu it spoke about changing the TX frequency using the push button on the clarifier knob, but I could only get it to change +/- 10 KHz when transmitting, not enough for the -100 KHz for repeater operation

[@HamRadioDX]

Also I hope you’re well Rob, good to hear from you.

[@SevenFortyOne]

@@HamRadioDX All good here Hayden! I hope all is well with you too. BTW, the software worked for me and I was able to transmit in split/repeater mode. I'll include that in my vide when I post it...I'm about 1/2 done with it as of today so you should see it in a week or so.

[@chrisdelong2932]

Once you change the frequency on channel 35, then switch around a few channels, it remembers where you left the frequency. So you can return to a QSO if you so desire. That is the reason when you rotate the channel knob, it changes to the frequency you left it on so you can go back to that frequency again. 73’

[@G0PBS-QRZ]

Does the frequency hop around because it mirrors the US 40 CB channels that have gaps and overlaps in frequencies? That’s been an anomaly ever since they went from 23 to 40 channels in the 70’s.

[@victorcharlie7491]

Great review, nice looking radio, tnx Man!

[@warrenjohnson1585]

Turn the annoying beep off 😅

[@BurgerMeisterGang]

Being medium power , it's good for local 30 to 50 miles , hence sharing the frequencies with more distant stations.

[@cloudstrife5209]

Push the clarifier button in to adjust your steps on the fly. And yes you can do offset frequencies with it 😉

[@HamRadioDX]

How big of an offset? I could only get +/- 10 KHz on TX

[@mostlypostie1]

@@HamRadioDX PC software allows it. If you have any com ports that show up on your PC that are NOT normal numerical numbers (COMA0, instead of COM 3 for example), you will see that error you had. Try a different PC. I have tried to post a few times to assist with various things on your channel, but for some reason my comments seem to be removed? 73

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks for the info. If your comments contain links then KZbin will automatically remove them?

[@mostlypostie1]

@@HamRadioDX Thanks mate, No there was no links but for some reason many comments that I've posted, only with technical information haven't made it through. But that's ok! Cheers.

[@HamRadioDX]

Yeah KZbin does weird things sometimes…

[@get__some]

if you reset the radio to 1band or 2band, the programming can be done from a pc. you'll lose your settings, but not any of the alignment settings out of the service menu

[@chrisdelong2932]

The QT80 is the better radio definitely for 300 uS. However, for the price I had to try one for mobile use. Less than 200 uS. Thanks for the review. The echo box is definitely not for me. Roger beep on SSB? It is modeled after the old DX radios with a newfangled technology twist. 73’

[@jctrame]

Get a Yaesu 891 on sale for just a little more. These issues you run into are common when a CB radio is opened up for 10 & 12 meter operation. Let’s be frank, these are sold for the free bander market.

[@cbradiotricks]

Can you show me where I can get the 981 for just a little more money?

[@jctrame]

@ todays price is 629 and it’s not on sale. On sale at least 100 less. And yes, in this day and time that’s just a small amount of money. YMMV as they say.

[@cbradiotricks]

@@jctrame So, even on sale it is still $300 more! Over double the price.

[@jctrame]

@ I could have worded it better, but another way to look at it is it’s half the monthly rent on a 1 BR apartment, or 1 truck payment. It’s just not much more these days, the dollar has lost so much value. Well, we’re not going to agree but nice to meet you out here in cyberspace. 73.

[@19TC504]

you can change the tuning step by pushing the clarifier also you can change the steps in the menu when you just turn the clarifier,also this radio is made for cb (11 meter)also if you want to do repeaters you need a programming software

[@slincolne]

It is odd that Retevis are selling a channelised transceiver as a HAM radio. The use of potting/glue on the crystals and inductors is likely to stop them from moving under vibration - say if mounted in a car, truck or boat. The tuning knob would be better if it was multi-function - say with a push function that could toggle between channel and VFO mode. I found a copy of the manual online - no mention in it of the USB connection (not even included in the picture of the back of the transceiver). Adding some extra functionality like CAT/CI-V might have addressed some of the radio's shortcomings. It's a shame they did not push the specs a bit further.

[@IZ0MTW]

Watching your video I’ve noticed that the jumps you’re having in tuning steps are caused by the fact that you have moved and left the clarifier out of its 0 or centered position for that particular “channel”. Then it is remembered and it appears to you like if something is wrong when stepping up or down with the channel knob. Hope this helps. 73

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks!

[@HamRadioDX]

I'm just too used to a "normal" VFO knob I think 😂😂

[@gkl5999]

Radioddity has a better and smaller radio that is very clean signal and can be modded to include 15m. And it is under $300!

[@OverkillCB]

Definitely a CB sold as a HAM rig to get it past regulations. I have one, awesome CB, simple to switch it to CB after buying it 👍

[@LilYeshua]

It's layout reminds me of the CRE-8900 I once had but it had 50 watts output power.

[@VicGreenBitcoin]

Your Clarrifier is not straight, out of alignment, or out of adjustment. Known bug in this type of radio (this bug has been there for years). Let`s not forget this Radio is already 20 years on the market!

[@raymondmartin6737]

I had a Styker 10M, which also covered 11 and 12 meters, which I ordered the tone board for CTCSS for 10M repeaters 😮

[@Andy2e0ree]

You need to read the manual just push no the calafer

[@vk3hau]

That link to Amazon Australia says “ This item cannot be shipped to your selected delivery location. Please choose a different delivery location. “

[@HamRadioDX]

Classic Amazon AU, we get a fraction of what the US get, or use a mail forwarder which I’ve had to do in the past

[@rpcomms1]

You need the pc software ,theres options to stop remembering/altering frequency public mode,extra options. Channel encoder is a hang over from cb channelised mode. They do a short version set now SS8900 VFO mode is now being fitted on later models (not the model you have) Glue is for vibration in vehicles , mechanicals on components. Check out AT6666pro or Radioddity QT-80 or President Washington 2+fan kits those have vfo mode. Can program in via pc software 3khz steps ,why hams use odd step sizes never got that ?? 0/5kc lot easier on ssb ,why complicate it ? Best of luck ,have fun with radio 👍 Rob P 73's Have fun

[@TheArtofEngineering]

Looks a bit plastic fantastic…. But always fun to play with a radio. I think this needs more thought put into making it less CB and more useful as a ham rig. 73 de VK2AOE

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

It has CW. It take a key….if you’re happy to reach around the back to plug in Anyway we all know that real hams use CW on 11m

[@GbHill59]

The reason you are getting those off frequency channels is because the person who last used the channel left it that way. Like 28.466. Reset the frequency back to 28.465.00 & you’ll be fine. I have an AnyTone at5555plus. I love mine.

[@WECB640]

That extra space inside is where you mount the Tarzan yell noise toy. LOL I think I'd measure the receive rejection and quality of the IF filter. No analog clarifier RIT is not good, I hate this stepping type where you're never spot on. 73 OM

[@BFOlivier]

This is a CB radio, and NOT an HAM RADIO

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

It has CW. Real hams use CW on 11m

[@johnharrison373]

​@@MidlifeRenaissanceManReal hams don't use 11m.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

@@johnharrison373 real hams don’t use 11m…..but if they did, they use CW

[@АлексейЛесуков-ч3ь]

Is a10 meter band CB band?

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

@@АлексейЛесуков-ч3ь nahhh. Not quite. 26-27.999Mhz is _freeband_ on account that it’s rarely policed. Freebanders occasionally spill into the 28MHz CW section of the band but it’s typically frowned upon

[@coldandaloof7166]

This looks just very similar to my old Galaxy Pluto

[@robertmoody2221]

I have the k-po dx 5000 version i consider it a Cb radio.

[@ohenekojo2561]

It's a budget radio that will get you on HF. Lots of fun to be had with it.

[@donnakano3697]

You do realize that this is just a “legal” way to sell a high powered illegal CB radio, right?

[@almightyEsquilax]

I don't know why I'd want a dedicated 10m radio if I already had a general purpose HF tranceiver. Anybody want to enlighten me? Is this just a cheap way to get into HF?

[@grebulocities8225]

Like all 10m radios, it's an overpowered CB radio being sold under the cover story of being a ham radio. I suppose it might be useful to a technician or someone who just wants to get their feet wet in HF and doesn't want to pay for a full-on HF radio, but the vast majority of users are CBers.

[@paulsengupta971]

@@grebulocities8225 The thing about price is that for a similar price you can get a 1980s 100W solid state radio which covers 160m up to 10m. I know what I would choose! The downside is that if you want to do mobile operation, the 1980s radio will be too large to fit in a car. Mind you, I bought an IC-706 mk 1 for not much more money than one of these.

[@robertmeyer4744]

That radio hard to use for SSB. The anytone AT5555 N II much better as well is QT 80 PRO . Just push button and number gets underlined and you change. and you can set steps in menu. I keep 1 KHZ. and the clarifier is changeable. TX/RX or just TX or just RX . and nice in fine . They do receive real nice . The QT 40 is hard to use as well. For just a bit more money you can get a money you can get a much better radio. I mostly use SSB . I did make a 10 meter AM contact on 29 MHZ. Been open in NY real nice but Had QSB bad at times in afternoon. The AM was great from NY to UK . I got Midrid on 10 the outher day. Think we got solar storm with the bad QSB and 15 meter went down. 73

[@temporarilyoffline]

I'm probably not the target audience for these radios... they are so close to being useful for ham that its almost embarassing. Would be great with a sound card or at least in/out audio jacks and a VFO. Sure I can make one, but by the time you buy the rig and do the mod, you're into the $$ of a "real ham radio"

[@mostlypostie1]

@@temporarilyoffline the new AT-6666PRO gives you all of this, for not much more money. It's a real ham radio! Check out the smoking apes videos :) 73

[@chublez]

Yea IT's a hopped up CB that can be a cheap way to play on 10m but double yer money gets a G90 which if your goal is HAM stuff is heaps better than trying to make a "export" work. If pennies are tight though it will let you make those first HF contacts.

[@FernandoGonzalez-jh4tr]

This kind of transceiver need a split function. I belive there are no 10 meter (false CB) transceiver with Split function

[@mattpace5982]

My rci 2950 dx mobile has cw but I don't use it

[@M0OPI]

The stand for the radio is shocking... literally 😉

[@HamRadioDX]

😂🔌

[@troybizeau5979]

why not a rci 2950 or a 2970. or a good Galaxy

[@charlieoscar09]

CW is terrible on those radios

[@jomckarth4836]

utterly devastating

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Real hams use CW on 11m.I’m sure it’s better than the Pixie I built

[@xszl]

K-PO DX-5000, crt 6900 or maas dx-5000 here. 200-210 euro.

[@johnlees8418]

loads of radio for a cheap price . i got the anytone version . bargain

[@PLVRGTAG]

"one two skip a few" ahh radio

[@g8ymw]

A true vfo on that radio? Don't forget that it's a covert Chip Butty

[@oldfartonabmx2122]

I think the answer here is buy a Yaesu

[@gkl5999]

You could put them out of business just by not buying one.

[@mm3nrx]

What do you expect from a jumped up CB?

[@jmacdelivers3184]

I had this radio for a while now, and still can not find how to use the PA function. Also with the software you can change TX and RX freq. Thanks

[@matthewferguson3206]

Been there and done it wth Chinese crappy radios...give me Japanese radios any day

[@dangruner5926]

I really can't see the point in these cheap "glorified CB" radios? Why not just buy an older HF rig - say an old FT847 - or older, for the same or not much more money? Then you will have all the HF bands, a proper VFO and most likely 100W. The only plus point perhaps, is having FM, which a lot of older HF rigs may not have...

[@gkl5999]

99% of all HF radios have become glorified CB radios!

[@raymondmartin6737]

Ale-unce. 😅

[@luissousa9251]

clarifier does that, read the damm manual.

[@HamRadioDX]

Thanks champ

[@extreme978]

If a radio has an echo board built in, and a roger beep, IT IS A GLORIFIED CB! PERIOD.

[@mostlypostie1]

OH NO! It is therefore impossible to have any fun on 10m and 12m with this radio...? Don't be such a sad ham. 73

[@randykitchleburger2780]

What's glorified about it? It's clearly a CB design

[@extreme978]

@@mostlypostie1 I guess anything beats another ht review.

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

Rea hams use CW on 11m

[@ohenekojo2561]

What?! Just turn them off! Stop being a fud.

[@jomckarth4836]

dudududuuuuuu stop that nonsens ......

[@1chrisandangie]

chinese ah ah

[@noimnotarobotcanubeleiveit7024]

If you want a radio made in the west you better look at the vintage market

[@michealbell5042]

Sell it it's junk.