Budget Ham Radio: QYT KT 8900R Tri Bander

[@Iridium242]

Please feel free to leave any questions about this radio in the comments. This was not a full review and there will be more videos featuring this radio in the future, but I did want to show it to everyone and get it mounted in its place!

[@spacekat8249]

Just a simple question, in France we have to pass a sort of exam/licence to use any HAM radios, do you have too? Thanks for this presentation !!!

[@DJChrisArgueta]

SpaceKat yes, in the US, you must pass the Technician class license test. The Technician class is the first license you must have to operate on Amateur Radio frequencies. The Technician license gives you privileges on the VHF and UHF bands, mostly repeater usage. After you have some experience and want more privileges, especially on HF frequency bands, you would study and test for the next license, the General class. With this license you have limited privileges on the HF frequency bands. Then, after some time in the hobby, you could test to upgrade to highest license, the Amateur Extra class. As an Extra, you have full HF privileges on the HF bands. I’m studying for that test now, it is not easy, at least not for me. We have other license classes that are no longer being issued, but are grandfathered in: Novice, Technician Plus and Advanced. These licenses can be renewed, but they are no longer issued and are being phased out. These license class can upgrade to the other current three license classes. Hope that helps to give you an idea of Amateur Radio in the US.

[@spacekat8249]

@@DJChrisArgueta Waooh, it doesn't seems so easy but kinda same un France. Thank you do much for your well detailled answer !

[@WilliamTruscott_RADIOMAN]

I bought this radio as we are on social Security and have limited income. It seems to work really well and the programming is fairly easy. I tried to get the Channel Name to display, but it just shows the frequency and channel info, no name. The name is programmed into the software, but doesn't display on the radio after programming. Any ideas? Bill Truscott, KA9HHQ, [e-mail].

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

@@WilliamTruscott_RADIOMAN I think you can do it with Chirp.

[@pmcallah]

This is a GREAT budget transceiver! I bought 2 of them.

[@buzzsah]

I have 2 8900 dual-banders and have no complaints.

[@BarefootBeekeeper]

Nice radio, compact and programmable using CHIRP under Linux, which is a clincher for me. I love the mic for mobile use and it does the job.

[@robertwoerner20]

Glad to see it works with Linux, only thing I use now for last couple years.

[@snafu673]

Nice video, I have this in my car now.. cool little radio.

[@jeffmccrea9347]

I got an 8900 new on the box at a yard sale today for $15.00 US. I'm missing the programming cable and direction book.

[@timm2020]

Everyone should get their ham license. I have had mine for many years.

[@1OFGODSOWN]

I just got mine in March of 1994. {:>)

[@michaelfranciotti3900]

I just renewed mine. Originally got it in 2010. I'm not rich by any means so the cost of most quality rigs are well out of my budget. Reviews of cheap radios like this are perfect for guys like me.

[@chrissewell1608]

Well, maybe not everyone. Then it'd turn into a CB.... Just saying the truth!

[@seandrake7534]

Can all the frequencys on this radio be used with a technician license

[@MagicRoosterBluesBand]

Got this one. So far so good. It's very similar to the UV5R menu and works with CHIRP.

[@marvinhaynes9593]

As far as I can tell, this radio is not currenly advertised as having 220 band capability. Is this a hidden bonus for this radio.? Since this video is 3 years old, is it possible that the new ones do not have that capability?

[@Iridium242]

This one does, but I don't know about the new ones

[@RoguePreparedness]

That seems like a great budget HAM radio. Like the size, too. I’m going to put it on my wishlist. Thanks!

[@Iridium242]

Yeah for around 80 bucks cant beat it. Check to see if there are 220 repeaters in your area, normally its a nice quiet band where not everyone is and you can hang out and chat with other hams without feeling guilty about holding up a repeater lol

[@bertram_oredrock]

Sweet. We're in the market for a inexpensive HAM Radio. Great Review.

[@GunsandGearNetwork]

Great review as always. Looking to buy one myself. Sold the FJ and let my radio go with it so I need a new one for my new truck.

[@the1spyderryder]

The fuse is 7 amp and most lighter sockets has at least a 20 amp fuse. I am running mine inside on a 5amp supply.

[@michaelpriest6242]

I have 2 QYT's and like both of them. My first is the KT- 8900 and my 2nd, the KT-8900 D.

[@silversponge4259]

Excellent review and likely to be my next purchase. Recently got licensed but just have the handheld Baofeng as of now. Time to step up my game!

[@kd4exy]

In 2020 price not changed. I looking at it for 220 and it a good price to try if I find any activity on 220.

[@SuAmigoElilegal]

Can I use this as a portable repeater. I could set up with a relay or interface , hooked up with another radio as a duplex . Since is over 20 watts I can imagine it will put out good power signal

[@the1spyderryder]

Hi i have a question were you able to get this radio to receive WEATHER sites in the 162.400 mhz range? And the manual says you can AND you are supposed to be able to set a pass word so the bands can be adjusted, were you ablo to set this password?

[@unclecow]

Man pretty neat rig awesome video

[@0426dav]

Thank you for your most informative video. Just what I was looking for, a small inexpensive Tri-bander with decent output. Regarding power output, is it adjustable via radio programing?

[@chrissewell1608]

Can you change the power setting, while in memory channel mode? I can in VFO mode, but NOT while in memory mode. Or am I missing a programming feature.

[@slashdolz]

Same problem here...

[@ltramd]

Most cigarette lighters can handle 15 amps If I'm not wrong.....180 watts would be about the point you blow a fuse

[@haydendunstan]

Any idea as to the default password. Getting incorrect password for programming on my new set.

[@chrissewell1608]

What is the amperage draw, on High Power? Just wondering what kind of bench top power supply, Is needed to properly power this little unit! P.S.: After purchasing and testing this unit with my Allinco, desk power supply. The low power setting draws only about 2 - 3 amps, and High power only draws 4 - 5 amps! The unit is fused with a 7 amp, glass, auto. fuse! So this is safely do-able off the 12V cigarette lighter plug.

[@bodyguard856]

New to all of this I assume that this model is better than the 8900D?

[@Scaliad]

Is it possible to turn off the microphone backlight?

[@ALSmith-zz4yy]

Just got a KT-8900 today. So far it seems like great value for the money. I'm wondering though, is the programming software only available for Windows?

[@Grognarthebarb]

Does it have a trrs plug for audio I/O accessories like head sets

[@JulieHiltbrunner]

Communication in an emergency is my weak spot.

[@Iridium242]

You guys should look into getting your hah licenses. It's actually pretty simple these days! If you have any questions I can answer them

[@albertlevy3721]

I have one of those boafeng radio's a uv 5r it was free a gift from a friend. Not having a license I am stuck listening to local PD .....

[@45ACP_9mm]

I have that radio and I cannot program any repeaters into it to listen to.

[@albertlevy3721]

@@45ACP_9mm WWW.radioreference;com All the info on repeaters in your area are listed.

[@k2000b]

no program cable link here.. this is the main problem about this radio

[@dw1vbkradiotvchannel978]

i'll get one, nice.. like it

[@TheRealCobraBurnout]

Nice review on this one.

[@leesradio6095]

Is the power cord plug offset like the tyt 9000 220?

[@koyomo2910]

What antenna do you recommend with this unit?

[@MagicRoosterBluesBand]

I went cheap. For home I use an Abbree 42" antenna outside with a 25 foot cable to the radio. Works great.

[@StevieB-jj9fz]

Will it do CB also. 27mhz

[@Iridium242]

Nope totally different bands.

[@BlakeEdmondson]

Do you have any recommendations for a tri band mobile mag mount antenna?

[@RodgerMyers]

Hi , i move mobile homes ( 14'x70' ) with metal sides and roof mostly . I have CBs , but have problems communicating with the escort that follows . Would this radio ( or a dual band ) be a good back up as i have had close calls because of losing communication with the rear escort ? These are on Temu now for $107 with free shipping . Thanks for any advice . I am not knowledgable at all with han radios and not much with CBs .

[@RodgerMyers]

The CBs I have are lacking in dependable communication , any advice is appreciated .

[@Iridium242]

These work great but when you have a UHF radio it is not the best at close range. I would recommend the bofang handheld radios so its not confined to the cab of your truck. The bofangs are really nice and very dependable and on top of that you can program them yourself pretty easily.

[@concernedpatriot.2221]

I have a general question. It’s my understanding that ham radios work with repeaters, if there is a grid down situation, how do ham radios keep working ? I don’t know too much about radios and have not done research on them yet. But seems to me that CB’s would be a better way to go because of their point to point capabilities. If the grid is up and repeaters are working, cell phones should work fine but if repeaters go down, how do you keep ham radios working ?

[@Iridium242]

As a general rule most hams are set up with backup power and lots of repeaters are run on solar (at least most here are) so it's not a huge issue. Also ham radio and it's many frequencies can reach a whole lot further than most cb radios, even without repeaters. That said if you have an active cb community around your area, CB's are a great option

[@concernedpatriot.2221]

Iridium242 I see. Thanks for the info. Still have to do some research but if that’s the case, I guess ham would be the way to go.

[@DJChrisArgueta]

michael leon that was a great question. Let me give you a bit more information on Amateur Radio. When you first start out in the hobby, your license class give you privileges on VHF & UHF, mostly for repeater usage and very small HF privileges. Amateur Radio License gives you 1500W of PEP. CB radio does not have nowhere that type of power authorized to them. I’m not 100% familiar with CB, but I do know that there equipment is not high powered, at least not legally. also the frequency spectrum they are allowed to operate on is very small. Amateur Radio on the other hand is a completely different mindset and culture than CB. Because it is a very technical hobby, a lot of interest and experimentation is conducted by its operators. Amateur Radio Repeaters have far more reach than CB, not only that, we are only talking about VHF and UHF this far, typically these are short distance radio systems, 100 miles and under, but many repeaters are linked. You could theoretically reach across the country on a linked system. CB can’t do that. As you progress in Amateur Radio, you will undoubtedly upgrade your license. This is when the hobby really gets interesting. Your upgraded licenses, General & Extra, give you extended frequency privileges in the HF bands. This is where you start making point to point long distance contacts, known as DX. This is what you see in the movies, during climatic scenes involving apocalyptic scenarios. It’s these HF radios, with battery backups and solar charging systems that you see the good guys using movies like Terminator and in the first Independence Day movie. Amateur Radio operators also volunteer in things like RACES and ARES, Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service and Amateur Radio Emergency Service.

[@concernedpatriot.2221]

Chris Argueta KI6AMK thank you. So just to make sure I understand. If grid goes down and repeaters are not working. A ham radio will operate on a point to point system like a CB but with much more watts of power which equates to much more distance ?

[@kf4wii656]

I got my start in CB/SSB however, Ham Radio offers far greater capabilities. Study up and get your Ham licenses you will be glad you did 73's.

[@kd7don]

Nice.

[@mac2863]

How are you all powering this guy when not in a car?

[@Iridium242]

I have a power box I made for remote operation, it has battery backup and solar, I just plugged it into the box for this video and now that its installed it runs off that system, I made it in one of my older vids.

[@braindeadnewyorker9569]

Don’t play with it too much you will go blind 😂😂

[@Iridium242]

lol

[@chrissewell1608]

It does have a small screen! 😣

[@snafu673]

Nice power box I made something similar

[@jkssr1885]

DONT turn on the tdr itll make the radio tick tick lick a clock!

[@bwhittle76]

I want to become a ham

[@Iridium242]

Start out by reading up what you can online, you can buy books from the ARRL that will explain all the rules, and lots of what will be on the test like antenna theory and such. Once you feel confident in that, there are plenty of sites that offer free ham tests for you to take and practice on, Once you feel confident passing those tests THEN you can look into your local clubs and see if they offer the real test in person. You probably want to start looking at the technician level license manual and tests. Its really simple and costs around 12 to 15 bucks to take the test

[@richfuller]

*POOF* your now a ham, now go forth and find find your cheese!

[@theMekanik]

First 😎