CountyComm GP 7 - General Purpose Radio | The Features I Wanted!

County Comm sent me a GP-7 to take a look at. It is the upgrade to the GP-5, a radio I own, so I was able to compare the two. I find the GP-7 includes all the features I wanted to see the GP-5 and is also more selected when compared against each other.
County Comm GP-7 is here: countycomm.com/collections/ra...
(Note to viewers, this radio was sent to me by CountyComm as I owner and purchased the GP-5 and reviewed it. I believe I remained objective and compare both radios fairly)
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[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The battery used in the GP-7 is a BL-5C. They’re available at multiple places online. I’m not worried about getting access to them.

[@vincei4252]

Thank you.

[@dtm789]

They were used in many pre smartphone Nokia handsets.

[@michaelhayward9532]

Hate those things, I'd get the higher capacity ones, 1500-1600 mah, that's my hesitation with getting one, why put batteries in and out, just recharge a worthwhile battery in the radio.

[@justinb.5822]

Actual GP-7 owner here: The battery life of the OEM battery lasts extremely long and is quick to recharge. I will not buy spare batteries due to my plethora of power banks I have for cell phones, etc. 73! -- W5NRP

[@michaelhayward9532]

@@justinb.5822 That's good to know, I might get one and still order a higher capacity BL-5C, if the radio will charge it, I'll ask them, after all it is for portable use, what about current drawdown when stored?

[@ItsEverythingElse]

Should have been a USB-C for something new like this.

[@guitodd]

USB-C would be great, heck, I'd even like to see the older USB-Mini over the micro. Micro seems a bit fragile in my experience.

[@pen25]

@@guitodd problem with mini is finding cables. micro is starting to be hard to find. amazon has them but not many.

[@zach3664]

@@guitodd that is so true that was the worst time for phones when everyone thought micro was the best. It wasn't the connector would die in 6 months if you charged your phone every night.

[@j03y__]

Are there any similar radios on the market that are USBC?

[@Robert-cd5zr]

while you can use a USB-C to microUSB adapter dongle, I modded mine with a female USB-C 5v trigger board epoxied a little bit under the microUSB port. The V+ and ground are wired directly to the microUSB V+ and ground, works great.

[@NonyaDamnbusiness]

I too enjoy my Tecsun PL-368. And for those whining about "muh lack of AA batteries", the BL-5C is one of the most ubiquitous li-ion batteries on the planet. They can be found easily on Amazon as well as at every Batteries Plus store in America. And in the event of zombie apocalypse, the entire thing can be powered via USB from any external battery bank, even - GASP! - a homemade one that consists of AA batteries. Of course by that time I'll have already tossed a brick through a Batteries Plus window and stocked up even more on BL-5C, AA, AAA, Li-Ion 12-volt, and CR123A batteries.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Agreed.

[@guitodd]

I have to agree here. I have always bought AA battery packs for all my HT's when available for the simple reason I store batteries and can easily find them at a store if needed over trying to power a proprietary wall-wart charger in an emergency or while traveling. USB charging is the game changer. At this point, with the amount of devices we have and are available like cell phones, tablets, flashlights, etc. 'USB charging' or 'powering' capability should be a part of your preparedness plan.

[@bereadyeveryday6764]

I've been waiting for some of these features and when I saw the premiere notice on the video I pulled the trigger on the GP-7. Awesome video Josh. Thanks!

[@tuddrussell]

Great review. I have also bought lots of stuff from CountyComm and have NEVER been disappointed. I keep eyeing this radio and it's probably time to finally get it.

[@justinb.5822]

I was waiting for this video! I it is a great feeling when companies listen to the consumers. I am pleased that you feel the same way about the GP-7. I am jeolous that they sent you all the other accessories and gear! 73! -- W5NRP (formerly KI5KTQ)

[@ClydeHoadley]

Thanks for this. I just ordered mine. I've had the GP-5 for several years now. Looks like the GP-7 has some major improvements.

[@mikearmstrong9899]

Been watching this radio in its various forms for years. Finally pulled the trigger. And yes to the glow in the dark.

[@tomahawk5118]

Thx for covering this. I was actually looking at this radio today. This store gets too much of my money! Good stuff.

[@ericlaffoon1779]

I have been doing buisness with Mike for well over 20 years now and he/CC is awesome. Just the best for this type of one off edc stuff. The Gov Pack includes the case you were talking about at the end. It is a better case than the one you have. The bag is also mylar lined, I guess for EMP resistence or whatever. Love this little radio, reminds me of my Radio Shack Walkie Talkies ca. 1988 with the little "Morse Code" charts on the front.

[@pspadotto]

Been waiting for this review since we talked about your Instagram post. That is a neat piece of kit right there. When the radio and the GITD case are back in stock, i might jump on one.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I heard Monday.

[@plazguitar]

Love this rado - performs just as good as the CCrane SSB. It's smaller, lighter and the display can be seen from most angles without disappearing or ghosting. My battery has been lasting 14+ days with about 2 hrs of use per day! I like the external AM ferrite antenna; for DX and local too, I don't need to change the radios position for best reception - just turn the antenna!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I agree!

[@HyperbolicAlcoholic]

Just ordered one and I'm pretty excited to get it. Great review!

[@PaulMeixnerFilms]

I’ve been trying to figure out the name of this radio for a while now, thanks for doing this review! I remember reading about it over a year ago but I forgot what it was called and had a hard time finding it. Thanks again!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Go with the GP-7.

[@davepomerleau7250]

I love there stuff, have a lot of things from them! all well made and hard working.

[@stationvictormike3415]

I just got bought one in Dec. Love it. Used it conjunction with Home-brew QRP TX rigs.

[@NathanMazanec]

Can't wait til they are in stock! I will grab one up!

[@NathanMazanec]

Also, was it in stock when you edited this video? You have the screen popup that says it is back in stock, but haven't seen out of stock change in a few days? Maybe they sold out immediately?

[@JohnStruemph]

Now you gone and done it! I bought another radio! Nice review Josh! 73 de K1JHS

[@ronleblanc9832]

Very interesting and so portable compaired to the grundig satalite 800 that i have

[@jamesmiller3297]

FYI. Just ordered the GP-7, the batteries w/charger, silicone case, and extra antenna. Took advantage of a Honey coupon and got 15% off and free shipping.

[@hdofu]

Have nothing but good things to say about CountComm (I mean I ordered some accessories to use for my Tecsun PL-368 and they for some reason sent a GP-7 in the order!)

[@warrencaldwell8753]

You will find in the documentation that the radio can be programmed to us the whip antenna with the me antenna or you can isolate the whip from the mw antenna. I found out that if it is programmed to use the whip with the mw antenna then you can indeed plug in an external antenna and use it just the way you did in the video. You lucked out with it already programmed. My Icom didn’t. I stumbled on to in the manual.

[@donwilbanks2226]

I've had my eye on the GP5 for a while now. Great improvement with the 7.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I agree!

[@jayj4142]

I am going to get one of these to use for POTA activations - you could tune to a different band than the one you’re working and see if other bands are busy and what stations are on using your iphone and an FT8 decoding app. All you need is audio to decode with your phone, so this should work great for that.

[@Tomdogful]

A great review. Thanks

[@autarchex]

whoa, haven't seen a civil defense logo on a product in a long time!

[@JrGoonior]

Last thing I need is another radio, but just placed my order using the discount code. This looks like it's a great performer, I'll find out. 73's WB9LIY

[@wesley20991]

Pretty neat stuff awesome video

[@DonzLockz]

it has some great features like that etm scan. I was looking at a Tecsun but think this fits in the pocket easier. They have done some nice improvements.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I believe TECSUN has an almost identical radio to the gp-7. Unsure what changes were made.

[@twohandsandaradio]

The GP-7 is made by Tecsun for CountyComm.

[@PRStoetzer]

I have an early model Tecsun PL-368 that I imported from China right when they became available. The GP-7 is supposedly the exact same as later model 368s, except the antenna on the GP-7 is a more durable stainless steel rather than the aluminum on the 368. Great radio except you can't calibrate the dial on the early ones (mine is spot on) and there's some warblyness with SSB when the case vibrates too much. This has been corrected on the GP-7 and later model 368s from what I understand. The biggest downside when using it for scanning the amateur bands is the muting while tuning that's inherent in purely DSP based receivers using the SI473x chips. The Sangean ATS-909X2, Tecsun PL-880, PL-990, S-8800, and H-501 all use the same chip that's in the PL-368/GP-7, but only as a demodulator - Tuning is done using conventional PLL circuits, so they don't mute while tuning. For purely keeping up with the ham bands while out and about, you can't beat the Belka DX as a ultraportable pocket HF receiver, but they may be difficult to obtain with the sanctions on Belarus due to their participation in the war in Ukraine.

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

Early PL-368's had firmware 3682, and GP-7's had 3684 at one point (found by holding down the V/M button for a while). Anybody know what the latest GP-7 and PL-368 radios are shipping with? Are both at 3684 now?

[@gunraptor]

That Belka looks quite interesting....

[@m_a_s6069]

Reminds me a lot of the TecSun PL-368 and the TecSun PL-360 radios.

[@philbartoli2011]

Cool ty for the opportunity

[@tomperone9338]

Something else I have to have now!

[@ronjr1157]

In standby the battery lasts for 6 to 8 weeks so far.

[@unklewink]

I know something that would be a cool accessory. An add -on that would allow you to use a wireless phone charger to charge the radio battery.

[@figfang]

Your recorded headphone sound is so clear! How? My new Tecsun PL368 is hissing a lot in the earphones once turned on, even on FM with a strong signal. Only when volume passes 10 or so one almost doesn't notice the hiss anymore, but than that's too loud already to bear it. The same with another pair of earphones. I actually bought this radio in hope for a better sound thinking that only those cheaper ones hiss in the earphones so much. Should I look for a radio with DSP or earphones with higher impedance?

[@ralphnunn3]

Boy, the passband filter alone might make it worth the purchase, even though I also have the GP-5... DE K7RLN

[@NathanMazanec]

The unit is available now! 1514 UTC 04/04/2022

[@zillsburyy1]

we want the radios used in DIE HARD 2

[@Robert-cd5zr]

The build quality of these things leaves a lot to be desired. May try to mod the microUSB to a USB-C charging port on mine

[@kalilay]

the usb out port is meant to be used while its plugged into a wall, not to use a battery to charge something else. not sure why you would think 3 volts is an appropriate usb charge voltage. the 3 volts may be enough to turn on the led on your other device, but is not the 5 volts any usb device would expect.

[@MegaUh]

I thought the Civil Defense triangle was a nice touch on the battery cover lol

[@woodgrainandwhimsey]

Other than cost, is there any benefit to using a receive only radio like this over an HT with wide band receive? I’ve always enjoyed that feature of my Kenwood TH-F6a and have never considered buying a dedicated portable SW receiver for that reason.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

From my experience and the th-f6 is no exception. Wide banded HTs are generally poor on SW reception. If you consider the components in the box so to speak for dual band radio there isn’t room much left for sw to be as affective.

[@tkflanagan4449]

You're a COOL dude...

[@AliReza-zx8km]

Nice........................

[@wasylbakowsky5199]

They are the same radio as the Tecsun PL-368, save that they have a sturdier antenna, stainless steel vs. aluminum in the Tecsun...

[@MaryBrownForFreedom]

was that a capacity hat at the top of your local AM station tower? Interesting!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Idk what it is. But it’s a flamethrower

[@downunderprepparedness]

Does it run with the USB connected but the battery removed?

[@tbmpetsolutions]

Looks good but as a prepper AA batteries would be better.

[@gingebrien2408]

Excuse my ignorance. I love CountyComm & saw this radio. From a standpoint of a radio the sound isn’t what I would say great. So I’m assuming one purchases this for the shortwave. If someone would just explain to me why I would need or want this radio. And If I was in the market is there a better product?

[@nevellgreenough404]

Got one yesterday. AM reception seems good but SSB/CW stability seems lacking for my unit. Minor touching or even speaker sound causes the pitch of CW to warble and SSB to be difficult copy. Anybody else having this issue, or do I have a defective unit? Josh's at 13:40 and 16:15 seems much more stable when handled. Thanks for the well-done video. --N2GX

[@nevellgreenough404]

How about comparing the GP-7 to, say, an un-upgraded Malachite and/or a Tecsun PL-660 or 880? They're not too far apart in price and I think you own all of those. Thanks! --N2GX

[@k8xg615]

What was the discount code showed in the video but glare on the card I could not read?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Ah hell. Idk. Let me see if I can find it.

[@vincei4252]

VIP10ME I had to make the video full screen so I could read it. I applied the code and it worked for me.

[@kv4atv]

Any idea if it will receive outside of the HAM bands say for operators that are authorized? Would like to use one or more to monitor or to scan "if possible" several frequencies outside our normal HAM bands. Another feature that is needed is to be able to program in frequencies and store them for scanning like you do with the keypad or CHIRP software for the boafeng 2M/70cm radios.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

This is 100% a receiver and will listen outside the ham bands.

[@kv4atv]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Perfect... I'll be getting one "or more" for my MARS and SHARES station to monitor our frequencies.

[@GTK3392]

I am very new to Radios. Can this be tuned to listen to NOAA weather channel? In my area they broadast at 162 Mhz.

[@BaronVonJace]

19:20 Snap-On case? Must have cost more then the radio itself!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lol

[@Oregun]

I have the GP-5, what’s the adapter type for connecting a pl239 antenna? Thanks!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

So-239 to 3.5 mm mono

[@i335a]

Is this identical to the PL-368 or did countycomm add specific features?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I *think* the antenna is different. That is all I know for sure.

[@JohnOfAllTrades27]

I'll wait until weather is included

[@uploadJ]

Does it cover - the 160 meter band? 1800 to 2000 kHz?

[@UncleDon226]

How long is the battery life on the GP7? How many continuous hours will it last? Everyone says "battery life is gud." I need a numerical value.

[@hisdivineshadow782]

KI6NAZ, please consider reviewing the Amateur Radio 4k available from Geochron. Would like to know what you think about it.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I already have 👍

[@hisdivineshadow782]

Cool beans. Will look for the review. Thanks.

[@forgetyourlife]

Do you think it beats the CCrane Skywave SSB?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It depends if you want air band and weather. They pack as well. I’d likely give the nod to the GP-7 for sw Ssb. But I think I’ll have to test that now.

[@patm5165]

Did you use the Steppir to test this radio?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes

[@Tykoon]

It’s missing AM HD and FM HD. I prefer FM/SW Antenna port instead of AM Antenna port. AM is being phased out by Tesla, Ford and others.

[@pen25]

usb mini on a device sold today should be tossed and not even looked at. countycomm needs to have all of these sent back and the usb-c port added. even micro is something i hesitate to buy.

[@chriscomms.2399]

Leave the unit powered off for a week and see if the battery has drained dead. This was a problem with the 5, and maybe that’s why the 7 has extra battery. Curious to see !

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Ok. Battery is in and sitting. We’ll see in a week.

[@chriscomms.2399]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Cool, can’t wait too see your results 👍🏼

[@WesV]

Bump 😁

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

@@WesV Still full battery! :D

[@WesV]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse great to hear, ive got one in the mail 🙏

[@timbookedtwo2375]

I have mixed feelings on these kinds of rechargeable batteries. Sure, the radio can be built more compact and lighter. But in an emergency or SHTF situation one can still find AA and AAA batteries, alkaline and rechargeable, pretty much everywhere. I like to be able to run my gear off of AA or AAA batteries or a 12v system. I even have battery cases to run my Baofengs with AA and AAA batteries. I have a couple of little battery chargers that charge AA and AAA batteries that can run off of a 12v source. I can plug it into my 12v photovoltaic system and voila! But if you don't expect an emergency or SHTF situation then these kinds of flat rechargeable batteries would be ok.

[@plazguitar]

Kind of felt the same way; but I have several USB micro cables - and charging power can be accessed via an AA accessory pack, solar back-up battery, car with a USB adaptor (another junk drawer occupant)... So while AA's or AAA's are easy, the rechargeable has plenty of options. My battery has been lasting 14+ days with about 2 hrs of use per day!

[@uploadJ]

re: But in an emergency or SHTF situation one can still find AA and AAA batteries, alkaline and rechargeable, pretty much everywhere. : Build a USB adapter that takes AA or AAA and outputs 5V to charge the Li-Ion in the GP-7 ...

[@timbookedtwo2375]

@@uploadJ and what if the li-ion battery fails or you lose the ability to re-charge?

[@uploadJ]

@@timbookedtwo2375 re: "and what if the " You are proposing a hypothetical 5-Sigma event; You are MORE likely to be shot by a cop or experience myocarditus from a Covid vax shot ...

[@Jimbo_Conn]

So do I need an AM radio now ?

[@mikester6192]

I just heard my native language Tagalog. Filipino dialect

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lots of Filipino hams. Particularly in California. Also was have great Filipino food out here too! Dinuguan and crispy pata is a favorite in our house 🤙

[@Mobilemax308]

What external antenna were you using?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Just tapping into my SteppIR.

[@marshallstubblefield9575]

How do you get NOAA on it? I can’t find anything on how to do it.

[@RoundBoyRanch]

We're you putting it through the voice recorder so we couldn't hear it?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

What? I included both out the speaker and out the headphones video clips.

[@RoundBoyRanch]

My bad, when you were trying to find a station, I was thinking that you had the audio muted or my ears were just not picking it up. LoL, great video!! I was thinking about getting one to play with and for my preps.

[@TomMcMahon1]

@@RoundBoyRanch I had 1 ear bud in and didn't hear anything, I put the other and heard the audio from radio, something, not sure what, on phone was doing to my KZbin output

[@Official_JokerMan]

Hey brother just got into ham and scanning, you been my main guide but i need something answered please. I am also taking courses for tech license. My main question is i need the difference between gp 7 and baofeng bf f8hp, other than talking (cause im not licensed yet). Main thing is i want to have a police, utility ,noaa, weather scanner. Can someone in lamemens terms tell me. Thanks!!!!! Also can this hear all the ham bands?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Gp7 is a shortwave receiver. It doesn’t operate in the frequencies as police, noaa, utility etc

[@Official_JokerMan]

@Ham Radio Crash Course yes thank you, as i said im new to this received them both today and now realize i didnt need the gp7 and am kind of debating getting rid of it. However i got the boafeng bff8hp and am very happy. Im still struggling a bit learning all the bands and the categories they fall in. Any good material you can recommend that is simple to understand i want to take in as much as possible

[@saschotter]

Do these receive 2m or 70cm bands?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

No. Those frequencies are too high for this radio.

[@ivanmendoza2704]

Question, can you recommend a 50W cheap mobile VHF/UHF Ham radio that also transmits on MURS/GMRS (I not concerned about FCC Rules & Regulation, because I will only transmit on it for emergency situations). Thank you for the knowledge you share.

[@cowboy898]

When you had the radio plugged into the recorder, I could not hear anything.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

All the radio audio you hear is through the recorder.

[@austinhallett9497]

I didn't hear any audio from the GP-7 throughout this video....

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

What are you talking about?

[@austinhallett9497]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse at roughly 8 minutes and 16 minutes where you're using the sony recorder there's no radio audio. Just you speaking.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I was using the Sony throughout the video. The re is radio audio throughout the video both recorder off the headphone jack and mic recorded off the radio speakers.

[@johndextersantos9541]

he picked up a frequency with people speaking in tagalog talking about equipment configuration.

[@TheUpgrade101]

ordered one and never got it. probably sold out and not telling people

[@sandybottom6623]

Careful with that battery that it doesn't swell up.

[@Desertwalker45]

KFI 33kw to 50kw

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It is a flamethrower.

[@davidr6585]

The lack of NOAA radio access is the ONLY thing about all series of these radios that's I've held off for. I have no doubt of the quality of this radio. Would just be nice to have an "end all" radio (i.e. with weather freqs).

[@the1spyderryder]

Can't hear the radio, you may be able to but I hear nothing.

[@TangoGulf]

Oh Im shocked the gp5 has a lower battery level🙄

[@ubergeek318]

What ime's are thoes

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

KZ X Crinacle.

[@ubergeek318]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse nice. Cam got me hooked on the KZ's I've worn-out 2 sets of cables for my x pros

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Hahah nice.

[@-Mike]

CountyComm has always seemed more like a novelty company company that kinda acts like a gov contractor to appeal to 60yr for office and den toys. I think anyone can resell anything with a nsn. Not sure this radio even has a real nsn.

[@Eatmykitty69]

Forgive me for my ignorance but what exactly does this do?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s a general coverage radio receiver.

[@Eatmykitty69]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Thanks

[@vincei4252]

Is there a second source for that battery or is it totally custom ?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yeah. They’re easy to find. It’s a BL-5C.

[@vincei4252]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Awesome. Thank you. I just bought one with the spare battery set. Thanks for the Promo code too!