Hacked! - Retevis RA25 GMRS Radio

In this video, we take a look at how to switch the Retevis RA25 from a GMRS Radio to an Amateur Radio using a special boot sequence, the process can be reversed. Sponsored by www.pcbway.com Cheap & quick PCB, 3D Printing, CNC machining, and fabrication services from PCBWay.
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NOTE: I was sent this radio free of charge from Retevis for test and evaluation purposes which are reflected in this video.
Check out my Retevis RA25 GMRS Radio Playlist here: • Retevis RA25 Playlist
Check out the Retevis Black Friday Sales Here:
HD1: www.amazon.com/dp/B076T5W2XJ (Enjoy at least 15% discounts)
RT3S: www.amazon.com/dp/B07HR7XVVC (Enjoy 20% discounts)
RA25: www.amazon.com/dp/B08NWMDMST (Enjoy 20% discounts)
RB86: www.amazon.com/dp/B09L1CL9C8 (Enjoy 10% discounts)
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[@retevisQA]

Hey Ape, thanks for your sharing. You do well to show the folks how to change the model to GMRS or other frequencies. This is the question that we be often asked, hope the video could help more people.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, I think he would be helpful for them 👍

[@richeastmain4031]

I tried this on my Radioddity DB20-G and it works on it as well. Thanks for the tip.

[@TheSmokinApe]

From what I can tell, they are the same radio. Thanks for watching Rich 👍

[@MikieLAX]

@@TheSmokinApe Except that code plugs generated from the Retevis software will not work on my Radioddity and Anytone versions of this radio; however, the Radioddity and Anytone code plugs are interchangeable.

[@temporarilyoffline]

So now we need to find the best overlap of ham and GMRS! Great find. I think I might get one of these!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Lol, thanks for checking it out TO 👍

[@K5YVY]

Excellent, I love options, especially button hold and power on options, those are always money!

[@TheSmokinApe]

I like pushing buttons too 😳

[@John-ke2jm]

Thanks for the video. I bought my Radioddity thinking it was just GMRS, but now it's much more useful.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad to hear it helped 👍

[@HOAHamRadio]

Love options like this, thanks for sharing Ape.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Me too! Thanks for watching Bob 👍

[@buddhistsympathizer1136]

Thank you for the video - I just performed this exact same function on my RA25 sat in front of me on the table. 73s from the UK - G7PAC

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad it was helpful 👍

[@Dawgs1fan13]

Great video! I’m gonna pick up the Radioddity DB20 here this afternoon, now that I know I can do this!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice, good luck with it 👍

[@KV6OTT]

This mod is one of my favorite things about these radios.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s a pretty handy feature for sure, thanks for watching Kevin

[@Dusty_Ham]

This is great, thanks Ape!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Dusty! Thanks for watching 👍

[@ai5gu]

Great review!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks Rod, glad you liked it 👍

[@charleshamilton635]

I have the Anytone version of this radio. I opened mine up, but set it up for GMRS. I get 18.5W - 20W on GMRS and I get 25W on MURS. I installed the Midland MXTA26 mobile antenna on each of 2 vehicles and I move this radio between them. It easily fits in the center console. Most functions you would need can be done from the handset and I always get great modulation reports. Such a great radio! The software is the only downside (no CHIRP), but once you do the work it is all saved in a file you can back up. If you buy one, make sure you get a set that includes the programming cable.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s great that it comes with the cable for sure, Chirp would be a huge plus 👍

[@ai5gu]

I imagine over time it will be added to chirp. lol

[@MikieLAX]

RT Software has already given up on trying to make their software work on these radios, and seemingly Chirp has run into the same problems. My programming tip for the "open" version of these radios, is to leave blank channels between categories (such as 2 meter simplex, 2 meter repeaters, 70 cm simplex, 70 cm repeaters, etc) so when you need to update with new frequencies into the Channels, they can remain contiguous, without having to rewrite the whole list of channels from scratch.

[@frankpeletz1818]

My Anytone would not allow menus choice below 9 with the factor code plug. I opened it and it gave me all the menu choices. I have the db20g that did not have the same problem.

[@MikieLAX]

@@frankpeletz1818 Try using the Radioddity v2.02 CPS software on your Anytone and see if that fixes the problem.

[@a4channoob]

as of 5/5/24 it worked on my Radioddity DB20-G effortlessly and has v3.0 firmware. changing to any of the other settings does not have any preset GMRS channels so you may need to hook to computer and set some if you want that. if you switch back to the GMRS option the channels will be back but it will clear any channels you set with computer

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the info 👍

[@Blaculo]

I have the anytone version of this radio in a go box. Works great for what it is.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Seems like it would be good for that, thanks for watching Blaculo 👍

[@tonym7cvk430]

Works on the CRT electro as well Mr Ape I have added the European PMR frequency’s

[@TheSmokinApe]

Nice! Thanks for watching Tony 👍

[@ferdinandwp4rjl377]

Nice hack APE 👍🏽

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for checking it out Ferdinand 👍

[@okhamradio]

It's really nice radio

[@TheSmokinApe]

People love it 👍

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Being able to hack a radio is great fun and useful if you travel widely. It seems a nice little radio.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I haven’t messed with it too much, thinking about doing a portable go box type thing with it 🤔

[@MikieLAX]

@@TheSmokinApe I was talking on a GMRS Repeater that covers the Malibu area and they told me they had received money from the City Council to build out Go-Box's with these radios for emergency communications by their citizens in times of distress: flooding, fires, earthquake, etc.

[@This_Month_In_History]

So i'm wondering if you know if the Radioddity DB-20G which looks exactly like this radio would do the same trick?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I believe it does 👍

[@bbariceo]

If you program for North American ham bands do you still have access to GMRS?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I believe one of the settings is fully open

[@hamradiowithkevin]

That is tiny little radio. I could see that fitting on my Camper

[@TheSmokinApe]

If only it could be programmed with Chirp! Thanks for checking it out Kevin 👍

[@brian954]

I have a Radioddity DB20-G. It's (visibly at least) the same radio as this and I did this a year ago just to check it out. Works for mine too.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the info Brian 👍

[@brian954]

@@TheSmokinApe No problem. Hadn’t used it in a while, even though it’s in my daily driver. Been sticking with scanning on my GM-30 ht. I went out today mostly rxing but also some tx. It’s like I got the radio bug all over again. Only license for GMRS now. Hopefully getting my technician license soon!

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@brian954 good luck on the test 👍

[@frankpeletz1818]

@@brian954 When you get your tech, open the programming and use a Comet 2x4 antenna. It works on Ham and GMRS. You will need only 1 radio ))

[@Trunkmonkey777]

I HAD SOME PROGRAMMING ISSUES WITH MY RA 25. GOT IT STRIGHT. NOW I HAVE A NEW ONE. I HAVE A ZASTONE MINI 25 W DO YOU KNOW ANY THING OF THE SOFTWARE WHERE I CAN FIND IT. ITS NOT ON THERE WEB SITE. ITS A PAIN TO USE THE MIC. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT. FOR PROGRAMMING I USE THE WAKESNOW PROG CABLE. CHEERS MARK

[@TheSmokinApe]

I tried to find it and couldn't, sorry man...

[@Trunkmonkey777]

@@TheSmokinApe thanks again for your help.

[@blood-bought5324]

What is the model number for the dummy load testing antenna?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I believe it's the MFJ-261

[@hcfirefighter82]

Is there a way to do this for the Radiodity DB-25G?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry man, I have no idea 🤷‍♂️

[@This_Month_In_History]

Can you program this radio with a pc when it is in the unlocked formation?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I believe so, just read from the radio and then edit that file 👍

[@This_Month_In_History]

@@TheSmokinApe , i got it working, thanks.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@This_Month_In_History Awesome, good luck with the radio 👍

[@JarrettGreen]

Does switching the mode make it programmable in any way to store repeaters?

[@djsoundzentertainment42]

Yes

[@TheSmokinApe]

You will be able to program it differently depending on what mode is selected. Switching mode erases all previous settings 👍

[@JarrettGreen]

@@TheSmokinApe Ah. So I couldn't switch it to ham bands, program repeaters, use it as a mobile rig, and then shut it off, switch it to GMRs when I need to use that for overlanding, and then switch it back. Still, thanks for the video and clarifying!

[@MikieLAX]

@@JarrettGreen Exactly! Be sure to save appropriate code plugs for each mode so you can easily access those frequencies you originally programmed.

[@stayraddad4638]

So, I just tried this with my Radioddity db25g (round menu button and power on) and I get a screen that says PASSWORD and 7 blank spaces Wonder if they’ve locked it out ?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I’d try the ole 1 2 3 4 5 6 trick

[@stayraddad4638]

That’s what I was thinking …. Although hopefully I don’t Brick anything lol. Thanks for the great video too. Just starting into gmrs. Lots more too it but fun stuff

[@pen25]

How's it test for spurious emissions?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Hey Phillip, here's a video I did on that: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gKvZY56io7SciaM

[@djsoundzentertainment42]

I have the Retevis RA25 version. Anytone makes these. The Anytone model number is AT-779UV. These radios are 25 watts on VHF, 20 watts on UHF so don't anyone get fooled by the marketing claim of 25 watts on GMRS.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the details DJ SE 👍

[@djsoundzentertainment42]

@@TheSmokinApe You're welcome and thanks for your videos.

[@TheSmokinApe]

@@djsoundzentertainment42 glad you like them 👍

[@TheOperatorbob]

nice mod but you cant run gmrs and ham at the same time ,have to switch back and forth to transmit on

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, I believe it’s “pick one”. There might be a third option, I don’t recall.

[@Tump2010]

cute little radio, now they need to make it 50w. 😀

[@djsoundzentertainment42]

Size of the radio would be much bigger.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It is pretty tiny. Chirp programming would be sweet 👍

[@acidreign8551]

That is why god makes amplifiers, no problem here. I have the radiodity version, They are all the same. Drop it to low power and run an amp, you will get your 50 watts and more if you want ( of course more than 50 watts is of course illegal, just sayin' :)

[@frankpeletz1818]

Same radio as Anytone 778uv and Radiodity db20(g)

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yep. Thanks for the info Frank 👍

[@elberttanner6189]

118 to 137 MHz?

[@djsoundzentertainment42]

No airband receive

[@MikieLAX]

AND only FM, no AM for air-band anyway.

[@FelixLantiguaCamacho]

Hack? I see not hack! Unlocking it is not hacking. Hack word should be ban from social media videos. Nothing to do with you, I love your videos

[@TheSmokinApe]

Lol, thanks for watching Felix 👍

[@MikieLAX]

Maybe he meant "heck!" 🤣

[@leen.3785]

Well too bad they lied on all their marketing and said it had a bunch of features it didn't! to their credit they updated everything within an hour of being confronted about it... But i burned a hundred bucks for features i didn't get :-/

[@MikieLAX]

Radioddity solved this problem on their DB20-G years ago with a firmware update.

[@Thatsmisteroldguytou]

Shoulda' had his shit together prior to doing this video. He didn't know what the heck he was doing, or what the radio could do.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Right, because you can clearly see how to change the frequency plans.