Hacking The TIDRADIO H3 With The NicSure Firmware - Amazing!

[@Bruce_W]

Thanks for the review! I just ordered one of these. It looks like something fun to play around with while staying inside during the winter weather.

[@chadrides914]

Hahahaj same here dude. I’ve gotten into gmrs and my license since the winter weather has been bad. This radio stuff is amazingly entertaining to fiddle with and learn.

[@dave_dennis]

Thanks for turning me on to this. I particularly like the modulation meter capability. Installing the firmware was easy once I realized there was a USB-C under the Mic Connector cover and stopped trying to make the one on the battery work. ( DOH ! )

[@edwardfletcher7790]

So glad he changed the standard font, it was HORRIBLE !! Although there's still a LONG way to go with screen design, maybe Volos could help ? He's a Genius with small LCD design !!

[@AdamosDad]

Excellent! I have 2 of these radios and have been waiting for something like this to play with.

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Bloomin heck Matt. First class. I don't know how you have the patience!

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Cheers dude.. :-)

[@alexkram]

Wow, those are some pretty incredible features I never thought possible from a cheap radio. Thanks for making me aware of this.

[@JimmyCall]

This is the future of transmitters, especially handhelds, is custom firmware ability

[@gtretroworld]

I love this little Radio, been meaning to try this firmware for a while. Thanks for sharing Matt.

[@SierraWhiskeyHotelRadio]

The Kenwood TH-D75 was the first to be fully USB-C programmable. It's nice to see it catching on.

[@Shwarzencofmenmozer]

I like this radio and I like the potential of this software. I’m going to download when I have a moment. Thanks

[@DanWrightApogee]

Thanks for the walk-through of this fun little radio Matt. I'm looking forward to your follow up to the follow up!

[@mscir]

Nic's display is really clean. Great video, thanks.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thanks for watching!

[@gavindownes2953]

Superb vid, really well delivered. Its a fantastic little radio and thanks you.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Many thanks!

[@ivolol]

Very cool firmware, might try it out in the new year

[@AbdullahKhanniazai]

been waiting for this video :)

[@muhdiversity7409]

No you have not.

[@EgonSorensen]

Me too :ø) - Awesome with links and resources so we can mod our own, thanks Tech Minds!

[@stevedewsnap2128]

I have three of these radios, all running Nicsure software nightly builds. I also have nicsure on my H8 radio's. They work brilliantly

[@Coowallsky]

Are the features comparable after the nicsure is loaded onto both radios? Is the H8 a better value than the h3? I'm unfamilair with both.

[@stevedewsnap2128]

​@Coowallsky yes they are but the menu's functions change. Like for example the menu feature that allows the radio to say welcome when you turn it on. and the beeps each time you press a button. At the moment you can have both on using the nicsure software. Yes I like the H3 but the H8 is 10 watts where the H3 is 5 watts or there abouts. Depending on the frequency it might be less than the 5 watts. Even if you have the radio set to high. Both radios are great buys though. I couldn't get Chirp to work afterwards. Also back up your radio first as every radio is set up slightly different from the factory. Both my H3's and H8's are different of the same model.

[@Coowallsky]

@@stevedewsnap2128 Thank you very much!

[@Doomsdaypress]

The new V2.01.05 firmware is even better. Dual display and looks super.

[@donnakano3697]

Very cool features! I’ll have to look into this firmware hack! Thanks!

[@erikwigelandiestad2270]

A fun piece of tech for the price of a meal ❤

[@tweedandbriar]

Excellent Vid, thank you...further walkthroughs of the same FW would be very welcomed!

[@craigspada1676]

Great video, I have been debating about loading this in my radio. Thanks I going to work on my h3. 73's WA2TWF

[@bob_mosavo]

Thanks, Mat 👍

[@TechMindsOfficial]

My pleasure!

[@bjarkekorsgaard]

This seems to be a really nice christmas gift - thanks to the guys making the new software.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

YAY, USB programming 😀 About time!

[@fuidawg123]

2.01.11 is even better! Dual display definitely was a game changer.

[@airheadbit1984]

Ordered one then had to go back and get more, they are bundling radios, extra batteries and accessories, got two at $25.45 a radio with charge stands, two antennas and two batteries for each radio along with external microphone and earbud headset.

[@jamesjonsy]

Thank You.

[@craigspada1676]

Hey just wanted to ask you, did the programmer address the squelch issue, or did the software fix that problem, there update from Tidradio that was supposed to address this issue ended up either not fixing it or addressing it, even the current firmware does not fix it. Thanks again. 73's WA2TWF

[@Subgunman]

Just curious, what is the split between RX and TX on repeaters in the UK? Was so used to the 5 MHz split in the USA but when we moved to SV land they use a 7.6 MHz split here. All only on the UHF bands.

[@IndependentNewsMedia]

Nice overview video, God bless.

[@NexGen-3D]

Does this this firmware support proper AM bandwidth/filtering? Or is it Narrow/Wide only still?

[@sekibulja-fu3bv]

Another great video, thanks! Just out of interest.....Would this firmware physically show DTMF codes on the screen when receiving DTMF.... like quansheng K5/6? thank you

[@Sys-Edit0r-1995]

Seeing as ive gotten into SSTV it make me wonder if there's anyway to get these radios to decode SSTV and display them on the tiny lcd, but the hardware probably cant "examine" the signal, other than the CTCSS...

[@paulbrown9574]

Great video - well done. One correction at 6:20, the "B" is the Scan Group that you have assigned CH-002 to, not the VFO that you are using.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Thanks for that! Kinda makes sense. Cheers

[@AlexSwanson-rw7cv]

Re the PMR446 channels in the programming tool, those should be set to narrow rather than wide bandwidth. (Just in case you hadn't realised.)

[@ZzedZed]

facinating radio. cheers matt

[@antcri730]

I tried the nicsure firmware and TD station. I really couldn't see much on the firmware that makes it better than stock, other than the flashing function TD station didn't work at all for me on either the USB or the Kenwood cable. I have reverted back to stock but ill keep an eye on nicsure.

[@plenus7392]

The power of open source software, now we need open hardware on one of these little Chinese radios

[@yamez69]

Does the firmware unlock TX up to 480Mhz so I can do license free, UHF CB in Australia? Looks to have USB PTT control, so combined with a cheap Kenwood APRS cable could do digital modes with the squelch open. Cheaper than Digirig, just need software support.

[@KO4RXE-WRMR358]

Hoping dual band function comes back on this radio with the nicsure fw... Single freq cool but I love to see and monitor 2... Keep up the great vids... Give update as well thanks

[@RardSFX]

Do you know if either the official or any 3rd party apps support Bluetooth programming on a phone with this firmware? I can't seem to find an answer online. Thanks.

[@zedystic1147]

Does this firmware allow you to copy frequencies or find frequencies like the stock firmware does by holding the number one?

[@RWBHere]

Thanks Matt. Has anyone added 6 metres and 4 metres transmit yet? If those bands could be added, then it would become an extremely useful transceiver.

[@rocketman221projects]

The radio would need suitable filters for those bands. That's not something that can be added in software.

[@johncronk5221]

Matt, Love your videos, and often try out products and items you review. I tried the Nicsure firmware for my TIDH3 and simply find it buggy and not intuitive. I just asked NicSure for help to return to the TIDH3 firmware, a video or instruction on how to reverse the NicSure would be helpful. Holding PTT and turn on does not enter the radio into firmware update, I am at a loss. Thanks, John

[@rogermedley8043]

I'm wondering if the new firmware works on the GMRS version of the radio. What about the phone app and Bluetooth programming?

[@dta6446]

Does this firmware allow you to open the gmrs frequencies?

[@Essem7288]

Can the custom FW and configurator configure TX on Airband, or is still restricted to RX only as per the H3's product listings?

[@BrandonHall1]

I take it this custom firmware is incompatible with CHIRP?

[@rosie9490]

With this firmware can you program the radio from phone using bluetooth as with original firmware?

[@mircpg]

What is the bandwidth of the frequency sweep?

[@w3xh]

I did the update but radio now only receives will not transmit, I have the correct receive and transmit frequencies in and the correct ct. Is there a setting I'm missing ?

[@philnicholson7462]

Hey Matt love all your vids , including the various antennae for sat SDR; Ive managed to get the radio to connect via CH340 COM3 on my laptop so all good there, however when I switch off the radio before firmware load, it loses connection and fails to start. Assume this is a Windows setting of some sort? Win10 btw.

[@philnicholson7462]

Resorted back to the 2 pin cable that connects to the TID, and works really well; the prog sw for channels is also really good. Massive improvement on the display .

[@HUGH_JHANIS]

So duel watch is not on this version? I'm running the v7 firmware..

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

I missed it. Is there a way to first read out channels already programmed before the new firmware is installed? Saves time so they don't have to be recreated.

[@andykendall5171]

Newbie question please? Would this be able to listen to local shipping, port, rnli coastguard? I had an icon scanner after years it has finally failed and won't power on 🙄

[@kelvinjhill]

Yes, it can receive Marine Band

[@andykendall5171]

@@kelvinjhill many thanks for your answer.

[@micahbentley141]

i was wondering if someone could help me. when i push read on the firmware app, it doesnt read. the red bar doesnt move, and where it would say complete, it says: Error reading block 0. i would love help

[@StraightOuttaUrbex]

this will do the same to the h8? mine wont fully unlock

[@TerraFloridacontractorservices]

I did everything like this video now my radio is having all kind of issues how can I program it back to normals

[@dansklrvids7303]

Great vid! Displaying the repeater tone would so useful for me. I'm guessing that I need a windows computer to install this firmware?

[@kelvinjhill]

If you are asking if you can see the CTCSS or DCS tones received, yes you can. Menu 25 As indicated in the video, you can do a lot of programming using the web interface and you can also use a Bluetooth connected Android phone for some of the programming functions but not flashing tye firmware.

[@dansklrvids7303]

@@kelvinjhill Aha, I see what you mean about the web interface - very cool - thanks!

[@n057828]

Can you revert back?

[@luroshe]

I tried to install everything ok the problem was that after turning on the radio the display was dark and the buttons did not work, only the menu button and the arrows were functional so disappointing

[@andykendall5171]

Are you connecting to the correct port? The one under the mic button?

[@SHTFchef]

I tried the latest release on my h3 and it was quite unstable.

[@danford7532]

Followed your video, updated my H3 unfortunately it doesn't actually transmit! Did you verify transmit function?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Yep, sure did. Looks like there is now a more recent firmware released, which I have not tested as of yet. If you have an issue ask the guys on the forum or the facebook page. There are over 12.5k users on the FB page.

[@handyparts]

Does this radio cross band ?

[@howardquimby1220]

I only buy radios that run nicsure mods. :)

[@JamesAnderson-bz4cg]

Will it TX in USB and what's the receive capability of the radio like?

[@TechMindsOfficial]

No TX in USB. I didn't really try USB receive because details on bandwidth was not available.

[@Monitoring_Everything]

How does one put it in dual receive with Nicsur firmware?

[@kelvinjhill]

Menu 29

[@gaborm4767]

Is there any opensource firmware for this?

[@kelvinjhill]

Not yet. This is currently for legal reasons

[@patthesoundguy]

Tidradio sent me one of those but because of the Canadian postal strike I haven't gotten yet, but that firmware looks cool, I may have to try it out after the radio arrives

[@JimmyCall]

The specs are very much the same as UV K5. Hope we see a new iteration of these radios soon with more channels and abilities.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Pity so many of these radios can't TX over 470mhz. Au CB is 477.

[@odkeky]

you can on this one, even with basic upgraded software

[@danford7532]

All attempts to fix the no transmit issue failed installed the factory firmware. I dont, recommend this hack.

[@TheMrR9]

I watched the whole video

[@protektwar]

where is under $30? it is already $40

[@RisingTidesAC]

This has not worked for me, as the website does not see the active COM port. I have tried this multiple times. Frustrating to say the least.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Is the device shown in "Device Manager"? I presume you are on Windows? If not, then you will need to use "Chrome" for the web flasher to work correctly. FireFox may work, but I have only tested Chrome.

[@RisingTidesAC]

@@TechMindsOfficial It is in device manager as a valid com port.

[@jediknight2350]

can it get cb bands???

[@bombassbeefjerky9708]

I can Rx citizen band but no TX with factory firmware

[@kelvinjhill]

Receive only in practice. It will also not be very sensitive on those frequencies.

[@LawpickingLocksmith]

No HF ?

[@kelvinjhill]

18MHz and up. However it is not designed to be an HF radio.

[@LawpickingLocksmith]

@@kelvinjhill Same as Quansheng?

[@kelvinjhill]

​@@LawpickingLocksmithit uses exactly the same BK4819 radio chip.

[@willkendallpro]

Tech Minds, TIDRADIO has reposted your video. hope you are getting paid for it.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

Nope, they stole it. A claim is in process for sure! Not the first time they have tried doing this.

[@w3xh]

No response to my post, nothing on facebook guess I'm out a radio. Will have to purchase new one but I won't be doing this update again if it won't transmit. You should have warned us in advance that this was a problem.

[@TechMindsOfficial]

I can’t warn anyone about things I am not aware of. The Facebook group, linked in the video, will help you. Check the bands frequency ranges first.

[@mikehenderson2576]

You can reflash the original firmware

[@genericcatz]

Now explain how to hack a uniden bearcat ubc69xlt-2 (If it even can be hacked, it probably can,do it only if u want, no pressure)

[@markr.1984]

I still refuse to buy any Chinese radios. I do have two Baofengs that someone gave me though and they aren't good for much. I also have a Radioddity GD-77 my now ex-wife gave me that she bought at second hand store for pocket change. I really like rotary encoders to tune VFO or memory channels (much faster than just up/down arrow buttons on cheap Chinas). I also pretty much insist on having an external power jack that you can plug in a power barrel connector into for power in case your battery runs low. In a car I exclusively run off of a plug powered by my cigarette jack. I know of no Chinese radios so far that have either an encoder for tuning or a DC-in jack for convenience. I also have a motorcycle sized AGM battery in my house I can plug in any of many sized adaptor barrel connectors to power my Yaesu, Kenwood or Icom radios or even my old Radio Shack HTX-202. Comes in handy when there is a power outage and your batteries are too run down. Also I don't like the receive sections of Chinese radios. They are just not as good as Japanese radios on receive and their squelch is almost useless. I can set a Chinese radio on scan and with the same channels programmed in as my Japanese radios and they will just stop for interference that my other radios skip over and keep scanning. They are easily overloaded on receive and not very immune to interference from modern sources like LED lights or similar.