FULL Bluetooth TNC Upgrade - VGC N76 & BTECH UV-PRO

[@islandmagicco]

Indeed, software continues to eat the world. Nice tutorial Josh 🙏💛. Some clarifications: 3:39 RadioMail will create a Winlink account for you if you don’t already have one-no need to visit the web. 5:25 Pairing with the VR-N76 can be a bit tricky. When first accessing the radio, iOS will prompt you for pairing. You’ll need to try connect again after that initial attempt. 5:55 RadioMail will automatically control the radio frequency and restore it afterward. There is no need to manually adjust it. 7:04 The "Remote is in a disconnected state" error from K6LKD-10 is a common bug with stations using the built-in AX.25 stack. Switching their configuration to use the AGWPE interface instead bypasses this issue.

[@503Nick]

Nice video and description. I love that VGC went back and opened up the Bluetooth TNC the 50 watt vrn7500 too

[@don_n5skt]

I am waiting for the release of the VRN7600

[@MrTaylorfenoglio]

​@@don_n5sktthey told me it should be after February.

[@pxls2prnt]

11:18 The reason you aren't seeing beacons is because you are tracking just one call sign. Right above the row of icons on the bottom of the map is a box with a call sign in it. Swipe that to the left to clear it and it'll then show all the beacons you are receiving.

[@brickerhaus]

And this is bluetooth. This radio is a homerun.

[@flashover52]

The ultimate would be having the bluetooth/GPS/TNC capability in the VR-6600 Pro or the BTECH UV50X-3 mobile radio versions!! Those are the only tri-band mobiles that I have found that allows you to plug the mic into the control head; allowing for true remote installation without having to run two cables. Large displays and easy menu systems.....one can dream.....

[@stevearodgers]

Love the TWA playing cards! My grandfather Capt Mel Rodgers flew for TWA for 36 years. He flew and instructed in the L-1011 and considered it his favorite plane to fly due to it's INS navigaton and other technology. Thanks for another great video!

[@winstonsmiths2449]

My favorite plane to ride on !

[@RookieLock]

I wish more radios had this feature !

[@unwin42]

Crazy value! BLE winlink with no dongle for a modest cost. Amazing

[@RatchetFWD]

I’m over here yelling at the video “ You didn’t change frequency!” Did not think the n76 would change it for you in radio mail , that’s neat. I’ve been changing them manually !

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yeah. Radio mail takes it into full kiss tnc. The APRS functionality you need to see the freq.

[@RatchetFWD]

Interesting to note if aprs is not working for peeps is that, you gotta set your radio ID to your call sign, even tho it has your call sign in the aprs menu. Tried using some services with my id as my KZbin handle an no go. Switched it to my call sign bingo! We have sooooo much aprs traffic in LA /OC . Gotta do a couple retries sometimes. Do you know if the device will do retries on it own? Or in the app. I think I does retry in the ht app.

[@islandmagicco]

The power of RadioMail magic! We don't need to turn knobs like cavemen anymore, let the software do it for us :)

[@lovedfriend2020]

I hope it will do the same for Andriod using WoAd.

[@PrebleStreetRecords]

A sub-$200 HT and mobile rig with a TNC and CAT control is something the big companies (Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, etc) will never do. They’re so busy nickel-and-diming hams for accessories to realize that they’ve been lapped. This will definitely be my next radio purchase.

[@LeeHoffman-t5o]

Love the Case knife

[@chiadude]

YES! Which model is that…? The etching too!! From Case direct? I gotta know!!

[@jbarr]

Wow. I got into Ham Radio in the early 1990s using an MFJ TNC, an Alinco DJ-F1T HT, and a DEC VT220 green-screen terminal. I eventually added a PC to connect to AMPRNet IP Nodes, but that was decades ago. I've dreamt of a handheld HT with full TNC capabilities and hoped that something like the RFinder would do it, but...nope. Though this is not an all-in-one device, it has HUGE potential. Thanks for the info!

[@krisguy]

As long as you disconnect the HT app from the 76 or 7500, then the TNC works. The HT app uses the same BT connection as the TNC, so it's one or another. Also, there's some updates to APRSDroid coming that takes advantage of the auto-setting of the frequency on TNC.

[@tchambers807]

I was a long time figuring this out a few days ago after updating my 7500 lol WoAD would be great if it switched frequency. That takes a good long time currently. Great as a standalone APRS mobile setup though

[@theavidconquistador]

Just as a pro tip, two things, 1. Using kiss tnc automatically changes the frequency to whatever it needs to be at in RadioMail. 2. If you setup digital mode aprs in general setting in the radio, the radio will automatically receive aprs, even in dual channel mode. Just save 144.390 as one of the channels, and set that as the digital mode channel in the digital mode setup found in general settings, and it will automatically receive it even with it not being either of the two channels in the radio. Sike, one more thing, in Aprs fi, if no stations show up, best is to check the map filter settings and restart the app a couple times.

[@BurtonChristmasLites]

Haven't read the other comments. Just in case it was not mentioned this will also work with their mobile the VGC VR-N7500. New version of that coming out as well. Robert KD4YDC

[@KM4ACK]

It gets better with every firmware update.

[@SheepdogPreparedness]

Absolutely love my VR-N76. Only two things I would like to see changed: Get rid of the hard to read red colors on the display and allow one big bank of channels instead of 6 zones.

[@EverydayAdmin]

Fun Fact, you do not need to tune your radio when using RadioMail, it will change the radio to the correct frequency automagically!!!

[@ravenbarsrepairs5594]

I've been in the market for an analog APRS HT for a while, and the VGC VR-N76 is high on the list of possibilities. This just makes is a better deal.

[@justDIY]

Wow that's a great development for a portable / mobile packet system. The less wires the better.

[@travnewmatic]

it finally happened, i hope these sell like crazy.

[@johnblaisdell2179]

I got the 7.11 version update last week and now finally able to use WoAD. I actually also downloaded the 7.15 ( I think it is) beta as well. My Kenwood d74 is headed for the local Tailgate on Jan 11th. Great video 73 de W4CJB

[@AlphaVictorXray]

I just ordered this one, too. I am even more excited for it to get here

[@kaboom4679]

Definitely going to look at this radio . Especially since I finally got my license grant and call sign Christmas Eve .

[@chriscoel]

VR-N7500 in latest firmware did give that unit KISS TNC too... Also A+ for the futurama reference cold open.

[@dangermandave67]

Apparently it now connects to a computer so you can run packet applications like Pinpoint or Winlink Express on a PC (or Mac?) with this radio. Haven't tried it yet. Will be interesting to see if it supports stuff like packet node/BBS.

[@timbeyer817]

Wonderful update, thank you for the video. I think I'm going to pick up that radio. On another note, a few months ago I saw you do a video with Randy. In that video you showed what was your everyday carry portable ham radio. I am interested to know what radio that was please? I cannot find the video that I am referring to, my apologies. Thanks and have a good day. Hope to hear from you soon.

[@garryhammond3117]

Cool HT - 73 - Cheers!

[@Sparkfly88]

The mobile 7500 got full kiss as well. 👍👍

[@radiotory]

It seems the pretty good device

[@paulthelefty]

I feel like you glossed over the radiomail/kiss tnc automatically changed to frequency… that’s cool!

[@islandmagicco]

Glad you noticed. It took efforts to make this a reality!

[@N5FY]

Ah yes, my UV Pro is working very well full packet with my iPhone. Wish my D75 could do that without the in between dongle.

[@AD6DMDennis]

I have yet to check out one of these VGC's. Giving the D75 a run for its money.

[@Br1ckInTh3W4LL]

Hopefully now it will work with m17-kiss-tnc android app.

[@don_n5skt]

Nice. I have to try this. I really have been wanting to try Winlink over the air. Oh, and nice shirt 😉

[@notshared2543]

Oo this bluetooth/radio tnc is a game changer. I was hoping that the icom 2730 could do this. The ATAC guys should be jumping on this also.

[@kchaney56]

I gotta get one of these.

[@ajhunt239]

I have both n76 and the vrn7500, still figuring the KISS. My concern with these radios is what happens 'IF' the BT ever goes out? But loving it now.

[@BDD-]

Snagged one on Black Friday

[@cidcolead1115]

Some Winlink messages fail on Packet but work on VaraFM. I suspect that data in the message or the packet size jams my KPC=3+. One sure-fire way to see this is attempt to "Update Table Via Radio" to get the current gateway list over the air. Is the radio to phone BLE link the serial data mode like Mobilink? or is it digital audio like a handsfree headset?

[@islandmagicco]

The link is digital data similar to what is exposed with a Mobilink or the B.B. Link adapter when used with a TH-D75. The radio is exposing its internal TNC via KISS over BLE and as such is responsible for AFSK 1200 modem and other lower level aspects of the AX.25 protocol.

[@rc2639]

Josh, you should ask yourself “why now” that the PRC wants to monitoring our radios.

[@doubleD_K2DRD]

Hay …. Great video. K2DRD.

[@M0KVI]

I'm a huge fan BUT the receiver does struggle vs better rigs. Using mine for VHF packet on my BBS and winlink packet email but side by side with my 818 it just not as sensitive. Still tempted by the incoming n7600

[@ac8xu]

Have they done this for the N7500 as well?

[@krisguy]

@@ac8xu yes It's the same procedure update the firmware

[@ac8xu]

@@krisguy Ha HA thanks, now I just gotta purchase one. Have been going back and forth which of the two I want to get.

[@tchambers807]

​@@ac8xuI bought the 7500 just for APRS mobile. It's a ton of fun. I'm going to set it up in a backpack for hiking in the summer. It's super small

[@KeepEvery1Guessing]

It would bee nice to have simultaneous CAT so that APPs could learn to tune the radio to the correct frequency. (Or maybe extend KISS to do it?)

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s can do that. Watch the part of the video with RadioMail.

[@joshuahoward8225]

Hey Josh, it’s Josh WA7BRM. What is the “better” antenna you switched to? Thanks in advance!

[@k6usy]

Map is only showing you because you have a filter, why your callsign is in that gray box in the lower right hand. Click on your station on the map that you are filtered to then tap “Stop Tacking”.

[@ve7tzb]

Came here to say this as well!

[@ts440s]

Please tell me since you talk to all the companies why i can buy a radio ht or mobile download every repeater and simply drive on a trip and have the radio show all the repeaters in the area so I can choose which one I want and done? If there is such a thing please let me know but it can't take a engineer to figure out.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The ICOM handhelds do this. They have the best implementation.

[@buzwingding]

Does this radio do stand alone APRS? I want a cheap radio to attach to my kids when we go hiking with friends. Then I can follow their progress on my Kenwood.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yep. Watch my video review to know how.

[@linealigner]

Have you seen the new baofeng BAOFENG UV-5RM Plus yet?

[@kelvinleigh]

Is this easier to learn than the Baofeng?

[@WorldMoneyWins]

I think so just because you can use the app.

[@JoshuaReeves-qm2im]

What antenna are you using?

[@tjk1968slice]

Help me understand the purpose. I purchased the Btech UV-PRO. It all seems like a redundant novelty. You can just use a phone or computer foe email. Why throw a radio in the mix. Maybe we could turn them into 1980's type pagers. What good is all this technology?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s off grid communications. No internet is being used when sending data through the tnc to radio point to point.

[@UndyingShadow83]

100 dollars? I'm not seeing it for sale for anything less than $150. Have the prices just gone up?

[@StevePinkham]

$150 sounds about right. I guess compared to $700 for a Kenwood, that is "just a bit" over $100, but $150-180 is about the range I would expect to pay.

[@WorldMoneyWins]

They are $188 I believe.

[@dennishess2046]

$165 on Amazon for the BTECH UV-PRO which is the same radio

[@jonw695]

I actually like aprs using the ht app more than aprsdroid. Through the app, i set channel 15 as my aprs channel on all my channel groups. Then set in the aprs settings ch15 as the aprs channel. Now, mo matter the group im in, it will always rx and tx aprs, even if ch15 isnt on the main screen as primary or secondary. Its like having a 3rd channel monitored, amd will auto change the vfo for tx, then change it back. The map function is also pretty good. Basically when i get in my car, i turn on the radio, open HT app and connect to the n76, then start driving. It also allows you to become a digipeater so i enable it in case someone is too far to reach the tower, but i can hear it, it will use the phone's internet to deliver to the aprs servers. Adding kiss tnc is cool, but I dont email so its not really worth it to me.

[@HAL_9000_YT]

Hi , is there a external mic for this walkie?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Yes. Watch my review. Both are water resistant too.

[@M_White_VA]

I see it has arrow buttons, can you play snake on it?

[@dancordray8686]

You sold me! Just bought yet another HT from your link below. I mean seriously, can one ever have too many HT's???😂

[@cmritchie04]

is there a mobile radio version? so that way I can hard-wire connect it to my radio inside my jeep on a full-time basis? maybe install it my mini trunk and connect it usb

[@PrebleStreetRecords]

Yes, the model N7500.

[@ExtremeSquared]

This thing has a steep bulk discount at over 51 radios. HRCC chat group buy?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

🤔

[@zach240]

I’m trying to figure out what my first decent non-cheap radio should be. I’m just curious how this radio’s receiver performs.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

This is the one I am recommending.

[@zach240]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse Are there any major differences between the VGC and the BTech Models?(Hardware or Software)

[@slappomatthew]

Can you do m7 on this?

[@jeremiahnewell]

TY China!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lol

[@ZAR66]

Dang, I'm really kicking myself now for buying the D75 just a couple of weeks ago. Oh well, hope you enjoyed the email I sent you. 73.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

The D75 is stil a better radio.

[@ZAR66]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse I agree, but the VGC now does everything I wanted in an HT.

[@dennisschultz1175]

Does the firmware work for VR-N7500?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

There should be an upgrade firmware for the 7500 too.

[@joedowdy5994]

Are you able to Bluetooth to a laptop and utilize winlink express?

[@PrebleStreetRecords]

I haven’t tried it myself but I’ve seen it work for others. Complete with CAT control.

[@MR-DCB]

I appear to be stuck on 7.14-32 firmware. Three times I've downloaded 7.15 and it says it installs but never appears to update. i have even tried holding the green button and power on but no change. Any ideas?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Factory reset and pair radios to mobile device again. If not, try using Android.

[@Porty1119]

Since my radios are primarily work tools that I've added some ham frequencies to, I'm not really a fan of Chinese radios. That said, this one is tempting.

[@BobBob-il2ku]

Josh how is APRS applicable to emcomm/Tacomm doesn’t it heavily rely upon igates /the internet?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It can push the data to the internet, but it’s all still line of sight from radio to radio. So all local radios that can hear each other or be digitpeated will be heard without the internet.

[@NealBailey]

I will add this as well. Other radios that hear you can also retransmit your data even further. It's all in how you set it up. 73 N9NDB

[@Hwy929]

Is there a way to program it without the HT app on ios/android? It would be nice to have access to a full keyboard/mouse and use my laptop bluetooth for setup. I got spoiled by running chirp on my laptop and copy/paste all the channel and repeater csv info to setup all my other ht radios.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

You can program manually. Have not tried a keyboard.

[@radioj5249]

From the app, you can export one of the 6 groups of channels to a CSV file. Edit the file in a text editor or spreadsheet. From the app, import the updated file, save it back to the radio, etc. So you still need the app, but can do the file editing with a full keyboard/mouse. Hope this makes sense.

[@Hwy929]

@@radioj5249 Yep, makes perfect sense. It's nice being able to copy and paste a bunch of info from repeaterbook without having to do things field by field.

[@KI5DJL]

I own the vr-n7500 I wish it had kiss tnc

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I believe that radio was also updated. Do a firmware upgrade.

[@mikearmstrong9899]

Pimping monogrammed Case. Bling!

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It was a gift I very much appreciate. There is a ham radio club that has now given me two of these Case knives.

[@mikearmstrong9899]

To be cherished!

[@ch716]

The D75 lacking BLE is embarrassing.

[@dennisschultz1175]

The Mobilinkd killer...

[@alexisevanger7458]

Turn off your APRS tracked call sign in the bottom right of the map ;)

[@afk1448]

And it’s IP rated

[@digitalshooter2905]

Little over $100, where? LOL

[@cdburgess75]

BT is so buggy

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It’s been stable after I disconnect any app before switching to another.