Do You Really Want to Buy a T

Watch and tell us what you think about the results of my tests. The Yaesu was clean and the others were a crap shoot. Some were good and some were garbage. Which one do you want to own? Is the output clean? Do you know if it is clean? What do you think?
Please do support the channel:
/ jimw6lg
or for a single donation
buymeacoffee.com/hamcq73c

[@DXCommanderHQ]

Always love a new video Jim!!

[@Quoodle1]

It’s not a question of risking a license. It’s good citizenship, neighborliness, and good radio practice.

[@ham-radio]

All true and thanks for saying all of that. 73, Jim

[@BigJohnsHamShack]

OMG Jim! I have been worried about you. Hope you are doing better.

[@ham-radio]

That video is uploading now. Thanks for asking and thanks for caring. 73, Jim

[@jimpratt4515]

I’m doing good. 73 we

[@codymaly652]

Jim! So good to see you! We are all cheering and praying for you! 73 de KT5CCM

[@tpobrienjr]

Jim, thanks for the tests and comparisons, and especially for the Bob Heil (SK) memorial color-coding hint!

[@raymondmartin6737]

Jim, glad to see you again, and best wishes. 73 de W2CH Ray. 😊

[@chrissmart9761]

Great hearing you Jim!

[@rsedaker]

Jim, I am over the moon happy to see you! God's speed sir❤

[@TheKomunyaka]

Always look forward to your videos, Jim! Thanks for this testing.

[@jamescady723]

Thanks Jim!

[@Aussat]

Great test. Good to see you again Jim, stay well.

[@jlca320]

Jim thanks for the video. I hope you are feeling better.

[@scottb5662]

Thank you Ji m. This is just great info that we all needed.

[@amateurshooter6054]

Thanks Jim

[@kenharrison1]

Good to see you!

[@socialite1283]

I always enjoy your vids about ham stuff. Good to hear your experience and see you test stuff. Always informative and helpful.

[@ScottPlough]

Nice to see you continuing to post videos and mentor, Jim. This issue, of spurious emissions, is one that has rightfully, and finally, attracted recent attention. Thank you for contributing to descibing why this is an issue to those who don't know better, and hightening awareness to those who do. Blessings, Jim.

[@ei7ijb]

The spectrum we use is shared and so it makes sense that our radio transmissions should be clean. This was a good test that I never thought to do with my HT. Great video as always Jim.

[@jgerryvgerry]

Hi Absolutely love the Wisdom Jim Shares. His persona and style is fantastic. I could sit and just listen to him talking about anything RF! I just trust this guy.

[@jlwiley123]

Great comparison!!

[@NateBerry]

Thanks for sharing your tests!

[@ham-radio]

My pleasure!

[@KO4VNX]

Great test, I appreciate how you get right down to it! A lot of other tubers get so lost in the details that the test results get glossed over.

[@ham-radio]

Great point!

[@ivebeenlookin]

Thanks so much for the education, Jim! You're always right on, patient, and personable. Bless you, my friend!

[@ham-radio]

Very kind, thanks, Jim at 0343 local

[@aj2isotadxing]

Great work as always Jim

[@ham-radio]

Thanks again! 73, Jim

[@philipdoherty2072]

Interesting findings Jim, thank you. Always interesting videos, great to see and hear you best wishes.

[@nickl3872]

Thank you sir

[@ham-radio]

Welcome

[@CrazyOregonBeaver]

Great video. Thanks, Jim and 73.

[@greasydot]

Jim said,,,, and i quote, that is garbage and thats where this one belongs!! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@mikegodfrey3846]

Good to see you again, I’ve been learning so much from your videos. I have a Beofang UV5R and a Yaesu FT70D. Night and day difference in noise rejection on the receiving end. The Beofang picks up all kinds of noise the Yaesu is very quiet. Transmitting I have similar results.

[@w8lvradio]

Good to see you, Jim! I checked two Baofeng GT-5R's on the TinySA at home, and they were clean. But I didn't trust the TinySA completely. So, Hamvention 2023, I had the ARRL check them at their booth, with a better SA. They were both clean. I think that if things continue, the Chinese will displace the Japanese, even as they did the US. Now a competitor in the HF QRP market, I doubt that it will take long for us to see a 100 watt rig from them. They are kept out of the EV market only by tariff, I would guess that TATA (India) has the same problem... I would guess that we might see from radios from there as well. 73 DE W8LV BILL

[@billgriswold4721]

this is good news for Ham enthusiasts!! (cheap, functional chinese radios!)

[@mikeperry2561]

The Elmer speaks and all should listen.

[@quaildogusa]

You're looking good, Jim. Hope you're feeling better.

[@greasydot]

Hello Jim, been wondering how you were doing. Great to see and hear you man.

[@stevesomers7366]

Glad to see you again, Jim. I've been hoping that you are getting along better. I own a variety of HTs and that includes some Baofeng units. I have not tested their spectra, but would not be surprised if they have issues. Fortunately, they are not really used much. Thanks for what you do. I do hope you are getting some relief from your health challenges. 73, Steve AE6SS

[@MrFreddarama]

Hi Jim! Good to see you posting on here and I hope that you are doing better. I have notice a big improvement with the lastest Chinese radios; they are getting a lot cleaner than the past. I also test and align them before deploying any in the field and that helps a lot.

[@kittony71]

jim am happy to see you

[@JK-mo2ov]

The FT-70D is a great radio.

[@ths3900]

Nice video. That's good information.

[@johnbellas490]

Good to see you again Jim! Yes Bob Heil's company really does make good quality microphone cables indeed! I have each an Icom and a Kenwood cable set. It is with deep sorrow about Bob and his passing away recently! He was a great man in the area of studies about sound processing and in the area of Amateur radio support and research!! I am sure we all miss him greatly!! I also want to thank you too Jim for all that you are doing right now, and all that you have done in the past. I remain VERY THANFULL for YOU and Bob and all the work you are doing and have done for this GREAT HOBBY of ours in Amateur Radio!! 73's from KC2UVN on the East Coast. My Prayers are for you right now!! John A Bellas.

[@ham-radio]

Thanks for all John, 73, Jim

[@billcameron]

Hope to hear you soon again on 20m Jim have a good weekend had snow up here in the NT a few days ago thanks for all you do from VE8AP

[@robustreviews]

Yay!! It’s Jim 😊

[@jamesdean80]

Jim, please stay healthy. 73's

[@bushbuster9703]

So very good to see you brother!! Can't keep a good man down! Lord Callum good to see you too brother! Been praying life's going well for you also. May the good Lord bless you both more. As far as cheap ht radios go, I don't own any either, I've bought a couple and gave them away before testing ...thanks for testing and bringing this up! Don

[@ham-radio]

73, Jim

[@Sky1]

I have 2 Tid radios.I tested both are fine.

[@ham-radio]

Good to hear. How did you test them? Maybe the same way that I did?? 73, Jim

[@martinvanek5951]

Nice comparison. Guess I'm sticking with Yaesu. Thanks

[@stevehall6539]

Definitely good to see a new video sir , been a bit worried especially after some of the things I seen on Facebook. Your looking good Jim , anywho I’m an Icom guy but I do like the quality of the yaesu Ht’s , I run an Ft60r all afternoon to monitor a local repeater that’s close to my job . I’d recommend to anyone just spend the extra couple bucks and go with the big three . Job well done Jim I’ll catch you on the air buddy , 73’ N2JDX

[@salbernardo]

Hi Jim. Nice to see you hope you are ok. FT70 is still my go-to HT

[@threadripper979]

Good to see you making videos, Jim. I hope this helps stop youtuber hams from slobbering over these junky Chinese toy HTs.

[@joelaut12]

Hi Jim, nice reporting on these inexpensive Chinese radios. Also nice to see you getting about, wish you all the best. KC2GRN Joel

[@bassangler73]

I think it's best to save up if you need to and buy a Yaesu, Icom or KW....Very Happy to see you Jim!! God Bless!!!

[@user-xh6ye7bd1e]

Glad to see you again...been thinking about you. Rod K5FRH

[@karlmadsen3179]

People don't care. They just buy cheap. They look at the price tag. They don't look at the sophisticated analysis that you just provided. It's doubtful that anybody will ever be prosecuted for spurious emissions on top of police. They probably won't notice it. The biggest thing is, do you want to use quality or do you want to use junk? I happen to enjoy the outstanding build quality of my Yaesu radios, and I've left the cheap chinese junk where it belongs. Not in my hands.

[@Clark-N1NVK]

Worth the price just for reliability.

[@Handinerd]

Good video, I started with a Baofeng UV 17 and bought another UV 17 Pro Max. The plain UV 17 does better but now I think I'm going to switch to a Yaesu. Glad to see you back, love your videos, 73 de KQ4RXC Chris

[@mikeramsey9747]

Jim, we are so glad to see you making another video. We are praying for you, and I personally want to thank you for your videos.

[@ham-radio]

You are very welcome

[@JustinPartridg-k5j]

Great to see you great to see you doing well 1985 shooting star state of Virginia you are definitely a star used to listen to you on the on my old zenith radio this is radio station 1985 shooting star on CB radio live giving you a shout-out I appreciate you what you do on your channel and I actually was listening to Okeechobee Florida RMI the other day it was great to hear it on the band I've been in the radio for a long time you've been very helpful I actually made a bazooka antenna and actually works great on my assistant band radio got more work to do to it I use it for my police fire scanner radio and it comes in fantastic 😍

[@snshansen]

Cool take care buddy

[@ham-radio]

Thanks, Jim

[@Jam3s99]

With as many of these radios on the market if it was an issue. We would know by now. Thanks for the video Jim.

[@alvarogaitan2529]

hello, my friend Jim God Bless you

[@jeffferrell.k9hca531]

When the FCC starts being serious about harmonics, like the government does with emission standards on cars, then things might change. But seriously, a 3W analog output (actual output on most 5w HT’s) is not going to interfere with an 800 MHz digital system in anyway.

[@FjHenderson]

Well, if I need a ht for around the house and a little bit of communication, it would be a good choice in my view. If I need a dedicated uhf-vhf ht and want to do a little digital, then a yaesu or icom would be my choice. I live in a rural area like a lit of hams that aren't going to bother anyone with a dirty radio. Not every amateur radio operator lives in a city.

[@drocles]

After I picked up a yeasu ft65, the collection of fangs and other cheapos will be stowed with the post apocalypse prepping junk or hauled out in the middle of the woods when camping. They feel like toys compared to a relatively low cost ft65 (120$ can). Save up your nickles if you plan on using it a lot especially near places with high vhf uhf traffic

[@user-bz2sk3if2t]

good to see you again my friend im glad you did this video i have no doubts about the results you came up with on these hand held units i have found that these radio,s have very little or no use to anyone there performance is just terrible not very dependable ....often we are fooled by the manufactor of these types of proucts there adds can be decieving on there performance but as long as people keep buying some of this junk manufactors will keep making them...its all about the price...glad to see u again im praying for you best wishes...thomas in north central missouri .....73

[@jr4062]

Glad you are well. I started collecting American made radios, from the 70’s I think up to the 2000’s which may be all Chinese parts and sent to America in a brand name, not sure, but I have some Motorola mx radios with the phone patch on the front, think they are neat looking radios, and one I can hear the weather station without antenna, nice radio. Have one get smart type suitcase which fits the radio in some adaptor type contraption that the radio slides into it, with external antenna, all housed in a silver suitcase. I may try to put one in a boot or large shoe.

[@evertwenderpirt6328]

The regs are the regs. Comply !

[@jamess1787]

At least comply, why not be a better steward?

[@judd_s5643]

I’m curious as to why these radios are allowed to be imported into the US. The regulations clearly state an intentional radiator cannot be offered for sale unless it meets the regulatory requirements.

[@highlander4413]

I get compliments on my audio quality on the ft 70....I've tried a baofeng from the same location and I had to repeat my call sign etc....the baofeng are good for monitoring NOAA weather or traffic or maybe dropping it in the river on accident

[@rv6amark]

I just bought a $30 Quansheng UV-K6 knowing that its output is not real clean. There are lots of examples of these that have been tested on KZbin, and I don't think they are any cleaner than the cheap ones you tested here. I never push the PTT button except into a dummy load. With modified firmware, I use it as a scanner primarily on the aviation band 108-136mhz, but also for use to listen to other radios I might be testing. I will be looking for a cleaner HT to replace the one that was destroyed while moving to my retirement house about a year ago. Thanks for the video. Mark, KE6BB

[@BryanTorok]

If you belong to a sizable club with a repeater, chances are someone in the club has a service monitor or spectrum analyzer. It makes a nice meeting program to for members to bring their mobile or handheld radios in and have them run on some test equipment to see how they are performing.

[@DavidGomez-fg6cm]

Thank you for testing them and reporting the results. I didn't like the results. Not surprised about Yaesu,

[@ham-radio]

Ya, me too. 73, Jim

[@full_metal2452]

That’s why I bought a Kenwood D75 as my first ever radio

[@johnnorth9355]

I have 2x UV5R's bought as a twinned pair several years back. I have no fancy test gear but I do have a Tiny SA and connecting each to a dummy load and using the Tiny SA with an antenna one looks pretty clean on output whilst the other is very dirty. I only transmit on the clean one as a consequence and only listen on the other. It would seem that quality control is variable to say the least. You do get what you pay for in ham radio terms. ( I also picked up a HF QRP uSDR transceiver but have yet to do the same tests but not expecting much) 73.

[@3qdx]

TD-H8 is a very clean HT for the price but the Big 3 don't care to admit that.

[@che59v]

Jim, as we been told for years as children ""you get what you pay for" and this stands to be true here, effective filtering cost money all while most users will not know the difference thinking they are getting a great deal (a radio for $25 what could go wrong, lol). All we could hope is that the cheap brands will refine their product and do better in the future. Hope you are doing well despite everything and against the odds. 73, Joe, QLD Australia (the delta-loop on a stick guy).

[@jamesabc372]

"Refining their product" mean they can't sell cheap anymore.

[@radiotowers1159]

Interesting Jim, I have one of the mini spectrum analysers( nano vna size) , they are cheap and a useful addition to the shack for some basic testing , I dont know why more people buy one as most will not have access to a decent accurate HP one.

[@stevehildreth1934]

Jim! I have a Baofeng UV5RTP. I put a Signal Stuff Signal Stick on it and a 3Btech hand mic. I have no idea what it'll look like on a spectrum analyzer but I get good signal reports on it. I also have an old Kenwood Th-d7a that also performs well. Again, no idea what it'll look like on a spectrum analyzer. The bottom line is you get what you pay for, cheap radios vs expensive radios give you cheap (poor) performance or expensive (great) performance. I use the UV5R in places where it might get dropped or lost and the Kenwood where it's safer.

[@ugsisr]

Jim, It's their QC because they are not all like this.. I have one and tested it several times with a calibrated HP E8563, Calibrated Cables VSWR/ Insertion Loss and Load and I get nothing on 2 meter or 70 cm that is a concern as per the FCC Guidelines. What makes it worse is that a radio like mine shows they can produce a clean radio but apparently their QC is lacking to allow other radios out like the one you just tested.. Jim I hope you are doing well... 73's God Bless..Thank you for performing this test...

[@ham-radio]

Hi and thank you for doing the testing. First, I joke woke up after a few hours of sleep. Today I go back to the hospital for a procedure. Second, I wonder about this: what happens when the transmitted sees a very high SWR? Do the filters still function? In other words, when tested with a perfect load you got a very good response. Can you simulate a very high SWR? Or can you test with the supplied antenna? Third, Tidradio has been watching my videos and the sent an answer. My first groggy read from they wrote is that they found a problem with the design and made a correction. I think that is what they wrote. I need to do a better read of their email. So, I given them credit for responding and perhaps fixing the design error, if I am reading that correctly. See if you can test with a very high SWR or perhaps the supplied antenna. Thanks for reading this long answer from a half asleep Jim W6LG

[@johnhelt5475]

Thank you, Jim, for these informative videos. Out of curiosity, which Tidradio models were you trying?

[@W4BTK]

Jim I just discovered most Yaesu HF radios (new) might not be properly aligned from factory. My 710 with less than one year of age is poorly aligned for reception. Check your Yaesu against the service manual. Thank you for yet another great video!

[@ham-radio]

Thanks for the info! Would that apply to the Yaesu FTDX201d? Thanks, Jim

[@ronboe6325]

Hope you get an opportunity to test a Kenwood too....

[@kp4md]

Hi Jim! Which models of TidRadio and Baofeng did you test during this video?

[@upperprepper8233]

Thanks Jim! I haven't bought my 1st handheld yet. Just getting started in the hobby. 73😀 KF8AND

[@rickgilbrt]

I have an FT-70, and it's a love-hate relationship. Nice functions and size. But attery life is horrible, and it is made worse by the soft switch power button that sucks power while the radio is off. The "Press-button-and-rotate-VFO-knob" to adjust volume is also awkward. But it generates a clean signal, so there's that. An analog Yaesu might be a better.

[@ham-radio]

That handheld is back with W6DGH. But, he is wanting to lend it to me for as long as I want. So I can't complain too much about a free handheld. Ya, there are some really non-intuitive things. But it does Fusion and is relatively inexpensive at DXEngineering and others. 73, Jim

[@robertmeyer4744]

that some great testing. I am still in shock over the 2 TIDRADIO testing so different. I tested a bunch of Beofang UV-5R radios. so many different results. I wounder how did they get FCC approval ? great job JIM !

[@ham-radio]

Great point! The FCC did not do the testing. My read is that the testing was done in China in the same city and likely the same company. It looks like they did their own testing! 73, Jim

[@terry5089]

How do they get FCC approval? That's easy. They test a bunch of their radios and pick the best one to submit to the testing lab. As Jim points out, the FCC does not do the testing. A commercial lab does the testing and the results are submitted to the FCC for certification. The same process applies to other certification agencies as well.

[@dc5723]

Love my Icoms, Ysesus and Kenwoods. Will not get, at a minimum, Baofeng or any other chinesium radios.

[@StrixTechnica]

Thanks for the analysis. It's always good to get hands-on with a spectrum analyser (and I've been lucky to have had a nice new Rigol RSA3030N on loan for work for some time, so I've been looking into QRM from solar PV inverter/MPPT charger). I know what harmonics are and what causes them, more or less, and I know what parasitics are in the context of R/L/C, but what are the parasitics in the context you mentioned at 2:52? Re Baofengs, maybe I just got unlucky with the UV5-TRP I got when I was first licensed because (splatter aside) others seem to have had reasonable success with them, but either its deviation is off or its AF stage is rubbish (or both) and I always had problems with poor signal reports with that radio and there was never much I could do about it. So that's another reason to stick to respected names.

[@GordonHudson]

I bought a Yaesu FT65 dual band radio, brand new for £79 here in the UK. That's about twice the price of the Chinese ones. Still very inexpensive compared to what they used to cost.

[@ham-radio]

Thanks again Gordon. 73 Jim

[@JxH]

Under $20 shipped. Reviews say (and demonstrate) it's clean.

[@georgebecht6357]

Jim, The ARRL Lab does the same test at Orlando HamCation and Dayton. It is no surprise that the Chinese radios preform so poorly, you get what you pay for..I try to explain this to new hams byt they don't care. For them the price is the driving factor. Also, their on air audio through repeaters is equally bad. Thank for this video, hopefully some will learn from it and get some "Junk of the air" N2SQ

[@KI5UMX]

When did you buy your H3 radio? My H3 was bought in May. Not only the quality but it has little to no spurious emissions and the airband quality is excellent.

[@CharlesGarcia-kk1vb]

Ya, I saw the latest review video

[@CharlesGarcia-kk1vb]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHStd4duot1-r7s

[@JayN4GO]

I sure have a pile of HTs. Only Kenwood now as I’ve given away all the bobos.

[@ham-radio]

Jay I may only keep the handhelds that I PURCHASED as scanning receivers. Those reviewers who get them for free and do wonderful reviews about how good the handheld feels have zero credibility as you already know. Thanks again Jay, 73, Jim

[@3henry214]

Not all Baofeng's are the same... most of the UV-5R's are dirty, there is one that has been consistently clean, and that is the GT-5R which is a Radioodity exclusive model, that they "rode herd on" with Baofeng to ensure that it is fully FCC compliant. The Tidradio, I wouldn't give them the time of day. One only has to look at the numerous KZbin reviews on their TD-H8 (and others) to see how bad it is... and not just a dirty radio, but it has other issues too. Yaesu has a fantastic entry level HT, the FT-65R, that I bought on sale at HRO for less than $90 bucks. But even the non sale price is only a little over $100. I subscribe to the old adage of "buy once, cry once" in buying equipment, and would advise new Hams to just save up the additional $75 that it takes to buy an FT-65 over a $25 Baofeng or Tidradio. Even though the Baofeng GT-5R transmits clean, it still has the same receiver issue that all Baofeng 5r's have, and that is the receiver can be overloaded by a strong signal, get desensitized and go deaf. I've experienced that first hand where I had my Yaesu FT-65R and my Baofeng GT-5R both tuned to a strong NOAA weather channel. The Yaesu FT-65R didn't blink and eye, whereas the GT-5R was silent. The Yaesu also pulls in weak signals a lot better too. 73 de KN6VMK

[@ham-radio]

73, Jim

[@richardmillican7733]

I dont think the issues are only TX, I've got a number of cheap chinese HTs, and a couple of decades old Kenwood TK 2160 2Meter HTs On RX the old kenwood HTs are clearer and more defined on audio from my local repeater.

[@335alien335]

Jim, if these radios are used exclusively in the GMRS band, do they still show problems? My spectrum analyzer won't go high enough for me to see. Thanks.

[@LeeMcc_KI5YPR]

Often those radios are type approved for GMRS, then 2m is added on. So 70cm/GMRS good, 2m/MURS bad.

[@PercivalFakeman]

We have been using these standards for years and it has worked well. This kind of sloppy output is bad news. I can’t do it.

[@andrewb9276]

Nice informative video as usual, Jim. But who of the "major" manufacturers produce a product that matches the Tids? Triband, VHF, UHF, GMRS, FRS, Murs, etc. that has type acceptance from the FCC? As a licensed amateur and GMRS holder I get a radio for $40 that covers all the frequencies I need. Yes, I would not want to interfere with any other services, but with only 4 watts out I doubt that will happen even in a Metro area. I'd be interested in any FCC actions or reports of spurious emission events. How many hams have their rigs "MARS" modified on purchase from DXE, HRO, etc. Yes, for the price you get what you pay for it. Would Yaesu ever consider producing such a type of radio? It must be legal as the TID is approved by the FCC for purchase. Thoughts from you or others ?

[@ham-radio]

What you say is all true. The "however" was that some I have tested were putting out watts where they should not. And, that worries me a geat deal. Thanks for your thoughtful comments. 73, Jim W6LG

[@MM0IMC]

I'd avoid the cheap Chinese handies! 😮

[@BryanTorok]

Jim, what do you think of the Tiny-SA spectrum analyzers? Are they adequate for performing this type of test? I've seen other channels using them for this, but others were questioning if the results were meaningful.

[@Buglet720]

I use TidRadio & Wouxun. Most of my HTs are clean, but... The Chinese manufacturers seem to release the radio, watch the complaints roll in, then fix them in the later release of the same model. Granted, these radios are inexpensive, but you'll end up having to buy a second, or third, in order to get a good one. Add to that, the fact that we've become the de facto testing department & we lay out our own money to boot.

[@ham-radio]

I just got an email from Tidradio and I believe what they are saying matches what you are saying....it is 0300 local.....I am still half asleep. 73, Jim

[@EI6DP]

Hello Jim, great to see you, I have been thinking of you and how your getting on. Ger - EI6DP

[@furball5553]

Whiskey 6 lema golf thank God in haven you seem by aperance well may God him self keep it so 73😊