Radioddity DB40-G Mobile GMRS Radio Review - DB-40G High Power GMRS Radio Overview

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Get the DB40G GMRS Radio here: amzn.to/4b8EVvP Get the Midland MXTA26 GMRS antenna here: amzn.to/4a7RPJ6 You can get my shirt here: amzn.to/44tZEaE

[@wheelersecuritygroup]

The MXTA26 antenna is worth every penny. Soo much better on receiving and transmitting than the little wire that came with my MXT575.

[@2023Red]

Yep. I missed seeing the link you pointed out. Just bought it! As a side topic on gmrs. I have the license but am uncertain on which radio to buy, I am not a techie. Which radios have the best displays and easiest to use? In other words, which would you suggest as one that is handheld and one for my Honda odyssey. I am not an off road person. Thanks for your super job!

[@briansummers3488]

The shirt in combination with what’s on the screen is perfect.

[@randlecarr3257]

Nice horse picture in the background

[@Pyjamarama11]

😂😂😂

[@daveunderwood6498]

😂👍

[@gregorysloat4258]

💯💥

[@Dankbudzz]

One ugly ass horse 🤣

[@NomadGringo]

Hee Haw!!

[@johnk23705]

Thank You for the review. I bought a DB-40 G about a month ago. I was fairly happy with it. It is pretty basic radio for the money. It output just under 45 watts, which was unexpected. Now the bad. I made a rookie mistake. I had run a coax to the other side of the house for a future antenna. It was not terminated, not shorted, just open. I hooked up that coax instead of my coax hooked to my GMRS antenna (I have been using the radio for a month with zero problems). I keyed down for less than 3 seconds. Smoke pored out of the radio. I opened the radio and the main chip was melted. Any quality radio will fold back the power to save the radio when the antenna port is open. Not this radio. Again, the coax was open, not shorted...I checked. Bottom line, if you have any problem with your coax or antenna, this radio will roach itself. Not an ideal thing as it cooked itself so quickly. Even with a SWR meter in line, if there was a problem, your radio would be toast before you could hardly realize there was a problem. Radioddity promptly sent me another radio, so kutos to them. Be very careful and be sure to check your coax/antenna on a regular basis. For the asking price, this radio should have high SWR protection. It does not. Buyer beware. Given what happened to my radio, I would not buy one if I knew how easily this radio will fry itself.

[@cooldude5208]

I made a homemade J-pole and have been using a Baofeng UV 5G Plus for a base station a few weeks hooked to it with no problems. I received this radio yesterday 8/7/24 and hooked it up my J-pole setup. I programmed it and ran it for a couple hours just receiving and keying up a few times with no problems. After I was happy with the setup, I set it to scan and let it run through the channels for a while thinking all was good. After about 30 minutes with it just scanning, I heard a pop and it blew the fuse and started smoking. It was SUPER hot after this happened. I sent it back and will have a replacement tomorrow. I also purchased a GMRS antenna online in case something was wrong with my J-pole. I have no idea why it blew when it was just scanning and not transmitting. I really liked this radio while it was working. Hopefully just a bad radio but your right, no protection other than the fuses.

[@badassdave]

Thanks!

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Thank YOU!

[@ColoRadio6996]

Randy, I thought you would surely have a titillating picture of Stormy on the back screen.. Stay Safe......J

[@kidvision564]

😂

[@Dfitch4973]

Randy, love the license plate homage to the 70s tv show Emergency. Well done, sir.

[@stevewilliams8193]

A review that's actually useful compared to the only other review of this radio, (at the time of this comment) which is worthless and done by someone who cares more about being a narcissist than actually providing an informative review. Thanks man!

[@WarsawWorm]

Thanks for helping me find my way into Radio, I have 4 UV-5R’s and recently got the green light on paper thinking about this mobile for the truck. You rock man!

[@bretthighbee]

Great and informative video. I just hooked one of these DB40s up after getting my GMRS license, it is a nice radio. I was able to reach out about 40 miles and connect to a repeater with my antenna 30 feet high. The radio was putting out 44.8 watts according to the VSWR / power meter on the highest setting on the 462.62500Mhz frequency. I am using mine as a base station and the Radioddity software made programming the local repeaters into the radio easy. I had an issue with Panda antivirus deleting the Radioddity software and had to turn my anti-virus off while using this software.

[@johnnyz.fradley2306]

I see that you have the horse that won the Kentucky Derby on the TV in the background. Oh I like the big bold colorful fonts you usually have on your thumbnails better.

[@DefensiveConcepts]

The mood light really gives the video that special, intimate feel

[@reallynot.]

i was so excited upon seeing the new upload that I have slightly soiled my paints. I genuinely enjoy your very informative and humerous uploads.

[@JohnnyRep-u4e]

We call these events "spurious emissions".

[@larryfromtoledo]

Randolpho, You ROCK !!

[@garretlewis4103]

Thanks for the video. I have been thinking about getting one of these and upgrading the 15 watt Midland radio in my truck.

[@AmericanRebel32]

Just got mine today. Data cable provided. (6-13-24)

[@JLeezy864]

Thanks. I've been waiting for mine in the mail, and yes, it came from Hong Kong. Hopefully soon I can play with it

[@BillKibby1]

Thanks for this review, seeing the ability to turn off the dual watch hooked me immediately. Just received 7/21/24 and finally got to play with it tonight. Before flashing with firmware it was not possible to apply channel names at all via either method, thankfully I did get the programming cable else my glee would be much less. First test medium power test with a dual-band J-Pole lucked out 1.2:1 match. 40 miles of fars with full quieting. I think I am going to like this radio, thanks again!

[@AndrewB416]

The shirt is amazing. I have the same thing on the mat on my porch by my front door. Love it.

[@hartranft66]

gold randy, pure gold.

[@kchedville]

Am wondering if the DB-40G would fit good into the Midland MXPW500 Ammo Can ? Also seems China needs to learn to Count -- calling it a 40 Watt Radio is misleading, when it only puts out 30Watts... Price of this Radio should drop at least $30 Buckaroos..... :)

[@BillyBob-xd8qj]

Bro, that picture you are showing behind your right shoulder is the face you get when the farmer goes into the barn to fill up your feed bag and water trough! LOL

[@kchaney56]

The Lord Xenu has indeed smiled upon you with a new radio to review.

[@archstanton9206]

Thanks for the review, I know a couple of people this radio will work well for. Also...I have been watching your wheeling videos and enjoyed them. I am surprised that hasn't taken off for you. They are good.

[@Michael-tq5il]

Great news. 👍👍 Thanks, Randy.

[@randalb7930]

The evolution of that chewed pencil keeps me coming back from the next episode.

[@DJ.ZETRAA]

real

[@InfinitelyQurious]

Anyone know if the Radioddity DB40-G "Mobile GMRS Radio" can be unlocked or hacked to RX and TX on ham bands?

[@2manyhobbies76]

I think I'll stick with the DB25-G. I like the fact that I can listen to 2-meter and 70-centimeter both. I actually like the quad-watch feature, the fact it is currently CHIRP compatible and compact.

[@icebrakernh]

Thanks Randy my wife was wondering if the antenna you use squirts RF laser beams many fars with this new radio.😅😂 I told her she’s been listening to all the wrong parts of your video’s. Thanks for sharing your videos and pissing on the sad hams.

[@jimmywayneoconner9225]

Been waiting for this one!

[@shawnctx]

Just one more time, so satisfying.

[@marc9956]

Lmfao. Love the pic of the squirrel in the background lol

[@richardmelady9705]

Yay ! A new one. 😃👍. Your videos are great. Informative and entertaining

[@deltatango3653]

What's that Donkey you have paused on your TV?

[@joestone707]

Randy, I love watching your videos, very informative and very entertaining. You mentioned that you can name the channels on the DB40G, but didn't explain how. Would you please do another u tube, explaining how to name the channels? Thank you for teaching me,and entertaining me. 😀

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Too late, i've already given it away. You'll have to read the manual like I did. It's easy.

[@ordyy89]

Ah yes….AOC. The poster child of idiocracy. Love it👍

[@johnk23705]

Damn, someone beat me to the Horse comment. Ugly, Ugly Horse. Yes, I judged it by it's teeth. I'm no expert, but it just may be a JackAss. I ordered one about a week ago from Radioddity. It was not shipped from America. Tracking says it's on a slow boat from China...China. I was hoping it was not going to be so basic, but it will work. There is also no channel scan lock out on this radio. Another channel beat you on a review. He had a power meter that looked like yours, however, it was not the highly accurate "Farsometer 2000" that you have. He got 38 watts out. 30-38, it will get out there. I may have passed on it if I had waited for your stellar review. Thanks for the review Randy !

[@rpgiuliani]

Nice pointer

[@jkg6211]

Nice presentation - simple and easy to understand. BUT, the question remains... Can I ADD blinky flashy lights to the front of it?

[@jeffwilcox9987]

11:43 Yep!

[@jamesd4013]

Just back from the future.....No flight list yet. The good news is that GMRS freqs are now totally free......PSYCH....Coming soon to a frequency specturm near you, if you key up a GMRS radio the FCCzz sends one of their "Friendly Enforcement Drones" to aggressively collect a user fee via AGM-114X. So that's been fun!

[@thetribejamiemcgee8559]

Hi Randy from uk, do you or have you tried the midland cb talk system, might be a good video, as a user it more like using chat room than cb

[@gregorysloat4258]

TIME STAMP 11:51 Holy CRAP! Can you WARN us before hitting us with that fullscreen face?🤣 I almost choked on my Ovaltine!

[@dflynn2499]

Me too! It was like one of those videos that you watch and all of the sudden…. Bam, there it is, the scariest thing you never expected 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@UkrainianPaulie]

Ovaltine? What are you 90?

[@robbob3717]

@@UkrainianPaulie I mean have you seen these comments, most of the people here make the people in congress look young lmao.

[@jeffreymalloy589]

What is the amperage requirement for this puppy?

[@centralfloridagmrs]

Mine is putting out 40 watts and 48 watts on the GMRS Repeater channels

[@kerbalairforce8802]

Im thinking of building a UV45x4 into a tacticool backpack radio.

[@vicrod74]

"Boof Wang" now "Radio Diddy" 😂😂😂

[@Pyjamarama11]

Does this radio still work over line-of-sight, if you lost your vision years ago due to an industrial accident ?

[@dflynn2499]

That’s funny, I don’t care who you are, sad ham or not 😂😂😂😂

[@ordyy89]

This is my favorite UT radio related channel. Great content. THX👍 Wife says……..average size……radio😂😂

[@RFMaster6]

Maybe you could have Chris Shontz of Venture4WD channel on your interviews.

[@radiohobbyist13]

Will you be reviewing the Alinco DJ-G46T GMRS handheld radio anytime soon?🤔

[@Francois_Dupont]

i thought he would have marked his tape measure at 5inch or something. that would have been gold.

[@antoniomancini5504]

How do you feel about the UV-S9 Plus?

[@breckfreeride]

Poking the tism... Does install upside down?

[@davidmacphee3549]

40 Watts! That is a lot ! Are these allowed in Canada?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

No. Your queen says they are too dangerous or something.

[@justaguy9496]

Any of you guys ever use beartooth radios with your smartphones? Maybe make a vid on that. I ran across it and i am wondering why it isn't more popular. encrypted traffic, frequency hops, you don't need a license, you can share your GPS location if you want with the range of a handheld baofeng supposedly.

[@latergator3367]

The flight logs are downloaded by RaddyDaddy and transmitted without a Roger Beep .

[@dwnsth3529]

Unrelated and possibly dumb question - Do you have any videos or info on 'Race Radio' frequencies and how to access them. i've seen several off road groups listing these frequencies and not sure if a ham or other radio would be required to utilize these channels.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Boy, you are right, that IS unrelated!

[@TractorWrangler01]

I'm not a fan of controls on the microphone. Also, would like to see a car mounted unit that can be used as a repeater from a hand held unit.

[@TheNotaRubicon]

Uhm... Ok? Thanks for letting us know?

[@TractorWrangler01]

@@TheNotaRubicon You're welcome.

[@robertwynn7686]

Ever since I started to research radios and came upon your channel, I have became less deconfuckulated (hope I spelled it right) 😂. I fought Thur the FCC website (which reconfickulated me) 😂 and received my permission slip. I have learned so much from you that I joined your channel membership, you are now my guru randy...

[@philrab]

I’m a little disappointed about the lack of NOAA channels. Might be a minor thing but I like having them available. I dropped a DB20-g into my truck and like it a lot.

[@travislyon7046]

I agree. But then after I thought about it, I always have an HT with me that can receive NOAA anyway. Soooo not the end of the world. I’ve had the DB-40G for a few days now. I love it for what it is. Mine puts out 44.8 watts consistently 👍🍻

[@BravoBassin]

the pencil is looking quite good today.

[@jonnporter6081]

Pee Diddy did not hang himself.

[@thomasgjonovich5524]

No cooling fans but other lower models have them? Hmm

[@cheifreal]

How we supposed to anoy the sad hams without roger beep. Guess can have someone add it in.

[@danc7904]

Just say "Beeeep" before you unkey.

[@jeffkardosjr.3825]

I talked with a sad ham online who seems to think that 2M and 70cm were only ever used for phone patch through repeaters and are pointless otherwise.

[@christopherwilson5487]

Ive been watching the video and i wanted to ask is this radio compliance with FCC part 95 ? Just want to be safe than sorry

[@TheNotaRubicon]

In the last 15+ years the FCC has gone-after exactly ZERO people for simply transmitting on GMRS with a non-complaint radio.. So based on the FCC's record I would say you are probably safe, no matter what... But to answer your question: Yes.. ALL radios sold in the United States that are labeled as "GMRS" are Part 95 Compliant.

[@k6usy]

I identify as a radio with lots of blinky lights.

[@bigjack428]

Can it talks with the chef Conrad?

[@Ray.Marx.67]

Thanks Randy!

[@ThePugdaddy21]

Why is the price so high? I mean I’ve got my Baufeng UV-5R hooked up to my $38.00 Ghost antenna all for a total of about $70.00. Why the hell would I wanna pay double for that hunk of junk! Radio Shack used to sell that stuff under the Tandy Corporation. Thanks for backing up my comment Randy… You should mention that the heat sink on that Radio Shack reject will require that carry around a good pair of Jumper cables when the thing shorts out on your ground.

[@MaMa-st2eg]

Are u stupid? Called Watts..

[@2023Red]

Randy. Where can I buy that t shirt go away?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

by clicking any of the multiple links that say "buy that shirt by clicking here", or words to that effect.

[@Sonicgott]

Lack of a Roger beep? Tough call.

[@johnk23705]

I saw another review, I think it has a roger beep. Can't remember for sure, the Horse picture hurt my brain.

[@WorldMoneyWins]

No Roger beep? No sale.

[@mitchh6702]

Let's go RADIOOOOO!

[@Craig92276]

Sucking in dust and spiders, why did it have to be spiders?😂

[@colejames7236]

He almost had me sold on this radio until he said it had no roger beep...

[@johnk23705]

So what is your average ?...... 7 inches, 5 1/2 inches or 1.5 inches ?

[@methere27]

I didn’t appreciate you ending on that tone with me.

[@Huskrrrr]

A GMRS license reminds me of a school hall pass.

[@johnk23705]

Mother May ! ???

[@boun_viaggio_usa9989]

Maybe they should call it the Randyoddity.

[@coreygillum12]

I literally lol. " soft supple hands of children ". Hilarious.

[@ricardomagnificent]

Let me say that disregardless of the narrow band transmitting issue, which can be corrected, this radio appears to be an excellent deal for the monies.

[@myself7630]

You said knobs

[@turdferguson2863]

I'm neeeeeewww! I have the GMRS pro, BF-F8HP, and yaesu 817. I just listen, mama said don't talk to strangers. _roger beep_

[@bendeleted9155]

Radio ditty. My favorite Japanese company.

[@raymondd5796]

I'd been watching this one on the Radioddity site for a week or so, just waiting for someone to do a review on it. From what I see I'll give it a hard pass. No Chirp, no NOAA, no multi-color display and only ~30 of the supposed 40 watts. My BTech GMRS50-V2 pumping 46 of its 50 watt rating has it beat hands down for only a bit more $$. Why can't anyone come out with a GMRS radio that is as sexy as a Yaesu FTM-500 ?

[@jkg6211]

Someone did. Some company from Japan called "Yeasu". They call it the FTM-500. jk... lol I agree with you... but then - seriously, wouldn't it cost as much as the Yaesu? I wonder how much in tariffs we pay on these things?

[@mariarogers9964]

Okay Mr Nota don't you think it's time to get out of the granola state and make the move to Texas like half your state already has, we have plenty of room here plus land is much cheaper here....

[@adisyamadasa4238]

Actually I like feeling as if I am commanding a 747....so too bad no lights 😊

[@johnk23705]

At least it won't crash and burn.

[@Barracuda48082]

The male/it cat that assumes he owns me became noticeably amorous when you removed the protection..pawing at the responsible arm on the screen...😅

[@VetJeeper]

I was just looking at that one for my Gladiator!

[@TheOpticalFreak]

Who's your ddity!? 😎

[@richardcorwin1828]

Thank you!!

[@GhostSenshi]

When btech repeater video

[@jsc8102]

Oh no, no Roger Beep! Can’t annoy sad hams with this one!

[@breckfreeride]

Favorite gmrs callsign? Wtf403w

[@cheifreal]

HEY, i use a 747 with buttons light and knobs. And enjoy it.😂

[@bendeleted9155]

Automatic or stick?

[@lifeisgood4519]

Nice

[@RuckProductions35]

Waiting for the first person to bitch about “intensive purposes” 👀

[@thistlemoon1]

😂😂😂

[@trep17mag]

I wish this guy would Blink just once! 😉

[@pawpawcar]

Per recommendation got one. Hooked up 13.8 power supply. Keyed it. Magic smoke released from unit......

[@TheNotaRubicon]

SOoo.. assuming you purchased via Amazon as I recommended, they quickly and easily sent you a new one?

[@pawpawcar]

@@TheNotaRubicon They said we cannot track vendor inventory. So put money back on card.... Will order another just to hope it was a fluke. What could I check before keying the next one?

[@TheNotaRubicon]

If the unit was defective then there is really nothing an average person could do/should be expected to do to prevent that... IF it was somehow your fault, I would check that your power supply is only outputting 13.8VDC, make sure you have it wired up correctly, and make sure your antenna is connected and the cable is not shorting-out.. One thing is for sure: If the same thing happens a 2nd time, then it's not the fault of the radio - YOU are the common-denominator.

[@pawpawcar]

@@TheNotaRubicon Will check all I can think of. Yes, if 2x then yes someone on MY side. LOL.

[@pawpawcar]

something