Retevis RA-87 Evaluation Part 1

[@roberttraylor1392]

that is my next radio the ra87 great video i just bought the retevis a1 handheld great video

[@gtrs4ever]

Bought an RA87 about 2 weeks ago and noticed it wasn't performing as advertised, I was getting only 25-29 watts output. Long story short, contacted Retevis for an exchange or repair, under section 19 on their website it says, Return and Exchange: The first customers can return goods for a replacement or refund within one month of receipt. Retevis offer 24-month radio repair for free. (Radio accessories enjoy 6 months repair warranty, except earpieces enjoy 3 months warranty, from the date of the first customer’s receipt.) Beyond the warranty period: We still offer maintain service; buyers are required to afford corresponding cost. I was told I did not have the proper equipment to properly test the radio. Won't be buying another Retevis!

[@Undertaking-Life]

Glad I found your channel. I just received 2 RA87 radios with the goal of building the same repeater. I will watch Part 2 later today and follow your lead, Thanks.

[@fspage911]

Your videos have inspired me to get a GMRS license too. Maybe that will help get my wife involved with radio. The mics these days always seem light to me. I’m used to the old Motorola mics that are just solid.

[@HamRadioCrusader]

That's a big Amen, Motorola always made Great Radios. This RA87 is a good radio. But if you can get your hands on some Motorola UHF radio's most of them will program to GMRS.

[@jackpeoples1105]

Freddie, just received last week the RA-87 repeater package from Retevis which besides including the two radios also includes: 13.8vdc power supply, cabinet, cooling fan, and programming cable. Think I got a pretty good deal, but who knows... Just like JDuddadventure not getting the full 40 watts that Retevis advertistes/promises and only getting 31 watts at high power and once through the duplexier only getting 24 watts out. On the good side, really kinda amazed on how clear sounding repeater is on receiving. Thanks for video and information on the RA-87 and looking forward to your GMRS version.

[@HamRadioCrusader]

Tuesday evening around 6pm CST The new video will Premiere. Thank You for the kind words.

[@Nick-zo5dp]

Gmrs is always fun to play with use it to talk to family on the farm sense they are not ham operators they use my Gmrs call sign 😊

[@hegvideos]

Great video

[@HamRadioCrusader]

You are too kind ;-)

[@joshuasons2300]

Hey Freddie, another great video! I also have the Retevis RA87 and it is a great radio no complaints here. I'm very interested to see the repeater function, someone told me I need a duplexer to have a repeater,wondering do you need one to make this work? Love the videos and your attitude, sense of humor😅😂. Looking into getting a J-pole for mine. I'm also getting a node thanks to you👌🤙I'll be on the look out for the next video 😎👍

[@HamRadioCrusader]

It is WAY easier and practical and more expensive to use a duplexer. Otherwise you have to separate your TX and RX antennas a ridiculous distance to avoid intermod. And a J-Pole is a Great idea, LOVE J-Pole antennas. Thank You for the kind words.

[@JDubbsadventure]

I just did a video of the repeater Sid of this and 26 watts is all I could get. Every video I see it has different output

[@HamRadioCrusader]

Did it present any Heat issues on the Transmitter Radio?

[@JDubbsadventure]

@@HamRadioCrusader yes and no. I put a fan on it and and that helped out a lot it never cut back the power. All the information is in the video. I’d suggest a few cooling fans if your gonna run it hard

[@JDubbsadventure]

@@HamRadioCrusader btw you don’t need there audio cable any microphone jumper still work

[@HamRadioCrusader]

@@JDubbsadventure Yes I knew that but the cable they sell you has more shielding and is rated at 50 Ohms like an antenna cable. It's just less likely to accept interference like a audio cable would. But they are VERY close in characteristics.

[@ChipEckardt]

seems odd that heat sink is on the bottom and not the top.

[@Tommy-K4BWN]

Great Videos on this radio I wish you could do one in the newer Radioddity GA-510 Programming I am having a time trying to set the directions up on the frequencies with their software that they recommend using because it's newer version will not work with Chirp I tried every way to get to frequencies programmed in and get the direction set with no success appreciate some help if you could on this problem because the company is not doing me no no favor . 73 K4BWN

[@Gta2O13]

Talkpod unlock

[@Mahican57]

Quick question, do you know if the RA87 is part 95 accepted? I couldn’t find it with the FCC search, but wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing something. Thanks for a great review!

[@RhythmicSensations]

Has anyone been able to find this fccid in the fcc database?

[@solar_ize]

Is this radio unlocked outside GMRS frequencies? And do you notice it opens up the squelsh almost like 1 second after you transmit on the other radio?

[@HamRadioCrusader]

If there is an unlock for this radio I have not applied it. And no I have not noticed the delay. But I am doing some follow up.

[@solar_ize]

I am not saying you did a mod, but I see 450 MHz on the screen as well as a dropdown selection on the software for a pretty wide band, is that for RX only? I ask because I have an IG license, so very curious to see what Retevis has out there. @@HamRadioCrusader

[@solar_ize]

The one thing I notice with budget radios such as Baofeng and BTech is that the squelch takes too long to open. Try it yourself: press PTT on the HT and listen to the other side, relese PTT and immediately after that press PTT again and start talking, you will see that on the second transmission the receiving radio squelsh takes 1 second to open. I don't see that happening on higher-end radios like Icom or Kenwood.@@HamRadioCrusader

[@HamRadioCrusader]

@@solar_ize it does receive in the 450Mhz range but does not transmit. I do t think :-)

[@patrickdurney4170]

@@HamRadioCrusader ive had this radio since the day it was offered by retevis, been using it for gmrs in my jeep . decided to change it to 145mhz to leave in my base and it will not change , will not factory reset either way. when i bough it it was supposed to be dual band. meaning it could only be used for vhf or uhf but its a complete lie. i havent found anyone that has had luck switching it or unlocking it.