Retevis RT-86 Review - LOVE IT!!!

[@RedMurkal]

To address the topic of antenna upgrade, I can confirm that the Retevis RHD-771 fits the Rt-86 perfectly. That antenna more than tripled my range in town! I was just starting to get a little static at just over 3 miles and in worst case conditions. I have no doubt this radio paired with the 771 would do very well in better conditions. Also, good video sir. 👍

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Thanks for the info and feedback! 👊

[@peritolegista]

Comprei a 771 e realmente o rádio melhorou muito na cidade. Obrigado! Sou do Brasil!

[@Johnson0717]

There is an SMA-F and SMA-M version, which is the right one?

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

I just got my license a out a month ago. I have a ride radio and a cheap Beofeng GM 15 pro that are okay. I'm able to get about 4 miles talking to my buddy simplex mode. Can't hit repeaters though that are about 30 or 40 miles away with lots of woods and buildings in the way, so need a decent radio. Thanks for the review. Just found you sir. ❤ Regards from the woods of South Central Indiana. USA. Tim..

[@MCTGMRS78009]

AWESOME and I'm thrilled you found me!!! Before you invest in an expensive radio, try different antennas and get them up as high as you can. One thing I learned early on is that height is everything when it comes to wanting to reach out further.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@MCTGMRS78009 Thanks so much. I'm going to do that.

[@kidbach]

When you first started the video, I thought, "wow! When he cleans up the shack, he really gets it squared away" and then you showed that you were in a hotel room. Lol. Seems like a nice radio for the money. I'm glad that there is no set screw on the antenna. I hope it didn't arrive with CTCSS tones, and it wasnt set narrow on every channel. Thanks for sharing.

[@greyshadow9498]

I thought the same thing! 😂

[@MCTGMRS78009]

🤣🤣🤣

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Lmao... that shack could never be that clean, I have way too much 💩 in there to have it organized 🤣. Definitely no set screw but it does come with preprogrammed freqs and tones. Since this unit "has" to be programed with chirp and is picky 16 channels, it is very very easy to fix. As always, thanks for watching!

[@1234mattyman]

Just ordered one of these and can't wait to try it I am from the UK and have a ham licence and use radios and walkie talkies all the time, love this hobbie. I have too many radios lol 😅😊😂 great review. I chosen this because of the display and hopefully for the long range.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

These are great radios... simple, easy and plenty of power. Hope you enjoy them!

[@MrKeys57]

Thx for this! it also seem very solid in build! 73 Levi in Sweden - one question: what is used as datacabel?

[@MCTGMRS78009]

It's the standard K type cable on this radio.

[@MrKeys57]

@@MCTGMRS78009 thanks!

[@mattb7406]

GMRS frequencies range from 462.5625 to 467.7250. Retevis says the RT86 is 430-440MHz How are these GMRS? they not FRS or Murs. Confused. KD9IRA

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Many of these manufacturers advertise the freq range much smaller than it actually is.

[@mattb7406]

if the channels are preset to GMRS channels, they should call it a GMRS radio, not a UHF radio. thanks @@MCTGMRS78009

[@WolfQuantum]

The antenna looks kind of like the scanner antennas, stock and Remtronix on the Uniden SDS100 scanner. They also have that skinny opening. I used to think the flashlights were silly. Until I found out they could be handy for those moments you just need a small light without pulling out the one I carry. I do wish the batteries had a USB-C charge ability. I do like that it's got a bit more power and no need for a long whip. A few of us might have to look into these. Myself and couple other guys from our Ham Club are going for CERT training in Barksdale the first week of November. Pretty much all our members are RACES and ARES certified. I'd love to hear more about Medina County Overwatch. That sounds like it would be something we could really use here.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

These are really great radios and easy to use. I was skeptical about the antennas at first but they performed amazingly! If you're ever in the area and want to meet for a cup of coffee, I can tell you all about it. One thing is would suggest, if you haven't already, is have the ARES Team leadership meet with your local EMC. That might be a great place to start.

[@WolfQuantum]

Unfortunately, our EMC is talk and nothing else. We may be able to get the Sheriff and County Judge interested. They appreciate us, but we don't get much time with them. Maybe if we can present them with an overwatch plan that gives them extra eyes and ears, they may like that. Listening to the scanner you can tell the LE here gets kept pretty busy with the IAs. Thanks for the quick reply.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

May I ask have you done a review on the Tid Radio HD8 second generation may I ask? I ask because you can alter it to be a ham or GMRS and unlock it to be both and with both or Ham it's 10 watts. While on GRMS only it's just 5 watts. So, now I'm wondering which to buy. This radio only has 16 channels I take it? Thanks buddy and regards from South Central Indiana. The boonies and woods of the same. Tim. wrxf693.. ❤

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Just being brutally honest, after Tidradios H8 debacle, I haven't had much interest in buying anything from them. I've heard lots of good things about the updated unit (after they fixed the 2.0 firmware) but haven't purchased one. A few guys in my Facebook Group have bought one.

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

So this has GMRS Channels or can be programmed with chirp for the same? Does it allow split times? If you said so I must have missed it . Thanks. Tim..

[@MCTGMRS78009]

So you can program with CHIRP or the Retevis software. And YES, split tones are possible using either. THANKS for watching and taking the time to comment!!!

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@MCTGMRS78009 Thank you sir..

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@MCTGMRS78009 Do all of these retivis model 86 s have that much output may I ask if you know?

[@MCTGMRS]

@hoosierdaddy2308 I've tested a few and they are all pretty similar. That doesn't mean you will get one that puts out more or less. Unfortunately, I'm learning, quality control isn't a strong point of the Chinese radio manufacturers. Lol

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

@@MCTGMRS That's funny about QC and the Chinese.. 🤣. Imagine that.. 🤣

[@roccity_indo_growz]

Hi and awesome review 😉🤙 I was wondering ifnyou could help me out and direct me to the proper site to download the official csp programming. I won one of these a few weeks ago in a drawing anf have not been able to program it. Ive been told to use chirp next but i only have a Windows7 laptop and unfortunately its not compatible to program the RT-86. Thanks for your time brother, Stay Blessed.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

You should be able to run the legacy version on your windows 7, I think. You will really enjoy these radios, they are very basic to use but have lots of power. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment!

[@roccity_indo_growz]

@@MCTGMRS78009 I've tried the legacy version but the RT-86 doesn't show in the Dropbox option when I got to connect to the radio.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Ohhhhh! Gotcha! Well hopefully that link to the Retevis software will work for ya!

[@roccity_indo_growz]

@@MCTGMRS78009 Would you be able to send me the link please?

[@OnAirVoice]

Cool radio. Thanks for the review.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Thank you for taking time to watch and comment!

[@retiredfdnyhm1]

Does the radio need to be programmed or does it come out of the box ready to use?

[@MCTGMRS78009]

It definitely needs to be programed if you want on gmrs freqs.

[@winterblood78]

I’m using the original software and you can set the medium power, and a feature called ‘warn mode’ and qdt tail… what they means? 73

[@MCTGMRS78009]

WARN MODE is the Retevis terminology for the alarm. QTD Tail is something I never mess with... its their terminology for what most call tail squelch.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

... I'll have to find a legacy version of CHIRP because the most recent version is only HI or LOW.

[@RichMantaray]

best uhf radios ul ever get ,,,and they sound a lot clear than that ,, ive had 32 miles radio to radio , works brilliantly with the boafeng uv13 pro v2 which kicks out 7.5watss

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Agreed! These are good HTs.

[@caleblarsen5195]

Do you need to have a radio license to use these?

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Yes, in the US you do. Not sure about other countries.

[@Arpon001]

It works with the 2 pin headset?.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Yes 👍

[@Arpon001]

@@MCTGMRS78009 Thanks ✌️

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Tell the viewers it's shockproof and waterproof

[@MCTGMRS78009]

👍

[@vp2747]

Does this radio need a license?

[@MCTGMRS78009]

The short answer is yes. The longer answer is it depends on what frequency you are talking on.

[@vp2747]

How hard is the test to get a license? $35 for 10 years is very affordable.

[@mahfuzsb7167]

Rt68 works with rt86 ?

[@MCTGMRS78009]

So yes, the 68s are frs so if you program the 86s properly they will communicate with each other.

[@primetimetacticaltraining]

How do get the RT 86 and RT 21 on the same frequency?

[@MCTGMRS78009]

They will have to reach be programed with the same freqs... some Retevis radios will allow programing with CHIRP but most require the proprietary Retevis software.

[@brucemurray2520]

Thanks for the info.

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Yes sir! Thanks for watching!

[@JackJessee]

How do you turn the flashlight on?

[@MCTGMRS78009]

The side buttons are programmable and I think you press and hold the upper key

[@old-school2337]

Good info like always!

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Much appreciated sir!

[@greyshadow9498]

Welcome to CERT! I like REACT, but... And I am going to be honest, you do run into a lot of whackers with them. CERT however is definitely more rewarding and having standardized training does cut down on the wannabe's. That's not to say REACT isn't great if you have a good core team. I have known a lot of hard working REACTors. But also a bunch of weeds that needed pruning and team leaders either don't care, or don't have the heart to cut them. That's why I prefer CERT personally. Because a lot of them tend to get government funding and grants, they aren't afraid to get rid of the tools and the washouts. No they're not as "radio oriented" as REACT though, so that does tend to turn some people off. But, when you are looking for sponsors, grants or partnerships, tis better to be FEMA certified than a whacker with 12 antennas and green and yellow flashers all over your 08 CVPI 😉 Dammit, I keep coming around sounding like I am ragging on REACT... I'm really NOT! Just the crowd it sometimes attracts. Good luck out there and stay safe!

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Hey Grey!!! I think you hit the nail on the head regarding both types of Teams... A good core team & leadership mean everything. I personally think CERT trains on things that will probably never be utilized by volunteers but many of the other skills are something everybody should know. I also agree with some REACT teams are a little over the top. I'm going to be recording a REACT video soon and highlight accomplishments our Team has achieved in the 7 months we have been in existence. Hopefully this will showcase what the new REACT should look like. The Hill Country REACT Team out of San Antonio seems to be another awesome example of what REACT should be. It's always nice to hear from you and other subscribers!!! Keep the comments coming.

[@greyshadow9498]

@@MCTGMRS78009 those of us that live in more "urban" areas, yes I agree, CERT does overtrain, because the government agencies tend to do the heavy lifting. But I've been in some heavily rural areas with no police and only volunteer fire/rescue where CERT humps. I am looking forward to the REACT video, always happy to see a tight team.. Anything to give REACT a good image!

[@neusimarheaphy9480]

will a head phone with mic work with this rt86

[@MCTGMRS78009]

It accepts the Kenwood type plug for a speaker mic or programming cable

[@fabrizioconiglio3512]

i am not able to programm RT 86. What's the right software? Thanks!!

[@MCTGMRS78009]

If you don't need the Scramble Feature, CHIRP will work just fine. If you do need it, go to the Retevis website, search for the radio, scroll to the bottom, click support and the download file will be there.

[@mclovengarcia2883]

Check to make sure you have the right cable to program your radio!

[@scouterdonn3110]

I tried using CHIRP and RT86 is not in the drop down menu, the latest version requires Win10 and I am on Win7 as most CPS is Win7 stable so I am still looking on thier Retevis site for the software if you can share a link@@MCTGMRS78009

[@JoeFramo-uw9fp]

Great video❤

[@MCTGMRS78009]

Ty sir!

[@abdullahali5039]

Retevis RT86 Two

[@MCTGMRS78009]

They are great radiosà