Retevis RT24 PMR Radio Review & Range Test

Discover why PMR radios such as the Retevis RT24 Plus are so popular in Europe.
Part 1 - RT24 on Amazon* ➜ geni.us/hX6n9U6
Part 2 - Range Test ➜ (8:19min)
Part 3 - Summary & Conclusion ➜ (at 11:28min)
*If you are located in the United States please make sure to use a FRS radio instead:
22 Channel - US Version - Retevis H-777S ➜ geni.us/RPuE1
In this product review, I will unbox the RT24 and show you a bunch of close up shots of the radio.
Then I will compare it against its predecessor the Retevis H-777, which I did a review one year ago.
I will talk in detail about the reasons why the H-777 was taken of the market, e.g. Amazon, and apparently banned for sale in Germany.
Next, I will explain why I think the newer RT24 will outsell its predecessor.
Obviously, some of the things I talk about are in respect to German laws and regulations, such as the mandated non-removable antenna, or the 0,5 Watt transmit power limitation.
In any case, please make sure to observe the rules that apply in your country when using any radio.
Overall, I like the build quality of these new radios much better than the old ones.
The size is somewhat bigger, which makes them feel better in your hand, also I like the new speaker, which seems to be better sounding and more powerful.
Only downside I noticed is that the battery is smaller, 1100mAh compared to 1500mAh, also the charger was changed to USB, which on the one hand is good because it improves safety, the old H-777 had a very thin cable, which some people have criticised, on the other hand, it requires you to have a UBS power adapter if you want to charge your radio.
Overall, I am very happy with these budget radios. The somewhat short range is perfectly normal for PMR, and in my testing, I reached 2300ft+.
Obviously, in the countryside, with no obstruction, you can expect an even higher range, on the flip side, in the city with a lot of concrete present, it can reduce your range.
Which in some ways is a good thing since PMR has only 16 frequencies, so you can imagine what would happen if everybody had a massive range, the channels would clog up very quickly, especially if you are located in an urban environment.
Apparently, if you use a USB programming cable and software, you can change the factory settings of these radios and raise the transmit power to 2 Watts, significantly increasing the range of these radios.
But at least in the case of Germany, that would be illegal, unless you have a ham radio license.
I think these radios are a very nice and interesting alternative to other brands such as Motorola.
If you have the chance I would definitely give them a try!
#ReviewTechTV
/ Affiliate Links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. /
// This video does not include product placement. I got the product myself. //

[@ReviewTechTV]

*If you are located in the United States please make sure to use a FRS radio instead: 22 Channel - US Version - Retevis H-777S ➜ geni.us/IIfr0Sc

[@Outandaboutwithpoggy]

Actually in the UK there has been a reasurgence of interest in Amateur Radio in the last couple of years with many more new callsigns being issued by Ofcom, also loads of people going onto DMR radio, so a lot going on here, I have just ordered a pair of these off Amazon for £25 so when on holiday my wife who is not licensed can use one of the radios, interesting review, thank you , Mike G7POG, UK

[@hostonichosting5212]

We have recently purchased some for our office, and for the price, the range is excellent and is able to reach over 3 floors in our office block, considering it’s capped to the UK 0.5 watts, it’s became really handy and stops us from shouting each others names round the office to find each other! Would highly recommend. We’re now looking into buying a Small Business Radio License in the UK and upgrading our Retevis R24s to Retevis RT29 DMR radios, once we move to our bigger office location next month.

[@mushupat]

I have a test, where these radios cover 7,7 km with hills between two points, and this range is not the maximum. Last summer i had a conversation from a dense forest to 15 km away friend at the field.

[@michaelloughlin734]

Got mine now these are exceptionally good bits of kit for the price I've had 7 miles out of mine partially open area which is good I use a quarter wave antannae on mine and it really boosts the talk range I've also got mini sma uhf antannaes from china about 1 inch in length these also work really well.....

[@stfuplsok]

*antennas

[@Vanessa-lima]

Hello, I'm Daniel and im 11 I've bought a retevis rt24 the day before yesterday, but I have been hearing some other people/sounds apart from the other walkie talkie about 10 times just in the morning. It sounded like a man, a radio, or a old TV... but very blurry. What is going on and what do I do. Thanks!

[@michaelloughlin734]

No squelch tail same as mine excellent....

[@michaelloughlin734]

The rt24 antenna come off and reveal a mini s.m.a on original Antenna remove the small grub screw I've sent away for mine mine will be on a top of the roof Antenna and through a repeater ....

[@sirio653]

Personal range record: 196 km . I was on a mountain with an altitude of 1.600 meters

[@ReviewTechTV]

That seems very far, considering the RT24 should output only 0,5 watt, the only thing I know to increase the range is to use the software and USB programming cable, then the output power supposedly can be changed to 2 watts. But at least in Germany, that would be illegal.

[@michaelloughlin734]

@@ReviewTechTV any radio can achieve these types of ranges if high up no obstacles and ideal conditions I get 50miles + on pmr 446 radios 0.5w pretty regularly ....so the magic part is high up line of sight regardless of distance you will be surprised how far half a watt can reach I have japanese friends who use 10 mw in Japan and can get over 100 km on high points.....

[@mikesey1]

@@ReviewTechTV Ah yes, but you can change the antenna for something better, which is actually allowed now throughout Europe, as long as the ERP remains at, 0.5 watt.

[@mikesey1]

@@michaelloughlin734 Yep, the record for PMR 446 is 330 miles from the East of England to The Netherlands. Check out "Delboy" Of course, weather conditions had a lot to do with it.

[@michaelloughlin734]

@@mikesey1 yes I seen that just shows..these retevis rt24 pmr radios are the bees knees excellent bits of kit for the low price..

[@johnmarshall6975]

Which is the better. RT24 plus or RT 617 Thanks and which is your favourite Retevis PMR

[@ReviewTechTV]

European PMR radio are very similar, due to government regulation of transmission power, e.g. 0,5 watts.

[@AzotacallesMX]

Hello! Been following your test as they are really through, thanks for them! Any chance yo could review the Retevis RT15? Thanks a lot!

[@ReviewTechTV]

I can try

[@stfuplsok]

i think your old one Baofeng BF-888S/Retevis H-777 has a much longer range than that one, RT24.

[@mikesey1]

Your "range tests" are far too short. Try one mile, two miles, that sort of range. You are not indicating what sort of terrain you're transmitting from. I get MILES from these at the programmed Two Watts (like everyone else does)

[@ReviewTechTV]

In started to walk about 1 mile in the other videos, the terrain is mostly flat with some trees and houses, yes I keep the range test intentionally short because I don't want people to get the impression that PMR radios have a huge range.

[@ReviewTechTV]

Excellent, if you can program them with the additional USB cable, then that should boost the range significantly. Or if you want to get really sophisticated, build your own SHTF Urban Simplex Repeater ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/iobPiWmuj714i5I

[@ReviewTechTV]

But I consider that pro level, most people won't even use the USB cable, let alone build a repeater.

[@Ib3119cz]

hi is this model has the certification of the european union? from what I have been able to find out, you do not need a ham radio license as long as you meet the following specifications: * pmr 466 hz * 0.5W * the antenna can not be detachable And from what I have been able to inform me, in this model rt24 the antenna "yes" can be dismantled since it has a small screw in the side. I would appreciate if you can expand this information as more than one user believes that he can use this model without concerns of penalties from the police. very good your revieuw and thank you

[@ReviewTechTV]

The antenna is fixed, yes, maybe you can remove it somehow, but I don't see a point in doing that.

[@ReviewTechTV]

As long as you don't start to modify the radio, you should be fine!

[@Ib3119cz]

@@ReviewTechTV thank u. I do not see a point also and never would change it, but the point is that we think that everything is OK and legal but is not (yes it is OK in the retevis rt45) Good sunday

[@ReviewTechTV]

Yes, there are still a lot of radios which one can buy online that have the wrong frequencies or higher output power.

[@ReviewTechTV]

For example, some radios could be programmed to transmit on frequencies for the United States, e.g. FRS or GMRS.

[@harrygonzalez5176]

So is this a license free radio?

[@ReviewTechTV]

Basically, it depends on your country, here are 3 examples of different radios: European Union PMR446 (0,5 Watt) ➜ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMR446 United States FRS (2 Watt) ➜ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Family_Radio_Service United States GMRS (5 Watt*) ➜ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service * Requires registration and fee Sometimes the exact same radios are sold only with different programming of output power, and frequencies, therefore as long as you buy one that is meant for your geographic location you should be fine.

[@ReviewTechTV]

Please feel free to compare different two-way radios, because I made several reviews: Radioddity R2 ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5u7oXuFocyMrbc Komvox GT60 ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/b3vMhKWYnaZmZpo Floureon FC200 ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/baXdi42eoMSlabc Motorola T82 Extreme ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHzdlHuwjNKFnKM Motorola T81 Hunter ➜ kzbin.info/www/bejne/omjbo5SdqsiMj7s

[@paolosartori9552]

what's the difference between these and the other one model which looks exactly the same but it' s labelled FLOUREON?

[@ReviewTechTV]

Pretty similar, it's a popular design so many companies make these types of radios. Both are ok and the range is similar, wouldn't worry too much about it.

[@ReviewTechTV]

For the most part in Europe, we use PMR radios with 0,5 watts and in north America FRS with 2 watts, but they look identical and can be programmed with a USB cable ➜ geni.us/pxU2t7E

[@paolosartori9552]

@@ReviewTechTV thank you for your reply! I just had a look on Amazon and found similar ones, labelled TACKLIFE MTR01, I don't think you reviewed those, but I guess they're pretty similar. They are 60€ with 50% off right now

[@ReviewTechTV]

@@paolosartori9552 Probably some sort of OEM manufacturing.

[@michaelloughlin734]

Retevis rt24 are better performers than the rt27.

[@yanetreyes4647]

Cuanto cuesta

[@MrKempy6]

would have toped this video, doing it in metres or mile/km

[@ReviewTechTV]

Sound's like a good idea, I can add the metric system as well in future videos! Here is an overview: • 130m (about 420 feet) • 240m (about 790 feet) • 380m (about 1250 feet) • 470m (about 1540 feet) • 620m (about 2000 feet) • 700m (about 2300 feet) • 800m (about 2600 feet) • 1km (about 0,62 miles) • 1.2km (about 0,75 miles) • 1.5km (about 0,9 miles) • 1.8km (about 1,1 miles)

[@MrKempy6]

Beautiful 👍🏻

[@stfuplsok]

Daniel kemp *topped