Retevis RT617 PMR 446 Licence Free Radio

[@briantheminer]

I’ve used their software for the RT29 and found it more difficult than CHIRP, but you can get used to it. Getting rid of the secrecy bit means you can easily then chat to other PMR radios, a pro or a con to some obviously Retevis generally as you’ve found are excellently made Thanks for your time 👌

[@markpartridge1521]

Great video Fred. Working in a garden centre these are essential..especially this time of year.

[@gingercat555]

GOOD job Fred ... to the point ... I bet there sales will go very well anyone seeing this demo who are thinking about buying a PMR setup this would sell it to them ... the price is really good also. Thanks for the video.

[@michaelloughlin734]

got them you can change the antannae if you use a small hex key the fitting is located at the bottom of the stock antannae.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Did not realise that. Thanks

[@greggaieck4808]

Frid in the shed your retevis rt6 17 pmr 4 f 6 radio is cool my hobbys are painting pictures and lisining to shortwave and ssb iam thinking about getting my ham license in June 5 me and my cousin are going to a Swap meet in Milwaukee

[@greggaieck4808]

Frid in the shed when I was a kid I had Midland walk talks

[@davidhooper1767]

Good video.Thanks Fred.

[@ammocraft]

Looking at their website, I think the price you quoted was for a single radio. Still cheap, but two radios seem to be $51.99

[@Shill63]

Yep I was thinking the same thing so held back from ordering a pair

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

The link they sent me was for a pair. The pics on the website do show a single radio however.

[@Shill63]

@@CB-RADIO-UK Thanks for clearing that up Fred ,nice one cheers

[@retevis]

RT17 is a two-pack walkie-talkie, the price of two walkie-talkies is $27.99 You can check our packing list, we have put the detailed picture showing the two-pack ahead. We will improve this issue in the future.

[@ammocraft]

@@retevis That's great to get confirmation, and very, very, cheap for a pair of radios. Maybe just change the website so instead of saying "1 unit" it says "1 pair" or "1 pack"? If only these could be re-programmed for private/commercial UHF frequencies, I'd have bought them already...we don't have PMR over here. :)

[@stevefox3763]

Dunno about the go further slogan they use for the 0.5w RT617, i definitely go further on PMR446 with the 40w i run he he.

[@firefighter387]

Hi Fred aren't these radios more than 0.5 watt more like 5watts which makes them illegal to use in the uk without a license.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. No these 617 PMR are legal 0.5 watt

[@Perthshire]

Free radios and now a free hat, too.

[@MultiFindus]

i wonder if it is possible to change the frequency to 444.000 mhz. here in sweden you are allowed to send 2 watt on that. since the radio is 400-470mhz it should be doable yes?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Yes. I would try chirp.

[@MultiFindus]

@@CB-RADIO-UK awesome. thanks for answering!

[@newoaknl]

It's now allowed to have radio's with a removable antenna on PMR449 right ? I believe so... dunno

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I ve heard this myself but all my legal PMR's have solid fixed antennas

[@newoaknl]

@@CB-RADIO-UK ... I meant just in the regular sense... ? Is it abolished?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Some say it has been but not sure myself.

[@pjaro77]

Does this radio contain internal saw filter ? Some of radios become completely deaf in the presence of strong LTE or DVB-T signals.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Not sure. You would have to email Retevis.

[@JesterHellsingborg]

Thanks...🤙💚🙏

[@americaswayout4489]

They appear to be on a Ham band in the USA?

[@TheUberdude187]

PMR 446 in The UK and Europe operates licence free between 446.00625 MHz and 446.19375 MHz . There is also a digital version dPMR446 (Different from DMR) between 446.003135 MHz and 446.196875 MHz. I don't believe these are legal to use in the US in the same way that FRS isn't strictly legal to use in the UK without being licenced for those frequencies.

[@t5jerry]

hi fred, i know ansolutely NOTHING about radio scanners, but wonder if you could give me some advice please, i live in the uk and work on a large building site sitting inside a LARGE piece of construction equipment, sometimes i sit there for hours (lucky me) doing nothing, but it get`s VERY boring, to pass the time i`d love to either listen to site security either via my android phone (is that possible ?) or via a radio scanner, i don`t really want to spend more than 50 quid , can you recommend which scanner would do the job for me? many thanks.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. You can pick up old handheld scanners on ebay for about £50. Realistic used to make them. Ive got one but tbh there is not much to listen to. I think your best bet for about £25 would be a Baofeng UV5R radio with program lead. You would need to program it via free CHIRP software to add the 16 pmr channels. It will also pick up a lot of other comm as well. To give you an idea check this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nZOUmHiXZqeUmLc

[@t5jerry]

cheers fred me old mucker.................

[@SleepyDawdler]

thanks for the video! i got these actually as a first newbie radio, and was wondering if i dont have the programm cable can i pick up other people on the 16 channels and if so, how do i do it? i dont know if i just live in an area where no one uses these channels or i actually need to programm my RT617 to be able to hear other people....

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. You would have to press the monitor button to hear other people not transmitting the same digital code. This can be switched off via software.

[@SleepyDawdler]

@@CB-RADIO-UK thanks for the fast reply!, so i just press the monitor button for each channel and hear if someone else is ''on the line''? because when i do it all i hear is ''static'' (so maybe no one is transmitting?). sorry i dont really know the Jargon yet, but thanks for the help!! :)

[@SleepyDawdler]

and that means that i have to have the software to turn it off?

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. Yes as far as iam aware the monitor button lets you hear all. I will have to test it next time a do a review. To access all the settings you will need to buy a program cable. They are around £5. The software is a free download from the Retevis site. From there you can access all the features the radio has to offer as well as turning off the digital codes so the radio will receive all signals. I made a video here. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pF6qiYaLidCphbs

[@SleepyDawdler]

@@CB-RADIO-UK thank you very much!! :)

[@waynegoodwin3217]

Hi Fred, how are you going mate.. Can I run these radios in Australia licence free, maybe I missed it what is the operating frequency.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Hi. These are legal PMR 446 Mhz UK. icomuk.co.uk/Changes-to-digital-PMR446-Frequency-Bands-in-2018/3996/135/ However iam not sure on your regs. They can be reprogrammed in the software for other freqs.

[@NunoGomes_]

Do these have a button lock feature? so I can set them up and lock the volume and channel things to not change

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I dont think you can on this one.

[@NunoGomes_]

@@CB-RADIO-UK Tape to the rescue i guess... Or some sort of 3D print thingy

[@MONTY-YTNOM]

Isn't encrypted transmission not allowed here ?

[@TheUberdude187]

Correct encryption is not stricktly allowed on pmr446.

[@iainet]

The compulsory 20 second unskipable adverts stopped me from watching this.

[@MONTY-YTNOM]

Put ad blocker on

[@iainet]

Can’t use an ad blocker as I watch KZbin on my TV

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I think the only way to stop ads these days is to go premium

[@iainet]

I don’t mind ads but it’s the frequency and length that’s suddenly changed. It’s ridiculous on some videos.

[@joistein]

No display is bad.

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

Suppose it depends what you want. You can get a display radio for around the same price.

[@NUBBY39]

What are these, the new cheapo radios trying to take the place of the Baofengs range ? 🤔 infact I bet there made in the same factory as the Baofengs as there Chinese. 🤣

[@CB-RADIO-UK]

I think in many ways they are generic

[@NUBBY39]

@@CB-RADIO-UK Most of these Chinese ones are Fred all have the same innards