Retevis RT648 - Unboxing And First Impressions

[@tdcattech]

I have noticed a problem with the RT648 programming software from the Retevis site. At time of writing, the filename uses lenticular brackets (not a character used in western language) so Windows may not extract or run the archive. Just rename the file. I renamed to RT648.exe and all works fine.

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Thanks for pinning this comment, it might help me re-programme my 648 because at the moment I still have a radio I can't communicate with with the correct cable and is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. Only problem is that I don't know at what point to re-name the file and I get lost in all the windows that open up while extracting the zipped files.

[@mikesey1]

I Do Wish that Retevis would sell their PMR radios without those wretched CTCSS codes on them. One has to use a computer to take them off. It's no good standing on a hill calling "CQ DX" as plenty do, if the person 50 miles away calls back and you can't HEAR him! I have had a 51 mile copy on 446 by the way. Baofeng have adapted their BF888 radios for 16 channel 446; they did the right thing and left them open to all transmissions, which is what people really want. Where did you get that meter, by the way?

[@julianrobertson3303]

Hello TDCatTech, thank you for for sharing . I have just purchased this radio, I'm having difficulty with Chirp regarding programming this radio , I have the HD1 programming cable , the CTCS is on & I want to deactivate the CTCS in order to use with other pmr radios . I purchased this radio as it's type approved , their £50.00 plus these days .

[@theultimateblindmaster8570]

A great review,. This radio sounds really good, as I am also a passionate radio user myself. But just a question, is this Radio quite heavy to carry around on your belt?

[@w00lman]

Probably the "space" in the battery makes the radio float ? At least this is with the Motorola T92 H2O.

[@tdcattech]

That's what I thought too. And it does kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHywgXatibOYbac :-) I've contacted Retevis and they said that battery capacity was more to keep costs down. I would happily pay a little more for a radio with an unbeatable battery capacity...but this radio absolutely has to float.

[@w00lman]

@@tdcattech Thank you for clarification. At this price level I can understand that they are trying to save costs by going with a smaller battery. However, I'm wondering if the cell can be replaced by a larger one. Probably I'm going to try this out once I receive my unit and have time :-)

[@mikesey1]

@@tdcattech I have several Retevis radios, from the 10 watts RT1, The 7 watt RT5, to the PMRs 24 and 27. All of them have battery problems, probably (except the RT1) seem to run out of juice very quickly, and spend a lot of time in the charging cradle. I had to buy extra batteries to compensate.

[@petermartin6025]

I got one of these and I think it's a fab radio for the money and like yourself I thought the battery was light and hollow so I opened the battery and I added another battery cell which I took out of a baofeng battery and it lasts ages now I charge it twice a month if I use it every day

[@Steve_Wardley_G6JEF]

Thanks for the great review, I've just got one of these and first impressions are a great radio, I was a bit p***ed of that they seem to come with tones enabled which make them deaf unless they match up with one the same. I've just sent for the programming cable so I can open it up properly. Can't understand why they send them out coded up like that. Cheers, Steve (G6JEF)

[@michaelloughlin734]

That looks a decent bit of kit will you be doing a range test with these at a later date?

[@tdcattech]

Morning Michael. I'll certainly include this in future range tests. In my experience, they all perform pretty much the same. I am yet to notice any substantial or noteworthy difference between one PMR446 radio and the next as far as range is concerned.

[@xinoda]

Many thanks for this test, do you Knowles how many time for complete charge batery ?

[@martinjpleonard]

Great review. I run a fairly new hiking company. What would you recommend the best IP rated walkie talkie for the hills? We are looking into ham licensed radios in the future but for now what would you recommend. Love the videos and I would 100% go with your recommendation given the knowledge you have.

[@tdcattech]

These are pretty decent if you need something fully waterproof and cheap. If you can spend a bit more, the Motorola T92 are a nice waterproof walkie-talkie which are ideal for outdoor use with their bright colour, torch and IP67 spec. Cheapest of all are the Retevis RT24. I'm not sure if these are IP rated but they're a nicely made radio for the money if you can tolerate the longer antenna. Plus you can bump them up to 2W in software if you wish to (not legally, I might add :-) )

[@martinjpleonard]

@@tdcattech legend thank you Sir. You get a subscribe for that. Cheers man. 🙌

[@martinjpleonard]

@@tdcattech TDCatTech on that note. Yes have the budget for the T92 but range reviews are not that good on them. I was looking at the T82 but reviews again not the best. I adore the Retevis RT86. Is it possible to set multiple of these radios to PMR 446 channels and use them as a normal channel radio. If so what would the range be like. Be worth doing a range test on this.

[@fyvewytches]

@@tdcattech Thanks for this review (and others). Do you know if this model can be boosted to a 2W output? If fear 5mW is a little low for my use. We help migrating frogs and newts cross roads and need to warn others about oncoming maniac drivers. The distance required is just under 2km with trees and 1 or 2 houses between us. IP67 is probably a must. Thanks again, Ian 😊

[@joef6565]

How do you sort out the vox settings? Have 6 of them 4 of them the vox is on and need it off?

[@Ixquick979]

Can you increase the power output with the programming cable?

[@JakobBuis]

Not if you want to keep it PMR446 compliant

[@johncase2974]

They make adaptors that will allow the use of the Kenwood style accessories for around $10 ea on Amazon

[@tdcattech]

Good to know. I never even thought to look for something like that. Thanks.

[@johncase2974]

@@tdcattech My pleasure, glad to pass on the information.

[@therealdudealex8658]

Hi. Thanks for the Video. Where can i get a Programming Cable for this Radio (in Germany)?

[@JamesDC42]

Does this radio need programming or is it ready to go out of the box and able to communicate with any of PMR 446?

[@tdcattech]

The frequencies will match perfectly but other PMR446 radios will probably be set to different CTCSS codes out of the box so you'll have to match or disable those to use radios from different manufacturers. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_Tone-Coded_Squelch_System

[@iva9764]

can the baofeng uv9r earphones plug in it?

[@SarayRay1]

Im new to all of this and I’m trying to figure it all out. We recently bought the RT48 version and it will transmit sound even without pressing the PTT button. It’s really annoying. How can I make them stop transmitting randomly??? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated 🙏🏽

[@lswestcott7926]

Not sure if you are still having this problem but it would be because the VOX is turned on. Long press the side button 1 until you hear 9 and then long press it again.

[@simonsupersi2225]

So licence free in them bands

[@gunchief0811]

What's the range on these? 4 miles? 5 miles?

[@tdcattech]

These are PMR446 standard so a few hundred meters in built up areas and maybe a mile in more open areas. Line of sight can easily achieve upwards of 10 miles.

[@DeathBeeWillGetYou]

I run a car club and am looking for a walkie talkie for car to car communication what would you think a good walkie talkie is? and there are times where cars get atleast 2 miles of separation

[@AhmadIrfanAW]

Use PoC like Zello. Or using radio with high power

[@dominicevans122]

Can you add a Roger beep onto these Radios? Similar to the Motorola xt-420? Thinking about buying these as a cheaper alternative than the xt-420's as its only over a smallish school site.

[@tdcattech]

No, I don’t think you can. Motorola T92 radios might be suitable. I believe they carry a roger beep if required.

[@michaelloughlin734]

Have you got a link for the speaker mics?

[@tdcattech]

This is the one I got. amzn.to/2LIChEc

[@michaelloughlin734]

Rt648 has spelling error on the die cast metal chassis as well .

[@tdcattech]

LOL. I notice this radio is not available on Amazon now. I wonder why.

[@michaelloughlin734]

@@tdcattech create success done a range test on these and a hose spraying water at them the range test seemed to be a flop compared to other retevis radios the r.24 is the only pmr 446 radio which seems to have the true size coil antannae all the rest up to now are shorter inside antannae tubing I.e rt27.and rt648 both coils in radios about two and a half inches in reality.

[@michaelloughlin734]

@@tdcattech retevis rt647 looks good ip67 rated smaller than rt648.They've opted for side soft buttons for changing channels just on /off volume at the top of radio.same mic fitting as the retevis rt648.

[@warzone7571]

What frequency band can it be used like uhf or vhf ?

[@tdcattech]

It's a PMR446 radio - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PMR446

[@gonzalomateos7264]

Where do I get the software for the rt-648?

[@tdcattech]

Try this link and go to the 'Support' section. www.retevis.com/RT48-IP67-FRS-Business-Radio

[@gonzalomateos7264]

@@tdcattech I have the walkie. I have the original software. I have the compatible programming cable. But he does not read or write. It does not recognize any ports. Neither with W7 nor with W10. Is a special driver necessary?

[@TheChico868]

In UK and Europe it's Wakie lol