Retevis RT68 FRS radio review and shootout.

[@ActionMan73]

Great review.... Thanks for calling it how you see it... keep the content coming...

[@bulldogbrower6732]

If you were transmitting inside a metal vehicle, that’s your main problem. Radio signals do not penetrate vehicles very well. For this reason the GMRS and MURS radios have removable antennas. The second problem in your testing is that your wife is inside the house. Try standing in an open field 1,2, and 3 miles away.

[@TEKonTECH]

Great review, however,In a stressful situation, HEARING the channel is simpler than LOOKING for it.

[@mikevandebunt811]

I suspect that the voice announcements are something that Chinese consumers find appealing. The other reason is that in the dark no knob is going to have readable numbers. (And I suspect that the lack of a display is what makes the radio half the price of the Midland...) I have the RT19, which has the same voice. 73, N9KHZ

[@CJD44]

You don’t have to look at it when changing the channels leave it hooked on your belt

[@mikevandebunt811]

@@CJD44 Exactly!

[@hi..109]

Like your channel, just wondering the Japanese made unit how far were you able to communicate,

[@maryanneouellette3376]

I have been having problems with putting the clip on the back. The clip seems to be too big to push in the clip holder. If you have any advice for me to be able to inset it pleas post how it is is assembled.

[@projectauto1928]

On the RT68, can you program it to turn off the voice announcement when turning the radio on and changing channels ?

[@s.ep30]

late reply but yes you can with chirp

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

he does not know read the book that came with the radio it will tell you everything he did not

[@d.gordon1876]

Hi me and my wife is starting a restaurant and I plan to use the RT68 for communication. I read that if you use a headset it is voice activated meaning to communicate you won’t need to press the PTT. Is there any truth to it?

[@design2survive]

I think you have to activate the vox feature, which I think you can do with the programming cable.

[@d.gordon1876]

@@design2survive Great! Thanks for responding man have a good one. Stay blessed!!!

[@RKingis]

Hope your restaurant is doing well. BTW, you can also use these for Radio Curbside Service, if you offer carry out.

[@tenton2000k]

I think the talking part is for areas with poor lighting; e.g., if you're in a forest on a search and rescue.

[@michaelloughlin734]

Good test we have a mini retevis radio which is the rt667 which has a 3500mah battery on board this is one of the best pmr 446 radios that retevis have produced and on the antannae they have a small grub screw when you remove it antannae screws off and reveals a mini male sma I use a quarter wave on mine and I get a fair distance on it this radio charges with a mini usb ie phone charger computer.excellent set 16chs which includes 8 of the UK new channels which was released by Ofcom in Great Britain in 2018.

[@design2survive]

Michael Loughlin nice..I think they call your band “pmr” right? Yeah I really like these little radios. I’m still really impressed with the murs radios we have. They just need removable antennas (which is legal for murs). But I like to use vhf especially outdoors.

[@michaelloughlin734]

@@design2survive murs radios look good and yes we use pmr 446 radios 0.5w they work well .

[@michaelloughlin734]

@@design2survive Have you checked to see if they are removable any hidden grub screws.

[@clydeosterhout1221]

If your Midland is 10 years old, it is only transmitting at 1/2 watt. The post 2018 versions transmit at 2 watts (on 16 of the combined GMRS/FRS channels, at least. The rest are still 1/2 watt)

[@RKingis]

​@@clydeosterhout1221 FRS/GMRScombo radios transmits at a higher wattage on 1-7+15-22. Channels 8-14 were half a watt, and those combo radios were mostly reclassified as FRS only radios as long as they transmit under 2watts, have fixed antennas, or can't access GMRS repeater inputs.

[@larrycanonga6403]

Awesome

[@atrailgrumling4670]

I'm going to make a small correction about the Midland radios they are made in the Philippines not China but they are still decent radios.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

my radio parts are from China and shipped here to be assembled state side buy rugged radio

[@atrailgrumling4670]

@@donalderickson-si8ww that's your radio parts not the Midland radios I was referring to

[@christopherwalls2418]

What do you mean no licenses... lol sry I'm new to this and looking for some long range radios

[@justinm9931]

Certain two-way radios operating on MURS (Multiple Use Radio Service / 151-154 MHz) and FRS (Family Radio Service / 462-467 MHz) bands don’t need an FCC required “business license” since they are low-output and set frequencies. Normally you need to apply for a license through the FCC and pick a set frequency to operate on, etc. However there are options you can order, like the Retevis RT27V model OP is demoing, and use them to operate a business without going through the lengthy and costly licensing process. You just need to make sure that the FCC does not require a license for the model you’re wanting to use. You can give them a call and provide them with the “FCC ID” of the radio (usually located on the inside battery plate) and they will confirm wether you need to be licensed or not. It’s a great warning from OP, as many companies sell inexpensive two-way radio options that seem perfect at a glance, but may end up causing more trouble than they’re worth if you run into trouble with the FCC. However, as OP pointed out, the Retevis RT27 does not require a business license to operate.

[@chrisgullett4332]

Do you not know that most radio frequencies need a licensed operator to transmit on? Here is basically how it goes in the U.S.. MURS, FRS, CB, Marine Radio, 49mhz and 900mhz radios can be used without a license. Marine Radio can only be used on water, and you need a license to use it on land. 900mhz radios can be used without a license, but only if they are 1 watt or less output power. All other radios require a license to transmit on. You can listen to anything, but as soon as you press the button to talk, you are required to have a license. It is the same worldwide, you need a license to transmit on most radio frequencies. Basically any radio over 4 watts requires a license. CB is the most powerful license free radios you can use. Most radio frequencies fall within amateur radio, and you need an amateur radio license. There is three levels to amateur radio license, and the first level only gets a couple frequency bands to transmit on, but the top level gives you a bunch of frequency bands to talk on. You have to take a test for amateur radio license. There is also business band which also requires a licence. Most airband requires a license also. Marine band requires a license for most transmissions unless you're on the water. Nonetheless, most radios/walkie talkies do in fact require a license. Those licenses only allow you to talk on certain frequencies. License free radios are low powered devices, and cannot use radio repeaters, licensed devices can use repeaters and are higher powered. Basically anything 5 watts or more requires a license. It is simple, if you wanna stick to license free, the common license free walkie talkies are FRS, MURS, CB, Marine Radio, 49mhz and 900mhz. GMRS and HAM/amateur radios require a license.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the G M R S side of family service radio that is the next set of radios up you need a license as your talking 20 miles or more there is no test to take just donate 35.00 dollars and the paper part comes in five days or so I am W R X N 824 from Minneapolis Minn.

[@djchinotsp0422]

I am thinking getting the retevis RT 97 repeater. will this work great with this radio.. Thanks

[@RKingis]

Legally, no. You would need to check out the CPS to see if it allows you to transmit out of FRS.

[@christinezemaitaitis7016]

Hi, can you tell me how long of a range this walkie talkie gets ? I do live in the city and am wondering if his would be good for me. I am not uptown where there's tall buildings so I am in an area where it's row homes. I am looking to purchase these walkie talkies for emergency purposes only. Please let me know as soon as you are able. Thanks so much. I enjoyed the video

[@design2survive]

You can realistically get about a mile out of them. I found the rt27v to go a little farther.

[@christinezemaitaitis7016]

@@design2survive thanks so much for you very quick response, I appreciate it. I'm in Philadelphia and I may go out to the suburbs if it gets bad here. I will be purchasing this item as I need to be able to contact a few family members in the case our phones go out. Again, I appreciate your quick response. Have a great day and be safe. Love & Light

[@design2survive]

@@christinezemaitaitis7016 get them sooner than later. Some people say the supply chain for imported stuff is at risk. Retevis probably has the best value out there.

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

For you, about a block.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

that is about the range I get hear

[@noscx]

Hey brother, will the RT27 be as good as the RT27v?

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

sorry I am not your brother I would think the rt27v is only slitely newer with more buttions to play with.

[@okhamradio]

What about CB radio?

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

I did about 10 miles base to moble

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

In the 60's I got about 10 miles bare foot on 5 watts

[@hubsi5263]

Hmm, the Yaesu works on 2m thats completely different...

[@design2survive]

hubsi 52 the 2m band is close to the murs band, which was also being tested.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

that is ham radio and also need's a test to use it

[@yepachternaam565]

is the test in the car? Windows closed?

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

when you do that your signel dropes with all the medial around you thay are basic line of sight

[@toc6566]

You know how to turn on vox?

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

I would say no read the book that came along for the ride I think I don't need to so I come along and clean up the mess.

[@londonambulance4050]

I got walkie talkies and I got learning disability and mental health

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

read the book and fallow along an I also have your problum

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

Olywiz is a Retevis sub-brand. That's a twelve dollar radio, about on par with a BF-888. Maybe you got a bad one. Why are you comparing two watt with five watt radios? Most importantly, in a survival situation, you don't want a radio that's UGLY.

[@design2survive]

What I've found is that there isn't much difference between 2W vs 5W in cheap radios. The antenna is much more important...and yes, looks matter most :)

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

for a hand held as you have in G M R S my H T.s are f watts in to the tower mine are and we cover three county's

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

that 5 watt goes in to a 60 repeter and back out for 20 miles I do that everyday I have a license

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

@@donalderickson-si8ww So what?

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

I have 3 = 5 watt H T's and my base is 45 watts with a 20 miles range

[@majorkonfuzion1007]

moral of the day..FCC KILLING frs radios😢

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

thay did it becouse thay did not want another CB blow out meaning run a linier at 100 watts plus there is the reason as a former CB radio guy

[@xoox870]

AKA "Shenzhen Retevis Technology CO" AKA "Shenzhen Chang TaiWei Electronic Co, LTD" AKA cheap chinese junk

[@HarryHamsterChannel]

Jap radios use Chinese components.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

with a short leash as that is what the f c c wanted

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

the company I bought mine from orders the parts from Chinese thay are shipped here and built here the hole you will find them on all off road rigs the name I RUGGED radio with a live tec to talk to by phone the big box stores don't have that and a worenty of three years and you need a license to come play with me also.

[@donalderickson-si8ww]

sorry no junk at my station RUGGED RADIO INPORTS THE PARTS AND BUILD THEM HRER that is the radio I own three portables and a 45 watt base set me back 700.00 dollars becouse I wanted the good stuff and there are no extra buttions as my gear is off road gear