Retevis RT98 UHF HAM Radio Review - TheSmokinApe

[@robertsez]

Great review! Thank you so much for sharing. I just ordered the VHF model, which I found on eBay for $74.99, but I found the same model through the Retevis Solutions website, which I presume is the authorized factory outlet, for $63.99 (regularly $74.99). So I ordered one. I was looking for a micro-size two meter FM radio for my Volkswagen Jetta TDI, which I could mount in the little compartment in front of the shifter. I previously installed an NMO antenna mount on the trunk, and routed the coaxial cable up to that operating position, so I'm all set. It should be here in about three weeks. Unfortunately, I will probably have to program it the old fashioned way, through the front panel, but that's not really an issue as the menus seems to be easily accessible. I presume it's the same as most other two meter radios: dial the frequency up in VFO, set offset, PL tone, enable PL, save to memory channel, move to the next one. My plan is to program every Texas FM repeater channel (which are 20 kHz spacing), the few repeaters in Louisiana I use (which are 15 kHz spacing), and 146.52 simplex. 199 channels should leave plenty to spare for MURS, business band, and government (receive only).

[@commontater652]

I only recently found your channel... your reviews are great - thorough yet concise. Subbed. Also, gotta get me one of these!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Welcome aboard! Glad you like the content!

[@kevinreid3529]

I to am a big fan of the anderson connectors. Mine did not come with a programming cable, I had to shell out extra $15.00 for mine. I'm still scratching my head over the size of this thing. Your video was a big big help. Thanks for sharing. I hope to work you on the air waves someday. 73's: Kevin.

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for watching Kevin!

[@WolfQuantum]

Just got mine in today (UHF). I knew it was a very small radio, but this is TINY. It's about the size of the 1 into 3 coax switch I have. Sitting beside my Yaesu FT-2900 it looks like a small scale model. There are two versions of the Retevis software. V1.01 and V1.02. Retevis told me to use V1.02. I had already downloaded V1.01 and had my channel lists set up. Good thing. The newer version software wouldn't work. That said it was easy to read and write to it. So far so good. I have it set as a UHF base as I just need to hit the repeater locally. SWR at around 443 (local repeater) is 1.4:1 on my multi-band base antenna. Most radios on that antenna from 2 meter, 70cm, and GMRS, even CB all run lower, but it still works. I also tested it in the GMRS frequencies (I'm both ham and GMRS licensed). There it was in the 2.4x SWR, but still under 3. I still got very good signal report there talking to someone on a Retevis RT22 that our non-GMRS licensed folks in a community group use when I tested it just to see. I know, not Part 95 certified. I was just testing to see how well it would still work with the higher SWR. I'll have to try it with my dual band, rollup slim jim to see what the SWR is and how it performs. As you noted, this could be a really nice little portable, packable radio setup. Like I said, I just got it in today, but so far it's a sweet little radio for little money. Time will tell how it does. I may have to get the VHF version for the wife's car or to make a tiny field pack radio.I do agree with you and everyone else in that it would really be great if the mike was detachable. Who knows. Maybe it would drive cost up 50 cents and make the radio prohibitively expensive. LOL.

[@TheSmokinApe]

It's almost a shock to see how small it is, thanks for watching!

[@sangalanga9593]

Hello, how is the radio so far?

[@WolfQuantum]

Solid performer. I have it mounted with a power supply as a base and use it as net control for a small simplex UHF net in the neighborhood with no complaints. Since it only has the chassis as a heat sink I have to be careful not to touch the chassis when turning it off after using it for the net as it gets pretty hot. But I've been really impressed by it. I'm thinking of getting one in VHF to put in a small hard case with a battery and portable or roll up antenna to use as a portable, emergency field radio.

[@georgespeck2289]

It would be great if they.used a RJ, 45 microphone connector,. Where you connect a microphone, to. It If it goes bad.

[@TheSmokinApe]

That's what I was thinking. Thanks for the comment!

[@RandellReeder]

Comment date 1/9/2023. Thanks for the review.... bought my about six months ago for a sale price of $56 without a cable, the programming cables i had, none worked. So i ordered the retevis program cable for 5.99. finally got that and the radio is now programmed through Chirp. did some field tests with area repeaters and found this radio able to receive and transmit on the good side with no problems. radio did get warm after a while during transmitting. stations found my audio better when i spoke across the mic hole instead of directly into the mic at a gain of 5. it is a nice little unit once you figure out the strange setup compared to other radios i have. Yes, GMRS is programmed and listening to area repeaters is great and it will transmit. its a keeper for the price and a unit you can be thrown in your buddy's car on the way to the football game or a field day with a small backup portable battery. my teenage son is getting his tech license, he can use it instead of one of my more expensive units. its cheaper than most HT units i have and delivers more wattage. program and put in your go box or field bag. I have this installed in a Nissan Versa which is my run around town staying radioactive. highly recommend this unit at the bargain price for a single band mobile unit. The only thing i wish this radio was DUAL BAND. KD9VBE

[@TheSmokinApe]

Glad to hear it's working out for you and yes... dual band would be great in this little radio. Thanks for watching Randy!

[@Ron_C]

Now that little rig would fit just about anywhere in a vehicle!

[@TheSmokinApe]

Or your back pocket!

[@01cthompson]

Very cool. I wonder why they elected UHF over VHF. I wonder if a GMRS version is in the line up.

[@TheSmokinApe]

While I can’t say for sure, I think a VHF version is coming out. They have a VHF CPS on the Resources website. I’d think GMRS is a safe bet as well.

[@lameplanet]

It looks exactly the same as the CRT Space U, mini 70cm radio, which also has a 2m equivalent the CRT Space V. I just ordered one to put in the car so I'll find out how it gets on soon.

[@TheSmokinApe]

DavidFarAndWide yeah, after posting this video some folks have told me about other very similar radios on the market. Thanks for the comment 👍

[@Drift_Minion]

I’m not sure if you cover this in the video, I’m currently only 06:30 in, but with this being a ham radio, will you need a ham license in order to run this radio

[@TheSmokinApe]

I didn’t cover that, but it’s a good point 👍

[@Drift_Minion]

TheSmokinApe I ask because for my security team, we use the retevis hand held that work great. But I’m looking to install something like this in my mobile unit. Retevis states this will work with the radios we have on hand but I was unaware that it was a ham radio

[@TheSmokinApe]

Yeah, it’s my understanding this is sold as a ham radio.

[@usarmyfl1]

So is it just the baofeng getting banned from sale on the 30th or all of the chinese radios?

[@TheSmokinApe]

You guess is as good as mine, sorry I don’t have a better answer. 😕

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I plan on buying three of them Kq4hcu

[@TheSmokinApe]

Third times a charm 👍

[@Jake2670]

neat little radio, wish it had a bit more pwr, not sure 15w is enough in my area, will check though - Thanks

[@TheSmokinApe]

I hear ya on the watts. Thanks for the comment!

[@z1catfish]

Got an idea for a GMRS repeater... That mini radio would work, IF the mic came off it. Dang.. No way to attach a controller, maybe open it up and add a RJ45 jack?

[@TheSmokinApe]

You could probably do that.

[@andresimmons9119]

I am having problems programming this one. It keeps telling me to "check connection, retry or cancel." I have tried all versions of the software for this radio with the included cable. I am at my wits end. Can you tell me what I am doing wrong or if it is an issue with the radio or cable?

[@TheSmokinApe]

Can you see the port in Device Manager? Are you setting the port in the software?

[@birdhousetv6473]

When you change your model, you have to rewrite (YES) rewrite!!! your freq list. You can not program a "wrong" list in a different model. Even if the used freqs are ok for the model. VERRY annoying.

[@elsuperpollo2273]

I can totally see having a Retevis RT98 and yeasu ft891.

[@TheSmokinApe]

I can see that, thanks for checking out the video 👍

[@elsuperpollo2273]

At the moment I only have a uv-5r, but definitely it's on my bucket list to use as a daily driver. I seen another video of someone said they used it as portable

[@Loran1972]

Tu veux le même en VHF ? Regarde les modèles CRT Space U et Space V... ça fait plus d’un an qu’ils sont sortis... 😂😂😂

[@thomasrogen3739]

Can you provide me the software for this radio I cannot find it anywhere if you could lead me to it I will thank you greatly

[@TheSmokinApe]

www.retevis.com/mini-mobile-ham-radio-15w-amateur-radio-transceiver-rt98

[@AussieCharm]

I think maybe your power meter is inaccurate judging from eham reviews of that meter where many people say it is inaccurate another review shows this radio transmitting under 10w on high setting at 433Mhz, 7w on medium and a little under 5w on low kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoWph4F5lr-dqKM

[@TheSmokinApe]

Thanks for the info!

[@joseforra8741]

Hello The battery you use???

[@TheSmokinApe]

It’s a Bioenno 12v12AH Lithium battery

[@YV5CMJ]

Hello good Morning Do you have the Firmware update for this model? I have mine but unfortunately it doesn't work VFO mode The only way to program is with the programming cable. The salesperson sent us the cable and software to modify the frequency segment, but the VFO mode was not opened yet. I guess you need a firmware update? the one on my radio is Ver. 1.00 Greetings YV5CMJ 73s

[@TheSmokinApe]

Sorry man, I do not know.

[@nodzie1]

Does the programming cable attach to the EXT speaker socket?

[@TheSmokinApe]

nodzie1 O believe that’s what I did 👍

[@techsupport7273]

Can you program it manually?

[@TheSmokinApe]

I honestly do not remember but I believe so.

[@TM-hx7mm]

You can program frequencies into the memory without connecting to software