Retevis RT98 VHF - Full Review

[@snaggitfishing2827]

I've had one of these for a couple of years. Although not in constant use, it's great as a backpack portable with a flower-pot antenna as a step up from a hand held radio.

[@LB0FI]

For what it is it’s a great radio, but it is not for everyone as the comments show. For my use case it is great though.

[@KS0JD]

You got the problem statement right. Figure out what you need to do then pick the radio. I will say I like to use CHIRP. I can keep one data image file for all my radios, HT and Mobil. I keep all the channels the same from one radio to the next. It makes it easier to go from radio to radio. Another great video!

[@LB0FI]

Thanks man! I prefer Chirp myself, at least if you want the same channels across multiple different radios Chirp is great.

[@LB5JJ]

Nice, balanced summary Morten - good work! I have to say I'm really impressed with the sound of this little device, based on our 2-3 QSOs the last few weeks! Now; I'll go dust of my desk and radio 🤣

[@LB0FI]

No need to clean your desk, it's a shack, isn't it?

[@LB5JJ]

@@LB0FI Indeed! 🙂

[@elsuperpollo2273]

My Elmer suggested, I don't use any programing software on any radio and learn to manually operate and manually program frequencies on radios. I currently only have a uv-5r, and I plan on buying three of these mobile radios since I'm just starting out. 73, kq4hcu

[@LB0FI]

Well, then you would need to use programming software.

[@hudefuk]

I have "a friend" who got the UHF version to convert into a handy little GMRS rig.

[@LB0FI]

I hope "your friend" enjoys using the radio for that. It is actually a perfect radio for those channelized services like GMRS. I am not sure about the legality on it though since GMRS is solely an American service.

[@la7yka]

I guess this is the same radio as the CRT Space? I have one, and I some kind like it very much. It's small and easy to fit about everywhere, and easy to set up.

[@LB0FI]

It probably is the exact same radio, a lot of the Chinese radio designs are shared among several brands. I gave my radio to a new ham about a year ago, but I miss that little radio.

[@db3mi]

IMO one doesn‘t need a vfo mode when working real mobile. FM has around 1 MHz in the bandplan. That’s 80 channels ... thx for the video and 73

[@LB0FI]

Well, that depends on how you look at it though. I wouldn't take this radio travelling to a new location and have to program repeaters with a PC, but for my daily commute it's an excellent radio!

[@db3mi]

@@LB0FI i like VFO, too, and i like to be able to set up without a computer. But this radio is like a CB radio. And if it's the purpose to just chat: great choice. If you program the repeaters you work with and all simplex channels (12.5 kHz steps) your done. thanks again and hope to get you further down in my log ;) 73

[@ronfazer2423]

Can it be programmed without software? (from the face plate)

[@LB0FI]

Not to my knowledge unfortunately

[@arthurzeller5754]

Watched a video were a gentleman showed that you could program without computer and that it had a vfo mode, just got my radio and I'M PISSED !

[@LB0FI]

I am sorry to hear that, but I believe it would be better to point your complaints at Retevis and not me who reviewed the radio. I did also point the VFO issue out in the video.

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

lost me at no VFO..

[@LB0FI]

Noted. I seem to lose you on a lot of my videos, and that’s a shame, because at the end of the video I address that issue. But thanks for commenting.

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

@@LB0FI I'll go back and watch to see but there is no real addressing it if it does not exist. This a channel changer radio and not useful for me.

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

@@LB0FI LOL! The addressing is that you agree it is not for me! At least that is my takeaway. I'll stay with the Leixen 998 dual band VFO smaller and 25w top end power. I don't hate this or anything just not a value or useful to me.

[@LB0FI]

@@W4TRI_Ronny It isn’t a radio for everyone, and compared to the Leixen it offers cleaner modulation and much better reception, but you lose out on 70cm and VFO-mode. Every radio and antenna is a compromise. You just have to pick what’s important to you. Thanks again for commenting!

[@W4TRI_Ronny]

@@DanAllongo The 998 has a VFO. Never had any issue bone stock. That's all I got. I did put on 30 amp Powerpoles.