Send your GPS location Radio to Radio - NOT APRS - Review of the Retevis A1 Handheld Transceiver

[@Siskiyous6]

The Garmin Rinos with their mapping are very useful in the field, and these would be too. The feature is awesome. If all the manufacturers used the NMEA0183 standard we would all be well served. I was testing the capabilities of the Radioddity offering, but am moving now and it will be a while before I get back to that. When I do this radio will be one of the first I add to my experimenting.

[@HOAHamRadio]

I will be interested in your findings when you get back to it.

[@temporarilyoffline]

Nice work Bob!

[@HOAHamRadio]

Thanks TO...an intriguing radio with some opportunity to improve.

[@KF0NNQ]

I don't know which is better. The radio you reviewed or the Revetis RA89. It's USB charge port is easily available on the bottom of the radio. It is covered by a detachable plug. Said plug is small and not attached to the radio; I fear that the RA89, IP68 rated, might loose its USB cover due to my actions. Thanks for your videos. 73, KF0NNQ.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Both good radios, but if the GPS feature is not important to you, I would say the RA89 is the way to go. Easier access to the USB C and larger battery capacity.

[@bb_37]

I don't see the point. This radio appears to do what thousands of APRS radios already do. APRS is a worldwide standard, not a proprietary protocol such as this. APRS has digipeaters that can extend the range of your position reports instead of just radio-to-radio. APRS has digipeaters that can inject your position report into an Internet-based system that non-hams can see. APRS can provide weather info and text messaging that this Retevis system doesn't have. I have Kenwood and Yaesu handhelds that I can transmit with while charging. You just have to get the correct cable to use a 12 volt power supply or cigarette lighter. I can also charge my Yaesu FT5D with a USB-C cable with an inexpensive adapter. Oh, that screw that holds the cover plate for the connectors? Try using a coin.

[@HOAHamRadio]

I don't use APRS, so I don't have an informed opinion; I just haven't had the time to get to it yet. I assume, assume being the key word, is some would view the private nature of transmitting your location a benefit. It will be interesting to get a cross section of opinions here, as I find this is the best way for each person to analyze what would work best for their use case; thanks for offering your view.

[@bulldogbrower6732]

I see that the Retevis A1 sells for $60.00 which isn’t bad for a GPS enabled radio. That GPS information would be good in rescue operations when a map was available to searchers. I hope that you will review the Radioddity GA5WB and the Vero VR N76, both of which have GPS installed. However these radios have Bluetooth and simultaneously send the GPS data to a cellphone or tablet you are carrying displaying the location on the live map or installed maps that you’ve downloaded for instances when you are away from cell data.

[@HOAHamRadio]

Hmmmmmmm.... Think I need to get my hands of the GA5WB. Thanks for the recommendation.

[@KC4NWK]

Another good one Bob! 73s

[@HOAHamRadio]

So close, they got so close.... One day one of these manufacturers who sell at reasonable prices will get it all right.

[@Krispin291]

Always good info!! Thank you!

[@HOAHamRadio]

I always try : )

[@JoseArrom]

The GPS feature would be more useful on GMRS bands.

[@HOAHamRadio]

If you get a chance, let me know why you think this would be better on GMRS than Ham. I'm always trying to learn from the perspective of others.

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the video!!

[@HOAHamRadio]

You're as committed to viewing as I am to posting; thanks.

[@kenmcguire5837]

Until CHIRP works and they document the GPS feature to work with others, I see no point to this. At least the TX is clean, but my RA 89 does that...

[@HOAHamRadio]

Yep, great possibilities, but just missed the mark on the features which should have been a slam dunk.

[@sekibulja-fu3bv]

I do not understand RETEVIS company. Their Ailunce HD1 radio has a GPS function, but it only works in DMR mode. Bear in mind this is both DMR and ANALOGUE Radio! They have excellent infrastructure on HD1 radio, and i can not believe they didn't think of including the GPS option in analogue mode to send a location like this cheap A1 radio. When you compare prices between HD1 ($180) and this A1 ($60)........you realise RETEVIS comapny has been unfair to their Customers 😢😢

[@HOAHamRadio]

I've been a bit confused as well...not sure what the marketing strategy is. Rather than a "me too" I feel like they could be a leader, but the recent offerings just seem mixed.