Tidradio TD H3 - Honest Review

The Tidradio TD-H3 is the follow-on and smaller sibling to the TD-H8. In this video I give my views on this new radio.
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Tidradio TD-H3: amzn.to/449twsV

[@angelodepalma538]

This video is a model for succinctness, candor, informativeness (is that a word?). No 3 minute musical extravaganza introduction, no droning on and on and on, no BS. I wish other Ham KZbinrs would watch this and take note. Thank you House of Ham!

[@houseofhamradio]

You are too kind. Thanks for the feedback.

[@mayberrygary25]

I like your delivery method and plain talk. I purchased an H3 (hasn't arrived yet) based on this video ! Thanks !

[@houseofhamradio]

I hope it works out for you.

[@DonzLockz]

I have two H3's and two H8's. I thought the H8's would be better, but I prefer the H3's for EDC. Thanks for the video. ;)

[@houseofhamradio]

I agree. I like the H3 better too.

[@k5wxp22]

If you travel like I do, the bluetooth programming via the ODmaster app is super easy for programming in local repeaters. Very easy to do with my Android phone. Used to do it via Chirp and laptop while on the go...not necessary and much easier this way. Cool review...I bought two of these and really like them so far.

[@houseofhamradio]

ODMaster is convenient. The database of repeaters isn't the most up to date but I agree that the ability to have different configs/code plugs saved is a real benefit.

[@Michael-oj6rt]

I think the TD H3 a great radio on 2m, 1.25m & 70cm. Sensitivity and audio are great. However, I find the Aircraft band seems to clip audio on stronger signals. The more costly RadTel RT490 has perfect Airband audio.

[@houseofhamradio]

Agreed. The air band is tricky due to it being AM and putting that into a small handheld that wasn't really designed for it. I doubt they included AGC since FM doesn't need it.

[@joeym6730]

Great review!

[@houseofhamradio]

Thanks!

[@alvarosteiger]

Excellent to the point review!

[@houseofhamradio]

Thank you for the kind words.

[@camrodger8638]

Thanks for a no nonsense review.

[@houseofhamradio]

Thanks for watching!

[@TomT73]

It checks many boxes for me for an HT but from what I have seen from other YTers on the spurious emissions, I just can't go down that road. If they fix that, I am in for two right away - one for ham and one for gmrs. Rats. Good video, thanks.

[@houseofhamradio]

If you want assurance of a spectrally clean radio, stay clear of the Chinese radios and go with one of the Japanese makes. You will spend more but you are paying for quality.

[@steveburg5273]

Great summary video. I just received one of these this morning, so your video is very timely. Is it perfect? No. Is it a great evolution to the cheap, throw away chinese radios? Yes. Is it better than a UV-5r ? Yes. At $18 versus $35 I would still spend the extra for the better interface (usually dual batteries) and the USB-C ports. Honestly the USB-C ports are worth the extra $$ alone over the UV-5r.

[@houseofhamradio]

Well put. It all is a matter of perspective.

[@3qdx]

Was going to jump at the H8 for the additional Output but as you stated, 10W near my 'Potato' just might not be a good idea. One question, do you know if a typical Baofeng Speaker/Mic fits these Jacks on the side of the H3? Good Review...thanks!

[@houseofhamradio]

Yes, it uses the same Kenwood style mic/speaker connector as a baofeng

[@thomashardy9994]

Usb - C charging is pretty handy.

[@houseofhamradio]

totally agree

[@dont4450]

I'm not saying it's better, but I bought the talkpod a36 plus and am having very good luck with it. The h3 does have more options though.

[@houseofhamradio]

Review for new 8W version of A36+ is dropping today. Personally, I think I like the H3 better but both are good.

[@loueckert4970]

Great ham radio channel and I may just nibble at the bait here. Have fun in FD24 73. KT1R

[@houseofhamradio]

Hope you had a great field day. Didn't participate this year.

[@vvatc]

Does this radio receive UHF AM aircraft band? I know it receives VHF and some radios will receive the UHF aircraft band but not AM.

[@houseofhamradio]

As far as I know, it will only receive VHF Air band on AM.

[@risingequinox3093]

Bricked it using baufeng data cable during upgrade. It didn't brick it using usb but didnt work for upgrade either. It say using the right fable s hould still upgrade it but we will see

[@houseofhamradio]

best of luck. I have only used USB-C cable but didn't do firmware update.

[@Chris-hy6jy]

TIDRadio if you're listening, stop selling radios with spurious emissions! Improve your quality and pay your workers a reasonable wage. Then charge more for your products! If the H3 was excellent quality, I'm sure most people would be happy to pay $100 for it. Stop trying to cut costs... Improve quality!

[@houseofhamradio]

Thanks for the comment. Couldn't agree more.

[@grandic2]

Yep. Also they need to stop selling batteries going in flames while charging, and H3 radios that do not TRANSMIT.

[@aymericschaeffer4210]

The antenne is bad, SWR 3 to 7 on all fréquences. Wich cheap antenna can i buy to operate on UHF to replace the factory one ?

[@houseofhamradio]

SignalStuff Signal Sticks are probably the best for the buck. About $20 and get nothing but good press.

[@SuperAjej]

i dont want 10 watts to the dome either haha

[@houseofhamradio]

Just not a good idea IMHO

[@grandic2]

My 1st H3 went out in flames while charging, replacement radio doesn't transmit at all. TID refusing to send the replacement, advising me to put the battery of replacement radio to 1st radio (one that burned out in flames LOL). Tragi-Comedy...

[@houseofhamradio]

WOW! I hope you sustained no other damage from that.

[@grandic2]

@@houseofhamradio Beyond belief. I guess I was extremely unlucky. I was shocked by some negative, even insulting , and in some cases horrible comments on TID Facebook groups where I shared my experience, I had no idea people can be so extremely mean. I guess those were TIDRADIO employees because they actually joined the group the day I posted the comment, just to be able to mock me and make ME look bad. Also I was shocked by the comments from older group members, who are for sure TIDRADIO affiliates, and they went a great lengths to prevent other people to see my comment, to the extent that I was blocked from both Facebook groups. That confirms how badly TIDRADIO doesn't want the people to hear the truth, at least mine, about their H3 and their customer service. TIDRADIO official blocked me as well btw, unbelievable. My entire house could have ended up in flames if I wasn't there to put out the fire when I felt burning plastic smell...