VGC VR-N7500: APRS! Android, iOS, Bluetooth, Dual Band 2m/7cm Ham Radio Review

The VGR VR-N7500 is a 50 watt dual band radios that leverages android and iOS devices for advanced, yet simple controls using the large screens on your mobile devices. If you want a traditional feel, connect the VGC BHM-78 bluetooth mic and speaker for a handheld radio feel and control.
I like the N7500, it's one of the first Chinese radios I tested in recent years that has a usable, APRS feature set.
The VGC VR-N7500 can be found here: www.buytwowayradios.com/?cmid...
(This is an affiliate link, thanks for the support)
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You can find some of my radios at GigaParts: The DigiRig can be found here: www.gigaparts.com/nsearch/?lp...
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#HRCC #hamradio #amateurradio
00:00 - Intro
02:31 - N7500 Radio Descriptipn
04:02 - Connect a tablet or phone
04:37 - The Main Control Screen
05:09 - How to set channels
06:50 - Radio Settings
08:27 - Channel List Management
11:59 - FM Broadcast Radio
12:26 - Radio Frequency Scanning
12:52 - Bad Language!
13:55 - User Manual Not In English?
16:02 - How to SEND an APRS message!
19:14 - Morse Decoder Either not working, or I don’t know how it works.
20:04 - Transmit via tablet or phone WORKS WELL!
20:38 - Bluetooth Speaker Mic
23:09 - Power Output
23:28 - My Thoughts
29:35 - Should you buy it?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I love my VERO. Made a video about 8 months ago. One thing I don't like is their software. It would be really nice if some of these apps were more open source.

[@ZacharySkaggs]

Theres a ham on one of the FB forums for the radio who has been working directly with the devs to build out some new features and fix existing ones in the apps so that's really promising!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

@@ZacharySkaggs that would be amazing!

[@moenibus]

what exactly you don't like about the software? you didn't say. being closed source is not necessarily a problem

[@ZacharySkaggs]

@@moenibus Being closed source in ham radio isn't ideal. Making those API's public would cause demand for this radio to SKYROCKET as the community built their own custom apps for it. Traditionally, the support for the app has been slow or non-responsive (even for documented and reproducible bugs), and there's not great feature parity between the android and iOS versions. The community being able to do their own thing here would be incredible. Ham is all about tinkering, after all!

[@notreallydaedalus]

@@moenibus not trying to speak for HRD... I think the apparent 16ch at a time limit is annoying, and the layout is unintuitive. The map seems to be the focus of the UI. You control the radio in a sub-window that overlays the map. The channel grid is an unlabeled sub-window on the sub-window. Selecting other channel sets is a folded-map icon. Controlling other radio parameters is another sub-menu and off the top of my head, I can't even remember where it is (bought mine abt 2y ago, but only really using it for abt 3wks now). The main app screen seems to be focused on network (i.e. cellphone service) radio, and linking VHF/UHF channels to network radio channels, a feature of no interest to me. On the plus side, I think that saving transmissions is awesome, and the ability to run DTMF and Morse decoding on them is even better. I haven't played with APRS on any radio yet, so I can't comment there. The BT hand-mike (not the HT-looking thing Josh has -- that must be new) is neat, but not at game-changing as I'd hoped. I love not having a head visible while I'm parked... I take my android tablet with me, and I tuck the BT mike in the console. Poof. Clean install. But the hand-mike isn't the most intuitive device either. The power and connection voice is in Chinese. If you can change it, I don't know how. Channel mode is 8n English, and volume is just announced with a beep, very straightforward. But supposedly it's programmable for other functions and I have no clue how. Overall, it's a cool setup, but more than a little confusing. I bought the FTM-400 right after I bought this VR-7500 (mine doesn't have the N for some reason), then got taken out by a deer a couple months after that. I only just put a mobile radio in the new car a few weeks ago, and decided to use this one instead of the Yaesu, for the clean install. Well, it's clean alright, but I might go back to the Yaesu anyway. It's a lot more radio than I need, but it's a heck of a lot nicer to use.

[@Redpsyclone]

Have been using this radio since Jan 2022. It has withstood heavy use at 3 ARA races, 2 bike SAG events, and very reliable use with APRS, sometimes getting packets out 120 miles first hop. I am constantly delighted by this magic little box!

[@tedlejeune5004]

I have had mine since 4/20 in a 2019 Wrangler Unlimited. Antenna on the spare tire mount, radio on the driver rear roll bar and hand mike at the rear view mirror magnetically attached to the top toggle. I run the app on a Moto G Power. It is a solid performer in the mountains of North Carolina. Thanks for including the bluetooth mic in your review. Always enjoy your content.

[@mgkaragas]

The timing of your video was spot on for me. I have bought this radio last spring and have used it a few times in one of my vehicles. I just got around to adding repeaters, simplex channels after only adding one repeater and APRS frequencies last spring. I have hooked it up to my power supply at my desk and want to play with it some more without the distraction of driving at the same time to really learn the software and the Bluetooth HT. I like the build design as I want to move it from vehicle to vehicle and not have to install it under the dash. I connect it to a 12v battery in the back and use the tablet/Bluetooth HT mic/speaker up front. I like this radio so far except the included plug in microphone is not very loud on the air (I don't use it). And you are right about the cumbersome application (Android). But I love the APRS capability and that was the main reason for me to get this radio as opposed to another more standard mobile dual band radio. For the price of this with the Bluetooth HT, it is still on the low side of radios that are capable of 50w but still usually don't have APRS capability. Yes, the learning curve is higher, but it will be worthwhile. Thanks Josh. 73 Mark K5MGK

[@HamRadioAdventures]

Thank you so much for this video. Just what I was looking for!

[@jackquack2261]

I love it. I use N7500 and Bluetooth HT mic as a mobile. The APRS works.

[@leeko4enp548]

I had mine for over two years. I will say the APRS has came along way, since it first came out.

[@259Den3]

Does their APRS support Smart Beaconing? I waited 2 years and they never implemented it, ended up buying a Yaesu. I told them on their facebook page to just expose an API so people could use APRS Droid; but they didn't respond.

[@deehigh3359]

I also own a N7500 in my car and just love the tiny wireless PTT button and the BT speaker mic that came in my bundle instead of the fancy BT handheld you showed. Using a regular BT head set in conjunction with either VOX or the PTT button tied with its velcro strap to steering wheel is quite handy while driving as we are not allowed to hold a mic while steering a vehilce by law in my country.

[@503Nick]

Pretty cool. I considered this before buying an old vhf yaesu for cheap as my first mobile. Now I’m liking it more for my work truck

[@WolfangStudios73]

This looks like it would make an awesome backpack/manpack station! Or a Go-Kit!

[@TallTexasGMan]

Wow! Love KZbin, I've been messing around with APRS since I was licensed in 1998. Had no idea you could send a message to an SMS client and they could respond back. My mind is blown away.

[@barryzoll9772]

Josh, what an awesome rig. I bought one from Gigaparts on sale $107. Loved it so much, purchased a second one, the BT mic and BT “HT”.

[@bryantwalley]

How often is that sale? I would love to get one for that price.

[@uaesaqer]

I have the radio. I just got it 2 weeks ago from Germany. It pushes 60 watt. I am happy with everything. I think you should give it a real life test. Use it for 2-3 days in your next road trip. Your opinion will change. I think its software could improve big time. But it is great at this stage for the money you pay. I am getting a second device soon.

[@CValenciaEnergy]

I enjoy my Vero a lot. Yes software is updated via app. Radio receiver is very sensitive and prone to intermodulation if you are close to a very reach RF area. Planning to link it to my motorcycle helmet and see how it works. Audio is good when I use it with my tablet. I receive good complements during nets or simplex work. If KN6FWT can get it going on his bike let me know. Great video thanks!

[@JasonRasmussen]

I just got my call sign today! Already have a Baofeng, but think I want this for my car.

[@ludoka58leo]

Just bought the radio and the HT mic...looking forward to playing with them

[@ZacharySkaggs]

I've had mine for about 1/2 a year and this thing is really incredible for the price!

[@dschaefer6454]

I'm a buddy of Mike Glover's so PACE plan is important. I have 2 of these VGC radios (one with the older BT handmike and BT PTT). I love this radio so I just ordered the new BT handmike/display so I can use a K1 connector with my Peltors or a discreet earpiece. I use one radio in a fanny pack with a 10Ah battery. I use the other in the radio pouch of my rucksack with an antenna mast and small ground plane sticking out above my head. Both my batteries are LiFePo4 and last a 2-3 days. I mostly use burner Android phones with these, but I noticed Apple just updated their iOS app which includes full screen APRS stuff - amazing. Because this has no screen/controls, its battery usage is much lower than my other 50W dual band rigs that I tried using body-worn.

[@damonschaefer1773]

Great backpack radio.

[@devinholland2189]

This looks like a great fit for my boat.

[@Jody_VE5SAR]

That radio is what happens when your best lead engineer comes in and says, "Boss - I had a dream about a weird new radio last night." And the boss says, "Well, you worked over the holidays, so let's build it and we'll see if anybody likes it."

[@Sparkfly88]

I caved and bought it with your link. Although it's kinda chinese jank, I support developers that innovate. This seems like an absolute blast to use, having a cellphone integrated just makes sense to me since we carry one with us all day long. APRS seems way easier to use with a tablet or cellphone to compared using aprs on a normal radio that supports it. Can't wait to use it on my road trip coming up :) Where I work, I park my car right outside by the building. I hope the little bluetooth handset can reach my car, this will be epic being able to radio from work with my car parked outside :D

[@Spencer.76]

I used my VR-N7500 on the way to work this morning. It's a pretty decent rig. Especially for APRS.

[@ibrahimalhmoudi7041]

thank you, in your second part can you include testing the repeater function ?? good luck, keep the good work

[@private7384]

neat unit..would like to see the next gen of this...i think devices like this are where the market will eventually go...the handheld experience needs to more towards a more mobile phone like experience.

[@old-timeangler5356]

Love my 7500, have 192 frequencies in 12 banks

[@TechJeeper]

FYI - pressing and holding the microphone button on the main screen allows you to switch to text or even SSTV images.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Oh damn. That is a sweet feature. At 30 minutes long the video was already way to long to include that. But I’m really thinking about making this a two part video.

[@TechJeeper]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse did some awesome ISS SSTV during their last event. Works great.

[@ocavant]

I think this would make a great inexpensive home/garage 2M/70cm. Paired with cheap tab or maybe the Jankapotomus(not sure that would work). Thanks for the review sir!

[@jonathanf8541]

Love this radio for my motorcycle communication. I use the aprs and it pairs nicely to my Bluetooth headset and I have ran a ptt button to my handlebar. A wireless ptt button is available but not as good as a wired one.

[@SteveL_kb9mwr]

What is interesting here is that Bluetooth is an open, documented, accessible protocol that can be reverse engineered with the use of a Bluetooth Protocol Analyzer. So someone from the ham community could create their own app, and incorporate digital voice modes like Dudestar/M17.

[@notreallydaedalus]

Fyi, that's an AF Morse decoder on the app. If you look at "messages," it saves transmissions, too, and you can decode Morse and DTMF on saved msgs. Works great on automated repeater IDs, ar least 😄

[@notreallydaedalus]

Rumor has it you can connect it to your car stereo if you have BT built in, and use your stereo as a speaker and handsfree mic as the input

[@Redpsyclone]

It is true! But it does take a while to cue everything up. Really gotta pause before speaking

[@Spencer.76]

It is really awesome to listen to music through pandora or whatever while simultaneously listening to radio chatter through the car speakers. There is noticeable delay in receive audio while using Bluetooth compared to the hand mic through.

[@StealthGTI]

I have an ID-5100, which does not do APRS in the traditional sense on 144.39. I've considered a dedicated APRS radio. The VGC is less expensive than other products. Two questions: Will this run as a "tracker" without the app running? And is there enough frequency separation between 144.39 and 146.52 (and up) to prevent desensing of adjacent 2m radios? Thanks!

[@jampskan5690]

N6ARA paddle looks nifty!

[@waynesmith699]

Great video! Since there's no 'good' location in my 2022 Ford Ranger to mount a mobile radio... the N7500 might solve that problem. Thanks.

[@WolfQuantum]

I've had mine for a few years. Great radio overall. I need to install it in my new vehicle, but I'm currently using it as a base station until I get it installed. I didn't realize they had the new mic out. I have the old Bluetooth mic and I have to hold it about a foot away or it overloads modulation. I still need to take the time to learn to do APRS and to do the networking part. But, as a hideable dual-band radio that doesn't require a head unit to be installed, it works great. In a vehicle, I put the radio under the seat and have an extension cable for the mic. I get pretty good and usable sound out of the wired speaker/mic. It would be great to see the software updated with attention to the U.S. market and uses.

[@davidschadlich4256]

A password for APRS is typically used when you want to connect to APRS-IS to be an IGATE.

[@InvestigationsDepartment]

Nice looking and very portable. I think I'd prefer more ssb handheld CB or HF transceivers come on the market. However I purchased a president randy fcc AM only version and was somewhat impressed with it's performance.

[@MrD308]

I had one of these about a year ago. It worked well except for the front end overloading. Around Riverside and Mission Valley San Diego it was so bad I had to turn it off. Yes, I tried squelching it and the use of ctcss. Squelching it produced a numb receiver. It just could not filter out strong RF like paging transmitters and the like. I regretfully returned it.

[@76macleod]

Nice Highlander reference :D

[@NatesRandomVideo]

Interesting rig.

[@TheVideowise]

Josh have you tried this radio with android auto or apple carplay? That would ideal.

[@bobsmith2796]

I like this radio for possibly putting in my 2019 Subaru where I have 12 volt available in the back of the car. I can get a mag mount out of the back of the car and be on the air. There is a mike with speaker built in that is bluetooth capable, at least I've seen it on the web site. I stay on one repeater most of the time and I might try using a cat cable to bring the mike up to the drivers position. I need a lot more studying on this radio. Thanks for your video. WB6ODR

[@firemaniac]

I can see 2 seperate places this (or a similar radio) has potential for me. 1st would be mounted in the teardrop trailer, paired with the BT speaker mic, to not be tied directly to the trailer in camp. And 2nd, might be in the house, away fron the shack, so again, I am not having to be next to the radio when using it. I know about cross band repeat, but that (as far as I know) only allows you to monitor/use one frequency from the base/repeating radio.

[@michaeledmonds3027]

I SO wish I could operate the radio from my 2019 Tucson dash display rather than my phone or tablet. Any thoughts out there?

[@wgxdz]

You can obtain your APRS passcode from "N5DUX APRS Passcode Generator" or similar. It's universal for all APRS igate systems, not an exclusive Chinese version.

[@teknowil]

It's not taking my password

[@dangermandave67]

Can you plug an external GPS antenna into this thing? I'm worried that if you bury it somewhere in the dash then the internal GPS may not work.

[@radiotvgod]

Can I use the pH M 78 Bluetooth microphone direct to the radio if the power should fail on the tablet/android phone? Or if I just want to turn off the tablet or phone ?

[@cantaffordtodie]

Mine is quirky. I can’t keep the BT mic connected, constantly losing connection even though the radio is not more than two feet away. It does do aprs well but only if the BT mic is connected otherwise it has no gps receiver.

[@racebannon3498]

Nice review of this device, can you take it to that park and test with an Ed Fong J-Pole? I think this is a unique device!

[@MarnochStanden]

You can plug anything that works well on 2 & 70. I use it on a motorcycle with APRS and with its rugged construction it still works weel after many trips. Just returned from an 1.800 mile ride using RF APRS only.

[@W3DRE]

This looks interesting to me. My wife does not want to see a display screen of a ham radio in her Jeep. I did not want to connect and disconnect a screen. The blue tooth mic and Bluetooth screen will be perfect.

[@MarnochStanden]

There is a BT microphone just like a fist mic which works well and has control of all 16 channels and comes with magnetic back.

[@darrellcollins877]

I have had this radio for about 2 years. I liked it , received good audio reports when using my phone for the mic. Not good audio from the cheap mic that comes with the radio. Radio was easy to program, easy to use, except for APRS. This was only due to poor documentation that comes with the radio. There was a source online at the time, but it was confusing and seriously lacking info about the radio. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. Just understand the mic is nt good, it only keys the radio 50% of the time and audio is bad, but using the phone i had no issues at all.

[@bryantwalley]

Hey Darrell, you are able to use the phone as a mic and speaker without the wired handset or the Bluetooth one shown on the video?

[@darrellcollins877]

yes ! phone works better than the mic@@bryantwalley

[@darrellcollins877]

you program the radio thru the phone app, all radio functions are available on the app/phone

[@freerangetots9955]

Does anybody know how far the bluetooth reaches? I am wondering if I could use it at home and have a bluetooth mic/combo and how far it will reach

[@AaronBlankenship]

I output from my radio to a switcher box which flips between audio coming from my phone for navigation and music, to any incoming transmissions over the radio. This allows both my wife and I to hear what is being switched over the car's stock sound system amplifier, it and then we just grab the handset to reply. Is this unit basically perfect for us with its headphone port and separate microphone handset? Of course I am all ears to better options, I don't need this much power.

[@n0oba]

..... I lose my mind constantly! Great job, I've had this for 3 or 5 years through a craigslist deal and it just came with it. I finally have a use for it. I couldn't bring myself to get rid of it and I now use this in my company vehicle. I'm going to have to use an external speaker because the wireless speaker mic is a little weak. I thought about buying the HT thingy and might due to it has an antenna and may work better than the speaker mic itself. TX audio quality is excellent but you MUST run mic gain on lowest setting for the wireless mic. It's very HOT otherwise. Cool little unit and I don't mind using the phone to dial up the channels. Once you get used to the interface and get your channels in there it's pretty easy to use. I don't use the APRS functionality I have APRS droid for that if I choose to use it......Once again great video.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Thank you!!

[@awksedgreep]

Perfect radio for my motorcycle. Just throw my cell phone on the mount and I have 2m and 70cm. Had it for a couple of years now.

[@pablod6872]

That's an interesting idea. What sort of hands-free unit do you use to connect to the cell phone? And what sort of antenna do you have on the motorcycle?

[@awksedgreep]

I have an aluminum top box so I use magnets on the underside to use a mag mount. At 50 watts my motorcycle is just big enough to be safe at that distance from my body, but it’s a big bike so do your own math. I use a Bluetooth Ptt and my helmet Bluetooth for mic/speaker.

[@awksedgreep]

Also, make sure you get their Bluetooth ptt. I tried a generic first and it wouldn’t pair.

[@pgsmith]

This is exactly what I am thinking about doing with my Kawi Concourse, mount it inside the faring BT to my helmet and the BT PTT. I am assuming that you are not encountering any heat issues.

[@awksedgreep]

Well it wouldn’t fit under my seat so it gets lots of airflow where I mount it, but it isn’t weather safe. I pull it and store it for rain. Your mount sounds smarter than mine. I suppose heat would strongly depend on how often you key up.

[@justDIY]

Are there any open-source VHF/UHF SDR radios available, that have at least a 5-10 watts of power? I don't count the HackRF or the Adalm Pluto, as those barely have milliwatts of output.

[@seandrake7534]

Does this allow you to contact to nodes and join in on nets or conversation without having to have a piehat

[@duncanchaboudy4187]

I must have one of these nifty transceivers.

[@spaceshantynow1851]

I'm looking for a inexpensive dedicated 50W option to run with my Mobilinkd TNC4. If I made up or bought a TNC cable for this radio what do folks think? Is there a simpler small form factor 50W radio out there I should consider? Cheers!

[@Hubbrob]

Nice video. Do you know of a bluetooth compatible mic for a Yaesu 991a?

[@Gruuvin1]

Great idea. The app needs some style, since the app is the front-end of the radio, which we will mount on a dashboard, they should make it look good! How about a dark mode?

[@py2bbqhilton544]

Bought this radio about one year ago. Works great, it is hidden and safe in the car. I use the small BT PTT speaker/microphone (not the HT shaped). What I was not able to do is to use it as an APRS tracker. It actually plots my position via cell phone internet but not by RF. Any thoghts on how it could transmit my position automatically in a regular basis via RF only?

[@benholland2676]

App settings have to be perfect for APRS tracking to work via RF. But in my case, I have not yet been able to get messaging to work via RF (I noticed in video that his Wi-Fi was active on his tablet so I'm wondering if his messaging was actually working over RF...). I'm contemplating ditching the N7500 radio and getting something that will work with APRSdroid which works great on my little HT - unless someone knows the pinout for the RJ45 mic/spkr connector!

[@DARTHDANSAN]

I’m watching this with my UV5R and uv3r and kg935g and short wave radio set next to me lol yaaaaaaa Radio and satellite communication!!!!

[@KQ4HXQ]

Is there any chance that you could tell me what digital radios work with MacBook Pro ie yeasu. Ft5dr or anytone dmr

[@donniedotson3318]

Is this radio spectrally clean.

[@DonzLockz]

Very kooky, not sure if I'd ever buy it but certainly interesting. 146KHz AM? Lol. I think it needs some app refining but has potential. 🍻🤓

[@paulmarrinan8188]

Someone probably said this already...lots of comments to read to check...for that passcode in APRS you can use the aprs-is password from APRS droid. I just looked for it in the settings and found it. The ssid has to match what you have set up on that app for it to recognize the password

[@IanWard]

Any chance of doing Winkink on the radio? I guess you could do it with the radio in vox?

[@ikeraiser266]

can this radio be used without having a smartphone connected to it?

[@brotheradam]

wish it had ssb and cw options as well- miss my 2 meter all mode

[@KM6LYW]

How is the APRS reception? If it's an SDR/baofeng type of receiver I expect it to be poor at best. Great video, as always! -KM6LYW

[@jimdarrough1732]

Josh, can you do a video just on how to set up APRS on this device?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

I gave the radio away.

[@jjjh20man]

Did you try the Coss Band Repeater From Network Channel To Analog

[@revadan]

does it TX beacon intervals while mobile?

[@rider275]

I like the radio set up. I am new to Ham radio and I have a couple of Android devices. I was thinking that you could connect the radio to an external battery and take it to the park. Perhaps hang an antenna from a tree similar to what I have seen done with the N^TAX antenna. I really haven't gotten beyond my Baofeng and Abree antenna.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Not exactly sure, but that F-YOU clip is pretty common in SoCal.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

@@HamRadioCrashCourse bahaha

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

Lol, sorry my first reply was to the wrong comment. Yes this radio would work ok for that and more limited by the tablet or phone than anything. 👍

[@notreallydaedalus]

FYI, I just tested mine on battery last week. On my LiFePO4 setup with a high charge (near 14VDC), it drew about 8 to 9A on high power (45+ W) transmit. I didn't pay much attention to low power because I was sizing the wiring, but I think medium (~20W) was like 4A draw. You'd want to make your activations short or be prepared to carry a fairly beefy battery.

[@DominicMazoch]

That rig to me would make a good first attempt at a manpack.

[@halkey6824]

What power meter are you using?

[@9M2PJU]

Can it do SSTV too?

[@douglasvamateurradioandmore]

I have used aprs for my wife to follow me on road trips, but it was aprs Droid. Maybe a similar big 3 version or maybe an american made radio.

[@notreallydaedalus]

Don't hold your breath.

[@robertchambers5821]

Is it possible to run VARA FM enabling Winlink?

[@edwardstavin6672]

Can this do something basic like cross band repeater?

[@nidvoraev]

Can please anyone advice me. Me and several my friends are buying this Vero device. We are from Kiev (Ukraine), so we need it to stay connected in case of total blackout after russian airstrike. So the question is - can we send a messeges (aprs) to each other? Thank you.

[@bradhern131]

Is there a way to perform a frequency unlock? I would like to use this for GMRS also.

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

None I know of.

[@Factory400]

I nearly purchased one of these about a year ago but was concerned about the software. I am curious if they are actively developing more polish and features on the software side. The concept is cool 😎

[@notreallydaedalus]

From my first use a couple years ago, to reinstalling the app a few weeks ago, I was surprised to see that, from a UI/design standpoint the app hasn't changed a bit. I was also surprised to see that there was a firmware update for the radio, and the app did it seamlessly over the air in about 90 seconds. That part really impressed me.

[@dschaefer6454]

They just updated the iOS app (perhaps today) to show live APRS like we see on the Android app. Josh needs to do another video withe the new iOS update.

[@MarnochStanden]

I'm beta testing a new version and they have made great steps forward in sorting out bugs and developing the APRS in the Andriod and iOS side of things, hope they can release the update to all soon.

[@bryantwalley]

@@MarnochStanden are they updating this or is it dead?

[@MarnochStanden]

Not dead they update the firmware when need be and they have done an update this week. Min G0JMS @@bryantwalley

[@tgrossner]

I thought I asked this in another video about this unit, but didn't get a reply...can you import repeater data from someplace like repeaterbook, or even manually via some file?

[@damonschaefer1773]

Not that I know of. Each profile (I think they call it a group) acts like a channel bank. There are 12 groups. Each group holds the 16 Channel that you see. I think there is a way to share these groups of 16 channels with each other. I will look into this more. I have 2 of these N7500 so I will invest more time in this. It really does need a Chirp function where you can import local repeaters. I wonder if the dudes from RFinder could make their app work with it in order to use their repeater database.

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Josh be like, "add a bleep here, cut that footage, couple more bleeps...and I've got a YT video. "

[@the_mad_swimbaiter455]

Dude, Cali air waves are verbal chaos! It's 😂 but that sucks for kids.

[@chrisjones8741]

Very interesting. I wonder why it has such a huge antenna on the HT part for Bluetooth though? Just for looks maybe?

[@HamRadioCrashCourse]

It could be the gps antenna

[@MarnochStanden]

I beleieve the case is used on other radios and not just this and I expect the BT antenna is in the PCB.

[@JReed305]

Now the ultimate question is... Can I use my phone, the Bluetooth PTT switch, and my Sena helmet headset at the same time so I can have this in my saddlebag and chat on Keller while I zoom zoom on 2wheels?

[@dennisboesiger1033]

This has been popular with motorcycles. It will pair with your Bluetooth headset.

[@JReed305]

@@dennisboesiger1033 Awesome! I know what I am asking Santa for for Christmas then 😁

[@DominicMazoch]

OK, why have the majors not done this?

[@4x4le]

Can this crossband repeat

[@Transmissions]

would be pretty cool if it worked with android auto or apple carplay.

[@andrewessels7871]

Awesome video. Is it possible to link the VGR to a vehicle Android Auto system and use the vehicle handsfree interface for talking. Also change change channels using the vehicle Android Auto interface. If this is possible it will change Ham Radio for mobile use.

[@HowToHam_Tom]

Ever since this radio has been out, one of the pics in the ad @ Buytwowayradio shows EXACTLY this connection. But HOW has never been explained. Que the HRCC Investigative team…

[@MarkyShaw]

Cool device. I wonder why there's a character limit on a device that doesn't have a display?

[@notreallydaedalus]

8 characters is a common hardware limit for small memory systems. They put a slick Bluetooth interface in, but I believe the hardware is relatively basic inside. The memories are saved to the radio itself as well as the app, and it can be operated from the wired or wireless mic without a phone/tablet once you get it setup. Not defending the decision mind you, but I assume they either never thought of giving it more memory, or they chose not to for cost reasons.

[@MarnochStanden]

The radio has a small memory, storing 16 memories only even when switched off, the Andriod app will store as many groups of 16 channels as you want and easly changed.

[@TrevHolland]

I really wish companies that make this kind of hardware would open source the software end of it. The HT app is horrible but if the community got a hold of it, it would probably be fantastic.

[@n8cn-joe]

I think the reasons the CW didn't decode nicely : 1) the radio was listening to the mic, not the RF, in decoding CW. If you have the channel selected (and recording) you'll find it'll auto-decode CW in the messages screen.. like when a repeater IDs, etc. 2) the Icom you used to test it was sending CW in CW mode - not MCW. so it was simply keying/unkeying to generate the Continuous Waves making up the code. the VR-N7500 listens for modulated CW (tones sent over FM) so the carrier going up and down in the pattern of code was meaningless to it. I could tell it was *trying* to hear the Icom's monitor-tone generation... but... 3) the noise in the room of the squelch opening and closing out-of-sync with the monitor-tone of the Icom "muddied the waters" enough that the ambient mic decoding just wasn't happening. Suggestions: turn down all other radios and key the Icom into a dummy load, doing everything else the same - the monitor-tone of the Icom should be picked up by the ambient mic and decoded by the "HT" software. -or- send modulated CW - a few ways to do this are with a code practice oscillator into a mic jack, etc, so you're transmitting a continuous carrier in FM mode and simply modulating the CW, such as what you hear when a repeater IDs. I bet it decodes beautifully. :) I have a love/hate relationship with my two 7500s but the use cases I have for them outweigh any bad vibes and I use both of them a lot - one in the shack for home/low power APRS monitoring on an old android VM running on my win11 desktop (tricky to set up but so worth it) and the one in the car that my wife and I share because I'm "not allowed to have visible radios inside that car' or something yada yada... :) 73 and thanks for this video!

[@bigdaddylewis3321]

Does it have DCS

[@seanwieland9763]

“It’s not Highlander.” Dead. 🤣⚰️

[@mcdpews7928]

The is very interesting set this up in your car with cell booster/ igate and take HT hiking/ mountain biking. Don’t even have my license yet and list of stuff I want to buy is getting long.

[@andrewfisher1051]

Like the radio hate the app. We need a reverse engineered version of the app to make this radio King. I have had this radio for about three years and the rj45 jack broke in year one. That new bt mic may let me use my radio again