What Is A Superheterodyne Radio? Is An Expensive Superheterodyne GMRS Radio Better Than A Cheap One?

In this video I answer a question I found in a GMRS subreddit - That question was "Is a more expensive GMRS radio better than a cheaper GMRS radio?" So I answer that question and explain the difference between a more expensive superheterodyne GMRS radio and a less expensive SOC GMRS radio.
You can get a Wouxun KG-905G Superheterodyne radio here: www.buytwowayr...
Get the lesser-expensive Baofeng GMRS-9R here: amzn.to/3S6k2Hu
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Music by Stern Beats - You can find him here:
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#GMRS

[@Redbaron3314733]

I've been a Happy Ham for 40 years.....and that's probably the best answer for that enduring question that I've ever heard!

[@craigdavidson2977]

If you feel the need to announce you are a 'happy ham' then you may not be. The sad hams are the most vocal deniers.

[@ToddSikking]

@@craigdavidson2977 Absolutely right! Denial ain't just a river in Egypt! LOL I was a sad Ham until they lowered the GMRS license fee and now that I've been lured to the dark side and enjoy using a radio for something practical...more than just getting radio checks and asking about equipment and the weather.....I am now a Happy Ham. Love this channel!

[@pittvypr]

New drinking game! Take a shot every time Randy says "Affiliate link below 👇"

[@955miro]

I’m on my second bottle….

[@dantedanis]

I was drunk at 5:40 how many did I miss?

[@plainairbarnettsoutdoors]

😂😂

[@rbryanhull]

You tryna kill me?

[@jetstream3528]

Where did ah park me car.....sheeet.....

[@togeika]

One of the advantages of ordering the cheaper radio, from Amazon, is that it is super easy to return.

[@antnate578]

Yeah, but good luck finding a genuine radio on Amazon.

[@955miro]

@@antnate578 a genuine ‘made in China’ radio… what’s the difference?

[@paule4566]

@@955miro You might get a genuine name sticker.

[@955miro]

… Affiliate link below… Love your sense of humor

[@justicejones5025]

I use my $21 Baofeng UV-5R for all my GMRS needs.. It can reach all my hunting buddies, with absolute clarity, over many fars...

[@marshish83]

I've been using Baofeng UV-5R radios for years now and I can tell you that they're $100 better than a $135 radio! When we use them, we can hear and understand each other. For what we use them for, that's good enough for me. They work great with the Retivis RT97 repeater as well (Thanks for that recommendation by the way). Love the video as always! Keep up the great work!

[@ndrthrdr1]

I have an ICOM ID-52 and two Baofeng UV-5Rs. (All HTs)

[@ndrthrdr1]

I like them all, but I’m afraid to leave the house with the ICOM.

[@georgecappello9525]

@@ndrthrdr1 you go from one end of the spectrum to the other . . .

[@jamesslick4790]

The Baofeng UV-5R is the "1911" of radios. Everyone has one (or had one) , It's not the "latest", But IT GETS the JOB DONE!

[@johnpublic6582]

How many times did your UV-5R kill everyone in the city because of it being junk?

[@raymondmiller4981]

After spending several minutes in the bathroom "decoding my secret message from Xenu", I can indeed tell you that Randy is the best imparter of information for our eye holes. I don't understand why Xenu is obsessed with Ovaltine though.

[@yandrew7036]

First, you always make absolutely helpful videos thankyou notarubicon

[@billisnice]

I have a $30 Radioddity GM-30. I have not notice any complaints when using. It uses a type C USB that I had.

[@ke8mattj]

The GM-30 is so excellent for such a cheap and basic GMRS HT. It's what I gave family members as their primary with an unlocked UV-5R as back-up. The USB charging right out of the box is a major bonus that a lot of ham HTs have yet to embrace.

[@rjdgreek]

Thanks for the affiliated links in your video descriptions. I found them quite helpful in deciding which $35 radio to purchase for my initial dive into the GMRS world. In law enforcement we used several different portable radios over my 29 years on the street and yes you can hear a difference between the cheaper at the time Icom inits versus the latest and greatest offering from Motorola. I dont expect much difference between the low end and mid range portable GMRS radios but I shall check back with any earth shattering revelations as I try a few different models from the affiliate links provided. Thank you Randy for your usual spot on commentary!

[@bjones5791]

Hey sir!It’s been 8 months,did you figure out what works best?We’re disaster response and i’m exploring our option!….Thank from Bastrop,Tx….Brent

[@divergentdynamics5492]

Everyone: How many times can he say “affiliate link below?” NotARubicon:… hold my Wouxun KG-905G….. affiliate link below 🤣🤣 Keep it up!! Vids are just as entertaining as they are informative!!

[@cb4x4]

WHAT....if a homodyne wants to identify as a superheterodyne, will it transmit with more Fars?

[@bendeleted9155]

No, but it will transmit with more freqs.

[@brassmanbart5076]

Thank you for pointing out the differences between the two radios. Either should work fine in our rural area.

[@johnkaelberer237]

Great explanation of the differences between the SOC and Superhet radios. The one thing I'm still not clear about.....Do you have affiliate links for the radios you showed ?????? LMAO

[@brucejohnson8349]

I'm so glad you cleared that up for us. Thanks 73

[@rrvroman79]

Entertaining and informative but thanks for the videos.

[@crewsgiles9499]

I love these videos. Super-het is all that came to my mind. I do not have a GMRS license, but my UV5R is deaf compared to my Japanese HT. Also, because I am a licensed ham (and thus an "expert" -- as well as his favorite viewer), I can verify that Randy is correct. One downside concerning my very-expensive, super-heterodyne, Japanese handheld is that it came with no wrist-strap.

[@phillipsmiley5930]

Oh Welll.... No Wrist strap Vs a superhet RX that doesnt block, no contest How can you virtue signal without a wrist strap.

[@crewsgiles9499]

@@phillipsmiley5930 I can't. But, trend-setter that I am, I put a Neck-Strap on it. All the cool kids will be wearing them.

[@tracymoon4437]

As a 50+ year certified future ham operator, I can tell you with absolute authority that the more expensive items are always best at being the most costly items when compared to the least costly items. NotaRubicon is just a shill for non-sponsored videos…..affiliate link below. As his favorite viewer, I am overqualified to tell everyone here that there is an HT radio far beyond $200. I am selling my $190 radio for $1,099. Postage and handling not included.

[@donwatkins9769]

I am interested. Will you take a check?

[@worstperson2ask]

Cool story bro 😂

[@steveletter]

I don’t know if everyone “gets” your humor, but I love it. Thank you for the channel. Affiliate link below.

[@thinker1056]

Thanks for the plugs. And you're not affiliated Affiliated answer

[@radiohobbyist13]

I've been a ham for ___ years and I approve this message. 🤓🙈🧨

[@concernedpatriot9314]

Sad 😔

[@SecurityGuyChannel]

Great video Randy! I love how you've kept this technically correct without going into a whack of stuff that doesn't matter to someone who wants to buy a good GMRS radio.

[@feetoorourke]

Why do I have a sudden, weird, urge to drink ovaltine?

[@volvo09]

I first saw that movie as a very young kid and I didn't get that scene until I was much older... then it clicked, OHhhhhh! it was an advertisement!

[@joannc147]

🤣🤣

[@ramrod175]

😂😂😂

[@andrewyoung-n8ary]

Same here. More Ovaltine, please.

[@wyateerp1]

Receiving a pair of Retevis RB17P GMRS radios this weekend. My first GMRS HT's. Last I had was a CB. So ,yes I'm a NOOB. But you have Randy to thank for that. I have my FRN from the FCC (feel like I'm back in the Military with all the acronyms) and getting my license this weekend, barring my SS is enough. So see you on the Flip side. And thanks, Randy. Tom In Southern Arizona

[@norm_sueb122]

Thanks for the video!!

[@craigdavidson2977]

Ya just gotta love those experts and all the joy they bring Randy each and every day. Drink your Ovaltine and by the way... What the hell is a 'redit'?

[@mindinabox-music]

That's also my experience. Near a big radio station (100kW) close to my home town I can not hear my buddies on a baofeng uv5r, yaesu ft-65, ft4x, alinco dj500 (all direct sampling) but on a wouxun KG-UV9D+, yaesu ft5d (superhet) I can.

[@dougbotimer8005]

I’m a Ham and was a military communication systems tech, radio and more. I enjoy the hell out of your radio for idiots explanations. Wish I could simplify explanations as succinctly and humorously. Yes, I do appreciate greatly sarcasm. I was infantry before becoming a technician.

[@bradh74]

Love the T-shirt!

[@Heinester]

You should be a comedian. Every time I watch your videos I get great info and always several laughs. One of the best channels on the interweb 😂🤪👍💯🤓

[@DevinVanVolkenburg]

Awesome videos on GMRS.

[@shawnctx]

None radio post. ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR PRESENTATION. You make radios cool to review.

[@snowdiann]

I have the 905 G and I've been really happy with it.

[@johnroberts6695]

Radios are very much like firearms. There are pistols that are inexpensive, but they get the job done, and there are expensive models that spend most of their time in a safe. Baofeng makes a very nice "executive" model, the UV-H6 that outputs close to 9 watts and a chunky camping model (the H7), which also is great for connecting to repeaters (if they're close enough). I've never needed anything more than these cheap models...but I may find a need if I put a few pennies ahead.

[@elkabong6429]

“Gooder!” I love it! Reminds me of an argument my older brother and I had when we were toddlers (according to our Parental Units). It went like this: “It’s not a cooker, it’s a crackie!” 😂😂😂🍪

[@curtwuollet2912]

I got bored, winter, MN. And got a uv5r. It may be cheap and direct conversion. But it's got a much hotter front end than my dedicated midland weather radio.

[@craigdavidson2977]

Ralphie: "I want an Official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle." Mother: "You'll shoot your eye out!"

[@Demosophist]

Note that the BTECH GMRS-Pro radio has a special magic type circuit that makes it capable of transcievership with the Andromedia Galaxy.

[@richardalford3324]

I have my glass of Ovaltine in hand and ready to learn. May zenu be happy.

[@Stan_Rich]

As usual, good Vid Randy. With my applications for Off-Roading, Fishing, Hunting and Camping in Rural and Agricultural areas, I am very happy with my very reasonably priced & affordable SOC Radios - a Radioddity DB25-G GMRS Base with a Midland 75-822 CB Base Antenna and 2 BAOFENG UV-5G GMRS HT's with Extended Nagoya NA-7771G 15.3" Whip Antennas. BTW, why didn't you mention "affiliate link below" in this vid? haha!

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Good video Randy @NotaRubicon Productions

[@nc4tn]

“I’ve been a ham for x number of years”, and you are spot on Ran-Man!

[@johnmknox]

That t-shirt is excellent.

[@Riverbend1752]

Ham here. Over summer my Boofwang would get that bleed-over when I keyed up the CB radio in my work vehicle. I don't have a super heterodyne radio, but I'm looking into upgrading my HT or getting a mobile radio soon. Yes, ham is different from GMRS, but I feel like something as general as the type of hardware carries over pretty well between the two services.

[@X-OR_]

This Guy is Insane in the Membrane !🤪

[@davidskues7153]

It is on the fringes where you will notice any difference. I am about 100 miles from the nearest SWCRS repeater. My Baofeng cannot receive anything from it. However, with my Wouxun KG-UV9G communication with that repeater is good and clear both ways. Of course the Wouxon KG-1000G base station and roof mounted antenna is crystal clear. My Baofengs work just fine for anything up to about 2 to 3 miles same as the Wouxon.

[@ped200014]

Baofeng/SOC - handgun 50w mobile super het - sniper rifle

[@jamesd4013]

"A crummy commercial" Great video.

[@_specialneeds]

Grate video. I don't even own a radio or even need one, but I do enjoy these videos.

[@craigdavidson2977]

I have more radios than you can count on your hands and feet and I don't need one either.

[@TechPewGuy]

I like my kg905g and my baofengs. My kg905g definitely feels sturdier than a baofeng. Both have their place. 👍

[@Gambit7071]

I watch @NotaRubicon videos for the comedy and the amazing information he provides. Keep up the good work.

[@craigdavidson2977]

Hey, I found that question on the gmrs group and the guy who asked the question saw Randy's video and replied. Such a small nerdy world we live in - on the internet. meggabah71 wrote: Wow I’ve never started a fight that ended up on KZbin! Thank you all for your honest responses. I figured there was a difference between the overall quality of a more expensive radio than the less expensive radios. I just wanted to get some honest input from users that were not monetized by KZbin or sponsored by retailers. Since I myself make a living selling products I can say this in all honesty. I tell the truth regarding the products I sell. However I do not have experience with less expensive versions sold at other stores. So hence the question. Buy the way I do watch your videos and consider you to be very knowledgeable and honest. But let’s all be honest here. Money is being made with the videos. “ affiliate links below”.

[@strangepeopleare3046]

Really look forward to your vids. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy. No Homo………Dyne 😉

[@amack1283]

Thank you

[@certinstructorron4050]

Love you Randy! You make me a Happy Ham! 😊

[@palehorse7377]

Picked up first mobile radio, a TYT TH-7800. Noticed it recieves far better than my Baofengs. Read the manual and it says "double conversion super heterodyne." There is a major difference. Even on 5w it hits way more repeaters cause it actually picks up the signal really good.

[@konstantinekarvounis5250]

Love my kg935 gmrs radio. Only one i ever tryed

[@shawnwade302]

So with my research on the notarubicon KZbin channel I've looked seriously at the Midland MTX 500 and the wouxun kg1000. For my opinion the kg1000 would be a better fit for me. I like the fact that the kg 1000 is a super heteradine radio and I love the detachable face and I like the fact that it's less expensive than the Midland MTX 500 that I believe is a soc radio. How is it that the Midland MTX 500 is more expensive than the kg 1000?

[@pittvypr]

I'm no "expert", but I'm going to guess it is because it's "name brand" and "USA made". Just like how YETI gear is overpriced and overrated. No one needs to spend $60 on a YETI steel dog bowl! It's a status thing. Before people freak out, I have a couple Midland radios and they offer decent products. Affiliate link not below.

[@wrem9706]

Brand name....

[@raymondmiller4981]

Because Midland charges extra to have removed those nasty FRS channels 8 through 14 on those radios. Less channels to confukulate the brand name loving boys and girls is got to be goodlier, right?

[@donaldoc]

You Tell 'Em, Sensei! Give 'Em Hell! BTW, I wish, "some people", would pick up a book, i.e. GMRS for Dummies or something, and edumacate themselves, learn the hobby, and not waste other's time. Just Try People...

[@WillieJu]

I have a couple Baofeng's and they tend to go completely deaf when connected to my large outside antenna, yet they transmit good far's but receive worse than when on their little rubber ducky antennas. They all seem to suffer that as well as my dual band QYT mobile radio. Works well in the car with the mag mount external antenna but rather deaf in my house on the outside base antenna.

[@michaelgross7016]

yup. I got 6 baofengs for emergency use as perimeter commo after 3 yrs I opened them and started playing. uh, yeah, this radio is super capable now I'm a ham enthusiast edit. I'm in rural area and my 771 antennas do great.

[@palehorse7377]

Now make yourself an ammo can repeater with a Surecom or Argent simplex box.

[@danda219]

Heterodyne, suPer heterodyne, homodyne... are there bi-dyne radios?

[@joannc147]

Still trying to figure out the pronouns……

[@mattmanyam]

They all are... transmit AND receive!

[@ramrod175]

🤣🤣🤣

[@EmileDiodeneKE5QKR]

I identify as super-hetero-dine.

[@ke8mattj]

No, but I think there maube transdyne radios.

[@scottm1960]

Thanks to YOU, I now have 2 HT radios - BTECH GMRS Pro (SOC) and a WouxunOCEAN KG-UV9G Pro (SUPERheterodyne). I did a couple of radio checks with both and those on the other end said that the KG-UV9 Pro sounded much stronger and cleaner and the receiving signal/clarity was better as well. For a 5 watt unit, the KG-UV9 Pro does a real good job for me. Seems I might be sold on the SUPERHeterodyne radios now. Yes the SH radios are a little more money, but when it comes to the difference of transmitting and receiving clearly, it's worth it, IMHO. Your mileage may vary.

[@palehorse7377]

Same experience. Finally spent more than $25 on a radio and there really is a dramatic difference.

[@arbitraryalias9825]

@@palehorse7377 I am confused by the KG-905g being Superheterodyne whereas the significantly more expensive and complicated KG-935g/plus are Direct Conversion... If superheterodyne is superior then how do the benefits of all the complications (that radio geeks seem to love so much) in the 935g/plus outweigh the superheterodyne superiority found in the 905g?

[@DC-ok6bk]

If someone overpays for a radio will it sound better to that person? My thought is that is what they likely will believe 😂

[@joannc147]

Welllll, at least I’ll sleep better at night since I’ll be one of the Cool Kids with the more expensive radio 😜

[@W2IRT]

@@joannc147 :::laughs in XTS-5000:::

[@jasoninsearchofthegoldenfl153]

Love the T-shirt sir!!!!

[@DanielGBenesScienceShows]

You’ve caused a large number of [actually smart] people to THINK VERY CAREFULLY before posting comments to avoid any risk of coming across as an “expert” and risk being pinned. Thank you, that is all. (Whew! 🤤)

[@blairsmith201]

I have $30 Baofengs and I have a KG935, bought on your recomendation, and I can certaily tell the KG935 is a better radio. Eventhough it is still a SOC radio, it sounds better and sometimes transmits much more clearly to the reciver, thus more data that suports the theory " You Get What You Pay For". The "Fengs" are great with my grandsons so it they break it, who cares, and when I am on my clubs GMRS repater I go the the 935.

[@jmr]

I propose an experiment. Test a Baofeng then send it to me. I will then sell that Baofeng to you for $1000. Then do another test.

[@seanwieland9763]

I love Wouxun as far as Chinese brands go, but that BTech GMRS Pro with APRS-like data is a gamechanger.

[@ke8mattj]

You failed to see the original problem is that it the person asked on reddit.

[@mercilessradio1770]

I miss tube based Heathkit recievers.

[@douglaswilliams6834]

"Hamsplaining" Hahahahaha!! I love it! 73 de WB4DW

[@HardcoreFourSix]

UV-5r (and similar quality radios) is extremely vulnerable to RFI. For instance, mu UV-5r picks up emissions from my modem, up to 15 feet away from the modem. Other UV-5r owners have reported that other devices in their house caused problems. For "most people" the cheaper radio will suffice.

[@jimborambo958]

A love the Chinese made bafoon radios too! 73

[@AndyGrahamProductions]

Radios aside, I must own that shirt.

[@stevegreer1963]

Randy. I have the Radioddity GM30 radios. They work very well, except when I’m on a road-trip in my 2015 Corvette. There seems to be interference that makes receiving sound like the voice is under water. This only happens inside of my Corvette. Would a superheterodyne radio, like the KG905G possibly eliminate this issue? Of course, moving the antenna to the outside would probably help, but a mag mount will not work on a Corvette. So, I’m wanting to try getting away from the SOC format in hopes of avoiding this weird interference. Any thought? Thanks, and by the way, I really enjoy your videos!!!

[@jeffersonthomas3305]

I enjoy your videos and it makes me laugh when you talk about the smart asses out there. They really not smart enough to just get along.. still can't get this Chinese radio to pick up much but we're going to get a larger antenna..lol

[@matthewdomes6363]

Whats the brand and where can i get that $135 radio?

[@johndowd7010]

A kg 935 g is a super..the same plus is direct conversion..which is best?

[@rocks2rocks06]

Rugged radios is a prime example of more expensive for the same quality and a lesser expensive radio because they are the same radio just blue.

[@voodooblade1969]

You are hilarious!!!! liked and subscribed!!!!!

[@michaelmartin5995]

Love the content!

[@troy3456789]

it tastes good and also invokes a guilty feeling since it contains seemingly a lot of sugar in the form of table sugar, maltodextrin, and molasses.

[@DonzLockz]

Haha! Love your video's Randy!😄 All I know is that man-bun's channel all RF into the brain and turns grey matter into troll gunk. 🧠

[@EmileDiodeneKE5QKR]

This video must be a monodyne soc youtube video because I can't seem to find any of the affiliate links over all the noise.

[@VTXHobbies]

"Hamsplaining" ima use that

[@Bob-lt5hf]

The more Views you get the Better the Reception you will have.

[@danduane1413]

I want to know where he got that shirt 🙂

[@rawlinharringtonke8tiq837]

more money = better filtering and better receive. Icom ID52 is almost $700. everyone I know just uses their ham radios.

[@jamescopeland5358]

yep, good nbs video

[@bslaws]

5:45 totally faked me out. Some sort of Pavlovian mind trick.

[@royolbandit]

Quality over quantity

[@goducks11111]

Good video 😊📸😊

[@jetstream3528]

Nice......

[@ManuelPinner]

I have these HTs FT5D, ID52A D75A,

[@donwatkins9769]

Gosh I am so sorry to tell you I paid over 200.00 with tax and shipping for my Wouxon 9GX. Did I pay too much or did I get something that you don't know about. Actually I don't even have it for it is back ordered for 14 weeks so my new 9GX superheterodyne radio must be really good for a lot of us have it on order. I bet it was talk a lot of FARS farther than your 35.00 radio. And I think it comes with manual in English too.

[@thatguy5358]

hey, i have that shirt...

[@andybriars9713]

your 120 dollar radio probably costs 300.00 up here in Canada

[@networkgoalie]

Wait... I seriously need a radio with a man bun now

[@mcgrath16511]

Simple , plain explanation.. but I’m sure “some people” will have something of a “expert” 40 year ham operator reply.. tisk,,Fisk. I can hear the Sad Hams tears falling