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I Tested This Cheap RETEVIS PMR 446 Walkie Talkie So You Don't Have To!

Mason's Dad

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🔊 PMR 446 walkie talkie review & REAL WORLD range test — I put the RETEVIS RT45 through its paces so you don't have to! From a live audio test on Channel 12 with real contacts to a proper range test through the streets and houses of Blackpool, this is the most honest walkie talkie review you'll find. No mountains. No hills. Just real-world testing. A real Walkie Talkie Range Test !

💥 These UK-legal, license-free PMR 446 radios cost just £25.99 on Amazon for TWO radios — including rechargeable batteries, a dual USB charging lead, and belt clips. But are they actually any good?

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📌 CHAPTERS
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0:00 - Intro: PMR 446 Walkie Talkie Review & Range Test
0:15 - Meet the Retevis RT45
1:45 - What is PMR 446? (UK Legal & 100% License-Free!)
2:12 - Unboxing: What's in the Box?
3:32 - Batteries & Charging: A Brilliant Bonus
4:40 - Key Feature #1: The Scan Function
5:56 - Built-in Flashlight: Is It Any Good?
6:38 - Auto Squelch & Key Beep Features
7:30 - Key Feature #2: The Monitor Function (Baby Monitor!)
8:25 - Roger Beep & Dual Channel Watch
8:48 - LIVE Audio Test on Channel 12 PMR
10:20 - Audio Quality Verdict
11:41 - Change of Plans — Lindsey Doesn't Show Up!
12:09 - Setting Up the Range Test (Tomorrow's World Style!)
13:45 - Range Test: ¼ Mile
14:18 - Range Test: ½ Mile
14:53 - Range Test: ¾ Mile
15:26 - Range Test: 1 Mile
15:47 - Range Test Results & Real-World Verdict
17:21 - Price Reveal: How Much Did I Pay?
17:50 - Final Verdict: Would I Recommend The Retevis RT45?
18:24 - Outro & Mason's Dad Mixed Bag

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📻 ABOUT THIS VIDEO
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The Retevis RT45 is a UK-legal, license-free PMR 446 two-way radio that comes as a pair — perfect for walkie talkie range tests, outdoor adventures, festivals, family use, hiking, or even as a baby monitor. In this hands-on walkie talkie review, I test the audio quality in a live on-air contact on Channel 12 PMR, then run a genuine real-world range test through the streets of Blackpool.

FEATURES TESTED IN THIS REVIEW:
✅ Scan function — scans all 16 PMR 446 channels automatically
✅ Monitor function — doubles as a baby monitor!
✅ Auto squelch + monitor button
✅ Built-in flashlight
✅ Roger beep + dual channel watch
✅ Six AA rechargeable batteries included
✅ Real-world range test: ¼ mile → ½ mile → ¾ mile → 1 mile
✅ Price check: £25.99 from Amazon

🏆 VERDICT
The standout feature? The scan function — scans all 16 PMR channels and stops when it finds activity. Perfect for finding contacts at locations like Beacon Fell. At £25.99 for two radios with rechargeable batteries included, these represent outstanding value for money. Verdict: I'd wholeheartedly recommend them.

Remember the two golden rules of PMR radio:
📡 LINE OF SIGHT & HEIGHT IS MIGHT

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🎯 WHO IS THIS VIDEO FOR?
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Whether you're brand new to the radio hobby, looking for budget walkie talkies for family outings, hiking, camping, or festivals, or just want an honest PMR 446 review before you spend your money — this is the video for you.

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📱 CONNECT WITH ME
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20 Comments

@masonsdad1 Creator 3 months ago Pinned

What do YOU think of the RETEVIS PMR 446 Radios ? Can you recommend any LEGAL radios that YOU think are better ? Let me know below. Which do you find better CB or PMR446 ? Let me know where YOU are watching from eith UK or where in the world !! We are getting a good little community here - and I'm learning a LOT !! Thanks everybody for taking the time to comment and join in.

@georgebarnes8163 3 months ago

Bear in mind that the use of three standard batteries (1.5 volts) will increase the voltage supplied by 0.9 volts over the rechargeable batteries @ 1.2 volts each.

@SlowHashClub 3 months ago

Another great video! You're doing great work in promoting PMR446 and CB for everyday folks like myself. Keep up the great work and 73!

@OK45125 3 months ago

These things always have the same thing in common. Low power and inefficient antenna. Range will always depend on height, obstacles and interference.

@TheRattyBiker 3 months ago

Dave, a future consideration should be doing open air vs urban environment quality comparison. Say doing an audio test with someone at Squires Gate Tram Depot and someone on the end of North Pier (which is +/- 5km or 3mi almost line of sight as the crow flies) vs someone outside Coral Island to someone stood outside St Johns Church / Winter Gardens (which is +/- 500m or 1800ft of concrete electronic jungle as the crow flies) Could be interesting to see the difference.

@SmoggieTeesside 3 months ago (edited)

I bought the Radtel RT 950 pro i think it was 4 months ago. It has both CB frequencies & PMR446 I think you own it.Please never stop doing videos regarding CB Radios & PMR Radios. There's no other channel on YouTube,

@flippineckowmuch 3 months ago (edited)

That's about the urban range I'd expect from a PMR radio at that price point - you'd have to spend £80 upwards for a single radio to substantially beat it. The screen and features are certainly handy and this looks a good one to have in the pocket out and about. The normal, rechargeable batteries are handy too - They're more readily available than a dedicated lithium battery.

I have a Retevis H777D with a display - it's handily pocket-sized and I love it but the RT45 panel is more user-friendly.

My Retevis RT24s are the same sort of thing as your Maylawn - no display and minimal buttons but it can actually scan. In the programming software i set each channel to be scannable then if I set the channel to 16 it starts scanning after a few seconds. I wouldn't be surprised if the Maylawn is capable of the same but you'd need the programming cable.

@retevis 3 months ago

Thanks for your like. 👏👏

@chrisreynolds6331 3 months ago

I like your test setup I have done similar. In my case I use a tapo indoor WiFi camera. That way I can see and hear the radio on my phone via the app when I'm out doing the test

@ian.M440 3 months ago

Nice vid very interesting 👍

@GordonHudson 3 months ago

I have the earlier version of these. Paid £15 without batteries and charger, but I had those already. Very good value and very good radios. You can lock the buttons to stop anybody accidentally changing channel.

@ROBERTH-b9h 3 months ago

Long ago, my brother used a single channel 462.5625 MHz FRS running 500 mW to talk to a mountain climber 50 km distant. It was one USD on clearance at Radio Shack!

@Ryandunbar1996 3 months ago

"we've got the most glamorous woman in south shore"...that rules a certain someone out lol and no one understands what Lyndsay does...never a truer word spoken 😂😂I love her dearly tho

@spexmaniacuk 3 months ago

I bought my daughter a rebadged pair for £11, they were surprisingly good, the only drawback we could find was the torch button was always live, even when turned off, meaning when put in a pocket it could light up, flattening the batteries, we got around this was to cut one of the wires to the LED.

@MichaelGüldenring 3 months ago

Hi Dave eine Scan Funktion ist genial. Ich habe zwei Retevis RB 628 und ein Retevis H777D die sind einfach nur klasse wenn man dann noch ein Lautsprecher Mikrofon hat kann man die Modulation noch aufwerten gleichzeitig dient das Kabel von dem Mikrofon noch wie eine Art Radial was den Empfang auch noch aufwerten kann. 55/73 Micha ( Victor India ) 13MHZ351 👋👋👋👋

@philipcrawford9000 3 months ago

A fantastic review I'm pleased I told you about them trying the cobra am 255 small but brilliant

@1Kchess 3 months ago

Great video👍 I've just got a pair of the Retevis RT45 . I like them, easy to use and better range than my old Binatone Latitude 150 walkie talkies. I imagine to get any noticeable difference in performance you would need something much more expensive such as a high end Motorola or Midland 🤔

@michaelloughlin734 3 months ago

I had these and loads of other ones when I upgraded i gave them to marie curie hospice as they use them on the wards.

@RGD-Radio 3 months ago

Great video there Dave...
I have always been curious to the price difference between some radio's...
Like.. What has a £200 PMR radio got compared to a £20 one?!?!
They abide by the same laws... Irreplaceable antenna, 0.5w output power etc...
I just cant justify the pricetag difference...
Cheap all the way :)