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Testing "Broken" Amazon Return Ham Radios! (Retevis RT95 #17)

Temporarily Offline

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Is the Retevis RT95 (AnyTone AT-778UV) actually worth the money, or are these Amazon Returns for a reason? Today, I’m digging into another "broken" RT95 mobile radio to see if they are actually defective or just misunderstood.

In this video, we perform a full bench test using the Surecom SW102, a 100W dummy load, and compare the power output against an ICOM ID-880H. We find some interesting "witness marks" from the previous owner (looking at you, Brandon!) and discover the truth about the 25-watt power claim.

What we cover:
👉 Power Testing: Does it actually hit 25W on VHF/UHF?
👉 Chirp Programming: Fixing band plan issues and permission errors in Linux.
👉 Factory Resets: How to fix the "Error Mode" on the VM button.
👉 The "Amazon Return" Gamble: What actually comes in the box?

Whether you call it a Retevis, an AnyTone, or a CRT Micron, this radio is a staple for budget-conscious hams. But does 16 Watts on 2-meters make it a deal-breaker? You decide.

GET THE GEAR:
👉 Retevis RT95 (or any other gear I have for sale): https://temporarilyoffline.com/blogs/...
👉 Surecom SW-102: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/7bbtki
👉 Surecom SW-102 Case: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/x99u8q
👉 Shari Pi Hat: https://kits4hams.com/shari-pihat
👉 Baofeng Mini: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/sfxrhz
👉 100w Dummy Load: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/rsuls0
👉 Dabbsson Power Station: https://go.temporarilyoffline.com/670am2

#HamRadio #RetevisRT95 #AmazonReturns #RadioRepair #AmateurRadio #KM9G #AnyTone

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#17

20 Comments

@ralphmills7322 4 months ago (edited)

Great job Steve!
I think the "Is 16W on VHF good enough?" question is replaced by the "Is 16W on VHF going to work my local repeater in the majority of my mobile range?"

@texasyojimbo 4 months ago

Brandon was probably near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. I am in Columbia and I recognize those call signs!

@AndrewBeals 4 months ago

Our local RACES group has a minimum requirement of 40W output on 2m fed into an external ¼ wave whip - we have rolling hills here and a handy inside one's car just won't cut it.

@victorcharlie7491 4 months ago

Good Morning, nice work, Tnx Man!

@argon1490 4 months ago (edited)

It depends on the voltage used for testing. If the radio doesn't output 25W at 13.8VDC then it is not performing to advertised specifications. Your battery was 12.8V, dropping to 11.3V during transmission. Retevis specifies operation at 13.8V +/- 15% so that would be a lower limit of 11.7V. Try the measurements again with a supply that can maintain 13.8V when transmitting. Ideally, manufacturers should list the max power at the lowest operating voltage or better, provide a chart of voltage vs. power output so that consumers can understand actual performance and be less likely to return items.

@Norm_KC9 3 months ago

Very good video. My lil' brother Greg has a room that looks just like that, but it has this weird rusty steel door. If you go in there he tells you over the intercom that there is no food or refreshments in the refrigerator (he calls it an Icebox). "One will find only a hacksaw. Let the games begin." He's weird.

@timel64 4 months ago

Nice to see you can perform tests in the “field”, away from your home workbench.

@RyanMercer 4 months ago

👍👍

@СергейКашин-ч7п2н 3 months ago

Gotta stand strong. No backing down now.

@davidyummus6259 4 months ago

Just Subd,... I got a Retevis RT-95 in December for my first "Base Station" for under $100 and it is doing very well :)

@JamesJacobs_K4EBB 4 months ago (edited)

I think Brandon was from Decatur / Huntsville Alabama area. Morgan is likely Morgan County SO or FD. Decatur is in Morgan County. The Skywarn repeater is the one I use, it's setup in the Bankhead Ntional Forest which is less than 10 miles away from where I live. I also seen some other repeaters that I have on my radios as well. Small world! 73 de K4EBB

@Billroet 3 months ago

I like retevis radios I have a few

@BrilliantHam 4 months ago

Hey Steve, I bought one of these RT-95 radios based on your testing and reviews. After seeing your videos it is obvious that this radio puts out around 16 watts on VHF. I knew this prior to buying it. I know Retevis states it puts out 25 watts. I know there is not much performance difference between 16 and 25 watts. Especially for the $108 I paid for it. My radio is typical and puts out 16 watts on VHF. I installed this radio in my ATV with a Comet SBB5 NMO antenna and it gets out very well when I am out in the middle of nowhere with no cell phone signal. It gets out to repeaters 40 miles away with good modulation. Sixteenth watts? Twenty five watts? No worries. 73 Dave N8DAV

@PaulQuick-n2j 4 months ago

you can use a 2m linear with those retrevis

@MP-qn1jw 4 months ago

+/- 5W is my threshold. I own 4 RT-1 from Retevis, and they sound great. So disappointed in the MA1 that they sent me a HA1G. Supposed to be GMRS part typed, but does not appear to be able to do the 20khz, only 25 & 12.5. The overlords missed that one. I have lost trust in Retevis. The MA1 has a 'SHIET' button. lol. Love your videos! Thanks!

@DonzOzzo 4 months ago

I could live with 16w as that's over my current qrp limit anyway, for now. However, it only outputs 64% of its stated power. Hope no other units come back like this. :l

@lyfandeth 4 months ago

I can't help wonder about radios with low output power. Is that hopeless due to component value variations? (i.e. 10% tolerance of caps and redisgors) or something a tech could fix by simply turning a trim pot while keeping an eye on the output power meter?
For those of us who still expect sixteen full ounces in each pint.