I have this radio, I like it! It's my mobile VHF/UHF radio... actually my HF radio is mobile too as I'm a full time RVer 😂🤣😂 Got it for around $100 from radioditty in a black Friday sale. Neat radio, great vid! -KQ4EOS
I've watched several videos reviewing this radio and yours is the best. You actually learned to use it first instead of doing an unboxing and then fumbling while recording. I'm glad you showed some functions on screen and showed where you are clicking. 👍👍
I have this radio, it was my first radio. I wish that it would actually transmit from internet to radio. Eg. sms messages from wife's cell phone to the HT through this radio. I might have had it set wrong also. The messaging is great, I love how the map populates as you recieve APRS signals via RF. This does have an issue with noise. There are 2 places here in Cheyenne that are horrible. I thought about buying the bluetooth mics but didn't feel it was worth it. That being said since it's in the motorhome and we are full timers, that one might be nice with the display. For what you pay for this radio, it's worth it. You get more than I ever thought I would
have you ever had issues with transmitting? on my last trip with this radio my friends who were less than a mile away sometimes right in front of me could not hear me because it was too broken up, anytime we were stationary i did not have this problem. I think it is from my antenna but i was curious if you have ever experienced anything like this?
@@kimmyyimmel2010 Sorry, I never saw your question. I don't know if you still have the radio but I haven't had issues. I am sure you stuck with the antenna as your culprit or your radio might have been defective. Hopefully you still have it because Bluetooth KISS TNC is available now. Still experimental but worth it.
good review - might Consider it. I already ordered a vgc VR-N76 and a bunch of accessories. Looking forward to using APRS! Definitely want to get it ready for the trip out to Quartzfest!
Hi. You actually have unlimited channels. Add another group and you get another 16 channels and so on. You can scroll through the different groups you've made by pressing the folder-looking button near the top in the home screen (16 channels screen)
@@KM6LYW I believe groups are stored on the app and loaded to the radio one at a time. The app can have as many groups as you want but the radio only has memory space for the 16ch allocation. Not perfect but how many of us have to many memories on our radios to find what we want anyway? 16 seems a reasonable amount and with the ability to swap in another group as needed it's certainly liveable.
I REALLY wish Vero would tweak the firmware to work with Android Auto! I've read that they put out a firmware update, but I think it's not a big change. Have you heard anything for 2023? Thanks, Michael
Could you thoroughly review the APRS functionality in a follow-on video? In particular, I would like to know if it does 9600 baud and if it correctly implements digipeating, hop counts, etc. DE WA1KLI
What's the model number, most Chinese head units bt only connects to phones. Like my xtrons I can't scan for any devices other than phones. I have this vn7500 since march of 2020
I can't get the APRS log in To work. I set my SSID and Call sign , even Got the APRS password But the website is saying that I need to submit a copy of my Ham License.
Can you power on/off the radio from the mic? or do I have to get out of my car, open the trunk and power it on/off or have to pull my cellphone out of my pocket for that?
Love the concept of this radio. Been wishing for a radio like this for several years. However it needs to make a few improvements first. 1. Needs to have better Apple IOS support, it needs higher channel memories. At least 1000. It also needs digital support. Preferably Yeasu C4FM. It also needs more mic control. However, I will admit for a first gen unit, this unit is awesome! Especially for the cost of the unit! $180!
I loved the video. I ended up getting this radio after your video. No regrets. I was wondering if you could test the receive quality on it compared to the ft-2980? I'm hoping the results will be much better than that of the baofeng.
i like the 2980 for packet. making the tnc canle is a hassle. ic705 is all plug n play. i had no luck with tne baofeng... its just deaf imho. audio quality of the vero isn't as good as the yaesu, just because of the speaker. I didn't have problem with desense, in Los Angeles. My opinion doesn't really count as I use a very low gain antenna on the sports car with this radio.
Great video, was wondering if you could confirm that I could set up the radio in my car to send out my position on APRS and see stations on the BT Screen Mic, as well as be monitoring a local repeater?
It appears to use the GPS in your phone, or the GPS in the remote (the remote with the screen). if the radio loses contact with the phone or remote, it just beacons the last known position, from what I've read.
Just wondering what Bluetooth version it is? I know 4.x has a poor range. What is your experience? Great video btw very elaborate in explaining the different. I’m considering buying one.
Craig are you running this with the digipi or does the HT phone app do the APRS thing without it. I've been looking at this thing over the years too. I think I have a friend wanting to sell one so I'm hitting him up about it. I curious how long it would run on say an 8 amp/hr battery? I envisioning a Pelican style case, battery, and small mag mount antenna. Use it at the QTH and take it on the road in the car. Wish I had seen this before I ordered my Mobilinkd TNC4. That has other benefits as well too - HT operation. In my area the mobile higher power would make operations more viable. On the same side of the coin even 5 watt HT will get picked up by other igates / digipeaters in your area if they are close enough. Jeremy KM6QAQ
It doesn't compete with the TNC4 which is a KISS packet/bluetooth device. This Vero has a proprietary bluetooth connection and app. I haven't plugged this into a digipi cable yet, mostly because the Vero android app is sufficient. I think it was 150mA (0.15A) when receiving and on?
DigiPi can't drive this radio over bluetooth as it doesn't present a standard KISS nor AGWPE TNC. You'd need to rig up a PTT circuit and an audio board.
You mention a user driven community. Can you share some links to user groups of this radio??? I have a specific case use I want to do with this radio, and would like to get help from the community if this is possible with this radio.
Hi. The radio has a lot going for it for special applications. I can think of several where it's probably the only radio that will fill all of them that I can think of. We have one guy who uses one and he uses a phone to txx and rx and has the radio way up in his attic close to the antenna. He sound pretty good but has a strange noise when he starts transmitting which really isn't that bad and makes the radio recognizable. One question I have : Will it work with an Apple Iphone or Ipad ? Regarding the desense, I've seen other chinese radios which could use better Di-Plexers. Seems to be common. But, I was completely biased by the fact that my old Yaesu 8900 has the best di-plexer I've ever heard especially considering it does 50m and 10m . IOS is my primary question for the app, it really looked fairly powerful.
afaik there is now an IOS app. I didn't get obvious desense in Los Angeles, but then, I used a stubby mobile antenna too. I like the idea of putting the radio near the antenna. UHF can be problematic with long coax runs.
possibly, but we'll need a sound-card and a PTT circuit. there's no usb audio available, and I'm not sure we can get bluetooth to work in that regard -- maybe?
Just a thought. How would this work with distracted rules? Here in BC if I picked up a cell phone I get nicked in the wallet. I'd have to get BT Mic. A B T Mic would work as it's not a cell phone. Just a thought
In California, the distracted driving law has an exclusion for a PTT device wired to a radio installed in the vehicle. The USB charging cable for the PTT devices, is electrically connected to the radio via grounding. However, like large portions of Canada, California has completed the transition from a nation of Laws to a nation of Men, so it doesn't really matter, you will be ticketed regardless if they don't like your behavior. Just be aware.
I know this is a late reply but for those that may see it later it has a Bluetooth ptt button available that you can wear like a ring. Put the mic/speaker on anything metal in front of you (magnetic) and just click the ptt button on your finger and talk.
The app requires a "phone home" to China to work. You can't even log in to the app if you aren't able to connect to the back end server in China. Seems like a dealbreaker to me. What if they go out of business and take their server down...or worse?
if they go out of business, it should continue to work as long as you keep your phone or that version of android. my phone doesn't have a sim card, if that helps.
It's a real piece of junk. For the $200.00 one will spend to get this junk ---there are many other radios on the market, for less dollars to purchase, that are better quality radios...
Thanks Bill, is it the desense/RF side, or just the awkwardness/usability.. or both? I'll be driving to Los Angeles this weekend, I'm curious how it holds up in the RF roar of the city. I'm still reserving judgement. At this point I wouldn't recommend it as a first-and-only radio for anyone.
I have not seen any. What other headless radio is available that you can mount out of the way and just use a Bluetooth phone connection or Bluetooth receiver in the $200 price range? Also what part of it is junk?
I wish the app had a dark mode. This looks like a really fun radio
I have this radio, I like it! It's my mobile VHF/UHF radio... actually my HF radio is mobile too as I'm a full time RVer 😂🤣😂
Got it for around $100 from radioditty in a black Friday sale.
Neat radio, great vid!
-KQ4EOS
I've watched several videos reviewing this radio and yours is the best. You actually learned to use it first instead of doing an unboxing and then fumbling while recording.
I'm glad you showed some functions on screen and showed where you are clicking. 👍👍
I am amazed you reviewed it before you unboxed the radio. I can another trick: lock the drawer and lay the key inside in it!
I have this radio, it was my first radio. I wish that it would actually transmit from internet to radio. Eg. sms messages from wife's cell phone to the HT through this radio. I might have had it set wrong also. The messaging is great, I love how the map populates as you recieve APRS signals via RF. This does have an issue with noise. There are 2 places here in Cheyenne that are horrible. I thought about buying the bluetooth mics but didn't feel it was worth it. That being said since it's in the motorhome and we are full timers, that one might be nice with the display. For what you pay for this radio, it's worth it. You get more than I ever thought I would
have you ever had issues with transmitting? on my last trip with this radio my friends who were less than a mile away sometimes right in front of me could not hear me because it was too broken up, anytime we were stationary i did not have this problem. I think it is from my antenna but i was curious if you have ever experienced anything like this?
@@kimmyyimmel2010 Sorry, I never saw your question. I don't know if you still have the radio but I haven't had issues. I am sure you stuck with the antenna as your culprit or your radio might have been defective. Hopefully you still have it because Bluetooth KISS TNC is available now. Still experimental but worth it.
@@Josh-KJ7OEP I do have the radio and I'm prepping for my next trip, can you elaborate on that new tech?
good review - might Consider it. I already ordered a vgc VR-N76 and a bunch of accessories. Looking forward to using APRS! Definitely want to get it ready for the trip out to Quartzfest!
Hi. You actually have unlimited channels. Add another group and you get another 16 channels and so on.
You can scroll through the different groups you've made by pressing the folder-looking button near the top in the home screen (16 channels screen)
Cool! thanks, I'll have to give that a try. I'm curious if the PTT/speakermics can scroll through more than 16?
@@KM6LYW I think it can only scroll through the current group selected. I don't think the BHM-78 mic can scroll groups.
@@KM6LYW I believe groups are stored on the app and loaded to the radio one at a time. The app can have as many groups as you want but the radio only has memory space for the 16ch allocation. Not perfect but how many of us have to many memories on our radios to find what we want anyway? 16 seems a reasonable amount and with the ability to swap in another group as needed it's certainly liveable.
Hi Craig, Nice video. I'm impressed with the radio especially at the price. Thanks.
I REALLY wish Vero would tweak the firmware to work with Android Auto! I've read that they put out a firmware update, but I think it's not a big change. Have you heard anything for 2023? Thanks, Michael
Could you thoroughly review the APRS functionality in a follow-on video? In particular, I would like to know if it does 9600 baud and if it correctly implements digipeating, hop counts, etc. DE WA1KLI
I looked at the Vero before, not this model though. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
I have had one since it first came out. Great little radio I must say.
My brother got one of these, we run it into an Atoto headunit. Makes an awesome mobile setup. I’m gonna get one for myself!
What's the model number, most Chinese head units bt only connects to phones. Like my xtrons I can't scan for any devices other than phones. I have this vn7500 since march of 2020
I can't get the APRS log in To work. I set my SSID and Call sign , even Got the APRS password But the website is saying that I need to submit a copy of my Ham License.
You would not buy a radio without APRS? Like the IC-7300 or the IC-705? Just bustin on you. Good video. New radio to me. Bryan S
I've had this radio in my Tucson, just ordered the fancy speaker mike.
Can it work with APRSDroid? That would help.
Can this transmit above 470? Some videos say 480 but the website says 400-470
Yeah but is it superheterodyne or SOC?
This is on my radar for using on my motorcycle….pipe the Bluetooth to my helmet….Pitt on my handlebars….really like the aprs
Can you power on/off the radio from the mic? or do I have to get out of my car, open the trunk and power it on/off or have to pull my cellphone out of my pocket for that?
the HT app and the little yellow walkie talkie can turn off your radio. it also has auto-power-off timeout. Otherwise, walk to the trunk :)
Love the concept of this radio. Been wishing for a radio like this for several years. However it needs to make a few improvements first. 1. Needs to have better Apple IOS support, it needs higher channel memories. At least 1000. It also needs digital support. Preferably Yeasu C4FM. It also needs more mic control.
However, I will admit for a first gen unit, this unit is awesome! Especially for the cost of the unit! $180!
How well does the app work when phone has no data? I'm guessing just the google maps portion doesn't load?
I loved the video. I ended up getting this radio after your video. No regrets. I was wondering if you could test the receive quality on it compared to the ft-2980? I'm hoping the results will be much better than that of the baofeng.
i like the 2980 for packet. making the tnc canle is a hassle. ic705 is all plug n play. i had no luck with tne baofeng... its just deaf imho. audio quality of the vero isn't as good as the yaesu, just because of the speaker. I didn't have problem with desense, in Los Angeles. My opinion doesn't really count as I use a very low gain antenna on the sports car with this radio.
there is soon to be a VR-N7600 Mobile (With a hand mic has display)
Great video, was wondering if you could confirm that I could set up the radio in my car to send out my position on APRS and see stations on the BT Screen Mic, as well as be monitoring a local repeater?
to send aprs positions, you need your phone (with gps) connected, xor the yellow BTScreenMic.
Thanks for the quick response. Also enjoyed the use of xor, one of the reasons I love this hobby :). Keep up the great work.
Thanks for the video, my question is; where is the GPS/antenna of the radio stored?
Regards. Martin, PD1MV
It appears to use the GPS in your phone, or the GPS in the remote (the remote with the screen). if the radio loses contact with the phone or remote, it just beacons the last known position, from what I've read.
more then 16 channels you have to go to the regions to add more channels
Would it be posible to connect APRSdroid by bluetooth to it?
Just wondering what Bluetooth version it is? I know 4.x has a poor range. What is your experience?
Great video btw very elaborate in explaining the different. I’m considering buying one.
I'm guessing it's BT "low energy"... i put an ammeter on it and it draws 0.00Amps when off... yet it still responds to the handmics
@@KM6LYW What is your experience regarding range of the Bluetooth handmic? 20-30 meters or is it more like 5-10m?
@@MauricetePas 10 meters
they released a firmwear update now which may be worth a new video. it now supports 32 channels and kiss tnc support
Craig are you running this with the digipi or does the HT phone app do the APRS thing without it. I've been looking at this thing over the years too. I think I have a friend wanting to sell one so I'm hitting him up about it. I curious how long it would run on say an 8 amp/hr battery? I envisioning a Pelican style case, battery, and small mag mount antenna. Use it at the QTH and take it on the road in the car. Wish I had seen this before I ordered my Mobilinkd TNC4. That has other benefits as well too - HT operation. In my area the mobile higher power would make operations more viable. On the same side of the coin even 5 watt HT will get picked up by other igates / digipeaters in your area if they are close enough. Jeremy KM6QAQ
It doesn't compete with the TNC4 which is a KISS packet/bluetooth device. This Vero has a proprietary bluetooth connection and app. I haven't plugged this into a digipi cable yet, mostly because the Vero android app is sufficient. I think it was 150mA (0.15A) when receiving and on?
Did you send a copy of your license?
Just stumbled onto your channel as I just ordered this radio. Saw your DigiPi. Can this radio work with Digipi over bluetooth?
DigiPi can't drive this radio over bluetooth as it doesn't present a standard KISS nor AGWPE TNC. You'd need to rig up a PTT circuit and an audio board.
Hmmm. Couldn't we just pipe the Bluetooth audio to the pi?
more bumper music please !!!!
and offcourse a great review
You mention a user driven community. Can you share some links to user groups of this radio??? I have a specific case use I want to do with this radio, and would like to get help from the community if this is possible with this radio.
groups.google.com/g/veron7500
Hi. The radio has a lot going for it for special applications. I can think of several where it's probably the only radio that will fill all of them that I can think of. We have one guy who uses one and he uses a phone to txx and rx and has the radio way up in his attic close to the antenna. He sound pretty good but has a strange noise when he starts transmitting which really isn't that bad and makes the radio recognizable. One question I have : Will it work with an Apple Iphone or Ipad ? Regarding the desense, I've seen other chinese radios which could use better Di-Plexers. Seems to be common. But, I was completely biased by the fact that my old Yaesu 8900 has the best di-plexer I've ever heard especially considering it does 50m and 10m . IOS is my primary question for the app, it really looked fairly powerful.
afaik there is now an IOS app. I didn't get obvious desense in Los Angeles, but then, I used a stubby mobile antenna too. I like the idea of putting the radio near the antenna. UHF can be problematic with long coax runs.
Nice video. Does it have crossband receiver mode?
no
What is the minimum and maximum versions of Android this software runs on in your tests successfully?
I really don't know.. i have a pixel3 and a samsung S8 tablet, if that helps. both work
Ok what os version is the pixel 3 please? That is a good starting point. Go to settings.. about phone.. Look for Android ver.
Can it do I-Gating without the use of additional gear? or I gating at all?
yah, the phone app is also an igate
Question: I've just ordered this rig, and was wondering if it works with AprsDroid? Thanks
Nope... you have to use their app, which, is somewhat similar.
I can't find this manual that he is showing v6. I can only find v3.1
join the google group, click documents, request access.. not obvious
any way to make this radio work with digipi?
possibly, but we'll need a sound-card and a PTT circuit. there's no usb audio available, and I'm not sure we can get bluetooth to work in that regard -- maybe?
Thanks nice video mine in on way .
Where does it Get GPS?
from the radio unit itself? or possibly the yellow remote? it sends beacons w/o a phone paired...
I'm using mine as a base.
Just a thought. How would this work with distracted rules? Here in BC if I picked up a cell phone I get nicked in the wallet. I'd have to get BT Mic. A B T Mic would work as it's not a cell phone. Just a thought
In California, the distracted driving law has an exclusion for a PTT device wired to a radio installed in the vehicle. The USB charging cable for the PTT devices, is electrically connected to the radio via grounding. However, like large portions of Canada, California has completed the transition from a nation of Laws to a nation of Men, so it doesn't really matter, you will be ticketed regardless if they don't like your behavior. Just be aware.
I know this is a late reply but for those that may see it later it has a Bluetooth ptt button available that you can wear like a ring. Put the mic/speaker on anything metal in front of you (magnetic) and just click the ptt button on your finger and talk.
I must Have!
The app requires a "phone home" to China to work. You can't even log in to the app if you aren't able to connect to the back end server in China. Seems like a dealbreaker to me. What if they go out of business and take their server down...or worse?
if they go out of business, it should continue to work as long as you keep your phone or that version of android. my phone doesn't have a sim card, if that helps.
Have two been using for while the app better was year ago
3 adjectives for the radio after watching the whole video. Closed Source. Unthoughtful. Un expandable. A good attempt.
Yah, this would be epic if it had a bluetooth KISS interface.. alas, it does not.
It's a real piece of junk. For the $200.00 one will spend to get this junk ---there are many other radios on the market, for less dollars to purchase, that are better quality radios...
Thanks Bill, is it the desense/RF side, or just the awkwardness/usability.. or both? I'll be driving to Los Angeles this weekend, I'm curious how it holds up in the RF roar of the city. I'm still reserving judgement. At this point I wouldn't recommend it as a first-and-only radio for anyone.
I have not seen any. What other headless radio is available that you can mount out of the way and just use a Bluetooth phone connection or Bluetooth receiver in the $200 price range? Also what part of it is junk?