I came across this radio on another video and it intrigued me because of the price and built in APRS. I want the APRS function for off grid comms and POTA/SOTA spotting. Great video and keep it up.
BTech had the barebones of VGC in their GMRS PRO from 2 years ago. Same (roughly) open-source software. It's nice to see something on the market that's more full-featured
TO is a great guy, you made a good choice following his lead. I love APRS and run digipeaters ang iGates. I just bought this radio to add to my capabilities.
Thanks, sn0ren! I just got my VR-N76 yesterday and hadn't been able to find the screen listing all the received messages and beacons. I found it thanks to watching that part of this video a few times. By the way, the latest firmware, 0.7.9, has a tiny on-screen keyboard at the bottom of the send message and send reply screens (also the call and check screens) that can be navigated with the arrow keys as an additional (but cumbersome and slow) text entry method that allows selection of many punctuation symbols and lower case letters. Like you, I wish the VR-N76 did some things better or differently, but again like you, I guess I can't complain because it's a sub $200 radio that can technically do almost all of the APRS things (no MIC-E messages that I've found) from the radio itself without absolutely requiring a Bluetooth connection to a phone app. 73 de DV7GDL.
I already ordered one before watching this because this is exactly what I was looking for too! I have an older chinese APRS radio, the HG-UV98, because I wanted an APRS radio that wasn't $400-750 dollars. I know that this one isn't perfect but I am hoping they will software patch the issues where the UV98 was forgotten. UV98 still works great though but you really need APRSdroid to get most of the APRS features. I am really hopeful with this one!
A wonderful review. Thanks for it! One Question... Is it possible to use aprs over bluetooth and use a headset for voicecommunication nearby at the same time? Yes maybe with blocking beacons but would it be possible?
Any ideas on cheapest with WAN/ PERsonal area network abilities? Able to send images, i.e. trailcam, and allow personal local networking for apps that have networking ability? Sharing location/ Positions of people/teammates with supplied coordinates from gps module, via BT?
im glad your getting good battery use out of yours but i get a day out of mine from 100% down to the teens and thast whithout any actually transmitting except aprs. it needs a battery eliminator or a 3500MAh battery
Good video. I have several questions: General settings Can someone explain: PTT follow PTT lock Tail elimination Signaling preamble Audio relay Tone Who can explain?
This seems extremely similar to the BTECH GMRS-PRO. The feature list and the app are almost the same. What’s going on behind the scenes to produce these radios? Is it a common company being contracted out that makes both the internals and the app?
Vero vgc is the company making it for btech from what i understand. Btech/Baefang used their name to sell it ahead and now vgc is making it under their own name, but still not sold anywhere else other than on vero. That makes me uncomfortable, i think i will stick with yaesu, i think i will be paranoid with beijing tracking and listening to me via the app 😂
@@RhettSparrow it looks like the BTECH UV-PRO is also the same exact device as this and the Radioddity? Am I reading that right? (Would link but RUclips would eat my comment.)
I have the Radioddity version. Great radio and i hope those features can be added with software updates as well. Seems totally possible- especially with all the 3rd party stuff that people are doing with the Quoshong (?) radios. 73
@@sn0ren That's not quite how that works. There are many factors dictating the support of FULL AX.25 which mostly include sufficient RAM to store a few large 256byte packets. Most APRS "TNC" modems lack sufficient RAM to buffer a packet of larger than 64bytes (which is the size of the APRS spec).
For the text messaging, do all users need to be using vgc radios, or can any aprs receiver/ digipeater receive? I love that yellow color scheme. I've been listening in on the war games with my good old Yaesu ft-60 and my cheap, lovable uv-k5 with a better antenna. Thank you as always for the awesome content, brother. 🤙🏾
The software looks almost exactly like the BTech GMRS PRO, that radio sends the APRS Data burst on any of the GMRS channels. The data can contain location or a text message. I’m wondering if these 2 radios can exchange data. The BTech GMRS PRO only costs $139.00
@bulldogbrower6732 I was pretty bummed out that the Btech Bluetooth mic they have for the gmrs pro isn't compatible with the dmr pro. It isn't a huge deal, it'sbut since they do badge engineering, I figured they'd have some extra compatibility. Especially since both models have Bluetooth modules.
I got the Radioddity version of this radio (I think they're identical just the name is different) and I cant get the APRS beaconing to work on iPhone at all its driving me crazy. I contacted support and they gave me a workaround that didnt work and now they're radio silent... I wish I'd known the iOS version was broken before I bought one :/
Yeah it’s really weird. From my testing beaconing breaks every time I connect an iPhone to it. When I connect the android app beaconing starts working again.
Hej. Jeg købte 2 stk qunnsheng uv k5 egentlig for at lodde full range mod på den ene,, men jeg aner intet om radio, har du et hint til hvor jeg kunne få viden om det.. jeg finder ingen der snakker. Kan høre lidt radio dr, osv 😂
Du kan finde forskellige frekvenser på dkscan.dk - og ellers kan du prøve at lytte til radioamatørrepeatere i dit område, dem kan du finde på www.oz1ln.dk/kort_og_lister/ - og ellers kan jeg anbefale at finde en radioamatørklub i dit område, der er helt sikkert nogle der gerne vil hjælpe dig igang.
Because APRS digipeaters repeat the signals and they are mostly placed in high up places/tall antennas which mean that they can easily reach distances of 80km per hop.
Stations from the internet are not propagated onto radio, unless they are directly messaging you, then a nearby I gate (internet connected digipeater) can send the message to you.
Pt. kender jeg kun til at den kan købes fra det link i beskrivelsen direkte fra Kina. Men prøv at kontakt kinaradio.dk eller bmradio.dk - det kan være de har planer om at importere den.
@@sn0ren No the Chinese company that was banned from the Us for building spyware into phones. So your going to link your GPS enabled radio pics/mores code/GPS location to a Chinese app through your phone????
lol doesn’t mean every Chinese made product has spyware. It has APRS built in the point is literally to broadcast your gps position, so they don’t even need to build in any spyware 😅
@@wanderingcalamity360 most of the sheeples will wander around blindly absolutely dumbfounded and hopeless. Us radio geeks both with and without licences will luckily be able to keep the banter / ragchew going a while more… as long as batteries and or solar power lasts…
Hey sn0ren! Thanks for the shout out, big fan of your channel!
Hey thanks man, really enjoy your videos 🙏
I came across this radio on another video and it intrigued me because of the price and built in APRS. I want the APRS function for off grid comms and POTA/SOTA spotting. Great video and keep it up.
BTech had the barebones of VGC in their GMRS PRO from 2 years ago. Same (roughly) open-source software. It's nice to see something on the market that's more full-featured
Well explained and presented. Currently out of stock guess I'll wait but its on the shopping list. Thanks
Don't hate the kenwood, embrace it, you know you want it
I want it but I need to sell a kidney first
@@sn0renyour kidney is not that cheap
Thanks for a great review. Thank you even more for sending suggestions to the company to improve the firmware.
I’ve emailed them a long list of bugs and ideas for improvements as well as sent them this video. Crossing fingers that some of it gets implemented.
TO is a great guy, you made a good choice following his lead. I love APRS and run digipeaters ang iGates. I just bought this radio to add to my capabilities.
I have the ga-5wb cousin from radiodity…basically same radio with same firmware and apps. I have set the side buttons to switch between groups.
Thanks, sn0ren! I just got my VR-N76 yesterday and hadn't been able to find the screen listing all the received messages and beacons. I found it thanks to watching that part of this video a few times. By the way, the latest firmware, 0.7.9, has a tiny on-screen keyboard at the bottom of the send message and send reply screens (also the call and check screens) that can be navigated with the arrow keys as an additional (but cumbersome and slow) text entry method that allows selection of many punctuation symbols and lower case letters.
Like you, I wish the VR-N76 did some things better or differently, but again like you, I guess I can't complain because it's a sub $200 radio that can technically do almost all of the APRS things (no MIC-E messages that I've found) from the radio itself without absolutely requiring a Bluetooth connection to a phone app. 73 de DV7GDL.
Are you using it with Android or Iphone?
Very nice overview. This is quite helpful 👍
Sn0ren love the channel and have been learning a lot from your channel. Keep going brother!
Looks like a very promising radio.
Thanks for the video/review.
"chunky boy" ...good videos, thanks.
I already ordered one before watching this because this is exactly what I was looking for too! I have an older chinese APRS radio, the HG-UV98, because I wanted an APRS radio that wasn't $400-750 dollars. I know that this one isn't perfect but I am hoping they will software patch the issues where the UV98 was forgotten. UV98 still works great though but you really need APRSdroid to get most of the APRS features.
I am really hopeful with this one!
That UV98 looks pretty cool too, didn’t know about that one
A wonderful review. Thanks for it! One Question... Is it possible to use aprs over bluetooth and use a headset for voicecommunication nearby at the same time? Yes maybe with blocking beacons but would it be possible?
Between the VR-N7500 and the VR-N76, if they get those annoyances fixed and add Winlink support... You won't be able to give a big brand radio away.
Good Job!
Thank You :)
Super
Thanks! Xmas wish settled!
nice
Any ideas on cheapest with WAN/ PERsonal area network abilities? Able to send images, i.e. trailcam, and allow personal local networking for apps that have networking ability? Sharing location/ Positions of people/teammates with supplied coordinates from gps module, via BT?
im glad your getting good battery use out of yours but i get a day out of mine from 100% down to the teens and thast whithout any actually transmitting except aprs. it needs a battery eliminator or a 3500MAh battery
Take my money!
Can it provide meshnet abilities? Networking?
Why would Kenwood put a BT chip in the device that does not work with iPhone/iPad? Sorry that is a miss, especially for $700 radio.
Yeah it’s ridiculous
Good video.
I have several questions:
General settings
Can someone explain:
PTT follow
PTT lock
Tail elimination
Signaling preamble
Audio relay
Tone
Who can explain?
I did not found the inbox for aprs messaging.
Is its screen easily readable in sunlight?
How does it compare to Quansheng aprs?
Can anyone suggest the best aprs handheld?
This seems extremely similar to the BTECH GMRS-PRO. The feature list and the app are almost the same. What’s going on behind the scenes to produce these radios? Is it a common company being contracted out that makes both the internals and the app?
Vero vgc is the company making it for btech from what i understand. Btech/Baefang used their name to sell it ahead and now vgc is making it under their own name, but still not sold anywhere else other than on vero. That makes me uncomfortable, i think i will stick with yaesu, i think i will be paranoid with beijing tracking and listening to me via the app 😂
@@RhettSparrow it looks like the BTECH UV-PRO is also the same exact device as this and the Radioddity? Am I reading that right? (Would link but RUclips would eat my comment.)
@@0xKruzrthats my understanding as well, all manufactured by vgc for btech and radioditty with slight differences
Cannot connect BT on IPhone 14 iOS 17.6, works great on Android.
I have the Radioddity version. Great radio and i hope those features can be added with software updates as well. Seems totally possible- especially with all the 3rd party stuff that people are doing with the Quoshong (?) radios. 73
Is there any other radio like this feature set anyone can recommend?
Can it do actual proper AX.25 packet radio to the local BBS?
The latest firmware update added true TNC over Bluetooth functionality!
@@sn0ren That's not quite how that works. There are many factors dictating the support of FULL AX.25 which mostly include sufficient RAM to store a few large 256byte packets. Most APRS "TNC" modems lack sufficient RAM to buffer a packet of larger than 64bytes (which is the size of the APRS spec).
For the text messaging, do all users need to be using vgc radios, or can any aprs receiver/ digipeater receive? I love that yellow color scheme.
I've been listening in on the war games with my good old Yaesu ft-60 and my cheap, lovable uv-k5 with a better antenna.
Thank you as always for the awesome content, brother. 🤙🏾
It works with any APRS devices
The software looks almost exactly like the BTech GMRS PRO, that radio sends the APRS Data burst on any of the GMRS channels. The data can contain location or a text message. I’m wondering if these 2 radios can exchange data. The BTech GMRS PRO only costs $139.00
Interesting, they do look like they have identical software. They probably lock the gmrs version to their own BSS mode for messages/location
@bulldogbrower6732 I was pretty bummed out that the Btech Bluetooth mic they have for the gmrs pro isn't compatible with the dmr pro. It isn't a huge deal, it'sbut since they do badge engineering, I figured they'd have some extra compatibility. Especially since both models have Bluetooth modules.
I got the Radioddity version of this radio (I think they're identical just the name is different) and I cant get the APRS beaconing to work on iPhone at all its driving me crazy. I contacted support and they gave me a workaround that didnt work and now they're radio silent... I wish I'd known the iOS version was broken before I bought one :/
Yeah it’s really weird. From my testing beaconing breaks every time I connect an iPhone to it. When I connect the android app beaconing starts working again.
Hej. Jeg købte 2 stk qunnsheng uv k5 egentlig for at lodde full range mod på den ene,, men jeg aner intet om radio, har du et hint til hvor jeg kunne få viden om det.. jeg finder ingen der snakker. Kan høre lidt radio dr, osv 😂
Du kan finde forskellige frekvenser på dkscan.dk - og ellers kan du prøve at lytte til radioamatørrepeatere i dit område, dem kan du finde på www.oz1ln.dk/kort_og_lister/ - og ellers kan jeg anbefale at finde en radioamatørklub i dit område, der er helt sikkert nogle der gerne vil hjælpe dig igang.
@@sn0ren tak det vil jeg prøve
DMR and record to SD card imagine
How do stations 200 km away show up there?
Because APRS digipeaters repeat the signals and they are mostly placed in high up places/tall antennas which mean that they can easily reach distances of 80km per hop.
@@sn0ren ok, there aren't that many of them in Poland... I thought they were stations that you receive from the internet via a program.
Stations from the internet are not propagated onto radio, unless they are directly messaging you, then a nearby I gate (internet connected digipeater) can send the message to you.
Hvor kan jeg købe den i eu /dk??
Pt. kender jeg kun til at den kan købes fra det link i beskrivelsen direkte fra Kina. Men prøv at kontakt kinaradio.dk eller bmradio.dk - det kan være de har planer om at importere den.
Why does anyone need aprs? I know I do not want it.
Fun technology!
hi
Can you say.....
Huawei
Hawaii?
@@sn0ren No the Chinese company that was banned from the Us for building spyware into phones. So your going to link your GPS enabled radio pics/mores code/GPS location to a Chinese app through your phone????
Im going with The VX-6R.
lol doesn’t mean every Chinese made product has spyware. It has APRS built in the point is literally to broadcast your gps position, so they don’t even need to build in any spyware 😅
@@sn0ren You dont think the phone app is sending all your data back to a Chinese server??? Really??
does more than you think like report all your cellphone information to the CCP
Wouldn't surprise me.
Flawed logic. Why do they need that when they already made the phones in CCP, they already have the information… backdoors…
@@randomnicemusic5906
What do you think people will turn to when their phones stop working?
@@wanderingcalamity360 most of the sheeples will wander around blindly absolutely dumbfounded and hopeless. Us radio geeks both with and without licences will luckily be able to keep the banter / ragchew going a while more… as long as batteries and or solar power lasts…
以己度人