Nice setup! Did you do a video on hooking the solar panel up?? I will look and see, but it would be good to do one showing what you need. Looks like you have the solar panel, then the solar panel regulator (I think that is what it's called) and the the volt meter and that goes to you power distribution system. Not sure though. I want to do something like that for my portable setup for POTA. Juddie WD8WV
Got one. It charges a lawn mower batt. And I run a charger, for my baofange batts. And qrp pixies. On 30/ 40 meters. With 2/70 as the cherry on the top. Good radio. De kv4li.
It’s a great little radio for sure. I haven’t programmed this radio manually. I’ve always used the software from the Tyt website. It’s pretty easy. You need to set the transmit and receive frequencies and probably a ctcss tone. That’s about it. Should be pretty straight forward. I’m not even sure where that radio is right now as I just moved so I can’t try it out for you at the moment.
M--Do you have a thought about TYT8600 vs Anytone 778?? They seem very apples to apples. 25w dual band mini mobile. Or maybe another one I hadn't considered in this same budget spot? Thanks!
The bad thing about that 13 watt solar panel is that it is too small. It would take an entire day to charge a 4 or 5 amp hour battery or 4 days of full sun to charge a 20ah battery. kind of worthless unless for emergencies and that was all one had. These thin film type solar panels take around 3 to 4 times the surface area of any other solar panel technology to produce the same power. They were popular when conventional solar panels were so expensive. There is little reason to buy them when so many better options exist.
It's a great radio. The only 2 things I don't like about it are no Chirp support, you have to use tyt's software that kinda sucks, and it's only dual monitor not a true dual receive.
I would like to connect the microphone to a computer or cell phone(APRS DROID) with a 3,5mm jack in order to use TH-8600 as an APRS beacon. Any ideas about wiring?
Not sure about how that would be done. There is a mini usb on the back for programming so that might work. I don't do aprs and I'm not sure if its even capable.
Do you know where the dual watch is in the 8600 menu? The manual doesn’t mention it at all, but it’s listed as feature. I’m guessing, it a cryptic abbreviation in the manual somewhere.
Its been so long since I programmed this radio. I don't think that was something that needed to be turned on though. It just listens to the top and bottom freq's and whatever one it hears first it will play. It does not RX and play both at the same time if that's what you're asking. It's actually a dual watch radio, not dual monitor.
Hi Mike, Will the tTH 8600 do odd splits as in xmit on 440 and rec on 2m? This might make a great cubesat (satellite) FM rig if it does. I like the size and the power would be more than adequate over my yaesu ft 60 HT which runs 5 watts and is barely enough.
Took The 5th Im not sure how this radio would work. I’ve never done sats so I couldn’t say for sure. Yes it is dual band on both top and bottom so you can have 440 on one and 2m on the other at the same time but it is not dual receive, only dual watch. It works like a baofeng in that if one channel is receiving you won’t hear the other. If that doesn’t matter than I think you would be in good shape. Hope this helps and thanks for watching. 73.
Thank you for sharing your first experiences with this radio, Mike. Since this was more than a year ago, I'm curious if you are still happy with it? 73 de W6EUH
@@hamradiotube I just ordered one of these for my pickup truck and an external 70cm dual band antenna. Really looking forward to it, I'm struggling with handheld radios from inside of the car (obviously).
I bought one and cant for the life of me get it into VFO mode. I push the VFO button and nothing happens. Everything else seems to work fine, I can load from software and adjust all settings. I just cant go into VFO mode and manually input a simplex frequency. Any help would be appreciated.
Hmm, I just plugged mine it and hit the VFO and it just worked. So I'm either thinking that it could be defective, or I wonder if there is a VFO lockout in the software that might need to be changed? I just looked real quick and didn't see that setting so who knows. Dumb question but is the radio locked? In the top right of the screen there will be a key icon. To turn it off, hit the Function "F" button then the LO button (it has a key symbol on it as well). Hope that helps.
Please please give video on added your own channels and how to name hem like in your display. Please ...crazy question, I only have like 10 channels I need how can I easily get from one channel to the next?
Just download the programming software. It's pretty easy. You have to use this if you want to name the channels. Kinda like Chirp. Here's a link to TYT. www.tyt888.com/?mod=download
25 -50 watts isn't any real change in signal. That's only a 3dB increase in signal strength which is only 1/2 of an S unit. If I was 58 on the S meter at 25 watts, I'd be a 58.5 at 50 watts. It's really all about antenna antenna antenna. It is a cool little radio though. I like it a lot. Really small and portable.
I don't have the radio. BUt i could probably say it is the radio's jack that has the problem. Maybe it doesn't short the ptt to let you talk. The problem will be on the radio jack or some wiring in it, given that you have already tried a second radio. You could though test the microphone contacts though too. When you press the ptt it must short the microphone or the button to ground. Or something like that. I think this is how it works anyway. Try that
K8MRD RADIO STUFF yes, I have a TYT UV-390 DMR radio now with Zone Lists and scan lists. Is there any way to organize channels? Also, where did you get yours for under $100?
@@zr2zamboni906 You are asking me a question about 2 completely different radios. Again, this is an analogue radio, meaning NOT a DMR radio. I don't own a UV-390. This radio is, as the description says, a TYT TH-8600. I am sure however, that with your uv390 there is a way to organize your lists the way you like. All of that I assume would need to be done with the software.
For Powerpoles and coax I use a ratcheting crimper I got from MFJ at a hamfest a few years ago for about $35. All I can tell you is it has a blue handle. No idea what model number and its not on their website. I got the coax dies from the same MFJ booth, but I honestly don't remember where I got the power pole crimp from. I'll tell you, I have purchased another inexpensive ratcheting crimping tool from Amazon and it was total junk. Looked exactly the same. Returned it the next day. It's really hard to find a good one online that is inexpensive and good. I wish I had a good lead for you cuz I would have more crimpers myself. I hate changing out the dies when I want to crimp Powerpoles or coax or anything else. I'd rather just have a dedicated crimping tool for each one I use them so much.
I went to the TYT website and downloaded the 8600 software, have to convert it to english from chinese, which took me like 30 seconds to figure out, then know what fields to fill in, cloning went flawless.
That’s about where a lead acid battery will charge up to. Don’t let it drop more than about 12v as you will damage your battery. You only get half of what they are rated for with lead acid so 5 amps is all you want to pull out of it.
I don't have any idea why yours is not working. I'll have to take a look at mine when I get home from work. I'm pretty sure I just unboxed this radio and was able to program it from the keypad. Its been a very long time since I've had to program it.
I assume you are taking about the solar panel?? Not many amps at all. About .3 in direct sunlight. Its enough to keep a small battery topped off but that's about it.
@@user-vm2ke3yk9n It will. I believe in you...The software is similar to chirp. Just remember you must "READ" from the radio first! Then hit "SAVE"! That way you have a clean file should something go wrong that you can go back too. Once you enter your freq's and everything is good, write it to the radio and you'll be on the air. The Green left arrow is read, and the Green right arrow is write. You can also go "File > read; and File> write, as well. Should you run into any driver issues, go to www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php and get the Prolific driver. Winblows sometimes doesn't download the correct driver. Good luck!
Is there any way you can help me out with this radio? I own one and for the life of me I can’t figure out how to program it. I tried using the disc it came with and also tried downloading the software from the tyt website and still can’t figure it out.
I'm sure I could try. I know that I use the software downloaded from TYT. Haven't used it since I bought the radio though. You do have to read from the radio first and then wright the program to it. I'm good on QRZ if you want to shoot me an email explaining where your getting stuck and we can take it from there.
I think you might find your solar set up is causing some if not all of your interference. I know a lot of guys that do the portable HF complain of the noise from solar
It's my location. While your statements about solar are true, interference usually comes from a bad charge controller (which I'm sure the Harbor Freight is) by not being shielded properly. But that's on HF. I'm on UHF. However, I have used this solar panel and charge controller while operating HF and have not had any noise because of it. Surprisingly.
Hi Kevin, I bought the radio from a local company that specializes in land mobile radio. They just happen to be a couple hams that own the place and sell a few things locally like coax, connectors, and a few types of TYT radios. I'll ask them if they would ship one out to you next time I'm there but I doubt they are looking into that sort of thing. You can find them on eBay however. Thanks for watching and 73!
K8MRD RADIO STUFF thanks I’ll find them on amazon or somewhere How are you liking the harbor freight solar briefcase. I have a Bioenno 15ah battery for my hf and am looking for a small cheep set up to use portable
It does a fair job of recharging the battery if there is no load on it. When I use it with my HF rig it does nothing. Its just not strong enough to keep up with the 1amp drain on receive that my FT-891 uses. You get what you pay for for sure. If you want it to just charge batteries and its quite sunny out it does do a fine job. Its max output that I've seen is about 14.5v at .35 amps.
@@briansimpson8636 Thanks! Any idea how to unlock a THT TH-8000D/E? Someone on Amazon was able to get 200-260 on his. I've been unable to duplicate that on my own, though the output may be vastly reduced even if you could dial it in. Good radio, though a bit bulky, and the display is dot matrix. Cheers!
@@briansimpson8636 Sorry to say, I have yet to unbox mine. Why? Because I'm new to this radio thing and I'm trying to figure out how to power these things. I've got a power supply that has a cigarette lighter connector and I have two of them on order. Plus, when I get them I have to check the wiring so I don't blow the fuses or worse. I wish ask these radios came with these connectors. The two radios I have are the TYT 8600 and 9800, and neither have the CL adapter. But as soon as I can post it, I'll let you know. I also just got a couple of solar panels and I've got to start learning about power cords, etc. My mistake was, I started with HTs and then went to mobiles/bases.
Some people like them, some people don't. You know you can fast forward/skip ahead in videos right? You could completely skip the parts you don't like.
The little 8600 sounds really good tyt did it again it's waterproof ❤️👍
Nice setup! Did you do a video on hooking the solar panel up?? I will look and see, but it would be good to do one showing what you need. Looks like you have the solar panel, then the solar panel regulator (I think that is what it's called) and the the volt meter and that goes to you power distribution system. Not sure though. I want to do something like that for my portable setup for POTA. Juddie WD8WV
Very nice. But water tight with speaker and fan openings, don't know about that. Nice looking rig though..
Got one. It charges a lawn mower batt. And I run a charger, for my baofange batts. And qrp pixies. On 30/ 40 meters. With 2/70 as the cherry on the top. Good radio. De kv4li.
Just bought one and love the size. Could you list the steps to input a repeater and save to a channel. I must be missing a step. Thanks!
It’s a great little radio for sure. I haven’t programmed this radio manually. I’ve always used the software from the Tyt website. It’s pretty easy. You need to set the transmit and receive frequencies and probably a ctcss tone. That’s about it. Should be pretty straight forward. I’m not even sure where that radio is right now as I just moved so I can’t try it out for you at the moment.
Got a video on your wire antenna? Gret video. Enjoy my 8600👍
That little solar kit is pretty cool. I'll have to wait for the next HF coupon email! Nice rig too. And it looks like the j-pole worked ok. 👍
Wow--This is an old one. Found more as I'm digging for cheap mobile stuff.
Hmmmm, me thinks those power lines were messing with the antenna. Cool video
Trees hold water. Bad for signal. Nice job!
Thanks for watching.
M--Do you have a thought about TYT8600 vs Anytone 778?? They seem very apples to apples. 25w dual band mini mobile. Or maybe another one I hadn't considered in this same budget spot? Thanks!
I got one and I’m trying figure out with ems signals if I need too change signal too dtmf 2 tone or what and the step and also the wide
The bad thing about that 13 watt solar panel is that it is too small. It would take an entire day to charge a 4 or 5 amp hour battery or 4 days of full sun to charge a 20ah battery. kind of worthless unless for emergencies and that was all one had. These thin film type solar panels take around 3 to 4 times the surface area of any other solar panel technology to produce the same power. They were popular when conventional solar panels were so expensive. There is little reason to buy them when so many better options exist.
Tiene idea como ponerle el roger beep, gracias
I wonder why it says Ip67 OPTIONAL on the box....
Hello, best regards, I want to ask you if these radios go deaf in big cities? thank you
I am watching this video and looking at getting this radio and noticed you said South Lyon and used the repeater frequency I live in South Lyon
Well go join their club! Absolutely great bunch of guys there.
outstanding like solar from haror freight
They've got a new 100 watt panel that looks pretty appealing now. I think it's about $100.
@@hamradiotube yes I seen it don't remember the price
Good to see I can pickup semi local very interested
It's a great radio. The only 2 things I don't like about it are no Chirp support, you have to use tyt's software that kinda sucks, and it's only dual monitor not a true dual receive.
How has the radio held up so far? I’m looking to purchase the same one.
i'm also thinking to order this one :)
Hi Mike. Is that roll up antenna the Slim Jim Antenna from N9TAX? I heard it’s a nice portable antenna. 73, K2PDR.
No its one I made out of 450 ohm ladder line. I've heard nothing but good things about the n9tax one though.
Thanks for the reply Mike. I’m thinking of buying one for my DMR HT radio. 73, K2PDR.
bklynhubby they’re great antennas. You won’t be disappointed.
So the ladderline is the J pole? Sorry. Am I missing something?
You got it.
I would like to connect the microphone to a computer or cell phone(APRS DROID) with a 3,5mm jack in order to use TH-8600 as an APRS beacon. Any ideas about wiring?
Not sure about how that would be done. There is a mini usb on the back for programming so that might work. I don't do aprs and I'm not sure if its even capable.
Do you know where the dual watch is in the 8600
menu? The manual doesn’t mention it at all, but it’s listed as feature. I’m guessing, it a cryptic abbreviation in the manual somewhere.
Its been so long since I programmed this radio. I don't think that was something that needed to be turned on though. It just listens to the top and bottom freq's and whatever one it hears first it will play. It does not RX and play both at the same time if that's what you're asking. It's actually a dual watch radio, not dual monitor.
@@hamradiotube Thank you for the quick reply. Dual monitor was what I was thinking. It makes sense now. 73, N5SON
@@Scott_AI5EF No prob
Hi Mike,
Will the tTH 8600 do odd splits as in xmit on 440 and rec on 2m? This might make a great cubesat (satellite) FM rig if it does. I like the size and the power would be more than adequate over my yaesu ft 60 HT which runs 5 watts and is barely enough.
BTW de N5AQM Mike in Chandler, AZ.
Took The 5th Im not sure how this radio would work. I’ve never done sats so I couldn’t say for sure. Yes it is dual band on both top and bottom so you can have 440 on one and 2m on the other at the same time but it is not dual receive, only dual watch. It works like a baofeng in that if one channel is receiving you won’t hear the other. If that doesn’t matter than I think you would be in good shape. Hope this helps and thanks for watching. 73.
Thank you for sharing your first experiences with this radio, Mike. Since this was more than a year ago, I'm curious if you are still happy with it?
73 de W6EUH
I am. It’s pretty much always on. I have it in my living room and I call it my couch radio.
@@hamradiotube I just ordered one of these for my pickup truck and an external 70cm dual band antenna. Really looking forward to it, I'm struggling with handheld radios from inside of the car (obviously).
Autunite yeah HTs in the car can be tough. This and an antenna will get you on the right path.
Does it support crossband repeat?
no
I bought one and cant for the life of me get it into VFO mode. I push the VFO button and nothing happens. Everything else seems to work fine, I can load from software and adjust all settings. I just cant go into VFO mode and manually input a simplex frequency. Any help would be appreciated.
Hmm, I just plugged mine it and hit the VFO and it just worked. So I'm either thinking that it could be defective, or I wonder if there is a VFO lockout in the software that might need to be changed? I just looked real quick and didn't see that setting so who knows. Dumb question but is the radio locked? In the top right of the screen there will be a key icon. To turn it off, hit the Function "F" button then the LO button (it has a key symbol on it as well). Hope that helps.
Please please give video on added your own channels and how to name hem like in your display. Please ...crazy question, I only have like 10 channels I need how can I easily get from one channel to the next?
Just download the programming software. It's pretty easy. You have to use this if you want to name the channels. Kinda like Chirp. Here's a link to TYT. www.tyt888.com/?mod=download
Looks like a nice radio !!!! 25 watt ? I would at least go up to 50 watt if you can ? Depends on your area too.
The difference between 25 and 50 watts is less than one S-unit. Will be hardly noticeable.
25 -50 watts isn't any real change in signal. That's only a 3dB increase in signal strength which is only 1/2 of an S unit. If I was 58 on the S meter at 25 watts, I'd be a 58.5 at 50 watts. It's really all about antenna antenna antenna. It is a cool little radio though. I like it a lot. Really small and portable.
Question, 9 month old radio, not responding to microphone but receiving, got replacement mic but still not responding. Any ideas. Ham Tech lic.
I don't have the radio. BUt i could probably say it is the radio's jack that has the problem. Maybe it doesn't short the ptt to let you talk. The problem will be on the radio jack or some wiring in it, given that you have already tried a second radio. You could though test the microphone contacts though too. When you press the ptt it must short the microphone or the button to ground. Or something like that. I think this is how it works anyway. Try that
do you think the power lines caused interference or added static / signal floor?
Not likely on those frequencies but anythings possible
Where did you get the radio for under $100? Also, does this radio have the same options as the HT to have different zone lists?
Perhaps you are referring to the DMR radio TYT makes? This is an analogue radio.
K8MRD RADIO STUFF yes, I have a TYT UV-390 DMR radio now with Zone Lists and scan lists. Is there any way to organize channels? Also, where did you get yours for under $100?
@@zr2zamboni906 You are asking me a question about 2 completely different radios. Again, this is an analogue radio, meaning NOT a DMR radio. I don't own a UV-390. This radio is, as the description says, a TYT TH-8600. I am sure however, that with your uv390 there is a way to organize your lists the way you like. All of that I assume would need to be done with the software.
What type and brand of crimp pliers do you use?
For Powerpoles and coax I use a ratcheting crimper I got from MFJ at a hamfest a few years ago for about $35. All I can tell you is it has a blue handle. No idea what model number and its not on their website. I got the coax dies from the same MFJ booth, but I honestly don't remember where I got the power pole crimp from. I'll tell you, I have purchased another inexpensive ratcheting crimping tool from Amazon and it was total junk. Looked exactly the same. Returned it the next day. It's really hard to find a good one online that is inexpensive and good. I wish I had a good lead for you cuz I would have more crimpers myself. I hate changing out the dies when I want to crimp Powerpoles or coax or anything else. I'd rather just have a dedicated crimping tool for each one I use them so much.
Fire up is at 7 minutes.
Maybe you can use Chirp to programme it as well
Chirp still doesn't support this radio. I wish it would.
The Windoz program supplied with the radio works just fine. Too bad Chirp still doesn't support this radio.
I went to the TYT website and downloaded the 8600 software, have to convert it to english from chinese, which took me like 30 seconds to figure out, then know what fields to fill in, cloning went flawless.
Thanks for the video! What kind of battery are you using?
This is just a small Duracell lead acid. I think 8 or 9 amp hours.
K8MRD RADIO STUFF Thanks! Great video
I have a new 12v 10ah sealed battery, is it normal for it to only charge to 12.9v with a 1.5 amp wall charger ?
That’s about where a lead acid battery will charge up to. Don’t let it drop more than about 12v as you will damage your battery. You only get half of what they are rated for with lead acid so 5 amps is all you want to pull out of it.
Thankyou for answering my questions
So its ok to leave solar panel hooked up while using load ?
Totally fine.
I have the same radio how do you put it in simplex mode or frequency mode vfo button does nothing
I don't have any idea why yours is not working. I'll have to take a look at mine when I get home from work. I'm pretty sure I just unboxed this radio and was able to program it from the keypad. Its been a very long time since I've had to program it.
I don't own one of these but according to Amazon reviews, their customer support says you have to unlock the radio first.
Was a battery hooked up also or just solar panel
Yeah I had a little 9 amp SLAB on it.
Hi,
ts about amps,,how much did it produce???
thanks
gervais ve2ckn
I assume you are taking about the solar panel?? Not many amps at all. About .3 in direct sunlight. Its enough to keep a small battery topped off but that's about it.
Would you happen to know how to clone this radio
Never thought about that. I’m not sure. You could always use the software to upload to multiple radios.
@@hamradiotube I figured it out
Ok i got this radio cant program it for repeaters chirp does not show this radio on the app and the instructions does not help
No, unfortunately Chirp does not support this radio. TYT has software you can download here: www.tyt888.com/?mod=download
Ok il try it out thanks for getting back to me il let u know if it works
@@user-vm2ke3yk9n It will. I believe in you...The software is similar to chirp. Just remember you must "READ" from the radio first! Then hit "SAVE"! That way you have a clean file should something go wrong that you can go back too. Once you enter your freq's and everything is good, write it to the radio and you'll be on the air. The Green left arrow is read, and the Green right arrow is write. You can also go "File > read; and File> write, as well. Should you run into any driver issues, go to www.miklor.com/COM/UV_Drivers.php and get the Prolific driver. Winblows sometimes doesn't download the correct driver. Good luck!
How did you get it to go on vfo
I don't own one of these but according to Amazon reviews, their customer support says you have to unlock the radio first.
Have a mac no cd slot.... how do i program repeater.
With a Mac, unfortunately you cannot. I have to run VirtualBox with a windows image.
@@hamradiotube thnk you
@@ramoncitoramos2492 No problem. Good luck. You can program it manually but that's no fun.
Is it full duplex?
No its only 1 receiver with dual watch like most of the Chinese radios.
I can't get mine back into vfo. I can't program any new channels.
I have the same problem cant get it in frequency mode to do simplex
I don't own one of these but according to Amazon reviews, their customer support says you have to unlock the radio first.
@@user-vm2ke3yk9n I don't own one of these but according to Amazon reviews, their customer support says you have to unlock the radio first.
Is there any way you can help me out with this radio? I own one and for the life of me I can’t figure out how to program it. I tried using the disc it came with and also tried downloading the software from the tyt website and still can’t figure it out.
I'm sure I could try. I know that I use the software downloaded from TYT. Haven't used it since I bought the radio though. You do have to read from the radio first and then wright the program to it. I'm good on QRZ if you want to shoot me an email explaining where your getting stuck and we can take it from there.
I think you might find your solar set up is causing some if not all of your interference. I know a lot of guys that do the portable HF complain of the noise from solar
It's my location. While your statements about solar are true, interference usually comes from a bad charge controller (which I'm sure the Harbor Freight is) by not being shielded properly. But that's on HF. I'm on UHF. However, I have used this solar panel and charge controller while operating HF and have not had any noise because of it. Surprisingly.
Can you put a link to where you bought this
Hi Kevin, I bought the radio from a local company that specializes in land mobile radio. They just happen to be a couple hams that own the place and sell a few things locally like coax, connectors, and a few types of TYT radios. I'll ask them if they would ship one out to you next time I'm there but I doubt they are looking into that sort of thing. You can find them on eBay however.
Thanks for watching and 73!
K8MRD RADIO STUFF thanks I’ll find them on amazon or somewhere How are you liking the harbor freight solar briefcase. I have a Bioenno 15ah battery for my hf and am looking for a small cheep set up to use portable
It does a fair job of recharging the battery if there is no load on it. When I use it with my HF rig it does nothing. Its just not strong enough to keep up with the 1amp drain on receive that my FT-891 uses. You get what you pay for for sure. If you want it to just charge batteries and its quite sunny out it does do a fine job. Its max output that I've seen is about 14.5v at .35 amps.
Adams Electronics, 248.669.6800.. and yes we ship... 73's Glenn WB8ROI
Well there you have it. You just made a lot more work for yourself though Glenn. I expect the calls to be flooding in any minute now hihi
👍👍👍😁😁
thanks
*Кто нибудь из России покупал? Напишите отзыв!!*
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I hear these get pregnant easily?
Yeah, I knocked up 5 of them already. Some of their kids are now having kids of their own. I'm gonna be a grandfather. Crazy how fast they multiply.
🗣 Does this radio have to be unlocked? TYT does stupid things like that.
It’s been a while since I first got it but I’m pretty sure it’s wide open out of the box.
It does have to be unlocked. I just got mine in today
Power off hold in ab, vm, and lo buttons all at the same time and power on
@@briansimpson8636 Thanks! Any idea how to unlock a THT TH-8000D/E? Someone on Amazon was able to get 200-260 on his. I've been unable to duplicate that on my own, though the output may be vastly reduced even if you could dial it in. Good radio, though a bit bulky, and the display is dot matrix. Cheers!
I do not know. Sorry. Did the unlock I mentioned work for you?
@@briansimpson8636 Sorry to say, I have yet to unbox mine. Why? Because I'm new to this radio thing and I'm trying to figure out how to power these things. I've got a power supply that has a cigarette lighter connector and I have two of them on order. Plus, when I get them I have to check the wiring so I don't blow the fuses or worse. I wish ask these radios came with these connectors. The two radios I have are the TYT 8600 and 9800, and neither have the CL adapter. But as soon as I can post it, I'll let you know. I also just got a couple of solar panels and I've got to start learning about power cords, etc. My mistake was, I started with HTs and then went to mobiles/bases.
You lost me at the unboxing. There is nothing more boring...
Some people like them, some people don't. You know you can fast forward/skip ahead in videos right? You could completely skip the parts you don't like.