@@temporarilyoffline Same here. I wanted to connect it to the Pi/Chirp but didn't get very far. The app seems more like malware than anything for programming a radio.
It all works just fine, I'm glad that I didn't listen to some of the bad reviews because this really saves a lot of time and makes things so much easier.
It might be my version of android or something. It programs just fine, but it's finicky about user input. I tried the latest version last week. Luckily TID is very receptive to change/update the software.
Thanks for this video. It reaffirmed my decision to wash my hands of it. Two weeks ago and after reading reviews I decided to risk it and order. It arrived, read some more neg. reviews plus the app instructions just creeped me out so didnt even install to phone. Boxed it back up and sent it back. Great idea, weird execution. It COULD have promise but I can't get past the idea of a Chinese big brother looking at my phone more than they probably already do. The manual was weird too - like they pasted from completely different teams, sources or maybe companies. Not much time was spent for it to flow with any sense. Thanks again for running it through the paces.
I totally agree - wonderful idea, horrible execution - I'm very tempted to just cobble together my own with a Kenwood connector, battery, arduino... but I fall down at the software level.
I didn't seem to have nearly the problems with this as you did. The app is definitely rough around the edges, but it works well enough for its intended purpose. The social networking aspect is the strangest bit. I've used it and have actually derived some 'value' from it (I guess?), however, it should be an entirely optional thing; signing up should not be a requirement for using this device. The other thing I dislike about the software is that it seems to lack a graceful way to exit the app. Once you shut it 'off', it continues to run in the background. I have to go into settings and do a forced stop. The hardware itself seems solid enough. A few tweaks to the app and TIDRadio would have a really solid product to offer.
They could have made this a true utility, or just an open device that I could use with Chirp... or both. I'm glad it worked better for you. I tried two different phones and lucked out both times. My phones are/were "flagship" Samsung phones too.
Several fantastic #proTip (s) found here♡ going on a trip? Bring a "don't mind if I loose it" radio, with you. Go prepared, pre-program a few of that area's repeaters into the radio before you leave home. Love this♡♡♡ 👍😊
It appears that a lot of people have had problems with this app. And agree, it it asks for way too many permissions. But my biggest concern is why is its only available for use on the lower-end, cheap radios?
Off but on topic. Do you think it can be used by a PC? I'm talking connected via Bluetooth from a Linux box and talking directly to the 'thingy?' Possibly a TNCish thingy with Direwolf or manual manipulation using AX.25? Lemme know your thoughts. I'm wanting to get one just to try this out. I've got chirp and can use with the FTDI cable but to cram it via Bluetooth would be funz!
I tried to link it into a Macbook and a Linux PC, neither could find it. I linked it into a raspberry pi which could link it, but found no services that could be used. It should have just shown up as a serial port. This could have been great for direwolf or Chirp. Stay Tuned, @Ham Radio Dude and I are planning something.
I glad you posted the video, and told it like it is...thank you! I agree, why do they want all that info. There is so much potential for this device, however looks like it fails miserably. Yes, please take it apart, it is just a wireless cable or is there much more? I think one would be better off just using the programming cable and a small raspberry PI computer with Chirp. Sounds like another open source possibility...thanks again! 73 de N6LPV
I bought one of these about a year ago. Great idea. I have 5 different Baofeng UV-5r variants. At first it sorta programmed one. After a dozen or so emails and software updates, it did not get any better. The real question, why a social networking software built into a programmer. Not worth the pain.
Your video makes me want to cry I have a tidradio gmrs I was thinking about getting this to program my radio now I don't know what do you think I should do?
I think you could have made this video with the heading, "Why you should never buy this" And made it 5 minutes long with a good rant. I would have pulled it to bits already 😳 great video
I think there is a fine line between plain old whining and giving an honest review. Talk about something people are passionate about and that line is just gone no matter how right the review is.
I didn't find your video until today. I also received delivery of my Tidradio Bluetooth "thing". I tried connecting it to a Baofeng UV17 Pro GPS and after 10 minutes I threw it in the drawer in disgust. Absolute rubbish.
It actually looks like the hardware is good. The app is terrible. And the permissions that it wants are suspicious. (Location could be good if it used that to suck down repeater book data, but that didn't seem like an option.) I presume that it presents a bluetooth serial port, since that's how programming those radios work. It might be fun to see if you can use bluetooth support under Linux to pair it and dabble based on what's out there about programming those radios. It could conceivably also present as bluetooth audio, maybe headset protocol, to allow transmit and receive (maybe even including digital, like packet via direwolf, etc.) from the connected computer. But I'm not going to spring for one to find out. I bet it's not compatable with Kenwood HT anyway.
@@temporarilyoffline How useful. I'm definitely not going to get one to play with then. It might be easier just to grab a micro-processor board with bluetooth, serial, and maybe audio (D/A and A/D), and roll my own. So many projects, So few lifetimes.
Imma be honest with you...I just want to hang a Baof in a tree in a leftovers container, and have a simplex repeater. With cool close tones and a few bulletins or reminders it is active. 🙉
The app is creepy too. All the permissions and the fact that it maintains a permanent symbol at the top of my screen in the notifications tab like it's a weather app. Half the time when I unlock my phone, the app is open, and I haven't touched it since I first installed it and tried it out last week. Definitely going to delete it.
@@temporarilyoffline No lol, I don't think so. I was watching something else. It's a shame though, cause as far as I can tell the device is fine, but it's almost like the people who wrote the app didn't really understand what it was for. At least it wasn't that much money, and I'm inclined to keep it and see if someone does something with it. I bet it's not much more internally than a bluetooth headset circuit that's been adapted interface with the radio.
I thing the hardware is awesome, it's the software that sucks. I think I read that the original app dev no longer supports it. Hopefully someone else can write a decent usable app for it.
It's designed to be used out in the field to program on the fly using an app. If we have a keyboard with computer you might as well use chirp which is faster to use and has more features.
It misses on the phone... there is a web based app also I just found out about... but again, if I've got a PC/web access, I'm gonna use chirp over this.
The hardware at first sounds good. A Bluetooth connection instead of a cable? Sounds good. The app? Looks too clunky. First, why do you need to have an account to just program your radio? Are they gathering your information, for what? It should show you all the channels that are programmed. You have to go to each channel and see what's programmed. Stupid. Plus programming it, seems super clunky. Back to the hardware, why have it work only with the very bad app? It should be just a cable to the device it's paired to. And it should work with Chirp. This is a good concept but bad implementation.
What I don't understand is why radio makers haven't already built into their radios the ability to use Bluetooth programming without a separate dongle like this? It would literally only add maybe $5 to the cost of a radio.
At the speed your hand was going thru the functions on your phone on the app, one would assume you drank an entire case of red bulls prior to making the video. I have the tid radio programmer and it works flawlessly when im not going thru all the settings @ 200 miles an hour. androids arent the fastest phones.
Totally agree. I bought one, used it once, then promptly put it in the junk box.
I really wanted to like this thing. Because of their implementation of BT, I can't fix it.
@@temporarilyoffline Same here. I wanted to connect it to the Pi/Chirp but didn't get very far. The app seems more like malware than anything for programming a radio.
@@KM4ACK same
It all works just fine, I'm glad that I didn't listen to some of the bad reviews because this really saves a lot of time and makes things so much easier.
It might be my version of android or something. It programs just fine, but it's finicky about user input. I tried the latest version last week. Luckily TID is very receptive to change/update the software.
Thanks for this video. It reaffirmed my decision to wash my hands of it. Two weeks ago and after reading reviews I decided to risk it and order. It arrived, read some more neg. reviews plus the app instructions just creeped me out so didnt even install to phone. Boxed it back up and sent it back. Great idea, weird execution. It COULD have promise but I can't get past the idea of a Chinese big brother looking at my phone more than they probably already do. The manual was weird too - like they pasted from completely different teams, sources or maybe companies. Not much time was spent for it to flow with any sense. Thanks again for running it through the paces.
I totally agree - wonderful idea, horrible execution - I'm very tempted to just cobble together my own with a Kenwood connector, battery, arduino... but I fall down at the software level.
Just bought no problems works great
Excellent!
It works well if you par off the bloatware in the program app
You're right, It's a good start to something useful, would be even better if it was on task.
I didn't seem to have nearly the problems with this as you did. The app is definitely rough around the edges, but it works well enough for its intended purpose. The social networking aspect is the strangest bit. I've used it and have actually derived some 'value' from it (I guess?), however, it should be an entirely optional thing; signing up should not be a requirement for using this device. The other thing I dislike about the software is that it seems to lack a graceful way to exit the app. Once you shut it 'off', it continues to run in the background. I have to go into settings and do a forced stop. The hardware itself seems solid enough. A few tweaks to the app and TIDRadio would have a really solid product to offer.
They could have made this a true utility, or just an open device that I could use with Chirp... or both. I'm glad it worked better for you. I tried two different phones and lucked out both times. My phones are/were "flagship" Samsung phones too.
FYI, the Bluetooth pairing for this device should not be done on your phone. Instead, it should be paired within the Odmaster app's Bluetooth feature.
As shown in the video.
Several fantastic #proTip (s) found here♡ going on a trip? Bring a "don't mind if I loose it" radio, with you. Go prepared, pre-program a few of that area's repeaters into the radio before you leave home.
Love this♡♡♡
👍😊
I have been trying to program baofengs lately, will check back later like you said♡♡♡
I really appreciate your work ♡ your honesty is refreshing :)
I've got some videos on my channel about programming a feng with a raspberry pi. Take a look, I know you've got that Pi400
@@temporarilyoffline yes please ♡ I could definitely use that. How far back Chan?
@@wild-radio7373 ruclips.net/video/iR1EOfB58Vw/видео.html
It appears that a lot of people have had problems with this app. And agree, it it asks for way too many permissions. But my biggest concern is why is its only available for use on the lower-end, cheap radios?
It's probably a starting point on their path to world domination
Sent before I finished... start with a small handful of radios, get some feedback/income and grow from there
Has the updated software make this device work now? Thank You
I'll have to check. If it does, I'll drop another video.
Off but on topic. Do you think it can be used by a PC? I'm talking connected via Bluetooth from a Linux box and talking directly to the 'thingy?' Possibly a TNCish thingy with Direwolf or manual manipulation using AX.25? Lemme know your thoughts. I'm wanting to get one just to try this out. I've got chirp and can use with the FTDI cable but to cram it via Bluetooth would be funz!
I tried to link it into a Macbook and a Linux PC, neither could find it. I linked it into a raspberry pi which could link it, but found no services that could be used. It should have just shown up as a serial port. This could have been great for direwolf or Chirp. Stay Tuned, @Ham Radio Dude and I are planning something.
New version released with some upgrades
I saw that!
Don’t know why you had so many problems with it!! Mine worked great and I programmed 5 radios with it. Better luck next time!!
It's good that it worked for you. It is a great idea for a product.
Thanks for the info TO too bad there isn't a better device out that can do multiple brands also
Thanks Chuck
I glad you posted the video, and told it like it is...thank you! I agree, why do they want all that info. There is so much potential for this device, however looks like it fails miserably. Yes, please take it apart, it is just a wireless cable or is there much more? I think one would be better off just using the programming cable and a small raspberry PI computer with Chirp. Sounds like another open source possibility...thanks again! 73 de N6LPV
I'll have a video out soon with the guts. In the mean time Ham Radio Dude and I are working on an off the shelf BT solution.
I bought one of these about a year ago. Great idea. I have 5 different Baofeng UV-5r variants. At first it sorta programmed one. After a dozen or so emails and software updates, it did not get any better.
The real question, why a social networking software built into a programmer.
Not worth the pain.
I was hoping this would be a quick way to clone radios in the field between friends... its not.
I I think I will turn on my TV and watch reruns of Lassie
Very safe bet. I like Lassie, she's a good doggo.
Your video makes me want to cry I have a tidradio gmrs I was thinking about getting this to program my radio now I don't know what do you think I should do?
It does work, but not like it should. Would be great if it would be just serial and could be used with chirp.
Great now how do I get to chirp software if you give me some more insight I'd save your video for reference
Here is my video on chirp: ruclips.net/video/iR1EOfB58Vw/видео.html
@@temporarilyoffline thank you I'll see if this helps me
You can't beat the tride and tested chirp!!
It does the thing! (chirp)
I think you could have made this video with the heading, "Why you should never buy this" And made it 5 minutes long with a good rant. I would have pulled it to bits already 😳 great video
I think there is a fine line between plain old whining and giving an honest review. Talk about something people are passionate about and that line is just gone no matter how right the review is.
So you program it from the uv-5r
With this device, you program your radio using your phone. Me personally, I use Chirp to program my Baofeng HTs.
I didn't find your video until today. I also received delivery of my Tidradio Bluetooth "thing". I tried connecting it to a Baofeng UV17 Pro GPS and after 10 minutes I threw it in the drawer in disgust. Absolute rubbish.
Yeah, I wasn't impressed. It felt like they never used it ... Or at least didn't even notice the bugs.
I was given one of those by the company about 1 year ago to review. I sent it back to them and told them it was a POS!
They didn't listen? Weird.
I think I'll buy $23 in lottery tickets. Thanks for the heads up
I hope you win big!
I watched the video despite you telling me not to.
I regret nothing
No Ragrets!
I got lost when you turned it to vfo mode and tried to change channels...
Have you been a ham for a long time?
@@temporarilyoffline Long enough to wish the ticket only expired after the Coroner tags me out.
Thanks, grace period 🙏
That's when mine will expire... after many many renewals!
It might need location in future software releases, to easily programme local frequencies... 73 DE W8LV BILL
I can see that.
It actually looks like the hardware is good. The app is terrible. And the permissions that it wants are suspicious. (Location could be good if it used that to suck down repeater book data, but that didn't seem like an option.) I presume that it presents a bluetooth serial port, since that's how programming those radios work. It might be fun to see if you can use bluetooth support under Linux to pair it and dabble based on what's out there about programming those radios. It could conceivably also present as bluetooth audio, maybe headset protocol, to allow transmit and receive (maybe even including digital, like packet via direwolf, etc.) from the connected computer.
But I'm not going to spring for one to find out. I bet it's not compatable with Kenwood HT anyway.
It doesn't actually present a bluetooth serial port in the "standard way"
@@temporarilyoffline How useful. I'm definitely not going to get one to play with then. It might be easier just to grab a micro-processor board with bluetooth, serial, and maybe audio (D/A and A/D), and roll my own. So many projects, So few lifetimes.
Imma be honest with you...I just want to hang a Baof in a tree in a leftovers container, and have a simplex repeater.
With cool close tones and a few bulletins or reminders it is active. 🙉
And hope it uses a phone as the recording and playing device, with an app.
That would be interesting to play with for sure.
So true
It coulda been a contenda
@@temporarilyoffline I been waiting months programs only 888 okay
Tried mine numerous times ,,, not working ,,, freezes up
This thing had such great potential
The app is creepy too. All the permissions and the fact that it maintains a permanent symbol at the top of my screen in the notifications tab like it's a weather app. Half the time when I unlock my phone, the app is open, and I haven't touched it since I first installed it and tried it out last week. Definitely going to delete it.
I agree, no reason for this app to run any other time than when I say so.
@@temporarilyoffline the app literally just opened itself while I was holding my phone in my hand watching RUclips.
Did I summon it?
@@temporarilyoffline No lol, I don't think so. I was watching something else. It's a shame though, cause as far as I can tell the device is fine, but it's almost like the people who wrote the app didn't really understand what it was for. At least it wasn't that much money, and I'm inclined to keep it and see if someone does something with it. I bet it's not much more internally than a bluetooth headset circuit that's been adapted interface with the radio.
I read the ULA and long story short all information shared is sent to the chinese government.
With that, the programming cable seems to be the better option.
I thing the hardware is awesome, it's the software that sucks. I think I read that the original app dev no longer supports it. Hopefully someone else can write a decent usable app for it.
That would be great. The hardware "does the thing", but you're right about the app.
It seems like it'd be a lot easier if they didn't make you do this on the phone. I think using a real keyboard would be helpful.
It's designed to be used out in the field to program on the fly using an app. If we have a keyboard with computer you might as well use chirp which is faster to use and has more features.
@@ShooterReadyStandBy OK.
It misses on the phone... there is a web based app also I just found out about... but again, if I've got a PC/web access, I'm gonna use chirp over this.
The hardware at first sounds good. A Bluetooth connection instead of a cable? Sounds good. The app? Looks too clunky. First, why do you need to have an account to just program your radio? Are they gathering your information, for what?
It should show you all the channels that are programmed. You have to go to each channel and see what's programmed. Stupid. Plus programming it, seems super clunky. Back to the hardware, why have it work only with the very bad app? It should be just a cable to the device it's paired to. And it should work with Chirp.
This is a good concept but bad implementation.
Couldn't agree more. I could try, but we'd just be agreeing to agree. Don't you think?
What I don't understand is why radio makers haven't already built into their radios the ability to use Bluetooth programming without a separate dongle like this? It would literally only add maybe $5 to the cost of a radio.
At the speed your hand was going thru the functions on your phone on the app, one would assume you drank an entire case of red bulls prior to making the video. I have the tid radio programmer and it works flawlessly when im not going thru all the settings @ 200 miles an hour. androids arent the fastest phones.
I sped through the demo after trying it a few times. I didn't want to waste your time. No red bulls, I promise.
I would not install Odmaster on a phone that you use every day. Just sayin'. The software was written by street hackers.
I was not impressed - they spent more time polishing up features that people don't want and less effort on the things that mattered.
Cringe, with an extra helping of cringe.
Cringe for Dessert Too