This is a fantastic video for people trouble shooting their equipment. My only problem with it is how do people who took and passed a test to become HAM operators not know this?
If i'd guess, memorizing test questions to just pass vs. actually learning the stuff. I'm guilty of it, hahaha, ngl. Thankfully we have HRCC videos to help us dummys (respectively).
Great video. Two of my TIDradio H3s can no longer hit repeaters after updating them to firmware 240817. Everything is entered correctly and I was wondering if anyone else H3s had the same issue. Receive works fine.
0:50 This is one of the greatest benefits of living in the cheap Baofeng / Quansheng era. You don’t have to be a “rich ham” to own more than one $500 HT. Owning several $20 HTs lets you experiment without annoying people on your local repeater.
Good tips. Glad to talk basics. I had a freind at church bring his HT radio saying could not find channels programed in. He had in VFO mode; showed him V/M button and put memory mode. Simple thing but he was to familiar with radio at the time.
Great review have had my H3 for over a week now and love it. I did all my programming right on the keypad very easy to do. Wishing you and the whole family a very Merry w
You should also mention that the standard repeater offset will be different for each band, not just the direction….600 KHz for 144, 5 MHz for 440, and 1.6MHz for 220.
This is good! i rec you are one of the few guys here on y2b that attracts young people to the radio hobby! - you are youthful, interesting to listen to, good explanations for beginners, and important: a laugh here and there! - not boring! - coming here and watch very often, and from now on, also a subscriber! 73, Levi in Sweden
My Tidradio TD-H3 worked for a week or two, then I could no longer bring up any local repeaters, even tho nothing had changed in programming. I sent it back to Amazon and got a working replacement within a week.
@@donrobinson5540 that's what happens 100% when you grab the ht by the antenna the way the sad gmrs youtuber shows. there's a ceramic cap across a coil near bottom that cracks when ant is bent that way. he does that hoping you break your ant cause he's a psycho.
I had two H3’s fail within two weeks. Different issues with each. I wonder how long Amazon lets a vendor have a high rate of returns. I like to have two on hand for the purpose mentioned in the video but now it seems you need two to make sure you always have one while the other is being returned. The H 3 is great for learning about how thee HTs work and eventually I will get a more reliable brand once I know what it is I really need.
At 5:30 when talking about the frequencies on the anteand that it'll be able to listen just fine. The aviation band antenna that my td-h3 came with doesn't go down to the frequency of a local air band frequency for me so the only thing that comes through is static
A DC short between the antenna center pin and ground does not necessarily mean the antenna is bad. Some antennas - like your roll-up J-Pole - is a DC short, but RF magic. 🤘😁
Some simple to diagnose issues that I've ACTUALLY encountered: Volume too low (more common than you realize), Squelch too high, DTCS or other Tone set on RECEIVE.
I have three Baofen radios but I can't hear anyone talking, only the weather channels. I set the frequency to VFM and I can't hear anyone. I don't have a license but I think the radio should be able to hear someone transmitting or talking. Any advice because I'm about to throw it away. I unlocked the radio, used the chirp and downloaded the frequency and everything, and when I scan it, it scans but I can't hear anyone talking. Could it be that I've done something wrong? Some advice please?
Is it correct that the radio's wide/narrow setting only affects transmitting or will it also have an effect on how the other station sounds on your end?
Hey Josh have you seen the last few videos from New York Prepper showing how someone is messing with "The Buzzer" and Russias nuclear frequencies that made images in the waterfall? I was wondering what tech allows them to make images and words on the waterfall. Would make a good video if you know how they are doing it.
@HamRadioCrashCourse you can make pictures on a waterfall? How do you scan the Pic and then get the waterfall to reproduce it. One Pic was the CIA logo. They also put the text, "Something big is coming." Last night they put a big "Z" on it and then the Russian coat of arms. I don't understand it.
There is a lot of dead air and continuous interference on other channels, even in the middle of the major city I live in. There appears to be only one local repeater that I found actually in use while all other other repeaters are dead quiet. I would recommend starting with the GMRS radio first since they generally are more active than HAM frequency and you will learn how to use all of these feature when you decide to upgrade.
Saw an interesting podcast where they pondered the question. Is gmrs the new novice license? For me it definitely is. Thoughts josh? Better yet if you discuss it on the podcast 😂
@paulmitchell4421 imo the tests should all focus on how no to interfere and how to use your radio safely not on the electrical engineering side. Like how a hunter safety course doesn't teach you how to be a good hunter. With so many vendors of ready to use products most of the engineering info is worthless to most peple who would be hams if not for the tests
Josh, This is good information. My UV-5Rs were my first HAM Radios. They still work as expected. They have local repeaters programmed into them, as well as NA1SS frequencies. Of course, there are better radios, but, this is a hobby where a ham shack is a hole in the bank account that cannot be filled permanently! KQ4IXD
Or, if you are like me, the radio works just fine but where you're cheap radio doesn't have the legs to actually reach anyone on UHF/VHF and there aren't any repeaters close enough. So then you have to decide if you want to invest even more money into a hobby that hasn't proved it's worth it because there is no one nearby in the hobby. "Go to your local club" I hear you say. So yes, pack up and drive the 2 hours it takes to get to a club meeting with people who don't care because you aren't into the specific type of hobby they are.
Don't overlook the highly dramatic improvement a better antenna can make. Google "Fong J-pole" for the most effective of that family. Or build yourself a tiny cubical quad using a few bucks work of torch welding rod and a bit of cheap sprinkler pipe and a few fittings. Add some coax and go. I've many times worked hilltop repeaters over 120 miles away with between 2 and 5 watts with my little quad on the 70 cm band. Boosts signal more effectively than more watts output believe it or not, plus improves your ability to receive. Cheap but excellent fix.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse It sound teribble. For me in Germany it is automatic selected as ON and I must switch it of each time I start such an video. - Only the creator is able to switch it off as standard.
Still not working?? Check your SQUELCH!
I did try from 1 thru 9
This is a fantastic video for people trouble shooting their equipment. My only problem with it is how do people who took and passed a test to become HAM operators not know this?
If i'd guess, memorizing test questions to just pass vs. actually learning the stuff. I'm guilty of it, hahaha, ngl. Thankfully we have HRCC videos to help us dummys (respectively).
Great video. Two of my TIDradio H3s can no longer hit repeaters after updating them to firmware 240817. Everything is entered correctly and I was wondering if anyone else H3s had the same issue. Receive works fine.
Every time I see last year's HT go on clearance, I purchase it. Better than locating rechargeable packs for discontinued models.
0:50 This is one of the greatest benefits of living in the cheap Baofeng / Quansheng era. You don’t have to be a “rich ham” to own more than one $500 HT. Owning several $20 HTs lets you experiment without annoying people on your local repeater.
I'm 400$ in on HTs... Except All my "active together" people now have HTs now. We are all excited for Cold Camp this winter and River Trip in Summer.
Josh, another great video!!! Well done 👍🏻
Good tips. Glad to talk basics.
I had a freind at church bring his HT radio saying could not find channels programed in. He had in VFO mode; showed him V/M button and put memory mode. Simple thing but he was to familiar with radio at the time.
Great review have had my H3 for over a week now and love it. I did all my programming right on the keypad very easy to do. Wishing you and the whole family a very Merry w
You should also mention that the standard repeater offset will be different for each band, not just the direction….600 KHz for 144, 5 MHz for 440, and 1.6MHz for 220.
I was going to, but I kinda wanted to keep the topic light and high level.
This is good! i rec you are one of the few guys here on y2b that attracts young people to the radio hobby! - you are youthful, interesting to listen to, good explanations for beginners, and important: a laugh here and there! - not boring! - coming here and watch very often, and from now on, also a subscriber! 73, Levi in Sweden
Thank you Levi!!
Thanks for the video, sir. I'll have to share this one with the new hams in the club.
Glad to help!
This is great Josh, thanks for putting this out there.
Thank you!
My Tidradio TD-H3 worked for a week or two, then I could no longer bring up any local repeaters, even tho nothing had changed in programming. I sent it back to Amazon and got a working replacement within a week.
@@donrobinson5540 that's what happens 100% when you grab the ht by the antenna the way the sad gmrs youtuber shows.
there's a ceramic cap across a coil near bottom that cracks when ant is bent that way.
he does that hoping you break your ant cause he's a psycho.
I had two H3’s fail within two weeks. Different issues with each. I wonder how long Amazon lets a vendor have a high rate of returns. I like to have two on hand for the purpose mentioned in the video but now it seems you need two to make sure you always have one while the other is being returned. The H 3 is great for learning about how thee HTs work and eventually I will get a more reliable brand once I know what it is I really need.
At 5:30 when talking about the frequencies on the anteand that it'll be able to listen just fine. The aviation band antenna that my td-h3 came with doesn't go down to the frequency of a local air band frequency for me so the only thing that comes through is static
+1 for Signal Stick. Just don't use it in extreme cold :D
Do they get brittle?
@@bobsyris The opposite, in extreme cold they turn into a noodle. It's made out of nitinol. Once warm it straightens out.
Excellent video. I’ll be sure to point new hams out to this one (or any other radio user, FRS, GMRS, MURS, etc.).
Merry Christmas, Josh. 73 - KF0QNM
Merry Christmas and thanks!
A DC short between the antenna center pin and ground does not necessarily mean the antenna is bad. Some antennas - like your roll-up J-Pole - is a DC short, but RF magic. 🤘😁
Sure…. But likely not a ht antenna. 😅
@HamRadioCrashCourse any half-wave should. 5/8 may also have a DC short as a matching network.
i love that th3! i know there are QC issues on ham TX but great radio good battery
Great video! However, my second radio isn't receiving signals from the first one on the same repeater. I'm still troubleshooting the issue.
Thank you for your videos. Question: Have you looked at the Qodosen DX-286? Seems to be a growing popular radio.
Take care.
Some simple to diagnose issues that I've ACTUALLY encountered: Volume too low (more common than you realize), Squelch too high, DTCS or other Tone set on RECEIVE.
Ah dang! I forgot squelch!! You nailed it!
I have three Baofen radios but I can't hear anyone talking, only the weather channels. I set the frequency to VFM and I can't hear anyone. I don't have a license but I think the radio should be able to hear someone transmitting or talking. Any advice because I'm about to throw it away. I unlocked the radio, used the chirp and downloaded the frequency and everything, and when I scan it, it scans but I can't hear anyone talking. Could it be that I've done something wrong? Some advice please?
Another awesome course for starter radios
Thanks for the kind words!
Is it correct that the radio's wide/narrow setting only affects transmitting or will it also have an effect on how the other station sounds on your end?
#1….. great video Josh.. NN7X
I was really impressed by the Tidradio H3. Have you tried the Marcus Dudley firmware mod? Highly recommended for experienced users.
I’m going to deep dive some firmware then post my review.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse OK, great. I look forward to it. I think his (Marcus's) is the NicFW one.
I found out at 5 weeks,(Once i got more HTs) when in doubt turn up the volume.
What does HT mean ?
@rolandolugo5135 Handheld Transceiver
@ thank you … I’m new to this all
@rolandolugo5135 heck yea bud, im going on 2 months now
@ nice. Which HT would you recommend , I have a UV-5R ?
Hey Josh have you seen the last few videos from New York Prepper showing how someone is messing with "The Buzzer" and Russias nuclear frequencies that made images in the waterfall? I was wondering what tech allows them to make images and words on the waterfall. Would make a good video if you know how they are doing it.
Oh yeah. They’ve been doing that since the war kicked off.
@@RangerBuck the ukies are doing it, and you're paying for it every time you buy groceries at inflated prices.
Anyone can do it with a ham radio within range. Nothing special or difficult.
@HamRadioCrashCourse you can make pictures on a waterfall? How do you scan the Pic and then get the waterfall to reproduce it. One Pic was the CIA logo. They also put the text, "Something big is coming." Last night they put a big "Z" on it and then the Russian coat of arms. I don't understand it.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse ok I found something about SonicPhoto software. Still researching.
It's pining for the fjords ..
There is a lot of dead air and continuous interference on other channels, even in the middle of the major city I live in. There appears to be only one local repeater that I found actually in use while all other other repeaters are dead quiet.
I would recommend starting with the GMRS radio first since they generally are more active than HAM frequency and you will learn how to use all of these feature when you decide to upgrade.
Even the feedback gives you feedback. Come on, Josh. That writes itself. 😆🤙🏾
Saw an interesting podcast where they pondered the question. Is gmrs the new novice license? For me it definitely is. Thoughts josh? Better yet if you discuss it on the podcast 😂
@@Grognarthebarb for some people test is still too hard
@paulmitchell4421 imo the tests should all focus on how no to interfere and how to use your radio safely not on the electrical engineering side. Like how a hunter safety course doesn't teach you how to be a good hunter. With so many vendors of ready to use products most of the engineering info is worthless to most peple who would be hams if not for the tests
Or use odmaster
Whoa. Scanning on h3 looks really slow. Is that still on Oem firmware ?
Yes, the nicsure firmware screen is completely different and much better than the stock firmware.
I will try new firmware!
Worst Discord community - great channel thanks for the effort
That’s crazy. If you had an issue. @admin or dm us. Since you didn’t DM me, I have no confidence on this statement.
@HamRadioCrashCourse will join again to send some proof. But was not a friendly environment.
@HamRadioCrashCourse killed the hobby for me. Would not mean much as I am very sure he is part of your admin team.
Please do send me anything you got.
Josh,
This is good information.
My UV-5Rs were my first HAM Radios.
They still work as expected. They have local repeaters programmed into them, as well as NA1SS frequencies.
Of course, there are better radios, but, this is a hobby where a ham shack is a hole in the bank account that cannot be filled permanently! KQ4IXD
Or, if you are like me, the radio works just fine but where you're cheap radio doesn't have the legs to actually reach anyone on UHF/VHF and there aren't any repeaters close enough. So then you have to decide if you want to invest even more money into a hobby that hasn't proved it's worth it because there is no one nearby in the hobby. "Go to your local club" I hear you say. So yes, pack up and drive the 2 hours it takes to get to a club meeting with people who don't care because you aren't into the specific type of hobby they are.
In a true RF desert you may need to start looking into HF.
Yep, that's me... I really don't enjoy radio, while thinking I need to know radio...
@@Scaliadsame. S2 underground is a great channel for guys like us.
Don't overlook the highly dramatic improvement a better antenna can make. Google "Fong J-pole" for the most effective of that family. Or build yourself a tiny cubical quad using a few bucks work of torch welding rod and a bit of cheap sprinkler pipe and a few fittings. Add some coax and go. I've many times worked hilltop repeaters over 120 miles away with between 2 and 5 watts with my little quad on the 70 cm band. Boosts signal more effectively than more watts output believe it or not, plus improves your ability to receive. Cheap but excellent fix.
@@Scaliad No one should spend time participating in a hobby they don’t enjoy. Life is too short.
That is dummies don't know how to use radio 🧘⛄🎄
is my car working?
you need another car just to determine that, sir!
Lmao.
Thanks my friend ke4hpq
You’re welcome!
Shit Audiosync! Please switch it off!
Huh?
@@HamRadioCrashCourse It sound teribble. For me in Germany it is automatic selected as ON and I must switch it of each time I start such an video. - Only the creator is able to switch it off as standard.
@@TrullockRosso I have no idea what audio sync is tbh.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse It auromatic replace the audio of the video with a KI generated new translated and verry bad audio.
I bought 4 of those UV5R's from Amazon for shtf and they don't pick up anything but the NOAA signal bought the good Japanese antenna also... Useless.
@@fartinthewind933 got exactly what you paid for.