CoffeeTime

I received the RT900BT yesterday afternoon from Amazon --- I am returning it today. Total Pass. The radio ( in its present version) is just not worth the frustration IMHO. I have seen enough issues develop in 8 hours that I will NOT accept a replacement. I must have received the RT900BT Head Scratching Version. So much frustration compared to my other HT models and brands. If I thought I just had received a bad radio I would simply exchange it and keep testing. That is not the verdict. Upon arrival, all the packaging and contents were in excellent condition. I read the entire limited documentation, and I scrolled through the radio's menu --checking the factory settings, while using the radio's keypad. Seemed easy enough. Small but a good-looking radio. Seems well-built and has USB C charging. Base not included. However, over the next 8 hours, I worked to establish communication with this radio. Man-O-Man. Lots of head scratching, re-reading, searching online, etc., etc.. So, I re-installed the Radtel BT900BT 10 times onto my Samsung phone. We have a failure to communicate. The manual is limited but does indicate that the radio has Bluetooth--zero other tips. The website was of little help as zero tips/troubleshooting were found. Note: I did not chat with the factory as it was after hours. Online search results/help on YouTube and forums are still limited for this updated model. Most of the comments that I found did not work as described/or for me. My Overall Findings: Bluetooth for the RT900BT is possible, but only when my Samsung phone is configured with Location and GPS fully open/ active with all Bluetooth connectivity options set to the widest possibilities, and I allowed unverified programs complete access to the phone. Okay, so opening the phone wide-open == gained communication between the phone and the walkie-talkie via BT. Okay, progress. Thanks to a UK forum member. Note: Do not expect the QR code on the manual to work. It does not. The Bluetooth App (mine is finally communicating) seems like a puzzle at times: The BT App is poorly explained --- even on the App itself. Furthermore, once you actually arrive at their version of a code plug, you will find that the 3 tabs of fields/ terms differ from the paper documentation. Ample time is needed to match up function terms with keypad menu functions. Not easy. Radtel could have made life so much easier if they had simply included the function line number (the function line number in the paper document that matches the radio function menu) into the 3 pages/tabs being used in the code plug programming. That simple effort would have made matching differing terms so much faster during test programming. Once actually inside the code plug, you will create a code plug of your work, save it, and write /upload pieces and parts to your radio. However, Not All Of Your Saved Choices Ever Really Make It To The Radio! A Quick Example: the side button options--- They don't work after you have programmed them. You keep changing/saving/re-uploading your options, but they do not change the radio settings. You try again, to manually program on the keypad/ then test= okay/ and then read the radio/ save that / and then re-upload back to the radio= Failure to stay programmed as desired. In addition, some radio settings would magically revert to "other" settings, i.e., the radio wants to transmit Scramble Mode ---even though the code plug shows Scramble mode is set to OFF. The radio displays AM when I do not want AM. I also question why I can't keep UHF chosen in the code plug. The App simply requires a lot of extra effort to hopefully make these errors stop happening. Why? Chirp is still not available for any RT900 model unless you use developer mode. To do that, you must find and install a beta module for the RT900BT radio while in Developer mode. I installed the beta module just to see if the RT900 would show up and it did. However, I was never able to establish a FULL two-way cable connection with the radio and Chirp timed out repeatedly. Radtel has several drivers for a cable connection on their website. I tried them all with multiple (otherwise good)vendor cables. Zero connectivity. I was expecting this radio to arrive with the latest firmware pre-installed. It sure didn't. So my final effort was to try to upload and install the latest firmware. Besides opening up more channels, I was hopeful that the radio might program and operate better with updated Firmware. The website shows several Firmware updates describing bug fixes for this BT model. However, once again, updating the Firmware was a problem. The downloads are in RAR format. I tried several RAR extractors to unzip these updates. Lots of WARNINGS to not download files. I downloaded numerous files and extracted them, but the Bluetooth App failed to read them/install them to the radio. Bluetooth app stated file component failures. My Ratings /final thoughts: Because the website updates are using RAR formatting and I can't easily get these updates to work, because the radio performed poorly in my TX/RX testing--(sounded weak, had speaker issues, AM issues, Scramble issues, manual programming issues, because the Bluetooth APP code plug is just simply problematic, because the manual and website lack troubleshooting tips for this model, and because the radio seems to have a mind of its own as described= I am at a near total loss of confidence in this model as currently offered and supported. I am not interested in an HT that I can't program except with the keypad, and that I may never be able to easily update Firmware, or use Chirp with easily and straightforwardly. Final rating: D-

100% agreement. I will continue to maintain the Retevis programming application on my computer--- but I don't use it. The Chirp program, in my opinion, is much easier to use for the RA87.

Repeater search: Everything is working fine for me. MyGMRS free membership. Windows 10 Machine. Brave browser.

Hey Wayfarer, This is Awesome!!!!! Happy to see your update about Radioddity coming through (finally) to make things much better for you. Please consider additional follow-up contacts with Retevis. I know it is a PITA, but they need to provide better support for customers like us. Best regards!

I like my H3. It has been a good radio for over 1 year now. I like the longer battery life, the USB-C jack for charging, and the sound quality of the audio. Mine works well on both repeaters and on simplex.

I am very sorry to hear that. I also purchased directly from Retevis and I had a few problems also. I refused to give up. I kept emailing/ saying the same thing differently until someone could understand the points/problem. They did make me whole. Best regards!

April 4 per this ad: https://www.retevis.com/25w-rt97l-gmrs-long-range-waterproof-full-duplex-repeater-us

Investigate this for Mac?? He also builds/sells ID equipment for certain models.

Hello Gregg, I would ask myself : What height do I have available to mount an elevated Repeater antenna? Would the height available to me (totally) clear all obstructions for each user of my system? Antenna elevation is the #1 issue for a GMRS Repeater antenna. I learned this fact after spending the $$$. If you can't get a Repeater antenna above the line of sight obstructions-- between it and the desired contact points, then the return on investment $$$ is not very satisfying. However, with the short distance/ and Flat Ground as you have described above, you do have much going for you. However, UHF signal absorption (from woodland tree foliage) will still be a consideration. The distant ground-level radios transmitting back to/into the Repeater (using 5-watt HT radios) will need those maybe 5 watts to penetrate this foliage to reach the Repeater antenna. If you have not yet performed range/ground testing, I would get a helper and do some tests at ground level. Start testing with fully charged 5-watt radios. Test signals between each desired home location back to the future repeater location area. Perform all testing at ground level both inside and outside of those locations/houses. I would also look for any close walking distance clearings (for each of those houses) and test there too. If a lack of contact arises for a specific location --then leave that house and close the distance to the Repeater location until contact is made. This will provide a lot of good info about the problems between the houses back to a repeater site under the conditions of that day. Afterward, or at the same time with another HT radio, I would also adapt an HT to a borrowed GMRS frequency base antenna to test any improved reception at Ground Level-- Big antenna -vs- little HT rubber duck antenna. You might not need a huge elevation. I use a Comet CA-712EFC and the reception is nice. However, a simple test with any brand GMRS base style antenna (connected by adapters to your HT) located at the future Repeater site will also give you good info before spending the big $$$ buying your own. Best Regards!

Hello, I also do not see Channel Only mode in my Odmaster App-- or any advanced tab. I also need a Network connection to use the Odmaster App. Maybe the advanced tab comment was referring to the Tid Programming software?... This Channel Only mode appears in the Tid Programming Software. Select the Edit Tab > Optional Features to see it. A saved file is available offline for use with your programming cable. Best Regards! https://walkietalkiesoftware.com/portal/index/software.html

Waving a hand.

I had the same repeater connection issue. I discovered that the duck antenna diameter is rubbing/tight in the molded opening causing the antenna to feel seated when it is not fully seated. My antenna needed another almost full revolution to open Repeaters. I also turned Option 34 to OFF. The radio has worked well since. Best Regards!

Randolpho

For using a Repeater with H3--turn off option 34 (frequency Hopping)

RA87 Repeater Setup Issue Solved: Both Radios set to Channel 23 in this example. Hx: Once your channel frequencies and CTCSS tones match, the next part is setting up the two RA87s for Repeater Operations and connecting each radio with the Data Cable via the Data Port, and then activating the Relay Mode on both units. On the Receiving/Listening Radio only --the Reverse mode also must be activated. This Reverse mode can be activated from the radio face with the Fun button and then the Low Button. Issue: However, the Reverse mode "R" will disappear from the display (when programmed manually using the Fun and then the Low button) if power is interrupted --e.g. like during a storm where the power flickers or simply shutting off the unit(s) and then restarting them. This disappearing "R" ends repeater relay operations until you can avail yourself to reset the "listening/receive" radio manually. Yes, a rock-solid battery backup might help prevent this in perfect conditions. Found Solution: The Retevis Programming Software has the Relay choice field (like Chirp Next) and has a Reverse option tick-box located on the individual channel memory line. This allows programming of the Reverse Mode only on the channel you desire, while the other channels remain normal/unaffected. Since using the Retevis Programming Software the Reverse mode "R" remains/ is now present after numerous power outage simulations. I contacted Chirp and they explained that the Reverse function is also present in Chirp. However, you find it by using the upper Edit Tab and expanding the Chirp choice fields. Reverse works in Chirp. See 7/8/24 Update below regarding a Split. Update: 7/2/24 I have attached a screenshot of a corrected Codeplug that Retevis sent me this morning. I have enjoyed impressive/responsive service from Retevis on numerous questions and help requests! Retevis corrected my mistake on the Channel 23 line and they initiated the "Split Channel" option with the Frequencies in the proper arrangement. My Reverse option remains ON, and the Relay option remains ON in another area not visible on the screenshot. 07/08/2024 Update regarding Chirp: After receiving a suggestion from Jim Unroe@Chirp, I tested his suggestion: Jim suggested programming the RX/listening unit to 467.550 with a negative offset of 5.00000MHz. The Repeater worked. Note: Leave the Reverse option OFF and have the Relay Mode ON using the Settings tab> Relay tick box. I also tried my idea of a Frequency Split -- to mimic what Retevis software is doing in the screenshot. So using Chirp, Channel 23 remains programmed to 462.550. On the Ch.23 line>Duplex column> choose Split. In the additional box that will appear > I entered 467.550. Relay option is ON and the Reverse option is ON. The Repeater worked. Both methods worked and were fully active upon powering back up after a simulated power outage. The Retevis solution also worked and the Reverse remains ON. So I am choosing Jim's method to further test the Repeater. Jim's method allows the Reverse Option to be OFF. This choice then allows me to use Chirp for all future programming changes. I especially like that the Reverse option is OFF and no longer a concern -- as this was the must-be-on-always option that started this entire power loss and reboot related concern in the first place. Progress! Hope this helps others. Best Regards!