I am SO confused......

[GeeTee]

Decided after a 20 year absence from the Ham world that I would ease my way back in by trying out GMRS radios first. I picked up a couple of Tidradio TD-H3 Plus radios from Amazon because it sounded like they had all the features I wanted. I've lost track of how many programming videos I've watched, but I recently ran into something I am just stumped on. After much trial and error I thought I finally had everything set up the way I wanted. However, when I powered on my radio this morning I noticed that it now says, "Welcome TD-H8"????? 

The firmware and hardware versions have been verified as the latest for my  H3 Plus. (Not an H8) As far as I can tell from numerous searches is that I must have fudged a setting somewhere? Does anyone have any idea as to why my radio would suddenly think it's an H8? Another question I had was that this radio was "supposed" to be switchable between Ham, GMRS, and Normal mode by using the BT, star keys and then turning on the power knob. I have been unsuccessful in getting it to come up as anything but a GMRS radio. Could this be related to the H8 displaying?  It's also frustrating as I am a reitred IT specialist, and feel like I should be able to figure this out on my own. Any help you can throw this old man's way would be greatly appreciated. 

 

[WRUE951]

36 minutes ago, GeeTee said:

Decided after a 20 year absence from the Ham world that I would ease my way back in by trying out GMRS radios first. I picked up a couple of Tidradio TD-H3 Plus radios from Amazon because it sounded like they had all the features I wanted. I've lost track of how many programming videos I've watched, but I recently ran into something I am just stumped on. After much trial and error I thought I finally had everything set up the way I wanted. However, when I powered on my radio this morning I noticed that it now says, "Welcome TD-H8"????? 

The firmware and hardware versions have been verified as the latest for my  H3 Plus. (Not an H8) As far as I can tell from numerous searches is that I must have fudged a setting somewhere? Does anyone have any idea as to why my radio would suddenly think it's an H8? Another question I had was that this radio was "supposed" to be switchable between Ham, GMRS, and Normal mode by using the BT, star keys and then turning on the power knob. I have been unsuccessful in getting it to come up as anything but a GMRS radio. Could this be related to the H8 displaying?  It's also frustrating as I am a reitred IT specialist, and feel like I should be able to figure this out on my own. Any help you can throw this old man's way would be greatly appreciated. 

 

Did you program with Chirp??   When your Tidradio H3 Plus shows "H8" on the display, id's likely indicates a confusion or malfunction in the radio's programming or the firmware, causing it to incorrectly display a different model designation or to attempt to operate in a mode or with settings more appropriate for an H8 radio. 

• If you've recently programmed your H3 Plus with software like CHIRP, there might be a conflict in the programming, potentially leading to the "H8" displays.    Solution: Try deleting all channels and reloading your configuration file or using the CHIRP software to re-program your radio and upload the correct settings for the H3 Plus. 

[GeeTee]

Thanks for the quick reply!

I didn't want to write a novel on the first post, but I (think) have already done what you suggested. Does using the factory reset from the menus accomplish the same thing? I did the factory reset and wiped everything so it looked like it did out of the box. I then followed all the steps I did previously and went item by item through the menus to personalize the radio. The only thing I can say is that when I powered on the 2nd radio a few mins ago, it boots up with the TidRadio logo where the other one says welcome to H8. It seems I did screw the pooch somewhere. Where would I get this configuration file you speak of?

I don't use Chirp but do use ODMaster to set up the radio to my liking. (buttons and adding some custom channels to monitor) As I think I mentioned, I checked the firmware and hardware version against the TidRadio website and the 2nd radio (which I haven't touched yet) and they match. I hope all of this makes sense? Is Chirp better than OD Master? 

[marcspaz]

Radios are not like IT, where we have to do updates for security reasons.  We would only update radios to fix a bug or to gain new software based features.  So, I would avoid updating the firmware because, like computers, if it fails there is a chance you can brick the radio.

What I would recommend is to make a good copy of both radio setting in ODMaster, and then do the Over The Air cloning from the good radio to the one you are having issues with.

 

Hold the bottom button on the side while turning each radio on, and then once they are both in the Wireless Copy mode, press the main transmit button on the radio you want to clone from.  The other radio will automatically start receiving after a handshake.

 

To load the Ham, GMRS or Normal (unlocked) firmware from onboard storage, you press and hold both the main PTT and the * (lock) button while turning the radio on.

[GeeTee]

Ok, maybe I'm doing a poor job of communicating this..... so, lets start over.

1. Yes, I agree that IT is not radio... However I was a General class HAM operator for many years before I got out. Granted that was 20+ years ago and things were a whole lot different. Hell, I'm from the days of working alongside my dad swapping physical crystals into radios to get new frequencies. (I'm over 70)

2. I have stated that the hardware and firmware versions are identical (and the most current versions according to Tidradio website) on both radios. I never performed any firmware upgrades. I only programmed some additional channels and made some button changes (using ODMaster).

3. As for programming each of the 41 items in the radio setting menu, I used parts 1 and 2  of this video series from Youtube to manually adjust each radio setting. 

4. I have attempted the PTT/*/power on process on both radios without success.

I hope this makes things a little clearer. I just read on another forum that there are 2 different models of the H3 plus? One can change modes using the process described above. The other is GMRS only. Interestingly, when I connect to these radios via ODMaster, it will only read from the radio if I connect using the TD-H3 GMRS setting. Could this be the issue all along? Could it be that I am following instructions that were meant for the regular H3's that do not apply the H3 Plus GMRS only radio?

Thanks for trying to help me I know this isn't exactly the perfect medium to try and convey what's going on.  A phone or video call would probably work much better.

[GeeTee]

Quick update...  I did confirm that somehow I did manage to purchase the GMRS "only" H3 Plus radios. The site says that the GMRS only version can be verified by a "G" in the FCC ID number which these radios have. That explains why I can't switch modes like the regular H3 and the Ham version of the H3 Plus. At this point I'm just going to return the radios and buy the Ham version of the H3 Plus. I was hoping at some point to get my Ham license back and use these for both Ham and GMRS.  I still don't have a reason for why the first radio would boot up as an H8 instead of an H3 Plus. However, it's a moot point now. Thanks again for trying to offer assistance!

[marcspaz]

11 hours ago, GeeTee said:

2. I have stated that the hardware and firmware versions are identical (and the most current versions according to Tidradio website) on both radios. I never performed any firmware upgrades. I only programmed some additional channels and made some button changes (using ODMaster).

 

Sorry... I was not implying you did change the firmware or that there was/is a firmware issue.  I mentioned what I did as a caution, advising against possibly changing the firmware that is preloaded on the device, as a possible solution.

Also, there are three different firmware versions loaded on the radio's permanent storage, and you can pick which three you want to use... which you obviously already understand that. At least to some degree.

 

11 hours ago, GeeTee said:

I have attempted the PTT/*/power on process on both radios without success.

 

In your original post, you said you tried pressing the Bluetooth button, the * (lock) button and turning the power on, which is not the correct method  You have to press and hold the primary PTT and the * (lock) buttons while turning the power on, and then hold those buttons until the boot-loader loads the firmware menu.  So, can you confirm which method you used?

Also, I have read in several groups that some models of the TD-H3 Plus do not support the aforementioned method of switching between modes/firmware.  I have read repeatedly that PTT/*/power only works on the Amateur Radio version... not the GMRS version.

 

New approach.  What version of the ODMaster software are you using?  The web-based version or did you download the mobile app?  You can force the App to load the program data for the wrong radio and all kinds of odd stuff can happen.  If you are using the app, that is likely what happened.

 

I would open the app and create a fresh/new GMRS program file for the radio that is blank, using the TD-H3 Plus template.  From there, connect to the radio with the ODMaster app (not the web version), connect to the radio with whatever model from the drop-down allows a connection, and push the blank GMRS configuration to the radio. Do NOT do a read first... just push with a Write function.  That should fix it and make it so you have the proper boot screen, too.  Then you can program as desired.

 

Now, if you want to switch from GMRS to Ham, you have to use a programing cable and download the TIDRadio CPS software.  You can't switch the GMRS version on the fly.

[GeeTee]

Posted 9 minutes ago

In your original post, you said you tried pressing the Bluetooth button, the * (lock) button and turning the power on, which is not the correct method  You have to press and hold the primary PTT and the * (lock) buttons while turning the power on, and then hold those buttons until the boot-loader loads the firmware menu.  So, can you confirm which method you used?

My bad... I did mean PTT/*/Power on in the original post. (Humble apologies). I've been using the mobile ODMaster app to make changes. I downloaded it from the Google Play store a couple of days ago, so hopefully its the most up to date version. I did purchase a transfer cable so I could use the website to update from my pc if needed.

What you're saying makes sense. Being new at this I may have inadvertently loaded the wrong firmware in the mobile app. I was going to try that cloning suggestion you gave me last night and use the unprogrammed radio to restore the one I've been playing with. I do want to have the capability of using Ham and GMRS at some point so I am going to return these radios. However, you've piqued my curiousity, and I am going to give your most recent suggestion a shot here in a few minutes. I greatly appreciate all the help! I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[marcspaz]

@GeeTee  Sounds good.  Honestly, I think the inability to switch the GMRS version on the fly is an FCC compliance thing.  The amateur radio version has no such constraints.  If you plan on switching between the two, I would get the Ham version, too.

A couple of things to know about...  the Amateur version covers continuous transmit and receive from 136MHz to 599.995MHz.  This means, if programed accordingly, you can use the unlocked (Normal) firmware option of the Amateur radio version to talk on 2m Ham, MURS, 1.25m, 70cm, and FRS/GMRS all on the same load.  I am not publicly encouraging anyone to ignore FCC regs... this is just an FYI.  The radio has a lot of range and you can mistakenly transmit on frequencies assigned to local/state/federal government, local Emergency Services, businesses, and about 1 megahertz of overlap for airlines and Air Traffic Control from 136.000 to 136.975.  Be cautious when programing and transmitting. 

 

Also, keep in mind, as you switch between GMRS and Ham, the memory channels and custom programing gets completely wiped.  While you can switch between the two on the fly, keep the phone handy so you can quickly reload your settings after the switch.

[GeeTee]

Also, keep in mind, as you switch between GMRS and Ham, the memory channels and custom programing gets completely wiped.  While you can switch between the two on the fly, keep the phone handy so you can quickly reload your settings after the switch.

Wow! Thats REALLY great to know!

Maybe I'll just talk to the "Minister of Finance" (My wife)  and see if I can just keep these for GMRS, and buy the other set for Ham. They're much more affordable than back in my Ham days. I remember saving up for months just to buy Yaesu or Icom radios. 

marcpaz I appreciate your patience with me on this one. You've taken a lot of the frustration out of dealing with this.   Do people still say "73's"? If they do, sending them your way! Have a blessed Sunday!

[marcspaz]

6 minutes ago, GeeTee said:

marcpaz I appreciate your patience with me on this one. You've taken a lot of the frustration out of dealing with this.   Do people still say "73's"? If they do, sending them your way! Have a blessed Sunday!

 

I'm glad I can help!  Definitely my pleasure.  

 

We do still use 73 to send someone Best Wishes... it's much appreciated, and 73 to you too, my friend.  Looking forward to following along with your most recent radio journey!