Tidradio H3 Firmware information

[RickR]

Hi everyone,

New here and new to GMRS and radios all together. I recently purchased two TD-H3 radios to use at my son's training and events. Special Olympics Track and Field basically for us to talk between me and the other coaches. The radios came with firmware version 240817. I have downloaded the firmware but I don't see anywhere in the zip file about what the new versions offer. Like specific improvements, bug fixes, or new features which I am used to reading that before updating the firmware. So does anybody know what changes and is there a reason to update at this time? I am still reading learning the terms and etiquette for radio use.

Many thanks for any information and for your time.

Rick

[OffRoaderX]

2 minutes ago, RickR said:

is there a reason to update at this time?

No.. 

Too much risk, not enough reward.

[hxpx]

TIDRadio doesn't seem to publish release notes for their firmware - I think they just announce it on their FB page and hope you find it. Kind of frustrating.

IIRC the latest firmware just fixes some issues with the airband frequencies so unless you really like listening to local airport traffic, it's not necessary (and it's not super exciting anyway).

[Destro]

I have 3 H3'S. I haven't updated the firmware. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

Unless there is something specific that needs fixing, I'll just leave mine as is.

[LeoG]

Most of my radios have GMRS_250110

This one added the antenna meter that shows strength instead of just showing full bars on all signals.  For some reason they removed it.

[LeoG]

The only one to stay away from is 240625, that had some detrimental effects on the radio.  I can't remember what but I remember removing it after I put it in.

[WRUE951]

I once lost (bricked) a radio during firmware update.  After 5 minutes into the update and not seeing any response on the software side, I actually thought windows locked up and did a ctrl- alt-del to shut down the program. The radio then started flashing astraks. Got. In touch with Atlantic, they confirmed I bricked the radio.  I got lucky,  they sent me a new replacement on warranty repair.   I’,ve never done a firmware update since,   

[TrikeRadio]

No need to update firmware for your uses. You can if you want but not likely to change anything for you that is important.

14 hours ago, RickR said:

Hi everyone,

New here and new to GMRS and radios all together. I recently purchased two TD-H3 radios to use at my son's training and events. Special Olympics Track and Field basically for us to talk between me and the other coaches...

Just a note... since you say you are new to GMRS and Radio...

Unless the other coaches are your family relatives, each one of you legally should get your own individual GMRS licenses. If they are family you can share, if not each person is licensed, not the radios. Another alternative, if the others use FRS radios (which use the same frequencies/channels as GMRS) but are lower power), they would not have to be licensed (FRS is a no license required service). You would be able to use your GMRS radio to communicate with FRS radios, and your family could use your GMRS radios with your callsign.

Besides this, if you are only communicating from one side of the athletic field to the other, you probably don't need anything more powerful than FRS. 
 

[LeoG]

Nanny state alert.

[Lscott]

16 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Nanny state alert.

Well that's how the regulations work.

Myself if a family member, non resident, wants to use GMRS I would "suggest" they get their own license. Legally they could use mine, but if they had their own any issue with the FCC would be their problem not mine. 

[SteveShannon]

24 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Nanny state alert.

If you choose not to comply with regulations that’s your choice, but it’s wrong to belittle someone else who does a good job of explaining the regulations to someone who might not understand them.

[UncleYoda]

8 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

If you choose not to comply with regulations that’s your choice, but it’s wrong to belittle someone else who does a good job of explaining the regulations to someone who might not understand them.

And it's one of @rdunajewski's rules for this site (the belittling part); he just needs to have some form of punishment for the violators. [I hard ignore all the regulars now, but your post deserved a comment.]  Having members endorse breaking the rules is not a good reflection on his site.  And I do not give a damn what the responses will be.

[LeoG]

37 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

If you choose not to comply with regulations that’s your choice, but it’s wrong to belittle someone else who does a good job of explaining the regulations to someone who might not understand them.

No one asked about that.  He just came in here with the advice.  And I want all people to follow all regulations so it's a nicer set of airwaves so that's not to dispute.  I just found it odd that he decided to blurt that out.