Is Radioddity DB-20G 20 watt mobile radio good?

[fe2o3]

FWIW:
I've had my 779UV for about two months now.  It was delivered with version 2.26 firmware (software for inside the radio) which had its problems but I uploaded version 2.30 and haven't had a bit of problem with it.  I really don't see the need for an over-featured, 50-watt radio -- 20 does me just fine.  Anytone threw in the programming cable, which was a plus.  Retevis is showing their RA25 for $93.99 on their own website (no mention of cable).  Radioddity was my first choice, actually, but their DB-20G had been out of stock since the middle of June (the reason I got the Anytone).  Hmmm... Radioddity appears to have theirs in stock now on their website (comes with programming cable, like Anytone).

[MozartMan]

3 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Grab it as Amazon shows it for $109 to me today!

I will probably/definitely will. BUT, something weird is going on on Amazon with pictures of the unit. I attached three images from three different sellers. Can somebody tell me which is the correct GMRS unit. Look at the frame around display and display itself, please.

And here are the links to those units with different display and frame around it:

https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-AT-779UV-Transceiver-Tranceiver-Programming/dp/B093LCHYKJ

https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-Transceiver-Mobile-AT-779UV-Vehicle/dp/B08QTQS9XZ

https://www.amazon.com/Transceiver-AT-779UV-144-148MHz-420-450MHz-Scanning/dp/B094MND77Y

[wayoverthere]

Photo #3 is what the display on my two radios looks like. Given the functions along the sides of the screen in the first two photos, I wonder if they edited in the screen from a photo of the at778

Edited September 16, 2022 by wayoverthere
fixed typing fail

[MichaelLAX]

4 hours ago, wayoverthere said:

Photo #3 is what the display on muly two looks like. Given the functions along the sides of the screen in the first two, I wonder if they edited in the screen from a photo of the at778

I agree

[SteveShannon]

7 hours ago, MozartMan said:

I will probably/definitely will. BUT, something weird is going on on Amazon with pictures of the unit. I attached three images from three different sellers. Can somebody tell me which is the correct GMRS unit. Look at the frame around display and display itself, please.

And here are the links to those units with different display and frame around it:

https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-AT-779UV-Transceiver-Tranceiver-Programming/dp/B093LCHYKJ

https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-Transceiver-Mobile-AT-779UV-Vehicle/dp/B08QTQS9XZ

https://www.amazon.com/Transceiver-AT-779UV-144-148MHz-420-450MHz-Scanning/dp/B094MND77Y

Of the three you posted, only the first one, from KJD, says that it works as a GMRS radio with frequencies to 480MHz.  And they say you have to contact them to get the location to download the software to enable that.  Their price is $99.99.

Both of the other two radios say they work up to 450 MHz, but can be set to receive up to 480.  The one from the Anytone store is $105 and the one from Hesenate store is $102.

There’s at least one more from Radioddity that claims to simply be a GMRS radio and to only scan and receive on any other VHF and UHF bands.  It’s $109.99.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096533TR6/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B096533TR6&pd_rd_w=JlcFF&content-id=amzn1.sym.999c0877-3704-4f0f-9726-eebf80846a35&pf_rd_p=999c0877-3704-4f0f-9726-eebf80846a35&pf_rd_r=XMK6VF06HTWD674HY6SM&pd_rd_wg=Hrn7w&pd_rd_r=90fd0bac-1dd1-4270-814d-7bcde8096d73&s=car&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWw

Good luck.

[tep182]

I'm growing to really like the Anytone 779 in my vehicle.

Not all of its functionality is immediately clear.   

Programming it to scan MURS, 2-meter ham, 70cm, FRS/GMRS, interstitials, marine, and WX bands is all kinds of awesome.

If one channel is annoying, you can temporarily remove it from the scan sequence.

With dual VFO, you can stay on an active frequency while you scan on the other.

Setting up offsets, tones, etc. without the programming software isn't immediately obvious.

[gortex2]

@MozartManNone of them you listed are GMRS radios. If thye can TX on any other frequency they are not certified GMRS radios. Those are all ham CCR radios that can be modified to use on GMRS. The only marketed radio in that format is the DB20-G. I can only assume the G is for GMRS. I'm sure all these hams will give you all sorts of reasons why buying any of the above is fine. Personally I think they are ruining the service. 

[tep182]

24 minutes ago, gortex2 said:

@MozartManNone of them you listed are GMRS radios. If thye can TX on any other frequency they are not certified GMRS radios. Those are all ham CCR radios that can be modified to use on GMRS. The only marketed radio in that format is the DB20-G. I can only assume the G is for GMRS. I'm sure all these hams will give you all sorts of reasons why buying any of the above is fine. Personally I think they are ruining the service. 

It all went downhill when the phone company stopped charging .25 cents / minute for long distance phone calls...  nationwide "local" calls.   

The monster approaching in Stranger Things is the Information Age threatening to destroy Edenic ignorance.   

Mesh radio protocols like Bluetooth Low Energy / Internet of Things will increase surveillance of everything.

Dune's OCB: Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind.

[MichaelLAX]

4 hours ago, gortex2 said:

The only marketed radio in that format is the DB20-G.

And the Anytone AT-779UV, which in the United States is sold and locked to GMRS.

[wayoverthere]

3 hours ago, gortex2 said:

@MozartManNone of them you listed are GMRS radios. If thye can TX on any other frequency they are not certified GMRS radios. Those are all ham CCR radios that can be modified to use on GMRS. The only marketed radio in that format is the DB20-G. I can only assume the G is for GMRS. I'm sure all these hams will give you all sorts of reasons why buying any of the above is fine. Personally I think they are ruining the service. 

Went back through the links, and compared to my Amazon history; the second is the one I bought from, the description does mention being 95e certified (though the title is inconsistent, I know), and the FCC id does check out with a 95e grant.

Quote

•  USA version : Complies with Part 95E and Part 15B FCC rules.
• The RX range 136-174MHz or 400-480MHz 500 channels can be programmed by software

In theory, theyre only shipping locked down versions to the States...in reality, one of the two wasn't locked down as it should have been. Which..I bought one of the two to be a ham radio anyway, so they saved me a step.

[KAF6045]

13 hours ago, MozartMan said:

I will probably/definitely will. BUT, something weird is going on on Amazon with pictures of the unit. I attached three images from three different sellers. Can somebody tell me which is the correct GMRS unit. Look at the frame around display and display itself, please.

And here are the links to those units with different display and frame around it:

https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-AT-779UV-Transceiver-Tranceiver-Programming/dp/B093LCHYKJ

https://www.amazon.com/AnyTone-Transceiver-Mobile-AT-779UV-Vehicle/dp/B08QTQS9XZ

https://www.amazon.com/Transceiver-AT-779UV-144-148MHz-420-450MHz-Scanning/dp/B094MND77Y

Strangely, the "KJD" variant shows the display as on the DB20-G -- but they also bill the unit as a 25W radio.

The "AnyTone Store" entry doesn't know what they are selling...  EMPHASIS MINE

Quote

GMRS Radio AT-779UV Mobile Radio has nice housing, stoutness & stability, advanced and reliable functions, perfect & valuable. This amateur mobile radio

The specifications make it a 2m/70cm Amateur unit. They list it as 18W UHF and 20W VHF

The "HESENATE Store" entry doesn't mention GMRS anywhere, and basically duplicates the specifications from the AnyTone entry -- 2m/70cm.

The Retevis RA25 https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-Transceiver-Display-Integrated-Microphone/dp/B08NWMDMST/ref=psdc_2230642011_t1_B094MND77Y has the normal display. They don't list power on the page, and keep referring to "8 base station channels" -- What are those supposed to be? (The DB20-G default is for 30 default channels and 9 custom GMRS channels locked to repeater-only configuration, with the rest of the 500 channels Rx only).

 

[MozartMan]

9 minutes ago, KAF6045 said:

The Retevis RA25 https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-Transceiver-Display-Integrated-Microphone/dp/B08NWMDMST/ref=psdc_2230642011_t1_B094MND77Y has the normal display. They don't list power on the page, and keep referring to "8 base station channels" -- What are those supposed to be? (The DB20-G default is for 30 default channels and 9 custom GMRS channels locked to repeater-only configuration, with the rest of the 500 channels Rx only).

Probably repeater channels?

[KAF6045]

1 minute ago, MozartMan said:

Probably repeater channels?

Most likely, but a literal reading of the regulations doesn't allow "base stations" to transmit on repeater frequencies ("base station" is listed for 462MHz main frequencies, but is excluded from the 467MHz frequencies) {I also have a strict view on "control station" -- I do not consider PTT activation of a repeater a "control" function; the repeater is listening for a signal, and when it receives one the controller software activates the transmitter -- control, to me, means an ability to turn the repeater on/off, change tones, etc.; capabilities restricted to a designated control operator}

 

[wayoverthere]

1 hour ago, KAF6045 said:

The "AnyTone Store" entry doesn't know what they are selling...  EMPHASIS MINE

 

The "HESENATE Store" entry doesn't mention GMRS anywhere, and basically duplicates the specifications from the AnyTone entry -- 2m/70cm

 

No disagreement there. Lot of inconsistencies in a LOT of the Amazon listings, and why I try to avoid Amazon for most things radio....very buyer beware on a lot of things. 

The radio I received does have a fcc Id on it that shows part 95e certification, though.

[TOM47]

HOLD DOWN THE V/M BUTTON WHILE POWERING THE RADIO ON TO SET TRANSNITTING FREQ RANGE

[MichaelLAX]

Those steps will also tell you the version of the firmware installed.

[fe2o3]

On 9/16/2022 at 9:43 AM, MichaelLAX said:

And the Anytone AT-779UV, which in the United States is sold and locked to GMRS.

And can be unlocked, relocked, unlocked, etc, etc ad nauseum.

[Yes, I know the FCC regs, just saying]

[MichaelLAX]

13 minutes ago, fe2o3 said:

And can be unlocked, relocked, unlocked, etc, etc ad nauseum.

[Yes, I know the FCC regs, just saying]

That reply wasn’t addressed to you, so no need to take it so personally; AND

I posted a LIKE to your last comment. 

[TOM47]

On 9/16/2022 at 10:50 AM, TOM47 said:

HOLD DOWN THE V/M BUTTON WHILE POWERING THE RADIO ON TO SET TRANSNITTING FREQ RANGE

NOTE THAT IF YOU RETURN IT BACK TO GMRS YOU WILL HAVE TO RENTER YOUR CHANNEL SETTINGS.

[fe2o3]

   

20 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

That reply wasn’t addressed to you, so no need to take it so personally; AND

I posted a LIKE to your last comment. 

I didn't take personally at all -- just adding to the conversation
AND

I appreciate it! 

[MozartMan]

On 9/15/2022 at 6:51 PM, MichaelLAX said:

Grab it as Amazon shows it for $109 to me today!

Received it today. It is very cute little radio. Oh, and it is 20W compare to HT's 5W. Programing AnyTone software is not bad at all.

[MichaelLAX]

My Radioddity DB-20G arrived yesterday and I fired it up today and downloaded the default codeplug.  It looks exactly like the default when using version 2.02 of the CPS software when it first opens, but I have not compared the sub-menu items.

Amazon threw me a $16 discount coupon, too! 

It's really a terrific "simple" GMRS mobile unit right out of the box; and less expensive than the Midland.

I easily added a CTCSS tone using the buttons on the unit to a repeater channel and started communicating on one of my local GMRS repeaters.

BTW: Firmware v2.34 out of the box.

[donniefitz2]

I'm a big fan of this radio. Even though I have better radios, I still come back to the little DB-20G. I have 2 of them. I did have one fail. The screen inverted and turned upside down. Weird. Radioddity replaced it with no issues (about 10 months after purchase). 

I did a review of the DB-20G on my podcast which can be found here if anyone's interested. 

[Borage257]

Ive got one and am happy with it.

[tcp2525]

On 10/12/2022 at 8:48 AM, Borage257 said:

Ive got one and am happy with it.

Same here. I use mine as a base with the antenna on the side of my tower fed with Andrews Heliax and it does remarkable well. Best $99 I spent. Oh, mine only puts out 16 watts on 467 and the full 20 on 462, which is normal for this radio.