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

[EARL5555]

Hi folks,

I was looking for an inexpensive mobile radio, because I wanted more range than a 5 watt handheld could provide. I see that the Radioddity mobile puts out 20 watts, and goes for $110 on Amazon. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with that radio? Thanks in advance. 

 

[MichaelLAX]

I love it!

i bought the Anytone AT-779UV, same radio! $99 at Amazon 

first mobile (because I hate HTs in a car) in 60 years of radio!

Instant mobile radio: mag-mount antenna and cup-holder mount and cigarette lighter plug!

Ask me any questions!

[WyoJoe]

I also have the Anytone AT-779UV (three of them, actually).

It is a very good mobile radio, especially considering the price (~$100).

The Radioddity version appears to be identical, as does the Retevis RA-25, so I can't recommend it over the Anytone or Retevis versions.

The biggest downfall, in my opinion, is the programming software. The "factory" software is cumbersome, and somewhat awkward to use. Chirp is what I prefer, as it is much easier to use, but doesn't work with this radio at this time.

Other than that, I recommend this radio since it performs better than most handheld radios, for not a whole lot more money. Of course, you still need to buy an antenna, but all-in-all, it works pretty well for what it costs.

Other options in this price range are some of the Midland radios or used commercial radios. These have their pluses and minuses, but in general can be more difficult or even impossible to configure/program for GMRS usage, especially if using repeaters.

[MichaelLAX]

25 minutes ago, WyoJoe said:

I also have the Anytone AT-779UV (three of them, actually)...

The biggest downfall, in my opinion, is the programming software. The "factory" software is cumbersome, and somewhat awkward to use. Chirp is what I prefer, as it is much easier to use, but doesn't work with this radio at this time...

Do you put them in 3 vehicles?  I am considering another one for use in my shack, as it performs equally as well or better as my Yaesu FT-857d on VHF and UHF connected to my rooftop Comet Tri-bander.

Nothing is as easy to use as CHIRP, but this software is not as bad as you make it seem, compared to other CPS software that I have used before.

Yes, I would like to find an import/export utility for this software and I keep looking for someone to post something valuable or CHIRP to implement their program on this wonderful machine!

I will separately post my "tips" for this radio

[MichaelLAX]

Some Operational Tips:

Open up the Ham 2 meter and 70 cm bands to transmit on the USA version (also available in the provided software under Model):

1) Turn off the power.  

2) While holding down the V/M button, turn on the power.  Use the Up and Down arrow keys to change from the GMRS setting on the display to 136-174 MHz; 400-470 MHz and now power down.  

3) When you power back up licensed operators can now transmit on the GMRS channels and the 2 meter and 70 cm Ham bands. 
----------------------------------------------------------------

Giving a Channel an alphanumeric name without using a computer:

1) Go to the appropriate Channel

2) Push the FUN button and using the V/M and MAIN buttons to go through the Menu items until you reach Function 29: DSPCHANNEL and using the Up and Down arrow buttons, select NAME. Push the FUN button to exit the Function menu.

3) Push the FUN button and using the V/M and MAIN buttons to go through the Menu items until you reach Function 12: CHANNEL NAME.  Using the Up and Down Arrow buttons, scroll through the list of 1-0, A-Z and a-z to find the first letter.  When you do find it, push the MON button to confirm that character and move to the 2nd position.  Repeat as necessary until up to 8 characters are entered.

4) When finished push the FUN button to exit the Function Mode.
----------------------------------------------------------------

Programming a repeater channel without using a computer:

1) Switch to VFO mode (from Channel Mode) using the V/M key

2) Using the number keys on the mic, enter the repeater's output frequency

3) On the mic, push FUN then 9 repeatedly until the proper split (+ or - or blank for Off) appears above the frequency.

4) Press the FUN key on the Radio and use the V/M and Main keys as an up/down to get to function 10:Offset.  

Use the Up and Down arrow keys to set your offset split, such as 5.00000MHz or 0.60000MHz (you can hold down the Up or Down key to have it continuously change). 

Once you get to the proper offset, push the FUN key again.

5) Press the FUN key on the Radio and go to Function 01:T-CDC and use the Up and Down keys to find the proper transmit PL Tone.  

Use the same method to optionally set the proper receive PL Tone, if necessary, on Function 02:R-CDC (or Function 03: RT-CDC if both tones are the same)

6) You can rotate through High, Medium and Low transmit power using FUN and 0 (zero) on the mic.

7) Save to the first open channel by pushing Fun and UP on the microphone (or then use the UP and DN keys on the mic to scroll through the available channels, with empty ones saying NULL

Save to this channel holding down the "MON-*" key on the mic and you are done!
----------------------------------------------------------------

Use DCS Digital Tones:

Go to desired channel
Press FUN on mic
Press 1 on mic
Go to menu 1 using V/M or Main key on mic
Press number 1 on mic to cycle to 000 N display for menu 1
Use up and down on mic to scroll to code corresponding to desired DCS code. 
List is in the instructions.
Use V/M or Main to go to menu item 2. Repeat selection process
Press DIL on mic to exit.
_________________________________________________________________

New Radioddity DB20-G CPS software V2.02
1. Change the default bandwidth from Narrow to Wide.
2. Address the bug that "when repeater TX frequency change, RX frequency automatically match"
----------------------------------------------------------------

[WyoJoe]

8 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Do you put them in 3 vehicles?  I am considering another one for use in my shack, as it performs equally as well or better as my Yaesu FT-857d on VHF and UHF connected to my rooftop Comet Tri-bander.

I have one in my truck, and another in my "shack." The third is intended for another vehicle, but hasn't yet been installed.

 

[MichaelLAX]

I've been trying to figure out if this rig has the "secret" ability to tell us what CTCSS or DCS tones are on a received signal.

Have you figured this one out?

[WyoJoe]

I haven't found a way to scan CTCSS Tones or DCS codes with this radio. I looked in the manual, and didn't find it there, either.

[n4gix]

22 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

CHIRP to implement their program on this wonderful machine!

The only way the CHIRP programmers can work their magic is when someone loans them a radio for a few weeks... 

[MichaelLAX]

21 hours ago, n4gix said:

The only way the CHIRP programmers can work their magic is when someone loans them a radio for a few weeks... 

I’m not loaning them my only one: I use it too often!

i’ll just have to continue using the CPS software when needed

[EARL5555]

Thank you very much, gentlemen. I appreciate your helpful answers very much. 

[EARL5555]

21 hours ago, n4gix said:

The only way the CHIRP programmers can work their magic is when someone loans them a radio for a few weeks... 

Hi, I hope this isn't a dumb question, but is the Anytone mobile radio type accepted for GMRS? 

[MichaelLAX]

Yes! It is part 95 certified

There is no such thing as a “dumb question! “

There are only dumb answers.

[bobthetj03]

I received the AT-779UV today. Cute little radio. It will fit nicely where I had my external speaker that I don't use anymore. The Talkabout's are for the grand kids to play with. Trying to get them interested in radio while they are young. 

[DanW]

On 9/9/2021 at 4:30 PM, bobthetj03 said:

I received the AT-779UV today. Cute little radio. It will fit nicely where I had my external speaker that I don't use anymore. The Talkabout's are for the grand kids to play with. Trying to get them interested in radio while they are young. 

Have you fired that thing up yet?  If so, how do you like it? I've heard the speaker is really loud, which is appealing to me as it would be in a noisy Jeep.

 

[bobthetj03]

Actually, I'm having trouble with it. I can't get the software to download to my laptop. When I turn it on, it only displays 2 channels. 

[MichaelLAX]

How can I help you?

Back and forth on a forum is not very productive for computer oriented problems

Why don’t you write me at my screen name @AOLdotCom

[MichaelLAX]

On 9/15/2021 at 6:34 PM, bobthetj03 said:

Actually, I'm having trouble with it. I can't get the software to download to my laptop. When I turn it on, it only displays 2 channels. 

Did you get the software to work for you?

Did you try to initially "Read" from the Radio?  

Sometimes it comes with only 2 channels filled in but if you click the >> on the right it will open a box to allow you to program more channels.

[bobthetj03]

On 10/2/2021 at 10:58 AM, MichaelLAX said:

Did you get the software to work for you?

Did you try to initially "Read" from the Radio?  

Sometimes it comes with only 2 channels filled in but if you click the >> on the right it will open a box to allow you to program more channels.

Didn't want to mess with it and ended up returning it. Purchased this one instead.

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-xs20g.html

 

[MichaelLAX]

Ok: good luck!

[PACNWComms]

Recently bought a combination package of Radioddity DB20-G mobile with a GM-30 handheld GMRS radios. Both work as expected, as described but with terrible manuals, the need to download software from the Radioddity website, and get the correct drivers for the programming cable. However, the DB20-G does actually put out 20 Watts, as checked with both a Bird/Thruline wattmeter and a Surecom dual band wattmeter. The GM-30 is very similar to many other Chinese made handheld radios of the past decade, and looks a lot like my Anytone 878 handheld. However, the DB20-G fits perfectly in an old Honda Civic dash cubby hole, looks like it came with the car. A Tram dual band antenna went on the trunk. The TYT, Anytone,Radioddity radios appear to work well. I may do as a previous poster mentioned, and buy more DB20-G radios for use in other vehicles, and as base radios where I do not want a larger power supply and Motorola CDM or XPR series mobile dominating the desk space.

[Dave805]

I liked it so much I bought 2! Like the form factor, and sensitivity is good.  A lot of bang for the buck, scanning speed is decently fast, 300 channel memory.  

[KAF6045]

Congratulations on getting a DB20-G that shows 20W. While I expect some variation for my MFJ-847, near 50% error I don't believe in (on VHF it is within 2% of a Diamond SX-200 [the 200 is HF-200MHz, so can't test it on GMRS frequencies]).

I'm on my second DB20-G via Amazon, returned the first as my meter is only showing 11.9W for the middle of the repeater band -- into a dummy load, and I went out of my way to reduce losses: meter coupled to radio using a double-ended PL-259 gender changer; if I had a second I'd connect the meter to the dummy load with it rather than using 18" RG-213).

Unlocked, and with frequencies entered for bands that the (intended) antenna will never match:

		DB20-G	rated (manual) 18W	sold as 20W
Channel		Low	Middle	High
MURS 4		5.1W	12.6W	22.1W	Illegal as MURS is limited to 2W
Marine 16	5.6W	13.0W	21.9W
GMRS 01		3.8W	6.5W	13.5W	Only Low is legal, 5W max #01-#07
GMRS 15		3.8W	6.5W	13.5W	Lowest GMRS frequency
GMRS 22		3.8W	6.5W	13.4W	Highest (simplex) frequency
Rptr 15		3.1W	5.2W	11.9W	Lowest (repeater) frequency
Rptr 22		3.1W	5.2W	11.8W	Highest GMRS frequency

		MXT115	rated 15W
Channel		Low		High
GMRS 15		3.9W		12.6W
GMRS 22		3.8W		12.6W
Rptr 15		3.6W		12.4W	Anomaly?
Rptr 22		3.6W		12.6W

Basically, the same low power readings as the unit I returned. I didn't bother with 2m/70cm frequencies as it will be mounted right next to a 50W Icom ID-5100 dual-band.

I suppose I'll keep it, since I wanted it for two reasons: selectable (W)FM/NFM, and (unlocked) ability to save many more /named/ repeater configurations (currently 13 statewide, and 16 for an RT97). It is definitely under-powered on repeater frequencies. The 15W MXT115 (no named channels, NFM-only, only 1 config per channel) is showing 84% of rated power (2.5W low) across the band.  This 18W DB20-G, OTOH, is only 66% of rated power on GMRS repeaters, and 75% on GMRS simplex. Yet it is 122% on 155MHz frequencies which it wasn't even sold for... VHF Low and Middle power matches UHF Middle and High power. The measured power is just close enough to not feel like I'm losing anything from the MXT115.

The DB20-G was measured powered from an Alinco 30A 13.8V supply (normally powers a Kenwood TS-590); it showed 13.5V on the radio so either that is a lossy power-lead, or just poor calibration in the radio. The MXT115 had the same power meter/dummy load configuration, but was powered from a running vehicle (I have it wired to the battery -- need to find power-lead quick disconnects and an in-line fuse for the DB20-G to fully replace the MXT115 install).

[MichaelLAX]

34 minutes ago, KAF6045 said:

Congratulations on getting a DB20-G that shows 20W. While I expect some variation for my MFJ-847, near 50% error I don't believe in (on VHF it is within 2% of a Diamond SX-200 [the 200 is HF-200MHz, so can't test it on GMRS frequencies]).

I am not sure that comparing your MFJ VHF's readings to your Diamond's VHF's readings is a good way to confirm the accuracy of your MFJ's UHF readings.

[KAF6045]

4 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

I am not sure that comparing your MFJ VHF's readings to your Diamond's VHF's readings is a good way to confirm the accuracy of your MFJ's UHF readings.

It may not be, but it does indicate that the two devices, in the overlap region, do agree on power readings -- if one showed 85W (for a 100W 2m) and the other showed 95W (or 75W) I'd be more concerned. But both showed in the 85-87W range. If the TS-2000 was putting out the rated 100W it would indicate a 15% error.

A 15% error on the 15W MXT would match its readings if the MXT is putting out the rated 15W, but if one then assumes the DB20-G is under the same 15% error in the meter, it is still about 20% below rated output on repeater frequencies -- and WAY over on VHF (26W real would show 22W after 15% error, and is 8W over manual rating).