Retevis RA86

[Duck218]

Anyone try this radio out yet?  

Retevis RA86

Looks like it may give some better options vs the Midland mxt275.  Wideband and possible more channels.  Looks interesting.

[PartsMan]

I have not tried that one but I have three Retevis mobile radios that function as expected.

I would also like to know more about this one for my wife's car.

[Ian]

Shortlisted for future car mounts.  I like that the LCD is much less cryptic than the Midlands!

[gortex2]

I dont see much different in the display to be honest. What is really better ? CH ? Tone ? 

 

[Ian]

 

What's funny is at this timestamp it mimicks a traditional seven-segment-display layout like the Midland units have.  However, at forty seconds:  

 

We can see that it's actually a matrix LCD, because it simply says "WIDE BAND" across the display rather than being some obscure numerical code.  This makes the menus far clearer, and reduces the need to carry the manual around 24/7 in your glove box.

 

[gortex2]

OK. I guess so but I've never needed a manual to do anything in my midland. I dont see anything other than the "wide band" that the midland downs show on the display. I think the mic on the midland is also a bit more conforming to the hand but sure they will sell some to the CCR world. 

[Duck218]

It also has more channels you can program vs the Midland.

[WSBR383]

I wanted to comment on the Retevis RA86, have it in the 4runner and I really like it.  Things I don't like, doesn't have channel naming ability through the program software, so have to have a laminated small cheat sheet when looking for an odd or new channel.  You can not, I repeat, can't extend the MIC with a CAT5 or CAT6 cable, it makes a ticking sound.  I have trouble shot this for hours, put the radio on my base power supply and antenna, etc.  I also talked to Retevis, they are sending me an extension cable that will work, but I let them know that isn't optimal if you want a clean dash punch out CAT6 Port. 

Things I like, it just works, it is super easy and simple. The main unit is small and fits nicely under the driver's side dash.  Tested power, it was right under 20W at the GMRS frequencies.  Cheap....., if you order from Amazon for 110 bucks, it comes with the programing cable, so you don't need to purchase one.  I didn't know that so I also bought a second cable that I don't need if anyone wants one.

It has narrow and wide band, Midland doesn't.  That extra 5 watts is nice.  If anybody has any specific questions about this radio, I will be happy to give you the insight.

[WSAK901]

I just got one last week, but haven't had a chance to use it much. So far I'm not able to get my computer to program it with the Retevis software.  I should add, I hate computers, so there's that, lol.  Anyway, I can't write to the radio from the software, which is inconvenient, as I need it for the cts tones that aren't listed in the manual, i.e. 114.8.  Could be my computer.  It is Windows 10, but it's getting old.  Wish it were as easy as my Wouxun KG 935g+

[WRYS709]

17 minutes ago, WSAK901 said:

I just got one last week, but haven't had a chance to use it much. So far I'm not able to get my computer to program it with the Retevis software.  I should add, I hate computers, so there's that, lol.  Anyway, I can't write to the radio from the software, which is inconvenient, as I need it for the cts tones that aren't listed in the manual, i.e. 114.8.  Could be my computer.  It is Windows 10, but it's getting old.  Wish it were as easy as my Wouxun KG 935g+

Generally I don't help others with radios I do not use, since so many others here with this radio can help you. But not here yet...

So I looked at their downloads and first is the USB cable driver for windows 10 and 11 and then the CPS software.

At what point do you fail?

[Guest]

On 2/3/2023 at 3:03 PM, Duck218 said:

Anyone try this radio out yet?  

Retevis RA86

Looks like it may give some better options vs the Midland mxt275.  Wideband and possible more channels.  Looks interesting.

Well normally I’d say ANYTHING is better than midland but retivis is waaaay down on the list as well.  One is waay over priced and the other is still over priced.  One well work ok and one doesn’t work well at all.   There are much better radios available for the same or less money with the same or more features. 

[AmanGMRS]

New stock Midland MXT275 does have wideband set for the repeater channels.  

[WRZD727]

I recently got a RA86 and it’s worked great so far. The programming software was easy to use. I’m using a ghost antenna with it. The rinky dink antenna that came with it, left a lot to be desired! 

[WRXB215]

13 hours ago, WRZD727 said:

The rinky dink antenna that came with it, left a lot to be desired!

That's interesting, I thought I had see good reviews on that antenna. Maybe I'm thinking of a different one.

Edit:
Just remembered, it was probably the small one from Midland that got good reviews.

Edited May 3 by WRXB215
Added info.

[WRZD727]

On 5/3/2024 at 9:12 AM, WRXB215 said:

That's interesting, I thought I had see good reviews on that antenna. Maybe I'm thinking of a different one.

Edit:
Just remembered, it was probably the small one from Midland that got good reviews.

I got a lot of static with the antenna that came with it. 

[WROR890]

Can you program additional channels into this radio.  In the Houston/Galveston area there are many repeaters with at least 2 repeaters for each channel.  They each cover different areas though.  I think at last count there were close to 20.  I would like to be able to program most of those repeaters into the radio.

[dosw]

On 4/26/2024 at 11:22 PM, AmanGMRS said:

New stock Midland MXT275 does have wideband set for the repeater channels.  

I can confirm this. My Midland MXT275 isn't even all that new. It's the USB-C version, but I bought it sometime in late 2021 or early 2022, I think. I've looked at the spectrum with SDR++ using an RTL-SDR BLOG v4, and it appears wider when I watch the repeater input frequencies while transmitting on 15R-22R than when transmitting on 1-7 or 15-22. Additionally when I receive a signal on 15R-22R it is a little quieter than when receiving on 15-22, which is another phenomenon that can be explained by a switch in RX bandwidth.

It was a PITA to test. Had to drive far enough away to avoid loading up the SDR's inputs. And I had to do it twice since repeater inputs are 5MHz above outputs, and the SDR's bandwidth is 2.4MHz.