Radioddity DB20G

[SvenMarbles]

I've been operating with a Radioddity DB20G in my truck since Christmas. I wasn't planning to make a fuss over it or type up a review or anything, because I felt like it was a pretty basic, standard, inexpensive, knock around mini-mobile GMRS radio. But after using it for these weeks, I've noticed that I just really like this radio a lot.

It does all of the small things right. It may sound silly to some, but I just really appreciate that it uses a big switch on/off volume knob. For a radio that I operate in a vehicle, I appreciate it when a radio isn't "fiddly". I reach over blind, switch it on and set to a comfortable volume in one intuitive and effortless motion. The radio sits in a spot that is absolutely perfect in my truck (pictured in following post). Facing face-up below where my right arm would rest on the middle console. The speaker is powerful and can be cranked up adequately loud to hear comfortably above road noise. I also appreciate that this radio is 20 watts (and actually is) which means that it can safely be powered by a cigarette lighter plug. When you power on/unlock the radio, you have full freedom to program as many simplex and repeater channels as you'd like. I used the included bracket and some 3M hook and loop strips to make it so that I can simply pull the entire radio off to bring it inside for programming, or use it in another application. Reception is great, no breakthrough overload, and reports are that I sound nice talking on it as well.

It just hits the sweet spot of preferences for me in a radio for how I want to be able to use a radio..

[SvenMarbles]

[tcp2525]

1 hour ago, SvenMarbles said:

I've been operating with a Radioddity DB20G in my truck since Christmas. I wasn't planning to make a fuss over it or type up a review or anything, because I felt like it was a pretty basic, standard, inexpensive, knock around mini-mobile GMRS radio. But after using it for these weeks, I've noticed that I just really like this radio a lot.

It does all of the small things right. It may sound silly to some, but I just really appreciate that it uses a big switch on/off volume knob. For a radio that I operate in a vehicle, I appreciate it when a radio isn't "fiddly". I reach over blind, switch it on and set to a comfortable volume in one intuitive and effortless motion. The radio sits in a spot that is absolutely perfect in my truck (pictured in following post). Facing face-up below where my right arm would rest on the middle console. The speaker is powerful and can be cranked up adequately loud to hear comfortably above road noise. I also appreciate that this radio is 20 watts (and actually is) which means that it can safely be powered by a cigarette lighter plug. When you power on/unlock the radio, you have full freedom to program as many simplex and repeater channels as you'd like. I used the included bracket and some 3M hook and loop strips to make it so that I can simply pull the entire radio off to bring it inside for programming, or use it in another application. Reception is great, no breakthrough overload, and reports are that I sound nice talking on it as well.

It just hits the sweet spot of preferences for me in a radio for how I want to be able to use a radio..

Yep, this is probably the best less than $100 mobile rig on the market. It's very well built and virtually indestructible. The PA protection circuitry will throttle output power down as radio heats up or SWR is not ideal. You'll never find a DB20 with fried finals.

[WRYS709]

3 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

Yep, this is probably the best less than $100 mobile rig on the market.

Is there a better one for $200? $300?

[WRYS709]

5 hours ago, SvenMarbles said:

When you power on/unlock the radio, you have full freedom to program as many simplex and repeater channels as you'd like.

Somewhere on one of these threads, I posted my code plug that follows Part 95E rules, after opening up this radio. 

[WRYZ926]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

Is there a better one for $200? $300?

It depends on what you are looking for in a radio and where you are going to use it. If having an IP rating for water and dust is important for you then I will suggest the Wouxun KG-XS20G when it comes to 20 watt radios.

The KG-XS20G is basically a higher power mobile version of the KG-935G hand held. They both use the same screen and both have the same menu layout.

IP rating was important for me since I use radios in my SxS. This could also be a consideration for those that have Jeeps and use them a lot with the top removed.

[SvenMarbles]

2 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

Is there a better one for $200? $300?

I mean.. It's a loaded question. I don't own "all of the radios" so I can't say for sure. Rubicon probably does lol. But what is "better" anyway? Specs? We're not supposed to be a nerd band theoretically. But I know that a lot of us are. So maybe you care about if the receiver is a superhet receiver. BUT, how does that weigh against the functional advantages of the radio I'm reviewing in this post? Size, the user interface, power draw, etc.. Maybe I can make the argument that this radio is "better" because those are the factors that matter to me for my use case..

[tcp2525]

4 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

Is there a better one for $200? $300?

Absolutely not. This is actually a dual band radio that can be opened up. Why would you want to pay more for a radio other than bragging rights? If you feel the need to impress others, just get the label maker out and type in "Midland".

[SvenMarbles]

33 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

Absolutely not. This is actually a dual band radio that can be opened up. Why would you want to pay more for a radio other than bragging rights? If you feel the need to impress others, just get the label maker out and type in "Midland".

Man,.. If people are impressed by Midland IDK what the hells going on . Before GMRS got popular, Midland made $40 Walmart CB radios.. When did Midland become yaesu?

[tcp2525]

59 minutes ago, SvenMarbles said:

Man,.. If people are impressed by Midland IDK what the hells going on . Before GMRS got popular, Midland made $40 Walmart CB radios.. When did Midland become yaesu?

Believe it or not, there are actually people that have spent hundreds of dollars on a Midland GMRS radio. And I was actually stupid enough to buy that much loved Midland mobile antenna. In our moment of weakness we simple let ourselves get sucked in by the hype. As for the DB20, I have to bash it for having that stupid cigarette lighter plug on it. Just cut the damn thing off. Other than that, the DB20 will satisfy the needs of 98% of all GMRS'ers that hook it up to a good antenna. 

[amaff]

10 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

Yep, this is probably the best less than $100 mobile rig on the market.

I also can't speak to "the best", but of the radios in that range I've tried. I pretty much agree with @SvenMarbles's review. It pretty much just does everything most of us want it to do (and in many cases a decent chunk more).

 

[WRYS709]

11 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

As for the DB20, I have to bash it for having that stupid cigarette lighter plug on it. Just cut the damn thing off. Other than that, the DB20 will satisfy the needs of 98% of all GMRS'ers that hook it up to a good antenna. 

Powerwerx 12v to Anderson Powerpole adapter

 

[WRYZ926]

The cigarette lighter plug is not that big of a deal and easy to either remove or get an adapter as shown in the above post. A few 20 watt radios from different manufacturers come with the lighter adapter.

[SteveShannon]

4 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

The cigarette lighter plug is not that big of a deal and easy to either remove or get an adapter as shown in the above post. A few 20 watt radios from different manufacturers come with the lighter adapter.

Exactly right. Almost every car comes with a power port that accepts the cigarette lighter plug. Although the cigarette lighter plug isn’t what many of us might eventually use, it’s the closest thing there is to being universally available and works well for these low power radios allowing them to be used immediately.  

[tcp2525]

46 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

Powerwerx 12v to Anderson Powerpole adapter

 

Definitely a really nice adapter, but why adapt something I didn't want in the first place to something useful? Easier to just cut it off and put whatever I want on the end of the cables. I would have preferred that the wires came pre-tinned and ready to go. That's the way they did it the last 150 years, no sense in changing now.

[SvenMarbles]

I like the cigarette lighter plug and I use it. It's actually part of what I like about it...

[WRYS709]

5 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

Definitely a really nice adapter, but why adapt something I didn't want in the first place to something useful? Easier to just cut it off and put whatever I want on the end of the cables. I would have preferred that the wires came pre-tinned and ready to go. That's the way they did it the last 150 years, no sense in changing now.

I’d bet dollars to donuts that most DB20-G users use their cigarette lighter plug for power. 

In my vehicle, I do, and why not?! It’s so easy to unplug and hide the equipment in a zone where I am concerned about someone breaking a window to steal it when it’s in plain sight. 

And for the one in my shack: the Powerwerx adapter makes it plug and play without losing the versatility of having the cigarette lighter plug, when needed. 

[SvenMarbles]

13 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

I’d bet dollars to donuts that most DB20-G users use their cigarette lighter plug for power. 

In my vehicle, I do, and why not?! It’s so easy to unplug and hide the equipment in a zone where I am concerned about someone breaking a window to steal it when it’s in plain sight. 

And for the one in my shack: the Powerwerx adapter makes it plug and play without losing the versatility of having the cigarette lighter plug, when needed. 

Yeah I don't really get why the cigarette lighter plug is a knock on the radio. I guess you're not a cool kid unless you splice up your dash wiring? lol

The point is that the amp draw of the radio is such that the plug connection is sufficient.. My truck has a bonus auxiliary DC plug down on the middle console. So,.... yeah.. I just plug it in right there.. And now I can have the option of yanking the radio out and putting it somewhere else should I choose.

And if you just really hate it, I'm pretty sure a pair of scissors and 10 seconds of time can solve that for you pretty decisively.. 

 

 

[WRXL702]

I Use A Cigarette Lighter Power Connection For My 45 Watt Vertex Standard VX-4600.

It Has Performed Flawlessly For The Last 1 1/2 Years.

Good Battery Connection Terminals & Battery Condition, Are More Important In My Opinion........

[SvenMarbles]

6 minutes ago, WRXL702 said:

I Use A Cigarette Lighter Power Connection For My 45 Watt Vertex Standard VX-4600.

It Has Performed Flawlessly For The Last 1 1/2 Years.

Good Battery Connection Terminals & Battery Condition, Are More Important In My Opinion........

Stick a penny in that fuse box and you can power a 100 watt radio with a cigarette lighter plug

Just keep transmissions brief..

 

[tcp2525]

6 minutes ago, WRXL702 said:

I Use A Cigarette Lighter Power Connection For My 45 Watt Vertex Standard VX-4600.

It Has Performed Flawlessly For The Last 1 1/2 Years.

Good Battery Connection Terminals & Battery Condition, Are More Important In My Opinion........

If it works that is great. I've seen some of the "heavy duty" ones heat up and melt, yes melt. I even melted one myself. No arguing they are very convenient, which makes them a great choice for that reason alone, just don't be surprised when you melt one.

[tcp2525]

38 minutes ago, SvenMarbles said:

Yeah I don't really get why the cigarette lighter plug is a knock on the radio.

 

 

 

Well, do you think Marconi, Edison or Tesla would have used one? Hell know, they would have used the traditional Western Union splice and call it a day.

[SvenMarbles]

2 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:

Well, do you think Marconi, Edison or Tesla would have used one? Hell know, they would have used the traditional Western Union splice and call it a day.

Tesla would've put electricity over the air and ruined all possibility of radio lol. Great guy,.. Not a friend of radio though...

[tcp2525]

5 minutes ago, SvenMarbles said:

Tesla would've put electricity over the air and ruined all possibility of radio lol. Great guy,.. Not a friend of radio though...

Love the old spark gap transmitter.

[WRYS709]

6 hours ago, tcp2525 said:

If it works that is great. I've seen some of the "heavy duty" ones heat up and melt, yes melt. I even melted one myself. No arguing they are very convenient, which makes them a great choice for that reason alone, just don't be surprised when you melt one.

Not one reported DB20-G/AT-779UV cigarette lighter plug melting to the date of this post...