TD-H3 GMRS observation: transmit issue with/without privacy code

[Imply4907]

Good day!

I apologize if this question has been asked/answered -- I did some searching and wasn't able to find anything specific to this, yet I don't believe I'm the first person to encounter this.

TLDR; I can't transmit on a second similar frequency channel with or without a "privacy code"

I know "privacy code" usage isn't private. I'm using it as a general term for using DCS/CTCSS codes to reduce hearing unwanted signals.

Equipment: I have a TIDRADIO TD-H3 (HAM version) running in GMRS mode

• The firmware version is GMRS_240817
• I can and have programmed it on Odmaster or CHIRP
• I can do some limited work on the HT itself
• I just got it this week, so I'm still a little new (Jan. 15 2025)

Intent: My younger children have some FRS radios where I used FRS/GMRS Channel 1 plus a "privacy code" to (a) reduce some of the distraction from area GMRS/FRS users (b) potentially reduce the possibility that their ears might hear something inappropriate. I'd still like to be able to switch to a regular "privacy code"-free channel when I'm away.
I want to talk to communicate with them from my TD-H3.

Situation: I can't transmit out on higher of the TD-HD3's two channels if I have a mixture of privacy code and non-privacy code for the same frequency. The radio prevents transmitting on the higher channel of the same simplex frequency. Example: If I use GMRS freq. 1 and put the "privacy code" on HT radio channel 1. I then use a "privacy code" free GMRS freq. 1 on the HT radio's channel/slot 100. I can transmit out and be heard on the FRS radio when I use HT slot 1, but can't actually transmit (and hear a rejection tone) when I use the HT radios slot 100 on the same frequency. If I make HT slot 1 clear of codes and make HT slot 100 the same frequency as channel 1, but use a "privacy code", the radio blocked me from transmitting on slot 100.

I discovered this after several hours of troubleshooting and hand-wringing. It didn't matter whether I used DCS or CTCSS. I then tried using "privacy code" on the lower radio channel and put the privacy free* on the greater channel and saw I could use a privacy code successfully. What's a little weird is that I have a repeater setup with a CT tone and the radio will transmit fine.

I don't know if this is by design or a limitation of the TD-H3 and similar firmware. For all I know, it might be a general phenomenon of TIDRADIO products.

Comparison: I have a brand new pair of Baofeng 5RMs that I would like to see if they exhibit the same phenomenon, but there are issues with the programming over the cable preventing me from quickly programming them. Maybe I'll figure out how to program them on the keypad. Observation: I get the feeling that Baofeng and TIDRADIO are basically the same manufacturer but simply different brands.

Kind regards,

Jim
Woodleaf, NC USA
WSGP797

Edited January 25 by Imply4907
clarification of the "intent" section. Edit 2: improved title. Edit 3: Corrected typo in firmware version. Edit 4: standardized language from radio channel to radio slot and used slot 100 rather than 31

[RIPPER238]

Hmm, maybe because i manually entered most of my memory and/or BT transferred from one to another? I'm pretty sure my AM is over 50 as well. 

 

Must be something input or a setting that causing it. 

[SteveShannon]

32 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

Hmm, maybe because i manually entered most of my memory and/or BT transferred from one to another? I'm pretty sure my AM is over 50 as well. 

 

Must be something input or a setting that causing it. 

@Imply4907 Is your radio unlocked?

[LeoG]

Probably because you aren't on GMRS mode.

[RIPPER238]

17 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

@Imply4907 Is your radio unlocked?

Yes, mentioned earlier. Manly have it programed for GMRS, but use the higher numbers for other bands. No issues transmitting or receiving. 

[SteveShannon]

15 minutes ago, RIPPER238 said:

Yes, mentioned earlier. Manly have it programed for GMRS, but use the higher numbers for other bands. No issues transmitting or receiving. 

Right, I saw that you had yours unlocked and were able to transmit higher than 54.  I wondered if Imply4907 was using an unlocked radio. That’s why I prefaced my question with @Imply4907.

36 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

@Imply4907 Is your radio unlocked?

 

[TrikeRadio]

On 1/25/2025 at 5:27 PM, RIPPER238 said:

I have no issues transmitting on higher channels. 185 for example, no issue. GMRS version unlocked. 

the RX only above channel slot 54 applies only when the radio is operating in GMRS mode.
if you are in the unlocked "Normal" mode... there are no restrictions.

I am not sure if there are any similar restrictions in HAM mode.

[Imply4907]

On 1/26/2025 at 2:26 PM, SteveShannon said:

@Imply4907 Is your radio unlocked?

@SteveShannon By "unlocked", if you mean "Normal" mode, then "no". I am using GMRS mode. But I did find that it worked if I used a slot between 31 and 54. I think I used 42. Hallelujah!

[Imply4907]

On 1/27/2025 at 3:15 AM, TrikeRadio said:

the RX only above channel slot 54 applies only when the radio is operating in GMRS mode.
if you are in the unlocked "Normal" mode... there are no restrictions.

I am not sure if there are any similar restrictions in HAM mode.

@TrikeRadio Eventually, when I get my AR license I'll try it. Right now I restrict myself to GMRS. I truly appreciate the help and suggestions. I ended up sending back the U5R's and buying two more TD-H3 "GMRS" models for other people in the family. The only thing I don't really like about the "H3" is that when dropped, the battery comes off rather easily. I think for the price and size, the 2408__ software is decent. I see someone saw newer firmware. I'll have to check out the features and bug fixes and decide whether I want to re-image the EPROM.

[TrikeRadio]

On 1/25/2025 at 10:42 AM, Imply4907 said:

@LeoG, that might have been the issue. I may have overlooked it in the owner’s manual about the transmit channel slot limitation. I will have to find it and confirm. But I was able to program GMRS 1 on slot 43 on the keypad with some CTCSS tones and it appeared to transmit. I’m out on the road and can’t test thoroughly. Thank you for the tip.

The RX only on channels 55 and above (in GMRS mode only) is not actually in the manual at all. But it is a thing that I and others have confirmed. Again it is only in the GMRS mode that it locks you out of transmitting in 55-199.

[LeoG]

4 minutes ago, Imply4907 said:

@TrikeRadio Eventually, when I get my AR license I'll try it. Right now I restrict myself to GMRS. I truly appreciate the help and suggestions. I ended up sending back the U5R's and buying two more TD-H3 "GMRS" models for other people in the family. The only thing I don't really like about the "H3" is that when dropped, the battery comes off rather easily. I think for the price and size, the 2408__ software is decent. I see someone saw newer firmware. I'll have to check out the features and bug fixes and decide whether I want to re-image the EPROM.

Don't drop it then.

[KramerDMZ]

Hello! Thank goodness for this thread.  I was beginning to think my TD-H3s were defective.  I programmed some repeaters on channels 90 and above with the intent to use those when traveling.  But, when I went to test, all I get is the "beep" notifying me that I cannot transmit.  I tried resetting into "normal" mode and into GMRS mode -- same effect.  I realize I'm new to all of this, but was wondering why have a programmable channel if it cannot be used to transmit?  My solution for now is to try and save the repeaters to lower memory slots. 

Edit: I used Chirp and the TD-H3 Windows application to do the programming.  Both had the same results.  Both radios are running version GMRS_250110.

[LeoG]

Pretty good radio for $25 each.

[WRHS218]

12 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

A strange issue with an h3? No really? That neeevvveeer happens!   Why any one would buy a tid radio is beyond me  

And there it is! As predictable as a sunrise.

[LeoG]

On 1/19/2025 at 11:14 PM, Imply4907 said:

Update: I put an inquiry in to the nice people at TIDRADIO.

I've already done that and they know of the issue and I doubt they plan on fixing the limitation.

[LeoG]

[KramerDMZ]

9 hours ago, LeoG said:

Pretty good radio for $25 each.

Yep -- agree.  It does what I need for now.  At my shop, we call this a "WAD" -- Works as designed... 

[LeoG]

Any problems with those radios are usually solved pretty quickly in all of my cases.  I text Luxi who appears to be the sales front end and tell her my issue.  The only issue that hasn't been solved is the above ch55 issue and I don't think they see it as an issue so I doubt it's going to be resolved.  So if that affects you, don't buy this radio.

They've even offered me free radio to test for them.  A Baofeng Radio UV-26 is on its way to me so I can review it.  I'll give it a fair shot and see how it works.  I can only test out the GMRS because that the license I have.  But I can test parameters into a dummy load to see what the true wattages are coming off the machine.  Should be fun.  Whether it's a bribe to calm me of my woes or them generally thinking I'm a fair person because of the way I act in my emails to them doesn't really matter to me.  I'm git'n a free radio!!