I'm looking for radios with similar needs as boz, this has been a great informative thread.

How does the Retevis RT87 compare with this Baofeng BF-A58?

https://www.amazon.com/Mengshe...20MHZ/dp/B071KFB6SP/

From what I can see one of the biggest differences is the 4W output for the RT87 vs the 8W output for the BF-A58. I came across it from watching this good video about different ways to connect your radio to a headset:

https://youtu.be/2x38YwAYXjU?t=1

About to make a purchase myself. Probably going with the Rt87

holy smokes my programming cable shipped!
should arrive on wednesday!

quote:

Originally posted by Brett B:
I'm looking for radios with similar needs as boz, this has been a great informative thread.

How does the Retevis RT87 compare with this Baofeng BF-A58?

https://www.amazon.com/Mengshe...20MHZ/dp/B071KFB6SP/

From what I can see one of the biggest differences is the 4W output for the RT87 vs the 8W output for the BF-A58. I came across it from watching this good video about different ways to connect your radio to a headset:

https://youtu.be/2x38YwAYXjU?t=1

Based on the pictures, it looks to be a waterproofed version of the standard BF radios. I had several, none of them ever came close to a true 8w output, max on the ones I checked was 6.5 or so. My RT87 all put out over 4w.

RT87 have better keypad and display. I guess it would depend on cost, since the amazon link you included shows as “unavailable” with no price listed don’t know what they are asking.

I would only consider if tight budget and lower cost than the RT87, the claimed 8w won’t be worth a nickel to me knowing it likely isn’t there and whatever increased power it might have would like insignificant, especially using an HT antenna.

I've got an extra programming cable for the Retevis RT87 if anyone wants it. First come...first served. Email is in profile, but say something here, please, so I know to check.

quote:

Originally posted by DBabsJr:
I've got an extra programming cable for the Retevis RT87 if anyone wants it. First come...first served. Email is in profile, but say something here, please, so I know to check.

I’ll take it. Let me know how much. Thanks!

I didn’t see an email in your profile.

My bad...it wasn't public.

I sat for the Technician exam last night and got a call sign assigned today...KD2URZ.

quote:

Originally posted by DBabsJr:
I sat for the Technician exam last night and got a call sign assigned today...KD2URZ.

Congrats dude!

quote:

Originally posted by DBabsJr:
I sat for the Technician exam last night and got a call sign assigned today...KD2URZ.

Congrats!

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
holy smokes my programming cable shipped!
should arrive on wednesday!

Just got the same notification for mine!

The chapter on circuitry notation has been kicking my butt. All the symbols are melting my brain. I got an app for my iPad called "HamStudy" that has been really helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by pcshooter:

Nice rig! I got that same blood type

quote:

Originally posted by DBabsJr:
My bad...it wasn't public.

Email sent.

Thanks 911Boss, the BF-A58 was in stock for $44 at the time I posted the link.

You guys with the Retevis RT87...do any of you know the default password for the programming software? A search yielded '00000000' but to no avail. Same with '500000'.

911boss was kind enough to share his .dat file with me, but the software won't even let me 'read' the radio, let alone 'write'.

Any help appreciated.

just leave the password field blank

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
just leave the password field blank

Tried. No joy.

that's odd.
blank worked for me on all of them

quote:

Originally posted by pcshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:
just leave the password field blank

Tried. No joy.

Should be just blank. Confirming you are using the RT87 software from Retevis site?

If you did enter password, maybe uninstall/reinstall and try fresh.

Also confirm you have right com port selected. It doesn’t always select the right one by default

Yes thanks for this! Going back through this thread again. Lots of great info - you guys are so generous sharing your knowledge and experience. My kids got me two Retevis RT87 radios for my birthday and one came with a programming cable so Im going to start playing with Chirp.

Continuing to study for my technician license shooting for testing before end of year!

PS I saved the RT87 shortcuts to a pdf including the pics and put it on my website

http://www.chromatin.us/Retevi...amming-Shortcuts.pdf



Also I like the Ham Radio Crash Course Channel - very good info.

quote:

Originally posted by creslin:

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:
Here is a quick and dirty “How To” for Boz, Creslin, and anyone else reading this thread who decides to go with the Retevis RT87

Holy shit dude.
That's way above and beyond!

Now that you guys have a FCC amateur license and a VHF/UHF radio, download from the Internet "Repeaters near me" or RepeaterBook App.

And, have fun...

KJ7FTH.