Hacked! - Retevis RA25 GMRS Radio
In this video, we take a look at how to switch the Retevis RA25 from a GMRS Radio to an Amateur Radio using a special boot sequence, the process can be reversed. Sponsored by www.pcbway.com Cheap & quick PCB, 3D Printing, CNC machining, and fabrication services from PCBWay.
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NOTE: I was sent this radio free of charge from Retevis for test and evaluation purposes which are reflected in this video.
Check out my Retevis RA25 GMRS Radio Playlist here: • Retevis RA25 Playlist
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Пікірлер: 107
I tried this on my Radioddity DB20-G and it works on it as well. Thanks for the tip.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
From what I can tell, they are the same radio. Thanks for watching Rich 👍
@MikieLAX
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSmokinApe Except that code plugs generated from the Retevis software will not work on my Radioddity and Anytone versions of this radio; however, the Radioddity and Anytone code plugs are interchangeable.
Excellent, I love options, especially button hold and power on options, those are always money!
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
I like pushing buttons too 😳
This mod is one of my favorite things about these radios.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, it’s a pretty handy feature for sure, thanks for watching Kevin
So now we need to find the best overlap of ham and GMRS! Great find. I think I might get one of these!
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Lol, thanks for checking it out TO 👍
I have the Anytone version of this radio. I opened mine up, but set it up for GMRS. I get 18.5W - 20W on GMRS and I get 25W on MURS. I installed the Midland MXTA26 mobile antenna on each of 2 vehicles and I move this radio between them. It easily fits in the center console. Most functions you would need can be done from the handset and I always get great modulation reports. Such a great radio! The software is the only downside (no CHIRP), but once you do the work it is all saved in a file you can back up. If you buy one, make sure you get a set that includes the programming cable.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, it’s great that it comes with the cable for sure, Chirp would be a huge plus 👍
@ai5gu
Жыл бұрын
I imagine over time it will be added to chirp. lol
@MikieLAX
Жыл бұрын
RT Software has already given up on trying to make their software work on these radios, and seemingly Chirp has run into the same problems. My programming tip for the "open" version of these radios, is to leave blank channels between categories (such as 2 meter simplex, 2 meter repeaters, 70 cm simplex, 70 cm repeaters, etc) so when you need to update with new frequencies into the Channels, they can remain contiguous, without having to rewrite the whole list of channels from scratch.
@frankpeletz1818
11 ай бұрын
My Anytone would not allow menus choice below 9 with the factor code plug. I opened it and it gave me all the menu choices. I have the db20g that did not have the same problem.
@MikieLAX
11 ай бұрын
@@frankpeletz1818 Try using the Radioddity v2.02 CPS software on your Anytone and see if that fixes the problem.
Hey Ape, thanks for your sharing. You do well to show the folks how to change the model to GMRS or other frequencies. This is the question that we be often asked, hope the video could help more people.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, I think he would be helpful for them 👍
Thanks for the video. I bought my Radioddity thinking it was just GMRS, but now it's much more useful.
@TheSmokinApe
2 ай бұрын
Glad to hear it helped 👍
Thank you for the video - I just performed this exact same function on my RA25 sat in front of me on the table. 73s from the UK - G7PAC
@TheSmokinApe
3 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful 👍
Love options like this, thanks for sharing Ape.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Me too! Thanks for watching Bob 👍
as of 5/5/24 it worked on my Radioddity DB20-G effortlessly and has v3.0 firmware. changing to any of the other settings does not have any preset GMRS channels so you may need to hook to computer and set some if you want that. if you switch back to the GMRS option the channels will be back but it will clear any channels you set with computer
@TheSmokinApe
3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the info 👍
Great video! I’m gonna pick up the Radioddity DB20 here this afternoon, now that I know I can do this!
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Nice, good luck with it 👍
That is tiny little radio. I could see that fitting on my Camper
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
If only it could be programmed with Chirp! Thanks for checking it out Kevin 👍
Works on the CRT electro as well Mr Ape I have added the European PMR frequency’s
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Nice! Thanks for watching Tony 👍
I have the anytone version of this radio in a go box. Works great for what it is.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Seems like it would be good for that, thanks for watching Blaculo 👍
So i'm wondering if you know if the Radioddity DB-20G which looks exactly like this radio would do the same trick?
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
I believe it does 👍
So, I just tried this with my Radioddity db25g (round menu button and power on) and I get a screen that says PASSWORD and 7 blank spaces Wonder if they’ve locked it out ?
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
I’d try the ole 1 2 3 4 5 6 trick
@stayraddad4638
Жыл бұрын
That’s what I was thinking …. Although hopefully I don’t Brick anything lol. Thanks for the great video too. Just starting into gmrs. Lots more too it but fun stuff
Is there a way to do this for the Radiodity DB-25G?
@TheSmokinApe
8 ай бұрын
Sorry man, I have no idea 🤷♂️
I have a Radioddity DB20-G. It's (visibly at least) the same radio as this and I did this a year ago just to check it out. Works for mine too.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the info Brian 👍
@brian954
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSmokinApe No problem. Hadn’t used it in a while, even though it’s in my daily driver. Been sticking with scanning on my GM-30 ht. I went out today mostly rxing but also some tx. It’s like I got the radio bug all over again. Only license for GMRS now. Hopefully getting my technician license soon!
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
@@brian954 good luck on the test 👍
@frankpeletz1818
11 ай бұрын
@@brian954 When you get your tech, open the programming and use a Comet 2x4 antenna. It works on Ham and GMRS. You will need only 1 radio ))
Being able to hack a radio is great fun and useful if you travel widely. It seems a nice little radio.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
I haven’t messed with it too much, thinking about doing a portable go box type thing with it 🤔
@MikieLAX
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSmokinApe I was talking on a GMRS Repeater that covers the Malibu area and they told me they had received money from the City Council to build out Go-Box's with these radios for emergency communications by their citizens in times of distress: flooding, fires, earthquake, etc.
This is great, thanks Ape!
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Hey Dusty! Thanks for watching 👍
Nice hack APE 👍🏽
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for checking it out Ferdinand 👍
If you program for North American ham bands do you still have access to GMRS?
@TheSmokinApe
10 ай бұрын
I believe one of the settings is fully open
I HAD SOME PROGRAMMING ISSUES WITH MY RA 25. GOT IT STRIGHT. NOW I HAVE A NEW ONE. I HAVE A ZASTONE MINI 25 W DO YOU KNOW ANY THING OF THE SOFTWARE WHERE I CAN FIND IT. ITS NOT ON THERE WEB SITE. ITS A PAIN TO USE THE MIC. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT. FOR PROGRAMMING I USE THE WAKESNOW PROG CABLE. CHEERS MARK
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
I tried to find it and couldn't, sorry man...
@Trunkmonkey777
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSmokinApe thanks again for your help.
How's it test for spurious emissions?
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Hey Phillip, here's a video I did on that: kzread.info/dash/bejne/fK6qlM2lnrLPg6Q.html
What is the model number for the dummy load testing antenna?
@TheSmokinApe
8 ай бұрын
I believe it's the MFJ-261
It's really nice radio
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
People love it 👍
nice mod but you cant run gmrs and ham at the same time ,have to switch back and forth to transmit on
@TheSmokinApe
3 ай бұрын
Yeah, I believe it’s “pick one”. There might be a third option, I don’t recall.
Can you program this radio with a pc when it is in the unlocked formation?
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
I believe so, just read from the radio and then edit that file 👍
@This_Month_In_History
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSmokinApe , i got it working, thanks.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
@@This_Month_In_History Awesome, good luck with the radio 👍
Great review!
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks Rod, glad you liked it 👍
Does switching the mode make it programmable in any way to store repeaters?
@djsoundzentertainment42
Жыл бұрын
Yes
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
You will be able to program it differently depending on what mode is selected. Switching mode erases all previous settings 👍
@JarrettGreen
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSmokinApe Ah. So I couldn't switch it to ham bands, program repeaters, use it as a mobile rig, and then shut it off, switch it to GMRs when I need to use that for overlanding, and then switch it back. Still, thanks for the video and clarifying!
@MikieLAX
Жыл бұрын
@@JarrettGreen Exactly! Be sure to save appropriate code plugs for each mode so you can easily access those frequencies you originally programmed.
118 to 137 MHz?
@djsoundzentertainment42
Жыл бұрын
No airband receive
@MikieLAX
Жыл бұрын
AND only FM, no AM for air-band anyway.
Same radio as Anytone 778uv and Radiodity db20(g)
@TheSmokinApe
11 ай бұрын
Yep. Thanks for the info Frank 👍
I have the Retevis RA25 version. Anytone makes these. The Anytone model number is AT-779UV. These radios are 25 watts on VHF, 20 watts on UHF so don't anyone get fooled by the marketing claim of 25 watts on GMRS.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the details DJ SE 👍
@djsoundzentertainment42
Жыл бұрын
@@TheSmokinApe You're welcome and thanks for your videos.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
@@djsoundzentertainment42 glad you like them 👍
cute little radio, now they need to make it 50w. 😀
@djsoundzentertainment42
Жыл бұрын
Size of the radio would be much bigger.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
It is pretty tiny. Chirp programming would be sweet 👍
@acidreign8551
Жыл бұрын
That is why god makes amplifiers, no problem here. I have the radiodity version, They are all the same. Drop it to low power and run an amp, you will get your 50 watts and more if you want ( of course more than 50 watts is of course illegal, just sayin' :)
Hack? I see not hack! Unlocking it is not hacking. Hack word should be ban from social media videos. Nothing to do with you, I love your videos
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Lol, thanks for watching Felix 👍
@MikieLAX
Жыл бұрын
Maybe he meant "heck!" 🤣
Well too bad they lied on all their marketing and said it had a bunch of features it didn't! to their credit they updated everything within an hour of being confronted about it... But i burned a hundred bucks for features i didn't get :-/
@MikieLAX
Жыл бұрын
Radioddity solved this problem on their DB20-G years ago with a firmware update.
Shoulda' had his shit together prior to doing this video. He didn't know what the heck he was doing, or what the radio could do.
@TheSmokinApe
Жыл бұрын
Right, because you can clearly see how to change the frequency plans.