One comment about a difference between these amps... pass through capability when the amp is switched off. For whatever reason only known to BTECH, the Analog VHF & UHF versions will pass the signal through to the antenna when the amp is off, but the Analog/Digital VHF version does not. Most people will not use their radio with the amp switched off, otherwise it kind of defeats the purpose/reason of having the amp to begin with. I discovered the non-pass through when I wanted to compare the difference of hitting a repeater with/without the amp. With the amp switched off, I discovered that I couldn't hit a repeater that I normally could with just the HT alone. I found out why on the BETECH website, that has a "features" comparison chart for all 5 versions... only the 3 analog versions can do the signal pass through when the amp is powered off.
I’ve seen these with different manuf. labels, never thought they could be worth a crud. I was CLEARLY wrong. Plus never realized they come with a mic! Great video. You should sell stuff. Oh, wait…
Thanks for the video, I’ve been thinking about getting one of those for my wife’s car to give me more power when I’m not in my own car. By the way, the guy who came back to you “NCO “, is a local guy that I hear on on the Keller Peak repeater here in Southern California. He must have been linking in. What a surprise to hear his call and voice.
I got the UHF one. love it. legal to use on GMRS but only Ch 15 to 22 and the 8 repeater ones. use it with UV-5X (GMRS) Baofeng in car. it has a band pass filter in the amp section. cleans up dirty feng. I tested with dummy load and RF sampler attenuator into spectrum analyzer. no measurable harmonics with amp on. down to noise floor to 1.3 GHz. The GMRS Baofeng UV-5G was clean harmonics to start with. just a small spike on 2nd . may see 3rd but down in noise floor, went totally away with amp on. if the 2 meter one has this the dirty radio will clean up. I only have the UHF analog one. watch key down time on digital modes. reduce power. it says it has thermal cut off . never tested that . 73's
I just purchased one from their website, and I'm hoping to use it in my go box with a IC-705 for 2m digital modes and to see how it will do with the Kenwood D72 for APRS. I'm thinking it should work fairly well. Thanks for the review, it's just what I was looking for!
I haven't tried it with the IC-705 yet, but I have used it with the FT-818. Should work great! I'd be sure to get the digital version in case you need it for d-star czcams.com/video/wSPPxJjJoVI/video.html
@@temporarilyoffline Thanks for the link to the video with the 818, that was encouraging to see. It'll be great to get it worked into the go box with the option for more power!
@@Emerald-City Yeah, for some reason QRP feels different on HF than on 2m. If you're in a dense area with a good repeater 5-10w is great... I'm not in a dense area yet.
Just like "RJ45" refers to a telecom application for that 8-pin modular connector, the 6-pin has some applications. RJ11, RJ12, RJ14, RJ25. RJ12 and RJ25 use all 6 wires.
I have the UHF model. The speaker mic jack/port has sloppy connection to the speaker mic. In my case, and others as well, you have to keep some type of pressure on the plug to keep a constent connection.
TO, et al - WHY does everyone seem to be calling a MICROPHONE a SPEAKER MIC these days? There is NO speaker in this mic. Just a mic element. The X6100, as an example or any HT “shoulder mic” is a speaker mic. Sorry for the off-topic but this part of the product is one of many misleads. Hard to put the amp under the seat and then hear the audio.
I might look into this but the UHF version as most of the DMR repeaters in the SE part of WI are UHF. The VHF would be nice in expand my reach on the analog side.
How hot does that amp get during QSO? I have a Btech 50x2 it has 2 power settings low and high. On high it puts out 80 watts on some frequencies and even on low power radio gets very hot. Just wonder if the amps do the same
Nice Amp! might be a bit pricey, its almost the same cost as a stand alone 2 meter rig, but you can definitely have a use case where this is a much better fix that just another 2 meter transceiver. 73
Pretty cool.. I think Jason KM4ACK uses the non DMR version in his wifes car.. Some people talked about running a hotspot through one of these.. Some said it would work.. but some disagreed because it says it needs.. what 2 watts in?
One comment about a difference between these amps... pass through capability when the amp is switched off. For whatever reason only known to BTECH, the Analog VHF & UHF versions will pass the signal through to the antenna when the amp is off, but the Analog/Digital VHF version does not.
Most people will not use their radio with the amp switched off, otherwise it kind of defeats the purpose/reason of having the amp to begin with. I discovered the non-pass through when I wanted to compare the difference of hitting a repeater with/without the amp. With the amp switched off, I discovered that I couldn't hit a repeater that I normally could with just the HT alone. I found out why on the BETECH website, that has a "features" comparison chart for all 5 versions... only the 3 analog versions can do the signal pass through when the amp is powered off.
I have the Radio Shack HA-20 two meter amp and it didn't need a microphone to make it work. It sensed RF from HT and just worked.
This one works either way. The mic is a neat feature.
I’ve seen these with different manuf. labels, never thought they could be worth a crud. I was CLEARLY wrong. Plus never realized they come with a mic! Great video. You should sell stuff. Oh, wait…
@@HowToHam_Tom We have a few things for sale at coffeeandhamradios.com Check it out!
would be cool if they sold one that did both uhf/vhf. I typically play on both (and sometimes 220). Given the price, I'd just get a mobile rig.
If you're a hard-core user, for sure.
I have looked at these before, but with mobile units so affordable I went that route.
Yeah, especially hamfest specials! Bill sent me an ft-8800 that he got for
Thanks for the video, I’ve been thinking about getting one of those for my wife’s car to give me more power when I’m not in my own car. By the way, the guy who came back to you “NCO “, is a local guy that I hear on on the Keller Peak repeater here in Southern California. He must have been linking in. What a surprise to hear his call and voice.
Nice! Super simple to connect and it just works!
Great amp for the money. Been rocking mine for a year now. 👍
How did I know you'd have this gadget of mine too? 🤔
I got the UHF one. love it. legal to use on GMRS but only Ch 15 to 22 and the 8 repeater ones. use it with UV-5X (GMRS) Baofeng in car. it has a band pass filter in the amp section. cleans up dirty feng. I tested with dummy load and RF sampler attenuator into spectrum analyzer. no measurable harmonics with amp on. down to noise floor to 1.3 GHz. The GMRS Baofeng UV-5G was clean harmonics to start with. just a small spike on 2nd . may see 3rd but down in noise floor, went totally away with amp on. if the 2 meter one has this the dirty radio will clean up. I only have the UHF analog one. watch key down time on digital modes. reduce power. it says it has thermal cut off . never tested that . 73's
Good Info, thanks
I use this combo as a manpack. Love it! ( they have them for GMRS too.)
Nice setup!
The simple speaker mic allows you to operate all this "legally" when mobile too. Great stuff!
I'm a fan for sure!
I have the VHF version for my FT5 so I can use it in the car. No issues so far.
Excellent!
Great product! I’ll be ordering one soon!
Excellent. I've been pretty happy with it. Its very versatile, I'll have another video coming out about the FT-818 connected to this amplifier soon.
I just purchased one from their website, and I'm hoping to use it in my go box with a IC-705 for 2m digital modes and to see how it will do with the Kenwood D72 for APRS. I'm thinking it should work fairly well. Thanks for the review, it's just what I was looking for!
I haven't tried it with the IC-705 yet, but I have used it with the FT-818. Should work great! I'd be sure to get the digital version in case you need it for d-star czcams.com/video/wSPPxJjJoVI/video.html
@@temporarilyoffline
Thanks for the link to the video with the 818, that was encouraging to see. It'll be great to get it worked into the go box with the option for more power!
@@Emerald-City Yeah, for some reason QRP feels different on HF than on 2m. If you're in a dense area with a good repeater 5-10w is great... I'm not in a dense area yet.
I have my power setting on a shortcut for switching between hotspot and repeater stuff... Love my 6x2! Great video TO!
Good idea, one of those PF keys!
There is a ham radio friend in my area that uses that amp and he loves it.
I think it's great so far!
I’d like to see the inside. I’m currently working with VHF modules from Mitsubishi, such as the RA30H1317M1.
Good idea - I need to take a look insode
Just like "RJ45" refers to a telecom application for that 8-pin modular connector, the 6-pin has some applications. RJ11, RJ12, RJ14, RJ25. RJ12 and RJ25 use all 6 wires.
That's not confusing at all!
Great product always helps to have a little extra power, that would really help people to reach distant repeaters,tnx bro.
Exactly, not many repeaters with traffic in my area.
More power 💪
You got that right!
I picked up one of the UHF digital ones a while back to go with my TYT MD-380. I have yet to actually use it.
Now's your chance!
I've been intending to get an amp like this. Got one on the way now. Thanks! 73!
Excellent, I hope you enjoy it!
RJ-12 connector👍
Thanks!
I have the UHF model. The speaker mic jack/port has sloppy connection to the speaker mic. In my case, and others as well, you have to keep some type of pressure on the plug to keep a constent connection.
I'll have to check it out. I don't remember it being an issue with mine.
So, tape? Slight bending of the pins?
TO, et al - WHY does everyone seem to be calling a MICROPHONE a SPEAKER MIC these days? There is NO speaker in this mic. Just a mic element. The X6100, as an example or any HT “shoulder mic” is a speaker mic. Sorry for the off-topic but this part of the product is one of many misleads. Hard to put the amp under the seat and then hear the audio.
I might look into this but the UHF version as most of the DMR repeaters in the SE part of WI are UHF. The VHF would be nice in expand my reach on the analog side.
It is pretty seamless to integrate!
Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!
Im in a valley and cant reach my repeaters, I need a roof mount antenna and probably something like that amp. I dont think B-Tech are in VK though. :)
My other aussie friend says "viar amazon"
How hot does that amp get during QSO? I have a Btech 50x2 it has 2 power settings low and high. On high it puts out 80 watts on some frequencies and even on low power radio gets very hot. Just wonder if the amps do the same
T. O. Can you do a power draw for us? I smell a LiFePo4 MegaWalkie possibly.
Will do! There are a lot of possibilities
Nice Amp! might be a bit pricey, its almost the same cost as a stand alone 2 meter rig, but you can definitely have a use case where this is a much better fix that just another 2 meter transceiver. 73
Especially if you have matching rigs that you can clone!
Pretty cool.. I think Jason KM4ACK uses the non DMR version in his wifes car.. Some people talked about running a hotspot through one of these.. Some said it would work.. but some disagreed because it says it needs.. what 2 watts in?
I think it's the way DMR signals work. Rapid signaling.
The amp works on FM but I dont think it can be used for SSB
I don't think so
Would this work for single sideband out of the 705
I don't think so, but FM is good to go!
RJ-11 at the moment ther end.
Rock on!
Does it work with CB?
No, CB in the US is 27MHz and this amp is 144MHz
Too bad it's not good for SSB.
That would be sweet!
I don't know, seems like putting lipstick on a pig. Why spend that money boosting an HT when $190 will get you an FT-2980R that puts out 80 watts?
Good call!