Talkpod A36plus. What this handheld is, and what it’s not. A Product Review.

A36plus is a multi-band GMRS handheld radio. But, is it any good for Ham Radio? How could it be multi-band if it’s GMRS, General Mobile Radio Service, VHF transceiver? The answer is in the video.
This is an unbiased and honest product review on Talkpod A36plus handheld radio which was sent to me by the company. I have no affiliation with the company, though, nor this video is sponsored by the Talkpod.
Please leave your opinion about this radio and this video in the comments section.
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73! @Linas_LY2H

[@brianfields4479]

Good to see what happens in the real world.

[@Howard3S]

Well, i had assumed it would transmit on Ham freqs. When i xmit on ham bands, I here a beep and no xmit. When i try to xmit on FRS 1, it also beeps until you set the power low. Its said to be the killer of the Baufang? The Bofang is wide open

[@Linas_LY2H]

Hello, thanks for sharing your experience. I have no affiliation with the company, so I have no way to know what kind of radios they are sending to different markets , nor can I answer any questions about their products , except of the one I was sent for review. So, that one came with the GMRS frequencies installed, as this radio was FCC-certified for the GMRS bands on transmit. But nothing was locked, I could easily upload any other frequencies I wanted, mainly Ham radio repeaters, satellites and PMR channels by the means of the programming cable supplied and the CHIRP software. The orginal Talkpod software also worked. The label on the back of the radio (under the battery pack) also indicated this radio can RECEIVE ( not transmit) on 144, 220 and 430 MHz amateur bands. Because of that, I can only suspect, that when the radio is advertised as "ham radio", it's a little marketing trick by the company not telling openly on the box that "ham bands" are on receive only :). But on the lable on the back, they must write the truth and so they do. HTH, 73! Linas LY2H

[@nielst.3891]

what firmware/software has been installed during installation on the talkpod? latest version is 1.21. Perhaps it can be of impact?

[@Linas_LY2H]

Hello, it came with version 1.19 installed. I doubt the firmware is the culprit for the high harmonics on Ham bands. It seems that it’s just a hardware problem, like no appropriate Low Pass Filter installed, as it was not the purpose of this radio, as it has been registered with the FCC for the GMRS market only for transmit, with ham bands being part of the receiver features, not the transmitter. But thank you for the comment, I will certainly try the new firmware in some future and make an update review if the firmware turns to be the reason. 73! Linas LY2H

[@WECB640]

knock knock.
Who's there?
FCC
OH SH.......

[@LilBoyCalledRoy]

FCC Warning