Radioddity QR20 Review: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
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Reviewing the Radioddity QR20 after using it on SSB for several weeks.
This Shack-in-the-Box is 20 watts on external power for SSB, has an internal tuner, and internal battery. It has lots going for it...if a few issues get resolved.
If you choose to buy the QR20 or other gear from Radioddity, please use my link below: You will get a discount, and I will receive a small fee for your purchase. You will receive the same pricing, warranty, and service as usual - we both just get a little benefit.
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Radioddity QR20 Review: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly | HOA Ham
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#Radioddity #QR20 #RadioddityQR20Review
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I really wanted to get this radio... then I completely forgot about it. I'll come back to it again I'm sure. Good review!
Thanks for the kind words! The QR20 has some things in common with the X6100 -- quirks, bugs, missing features etc. yet we are drawn to it. We want to love it but has some growing up to do.
BTW, thanks for all those vids on the X6100; couldn't afford to pick it up so I'm enjoying it vicariously through you.
Thank you for the review. It is well done and accurate.
I believe the Q900 is exactly the same radio! It has the same problems and features. In fact the Q900 manual, which you have to download from the internet, reads exactly the same as the QR-20 manual. I have the Q900. As with the QR-20, I don't think it is ready for prime time for most users.
But the radio has so much potential! If it were developed further, it would outclass most QRP radios in performance. As is it can be used successfully but you do have know how to bypass some of its problems.
You are spot on, this radio has so much potential. I can't believe no one has figured out how to get it to the finish line!
My QR20 came with very visible screen blemishes as well, but for their credit, Radioddity sent me a replacement quickly. So their quality control sucks but the customer service is not bad.
It has a lot of potential and its portability is great so even though I had a chance to return for free, I decided to keep it.
You are spot on, the customer service has been great. My unit is in the exchange process right now over the screen issue. It is hard not to be attracted to the QR20 even while the bugs are being worked out.
@@HOAHamRadio I had to send back everything except the backpack, then the replacement radio came in a broken carrying case. They replaced it also for free though it took about a month. But the internal foam was glued in the wrong way... Again good customer service, bad QC. Still, for me, the portability merit overshadows the unfinished firmware and poor QC. Thanks for the great review. Just FYI, Flrig with FT-817 setting works very well as remote if you are concerned about wearing out the keypad. wsjt-x with flrig as a rig also works well.
It looks exactly like the Q900 sold through AliExpress. Options for GPS, DMR, and compass subassemblies change the price from a base price of $487.52 up to $683.16 for all three.
Yep, it has been marketed under a few different brand names. A dog under them all. Great potential but they just can't seem to get it to the finish line.
Reset the radio with a toothpick in the little hole on the backside bottom right. The bottom right.!!!
Glad I bought a G90
You made a wise choice. Radioddity walked from the QR20....no brand will see this radio through to the end for some reason.
Certificate from FCC is now listed. However, it is for Q900!
Sheesh. You would think they would pay more attention this.
It's nice that China is giving a new lower price of radio so we can play with them instead of making major purchases in order to have tinker time with ham radio. I would never, without necessity, dig into my FT-991 but opening this thing up to learn and experiment is a much less risky endeavor.
Regarding the LSB long press issue ... this radio is also made for professional users and LSB is only being used by amateurs below 10MHz, which is a silly rule to start with. So when you listen to professional services like e.g. coast guard, ships , ATC, aircrafts, volmet ... you just don't need LSB. Since it is rather odd to use LSB, they put it as a secondary function in order to toggle faster between the regular modes.
Thanks for watching and commenting. Radioddity gave up on the QR20; a shame, it was an intriguing little rig.
@@HOAHamRadio I forgot to say thank you for making this video. I really like this unique and universal radio. It's latest iteration fixed some problems and I hope it will continue. As soon as the Ethernet port will be enabled, I will buy one, since I can then operate the radio from any computer, tablet, smartphone... As well as taking it with me onto mountain tops, which will be a lot of fun on vhf/uhf with line of sight for 150 miles or more. Will have to build a tuned magnetic loop for those high frequencies, else I may end up with massive intermod without this natural preselection.
Sorry if this was mentioned in the Comments a dozen times already.
Transmit Frequency Range: 5.351.5-5.366 (!).
That covers U.S. channel 3. It excludes channels 1, 2, 4, and 5.
great movie and review. I agree it is a great radio and I love it. Unfortunately some functions are unreliable in particular the USB connection. Several reports of keypad key not working.
Yes, IC-705, as a QRP radio, does "only" 10W and not 20, however, QRP means usually 5W, so when thinking about QRP, 10W or 20W max power is way beyond the scene. When thinking about power, a casual 100W rig is the choice... And also note that I have never seen my IC-705 having troubles with overheating at all. After an 18 month ownership&operation. I guess that's better than a "powerful" Xiegu G90 for which you need to buy a cooling pad... :-/
you are a gem!
Ah, don't I feel special! : )
The Bad & Ugly list are too long and the Good list is too
short for my $700. I will take another look at the Xiegu G90.
Thanks for the review.
The G90 is an excellent choice for less money. The G90 doesn’t have the UHF / VHF, so it is not an exact comparison. I think you are making a good decision.
Still looking at the G90? Here is a $15.00 discount @ Radioddity: radioddity.refr.cc/hoaham
Excellent, detailed video. Thanks!
You're welcome JA. I'm glad the content is useful, while I continue to hone my presentation skills and tools.
In terms of specs, this really looks like a great radio for portable ops. What it needs is a serious fix to the software and the manual . I’d also love to see an aftermarket protective cage Pt wraparound - such as we have for the ICOM 705 - to help make it a little bit safer and easier to use in the field .
John, I agree with your thoughts on the potential. My QR20 went back to Radioddity due to a damaged screen. There are some upcoming firmware upgrades I didn’t want to take on myself, so I am waiting for their stock to appear with those changes - it required some hardware tinkering. So I’m on the sidelines now as far as video updates.
This Rig hits so many of my “wants” in a small all in one package; I hope Radioddity continues improving firmware till we get everything advertised.
This is the frustration I have with so many Chinese products. The product itself is very good for the money, but always let down by a lack of firmware, software, support literature in either talent or investment.
Charging is only happening if the USB charger has enough current capacity.CAT and Audio connections over USB C are great but unreliable. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. PC software is nice but not finished. Bluetooth is not available on iPhone anymore. It is also not available on Google play but I was able to install it with a trick I found on Google. Works nice but waterfall has a lag. I wish it wouldn't have these problems but I still love the radio. And by the way the HVol is the headphones volume.
Rock, you have a really good handle on this little rig, and I agree, for all its faults, its hard not to like.
Mine had to go back due to screen damage, so now I'm struggling between this and the X6100, or staying out of debt for now...
Any word on unwanted emission suppression? The majority of the "bad" is indication that the product is immature & should still be in alpha, possibly beta testing, & can be fixed with firmware updates. But if the radio side is shoddy, that's a whole different story. Appreciate the review!
Steve, you've done a great job of summarizing my 35 minute video in two sentences. The product needs beta users to provide feedback for firmware updates....we just didn't realize the first "consumers" were going to be the beta testers. No word on emissions yet; waiting for someone with that skillset to publish their findings.
I received my radio and I have messing with it and I have two topics I a hoping you might address with this rig -
1. Upgrading the firmware - according to their instructions involves open the case and disconnecting a very small power connector which is practically invisible in their documentation in order to safely install a boot loader ? Could you consider doing a video with detailed firmware update instructions with video images of what is needed in detail in the case
2. Rig control using HRD or other rig control software ? There appears to be three possible connections one of which is a lan port which is attractive… but it looks like they want you to use USB - C . I tried this but my PC does not see the radio no matter which assorted com port and baud settings I try. Any secrets here ?
Thanks much
John KD2ODE
Thanks for reaching out John. My QR20 was returned due to screen damage; that was before I learned of the requirement for the firmware upgrade, which I wasn't real fond of. That said, your request peaked my interest again. A radio is not in the budget right now, but I did offer to do an instructional video for Radioddity if they want to provide a rig for that purpose. Let's see what they come back with.
Rig control just wasn't intuitive, and I didn't have time to figure it our before I returned it under warranty. I'll take a fresh look at this as well if they provide the radio for follow on videos....fingers crossed.
@@HOAHamRadio thanks !
John, Radioddity has declined my offer at this time. Maybe if enough people asked via the customer service email, for a video to be posted on CZcams, that could influence them to have one of the CZcamsrs they work with, or their own staff produce and publish a video. Sure wish I could do more.
@@HOAHamRadio I agree that sounds like a good plan. Xiegu has for example a software upgrade video on CZcams that is completely inconsistent with the written instructions in the zip file from radioditty. Of course - Im afraid of bricking the radio with a failed firmware update and to make matters worse the written instructions in the zip file say that if you don’t open the box and disconnect power cables you may damage the electronics during the upgrade .
So - just FYI Ham Radio equipment doesn't need any FCC authorization. If this is considered scanner then FCC part 15, subpart B is applicable but it would be covered under SDoC.
I thought that might be the case but was not sure--always eager to learn more, so I appreciate the clarification. I was concerned with how the QR20 is advertised as a "Transceiver", then warning after warning on the screen that is ONLY a "Receiver". Still a great little rig on SSB with plenty of potential....
@@HOAHamRadio The warning etc. is just legal posturing by the manufacturer.
@@HOAHamRadio Any additional ideal how to get it out of the intial screen. It only jumps to no, and no button works no matter how long I hold it.
HOA HAM
Solid video man. Thank you. I agree with most everything you said.
I just purchased a TBR-119. Basically it is the Q900 in a battle tank of a body. Based on military style manpacks (approaches their price too )
The firmware and manuals are almost identical, same manufacturer, Guohe.
They mention HAM-BOX in the manuals as a software to interface with the rig. Can’t find that anywhere. They do include two config softwares with the unit, an android app and a windows app called CNSRD. Both are super crap. Not intuitive and barely meet the needs.
Programming these units to use channels and more importantly DMR code plugs is a nightmare.
Have you (or anyone here) tried programming the Q900 for DMR?
Thanks Brian. That was one of my first CZcams videos. I'm hoping by now I've learned to say things better, more concise, and relevant to what my fellow hams need. Unfortunately for this radio, Radioddity failed at delivering on something VERY promising. Mine eventually got returned due to a defect but I still follow others opinions on it. The DMR module came out after I returned mine, and I haven't read anyone's opinion on this "upgrade". Sorry I can't be of more assistance.
The accreditation for the QR20 is now listed on their website.
My QR20 had to be returned due to a defect. It seems no one is ever going to take this radio and raise it to its full potential. That's a shame.
how do you get it out of receiver mode. Hitting the buttons as noted do not work.
I purchased the same radio from Radioddity and it arrived on Apr 5, 2022. Very little of it works the same as your radio. The audio on SSB is garbled to the point of being unusable. NONE of the documentation downloaded from Radioddity matches the actual radio. For example, the "manual" view of the back panel does not show the ANT1 connector at all. Sent a note to Radioddity "support" but haven't heard back yet. I really want to like this radio and I paid more to buy it from Radioddity instead of Ailunce in hope of better support but so far it has been nothing but frustration. If Radioddity doesn't have an answer soon this is going back for a refund. Some of the instructions are insane! For example, in the firmware update instructions they tell you to remove the case and "Disconnet the UV amplifier power cords." WTF?!? The photo doesn't match the actual radio and isn't any help. This radio is NOT ready for prime time. If you want a radio that WORKS I suggest you look elsewhere. This radio is a good idea but it has a LOT of updates before it is useable for all but the most persistent hams.
John, seems we both have the same conclusion...not ready for prime time, and certainly, in its current state, only for those who want to tinker and experiment with their $700 radio. Mine eventually went back for a refund.
I think the Radio should have been made bigger so it could have a larger display screen and control panel for all the older Ham operators with big fingers and poor eyesight, the company making them needs Ham operators for beta testers so most of the cons could be fixed before selling them on the open market. I will have to stay with my Icom 7000 for now with 2 - 100 Watts on HF /144 MHz 2 - 50 W /440 MHz 2 - 35 W RF output and can also use an external monitor with it. If Radi oddity QR20 sold it for $350-400 range, I would buy it just to play around with it and use it on field day as a receiver.
You make a great case for price point...it would be more tolerable to buy and play with if it didn't cost $700. It brings a bipolar response; it is love or hate for this radio.
Well, I was interested in this radio, but unfortunately there is no audio on your video so I have no clue if you like the radio or not.
WH6FQE, if you mean, you want to hear audio from the QR20, check out my "Can it POTA" video...you will hear 20 QSO's worth of audio. Audio is amazing for the size of the radio / speaker. czcams.com/video/9JPfeGexY70/video.html If you mean, literally, you do not hear any audio on my video from CZcams, that would have to be some temporary glitch; audio is definitely there.
Nov 2, 2021... have they addressed any of the bad and ugly with firmware updates?
RA, here is a list off the Radioddity website of what the latest firmware fixed:
1. Change the firmware upgrade method to U disk upgrade. (BootLoader only need to update once)
2. Solved the crash caused by USBlib library
3. Updated Bluetooth APP control
4. Open CB band, 220M band limit
5. Add Bootloader version display
6. Optimize the effect of antenna tuning
7. Solve the app and CNSDR adaptation problem
8. Add battery status display
9. Fix DMR transceiver switching abnormality
Other than the "battery status display", my concerns still stand.
Does it have channel mode ie can it be programmed? Does it come with programming sw?
I returned the radio the LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGG time ago and have no recollection. They have discontinued selling the QR20.
This radio seems to be in the "under development" class as the Xiegu X6100 that I have. It seems to me to be a good receiver with some TX capability maybe for use as a extra shack radio or connected to a SDRplay for receive functions. Does this radio have any current or future I/Q output?
David, you explained it perfectly.... On SSB voice it works like a charm. Beyond basic operation, many of the promised features, are under development and require a good bit of tinkering.
I prefer SDRs not be region locked at all.
Thanks for watching; I wish Radioddity had not given up on this radio, it had so much potential.
@@HOAHamRadio I learned that after watching your video when I looked the radios up. Very unfortunate.
Hello, any changes with the radio?
_Mekszii, not that I am aware of. I don't see any stock available if the US from Radioddity, so I am beginning to wonder if they have given up on it. It is a shame, this radio has so much potential but hasn't been perfected yet.
It sounds more dysfunctional than the X6100
That’s a fair description. Xiegu will stick with the X6100 with updates till they get it close to right…not sure on the commitment to the QR20.
Some items you brought up might rise to the level of annoying, but the way you go on is not constructive... perhaps I spend too much time in the software world where items are not clear, vary with time, updates missing. Sounds like this is a good radio but not intended for non-computer types or better to wait until a more polished firmware is available. There is always traditional Japanese suppliers. Best of luck to you!! Some mystries exist... like no ATU on a field rig (Icom 705) in the 2020s sheesh, kinda weird.
Exactly. Inexperienced whiniing. He obviously knows nothing about software development. I guess he thinks the 991A is better. But wait, he locks that up! No radio has ever been perfect, but at least competent hams should be able to deal with it.
Any chance anyone has found a way to open up transmit?
Scott, you may want to check in with the Facebook QR20 group. To my knowledge, it is the largest forum of people who own and use the QR20 (although it is a small group). They might have an answer for you.
Ham radios do not require FCC "accreditation" - Hams can modify and build radios - there is no "Part" X FCC category for Ham radios.
Spot on with the accreditation / certs; just what we typically expect when radios are presented to us by reputable distributors for mass distribution. This is a quirky radio that some love, and some don't get -- it is certainly a conversation starter.
For some reason your video has no audio. Watched your other video on the qrp contact with no problem.
I was having trouble early on with sound only recording to 1 channel rather than both left and right. That may be the cause.
Thanks for the video. Is this model different of the Ailunce HS2? 73 dePY5CL
Carlos, those of us who have purchased it believe the QR20 is the same as the Ailunce HS2, just painted black. I know that Radioddity is working on firmware updates, and so my guess, at some point the two will begin to be different based on the software driving them....again, that is my guess.
navigate to the "SET" menu and hold down the "PA" button then entering the pin of "200510" When exiting the SET menu and the again navigating into "SET" you should see the new factory menu, (please verify if this works on qr20) you can toggle the display boot image to Q900/HS2/QR20. oh and extend tx range while your at it. Just go digging in sub menus. 220mhz poss.I upped a video of it txing. You can also set waterfall colour to rainbow.Also mode switching can be changed in factory menu. Its all there.. However it dosent save permanently in img. Enjoy. also its killer for ft8, Looks nice in black box. 73
@@HOAHamRadio From what I can tell, the hardware is similar. But yea, after looking at the inside of both, I have wondered the same thing. I have asked both companies if they are based on the same platform, and 6 months later I've not gotten any answer. No answer on DMR, GPS or BLE capabilities either. The Ailunce has a BLE mic, but no answers from either company about the other options... and the HS-2 has been out for over a year. I blame everything that happened in 2020 lol.
Where is the user group for this radio? I just ordered one! I don't mind being a beta tester, it's still a fun little radio.
@fernblatt send me an email to thehoaham@gmail.com and I will send you the detail.
@@_._________ hello. Question for you. The factory pin code you mentioned (200510). They have updated it to a different one in recent updates. Do you happen to know the most current one? I disabled a feature and now can’t reenable it.
Please provide link to user group.
Rick, here is the link facebook.com/groups/1971811282974672
You'll have to request to join from the Admin.
Radioddity QR20 power out put is all over form 1.5 -3 watts and the receiver sucks also ill just stick my 817/818
MrSlapClown, yep its a dud. It had so much potential but they failed to deliver on it. Mine went back due to a defect, and I've never looked back.
@@HOAHamRadio to bad i had high hopes ohh well live and learn
all the CHICOM rigs are flawed and in continual beta, including the xiegus... some work well at a good price point, suvh as the g90, but you are not getting quality communications gear
Willie, you hit the nail on the head. If we are going to be forever beta testers, we need the radio at a price point to make it worth it. I enjoy being part of the experiment, but don't think I should be doing it for "free". Appreciate the astute comment.
@@HOAHamRadio well, like any ham i enjoy playing with new radios... one hard lesson i have learned over the years as a nearly always QRP operator, is to focus on the best rigs and don't sell short on getting quality to save some money... i divested myself of a bunch of radios, some of which were real stinkers (SGC SG-2020, IC-703, Alinco SR8T, TS-570D, and even, yes, a TenTec 539 *and* an FT-818, along with numerous ham radio receivers, such as R75, RX8, and several AORs)...now i only use an R8600 receiver, a few MLAs (indoor LA400, outdoor Alpha and Alexloop), and the ICOM 705... i even got rid of an Elecraft KX2, which was just not up to snuff in the rough-handling department... i have also played with the Xiegu G1M, G90, and X5105, the latter two of which have superlative internal tuners and SWR sweep functions... but now, with the 705's excellent info display (PWR, SWR, COMP, temp, etc.), i do not need an internal or external tuner, even when throwing on a small portable HF amplifier - tks for your review - i hope it warns some potential buyers!
@@willieb6529 Your list of ''stinkers' is ridiculous. Maybe you should look at eHam and get a clue. Someone is not up to snuff.
No VFO?? No thanks.
DMR como habilita o suporte ?
There is currently no DMR support; it has been promised but not delivered.
Have you looked at the firmware update?
I have not. My radio went back due to a scratch in the screen. I'm waiting for units that have the new firmware before I pick one up again.
@@HOAHamRadio the chinglish directions leave a lot to be desired. I'd like to attempt it but I need a little more guidance.
The directions were challenging. In my case, I decided I I wasn't going to take a soldering gun to my new radio....it should have been correct when it was shipped, not after I did the "fix" to allow for updates through USB.
@@HOAHamRadio exactly
@@HOAHamRadio I got the radio in the first pre-order batch. I'm not prepared to put a solderng gun on it either. How can I get them to take care of it?
You'd be far better off buying a good used Icom IC-7000...
For sure!!!! Thanks for watching and commenting.
Thanks for the great video 73 Tom VK3FTOM
Appreciate the feedback. It's always fun learning and reviewing a new radio.
@@HOAHamRadio But that requires having new radios and being able to afford them anyway keep up the good work 73 Tom VK3FTOM
Ah yes....pay the mortgage, or buy a radio. Decisions decisions. 73 Tom
@@HOAHamRadio 🤣🤣🤣
to get an ideea of the quality of these devices look at this ... czcams.com/video/sR7es9jfkOg/video.html
G, I see you got a lemon also. It is a shame this radio has been introduced with such inconsistency in quality. One person receives one that works, another, a dud. The reject rate is just unacceptable. Hope you ended up with a good one, or your money back.