Ordered a "Ride208" radio system

[Thielio20]

I haven't heard any negative reviews yet.

When Christopher gets his setup, he will give a thorough review.

Sent it

Yeah, but how well does the assembled package really work in Realville?

I bought 2 last summer and have had them out 2 different weekends on the snow. So far they're great, and worth the price compared to what you'll get with BCAs. Right now my only discontent is with the life of the battery, probably because I don't know how standby mode works (if their is one). Thats easily fixed and I'm considering buying a larger battery too. I was able to get two 5 hour days out of a battery before it got low and beeped.

Idk about anyone else, but I have a heck of a time with BCA mics. I always had a nack for changing the channel or volume when I went to key the mic without realizing it.

 

[christopher]

I bought 2 last summer and have had them out 2 different weekends on the snow. So far they're great, and worth the price compared to what you'll get with BCAs. Right now my only discontent is with the life of the battery, probably because I don't know how standby mode works (if their is one). Thats easily fixed and I'm considering buying a larger battery too. I was able to get two 5 hour days out of a battery before it got low and beeped.

Idk about anyone else, but I have a heck of a time with BCA mics. I always had a nack for changing the channel or volume when I went to key the mic without realizing it.

They do come with a SMALL BATTERY.
There is a larger one available!!
If the radios pan out for me, I will likely UPGRADE the basic battery to the ended life version instead.

 

[Thielio20]

They do come with a SMALL BATTERY.
There is a larger one available!!
If the radios pan out for me, I will likely UPGRADE the basic battery to the ended life version instead.

If you go that route, would you mind sending over which brand of bigger battery you go with? Seems there is a billion knock off companies and idk which one's are legit. Also curious about which antenna you've got?

 

[christopher]

If you go that route, would you mind sending over which brand of bigger battery you go with? Seems there is a billion knock off companies and idk which one's are legit. Also curious about which antenna you've got?

Absolutely
Will be part of my long term review sir.

 

[christopher]

Since the issue of BATTERIES has already come up..

This is the base Radio they are reselling is a high power variant of the BaoFeng UV-82

BaoFeng UV-82 Classic - BaoFeng Radios

BaoFeng UV-82 Dual Band (VHF/UHF) Analog Portable Two-Way Radio

baofengtech.com

As is common for BaoFeng, they replace models of the UV-82 RAPIDLY.
Ride208 is claiming that their version of the UV-82 can transmit at 10 Watts.
I am uncertain as to which variant they are using, but none of the UV-82s currently offered on the BaoFend website support 10W transmission.

BaoFeng UV-82 Classic - BaoFeng Radios

BaoFeng UV-82 Dual Band (VHF/UHF) Analog Portable Two-Way Radio

baofengtech.com

UV-82C - BaoFeng

Discover the BaoFeng UV-82C (Commercial), dual band (VHF/UHF), two-way radio. Visit the BaoFeng site to learn, buy, and get support.

baofengtech.com

UV-82HP - BaoFeng

Discover the BaoFeng UV-82HP, High-Power, dual band (VHF/UHF), two-way radio. Visit the BaoFeng site to learn, buy, and get support.

baofengtech.com

This radio includes a BL-8 1800mAh Battery

BaoFend offers an upgraded battery, the BL-8L 3,600mAh.

BL-8L 3600mAh Battery - BaoFeng Radios

BTECH BL-8L 3600mAh Li-ion USB-C Charging OEM Replacement Battery Pack for BaoFeng & BTECH UV-82 Series Radios, Compatible with GMRS-V2, MURS-V2, UV-82HP, UV-82C

baofengtech.com

The upgraded battery would add about 50% to the total package size of your radio.
If you plan on transmitting at the full 10Watt listed capability, I WOULD absolutely spend the $20 and get the bigger battery.

If the radio is going in your Avy Bag, the extra few ounces won't be notices.
But transmitting at 10Watts WILL burn through a batter fast!

10 Watts may not sound like a huge amount of power, but with the right antenna, I can reach Australia with 10 watts.!!!

I suspect the single most important part of this radio's mountain performance will settle in on the ANTENNA

 

[christopher]

My GUESS is that I will settle in on something like this when all has been said and done.
This is a +6dB antenna and "SHOULD" perform very well in the back country.

But that will have to be FIELD TESTED and proven on the mountain before I can back up my suspicions.
Nice thing is, this will only set you back $15 !!

 

[christopher]

Got to the source of the problem 2 weeks ago
The two radios are just fine.
They talk back and forth to each other without any issues.

BUT..
The aftermarket external mics are NOT happy campers.
Once I plug the two mics in, neither of the radios will Transmit or Receive.

Now to figure out WHY...

 

[summ8rmk]

Got to the source of the problem 2 weeks ago
The two radios are just fine.
They talk back and forth to each other without any issues.

BUT..
The aftermarket external mics are NOT happy campers.
Once I plug the two mics in, neither of the radios will Transmit or Receive.

Now to figure out WHY...

Try one at a time and see if it's an issue with both mics or just one.

Sent it

 

[christopher]

Radio 1
Radio 2

..
TEST 1
Radio 1: Microphone Detached
Radio 2: Microphone Detached

Both radios transmit to the other, and both receive from the other.

==
TEST 2
Radio 1: Microphone Detached
Radio 2: Microphone Attached

Neither Radio transmits to the other.
Neither Radio receives from the other.

==
TEST 3
Radio 1: Microphone Attached
Radio 2: Microphone Detached

Neither Radio transmits to the other.
Neither Radio receives from the other.

==

In test 2 & 3, there is some manner of squelch break.
But I am not certain thats its even a clear signal of any sort.

But there is something getting the attention of the receiving radio.

 

[christopher]

Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2021 09:33:51 +0000 (UTC)
From: jason brown <ride208.com@yahoo.com>
To: Christopher Parrett <chris@ldsavow.com>
Subject: Re: Tech Support
X-Mailer: WebService/1.1.17648 YahooMailIosMobile Yahoo%20Mail/52372 CFNetwork/1209 Darwin/20.2.0

Place a frequency and b frequency on the same channel
Do that in both radios

===

Did as he suggested
Still NO JOY when the external mics are attached.
Still think I am doing something REALLY SIMPLE wrong.
I am missing something obvious here and just not seeing it...

 

[christopher]

Problem resolved
100% user error
It was something painfully simple just as I suspected.

The external mics have 2 different detention “clicks” when you insert them into the radio. I stopped pressing hard at the first click thinking they were fully seated[emoji23]

A second push and radios are working fine.

Will begin field testing tomorrow.

Extended battery arrived today.
High gain antenna probably tomorrow.


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[christopher]

FIRST DAY OF USE report.

This will be an ongoing evaluation.

FIRST THOUGHTS on FIRST DAY OF USE.
Note, everything here is in direct comparison against the BCA Linq I have been using for many years now...


LIKES
Love the fact that you can NOT accidentally change the channel from the Mic.
Can carry a Spare battery
Can use a High Capacity Battery
Do NOT have to remove the radio from my Avy bag to recharge, just swap the external battery.


DISLIKES
Hate the fact that you can NOT adjust the Volume from the Mic.
The sound of voices "feels" less clear than the BCA Mic/Speaker (But this MIGHT be a volume issue)

 

[christopher]

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[christopher]

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[christopher]

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[moab11]

that is one huge battery!!!

 

[christopher]

that is one huge battery!!!

It IS absolutely LONGER
But the WEIGHT is MARGINAL.

I need to go put the two of them on the scale side by side.
But it didn't feel like more than just a couple OUNCES difference.
Seems like a VERY low density battery to me.
Not at all what I was expecting.
Will post real weights in just a moment.

 

[christopher]

As expected
No real weight difference to speak of
Only TWO OUNCES difference

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[christopher]

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[christopher]

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