Jianpai 8800 - feedback welcome

[MaxDonoghue]

I picked up one of these handhelds from Banggood, arrived yesterday. It's a little stockier than I would have liked, and yes, it shipped with a UHF antenna, not a dual band. Stupid in my opinion. I usually upgrade the antenna anyway, but I don't dare even test it on the local repeater on the supplied antenna. Looking for feedback from those that might have this radio, also the Radtel RT-490, ABBREE F8, among others.

One thing I find annoying right off the bat, is when you key up, a little box appears in the opposite VFO section of the display. I haven't found anyway to disable that in the menu. Anyone have anything on this? Also, the display protector is crap, it's cheap plastic that scratches oh so easy. Anyway looking for feedback from those who have been using this radio for a while.

Thank you,

 

[MaxDonoghue]

Purchased a dual band antenna and things are working well. Cannot get it to work in Chirp yet, even though I have the latest version. The Radtel RT-490 programming software does work however.

RX audio is good, getting good reports on TX as well.

 

[Deathwrister]

I have the Radtel RT-490 and have not been able to get the software to work using Windows 11. The software says "hand shake" and the HT says "programming" when I hit start to read the radio. However, it never reads; the status bar never moves. So, the radio is being seen by the software through the USB cable but will not transfer data. Any ideas how to fix this or is it a Win11 issue? Also, there are no instructions on how to program a channel using the radios front panel. Therefore without the software it's useless to me.

 

[w2xq]

A friend picked up an Jianpai 8800 about 6 weeks ago; mine arrived 2 days ago. Interesting little HT; it has some heft to it. I ordered a Nagoya NA-320A Triband Antenna to replace the stubby 440 antenna that cane with the radio.

Differences noted: whereas both radios show GPS and Bluetooth menu items, neither function works on his radio, but do work on mine.

The RadTel-490 programming software works with his TYT MD-380 programming cable. I haven't yet tried the 490 software with my MD-UV380 cable.

The Android APK file works properly on my Samsung S5e tablet. The Bluetooth software is a bit peculiar but once I got the hang of it the software works sufficiently well to ease programming memories. As no file is saved on the tablet (or phone), the scenario is (1) turn on the 8800's Bluetooth, (2) run the app and connect the tablet (or phone), (3) read the radio, (4) make changes to the memories, and (5 ) write the data to the radio. The Bluetooth connection terminates automatically after the datafile write is completed.

I must say the manual (if one can call it that) is pathetic. Tiny print, Chinese to English translation is poor, and no EE degree cane in the box. My friend and I have been comparing notes, and I think the radio is good to go. I have no repeaters near me, so testing will have to wait until travel takes me out of the Pine Barrens to civilization.

Question. I like to listen to the two KWRI approach/departure frequencies, I haven't yet figured out how to turn on the dual receive mode. Any ideas? TIA.

 

[w2xq]

The Nagoya NA-320A antenna arrived but the antenna would not seat properly on the 8800. The pin couldn't reach the socket. The short story; a friend's Dremel tool fixed the problem by shaving the lip of the antenna. Very early impressions after picking up the antenna this afternoon: a 220 repeater I had been out of range of is now good, and I am hearing more aircraft than before. Giddyup.

 

[Fubarscanner]

I purchased the Radtel RT-490 (same radio) from Amazon recently. My radio came with a good 2m/70cm antenna and a programming cable. (same as the Baofeng UV-5R & TYT UV88) I also purchased the Nagoya NA-320A antenna and had to trim the bottom lip off as well. The 2m, 1.25m, 70cm and Aircraft bands all work well. The CHIRP software does work, but you have to load the "Radtel RT-490 Driver" from the CHIRP website. Then you must enable "Developer Functions" under the Help tab. Then select "Load Module" under the File tab and load the RT-490 driver you downloaded. The screen will turn red, and then you can select Radtel RT-490 from the radio list. Note that the "Load Module" procedure will have to be performed every time you use CHIRP to program this radio. I'm not sure why this driver has not been permanently incorporated in the CHIRP program, since the driver has been out since April 2022. One feature I really like is the "Frequency Copy Mode", where it locks on to nearby transmitters and displays their frequency and PL tone. (if any) I works like a frequency counter, so it locks on within a second or two, but with much greater range than a typical frequency counter. Overall, I like the radio, although I don't like the large box that overlays the opposite band on TR or TX, but you can add the "timer" to it so it counts the seconds of receive or transmit time. That way it's not just an empty box. My next quest is to purchase a spare battery with a USB-C port on the bottom. I see them on Ebay for the Jianpai 8800, but not for the Radtel RT-490, but I'm sure it's the same battery.

 

[w2xq]

More on the Jianpai 8800...

The Nagoya NA-320A is a good antenna, but I found it was too long to be practical in the car and it was annoying carrying it around in the house or outside. I bought a shorter Radioddity RD-301 SMA-Female Triband Antenna 144-220-440Mhz HT 2M-1.25M-70CM antenna. It didn't need any shaving to seat on the 8800. It is just a bit longer than the antenna that came with the 8800. So far so good. Listening and swapping antennas to see what I am giving up has shown me, at least by ear (no test measurements), that I don't notice any difference.

I recently added a ClearNode – Node-Ventures PI4B Allstar/Echolink node to the clutter here. It is a fantastic unit; I don't get impressed by new radio toys very easily (over the years I reviewed more than a few receivers for Radio Nederlands' Media Network), but Gerry Filby W6WNG produces a superb product. I went back to the original 8800 antenna for using the 8800 with the ClearNode around the property. The antenna is a rigid form factor, and nothing happens if the radio tips over or slides to the floor or out of a pocket.

Giddyup.

 

[Fubarscanner]

Thanks for the tip on the Radioddity RD-301. I'm going to order one for $12.99 on Amazon, despite 20% of the reviews saying it has a very high SWR match. Well, I've heard that before, so I'm going to test it with my VNA when it arrives. Where I am located, the two 220 repeaters in my area are on the fringe of my "rubber duck" range, which is why I went for the longer antenna right off the bat. It will be nice to have 220 coverage without the ridiculously long antenna. (and no trimming plastic) Hopefully it will hit the repeaters as well as the longer NA-320A.

P.S. I think the Radtel RT-490 driver for CHIRP will work for the Jianpai 8800 as well.

 

[w2xq]

From the house and yard I'm out of range of all repeaters but one, so I can't judge the RD-301 on transmit. I'll be curious to read about your VNA findings.

 

[Fubarscanner]

I will report back in a few days with a performance and VNA test. Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[Fubarscanner]

Well, the results are in and the Radioddity RD-301 DOES NOT resonate on the 1.25m MHz band. The SWR is good on the 2m & 70cm bands, so it could be used on a dual band HT. The 15" Nagoya NA-320A tri-band antenna does resonate on the 220 MHz band, but with a high SWR. (with no ground plane) The NA-320A also does transmit & receive well to distant 1.25m repeaters, so that one is a keeper. I'm going to make a antenna test fixture with a proper ground plane to do further VNA testing. For comparison, the factory Radtel RT-490 antenna resonates well on the 2m & 70cm bands, even without a ground plane. It's on par with the stock antenna on my TYT-UV88. Both of which do good on the GMRS bands as well. The search continues for a 8" or shorter 2m/1.25m/70cm rubber duck...

 

[kf9aq]

I purchased a JIANPAI last year as a small backup toss around ht.. Works well for me, but now I have a problem with the drop-in charger. It has burned up. Been searching around a replacement but no luck. Nice to have a USB port on it to charge. Just curious if any other charger might actually fit this radio.. If anyone else is aware of a compatable drop in charger i would appreciate it.. Tnx!!

 

[WPXS472]

I have a RT490 I purchased from Aliexpress last year. I posted a short review of it shortly after. As mentioned in my review, the advertisement for it says it receives 8-900 MHz. It also says so on the box it comes in, but the radio doesn't have the capability. I bought it to listen to the military sat and aircraft bands, but found that it doesn't have sufficient frequency range to do that. It does seem to be a decent radio, considering. I actually prefer the Radtel software to Chirp for programming it. I attempted to figure out the codeplug, but had no success with this. I could never figure out how frequencies are stored. If anyone knows, please let me know. Other than keying up a couple of local amateur repeaters, I have not transmitted with it, and likely won't. It is a little chunkier than say a Baofeng, but I don't have problems carrying mine around. I got the GPS and Bluetooth options, and found the GPS option to be pretty useless. I haven't used Bluetooth. There are other radios, sold under other brand names, that appear to use the same architecture in a different form factor at lower prices. I have tried any of those, however.

 

[Fubarscanner]

Answering kf9aq,
These are all of the known variants of the radio that you can purchase a drop in charger for, that would work on the JIANPAI.
I purchased a battery with USB-C port and a battery eliminator from Ebay recently. (I rarely use the drop in charger, just the USB-C on the battery)
1) MMLradio JC-8629
2) JJCC JC-8629
3) Radtel RT-490
4) Hamgeek HG590
5) SOCOTRAN FB-8629
6) BORISTONE 8RS
7) Motorola GP-UV650
8) ABBREE AR869

Answering WPXS472,
I have the Radtel RT-490, as several of my friends as well and we have never seen any reference to "8-900 MHz receive", neither on the box or in the manual. For a 8-900 MHz receiver, there are many other options out there. I don't know of any 6-band radio with GPS and Bluetooth programming for less that the $69 to $89 that this radio sells for. I do agree that the Bluetooth programming and GPS are pretty much useless. (at least for my needs) The PC programming is quite easy, same as any other radio I've programmed. There is nothing special about the programming. CHIRP does work, but not on the the new "CHIRP-Next" version. If you contact me, I would be happy to program the radio for you if you let me know what you want in it. I could then email you the radio file. (I'm not sure if I'm allowed to send files?)

 

[KI6LRB]

I have two 8800s now. Both of them, on the GPS coordinates screen, show the current time for UTC+8 (China). Has anyone found a way to change the time zone? Do the other “sister” radios have the same limitation?

 

[Fubarscanner]

Hello KI6LRB,
I have friends with other variants of this radio (Radtel RT-490 & ABBREE AR869) and they all have an issue getting GPS to lock. It must be outside, in clear view of the sky. Also, it should be laying down with the front of the radio facing upwards. The GPS antenna is facing forward and not up apparently. The initial GPS lock takes a LONG time. I seem to remember that mine took like 20 minutes. After that it can still take a few minutes to lock. Even my Retevis RT3S takes a long time to lock as well. I have seen on the Retevis forums where people have replaced the GPS antenna on RT3S. See my Amazon review: Check out this Amazon review of Radtel RT-490 GPS Bluetooth App Programming Tri-Band Radio 144-148/420-450Mhz Long Range Handheld Two Way Radio with Air Band Reception VOX/FM Radio

 

[KI6LRB]

Hello KI6LRB,
I have friends with other variants of this radio (Radtel RT-490 & ABBREE AR869) and they all have an issue getting GPS to lock. It must be outside, in clear view of the sky. Also, it should be laying down with the front of the radio facing upwards. The GPS antenna is facing forward and not up apparently. The initial GPS lock takes a LONG time. I seem to remember that mine took like 20 minutes. After that it can still take a few minutes to lock. Even my Retevis RT3S takes a long time to lock as well. I have seen on the Retevis forums where people have replaced the GPS antenna on RT3S. See my Amazon review: Check out this Amazon review of Radtel RT-490 GPS Bluetooth App Programming Tri-Band Radio 144-148/420-450Mhz Long Range Handheld Two Way Radio with Air Band Reception VOX/FM Radio

So I left the radio outside, face up, overnight. This morning it still showed the incorrect time. (Radio shows UTC+8 while I am, currently, UTC-7). I've gone through the radio menu as well as all of the options in "Mutliband" but I can't find any way to manually set the time zone. I'm curious if any other other radio variants have this same issue.