BTECH UV-50 PRO Review/Observations

[KD8DVR]

I got this radio because I needed something more powerful and with the new AI Noise Reduction technology.

This is an Amateur (ham) radio and requires an amateur radio license to transmit. Frequency coverage is only on the 2 meter and 70 CM amateur bands. It is illegal to use this radio on GMRS! BTECH sells a similar radio for GMRS.

Aircraft band monitoring is also possible.

This radio is heavy for its size. It looks pretty durable. Good sized heat sink, as well as a fan. It does not get hot.

Features include APRS, GPS, Satellite tracking as well as a KISS TNC for packet radio that connects to your computer via bluetooth.

Transmit audio is very good. With the AI signal processing turned on, it's phenomenal. Receive audio is very good. With the AI processing turned on, it's very impressive. Any static at all on a received signal goes away totally. A 90% noise signal turns into a full quieting signal!

The radio accommodates the BS-22 bluetooth speaker microphone.

Power output was measured into a dummy load. I got 54 watts output on 2 meters and 48 watts on UHF. Nice.

 

[Coffeemug]

This is an Amateur (ham) radio and requires an amateur radio license to transmit. Frequency coverage is only on the 2 meter and 70 CM amateur bands. It is illegal to use this radio on GMRS! BTECH sells a similar radio for GMRS.

The BTECH UV-50PRO is a Part 90 Radio to be technical, since the Amateur Radio Service don't really have specific FCC Part 97 Certification / Typed Acceptance. It is understood that operating an FCC Part 90 radio under Part 95B or 95E violates FCC Rules & Regulations, not necessary laws.

 

[k6cpo]

The BTECH UV-50PRO is a Part 90 Radio to be technical, since the Amateur Radio Service don't really have specific FCC Part 97 Certification / Typed Acceptance. It is understood that operating an FCC Part 90 radio under Part 95B or 95E violates FCC Rules & Regulations, not necessary laws.

No. To be a Part 90 radio, it has to be certified for Part 90. If the UV-50Pro doesn't have this certification, it's no more a Part 90 radio than it is a GMRS radio.

 

[KD8DVR]

The BTECH UV-50PRO is a Part 90 Radio to be technical, since the Amateur Radio Service don't really have specific FCC Part 97 Certification / Typed Acceptance. It is understood that operating an FCC Part 90 radio under Part 95B or 95E violates FCC Rules & Regulations, not necessary laws.

FCC regulations are backed by the Communications Act, giving them the force of law.

The UV-50 PRO does NOT have Part 90 certification. It just has part 15 approval...the minimum needed for use as an amateur rig.

 

[KD8DVR]

No. To be a Part 90 radio, it has to be certified for Part 90. If the UV-50Pro doesn't have this certification, it's no more a Part 90 radio than it is a GMRS radio.

It doesn't have part 90 certification.

 

[Coffeemug]

Sorry, that I assumed the BTECH UV-50 PRO was FCC Part 90 typed accepted. According to the manual that I just glanced through, I was wrong. On the hand, the BTECH UV-PRO has FCC Part 90 typed acceptance or in Today's terms, Part 90 Certified.

I do use this particular radio both Amateur Radio and GMRS. I'm careful to stay in the confine of where both of licenses authorize me to be. And yes, I know you or someone else will tell me. That doesn't matter, I would still be in violation of the law.

True, I'm in violation, but it's Rules and Regulations, not the Law. I didn't necessary say that I or anyone can't get into legal trouble, but for using an uncertified radio, I don't think the FCC would send out Calvary, not if the equipment working fine.

 

[k6cpo]

Sorry, that I assumed the BTECH UV-50 PRO was FCC Part 90 typed accepted. According to the manual that I just glanced through, I was wrong. On the hand, the BTECH UV-PRO has FCC Part 90 typed acceptance or in Today's terms, Part 90 Certified.

I do use this particular radio both Amateur Radio and GMRS. I'm careful to stay in the confine of where both of licenses authorize me to be. And yes, I know you or someone else will tell me. That doesn't matter, I would still be in violation of the law.

True, I'm in violation, but it's Rules and Regulations, not the Law. I didn't necessary say that I or anyone can't get into legal trouble, but for using an uncertified radio, I don't think the FCC would send out Calvary, not if the equipment working fine.

But do you know this for sure and are you willing to take the chance? In today's volatile government, there's no telling what could happen.

 

[Coffeemug]

I do understand that the FCC requires individuals to use the correct radio for the specific service in radio is certified or typed accepted for.


Now, if the FCC were to come after me simply for using a Part 90 radio for Part 95E GMRS. That would be a waste of taxpayer money just for using a Part 90 radio. Now, taking an Amateur Radio, I could see gone after for that. After all, Amateur Radios technically doesn't have FCC type acceptance or certification.

Heck, I could name several individuals that use Part 90 radios on the General Mobile Radio Service. Some of them I wouldn't think twice about squealing on, besides I don't think they care what radio as long as it is a Motorola or Kenwood, which neither of the manufactures Part 95E mobiles or portables

 

[KD8DVR]

It's unlikely they'll come after you, especially if you are within power limits and follow all other regulations. Yeah, it's best to use legal equipment; but doing otherwise isn't the end of the world.

 

[Coffeemug]

No. To be a Part 90 radio, it has to be certified for Part 90. If the UV-50Pro doesn't have this certification, it's no more a Part 90 radio than it is a GMRS radio.

I really could have sworn that I have seen a part 90 Cert. for the BTECH UV-50 PRO. I know for sure that the BTECH UV-PRO has a Part 90 Certification, because that I know is defiantly that will appear on Google.
As far as the General Mobile Radio Service, I already knew that using a Part 90 radio for GMRS violates FCC Rules and Regulations. At same time, taking a Part 95 E certified radios, such as the BTECH GMRS PRO and opening up would void the certification for GMRS. It would still void the certification if anyone opened it for the Multi Use Radio Service, which only has five VHF channels with similar power limits.

 

[klt4xc]

I got this radio because I needed something more powerful and with the new AI Noise Reduction technology.

This is an Amateur (ham) radio and requires an amateur radio license to transmit. Frequency coverage is only on the 2 meter and 70 CM amateur bands. It is illegal to use this radio on GMRS! BTECH sells a similar radio for GMRS.

Aircraft band monitoring is also possible.

This radio is heavy for its size. It looks pretty durable. Good sized heat sink, as well as a fan. It does not get hot.

Features include APRS, GPS, Satellite tracking as well as a KISS TNC for packet radio that connects to your computer via bluetooth.

Transmit audio is very good. With the AI signal processing turned on, it's phenomenal. Receive audio is very good. With the AI processing turned on, it's very impressive. Any static at all on a received signal goes away totally. A 90% noise signal turns into a full quieting signal!

The radio accommodates the BS-22 bluetooth speaker microphone.

Power output was measured into a dummy load. I got 54 watts output on 2 meters and 48 watts on UHF. Nice.

thanks for the information!

 

[mmckenna]

I don't think they care what radio as long as it is a Motorola or Kenwood, which neither of the manufactures Part 95E mobiles or portables

This is not accurate. Kenwood made a lot of Part 90 radios that also had Part 95. Motorola, Icom, and others did, too.

 

[AK9R]

The BTECH UV-50PRO is a Part 90 Radio...

Sorry, that I assumed the BTECH UV-50 PRO was FCC Part 90 typed accepted.

I really could have sworn that I have seen a part 90 Cert. for the BTECH UV-50 PRO.

Just stop. This thread is not about what you thought, assumed, or coulda sworn. Take a break.