RADTEL RT-880G Programming Issue

[ChakaRaka]

Hello. I recently recieved my new Radtel RT-880G and got a decent starting point programed in with their CPS. So I've begun testing and tweaking. I have several emergency services channels that I scan and monitor. For those I enabled "RX Only" as I do not want to accidentally transmit on those frequencies. I did likewise to the NOAAA weather channels.

Yet, the radio will still transmit on all of the channels I've designated as "RX Only". I have the latest June 1.15 firmware, installed from the box. Does anybody know why it's still allowing transmit on channels that I've set to "RX Only"?

The second question I have is, does anyone know what "TX Unlimit" means? Just another thing I found in the programming options that I cannot find mention of, in the owner's manual.

Thank you.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I don't use the Radtel CPS, but TX Unlimit is likely for switching the transmit from full-band to amateur bands. Check out what the opitions in it look like.

If you switch to wide-band RX mode, it will block all transmissions. Easy to switch back and forth between the two. Just hold the down arrow key while powering the unit on.

 

[ChakaRaka]

I don't use the Radtel CPS, but TX Unlimit is likely for switching the transmit from full-band to amateur bands. Check out what the opitions in it look like.

If you switch to wide-band RX mode, it will block all transmissions. Easy to switch back and forth between the two. Just hold the down arrow key while powering the unit on.

I know about the wideband mode, but that isn't really a solution, rebooting the radio constantly each time I change between a frequency I want to TX on vs. just listen to. "RX Only" should do what I want. Sorry, not trying to sound difficult, but every single other radio that I've programmed has no issue with locking out TX.

 

[EAFrizzle]

I have the original 880 without GPS/APRS, and it programs fine with a third-party CPS. The 880G handles some functions differently from the 880 internally. Some of these changes come from the pending switch to Bluetooth programming from a phone app.

I've seen a multitude of complaints on the web about the 880G and some newer models to the point where I won't recommend a Radtel anymore. I have two that work excellently, and it seems I'm in a minority. Radtel seems more focused on jamming a ton of functions in a radio than making sure the functions work.

 

[ChakaRaka]

I have the original 880 without GPS/APRS, and it programs fine with a third-party CPS. The 880G handles some functions differently from the 880 internally. Some of these changes come from the pending switch to Bluetooth programming from a phone app.

I've seen a multitude of complaints on the web about the 880G and some newer models to the point where I won't recommend a Radtel anymore. I have two that work excellently, and it seems I'm in a minority. Radtel seems more focused on jamming a ton of functions in a radio than making sure the functions work.

This is my first Radtel tranceiver. I like a lot about it, just that one issue with no working "RX Only" is a major deal for me. Can I ask what 3rd party cps you're using. I'm hopeful that Chirp will support this radio soon. I use chirp for all my other Chinesium.

 

[EAFrizzle]

It's no longer available.

As popular as the 880G platform seems to be, CHIRP support should be coming soon. Make sure to send them an email requesting it.

 

[ChakaRaka]

I figured it out. It was entirely related to my second question about "TX Unlimit". In the bowels of the notes for the latest Firmware I found an easy to miss and awkwardly worded and difficult to comprehend, note (see photo).

For TX to be limited, you MUST have TX Unlimit set to Off. Then and only then will it work correctly with the programmed channels that are set to RX Only.