TIDRADIO TD-H8 Ham Radio Handheld Transceiver, 2 Way Radio
TIDRADIO TD-H8 Ham Radio Handheld Transceiver, 2 Way Radio Long Range, Amateur Two Way Radio, 10W APP Wireless Programming Dual Band Walkie Talkie With 2500mAh Battery (Black), 1 Pack
I have a similar, older and not so cool looking, but more ‘tricked up’
This radio is decent, it took me a while to get it set up but I got there – much to the surprise of the driver of the vehicle I was in at the time – oops.
The display is clear and the battery life is decent.
It can be used without the app, as I did.
Make sure you know if you need a license for it in the location you’re using it, in the UK you need an amateur radio license.
Upon unboxing, the first impression was positive. The TD-H8 felt solid and well-constructed, with a sleek black finish that gave it a professional appearance. The package included the radio, a robust 2500mAh battery, and basic accessories needed to get started.
Excited to explore its features, I quickly realized that operating this device wasn’t as straightforward as I had hoped. The user manual provided was minimal, offering only basic instructions that left much to be desired. For a beginner like myself, the absence of detailed guidance on how to utilize its full range of functions was a significant hurdle.
Despite the initial learning curve, I persevered and began to uncover the TD-H8’s potential. The radio’s scanning capabilities are impressive, covering a wide range of frequencies. However, my success in catching transmissions was limited, likely due to my inexperience and the complexity of the device. I could see the potential for this radio to be a powerful tool in the hands of a more knowledgeable operator.
One of the standout features is the APP wireless programming, which theoretically simplifies the process of setting up and managing the radio’s functions. However, without comprehensive instructions, even this feature proved challenging to navigate effectively.
The dual band functionality and the 10W power output are significant strengths of the TD-H8, offering robust performance and the ability to communicate over long distances. The battery life was commendable, with the 2500mAh battery providing ample power for extended use without frequent recharges.
In terms of build quality, the TD-H8 excels. It feels durable and well-made, capable of withstanding the rigors of outdoor use. The audio quality is clear, and the range, when properly configured, is impressive.
In summary, the TD-H8 Ham Radio Handheld Transceiver is a high-quality, powerful device that promises excellent performance for amateur radio enthusiasts. However, its complexity and the lack of detailed operating instructions make it challenging for beginners. If you’re new to ham radio, be prepared for a steep learning curve and consider seeking additional resources or assistance to fully unlock the potential of this device. For experienced users, the TD-H8 offers a wealth of features and robust performance.
Overall, while the device itself is impressive, the user experience could be greatly improved with a more comprehensive manual and better support for beginners. Hence, I would rate it 4 stars.
Firstly, please note that in order to transmit with this, you need an amateur radio licence – you can get all the training you need for free, and the exam can be done online, but it’s not all that clear from the listing that unlike more basic walkie talkies, this does require a licence.
Summary – this is a nicely built radio, with good features, useful charging base, and good battery life (also very convenient to charge via USB type C into the battery itself or the base)
Ok, on to the radio itself. If this is your first ham radio, it may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but go through the training, learn the concepts, and you’ll be fine. It also comes with a well written paper instruction manual, which will help you navigate the menus.
The display is nice, bright, and clear, and allows you to see the two frequencies you can listen to at once – e.g. 2m calling frequency and a local 70cm repeater.
In use I found it was easy to use, and worked well – I live at the top of a hill, facing down it, and the little whip antenna does ok for me – but your mileage may vary. The combination of using medium or high (5w or 10w) transmit settings along with upping the mic gain a bit helped me get a good strength & readability hitting a local repeater (25km away). I did find that the metal plate above the battery got a bit warm when in calls, but not worryingly so.
The inclusion of Bluetooth so you can program with OD Master is nice – but it’s not totally clear in the instructions how to do it so. . .
1. Install OD Master and register / log in
2. Press the BL button to turn on bluetooth on the radio (and you should see the bluetooth logo appear) (but don’t try and pair using your phone’s normal menu as that won’t work).
3. In OD Master press connect and select the radio
4. To choose the model, *don’t* make my mistake and choose “Tid” as the manufacturer. . . It’s Tid Radio – and then choose TD-H8 Ham version.
5. Success.
The name Baofeng is synonymous with entry level ham radios, but Tidradio should be too based on this one (which can also be fully unlocked) .
The TIDRADIO TD-H8 Two Way Amateur Ham Radio package comes complete with:
1 TD-H8 Walkie Talkie
Desktop Charger
Antenna
USB Type-C Charging Cable
Removable Rechargeable Battery
Lanyard
Belt Clip
Detailed Instruction Manual
This comprehensive kit ensures you have everything needed for easy setup and operation, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced users.
APP Wireless Programming
Odmaster APP: Download the Odmaster app to access a variety of features, including channel editing, nearby repeater searching and importing, and saving/sharing ham radio configurations. Enjoy free app updates and feature upgrades without needing to buy new walkie-talkies.
Wireless Programming: Unlike traditional walkie-talkies that require PCs, drivers, and programming cables, the TD-H8 supports wireless programming directly from your smartphone via Bluetooth. This feature provides a hassle-free setup and customization process.
Broad Frequency Coverage
Frequency Range: Supports 144-146/430-440MHz frequencies, allowing you to explore a wide range of channels. The Bluetooth-enabled app lets you program these frequencies easily.
Compliance: Fully compliant with EU regulations and comes with CE certification.
Multiple Radio Functions
The TD-H8 walkie-talkies are packed with useful features:
Dual Band and Dual Watch: Monitor two channels simultaneously.
NOAA Weather Mode: Stay updated with weather alerts.
CTCSS/DCS: Ensure privacy and reduce interference.
Scanning and VOX: Easy channel scanning and voice-activated transmission.
Remote and Site Alarm: Enhances safety and communication efficiency.
High-Capacity Battery
2500mAh Battery: Removable and rechargeable, this high-capacity Li-ion battery supports up to 12 hours of active use and 60 hours in standby mode. The power-saving feature extends battery life, ensuring long-lasting performance.
Durable and User-Friendly Design
Durable Construction: Built to withstand various environmental conditions, making it suitable for outdoor activities.
Ergonomic Design: Compact and easy to carry, perfect for both adults and kids.
Comprehensive Service
Customer Support: If you encounter any issues or have questions about your purchase, TIDRADIO offers comprehensive customer support to ensure your satisfaction.
Little confused that the listing contradicts itself, stating walkie talkies (plural) but then it’s just one? So unless you buy two, or have another device then this won’t be good for anything but radio. However, this aside – this is very high quailty unit, feels very solid and comes with everything you need to get going. I wouldn’t recommend this to a beginner (like myself) as it’s alot to get your head around. It’s not very intuitive and it took me a good hour of online research to learn about what the abbreviations ment and how to best use it. Audio performance was good, when I set it up for radio it sounded very clear. Price point seems good for both quailty and comparatively to other higher end ones I’ve seen.
First impressions are good. It is clearly well made – it feels nicely weight in the hand and has a clear multi colour display. You can charge the battery and radio in the desk charger provided.
This feels like a piece of highly specialised and technical equipment.
Therein lies the problem for a new user – I found the menu system almost impossible to work – there are a lot of abbreviations for terms I have never heard of.
You would really benefit from having links to an online video tutorial to find your way around this.
I was able to find and operate the FM radio and this worked fine – with a good clear sound.
I did try scanning for transmissions as suggested in the guide book but this only ever fixed on interference but for the most part could not find anything.
I can see from another reviewer who clearly understands these devices well this may be because the unit has been set up for use in the US. I was at a loss about how to reset to new frequencies though.
If you are a new entrant to ham radio it may be better going for a simpler version with a more user friendly interface with instructions aimed at UK users.
I can however see the appeal to the more dedicated.
The Tidradio mentions offline programming then segways into the app which requires an active Internet connection (see pic) which I won’t be using.
Ammendment: i have been playing with it abit more over 2 days, The supplier contacted me and mentioned that the app didn’t require a log in so I gave it a go. After playing about with the app for about 30 minutes its not too bad does exactly what ya would expect and is a bit easier to set up multiple frequencies in bulk then upload them.
Sound quality is good and the range and is about as good as any other small radio and I like the addition of the FM Radio function its a nice touch that and the transparent shell.
Summery 1: If ya want fancy, cool looking tech, with an inbuilt FM radio this one is for you ^_^
Unit 2:
I have the BAOFENG which does the same job without the fancy online bluetooth programming which in my opinion is built abit more solid (yes, I may have dropped it a few times).
Summery 2: if want basic and ya don’t want or find the Bluetooth setup or FM radio, id recommend the BAOFENG its alot cheaper and more of a solid build.