u/michaelh98

tldr; can anyone recommend a radio anywhere from $75-$150 that will give me a bump in power relative to the UV-5R, 10W would be my sweet spot. I have both my gmrs and ham licenses. I'd love a UHF/VHF/GMRS (yes, I know all three will cause a fight online) but would be happy with just ham bands.

Apparently I didn't do enough research before asking for this radio as a gift. I mainly wanted a bit of bump in power and updating and programming the radio is a nightmare.

odmaster web can't properly identify the radio and even if I start a new band plan after choosing any of the TD-H9 options (of which there are at least 6) the software complains that I haven't chosen the right radio. Every time I download from the radio it shows "TD-H8 3rd Gen Ham" as the model # and when I attempt to upload even simply what I downloaded, it complains that I haven't chosen the right radio.

If I choose "TD-H8 3rd Gen Ham" and try to download from the radio it says I've chosen the wrong radio.

Their apps (web, windows and android) are incomplete and the usability is terrible. Copy and paste don't work across rows.

Trying to get the latest firmware or software is an exercise in frustration as I have to give my email address and after more than 24 hours still haven't received any links from tidradio to two different destination emails. yes, I've checked my spam boxes.

Please pardon me if the term isn't correct. I'm just getting started in radio. Using and RTL-SDR.com v3 for now

I moved my antenna into the attic, outside would be better but this passes the spouse test and I'm getting these spikes at regular intervals until around 24MHz

https://preview.redd.it/ktpynyenmszg1.png?width=3195&format=png&auto=webp&s=1aebd9fb106f9b8008e29ac943a23eb589c57dc0

if I switch to the long wire antenna I still have out in the yard, I get:

https://preview.redd.it/dvzcrby8nszg1.png?width=3197&format=png&auto=webp&s=148c758ed643c19a97937578fb36335daf780760

If I had a choke I'd try one but I thought I'd reach out and get more input before I just start trying random things.

Important details:

1. The coax is rg8x using SMA connectors and couplers
2. The coax was run when the house was being built, with no regard to how it would be used. I figured since I was running cat6, I'd run some coax into the attic from a few rooms that might want OTA tv or radio.
3. There a better than even possibility that it's crossing a couple of runs of romex in the walls.

Can't think of what else you might need to know. What else do you need to know?

TIA!

[Edit: I just moved my long wire antenna into the attic, cause spouse test and I'm not seeing any of those spikes. Still curious what could be causing those spikes but it looks like it's antenna dependent to some degree. The antenna with the problem is this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QVNI1V0?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_3 "Tram® 300-Watt/200 Watt Broad-Band Scanner 25 MHz to 1,300 MHz Super Discone Stainless Steel Base Antenna with Added CB Transmit Bands "

I'll have to move it and see if this problem is position dependent]

[Edit2: Well, problem identified at least. It's the controller (probably) for our under-cabinet kitchen lighting.

In case anyone's curious how I found it... I got ready for bed.

All the lights were off and because I can't resist hearing who's chatting in the dark, I went to my office and turned on the radio. No spikes.

So I turned my office security camera to face my computer screen and went around turning lights back on.

Sounds like I need a grounded cover for the controller.]

I didn't experience this with that other "mesh" firmware (not sure if I'll be sent to a gulag for naming it) so I thought I'd ask...

Is there a solution for the Heltec V3 locking up if it's connected to USB power?

I've tried the latest alpha, mostly looking for power related changes, and found that the apparent lockup still happens but also that button presses are much less responsive than with the latest beta.

[edit: Actually I wonder now if it was locking up or just not responding to button presses. The latest alpha seems to want to be woken up with three button presses in a row.

Single doesn't do it, double doesn't, long-press doesn't.

But three quick presses has woken both my devices several times in a row.]