Can you verify that the volume doesn’t “save position” when you turn the power off… as someone else said in the comments? Thanks. Also how do you enable the scramble feature? With Retevis’ software?
I doubt it. I think you need to fork out at least $100+ for a digital radio that can be programmed with an AES key. As far as “traceable”, I think any radio can be triangulated unless if you’re on the move maybe.
I'm curious what I'm doing wrong. I can't hear a transmission unless I press and hold the monitor button. I can transmit but on receive the green light comes on and hear nothing. I'm not particularly pleased with this one. Edit: The volume doesn't stay where you put it when you power it off. It goes back to full volume when you turn it back on. That doesn't work in my situation and volume level 1 is WAY too loud. I threw it out.
I'm having the same symptom straight out of the box - a green "receiving" led illuminates when some other radio is transmitting on the same channel, but I hear nothing. This is discouraging straight out of the box, since they are described to be pre-programmed for FRS channels in the US. anyone know what is going on?
Wanted to let you know that the RT27 FRS also has a Scramble feature. The RT27 features 8 scramble modes. The RT27 FRS unit only allows you to program in valid FRS frequencies into it's memory channels. But it has 35 programmable channels. So you can program the 22 FRS channels in multiple times using a different CTCSS/DCS/Scramble/Non-scramble combo-configuration. Also, there is something called DCS Encryption that BLOCKS out all non-Retevis Radios from being received. Even if they are using the same channel & privacy code. It seems to be a unique feature to Retevis radios. Also, the RT27V (VHF - MURS version) radios have the DCS Encryption too. The RT27V does not have the Voice Scramble-Inversion feature. The RT27 FRS was one of the last FRS radios Type-Accepted & Approved with Voice Scramble mode. The door slammed shut on December 27, 2017. After that date, the FCC has stopped type-accepting any FRS radio with a scramble-encryption feature or mode. It will deny any radio FRS/Part 95B type acceptance if it features a scramble feature. The only thing I don't like about the RT27 model is the relatively low transmit power of the radio. This radio was type-approved by the FCC after it had changed the maximum RF power from 0.5 to 2-watts ERP. But Retevis kept the RF output power of the RT27 to the previous 0.5-watt specification. I'm guessing the type-acceptance of the radio was too close to the FCC deadline of Dec 27, 2017 to make the changes and get it thru in time. More info on the RT27 FRS model: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ol7HIn9K_tk.html The RT27 FCC ID: fccid.io/2AAR8RETEVISRT27 Some of Retevis's FCC IDs for their FRS and other 2-way HT radios (some may be missing from this list): fccid.io/2AAR8RETEVIS
Please remember that a separate two-prong programming cable is required If you want to customize these in the slightest. The mini USB cable is only for charging. Also note that broadcasting scrambled audio on amateur and family radio frequencies is prohibited by the FCC so be careful how you use these.
These are quite new on the market and would require a proprietary drop-in charger from Retrevis (or whatever Chinese factory actually makes these). To my knowledge none has been made yet, though the radios themselves were manufactured to slide into one. I'm hoping somewhere down the line they decide to make a drop-in charger for these.