Hello and Welcome Back... The Radio with 100 Names, Well maybe not that much but it is a Wicked Little Radio with Several Excellent Functions..
The JJCC 8629 is a GPS / Bluetooth enabled 2 way radio that also does Aviation Band (Receive Only). If the radio looks familiar, that's because this radio also goes under several other brands / models including Radtel RT-490, Socotran FB8629, & Jianpai 8800 plus a heap more, but all have the same engine under the hood...
FREQUENCY RANGE
RX = Receive Only
TX/RX = Transmit & Receive
THE GOOD
The best thing i have found with this radio is the Bluetooth function, while this radio also has GPS as well, you can only enable one at a time, meaning, if your using Bluetooth, you can't run the GPS function at the same time, its one or the other...
Why is Bluetooth good?
Because you can create various scenarios thru an App on your IPad / Phone and change the setup of the radio at a whim.. At the moment, i have several 'Scenarios' saved on my IPad , they are 'UHF CB (80ch)', 'RFS Fireground with Aviation', 'Richmond / Bankstown / Sydney Airport', ect, ect.. all available to download thru Bluetooth in a second..
The App that makes it work is a pain and i couldn't get the Android Version to work, but did get the IPad Version to work which i was happy about.. The APP is called 'SuperWalkie-Talkie'
You can find the Android version here = https://www.radtels.com/pages/software-download
Scroll down to 'Radtel RT490 6 Band Radio Bluetooth APP Download (for Andriod)' and download to your phone.. To Get the App to Work is explained in this excellent PDF Layout = https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0564/8855/8800/files/Radtel_RT490_User_Manual_bluetooth_Expanded.pdf?v=1645512534
For Apple IPad / Phone, you have to copy and paste some Chinese language into the app search and download that way.. Its all explained in this wicked PDF download = https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0564/8855/8800/files/Radtel_RT490_User_Manual_bluetooth_Expanded.pdf?v=1645512534
Me, Personally.. I program this radio via my Laptop using the 'Multiband Program Software' found in the link here = https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0564/8855/8800/files/radtel_rt490.zip?v=1627441662 and using the usual 2 pin Boafeng programming cable, then once finished, transfer the file to my Ipad using Bluetooth using 'CASE' on the App... CASE means FILE in the APP..
Moving On.. The GPS function would be handy if camping and you ran into trouble.. (also gives Altitude reading, see pic below) (yes, i blanked out my location, Sorry Girls hahaha)
The colour screen is excellent, exp if your in the shade or inside, outside is a bit patchy but its a excellent colour screen and stands out well..
Be sure to remove 2 layers of plastic when you first get your radio. One layer is on the whole screen, the second layer is mounded to the screen surrounds and you will need a sharp nail or toothpick to pick out a corner and peel off. Failure to remove this second layer will result is a heap of scratches that clouds the screen over time. With the 2nd layer removed, the screen is extremely scratch resistant and 'pretty'
The Aviation Band is excellent with good sensitivity and defaults to AM when programming which is handy..
Battery life is Excellent and is charged using a USB-C plug that plugs into directly into the battery (not the radio) (See Pic Below)
Just below the belt clip is the USB-C plug for charging... The radio also comes with a charging cradle as well..
Another good feature is the top scroll button, you can use this, or the front toggle 4 way button on the unit (Top Scroll Button in pic below)
Some Shots in the Sun (see below)
THE BAD
As you can see from the pics above, the colour screen in sunlight is not so good, its very reflective.
You can't use GPS and Bluetooth at the same time..
The App is rubbish on Android, i spent hours trying to get it to work..
CONCLUSION
The JJCC8629 / Radtel RT-490 is an excellent value for money.
Airband is what i wanted this radio for, as a back-up to my Yaesu VX-6, only the JJCC is half the price and has Bluetooth..
Highly Recommend
#radtel
#jjcc
#airband
#2-way
#radio
#review
#nswradio&communication
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