Review Radtel RT480 IP67

RT-480    General Description

The RT-480 is a 5 watt dual band (UHF/VHF) analog (FM) handheld rated IP67 Waterproof. A ruggedly built radio for camping, hunting, outdoor activities and Go Boxes.

In the Box

Included with the radio are the:
- 7.4V 2800 mAh
- Charger base & AC adapter
- Belt clip
- Antenna – 7.5" (19cm)
- Hand Strap
- User Guide (40 page)

* Programming Cable not included at this time

General Description

- VHF and UHF
- FM analog
- 136-174 and 400-480MHz
- 1W / 5W transmit
- 256 channel

Enclosure

The case measures 4.4 x 2.1 x 1.4" (11.2 x 5.3 x 3.5cm) and weighs in at a hefty 11.9oz (337g) with battery and antenna installed. The case has a solid feel, weight, and durability that fits well in my large hand.

There is no tuning knob which makes changing channels rely on the up and down arrow keys.

The right side of the radio uses a Motorola style connector as compared to a Kenwood K1. This makes the programming cable a bit unique.


enlarge

Water Proof (IP67)

By definition, IP67 is 100% protected against solid objects like dust and sand, and it has been tested to work for at least 30 minutes while under 15cm (6") to 1m (39") of water.

Over the years I have tested several radios that have claimed IP67 waterproof with various results.
- Some recovered after they dried out
- Some worked, but water got into the battery compartment
- Some just didn't make it

I filled a wash tub with about 18" of water.
After making sure the antenna was screwed on tightly and the programming jack cover (above) was screwed on, I set it in the water, set my timer for 30 minutes and got a cup of coffee.

When the alarm sounded, I removed the radio, dried it with a towel, an turned it on. Everything worked perfectly. No water got to the microphone or speaker, and the battery compartment was dry. I make an contact on the local repeater and it sounded fine.

It passed with flying colors.

Transmitter

The frequency range is VHF 136-174 and UHF 400-480 MHz and supports both FM Wide and Narrowband. OTA audio reports were good with plenty of audio. Power levels were excellent compared to specs.

Power readings taken with a calibrated Bird Termaline.

Transmit Audio

Audio reports on the RT-480 are excellent. I receive the best audio reports when I rest radio on my cheek, holding the radio approximately one inch (2.5cm) away, speaking across the front of the radio. This produces full, clear, and undistorted audio. Any further than this and the audio drops off significantly.

Receiver & Audio

The receiver sensitivity was very good on both VHF and UHF. The audio quality on receive was clear, very loud and undistorted with good frequency response. Volume control was smooth with plenty of loud audio coming from a full 1000mw audio amp.

Display

The radio has a two color display. The background is a light blue with dark blue letters and icons. The screen size is 1.25" (diagonal).

enlarge

Keypad

The back lit keys are small but easy to access with a positive touch, with enough spacing between the keys to prevent pressing two buttons at once. The center

are used to move channels forward and back.

enlarge

Pre-Programmed Function Keys

There are two side keys and one top key which are preprogrammed with the following functions:
F1 = FM radio / Freq Reverse
F2 = Monitor (squelch open)
Top = Alarm On/Off

PTT F1 F2

Software / Programming

The software is straight forward and easy to use and can be found both HERE and HERE. There are several software options available that can be viewed below.

The RT480 is also fully programmable from the front panel.

enlarge

Programming Cable

The programming cable uses a single plug / 3 ring 2.3mm connector. The UART chip is inside the USB plug and comes with a certified Prolific chip, so the driver should download automatically.
Note: As the 2.3mm plug is a unique programming cable, confirm that it is available prior to purchasing.

enlarge

Battery and Charger

The battery is a 2800 mAh and is a tight fit on the radio, done by design for waterproofing. I can easily get a full day's use when the battery is fully charged. Charge time on a low battery takes about 4-6 hours to reach full charge. The LED on the front of the charger is unmistakable. Bright Red when charging, and Bright Green when either fully charged. If there is no radio in the charger, the indicator light is green.

Click to enlarge

Accessories

The accessory jack will accommodate the optional remote Spkr/Micr, which uses a Motorola style plug. As shown below, the two pins are closer together than most and only have 2 connections on each pin. This was done by design to help with the radio's waterproof properties.

Click to enlarge

Conclusion

The RT-480 is physically a solidly built transceiver. The extra weight is attributed to the larger battery. If you are concerned about weather, the IP67 design is a major plus. Transmit and receive performance is excellent.

Note: This equipment was received for the purpose of a fair and unbiased review. All findings are factual based on the equipment I received. Any issues found have been reported both here and back to the seller or manufacturer.

Available from: Amazon

               Radtel RT-480 Transceiver

               Radtel RT-480 Programming Cable
                     Confirm availability

               Radtel RT-480 Spkr/Micr