Episode 14: Unboxing the TYT TH-9800 Radio with 220

Episode 14: Unboxing the TYT TH-9800 Radio with 220

The TYT TH-9800 Quad Band Radio has been a huge success in the US market since late 2013. Lots of hams have purchased and still enjoy this radio, both as a mobile device or as a base station in the Hamshack. There were some issues early-on with the radio losing power or being unable to transmit when a signal was receiving, but those were all resolved quickly after discovery. The newest “Plus” model has had lots of good reviews and success in the Amateur World.

TYT had a great idea about updating the TH-9800 with a new version (not a replacement of the original model, but an additional version) which would incorporate the 220MHz band. I was hoping to see a Quad Band Radio that would work the 6-meter, 2-meter, 1.25-meter and 70-centimeter bands, making this radio a huge success in the Amateur market. Unfortunately TYT decided to go another route. I am told that there were technical complications with getting these bands to work together. However, what TYT decided to do was to drop the 440 band and add 220. This was a mistake, in my opinion. Removing the 440 band was a bad idea, but the output on the radio was also turned down. Watch the video for details. Long story short, I don’t really recommend this radio.

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21 thoughts on “Episode 14: Unboxing the TYT TH-9800 Radio with 220

  1. Now that you have had the rig for a while, what do you think? Is it susceptible to intermod? (usually when you put 2m and 220 in one radio, they widen the front end to cover both). Do you use it mobile?

    Bill W1PA

    1. I’ve not done any more testing with this radio, honestly. I was disappointed that they removed 440 for 220, and left the 2 lower bands that hardly anyone uses. So I haven’t really tried any further testing.

      I have been running the Wouxun UV920P-A220 in my truck, which is 2M/220, and I have had little-to-no issues with it at all.

      1. In New England, due to PAVE PAWS, a lot of 440 activity is suppressed, so this four-band combination isn’t bad.

  2. W4NFD Mike
    Do you still have this radio with the 440 band? I’m interested in it because I’m big on 6m/10m but then you mention the output power has been lowered.

    1. Yes, in fact, that is all I really carry. I only had a few people interested in the version with 220.

  3. N3QK – Fred
    I just received my TYT TH-9800 and first thing I did was put it on my 50 ohm dummy load and my Bird Wattmeter. Power is pretty good on 29, 50, and 144 MHz -Just about making spec power but variances in my equipment may account for the slight drop. However, on 223 MHz the power dropped to about 15 watts because the radio was tuned to 245 MHz and power peaked at 250 MHz. I don’t know why they are tuned to that frequency unless that is a common Asian or European frequency. Our 220 band here is from 219 to 225 MHz. Has any one else had the same problem and does anyone know the caps or/and coils to tune?

  4. Which one is the best one to buy. The TYT UV 9800 plus or the Wouxun KG 950p? Want to buy one of them this week.

  5. Anyone play with the programming software. (TH-9800 Eng 2.0.7) I saw a video where there is a hidden menu . You can change the 220 for 440 and back again. I downloaded the software and got that feature to work but haven’t tried it on a radio yet but considering buying one. I am wondering if this is what has been done to these “220” radios as the box still says 440. You can also select other bands but have to choose between 1.25 and 70cm. Can’t have both. Would be awesome if you could give up 10 and have 6, 2m, 1.25m and 70cm.
    Copy and paste https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSZHI5fJt-k
    This guy trades 6m for 4m and it’s where I got the idea to experiment with 220 and 440

  6. In the US and have all the other stuff covered, I need the 220Mhz band. Is there any way I can gat a 220Mhz model for sure?

  7. When I bought this radion (220) version, the document that came with it indicated that Chirp could not be used for programming. They sent a disc with software but it is very cumberson to use. They also said to use any other software than the one provided would brick the radio.
    Can you verify?

    1. This was true back during the time of my video review. It might have changed by now, if CHIRP has a version specifically for this radio. I know that using the CHIRP version for the TH9800 with 440, to program the TH9800 with 220, can brick the radio.

  8. A new version of CHIRP just released now programs the 220 band. I need the 440 band more than the 220 so I am glad my radio is one that covers it. If you think of it send the guys who maintain CHIRP a few bucks. It is a time saving tool and they allow it to be downloaded and used freely.

  9. I have the 10,6,2,70cm version and so far I’m loving it. I don’t know many people around here on 220 although before I settle on the th-9800 I was looking at tri-band 2m,1.25m,70cm radios just cause I was curious what’s out there on 1.25m.

    The software that comes with it doesn’t seem that bad to me. Chirp works fine although it doesn’t support all the features on the radio. So whenever I set up the radio first with the stock software and made a backup.Then I loaded my channels with data using Chirp. I use Chirp’s ability to access import from Repeaterbook alot. So far it’s been great and signal reports I’ve gotten from those I’ve talked to on the radio have been great.

    I’m really happy with the radio and I’d recommend it to others.

    Steven
    KN4CUH

  10. Just a quick question. I just got my TYT TH9800 plus. How can I tell if it does the 1.25m instead of the 70cm? I used the RT software to program my radio and it allowed me to program in the 440 but would not let me program in 220. Any info would be great.

  11. How many versions of the TH-9800 has TYT put on the market? I know the original (“buggy”) version, the “Plus” (some call Mk. II) version, and the 220 version. Are there others, and how can they be identified/differentiated, a build # or part # on the box? (Because TYT obviously doesn’t update, or apparently even buy stickers to put on the box…). I’ve seen some people post the mic plugs into the radio body, while others show the mic plugging into the separated head/controller; I’m guessing different models/versions?

    1. As far as I know, there are 3. The original, the PLUS, and the one with 220. No TH-9800 that I have ever seen has the mic plug on the body, they are all on the face, to make remote mounting easier.

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