RT22 Pocket-Size Portable FRS Radio (2 Pack)

Received these today in a most timely manner. Initially impressed with these RT22's straight out of the box. Will update as I use them in the upcoming days, but wanted to get a 'first impression' report out. In the USA, you will need to reprogram these to FCC approved frequencies - either what you are licensed for, or for FRS/GMRS use. Note that GMRS does require FCC licensing. Also note, if choosing FRS frequencies, there is a 2017 FCC Rules change (FCC-17-56A1) with new power out rules for FRS frequencies and FRS shared GMRS frequencies (increases to 2w out, however some frequencies are still power limited to 0.5w for all users; GMRS still has the 5w handheld, 50w mobile/base limits) .. Programming with CHIRP (free download for Windows and Mac, search for it using your favorite search engine) using the optional cable was straightforward. Check the Retevis site resources for current USB drivers. All in all, a good package. Units feel good in the hand, solid, and hopefully will have great utility around town and out on the trail.

Bought a pair of these to use at work to maintain contact between plant buildings. This is a very compact radio, about the size of a deck of cards. It comes with a belt clip, acoustic earbuds, and a dual cable charger. I particularly liked the belt clip in that it fastens very securely to your belt, a must in my work since I'm constantly climbing on and off a forklift and can get snagged on the seat rests. This has happened and I have yet to lose the radio. For the most part I had no problems with communicating across the plant's two buildings. I did find a couple of spots where reception was weak, but that was caused by transmitting while inside solid metal containers. I can't blame the radio for this. Charge length was excellent. Plenty of battery power for the whole day. I tried the acoustic earbuds and they worked as described, however, in my environment they weren't practical. Still, were the conditions right for their use, I believe they would meet the task. The charger is the typical wall wart, small and compact, able to charge both radios simultaneously and recharging was very quick, in my case; a couple of hours at most. All in all, these radios are compact, efficient, and well worth the cost.

I love the simple elegance of the no display, one knob and three buttons design of these UHF radios. I purchased the programming cable but I probably could have waited because these radios just work great out of the box. Now I suspect the programming cable will give me finer control over ever detail of the operation of the radios and I look forward to fiddling around with the features, but for simplicity these radios win hands down. I purchased these radio because of their small antennas and no display. You simply turn the radio on with the volume knob, it verbally states "power on" and then the channel number (1-16). When the battery gets low, it verbally announces "charge battery" after a transmission. The other purchasing decision was the included ear piece. I needed the in ear acoustic style listening device (think secret service style) with a mic attached at the collar. The included mic/ear piece is exactly what I needed. The entire earpiece/mic is replaceable (http://a.co/d/gjQLgv7) and you can also replace just the acoustic ear piece (http://a.co/d/dGmchIL), and even the part that sits in your ear can be replaced (http://a.co/d/9uDZ2vg), making it ideal for multiple wearers - just swap out the inexpensive in ear piece. Another reason I went with this radio is the charging base. This particular product being reviewed here doesn't come with a charging base. There are single (http://a.co/d/fYKLP8I) and multiple radio (http://a.co/d/3MqkQUc) bases. These radios are sold in configurations with both bases, but sometimes not the ear pieces. I just needed the radios now and will get the six radio charging base later. Charging the batteries was incredible fast with the included dual radio charger and they last a long time on a single charge. The manufacturer says after running the battery down and charging a third time will then give the battery it's longest operation between charges. Replacement batteries (http://a.co/d/7HIZKjN) are available and super light, which is another reason I purchased these radios. The included belt clips are okay. They could be just a tiny bit more beefy, but if they break, replacements are available. That's another thing I like about these radios - you can get replacement parts for every piece. The radios themselves feel very solid but lightweight. Not cheap, sturdy. I feel I could drop one and it would fair just fine. The audio quality is very good. I am able to hear loud and clear the other radio over the earpiece. Overall I'm very impressed with these radios and will be purchasing two more along with the six radio charging base so I can just drop in the radios for a quick charge.