[RVRC] TYT TH-9000 Initial Thoughts

[Bryan D. Boyle]

Always on the hunt for a new rig to work (play?) with...thought I'd try
(having gone thru the Alinco and Jetstream brands...basically the same
display...bit different chassis...) the TYT TH9000 that KJI and Cathy
were selling, for a bit reasonable price as compared to the other brands.

So...had a chance to fiddle around with it, try it out, program it
up...and, while this applies to the 222MHz version, I'm thinking that
the same basic observations would apply to the 144 and 440 band
examples, since they are pretty much the same in terms of the control,
programming, and functionality; it's just the RF deck that is different.

So...first...the good:

1. The price.  I mean, a high power, 200 channel, DTMF-capable, CTCSS
and DCS featured radio for a lot less than $200 USD?  KenIcoYae take
note.  Well, maybe not.  Even the cheapest OM has to have that in the
penny jar. But, for less than $200, the same form factor for 144/222/440
and consistent operating features across the three?  Not bad in my book.

2. Performance.  Hooked it up to the shack 13.8V bus, piece of coax to
the radio, into the Bird, out of the Bird into the Cantenna.  OK, its
rated at 60W...I read 57W on high power setting at the middle of the 222
band.  Close enough.  3 watts is going to make zero difference in
useable range on ZAV, or any other 222 machine around, for that matter.
 That's calibration error (last time my bird was calibrated was a Long
Time Ago).

3. Functionality.  It's got everything you would want.  CTCSS, DCS, DTMF
mic, the ability to store DTMF sequences (useful for those of us who
have the control codes for the repeaters...), tone code scan, tone
transmit, tone squelch (with the reverse burst capability...in other
words, the repeater, when you un-key, reverses the phase of the CTCSS by
120 degrees, which, in a capable radio, means that you don't get the
squelch burst when the repeater transmitter shuts off.  The radio just
goes quiet...unnerving until you get used to it...) 3 backlight colors
(I like the orange...it has blue and purple (!) as other selections),
the ability to set a power-on-password, and on and on.

4. Programming.  200 memories, user-defined, by channel, the offset,
power level, tone or dcs codes, and name (vice frequency...).  Takes the
standard USB-to-stereo mini plug; KJI threw one in for club members
yesterday if you picked up the radio...the one for the Icom radios works
just as well if you have one.  The program itself is free from TYT, and
is about as well-written as the one from Wouxun.  No ability to read in
a TPE file from the League travel list program.  But, sent a message off
to the rfinder.net folks, and they will look at what it will take to gen
a file from the website that is readable by the TYT program.

5. Performance.  Looked at the output on my service monitor and scope.
12dB SINAD stated as <= .25uV, I measured at .27uV.  Again, no big deal.
 Selectivity was at book value (>= 70db, as did all the other values
within manufacturer tolerance in real life.); note, I don't have the
depth of bench that, say, QST does, but, in the quick check out, the
modulation plus CTCSS was well within the 5K bandwidth that we adhere to
by agreement.  (actually, 1KC @ -55dBM on the mic input gave me a
deviation of 3.2KC on the service monitor (yeah, I know that is not the
'accepted' method to inject the signal...just had the cable handy and
know what aprx value mic level is...).  Just where you want it...)

6. The price.  Did I mention that?

The Eh?:

1. Programming.  If you buy one of these, the software assumes that you
have a commercial version.  That's who the market for these things are,
amateur radio is a 'oh by the way...' happy coincidence.  So, don't
expect it to work like our specifically-designed radios do.  It's meant
to be pre-programmed and mounted in a taxi or truck or other vehicle
where the operator is literally just pushing the PTT and adjusting the
volume.  So, like Batwing stuff, you have to plug in the radio to the
programming cable and READ the radio before you can start futzing around
with the channel assignment stuff.  But, unlike the Wouxun, it didn't
take much, on my XP Pro Micro$oft-based computer to get them to talk.
Score one, programmed fine down to the 222 band.

2. Function buttons on the radio are not marked as to the function like,
say, the Alinco, Jetstream, or other models.  The DTMF keypad has
legends which indicate the function, when the keypad is out of DTMF
mode, when the Function key on the keypad is pressed first.  Just a
little getting used to, that's all.

3. By this time, we're used to the somewhat *ahem* creative translation
of these manuals.  OK, at least I was able to figure it out...

4. Microphone plug is an RJ45.  I prefer (personal preference) the round
4 or 8-pin style.  Have the wires rung out just in case I have to fix it
somewhere down the road.

5. What is it with these blasted hangers on these mics?  I prefer the
button on the back to slide into one of the multitudinous mic hangers I
have, not hang it off a screw that's only half way driven in.  Oh well,
I'll find one on the back of some old mic and mount it myself.

6. Those of you used to mics that have some heft to them...this one
obviously does not have the big metal plate inside that gives it some
feeling of solidity.  But, a minor nit.

7. Even though the chassis has the location for a data/packet connection
in the casting, none is provided.  But, neither does the Jetstream, with
whom it shares the radio body casting.  No big deal.

8. Does not have a detachable head.  Some like them, some don't.  If you
like them, this is an issue to deal with.  If it doesn't matter, then it
doesn't matter.

Conclusion:

I like it so far.  No, it's not made by my favorite radio manufacturer,
and it has some minor nits as noted above.  Is it perfect?  I'm a big
believer of not letting the perfect become the enemy of the good.  And
this radio seems to be pretty good. I'm thinking that if you would like
a reasonably priced new radio (or even go-to mobile for a band you're
not currently on), or even a new 144/222/440 single band radio for the
shack...this does deserve your thoughtful consideration.

Note...no electrons were harmed in the production of this, and I have NO
financial incentive or interest in whatever decision you make.  Just
telling it as I have seen it so far.

See you on the bands!

73 Bryan WB0YLE