RadioRanked verdict
TIDRADIO
TIDRADIO TD-H9
The TD-H9 delivers genuine triband APRS capability, built-in GPS, and 199-channel storage for less than most competitors charge, and firmware updates through 1.0.32 have resolved the rockiest early bugs. Skip it if you need CHIRP support or a manufacturer-documented IP rating; otherwise it is a legitimate budget pick for GPS-linked APRS work.
★★★★☆4.2(450 reviews)
VHFUHF1.25mAPRSGPSBluetoothCHIRP
$70–$80
Decision helper
Is this radio right for you?
Yes, if you're…
- ✓Budget-conscious new licensees
- ✓Operators needing APRS functionality
- ✓Local simplex and repeater work
- ✓Technicians needing triband coverage
Skip it, if you're…
- ✕Operators requiring professional reliability
- ✕Users needing guaranteed durability
- ✕Those sensitive to build quality
Tradeoffs
The good and the bad
What we like
- Triband coverage (VHF, UHF, 1.25m)
- Integrated GPS for position reporting
- Onboard APRS capability
- Wireless programming via the TIDRADIO app
What we don't
- About 8 percent of Amazon reviews are one star, clustered on display failures and dead-on-arrival units
- CHIRP is not supported; programming requires the TIDRADIO app, Windows CPS, or OdMaster
- Switching between ham and GMRS modes still wipes programming, and APRS setup is keypad-only with no smart beaconing
- GMRS version lacks a locatable Part 95E certification
Proprietary RR score
How we scored it
85
Very GoodValue95
Features66
Beginner92
Portability56
Scores combine specs, Amazon buyer sentiment, and our testing framework. How we score →
Ready to buy?
Fast Prime shipping, no-questions-asked returns through Amazon.
10.00W
TX Power
2400mAh
Battery
199
Channels
Extracted from the top buyer reviews we analysed
Themes from top buyer reviews
Value proposition
Offers uncommon features at a low price point.
4.5
Build quality concerns
Multiple users report display and function failures.
1.5
Feature set
Includes GPS, APRS, and three frequency bands.
4.0
★★★★☆4.2(450 Amazon reviews)
5 star
70%
4 star
12%
3 star
7%
2 star
3%
1 star
8%
Overview
The TD-H9 is aimed at newly licensed operators and budget-conscious Technicians who want APRS capability without spending Yaesu money. It sits in a crowded corner of the Chinese HT market, but the combination of triband coverage (VHF, UHF, and 1.25m) with onboard GPS and APRS at this price point is genuinely uncommon.
Ten watts on a handheld is a reasonable output for local simplex and repeater work, and the integrated GPS means your APRS position reports are sourced from the radio itself rather than a paired phone or external module. Programming runs through the TIDRADIO phone app over Bluetooth, Windows CPS, or the browser-based OdMaster tool; CHIRP is not supported, so plan your initial 199-channel setup around one of those three paths. Firmware had a rocky launch, a buggy CPS that could erase channels and some APRS quirks, but updates through 1.0.29 (April 2026) and 1.0.32 (July 2026) have resolved most of it. A few things still linger: switching between ham and GMRS modes wipes your programming, there is no smart beaconing, and APRS configuration is keypad-only. The Amazon listing advertises IP54 splash resistance, but that rating does not appear on TidRadio's own spec sheet, so treat the radio as splash-resistant rather than weatherproof.
On value, this radio holds up well for what it costs. Amazon buyers rate it 4.2 stars across 450 reviews, with roughly 8 percent landing at one star, mostly display failures and dead-on-arrival units rather than a systemic design flaw. If you are eyeing the marketed GMRS version, look twice first: TidRadio's only located FCC grant (2A4FB-H9, April 2026) is a Part 95B FRS certification under half a watt ERP, and we could not find a Part 95E GMRS grant to back the GMRS branding. Ham use is unaffected, since Part 97 requires no transmitter certification. If you want triband APRS and GPS on a tight budget and do not mind CPS-style programming, the TD-H9 delivers; if you need CHIRP support or a documented IP rating, look elsewhere.
Specifications
| Price | $79.99 |
| TX Power (High) | 10.00W |
| Memory Channels | 199 |
| Battery | 2400 mAh |
| Display | Color LCD |
| IP Rating | IP54 |
| FCC ID | 2A4FB-H9 |
| FCC Rule Parts | Part 95B |
| FCC Grant Date | 2026-04-02 |
| FCC Certified Power | 0.480W |
| color | 1Pack & Antenna-Green |
| unitCount | 1 |
| Color | 1Pack & Antenna-Green |
| Voltage | 7.4 Volts |
| Impedance | 50 Ohms |
| Model Number | TD-H9 |
| Built-In Media | 1 X 2500mAh Battery; 1 X Destop Charger, 1 X Original Antenna; 1 X 18.8inch Foldable Tactical Antenna, 1 X TIDRADIO TD-H9 Ham radio(Green), 1 X USB-C Charging Cable |
| Frequency Range | AM/FM/VHF/1.25M/UHF |
| Temperature Range | -10℃ to 50℃ Degrees Celsius |
| Waterproof Rating | IP54 |
| Compatible Devices | Ham Radios |
| Additional Features | Bluetooth Device Connectivity, Built-in GPS & APRS, Odmaster APP; Global Talk; Firmware Upgradeable, SMS Text Messaging, Spectrum Analysis |
| Warranty Description | 1 |
Key Features
- 10W TX output across VHF, UHF, and 1.25m (222 MHz) triband
- Integrated GPS feeds APRS position reporting directly from the radio
- APRS support enables position beaconing and station tracking without external hardware
- Programming via TIDRADIO app (Bluetooth), Windows CPS, or the OdMaster web tool; CHIRP is not supported
- 199 memory channels across three bands
- SMS messaging function supported between compatible units
- IP54 splash resistance is claimed on the Amazon listing but not published on TidRadio's own spec sheet; treat as splash-resistant, not weatherproof
Recommended Antenna Upgrades
A better antenna is the cheapest way to extend your range. These fit the SMA-Female jack on the TIDRADIO TD-H9.
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