Retevis RT76P Repeater-Capable GMRS Radio 5W

I've been using these handhelds for GMRS repeater communications for about six months. I am lucky enough to have two repeaters within access range. By access range, one is just over 80 miles away! They are easy to set receive and transmit tones with, coupled with their surprising range they make great hunting, camping, and driving radios to check in with family and friends.

THIS RADIO IS A LIFE SAVER! I GAVE THIS RADIO TO MY WIFE BEFORE HURRICANE IDA, BECAUSE HER AND OUR SON WERE EVACUATING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE WITH A WHOLE HOUSE GENERATOR. ONCE THE HURRICANE PAST THROUGH, WE HAD NO POWER, NO CELL SERVICE, NO WAY TO GET IN CONTACT WITH ONE ANOTHER. I HAD TOLD HER I WOULD HAVE MY PORTABLE RADIO ON AND AS LONG AS THE LOCAL REPEATER IN NEW ORLEANS WAS WORKING WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE. SURE ENOUGH THE NEXT DAY AFTER THE STORM, I WAS ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH HER. THE RETEVIS RT76P WAS GREAT, ALSO THE BTECH 50X1, AND ANOTHER BRAND PORTABLE I HAD, MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN US BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND COULD LITERALLY SAVE YOUR LIFE. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS RADIO, ITS EASY TO USE AND THE BATTERY LIFE IS EXCELLENT. SINCERELY MITCHEL (WRDH986)

This review is an initial and non-technical users perspective (Purchased from US Amazon - 3 pack (on sale for $80 USD):
BLUF: The radio does its primary job out-of-the box by providing the user access to GMRS channels and the ability to communicate over them. The antenna is non-removable and there does not appear to be any way to input any frequencies via the keypad, even in FREQ mode for "listening only". The NOAA channels are not pre-loaded and it does not appear the freqs can be entered manually via the front panel. On my radios, Revetis Customer Service tells me that the firmware requires updating (old versions w/US Amazon?) and without the update the CTCSS codes cannot be changed nor can they access the NOAA channels. However, a major limitation is the firmware update does not support iOS so it is PC only. The RT76P uses a standard K-connector and the proper Retevis cable is the C9018A (found on the Retevis website although the RT76P is not specified). Lastly, Retevis's Customer Support to the US Amazon site is outstanding when compared to the Retevis's direct website. Specifically, the US Amazon Customer Support team/person (Angela) seems to be excellent in terms of knowledge of the product, promptness in a response (same day or next day) and empowered to resolve problems (she said she's sending a firmware cable so we'll see).