JNL: Talkpod A36plus Max is a pretty cool radio, once you go around the small paper called user guide, but more importantly, download the online PDF called Basic Manual which will get you started. This is a more advanced radio, and it requires a little care as it can transmit on bands requiring a permit; thus you must stay with the basic channel that are configured. If you want something easier, there are some suitable options out there, just get them in pair to avoid mismatch on the DCS codes.
Speaking of DTS code, that was a fun part making that work, but straightforward once you figure it out. I wanted to keep a simpler radio for my kids; thus I really wanted to make these codes work. DTS code has around 3 standards of naming. The first one is the standard, supported by this radio, it used a 5 character code like D023N, Only the 3 digit change, and not all numbers exist. It requires 3 digits to display, so cheap radio maps them to 2 digits, and there are at least 2 different match tables... funny. I got different radios, and the codes don't match, the first solution is to search the internet for DCS code table, then find the code, some, like 1 matches with D023N, but some others, let say D245N is 35 on one radio and 41 on the other. You can set this radio on the code and tests both number on other radios. Another way is to select a number on the kid's radio then scan the DCS code with this one while transmitting on the kid's radio, it implies switching to frequency mode, setting the good channel frequency, finding the code, going back in channel and setting the code. Beware that in frequency mode you can have different code for transmission and reception, while in channel mode they are tied together.
The radio is actually pretty cool, it has nice features like the option to receive 2 frequencies, channel 9 being often used for emergencies. Beware that it will switch by itself to transmit on the last received frequency, unless you turned that option to use only A or B for transmission. That 2 frequencies option is also great to have FM or weather forecast on the secondary band. I'm not too sure about the weather forecast, but if the cellphone signal does not get in on your fishing trip, you may like it very much.
There are many configurations options, it is even intimidating, it took me some time to check this, but ultimately, I like it very much, and I'm looking to buy a second one.
Speaking of DTS code, that was a fun part making that work, but straightforward once you figure it out. I wanted to keep a simpler radio for my kids; thus I really wanted to make these codes work. DTS code has around 3 standards of naming. The first one is the standard, supported by this radio, it used a 5 character code like D023N, Only the 3 digit change, and not all numbers exist. It requires 3 digits to display, so cheap radio maps them to 2 digits, and there are at least 2 different match tables... funny. I got different radios, and the codes don't match, the first solution is to search the internet for DCS code table, then find the code, some, like 1 matches with D023N, but some others, let say D245N is 35 on one radio and 41 on the other. You can set this radio on the code and tests both number on other radios. Another way is to select a number on the kid's radio then scan the DCS code with this one while transmitting on the kid's radio, it implies switching to frequency mode, setting the good channel frequency, finding the code, going back in channel and setting the code. Beware that in frequency mode you can have different code for transmission and reception, while in channel mode they are tied together.
The radio is actually pretty cool, it has nice features like the option to receive 2 frequencies, channel 9 being often used for emergencies. Beware that it will switch by itself to transmit on the last received frequency, unless you turned that option to use only A or B for transmission. That 2 frequencies option is also great to have FM or weather forecast on the secondary band. I'm not too sure about the weather forecast, but if the cellphone signal does not get in on your fishing trip, you may like it very much.
There are many configurations options, it is even intimidating, it took me some time to check this, but ultimately, I like it very much, and I'm looking to buy a second one.
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