TYT TC-3000A

The 3000A is a rugged 16 channel high power radio that is available in VHF or UHF bands (not both at the same time, this is not a dual-band radio). While it is splash resistant, it is not water proof. It is capable of a 10W power output. Our target user group for this radio was originally for Heli and Cat Ski operators and sledder groups who want to give each party member a radio to carry to communicate with the guide, each other, a base station, or a repeater. It will also function well for recreational AT skiers who have the ability to reprogram the radio from their computer before they go on each trip with a selection of 16 channels that are applicable to the area they are going to.

These are 16 channel radios, to address the need for a user to travel between diverse demographics and switch zones on the radio, we have created a number of Zone Frequency Packs.

A cautionary note to perspective purchasers. This radio comes from the factory with 2 stock antennas (a long whip, and a short one). In early March 2017 we got an order from a local client for 15 of these radios (to be used mainly be incoming summer seasonal staff) along with 15 Smiley Stubby 166MHz ducks to be used throughout their approx 3 acre site that includes some thick cement walls in the main building, and significant forest tree cover and terrain barriers throughout the adjacent grounds​. We supplied the radios, and backordered the antennas (they already use that same Smiley Stubby Duck on the Anytone radios they bought from us a couple of years ago and are happy with them). In the meantime the client started to try the radios with the stock antennas. They called me and wondered if there was a programming problem as the performance was so poor. Given that they only use one wideband frequency with no tone codes, it was unlikely to be a programming issue. So I sent him 5 tuned 5/8 wave Smiley ducks to try and see if it made any difference while we waited for the tuned stubbies to arrive. He called back the next day and reported that the tuned antennas appeared to have corrected all their problems. So, as we have found during our bench testing: the VHF stock OEM antennas work OK up to about 155 MHz. However it is anything but rugged. Therefore, for most field use environments, you need to obtain tuned antennas that are center tuned within 5 MHz of the target frequency you plan to use. The IPX6 3 pack for VHF that covers a 30MHz band spread (based on the Smiley 5/8 SAR antenna stock) is therefore recommended. I'm sensitive to the fact that this might appear to be a shill on our part to sell the client more antennas, so feel free to contact us if you want to verify the claims cited in the above example. Also, below are the test results itemized in a rather boring 12 minute video that were done to substantiate these claims. If you don't want to try and stay awake while watching it, it can be summed up as follows: if you buy a Part 90 FCC approved VHF radio offshore that comes with a standard rubber duck antenna, and you plan to use it on commercial frequencies above 155MHz, you may need to reconsider. Yes, the base of your stock antenna may indeed have something like 136-174 MHz printed on it, but as 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' has reminded me, the chances that that is a plausible axiom is every bit as ridiculous as me looking in the mirror every morning and trying to convince myself that I don't look a day over 60.)

How to interpret the test results:
SWR Test: Higher numbers above 3 are undesirable.
Forward Power Test: Higher numbers are better.
Reflected Power Test: The lower the number the better.

TYT TC-3000A VHF Antenna Test Results
Standing Wave Test (SWR): Stock Antenna
	145 MHz		155 MHz		165 MHz		175MHz
5W	1.4		2.4		7.9		10.5
10W	1.73		2.5		8.3		11.2
Standing Wave Test (SWR): Tuned Antenna
	145 MHz		155 MHz		165 MHz		175MHz
5W	1.4		2.5		2.8		1.65
10W	1.4		2.6		2.9		1.71
Forward Power Test (Stock Antenna)
	145 MHz		155 MHz		165 MHz		175MHz
5W	3.4		3.9		4.9		5
10W	8.7		8		6		7.2
Forward Power Test (Tuned Antenna)
	145 MHz		155 MHz		165 MHz		175MHz
5W	ND		5		ND		5.2
10W	ND		10		ND		7
Reflected Power Test (Stock Antenna)
	145 MHz		155 MHz		165 MHz		175MHz
5W	0.03		1		3.5		3.4
10W	0.15		1.7		3.6		5.2
Reflected Power Test (Tuned Antenna)
	145 MHz		155 MHz		165 MHz		175MHz
5W	ND		1		ND		0.5
10W	ND		1.7		ND		1
*ND=No Data (testing not done)

* Test Conclusions:
The high SWR for the stock antenna is enough to damage the radio and severely diminish signal propagation. At 175 MHz, the reflected power of the stock antenna is on the order of 5 times more than a tuned antenna.

At frequencies above 155MHz, the stock antenna should never be used.

Ordering: There is no order form for these items, to order pls send your order items via email.