JingTong JT-208/308 Programmable Compact Transceiver
Kenwood TH-22AT housing design clone JingTong JT-308 is a UHF Two-Way Radio made in China.
It covers JT-208 VHF/136~174MHz, JT-308 UHF/400~470MHz with 38 CTCSS codes, able to store TX/RX independent frequencies, repeater shift, CTCSS code in 30 channel memory; manual states 15 memory in error. Decent build quality, you don't feel like holding thin plastic box. Nice blue backlit on LCD display. It is very simple to operate, press "SET" and number key to access functions. Great things about this radio is price, probably less than high end FRS/GMRS walkie-talkies.
▲ Easy Programming
Programming is very easy. Basically set all parameters (ex; frequency, repeater shift & offset, TX tone, RX tone squelch, ect.) in Direct Input mode and try if it works. Then just transfer to one of memory channels by <[B] select channel [C]> Think as copying settings to memory. Some other radio has specific memory setting mode, concept of copying current setting won't work. I like JT-308 type channel programming.
▼ Loud Keypad Beep
It has a very annoying and very loud power up ascending tune. I don't know if this is a Chinese Regulation to tell people around "Everyone! I'm Turning On my Transceiver!" like Japanese cell phone with camera, can't turn off the shutter sound when taking pictures. Keypad beep is loud too, it beeps loud even volume turned down! No control on these loud noise...
▼ Muffled Transmitted Sound
Transmitted voice is somewhat muffled, I guess because they forgot to open small microphone hole... Standard 2.5mm single pin PTT Mic/Speaker will improve the sound quality. Audio output is loud enough in noisy environment.
▼ User's Operation Manual
English Manual is badly written, takes the better part of a day to decode.
■ Desktop Charger
Most of JT-208/308 sold on eBay include 220V Desktop Charger with North American style plug. When pluged in to 110V outlet, Red LED (charger ON) comes on but placing radio on to charger will not light Green LED (charging). Don't assume voltage by shape of the plug, check AC voltage on Desktop Charger.
The Charger is not smart. Green LED means charging, not charged, and will not stop when fully charged. My recommendation is 7~8 hours Max.
■ Battery Pack
Sticker on rechargeable battery pack states "NiCd 7.2V 600mAh" but 6 AAA cells inside are actually Ni-MH batteries. Removal of Power pack is not written on the manual. Push lock on bottom of power pack, Lift power pack up.
Volume control on my JT-308 was very stiff, finger was slipping on small knob, it didn't move. I discovered volume knob was pushed down too far and touching base, pulling the knob fixed the problem.
I must say this is a very high cost performance radio. Just don't expect something you get from Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu handheld radios.
Remote Speaker/Microphone Wiring
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