The TYT TH-9800 is the popular older brother of the TH-7800 dual band mobile radio. From the mic to the programming menu, inside and out, these two radios look and feel essentially the same. They are more like twins, except for one important difference. The TH-7800 is a dual band radio. The TH-9800 is a four bander.
Like its younger sibling, the TH-9800 both transmits and receives 136-174MHz on the VHF band and 400-480MHz on UHF band. Then it doubles down, with TX and RX on 6 meters and 10 meters, as well.
Of course, it's not the only quad band mobile among all amateur radios on the market. However, compared to the Wouxun KG-UV950P quad band transceiver, the TYT TH-9800 is a really solid, high value alternative.
Like the 7800, reception on the TH 9800 is broad. it can receive wide band AM and FM on 26-33MHZ, 47-54MHz, 108-180MHz, 320-512MHz and 750-950MHz (except cell phone frequencies). Like the 7800, it supports 809 memory channels. The settings can be configured independently for each channel.
Also, like it's brother, the 9800 has separate A and B sides. It is capable of full duplex operation and can function as a cross-band repeater.
TYT TH-9800 Key features
- Quad Band UHF/VHF 2M/6M/10M/70cm transmit and receive
- 6-33MHZ/47-54MHz/108-180MHz/320-512MHz/and 750-950MHz (Receive Only)
- 5/10/20/40W Transmit Power (UHF)
- 5/10/20/50W Transmit Power (VHF)
- 809 Memory Channels
- Independent Controls for left and right band
- Repeater Capable
- V+U Full Duplex Operation
- Cross-Band Repeater
- Encryption Scrambler
- Voice Compander
- Busy Channel Lockout
- 50 Groups CTCSS/104 Groups DCS Code
- User Defined CTCSS and DCS capability
- CTCSS/DCS Tone Scan
- DTMF 2-Tone and 5-Tone
- Auto Range Transponder System (ARTS)
- Automatic Repeater Shift (ARS)
- Detachable Front Controller and Remote Mounting Ability
- Backlit Dual LCD Display
- Backlit Keypad
- Channel Name Edit and Display
- Channel Scan
- Priority Scan
- Skip Channel
- Dual Watch
- Talk Around
- Auto Power Off
- Timeout Timer
- Keypad Lock
- Audible Button Beeps
- 3.5mm Speaker Port
- Cloning Capable
- PC Programmable (Requires Optional Cable)
- Programmable Buttons
- Built-in Internal Speaker
- Backlit DTMF Hand Microphone
- User Programmable Microphone Keys
- Cooling Fan
- Reset
The TH-9800 also features Auto Range Transponder System (ARTS). When communicating with another radio equipped with ARTS, the radios sense when one moves out of range for more than a minute. It is a handy feature to have in case of a "Man Down" situation or other emergency. This a standard feature of many Vertex Standard business radios.
Like its dual band brother, the TH-9800 has a detachable front face plate. You can hide the radio and mount the front control panel with the dual display almost anywhere you want in your vehicle.
Programming the TH-9800
The TH-9800 can be programmed direct from the radio or through a computer via an optional TYT mobile programming cable and software. Although not absolutely needed, the programming cable and software are highly recommended and programming the TH-9800 through a computer is definitely encouraged. It makes things a lot simpler.
If you want or need to program the TH-9800 radio directly, the chart below provides a handy reference to the menu. If you are already familiar with the TH-7800, you'll have no trouble with this one, because it is exactly the same menu. It consists of 42 items. Default settings are bold.
| Menu # | Name | Menu Item | Description | Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | (APO) | Auto Power Off | Turns off radio after set time | OFF/0.5H/1H/2H |
| 02 | ARS | Auto Repeater Shift | Enables/disables the ARS feature | ON/OFF |
| 03 | ARTS | Auto Range Transponder System | Selects the ARTS beep mode | IN RING/ALWAYS |
| 04 | BEEP | Beep when key is pressed | Enable/Disable Beep | BEP.ON/BEP.OFF |
| 05 | CLK.SFT | Clock Frequency Shift | Shifting of CPU clock frequency | SFT.ON/SFT.OFF |
| 06 | DIMMER | Display Dimmer | Set display brightness level | DIM.OFF/1/2/3/4 |
| 07 | DCS.COD | Set DCS Code | Sets the 104 DCS code | 023 |
| 08 | DCS.N/R | Set DCS Code | Selects Normal or Inverted DCS coding | TRX N/TX R/RX R/TRX R |
| 09 | DSP.MOD | Memory Channel Display Mode | Selects memory channel display mode | DSP.FRQ/DSP.NAM |
| 10 | DTMF D | DTMF Autodialer Delay Time | Sets DTMF Autodialer Delay Time | 50/250450/750/1000 MS |
| 11 | DTMF S | DTMF Autodialer Sending Speed | Sets DTMF autodialer sending speed | 50/75/100 MS |
| 12 | DTMF W | DTMF Autodialer Memories | Loading of DTMF autodialer memories | 16 autodialer memories available |
| 13 | HYPER | Hyper Memory | Enable/disable automatic writing feature of Hyper Memory | MANUAL/AUTO |
| 14 | KEY.MOD | Key Functions | Selects key functions for "right" band function switches | KEY1/KEY2 |
| 15 | LOCK | Key/Button Lock Feature | Enable/disable Key/Button lock feature | MANUAL/AUTO |
| 16 | LOCKT | PTT Lock Feature | Enable/disable the PTT lock feature | OFF/BAND R/BAND L/BOTH |
| 17 | MUTE | Mute Audio | Select the audio mute mode | OFF/TX/RX/TX and RX |
| 18 | NAME | Channel Name | Stores name for memory channel | Enter name |
| 19 | PG P1 | Set P1 Button | Program the mic P1 button | BAND |
| 20 | PG P2 | Set P2 Button | Program the mic P2 button | VFO/MR |
| 21 | PG P3 | Set P3 Button | Program the mic P3 button | TONE |
| 22 | PG P4 | Set P4 Button | Program the mic P4 button | LOW |
| 23 | RF SQL | RF SQL Level | Adjust RF SQL threshold level | OFF/S-2/S-5/S-9/S-FULL |
| 24 | RPT.MOD | Repeater Shift Direction | Set repeater shift direction | RPT.OFF/RPT.-/RPT.+ |
| 25 | SCAN | Scan-Resume Mode | Sets scan-resume mode | TIME/BUSY |
| 26 | SCAN M | Scan Mode | Sets memory scan mode | MEM/MSM |
| 27 | SHIFT | Offset Repeater Shift | Sets offset frequency of the repeater shift | 0.00~99.5 MHz 600 KHz (UHF), 600 Hz (VHF) Shift can be set independently for each band |
| 28 | STEP | Synthesizer Steps | Sets synthesizer steps | 2.5-100 KHz 12.5 KHz |
| 29 | SPK | Squelch Mode | Sets squelch mode | SQ/CTC/TON/C+T and C/T SQ |
| 30 | TONE F | CTCSS Tone Frequency | Sets CTCSS tone frequency | 50 standard CTCSS tones 100Hz |
| 31 | TONE M | CTCSS/DCS Encode/Decode Mode | Sets the encode/decode mode | OFF/ENC/ENC.DEC/DCS OFF |
| 32 | TOT | Time-Out Timer | Sets the time-out timer | OFF/1~30 min. 6 min. |
| 33 | TALKAR | Talk Around | Swaps RX/TX frequencies to toggle simplex and repeater operation | ON/OFF |
| 34 | WID.MID.NAR | Mic Gain and Deviation | Select bandwidth to reduce mic gain (and deviation) | WIDE/MID/NARROW |
| 35 | X-RPT | Cross-Band Repeater | Enable/disable cross-band repeater | ON/OFF |
| 36 | AM | AM Mode | Enable/disable AM Mode | ON/OFF |
| 37 | AUT.AM | Automatic AM Mode | Enable/disable automatic AM mode | ON/OFF |
| 38 | 2TONE | 2-Tone memory channel | Assign 2-Tone autodialer memory channel | 2T-01~2T-16 2T-01 |
| 39 | 5TONE | 5-Tone memory channel | Assign 5-Tone autodialer memory channel | 5T-01~5T-16 5T-01 |
| 40 | SCR | Scramble | Enable/disable scramble feature | ON/OFF |
| 41 | COMP | Compander | Enable/disable voice compander | ON/OFF |
| 42 | HSD.TYP | Tone Squelch | Enable/disable tone squelch | OFF/2 Tone/5 Tone/DTMF |
The TH-9800 has four reset options. For reset instructions, read How to reset the TYT TH-9800 to factory defaults. You can also watch our video Radio 101 - How to Reset the TYT TH-9800.
The TH-9800 matches up very well to the Wouxun KG-UV950P in features and is a bit ahead on price.
The TH-9800 includes the radio, the speaker mic, mounting brackets and hardware, power cords, extension cord, and owner's manual. The TH-9800 is available from Buy Two Way Radios.
Gentlemen;
Is the th9800 capable of 'zones' , like the vx-6r? With that many memory channels, sure would make it easier. tnx.
Clay w8jvv