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Introducing The Android HT
25 September 2016 | by 
Some exciting news wandered into my inbox this past week concerning a handheld radio driven by the Android operating system. The RFinder H1 is an FM plus DMR radio to be released at the end of this month. Click to enlarge the photo to the left to get a better view. I had proposed a similar concept back in 2012: The Android HT, so this radio immediately grabbed my attention.
Details are still a bit thin on the RFinder H1 (pronounced “Ar Finder H 1”) but this video gives you a glimpse of its operation. The 70cm band radio apparently also supports GSM and 4G/LTE mobile phone formats.
There are a few other YouTube videos available, one of which emphasizes the easy programming of the radio using the RFinder online repeater directory. This makes perfect sense and is a great example of the power of a connected device. This feature would be very handy for programming up FM repeaters on the fly and outstanding for dealing with the complexity of DMR settings.
The RFinder H1 includes DMR capability, something I wasn’t thinking of back in 2012. That also makes perfect sense…embracing the growing amateur radio format that is based on industry standards.
Very cool development. What do you think?
73, Bob K0NR
The post Introducing The Android HT appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
9 Responses to “Introducing The Android HT”
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This is exactly what I was waiting for. Amazing. :O
Looks almost like this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upHSTHH9FSA
It is very nice to see an offering in this area, and I’m glad someone’s finally marketing something. I’m less excited about this first generation personally, though, because I predict that it will be expensive, be neither a great radio nor phone, and not be long supported. (Hopefully I’m pleasantly surprised!) What I’m really wanting to see is a quality RF unit and an open wireless (e.g. Bluetooth/WiFi) control interface for phones; although it means continuing to carry two separate devices, I think it will lead to much greater innovation and experimentation by users and software developers, and be more useful and affordable.
The web shop went online ~ an hour ago. http://androiddmr.com/
I hope it stays within a $100 or so as theres still poor hams who have little money to buy such things!
well will this work with icom,kenwood and yeasu?? someone please let me know thanks!
@Jerry W5KAW, You said: “I hope it stays within a $100 or so as theres still poor hams who have little money to buy such things!”
You’re joking, right? Price is $795 (if you want the truly functional version). So Jerry, head back to your Baofeng spur generator. 73’s…
seems like a cell phone stripped down but more expensive.
From what I gather, there are a lot of future updates planned like other DV Modes (DStar, C4FM, etc) that will work with the RFinder concept. Also the possibility of making use of the GPS on the Android phone. You also don’t have to have cellular and can just use Wifi or not. The repeater database will still be there and accessible. It’s also very rugged. Wonder how the audio will be?