Considering that it may mislead users other than those related to HAM, this article is not for redistribution.
Hytera G32/G36 are two products positioned as "business radios," which were launched in 2023. Their prices are approximately RMB 300 and RMB 400, respectively.
I previously attended the annual event of Jinan Yellow River Amateur Radio, and was lucky enough to win a G32. At that time, the host announced that the prize was "Hytera," and everyone immediately exclaimed with envy. However, as a newcomer at the time, I didn't know what everyone was envious of. After gaining a deeper understanding of amateur radio, I realized that Hytera is quite expensive, and those who can afford it usually opt for high-end digital radios directly. They rarely specifically buy G32 or G36 models. Since I already have a G32 and use it regularly, I will provide a brief review of the G32 here, as well as a "cloud review" of similar products like the G36, for reference by curious radio enthusiasts.
Advertisement
Many reviews and video reviews contain obvious or hidden promotional content for certain brands. This review does not include such content, but I will still provide one.
Whether you are traveling to Jinan for tourism, business, or simply passing through, welcome to the Jinnan Yellow River Amateur Radio Repeater Station, BR4IN. Frequency: 439.110 MHz, downlink: 5, uplink: 88.5 MHz, room number: 132422. The Yellow River repeater network activity is every day from 8:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Please join us!
The Jinan Yellow River Amateur Radio Club, operating as BD4JN, is active on various shortwave bands. Fellow hams may find it interesting to listen to them.
If you are preparing for the operation license exam, you can use the "HAM Exam Preparation" WeChat mini program produced by Huang He. Over the past few years, many users have developed useful exam review programs, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some focus on reinforcing memory, others on organizing question types, and still others on making the material easy to understand. The "HAM Exam Preparation" program is based on feedback from a large number of HAM users, combining the best features of various programs to help everyone more easily master relevant radio knowledge.
Let's start with the conclusion.
The G32's biggest advantage is its speaker, which provides clear and loud sound. However, if you want a lightweight walkie-talkie and absolutely need a Hytera product, consider the next generation S1 or S1 Pro. If you want a lightweight walkie-talkie but don't need a speaker, consider other more affordable models, or replace the K5 or K6 with a thumb antenna.
For HAM (amateur radio), what's the point of a walkie-talkie that has no screen, a short antenna, and can't be replaced? The key feature is portability. If you don't specifically need to stay connected or find it inconvenient to carry around a "big brick" or "long stick," you can bring a mini device with you. When you want to use it, take it out and play; when you don't, put it in your pocket or clip it onto your clothes or backpack. It won't take up space and won't be a burden.
G32
Basic parameters
According to the official website and instructions, the basic parameters of the G32 are as follows:
- Mode: Pure simulation
- Approval code: 2022FP18607, U-segment amateur approval
- Number of channels: Two regions, with 16 channels in each region, for a total of 32 channels.
- Frequency range: Both transmit and receive are limited to 430-440 MHz.
- Sensitivity received: approximately -122 dBm (reference: HP780 ≈ -122, K6 ≈ -123)
- Transmitting power: 3W / 1W
- Battery capacity: 2200mAh
The official website and manual for Hytera do not provide detailed technical specifications, and even lack information on waterproof ratings. Therefore, it is impossible to compare the parameters with the K6.
Appearance
Hytera S1 mini, G32, HP780
Compared to other Hytera devices, the G32 is primarily characterized by its small size and lightweight design. The body has a relatively "youthful" color scheme, and the plastic casing gives an "amateurish" feel. The device measures approximately 158x55x24mm (height x width x thickness), with the antenna extending to about 45mm. The device weighs approximately 130g, which is less than half of the Hytera HP780 (approximately 310g) and lighter than the Xiaomi 15 (approximately 190g). Therefore, it can be easily placed in a pocket or clipped onto clothing without worrying about it slipping due to its weight.
The G32 has very few buttons and functions: a power switch, a channel knob, a PTT (push-to-talk) button, and two programmable buttons. The default function of the programmable buttons is volume control, which supports long presses. Its functionality can be modified using a programming software.
On the side, there is a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can use ordinary headphones for listening and talking. If you need to use a headset with PTT (Push-to-Talk), you can use any compatible headsets for the Hytera G32/G36/S1/PNC/TD series walkie-talkies.
The bottom uses a Type-C interface for charging and writing, making it very convenient. The G32 does not have a dedicated battery indicator; instead, the power level is displayed through the writing software, which only indicates "high/medium/low" battery levels. If you plan to use it for extended periods, it's best to charge it once a day.
The G32 is a fixed-antenna unit, which cannot be replaced. It has no screen and only a few buttons, making it very simple to use for non-ham radio enthusiasts. However, for ham radio enthusiasts, the lack of a screen presents a challenge: from a personal experience perspective, the most commonly used frequencies are just a few, while others are rarely used. But when needed, you still need to be able to switch between them at any time. As a result, it's often difficult to remember all 16 channels and their corresponding frequencies or purposes. Therefore, a small label needs to be attached to the side of the device, clearly indicating the frequency or purpose of each of the 16 channels.
Communication capabilities
A small machine, with a maximum power of 3W, using the original short antenna – what kind of performance can I expect?
Subjectively, it can be considered as a hobby radio with a thumb tack antenna: Since the thumb tack antenna can open places where other radios cannot, G32 should also be able to. Given that the G32 antenna is shorter, it's likely that it won't be able to open places where other radios cannot.
I have a UV-5R, which is quite capable (even before the K5), but it's easily susceptible to interference from things like automatic doors and car keys. There are also some rare cases where people using 5R or similar radios experience strange phenomena next to their equipment when they use PTT. The G32 might be cheaper, but it's still a Hytera product, so there's no need to worry about these issues.
The following are subjective test results:
- Regarding reception, I was near my home (approximately 20 km from the local repeater with a transmit power of 25W), where there are many high-rise buildings nearby. I also carried an HP780 and a G32 for casual walking, and both were able to receive signals. The HP780 could receive in most locations, and the G32 could generally receive as well, with similar signal quality.
- However, the G32 antenna is short and can experience some obstructions, while the HP780 consistently reads 59. The G32 starts to fluctuate around 59; or, the HP780 reads 59 regardless of its orientation, but the G32 requires a specific angle to achieve 59.
- Regarding transmission, when at home (within 20 km), with sufficient height and a suitable location, I can achieve a signal strength of 59. Similarly, if I am within a few kilometers of the repeater station, or even just 3 meters away from a window indoors, I can still achieve a signal strength of 59 when transmitting to the repeater.
Radio transmission
The G32 supports various common settings found in amateur radio transceivers, including frequency, frequency offset, power level, sub-audible frequencies, noise reduction, timeout, VOX (Voice Operated Exchange), and scanning (Note: This refers to scanning within a pre-configured channel, which differs from the K6's ability to scan for any frequency and sub-audible frequencies). It can be connected to a computer using a standard Type-C data cable. Because it does not have Bluetooth and because the protocol is not as open as that of amateur radios, it currently only allows writing frequencies using a computer and dedicated software; there are no other methods available.
Typically, amateur radio software for handheld radios is...Read – Modify – WriteThe operation, and the G32 write-once software, like other Hytera write-once software, is designed for batch writing, so the typical process is:Read frequency – Create template – Modify template – Save template – Write frequencyThe process involves configuring both channels and regions, and placing the channels within the regions. This is more complex than using a basic amateur radio transceiver.
How do I download the write-frequency software? If you can't find any information on the Hytera website, you need to contact the dealer who sold you the equipment. You can also ask other users for it, but if the software version is incompatible with your radio, you may encounter problems writing to it.
Features
Personally, I think the biggest advantage of the G32 is its speaker – it has excellent sound quality and a loud volume.
Regarding audio quality, tests were conducted using the K6, G32, and HP780 handheld radios. Subjectively, the audio quality of the G32 was similar to that of the HP780, with a noticeable difference compared to the K6. Given that some users prefer the audio quality of Motorola and Hytera, while others do not, this evaluation does not comment on whether the audio quality is good or bad.
The Hytera equipment optimizes for background noise. To demonstrate this, I set up three handheld radios (K6, G32, and HP780) indoors at a location approximately 20 kilometers from the local repeater, using their original antennas and keeping them a distance from windows to minimize signal reception. When other users are transmitting on the repeater, I gradually moved one of the handhelds from near the window into the room. I could clearly hear K6's background noise increase gradually, while HP780 remained clear at the same location. When I placed G32 in the same position, either the sound was clear or it became intermittent (due to the shorter antenna on G32), but regardless of whether it was 59 Hz or intermittent, I could not hear any background noise.
Hytera's equipment is also optimized to reduce howling: When using cheaper equipment from other brands, if two units are placed close together, one unit operating on PTT may hear increasingly high-pitched howling sounds, while Hytera equipment typically does not produce such howling.
In terms of volume, in a very noisy outdoor environment, such as a roadside with heavy traffic, the phone's speaker is already barely audible, and the K6 needs to be closer to the machine to hear clearly, even requiring the volume to be turned up to its maximum. In contrast, the G32 can achieve a higher volume than the K6 while still being able to clearly hear the communication content.
If there's one inconvenience, it's that when using the device outdoors in crowded areas, you need to lower the volume to avoid disturbing others. Once you're in a quieter place, you can turn the volume back up. Other radios simply have a knob to adjust the volume, but the G32 requires repeated button presses, which is less convenient. Also, other radios use a knob to power on and off, while the G32 requires holding down the power button, which can be frustrating at times.
Summary
From a product perspective, the G32 is a walkie-talkie designed for business scenarios. It's better suited to returning to the core function of a walkie-talkie: being a purely functional, passive communication tool. In outdoor activities and noisy environments, family members (especially seniors and children) and friends can use it for "short-term, experimental transmissions."
Although the G32 is lightweight, has good sound quality, and a loud speaker, its price is not very competitive compared to other options like Xiaomi, which offer more features, or the walkie-talkies used by security guards. If you really need a small device and aren't particularly attached to Hytera, you might consider alternatives such as the QuanSheng A1 or the K6 mini that may be released in the future.
G36 "Cloud Assessment"
The Hytera G36 is a relatively affordable DMR radio. While I don't have the G36 on hand, it has a similar product positioning and usage compared to the G32, so if you know the differences between the G36 and the G32, you can definitely "cloud test" it.
The main differences between the G36 and the G32 are:
- Price: More than 100 yuan more expensive than G32.
- Approval code: 2022FP18614, no amateur approval.
- Frequency range: Wider than G32, 400-440, or 430-470
- Number of channels: increased from 32 to 256, number of regions increased from 2 to 8
- Body:
- It includes an additional display that shows the battery level, current channel, current mode, and signal strength. When using DMR, it also displays the receiving group (but does not show which specific user is in the group; you need to check the screen on the device or the control panel).
- The front panel features several buttons, including two programmable buttons, and the top-mounted power button has been repurposed as another programmable button.
- The interface includes additional operational menus, such as region switching and contact selection, which can be operated using buttons.
- Mode: Supports DMR mode, supports dual-slot operation, and supports individual calls, group calls, and full call functionality. Contacts can be configured in the write-once software.
- Bluetooth: The G36 has a dedicated Bluetooth version that can connect to Bluetooth headphones and Bluetooth PTT, but the Bluetooth version's frequency range is narrower.
In other aspects, such as body size, antenna, speaker, and transmission power, as well as accessories, manuals, and software, the G36 is identical to the G32.
In summary:
Hobbyists purchase DMR radios primarily for use with simplex or digital repeaters, but the G36 has basic functionality and can only meet basic communication needs. Therefore:
- If you want a portable radio and a walkie-talkie that doesn't take up too much space, and both can easily be carried around, then the G36 is a relatively good choice. If your budget allows, you could also combine these two into one unit, such as the Shanghai Hytera PDC680.
- If you were already planning to buy a lightweight mini radio, and also wanted to add a small DMR repeater or relay station, without specifically buying a DMR handheld device, you can directly purchase the G36, which is slightly cheaper than the S1 Pro.
- If playability is your priority, I recommend considering other machines with more features, such as the BaoFeng DM-1701 (which can use OpenGD77) and the Teeyoo MD-380.
- If you prioritize quality and have a sufficient budget, it is recommended to purchase high-end digital radios directly, such as the Hytera PD780, HP780, or Motorola R7. Before purchasing, be sure to confirm with the dealer which features are unlocked.
闽ICP备2021006864号-7
闽公网安备35020602002794号