Explorer QRZ-1 5W VHF/UHF Handheld Transceiver

I'm a new ham licensee. I hustled to get my tech (then general) so I could take advantage of this free radio. (expired in October) It hits most of the repeaters in my area and got me on the air quickly while I configure and build my base station. I get great reports on my transmissions and the rt software and support is excellent. Easily the best "free" offer I've ever received. Thank you!

After I got my technician license I sent off for this radio. It was quick and easy to get. I watched a couple of videos about using and programming the radion. Now I am ready to get on the air. Thank you for helping me get started.

Today I received my Explorer
QRZ 1 from GigaParts a through the QRZ new HAM welcome program. It's a great HT that's the same as the TYT UV88, but with different firmware and menu. I programmed it in the current CHIRP app that includes the Explorer QRZ 1 and the standard TYT USB to 2-pin Kenwood type cable, so I found no need for a new cable nor the included programming disc.
The firmware that is written to it restricts the radio to VHF and UHF HAM frequencies, unlike the TYT UV88 and Retevis RT85 (same internals) that are identical and easily unlocked. I'm sure that the installed firmware was to attain FCC compliance.
After programming it I checked the VSWR, power forward and reflected with the rubber duck that comes with it with the following results:
VHF CALL SWR 1.54:1, 3.90FW W, .177 RW W.
UHF CALL SWR 5.8:1, 2.98 FW W, 1.48 RW W.
My conclusion is that the rubber duck is quite usable on VHF, but not so on UHF. In further testing with a Retevis 13" whip (400-520 MHz) that I tuned by trimming, I got much better results on UHF:
UHF CALL SWR 1.01:1, 5.07 FW W, .000 RW W.
Which just goes to show how important an antenna tuned for the frequency is to maximize potential.
BIG THANK YOU EVERYONE!

This is basically a customized version of a Retevis RT85. I like how GigaParts made the firmware more "plain English" and added Dual Watch function, but I would love to see a firmware update to address a few items including:
1) A quicker way to start "Scan". Currently you have to hit menu, arrow to option 14, menu, menu.
2) No way to put in two digits to get to a double digit menu item direct
3) Make holding up or down arrow scroll. If you want to set things like PL tones, or go to menu functions, you have to keep hitting the up/down button repetitively. Should be able to hold down the button and scroll.
4) Scanning seems slow

The programming software is very basic, but Chirp started supporting it yesterday.

Got one for the YL. (I am reliably informed that once she's licensed, she's a YL forever...)
a MASSIVE improvement in transmission quality over the el cheapo she had been using. She didn't really believe me that the issues she had been having with sound quality and understanding others were likely due to the poor hardware she was using. Now she's a believer!

Now do one of the Chinese HF rigs...

Seems like a decent radio. I have an upgraded antenna on the way. My only complaint is the scan function is a pain in the rear to activate.

Passed my Tech and General licenses a few weeks ago and heard about the QRZ-1 promotion for new HAMs in a Facebook group.
This is a great little starter radio. I am able to hit a couple of repeaters from my home office with ease. Audio is good and got me on the air quickly.
I also ordered the programming software and cable and getting the radio setup was a breeze.
Thanks to QRZ and Gigaparts for running this promotion, I hope other new HAMs take advantage of it and get on the air quickly !!

Fantastic Radio. The programming software is a bit different from Chirp and I had to export my chirp file into a spreadsheet to get the channels I have setup for my other radios into this one.

I'm a new ham, so take my opinion with a grain of salt, but I really enjoy this radio. Feels more solid and sounds clearer than the Btechs I have. I have had positive signal reports from it.

I just have 2 requests, chirp support, and a publicly available pdf of thr manual.

I was very surprised by the build quality of the radio. It has substantial weight and feel compared to HT's from some offshore companies. The biggest surprise is how much more volume this radio has compared to the BF radio, really inexpensive unit, that I previously tried. The instructions that came with the radio are written in english-english versus broken-english...that was a nice surprise as well. I haven't really used it yet...just a trip to the market a mile away. I have no repeaters near me...so I'll take a few days to see if I get better reception and sound quality.