Back again with a 6 month review and update of my QYT KT-8900.
I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with this radio, despite it not reaching the 25W promised output. I can still live with that though! I can easily access the repeater anywhere in town with a simple mag mount antenna. The microphone issue never really seemed to be an issue in the first place. However, the mic may have a different problem associated with it now that I've had it in my car for a bit.
The Main Issue
Here's what I think...
On cold days, when my car is not started, I can climb in and key up the radio. However, as the environment around me warms up, the microphone stops working. I can key the microphone which transmits a non-CTCSS carrier, but it never seems to transmit the CTCSS code. When I let the PTT up, it transmits the squelch tail properly on the repeater.
Now, it doesn't always work when it is cold, and the workaround is to twist and bend the mic wire every which way in order for it to transmit. I've narrowed down the problem to one of two places - the mic cable or the microphone itself. So I'm planning to order a different styled microphone in the hopes that it will solve the problem! I highly doubt it is within the radio circuitry but that isn't out of the question quite yet.
Here's what actually happened...
So we have two cheaply-made radios here - a Baofeng UV-5R and a QYT KT-8900. One has a very weak and insensitive receiver, meaning that every time I key up my QYT very close to the Baofeng (in this case, INSIDE of the car or a VERY large Faraday cage), I'm essentially overloading the Baofeng's receiver. The UV-5Rs do suffer from this design flaw and are known to have crappy receivers if overloaded. They just become so deaf they're useless. Due to the receiver sensitivity being quite finnicky, you just kind of get what you pay for. This is more so the problem - the UV-5R is so overloaded by the mobile radio that it doesn't even pick anything up, only the repeater's squelch tail.
Problem solved - no mic needed here!!! Phew!
Again, ham radio problem-solving at its finest, ladies and gents!
How's it going?
Well, to be honest, the KT-8900 does the job just fine, even at around 10 watts! CHIRP just released another stable version a few days ago and it appears that I can finally customize the settings without a problem.
I've attached the radio via Velcro just below the steering wheel where it is out of sight from view. The Velcro does a much better job than Command strips at fastening, securing, and holding the radio.
Again, my recommendations still stand. Turn down the power pot so you're only at around 10 watts on high power or replace the final transistor. The first is the easiest option by far, and only takes around 5 minutes. It is a very touchy adjustment so adjust in tiny increments.
So, after almost half a year, I'd still recommend this radio.