TIDRADIO TD-H3 Plus GMRS Radio

The TD-H3 Plus is a 5W GMRS transceiver with a 1.44-inch TFT color screen, built-in Bluetooth for app programming, SMS text messaging, and multi-band reception including AM Airband.

Keypad Shortcuts (Long-Press)

Several secondary functions are accessed by long-pressing keys on the keypad.

Display & VFO Management

Press V/M to toggle between frequency tuning and your programmed channels. Memory channels 1–54 can only store GMRS frequencies; channels 55–199 can store any frequency the radio can receive.

Airband Reception

Transmission is locked to GMRS frequencies, but the receiver covers a wide range. To listen to aviation traffic (108–136 MHz), tune to an airband frequency and set Menu 38 (Modulation) to AM. Newer firmware versions also support AM reception on 220.0–399.99875 MHz.

In older firmware, Menu 38 was called AM-BAND and was a simple on/off toggle that applied AM demodulation across the full airband. In 1.0.4x firmware, the Modulation setting is saved per-channel, but there are some inconsistencies between versions that I still need to sort out.

SMS / Text Messaging

The TD-H3 Plus supports text messaging between compatible radios (added in a recent firmware update). Access the SMS menu to compose or read messages. Press # while typing to cycle through input methods (uppercase, lowercase, numbers). Menu 10 (Dual Watch) must be set to OFF for SMS reception to work reliably.

One-Touch Frequency Search (Fast Copy)

If you need to match someone's frequency and privacy tone:

1. Long-press 1.
2. Have the other person transmit.
3. The screen will show the captured frequency and DCS/CTCSS tone.
4. Press MENU to save it to a channel.

Bluetooth & Odmaster

The TD-H3 Plus has a built-in Bluetooth module.

Wireless App Programming

1. Long-press MENU to turn Bluetooth on (a BT icon appears on the screen).
2. Download the Odmaster App (iOS/Android).
3. Do not pair the radio in your phone's system Bluetooth settings. Leave Bluetooth enabled on your phone, then open the Odmaster app and pair from within the app.
4. Select the "TD-H3 Plus GMRS" model to read, edit, and write settings wirelessly.

Odmaster PTT

This turns the radio into a Bluetooth speaker-mic for network-based push-to-talk through the Odmaster app (similar in concept to Zello).

1. Connect the radio to your phone via the Odmaster App.
2. In the app, join a group in the "Talk" module.
3. Go to Menu → Bluetooth → OD PTT on the radio.
   • OD: PTT goes only to the app (over the internet).
   • OD + Analog: PTT transmits over the internet and RF simultaneously.
4. PF1 automatically becomes the OD PTT key while Bluetooth is connected, and reverts to its normal assignment when disconnected.
5. Bluetooth Menus 7–10 control microphone and speaker gain for the Bluetooth audio path.

PC Programming & Firmware Updates

The TD-H3 Plus has two USB-C ports. The one on the bottom of the battery is for charging only (LED on the battery: Red = Charging, Green = Full). The one on the side of the radio, under the rubber flap next to the K-plug accessory jack, is the data/programming port.

• Odmaster Web: Manage your codeplug at web.odmaster.net. Changes sync to the phone app and can be written to the radio over Bluetooth.
• Wired Programming: Connect a CH340 or FTDI data cable to the K-plug port, or a USB-C cable to the side USB-C port.
• CPS Software: The manufacturer's CPS is available from walkietalkiesoftware.com (Windows only).
• CHIRP: There is an experimental driver for the TD-H3 Plus available as a test module. See Loading Test Modules for how to install it. As of 2026-02-26, the driver has some minor bugs and omissions, and it's unclear exactly which firmware version(s) the memory layout targets—there are known differences between firmware versions. There hasn't been much movement on the driver in a while, so I plan to take a closer look at some point.

Firmware Updates

There are three ways to update the firmware. All require a Windows PC.

Method 1: Odmaster Web (requires CH340 K-plug programming cable)

Use the Odmaster Web platform at web.odmaster.net (Remote Control Program → Firmware Upgrade). Requires Google Chrome. On Windows the CH340 cable needs a driver; on Mac you need an FTDI cable instead. The radio must be in firmware flashing mode (see below).

Method 2: K-plug programming cable (requires CH340 K-plug programming cable)

1. Install the CH340 driver if needed (included as CH341SER.zip in the firmware package). Typically you shouldn't need to install the driver. Try without.
2. Connect the K-plug to the radio. Enter firmware mode: hold PTT + 1 while powering on. The screen stays black and the green LED at the top stays on steady.
3. Connect the K-plug programming cable to the computer and confirm a COM port appears in Device Manager.
4. Open updata.exe from the firmware package.
5. Select the COM port, set baud rate to 1000000, leave "UPDATE UBOOT" unchecked, enter 12345678 as the encrypt number.
6. Select the .bin firmware file and click Start Update. Restart the radio when the log shows success.

Method 3: USB-C cable (requires firmware 1.0.26 or higher already installed)

1. Connect a USB-C cable to the side USB-C port (not the battery charging port).
2. Enter firmware mode: hold PTT + 3 while powering on. The radio will show a firmware upgrade screen and the PC should recognize the USB device.
3. Open Update App.exe from the firmware package. Switch the language to English if needed.
4. Open the .fw firmware file, check "Reset After Success," and click Update.

In my experience, the USB-C updater (Method 3) did not work and I had to fall back to the K-plug method (Method 2). Your mileage may vary.

Unlocking

On firmware 1.0.37 and later, holding PTT1 + * while powering on boots to a menu where you can cycle between GMRS, Ham, and Normal modes.

Side Key Assignments

The lower two side keys (PF1 and PF2) have separate short-press and long-press functions, configured under Menu → Radio Setting.

Short-press options: None, FM Radio, Lamp, Tone, Alarm, Weather, PTT2, OD PTT

Long-press options: None, FM Radio, Lamp, Cancel Squelch, Tone, Alarm, Weather

If a side key's short-press is set to PTT2 or OD PTT, the long-press for that key is disabled. PF1's short-press is automatically overridden to OD PTT while Bluetooth is connected.

NOAA Weather Radio

Long-press 0 to enter NOAA weather mode, or assign a side key to the Weather function. Use ↑ / ↓ to cycle through the 11 weather channels (Wx-01 through Wx-11). Press the assigned key again or V/M to exit. NOAA weather channels can also be accessed as normal channels and are factory-programmed as ch. 189-199.

Flashlight

The flashlight cycles through three states on each press of the assigned side key: always-on, strobe/emergency, off. The radio operates normally while the light is on.

FCC ID

The TD-H3 Plus shares its FCC ID (2A4FBTD831G) with the non-Plus TD-H3 GMRS. It's unclear whether the Plus actually went through its own FCC approval process or is riding on the original TD-H3's certification.