Description
The Choyong WT2 is the first handheld amateur radio to integrate ChatGPT, marking a significant milestone in ham radio technology. The GPT-powered AI voice assistant handles voice commands for station selection, podcast searches, and content playback, a useful feature when you’re operating mobile or have your hands full with other equipment.
Dual-Mode Operation: Analog and Network
At its heart, this is a dual-mode radio covering 440-470MHz with solid analog FM performance. The TEF6686 receiver chip provides good sensitivity for both FM and shortwave reception, handling weak signals reasonably well. You’ll get about 5km of direct analog range under typical conditions—nothing revolutionary, but adequate for local simplex work.
Where things get interesting is the network intercom capability. Using either WiFi or the built-in eSIM, you can connect with other operators worldwide through internet-linked talkgroups. It’s essentially a dedicated hotspot radio with traditional walkie-talkie functionality built in. Audio quality over the network connection is clean, which matters when you’re actually trying to copy traffic rather than just make contact.
Internet Radio and Podcast Access
The internet radio feature gives you access to over 40,000 stations and 10 million podcast episodes. The interface organizes content by region and station type, with a bookmark function that actually works well for quick access to your regular nets or favorite broadcast stations. You can add custom streams via URL, and it handles the standard formats (MP3, AAC, M3U8) without issues.
This is useful for field operations, whether you’re monitoring shortwave broadcasts, listening to DX reports, or just keeping updated with news during extended portable operations. Integration with Spotify and Apple Podcasts is a nice touch for downtime between operating sessions.
Advanced Features for Technical Operators
The radio includes several features that experienced operators will appreciate: Direct Connect Mode, repeater mode capability, and both analog CTCSS/DCS and digital sub-audio encryption. There’s also frequency sweep for search and rescue operations, companding for improved audio quality, and programmable frequency jamming. Bluetooth connectivity lets you use wireless headsets, and the built-in recording function is handy for logging contacts or capturing interesting traffic.
Traditional broadcast reception covers FM, LW, MW, and SW bands. You can adjust bandwidth settings and monitor signal strength, useful for propagation monitoring or casual SWL work. The external antenna connector means you can hook up better antennas for improved performance.
Power and Practicality
The 2500mAh lithium battery provides reasonable operating time for day trips, and the fast charging gets you back on the air quickly. It’s not going to power through a weekend field day on one charge, but it’s adequate for typical portable operations with a USB power bank as backup.
Bottom Line
The Choyong WT2 isn’t trying to replace your base station rig or your purpose-built VHF/UHF mobile. What it does offer is a combination of traditional analog operation, internet-linked communication, and ChatGPT-powered voice control in one package—the first handheld to do so. The feature set is comprehensive without being gimmicky, and the technical specifications are honest rather than inflated. For operators who want a versatile handheld that bridges analog and digital modes with AI integration and entertainment features too, it’s worth considering.
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Specifications
| Bands: | 70cm / FM Broadcast RX / Wideband RX |
|---|---|
| Modes: | AM, FM |
Features
Bluetooth / CTCSS / PoC / SD Card / Speaker / Split Operation / USB Charging / WiFi
Power
| Battery voltage: | 7.4v |
|---|---|
| Battery capacity (mAh): | 2500 |
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