This Explorer QRZ-1 is an interesting radio as it is based on the TYT TH-UV88. In fact, I can’t find any substantial difference between the two at all, and I am currently using the battery off the TYT on the Explorer. You may also know that the same radio is also sold under the MyEmergencyRadio.com brand as My-EMR1, and I have an article on that radio.
Let’s ignore all of that mess and take a look at the radio itself.
The Explorer QRZ-1 fits in the hand pretty well, although the PTT button is a little low for me, so I am constantly either right at the very top of the button or slightly above it wondering why it won’t press. People with smaller hands will probably not have that problem.
This Explorer QRZ-1 is an interesting radio as it is based on the TYT TH-UV88. In fact, I can’t find any substantial difference between the two at all, and I am currently using the battery off the TYT on the Explorer. You may also know that the same radio is also sold under the MyEmergencyRadio.com brand as My-EMR1, and I have an article on that radio.
Let’s ignore all of that mess and take a look at the radio itself.
The Explorer QRZ-1 fits in the hand pretty well, although the PTT button is a little low for me, so I am constantly either right at the very top of the button or slightly above it wondering why it won’t press. People with smaller hands will probably not have that problem.
Speaking of buttons, the Explorer QRZ-1 has fairly solid buttons, providing reasonable tactile feedback when they click. If anything, the rubber over them might be a little too stiff, making them feel slightly mushy. For an area the size of the keypad, the button spacing seems more than adequate.
On the top of the Explorer QRZ-1 is the power/volume knob, and it is fairly smooth to operate, with a nice click to turn on and off. The click has enough resistance to keep most people from turning it on and off by accident, and the shortness of the knob helps with that too.
The belt clip is nothing out of the ordinary but seems more than solid enough to last awhile. Having a good hook at the bottom should keep it from coming off your belt accidentally.
Included with the radio is a fairly standard 7.4v 1400mAh Li-Ion battery with drop-in charger contacts on the back. There is no USB-C charging on either the battery or radio, so you are limited to the drop-in charger with the Explorer QRZ-1.
Menu options in the Explorer QRZ-1 appear to be of the standard Baofeng type, with some minor wording and placement variations. It is likely from a third party such as Retevis or TYT and so has been slightly modded from the original.
If you want to program the radio with software it is CHIRP compatible although as of this writing there is no actual Explorer QRZ-1 entry, however it works with the TYT TH-UV88 selection just fine. You can just use a standard Baofeng/Kenwood programming cable that most of these types of radios use. It worked fine with the one I originally bought for my first UV-5R years ago.
Performance:
The radio performs pretty well with a fairly solid power line seen in the spectrum analysis shown below. It starts fine and remains consistent throughout transmission. There is a little bit of instability on the outer areas, but you would never hear something this minor.
There is only a small amount of sibilance in the audio, which is not at all unusual for inexpensive Chinese radios. Audio transmitted is pretty good, and received audio coming out the front speaker in the Explorer QRZ-1 is fair.
Looking at the antenna plot below shows that the antenna is actually pretty reasonable for a factory antenna. Both return loss and SWR are not bad at all in both the 2m and 70cm bands.
Power output of the Explorer QRZ-1 is better than average in this class of radio at 3.9 watts on 2m, and 5 watts on 70cm. Couple this with the nice antenna, and you should be able to really reach out when needed. No, it will not replace a mobile or base, but range should far exceed a standard UV-5R.
Images:
Radio Specifics:
| Screen readability | Very Good | |
| In-hand feel | Good | |
| Included antenna | Very Good | |
| Construction quality | Good | |
| Belt clip | Good | |
| Programmability | Good | |
| Transmit audio | CLICK TO LISTEN | |
| Frequency accuracy | 145.000 @ 145.000 | |
| Maximum power output 2m/70cm | 3.9 watts / 5 watts | |
| Actual weight | 230g | |
| Battery advertised mAh | 1400mAh | |
| Battery tested mAh | ||
| Radio manual | CLICK TO DOWNLOAD | |
| Programming software | CLICK TO DOWNLOAD | |
| Price based score 0-5 | 1 | |
| Overall score 0-10 | 3 |
Test Images:
If you are interested, click here for an article on how I test radios.
FEATURES:
- 200 Channels
- Dual-Band 2m / 70cm
- Built-in CTCSS/DCS
- Emergency alert
- VOX
- Scrambler
- LED status light
- Dot Matrix LCD display
- Lighted keypad
- yada yada yada
| PROS: | CONS: |
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Included with the basic kit is the Explorer QRZ-1 radio, antenna, battery, belt clip with screws, drop-in charger, and a better than most manual. I have been seeing less and less of these radios available for sale and guess that they are no longer in productions, althought the TYT is still available.
Conclusions
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Explorer QRZ-1, it is a solid radio at its price point. I am still not sure what its purpose in life is, seeing as how the TYT is the same radio and usually cheaper. At least it isn’t trying to rip you off, like the MyEmergencyRadio.com radio is.
Although I don’t see any new ones available for sale, if I ran across a used one for a reasonable amount and needed an inexpensive starter radio, this would make a fine choice.
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