TYT MD-380: Updating Firmware

TYT MD-380 firmware update process.

TYT MD-380: Purchasing and Videos

I posted about being able to hack the TYT MD-380 and pointed to my Amazon link for purchasing. I forgot that my friends at BuyTwoWayRadios.com have them as well. (Remember modifying the radios may void your warranty, so don't expect them or anyone else to replace the radio if you brick it!)

The BuyTwoWayRadios site has a couple of videos about the MD-380:

TYT MD-380: Hacked!

At Hackaday:

"Every once in a great while, a piece of radio gear catches the attention of a prolific hardware guru and is reverse engineered. A few years ago, it was the RTL-SDR, and since then, software defined radios became the next big thing. Last weekend at Shmoocon, [Travis Goodspeed] presented his reverse engineering of the Tytera MD380 digital handheld radio. The hack has since been published in PoC||GTFO 0x10 (56MB PDF, mirrored) with all the gory details that turn a $140 radio into the first hardware scanner for digital mobile radio."

You can get the MD-380 from various Amazon sellers. I first posted about this radio in May of last year with a link to a review by VA3XPR.

Wouxun KG-D901: DMR HT

Is it real? Will it be real? I had seen the image before. The BuyTwoWayRadios guys discuss what we know - which is basically only what you can see in the picture below. Wouxun won't confirm or deny the existence of the DMR radio.

Image via Simon The Wizard

Tytera (TYT) MD-380: DMR HT

Check out the full review here, but the highlights follow:

The Good
Audio Volume and Quality: The audio from this radio is very full, with a good response to low frequencies, making it pleasing to listen to and it will get heard, even in the noisiest environments;
Rugged Construction: This radio is very well built, so it should keep going long after typical ham radio units call it quits;
Multicolor LCD Display: Having a multicolor LCD display on the radio allows for easy use and programming while on the move;
Front Panel Programming: This radio is capable of being programmed via the keypad, allowing users to make changes without the need for the PC;
Antenna Connector: The antenna connector for this radio uses a SMA connection, allowing it to easily be connected to an external antenna;
Price: At $170 USD, this radio is a very attractive option for anyone looking to get started with DMR. 

The Bad
Software Polish: There are a number of oddities within the firmware of the radio that impacts it’s overall user experience;
Bluetooth Capability: This radio is not Bluetooth capable, so the use of wireless audio accessories is not possible;
Desktop Charger: The desktop charger takes hours to charge the radio, plus the green “finished” LED indicator does not turn off, even when the radio is removed from the charge

A video from 409Shop.

Grapevine DMR Radios

Ripped from a Grapevine e-mail that was forwarded to me:

"Wow, brand new from BFDX, this is a very nice radio. Right out of the package, you can tell this is a well-made piece of equipment. Heavy-duty, durable and stylish. The large TFT color screen looks great and is easy to read. A voice prompt, which you can turn off or on, talks to you and tells you which channel you are on. All channels and zones are customizable with names and many characters that you can set to read whatever you like. This unit comes with built-in GPS, so your transmit location is viewable by others with a GPS receiver in their radios. This feature can be turned off or on. The "On" mode of the GPS has 2 settings, one for higher performance, and one for battery saver." "We're carrying the Connect Systems radios for the purposes of promoting DMR. At $199, you'll pay exactly the same price from us that you'd pay from Connect Systems. Drop by the store and take yours home today! We'll even program it for you with the DFW-area codeplug at no additional charge. Of course you can order from the website also." "TYT's MD-280 DMR HT holds just 16 channels with no display, but offers a lower cost solution for DMR. Perfect for businesses or for a young ham who just needs a few talkgroups. Comes with programming cable and free software."

Hytera PD368

Cool.

#Hytera PD368 in #hamr action through the #DMR Marc netowrk (#US talkgroup). http://t.co/coQphAtnjw #hamradio #digital @brickolore
— Christian Diemoz (@Chris_Diemoz) December 5, 2014