DMR Radios to Avoid

A list.

Connect Systems CS580 Review

Don at VA3XPR.net reviews the CS580:

"Overall, we are very happy with the Connect Systems CS580 and believe that it is a great value priced DMR radio that is likely to please most users, making it a winner within the ham radio community."

Click the link for all the details.

BuyTwoWayRadios: Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Bundle

If you've got more money to spend on a new radio, you might consider the Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Holiday Bundle from BuyTwoWayRadios.com for $199.99:

"What's in the Kit:

• The Wouxun KG-D901 DMR Digital Portable Two Way Radio - This is the first digital radio from Wouxun and operates on 400-470MHz UHF frequencies at uyp to 5 watts. It lets you switch from analog to digital with one press of a button. The D901 is compatible with MOTO TRBO series Tier I and II using standard encryption.
• Two Lithium-ion Battery Packs - The D901 comes standard with a 2000 mAh Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery pack, plus a second battery pack for extra uptime.
• Battery Eliminator - Power your KG-D901 radio in your vehicle for mobile DMR operation.
• Wouxun Mobile Style Speaker Microphone - This heavy duty speaker mic with 20" coiled cord lets you operate your radio from your hip or at your dash, just like a mobile.
• Genuine Leather Wouxun Case - Carry your radio with protection while out an about
• Nagoya RB-CLP-S (SMA) Window Mount - Turn your handheld D901 into a full fledged mobile radio! This handy mount lets you place your antenna outside your vehicle while you operate your D901 from inside!
• XLT EB120 (K1) Earbud with PTT Microphone - This comfortable, lightweight earpiece fits in your left or right ear and has an in-line a Push-to-talk (PTT) microphone for quick communication.
• Wouxun USB Programming Cable (PCO-001) - Program your D901 directly from a PC.
• Belt clip
• Battery charger
• AC adapter
• Wouxun USB Driver and Programming Software CD
• Owner's manual"

BuyTwoWayRadios.com: MD-2017 Dual Band DMR Digital HT

BuyTwoWayRadios.com - New dual band DMR digital radio coming from TYT:

"Details are still sketchy, but TYT has released a few specs on this new handheld. Key features of the TYT MD-2017:

• Dual band 
• Dual display 
• Dual standby 
• Complies with ETSI TS 102 360-1, -2, -3 
• Uses Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) 
• Compatible with MotoTRBO Tier 1 and II 
• GPS capable 
• Lone worker function 
• Encryption function 
• Analog and Digital Modes 
• SIngle Call, Group Call and All Call 
• Remote Kill/Stun/Activate 
• IP67 Waterproof. 
• Firmware upgradeable 

Rumour has it the MD-2017 could arrive sometime in March 20-17. However, no official release date has been set. For the latest updates on this new radio, Keep checking in at Buy Two Way Radios subscribeto our blog!"

Tytera DMR MD-380: $94

Tytera DMR MD-380 UHF 400-480MHz Digital HT With Programming Cable & Software for $94 at MTC Radio.

Plus use code "hamradio360" for savings of a couple of points!

Baofeng DM-5R: Manuals and Software

Radiodiddity has posted the manual and software for the DM-5R. I hope some of our DMR experts will pour over them and report back anything interesting.

Manual direct link (PDF)
Programming software direct link (RAR)

Software Password: 123456

TYT MD-380 Resources from KD5DLJ

KD5DLJ MD-380:

"As a fellow user of the Tytera MD-380, I felt it would be beneficial to create a web page for the purpose of reviewing and discussing the many features of this very versatile little handheld. 

Needless to say, I am a big fan, especially since the release of the reverse engineered firmware that has come out that opens up this little radio to many big features. Come back often for updates and helpful tips and instructions on how to make the most of your inexpensive DMR treasure. 

Denny - KD5DLJ - Omaha, Arkansas"

Lady Ada and the TYT MD-380

From the PDF linked in the tweet below:

"Hey everyone! It's me, ladyada! I recently got my Amateur Radio License ('HAM ticket') and I wanted to start out with a radio that's both inexpensive, easy to use, and fun to hack! After seeing some videos from CCC about the MD-380, I thought this radio is the one for me to start with. 

Not only does this radio do FM analog on the 400MHz band, but it can also do DMR - digital encoded radio! This gives you the ability to use an Internet-backed voice network with no static and huge worldwide repeater reach. 

I'm just getting started on my HAM-venture but I thought I'd take some notes on the hacking and programming I've done! Some of it, like updating the Firmware and flashing User DB, is optional - but it's also the most fun!"

You and Your Tytera MD-380 DMRhttps://t.co/yUJNszlDqihttps://t.co/awRnuGfXr4

— F1MIJ PASCAL (@f1mij) September 3, 2016

VolTAC

VolTAC (or yet another reason I need a TYT MD-380):

VolTAC is a talkgroup that was created in response to user request, and after carefully considering it we have determined it is a good idea and fits the theme of our network.
This is a local only, unlinked talkgroup and has been approved for usage on the Knoxville, Sevierville, Greeneville, and Kingsport repeaters.

The idea was born out of a discussion that happened on our Facebook group. Many of our users are UT Sports fans (including the Sysop that maintains this website!) and the idea was presented to have a "tactical" talkgroup for fans with DMR radios to use on gameday in or around the Knoxville area.

The current plan is to link the Knoxville and Sevierville repeaters together on scheduled home football games. This is to provide wide area coverage to fans in and around the area. The talkgroup is permissible to be used outside of gameday or other UT events, but please be mindful of system loading as this will be competing for resources on timeslot 1 like everything else.

During non UT events, local on timeslot 1 is still the best choice for local comms.

VolTAC - TG ID 865"

Podcasts

Arrgh... not enough hours in the day...

BuyTwoWayRadios.com: Is DMR becoming the digital radio standard?

and

Ham Radio 360: Workbench - Meters

TYT MD-380: $109 at MTC

get your #DMR on for $109 (Dayton Pricing) https://t.co/WW73ps5CUE tell 'em I sent ya! @MainTrading

— HamRadio360 (@hamradio360) June 30, 2016

Wouxun KG-D901 (DMR): BuyTwoWayRadios.com Unboxing

Hams have a good option in the TYT MD-380, but I'm excited to see the comparisons with the Wouxun KG-D901. If you are already in the Wouxun ecosystem, this may be an easy choice for you since the KG-D901 shares accessories with radios like the KG-UV9D.

W9WSW: DMR for Beginners

A super-brief intro to DMR with a bunch of links to more info. https://t.co/YOWUDWvPoJ

— W9WSW (@w9wsw) June 9, 2016

Streaming DMR

Posting this again as it seems timely...

Hose Line:

"Hose line is an online streaming platform for the HAM radio Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Brandmeister network. The project is still under heavy development, so if you encounter bugs, please try again at a later stage."

Via @PD0ZRY

VolNet DMR

Guess I need the UHF version of whatever radio I pickup... VolNet DMR Repeaters.

HamRadio 360 Podcast: DMR

Don't listen to the HamRadio 360 Podcast about DMR. It will make you want to spend money.

Hytera RD965 - Tactical DMR Repeater Project

Hytera RD965 - Tactical DMR Repeater Project:

In testing UHF DMR in simplex mode, I found on typical terrain or on road convoys, the DMR radios gave us approx 2-3x the distance and had many fewer coverage holes in a given set of terrain. Another anecdote, from the basement of my house in Fort Collins, I can hit the Boulder area DMR-MARC repeater, using a HT, in DMR mode. This is pretty amazing considering the distance and stuff in the way. On analog UHF, I am lucky to hit the local Fort Collins (Horsetooth) repeater from the exact same position.

Only problem, the DMR repeaters Kent deals with are fixed position enterprise-level units, and the "manpack" repeaters he builds are typically built around ultra low power VHF/UHF. So I did a bunch of research online and found the Hytera RD965 repeater. It's small, a little larger than an old Hayes Courier HST modem. The downside compared to the other manpack repeaters was going to be its power requirements. I said that I didn't mind if we needed to have more batteries or solar panels, so we just went ahead with the project.

The idea is that we ID the best mountain-top position for the repeater to give maximal coverage of the event area, drive/hike it up there, and then leave it there for about to two weeks, until we're done with the site. The repeater is to run autonomously during that time.

Click the link for the full details (including pics) of the solution.

Stream DMR

Hose Line:

"Hose line is an online streaming platform for the HAM radio Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Brandmeister network. The project is still under heavy development, so if you encounter bugs, please try again at a later stage."

Via @PD0ZRY

TYT MD-380: Shmoocon Firetalks 2016 Video

I've been reading on this TYT MD-380 hacking stuff, but didn't catch that Travis Goodspeed is an East TN/Knoxville guy.

Free DMR Guide

Speaking of DMR radios, Matt has a link to a free DMR guide he really liked:

"Last night I downloaded and read a free 28-page PDF guide called the Amateur Radio Guide to Digital Mobile Radio by John Burningham W2XABavailable on the TRBO.org website. It made everything come together for me. If you’ve been interested in getting into DMR, download this and read it tonight. Well worth the hour it took!"