TYT MD-2017: VA3XPR Review

Check out the VA3XPR review - especially helpful are first two sections (The Good and The Bad) - which concludes:

"The MD-2017 is a great low-cost option for anyone looking for a rugged dual band DMR radio. It is sure to come in very handy for users that live in or travel to areas where there are both VHF and UHF DMR repeaters. At a $159 USD price point for the non-GPS version, users really cannot go wrong with this radio, as it is feature packed, durable, and performs well. While the radio has some usability issues, they are unlikely to adversely impact the functionality of the radio for most users.

Overall, we feel that the MD-2017 is a great value priced dual band DMR radio that is likely to please the most demanding ham radio or light commercial user who needs a dual band DMR radio that can withstand the elements."

DMR Radio Comparison

A nice chart comparing the various DMR radios from Baofeng, TYT, Anytone, etc.

TYT MD-9600: KG4VDZ Video Review

KG4VDZ:

TYT MD-9600: Firmware Update

TYT MD-9600 Firmware Update Available https://t.co/vleEhgJA0Y #dmrradio @HamRadioDMR #hamradio @brickolore #hamr

— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) August 28, 2017

"Some of the TYT MD-9600 owners reported an issue loading channels into their radio using the programming software. The software was reporting that the data was being written successfully, but some or all channels were not accessible on the radio. 

To address this issue, TYT released an updated firmware version (3.28) and an updated version of the programming software (1.18)."

TYT MD-2017: Weak SMA Connector?

Attention :: the SMA connector of the TYT MD-2017 is fragile like a crystal - warning. pic.twitter.com/4ENoAQt4WE

— DMR-Marc Canada Net (@DMRNETcanada) August 15, 2017

TYT MD-380 - not G - for $81

MTC has some mislabeled TYT MD-380 DMR HT's for $81.

"OOPS! We have Just received a full mismarked shipment of radios from the factory. We ordered MD-380G which is a MD380 with a GPS installed. What came in was a radio labeled MD380G. But it has no GPS. So we are blowing out these brand new mis marked radios. This is just a normal TYT MD-380 UHF Version that is marked as a MD-380G. This radio does not have a GPS installed. Quantities are limited and once they are gone, they are gone."

Via @HamRadio360.

TYT MD-9600 Mobile Update

On an even more positive note from the BuyTwoWayRadio team:

"Anthony Roque, Sales Manager here at Buy Two Way Radios and co-host of The Two Way Radio Show, received a very positive update last night from TYT. Our demo unit of the much anticipated MD-9600 will be shipping out very soon!!"

And:

"With this announcement, TYT also confirmed a couple of changes from the initial announcement. The biggest and most exciting change is that the MD-9600 will be a dual band (UHF/VHF) radio instead of a separate version for each band." 

TYT MD-2017: Programming Cable Issue

Sounds like a small problem, but I like the open response and I'm sure they and TYT will take care of those affected:

"With our first batch of TYT MD-2017's, we had a few customers call complaining of issues programming the radio. After some back and forth, we identified the issue as being a poor solder within the radio connector on the programming cable. Customers with this issue were not able read their radios from the programming software. 

TYT has confirmed the issue, and are immediately working to correct the problem. We are told that all of our future shipments will have the updated cable, so if you order a radio or a cable from this point forward you won't have to worry about this issue. 

This issue affected a very small number of customers (less than 3%), so we appreciate TYT's willingness to make the fix a priority."

TYT MD-380 to MD-2017 Code Plug

It's DMR all the time...

New software converts the MD-380 codeplug for the TYT MD-2017 https://t.co/l3Ii4eCQs9 #hamradio #hamr @HamRadioDMR @hamradio_rr @brickolore

— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) June 7, 2017

Retevis RT82: Dual Band DMR HT

Also via Radiosification (comment)...

Retevis Facebook Page:

"RT82 is coming, DMR dual band, similar with MD2017, We R&D with TYT and another company. Software and functions are Programming based on RT3. RT82 can be used for business(like hotel,KTV, big mall, construction site,Logistics,school...), outdoor sports(like hiking,climbing,camping,CS,surfing...), and hams. Ailunce is a brand mainly for R&D hams products. HD1 is the first radio we R&D by ourselves,collecting advice and tips from hams. RT82 has a wider use range. HD1 mainly for hams. You can choose according to your needs.Your satisfaction is our goal. Thanks for your support to Retevis."

TYT MD-2017: Pricing

BuyTwoWayRadios: $219

Grapevine: $219 (Use coupon GARMD2017 for $40 off.)

Which leads me to this article on pricing on the MD-2017.

TYT MD-2017: Menu Options

TYT MD-446: MD380Tools

#MD380Tools now with full support of MD-446 keyb layout - just finished @travisgoodspeed @PD0ZRY @ailunce PR and new builds available soon pic.twitter.com/u1fEVyvJpL

— DL2MF (@DL2MF) May 24, 2017

Looks like I've not posted previously about the MD-446, so it gets a link.

TYT MD-2017: Unboxing at BuyTwoWayRadios.com

Unboxing the TYT MD-2017 at BuyTwoRadios.com:

TYT MD-2017: Samples Landed

It's real!

Our TYT MD-2017 samples arrived yesterday! Stay tuned for videos and podcast. Pre-orders start very soon, estimated shipping in 2-3 weeks! pic.twitter.com/XiGFFxGdR6

— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) May 23, 2017

TYT MD-380: Morse Code Narrator

More features via custom firmware for the TYT MD-380:

Thanks to DL4YHF, md380tools now supports a Morse code narrator mode for visually impaired hams.

— Travis Goodspeed (@travisgoodspeed) May 9, 2017

TYT MD-380: $79

Wow.

$79 plus free shipping for a TYT MD-380.

Sounds too good to be true.

TYT MD-2017: BuyTwoWayRadios.com Giveaway

Guess and #Win a TYT MD-2017! Listen to EP111 of The Two Way Radio Show #podcast for more. https://t.co/YiMxIkt5sW @brickolore #hamradio

— BuyTwoWayRadios.com (@2wayradios) March 27, 2017

Hams in Space

(You have to read the title of this post like the intro of this video.)

True, they spent the big bucks and are sending a TYT MD-380.

New transceivers headed to the ISS. No truth to the rumor that NASA is going to cut costs and use Baofeng radios https://t.co/SEBTAUSgTK

— BobW (@K0NR) February 28, 2017

TYT MD-380: $96 at MTC

Get the TYT MD-380 DMR HT with programming cable for $95.98 at MTC.