Coming from a total noob, this is one of the best explanations of DMR I've heard. As much as I'd like to be a cool kid and get into digital, I'll heed your advice and keep working analog. Cheers KM6WDI
Back around 1980 I drove into Houston and purchased an ICOM 2AT handy talky. Having been a novice and doing CW on HF for a couple of years, and the rig and antenna's involved, I was amazed at the idea of having a small radio that I could walk around with and talk to people 20 miles away! Fast forward to 2018 and DMR allows me this similar experience except now I can talk to people around the world. This DMR radio very much reminds me of my first hand held experience. I agree with hoshnasi here, the "feel" of the Retevis RT82 is small, but heavy sturdy platform. Heavy as in heavier than I expected for a "cheap" radio. I think I've made a good purchase.
Sweet vid! Thanks man. Working on getting my ham soon, and in NNJ, we have a fair mix of DMR and analog repeaters. Thinking about this radio. Subbed as well!
Thanks for all the work you put into this video Josh. I have a better understanding of DMR radios now. I like the dual mode capability of this unit. In case this tech blows up and becomes the new big thing. I like how you can set up a plug for all your So Cal subscribers. The joke about name is your underwear was funny. I had to do that in the Marine Corps for Junk on the Bunk inspections and on the boat as they washed everyone’s clothes together. Sometimes your bag came open and that was the only way to get your stuff back, if you got it back.
I wish that the Retevis RT82 had the Anytone features and a working GPS. The Retevis RT82 is build like a tank, but some claimed features are missing in my unit ( GPS/APRS doesn't work even if the unit identifies as an GPS-version ) + Retevis support is non-existing. ☹ ( Yes - I have enabled GPS in the codeplug and compared it with others. )
I'm a beginner but believe in buy once pay once. I don't like getting stuff I'll grow out of but rather grow into. So I bought this with the goal of using it to learn analog on. I figured eventually I'd want to get into DMR and would be able to transition over eventually. Welp... I'll be damned if I ain't troubled just trying to program it via the Retevis software.
From a big brother standpoint, is DMR a way to keep a better eye on hams? Just having to use your ID to use the radio kind of says a lot. For preppers, would DMR be a huge mistake?
Have the MD 2017 a friend was getting out of ham as I was getting into it, good price, pre programmed for all local repeaters, and you to tell me I did a good thing, score
Great video, I haven't gotten into digital voice modes yet. I have used the winlink system and made some really good contacts. Just a quick note: a good way to explain a code plug for DMR is like the IMG file that you can import/export from chirp. I export the CSV files in chirp so that I can share channel setups with other radios.
Hi good video. One question. ! Does DMR digital radio work when internet shuts down on earth. If i buy couple of DMR radio can i Encrypt those sort of speak privacy. And when internet shuts down in the world. It will still work. Thats my bigg question for preppers.?!
Excellent, I guess I'm not quite ready for DMR radios as yet. It sounds complicated to programme, but will definitely consider it after figuring out analog first though. Thx!
Hi Josh, what do you think of the RT-83? Is it a newer radio than the RT-82 I assume? No track ball which; I could care less about. Any drawbacks compared to the 82 that you are aware of? Oh and, I dug your "Liberal" video lol. If you ever need to do a Kurt Russell and "Escape from Ca" we have a spot for ya here in FL on the Gulf of Mexico ;-p ETA: I just saw on Amazon that it's UHF only (RT-83). I have plenty of dual band so I may not really care about that as an issue.
Good video. I found this video just trying to learn an overview of DMR and not this radio in particular. I'm going to heed your advice and stick to analog for now.
Thanks. This is very helpful. I'm a 30-year ham veteran who just recently picked the hobby back up, I've started into D-Star and Fusion and like both, but had not yet researched DMR. I definitely think it'll be a "wait a while" purchase for me and probably a dongle at that. Since you are a fellow engineer, do you know if DMR has any heritage in MOTO's proprietary TDMA system they released to consumers as "iDEN," through Nextel Cellular, the old push to talk cell service? I see similarities. Also, IMHO, after being out of it for many years, I was underwhelmed to find Fusion and D-Star did not support any multiple access method. I understand DMR does at least provide multiple access for two channels, using TDMA. I do find that intriguing. Thanks, Josh. You da man.
Thanks! Yes, the origins is DMR is commercial technology. Motorola being the most active company in that space. DMR feels like it was a bit shoehorned into radio from my POV
Looking forward to you reviewing the new Raddioity RD 77. Two tier, NO track ball (yay) and seems very well built. Anything coming down the pipe?? Busy in Florida
I wish that there would be a manufacture that made a analogue / digital radio that could be "flashed" for a multitude of digital formats, ie Mototrbo, P25, DMR, D-Star, Fusion.
Not really, the only issue would be with Motorola and maybe D-Star, P25 is pretty much public domain since it is an open platform for law enforcement and used by some amateur operators who also work with public safety. Fusion is something that Yaesu wants to become a popular format and from what I have heard they are not creating issues with licensing the format. It would still be nice to have something that you can program to ones needs.
Not very likely, as the folks at Motorola aren't very ham hardware friendly (try buying a new Motorola with a software/cable kit at your local ham store), Icom and Kenwood have joined together to promote D-Star (and have many, many more D-Star digital repeaters located all over the world vs. either DMR or Yaesu's System Fusion), and Yaesu's at least two years behind with their digital products vs. D-Star (not in terms of hardware design but repeater numbers). Having said that, if I were running Yaesu right now, I'd be more than a little worried about my System Fusion product line, as the geeks are turning to Chinese vendors (at far lower price points) to play with DMR, and those folks that just want plug and play, or want to be able to get new handhelds, mobiles, or repeaters at their local ham store (and not begging their commercial Motorola dealer to program a DMR radio for them) are lining up behind Kenwood and Icom with their D-Star products, so I don't see System Fusion lasting very long within the marketplace. In fact, when you look into the majority of System Fusion repeaters within the U.S., most of them are in analog only mode. Connect Systems announced with great fanfare two years ago that they would have a multi-format radio available "soon" and grabbed a ton of press, but not much from them about those radios since.
I am going to be getting a new hot spot, an Openspot2 to be exact, and am wondering what would be the cheapest radio I can use with it. This will be its only task as I have two FM HTs. Do you recommend something else or will this be the ticket? I know there is now a Baefeng out now and you have a video for it as I ran across it, but I can't find it on your home page. I want as much versatility as possible through the Openspot.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Cool. Will that display a name for the talk group if I program it to do so, or am I going to have to remember what each channel number is programmed to? I just found out there is a work around to use my DV4Mini with AMBE (the model you didn't need to use a radio with) to access the Brandmeister network again but you now need a radio. Brandmeister quite working all together with the DV4Mini because it has been abandoned by the OEM but we found a workaround.
Thanks for the great vid. I just passed my test and am excited to get on the air. I see you're in Cerritos- I'm in Lakewood. Are you a part of a club? What organizations around here would you recommend? Thanks!!
Hello Hoshnasi, please, do you know what is the Firmware compatilble with Baofeng DM-1701? It´s very similar to TYT MD-2017 screen. My radio is dead and I need the Factory Firmware! Thaks my friend!
Suggestion: If you haven't already, check out the AnyTone AT-D868UV and compare to TYT MD-2017 and other popular radios. Would be a great video and comparison. 73
I had a question, I am just getting into the hobby but I also have two, two way radios (midland ones) for when I go hiking/ camping and fishing with my friends bUt now I want a DMR radio that has all the capabilities I would need but would also be up to the task of me putting it through water and mud (being outdoor). Anyone that can help let me know please !
Thank you Hosh, I am new to this and just got my first beofang yesterday, so I go on that web site, pick a channel I want to transmit any input that in my beofeng?
I suggest you check out my BaoFeng programming videos. It’s too hard to relay this information over a comment. th-cam.com/video/4ZMRKJy6HBA/w-d-xo.html
Love your videos . I have learned a ton! Thanks!! 1 question though. I bought a Baofeng uv5r just to learn how to program and to listen to all the local chatter. ( never transmit as I don't have my license,, yet) I have all the local repeaters programmed but it goes 2 or 3 days with no traffic at all? Is this normal? I'm in southern Ontario Canada btw. Thanks!
@@HamRadioCrashCourse thanks, is it easy to navigate the GPS, or did you do a video on that subject? Thank you for your speedy reply. I have the radio in my cart.
It’s fine to use on analog once you program it. The programming take a long time as you have to go channel by channel. Unlike chirp where you can load all the memory fast.
Dude.... RD-5r... Ya it has its issues.. But, it is a nice radio. I really wish for an open source firmware from them. DMR is not really for us, and I want to build DHR (Digital Ham Radio). I think the RD-5r would let us do that... Just the price point and radioddity working with them would let us make that happen.
It depends on what *kind* of radio you want to do. Vhf/uhf handheld? Are you doing hf? You need to have a goal in mind and some understanding to ask the question in a way that can be answered.
It is a good radio, I have one, but it has a drawback, when the battery starts to fail and you want to get another one as a spare, the deal is, buy another radio and buy a separate battery.
Hey how are ya Hosh? I have a question. I have a uniden walkie talkie and I am wondering if I can pair it with my beofeng UV 5R, and where do I find the frequencies? Hope to hear from you soon, YOU ARE TRULY AWSOME !
Pat G Technically, your uv5r shouldn't be allowed to communicate on the same frequencies as your walkie, but it can access them. You will most likely be looking to be on the FRS freqs. They are a select group of channels in the UHF band. You can look the channels up and find each frequency of each channel and manually input them. Make sure you don't exceed the transmit power limits with your baofeng if you do try it. If you aren't being an a$$ on freq, you'll probably be fine
Hey Hosh I have a question, I purchased the bf f8 and the disc/cable combination isn’t working for me on my laptop, where do I get the good cable that I don’t have to use with the disc? Thnx bro
Coming from a total noob, this is one of the best explanations of DMR I've heard. As much as I'd like to be a cool kid and get into digital, I'll heed your advice and keep working analog. Cheers KM6WDI
You'll get there, software is improving everyday to make the programming a bit easier.
I'm buying this Radio to compliment my Baofeng.. and also to be better prepared overall and more knowledgeable about Radios. And frequencies etc..
Back around 1980 I drove into Houston and purchased an ICOM 2AT handy talky. Having been a novice and doing CW on HF for a couple of years, and the rig and antenna's involved, I was amazed at the idea of having a small radio that I could walk around with and talk to people 20 miles away!
Fast forward to 2018 and DMR allows me this similar experience except now I can talk to people around the world. This DMR radio very much reminds me of my first hand held experience. I agree with hoshnasi here, the "feel" of the Retevis RT82 is small, but heavy sturdy platform. Heavy as in heavier than I expected for a "cheap" radio.
I think I've made a good purchase.
Sweet vid! Thanks man. Working on getting my ham soon, and in NNJ, we have a fair mix of DMR and analog repeaters. Thinking about this radio.
Subbed as well!
I've just got the Retevis RB22 yesterday and still figuring it out haha
Thanks for all the work you put into this video Josh. I have a better understanding of DMR radios now. I like the dual mode capability of this unit. In case this tech blows up and becomes the new big thing. I like how you can set up a plug for all your So Cal subscribers. The joke about name is your underwear was funny. I had to do that in the Marine Corps for Junk on the Bunk inspections and on the boat as they washed everyone’s clothes together. Sometimes your bag came open and that was the only way to get your stuff back, if you got it back.
Thanks for the comment! Appreciate you watching!
I wish that the Retevis RT82 had the Anytone features and a working GPS.
The Retevis RT82 is build like a tank, but some claimed features are missing in my unit ( GPS/APRS doesn't work even if the unit identifies as an GPS-version ) + Retevis support is non-existing. ☹ ( Yes - I have enabled GPS in the codeplug and compared it with others. )
I'm a beginner but believe in buy once pay once. I don't like getting stuff I'll grow out of but rather grow into. So I bought this with the goal of using it to learn analog on. I figured eventually I'd want to get into DMR and would be able to transition over eventually. Welp... I'll be damned if I ain't troubled just trying to program it via the Retevis software.
‘I like the chunky knob’ lol when I heard him say that I had to go back and make sure I heard it correctly.
A little joke for the folks in the UK, hah
From a big brother standpoint, is DMR a way to keep a better eye on hams? Just having to use your ID to use the radio kind of says a lot. For preppers, would DMR be a huge mistake?
I just ordered the Ailunce hd1 .. I hope I wont regret it ..
Have the MD 2017 a friend was getting out of ham as I was getting into it, good price, pre programmed for all local repeaters, and you to tell me I did a good thing, score
Hey Josh thanks for review, Question will radio TX in Analog 400-480 with No DMR ID logged in ???
Great video, I haven't gotten into digital voice modes yet. I have used the winlink system and made some really good contacts. Just a quick note: a good way to explain a code plug for DMR is like the IMG file that you can import/export from chirp.
I export the CSV files in chirp so that I can share channel setups with other radios.
Very good idea to keep the .CSV files around.
Hi good video.
One question. ! Does DMR digital radio work when internet shuts down on earth.
If i buy couple of DMR radio can i Encrypt those sort of speak privacy. And when internet shuts down in the world. It will still work.
Thats my bigg question for preppers.?!
What kind of radio do we use to just communicate in a huge building or if we need help just in case a hurricane comes and the power is out?
You explained that eell. I won the hamnation icom promotion. And i won a id31a plus. I'm learning how to work it also.
Nice!
Excellent, I guess I'm not quite ready for DMR radios as yet. It sounds complicated to programme, but will definitely consider it after figuring out analog first though. Thx!
Good plan!
Another good job Josh. Also, please tell us what beer(s) you are drinking while you make these vids. Thanks.
I have list online. Check the link in the description for Patreon.
Hi Josh, what do you think of the RT-83? Is it a newer radio than the RT-82 I assume? No track ball which; I could care less about. Any drawbacks compared to the 82 that you are aware of? Oh and, I dug your "Liberal" video lol. If you ever need to do a Kurt Russell and "Escape from Ca" we have a spot for ya here in FL on the Gulf of Mexico ;-p
ETA: I just saw on Amazon that it's UHF only (RT-83). I have plenty of dual band so I may not really care about that as an issue.
I didn't know what dmr meant for radios. I couldn't figure out why this radio was great in combination with a designated marksman rifle
What about the receiving and transmitting quality in analog?
Hey Hosh, what can you tell us about this radio's antenna? Is it interchangeable with other brands or even better antenna models?
I love the idea of a trackball. I want to buy this radio just to try it out.
Please review Ailunce HD1 it is another DMR radio
Good video. I found this video just trying to learn an overview of DMR and not this radio in particular. I'm going to heed your advice and stick to analog for now.
So bottom line up front, how does it compare to the tyt md-2017..?
They’re the same aside from that offset antenna on the md2017.
Thanks. This is very helpful. I'm a 30-year ham veteran who just recently picked the hobby back up, I've started into D-Star and Fusion and like both, but had not yet researched DMR. I definitely think it'll be a "wait a while" purchase for me and probably a dongle at that. Since you are a fellow engineer, do you know if DMR has any heritage in MOTO's proprietary TDMA system they released to consumers as "iDEN," through Nextel Cellular, the old push to talk cell service? I see similarities. Also, IMHO, after being out of it for many years, I was underwhelmed to find Fusion and D-Star did not support any multiple access method. I understand DMR does at least provide multiple access for two channels, using TDMA. I do find that intriguing. Thanks, Josh. You da man.
Thanks! Yes, the origins is DMR is commercial technology. Motorola being the most active company in that space. DMR feels like it was a bit shoehorned into radio from my POV
Can you work satellites with it like the Kenwood?
Well it is t full duplex.
Looking forward to you reviewing the new Raddioity RD 77. Two tier, NO track ball (yay) and seems very well built. Anything coming down the pipe?? Busy in Florida
I wish I had one I could review!
I wish that there would be a manufacture that made a analogue / digital radio that could be "flashed" for a multitude of digital formats, ie Mototrbo, P25, DMR, D-Star, Fusion.
That seems like it would a minefield of licensing issues.
Not really, the only issue would be with Motorola and maybe D-Star, P25 is pretty much public domain since it is an open platform for law enforcement and used by some amateur operators who also work with public safety. Fusion is something that Yaesu wants to become a popular format and from what I have heard they are not creating issues with licensing the format. It would still be nice to have something that you can program to ones needs.
Let me know how it goes when you call up Yaesu and say “yeah can I put fusion on a radio with dstar, mototrbo and dmr. 😄
Not very likely, as the folks at Motorola aren't very ham hardware friendly (try buying a new Motorola with a software/cable kit at your local ham store), Icom and Kenwood have joined together to promote D-Star (and have many, many more D-Star digital repeaters located all over the world vs. either DMR or Yaesu's System Fusion), and Yaesu's at least two years behind with their digital products vs. D-Star (not in terms of hardware design but repeater numbers).
Having said that, if I were running Yaesu right now, I'd be more than a little worried about my System Fusion product line, as the geeks are turning to Chinese vendors (at far lower price points) to play with DMR, and those folks that just want plug and play, or want to be able to get new handhelds, mobiles, or repeaters at their local ham store (and not begging their commercial Motorola dealer to program a DMR radio for them) are lining up behind Kenwood and Icom with their D-Star products, so I don't see System Fusion lasting very long within the marketplace.
In fact, when you look into the majority of System Fusion repeaters within the U.S., most of them are in analog only mode. Connect Systems announced with great fanfare two years ago that they would have a multi-format radio available "soon" and grabbed a ton of press, but not much from them about those radios since.
I am going to be getting a new hot spot, an Openspot2 to be exact, and am wondering what would be the cheapest radio I can use with it. This will be its only task as I have two FM HTs. Do you recommend something else or will this be the ticket? I know there is now a Baefeng out now and you have a video for it as I ran across it, but I can't find it on your home page. I want as much versatility as possible through the Openspot.
Gd-77
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Cool. Will that display a name for the talk group if I program it to do so, or am I going to have to remember what each channel number is programmed to? I just found out there is a work around to use my DV4Mini with AMBE (the model you didn't need to use a radio with) to access the Brandmeister network again but you now need a radio. Brandmeister quite working all together with the DV4Mini because it has been abandoned by the OEM but we found a workaround.
Thanks for the great vid. I just passed my test and am excited to get on the air. I see you're in Cerritos- I'm in Lakewood. Are you a part of a club? What organizations around here would you recommend? Thanks!!
There are a few clubs. Orange County has one and then there is Downey. Both have been around a while and pretty active.
Hello
Hoshnasi, please, do you know what is the Firmware compatilble with Baofeng DM-1701? It´s very similar to TYT MD-2017 screen. My radio is dead and I need the Factory Firmware! Thaks my friend!
I do not know, sorry.
I posted a download link for the firmware above
Suggestion: If you haven't already, check out the AnyTone AT-D868UV and compare to TYT MD-2017 and other popular radios. Would be a great video and comparison. 73
Hallo Hoshnasi,
could you maybe also review the Ailunce HD1 DMR radio?
What do you think about it (it has 10 W output).
73 from Germany
I don't have one. Otherwise I would :)
Ok :)
And what would you say when you compare the Ailunce HD1 vs the
Retevis RT82.
Ore do you just don't now ;).
Love my hd1 gps version! Awesome radio
I had a question, I am just getting into the hobby but I also have two, two way radios (midland ones) for when I go hiking/ camping and fishing with my friends bUt now I want a DMR radio that has all the capabilities I would need but would also be up to the task of me putting it through water and mud (being outdoor). Anyone that can help let me know please !
I'd check out the Radioddity GD-77, great radio for DMR and a good price. amzn.to/2MMOZij
Do you still stand behind this readio?? I'm looking to get this. What are your thoughts.. would love the code plug also
I think the new Anytone 878 would be a good upgrade to this one. Check it out too.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse lol have been checking it out sadly I'm a dad on a budget and out of price range
Hi, love the channel just got a radioddity GD77 . I love the radio but I can't get it programmed for DMR .thanks for all the work.
Roger KD2PPG
Thank you Hosh, I am new to this and just got my first beofang yesterday, so I go on that web site, pick a channel I want to transmit any input that in my beofeng?
I suggest you check out my BaoFeng programming videos. It’s too hard to relay this information over a comment. th-cam.com/video/4ZMRKJy6HBA/w-d-xo.html
D.M.R. ? Meaning? Talking between radios???
Did you ever review the Ailuance HD1?
I did not.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse Is there any particular reason?,just asking because I think your input is very valuable,and it seems the HD1 is a good radio
Love your videos . I have learned a ton! Thanks!!
1 question though. I bought a Baofeng uv5r just to learn how to program and to listen to all the local chatter. ( never transmit as I don't have my license,, yet)
I have all the local repeaters programmed but it goes 2 or 3 days with no traffic at all?
Is this normal? I'm in southern Ontario Canada btw.
Thanks!
It’s possible that is normal. You might need to find a busier repeater.
I'm in Ottawa. I hear people on the Gatineau repeaters sometimes but it's kinda quiet
Does this radio have an FCC ID? legal in US?
Can this be used as a police/fire ect scanner?
It could, but it’s going to be a pain to program.
Is it GPS without a subscription or contract?
No subscription.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse thanks, is it easy to navigate the GPS, or did you do a video on that subject? Thank you for your speedy reply. I have the radio in my cart.
The Vetomile is also like the rt82 n md2017
Wait, u did not really elaborate as to why it's not recommended for analog use?
It’s fine to use on analog once you program it. The programming take a long time as you have to go channel by channel. Unlike chirp where you can load all the memory fast.
Off topic, but your lighting is on point. Now, on topic, I’m in the south so you’re talking a little fast ;)
Thanks! Appreciate the comment on the lighting.
If i talked slower it’d be a twenty minute video. 👍
Trim your moustache and the southeners could read your lips??? 😊
lambdog76 you can set the playback speed to southern .75 or deep south .50
suposed to be review for both no mention of the tyt
They’re same radio bro.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse cheers m8 sorry good vid
Thank you very much for this review and especially the warnings to us new folks to ham radio. Not for me , yet.
Dude.... RD-5r... Ya it has its issues.. But, it is a nice radio. I really wish for an open source firmware from them. DMR is not really for us, and I want to build DHR (Digital Ham Radio). I think the RD-5r would let us do that... Just the price point and radioddity working with them would let us make that happen.
Nobody can tell me what's the best radio on the market available, money not an issue
It depends on what *kind* of radio you want to do. Vhf/uhf handheld? Are you doing hf? You need to have a goal in mind and some understanding to ask the question in a way that can be answered.
@@HamRadioCrashCourse I think I found it. Ailunce with GPS.
It is a good radio, I have one, but it has a drawback, when the battery starts to fail and you want to get another one as a spare, the deal is, buy another radio and buy a separate battery.
Hey how are ya Hosh? I have a question. I have a uniden walkie talkie and I am wondering if I can pair it with my beofeng UV 5R, and where do I find the frequencies? Hope to hear from you soon, YOU ARE TRULY AWSOME !
Pat G Technically, your uv5r shouldn't be allowed to communicate on the same frequencies as your walkie, but it can access them. You will most likely be looking to be on the FRS freqs. They are a select group of channels in the UHF band. You can look the channels up and find each frequency of each channel and manually input them. Make sure you don't exceed the transmit power limits with your baofeng if you do try it. If you aren't being an a$$ on freq, you'll probably be fine
I’m just stumped, I have a uniden 40 channel walkie and I just cannot get them to pair grrrrrrr
Helllllllp! Lol
Pat. Watch this video. The same principals work for the uv5r. th-cam.com/video/4ZMRKJy6HBA/w-d-xo.html
Hey Hosh I have a question, I purchased the bf f8 and the disc/cable combination isn’t working for me on my laptop, where do I get the good cable that I don’t have to use with the disc?
Thnx bro
I thought the RT50 was the kickass, this seems better
Does this radio have promiscuous mode?
trackballs = hell.
It has a trackball lock lol
Ha, sounds like .435 while pouring a beer. Classic.
it looks like an old keypad celphone
I've used the RT82 for 6+ months, great little HT. The track ball takes a little getting used to, not a deal breaker.
It says it has encryption is that true also if i was going to connect these to peltor comtacs is there an adapter or no its for serious use
n0gsg contact manager software.
AKA as "Shenzhen Retevis Technology Co." AKA as ""Shenzhen Chang Taiwei Electronic Co, LTD" AKA cheap chinese junk
only windows ... a no go :)
Is there any Retevis without DMR? DMR is a dead.
NICE VIDE0,,RADIO IS VERY BAD,,,STAY AWAY,, DES CREAN,BELFAST,,IRELAND