Baofeng DM-5R Usage in Receive Only Mode Question

[rgchristy]

I am interested in purchasing one and would like your opinions on it's ability to perform properly for my usage:

Receive Only
UHF T-Band 470 to 512 MHz analog
450 To 470 MHz UHF DMR
VHF DMR
DMR monitoring of single frequency/channel systems
i.e. 452.85 MHz Slot 1 CC 10 Group 1100
Mostly parked on one UHF and one VHF frequency at a time
Infrequent light scanning (less than 10 channels at a time)
Dual Watch

I am aware of the transmitting on both slots issue, but I do not that it will be a factor for my intended usage.

Any opinions/experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich C

 

[rgchristy]

Since I didn't receive any replies, I'm not sure if anyone is interested, but here is what I learned after purchasing a DM-5R Plus:

Receive Only - Yes, obviously
UHF T-Band 470 to 512 MHz analog - Yes
450 To 470 MHz UHF DMR - Yes
VHF DMR - Yes
DMR monitoring of single frequency/channel systems - Yes
i.e. 452.85 MHz Slot 1 CC 10 Group 1100 - Yes
Mostly parked on one UHF and one VHF frequency at a time - Yes
Infrequent light scanning (less than 10 channels at a time) - Yes, scanning 30 at present
Dual Watch - Sort of, dual watch only works if both channels are analog. Page 13 in the manual.

So, here's the deal. If you're looking for a cheap dual-band radio that can receive DMR on both bands and UHF-T, it's a cheap way to go ($50 shipped on ebay). It doesn't replace my scanner with DMR capability, but it beats carrying around a VHF MD-380 and a UHF MD-390 for receive-only and is much cheaper than a DMR capable scanner.

On the software side, the CPS is not as good as CHIRP for my UV-5R, but as of right now, CHIRP has not been created for the DM-5R. Also, RT Systems does not have software for it, but they do have a survey page, where you can request software to be created for your DMR radio.

Take Care,

Rich

 

[nd5y]

I have read that these radios are not 100% DMR tier II compliant and transmit continuously instead of only on one time slot.
What happens if the DMR repeater you are receiving has transmissions on both time slots at the same time? Does it still receive properly?

 

[rgchristy]

I have not experienced a repeater transmitting on both slots simultaneously yet. In the CPS you have the option of selecting either slot 1 or slot 2. In my MD-380 & MD-390, I have two channels programmed for each repeater, one for slot 1 and one for slot 2. What I listen to has infrequent transmissions, unlike a ham repeater where there could be multiple users at once. I mostly listen to hospitals, schools, etc.