Cheapest DMR radio on the market?

[KG7PBS]

It's a UHF-only radio with no display of DMR received callsign. I have this radio and for <US$20 it has great DMR Tx and Rx audio. Perfect for use with a hotspot... or a nearby 70cm UHF DMR repeater, since it's a 2 watt Tx. Not a good choice for a DMR first-timer... it lacks detail in the radio display and an internal callsign database is key to better understanding and enjoying DMR. But if you mainly use a nearby repeater or your hotspot, it makes an inexpensive, lightweight portable. Makes an excellent FRS radio for license-free use. Also would work well if you can't see a display - it has clear voice announcement of selected channel, volume level, and other settings. And it has raised tactile nubs on the buttons. You could use this radio with your eyes closed if you memorized what was programmed in each channel.

How is the battery life on them. And you think this would be a good radio for a few church personnel, who need nice little 2 watt radio.

 

[kny2xb]

Used TYT MD2017 with programming cable at R&L Electronics $39.00 Used TYT MD2017 R&L Electronics

Or go a bit higher in $$ new TYT MD750 $79.95 with free shipping, also at R&L TYT MD750

 

[popnokick]

How is the battery life on them. And you think this would be a good radio for a few church personnel, who need nice little 2 watt radio.

Battery life not as good as my other HTs, but it is a very small and light battery. I get about 12 - 18 hrs of monitoring / light Tx duty on the C004D. For better battery life you'd need to step up to the CO06D... and the greater size / weight.
More details and reviews here: Radio: Cotre – C001D, C004D and C006D – Don’t Do It – PNWDigital – WA7DMR

 

[top13]

Any thoughts on the Cotre CO06D Digital Radio.

https://www.amazon.com/COTRE-430-470-Digital-Handheld-Waterproof/dp/B09TW4CS58/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2M4SY3X4DDL4P&keywords=Cotre%2BCO06D%2BDigital%2BRadio&qid=1671806178&s=electronics&sprefix=cotre%2Bco06d%2Bdigital%2Bradio%2Celectronics%2C116&sr=1-2&th=1

Just want to listen to DMR at a cheap price. Thanks.

 

[buddrousa]

You own a PC get a USB SDR

 

[Desmo1]

Any thoughts on the Cotre CO06D Digital Radio.

https://www.amazon.com/COTRE-430-470-Digital-Handheld-Waterproof/dp/B09TW4CS58/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2M4SY3X4DDL4P&keywords=Cotre%2BCO06D%2BDigital%2BRadio&qid=1671806178&s=electronics&sprefix=cotre%2Bco06d%2Bdigital%2Bradio%2Celectronics%2C116&sr=1-2&th=1

Just want to listen to DMR at a cheap price. Thanks.

I just bought one yesterday, and the $8 programming cable too. It's not due to arrive for a few more days, so I can't comment on it's performance yet.

I have the DMR upgrade for my BCD536, but thought I'd check out one of these.

 

[sallen07]

Any thoughts on the Cotre CO06D Digital Radio.

Just want to listen to DMR at a cheap price. Thanks.

See post #7, which I now realize doesn't mention the model, just has the link. I have one and it's better than I expected. I've gotten good signal reports on both DMR and analog repeaters.

What are you trying to listen to on DMR? If it's a ham repeater, or even a single commercial or emergency services DMR frequency, then the CO06D would probably be fine. Personally I only program radios with frequencies that I'm licensed to transmit on, and use scanners to listen to other things, but that's your choice.

If you are trying to listen to a trunked DMR system the cheap radio isn't going to work too well. Much better off using your BCD536HP.

 

[popnokick]

This entire thread may have started out in the wrong Forum. This Forum is "Digital Voice for Amateur Use" which means FCC Part 97 Amateur "ham" Radio usage.
- Not scanning or anything to do with scanning use
- Not commercial or anything to do with Part 90 usage
There are questions and replies in this thread that do not apply to ham radio usage. Be cautious with the information presented herein.

 

[top13]

You own a PC get a USB SDR

See post #7, which I now realize doesn't mention the model, just has the link. I have one and it's better than I expected. I've gotten good signal reports on both DMR and analog repeaters.

What are you trying to listen to on DMR? If it's a ham repeater, or even a single commercial or emergency services DMR frequency, then the CO06D would probably be fine. Personally I only program radios with frequencies that I'm licensed to transmit on, and use scanners to listen to other things, but that's your choice.

If you are trying to listen to a trunked DMR system the cheap radio isn't going to work too well. Much better off using your BCD536HP.

I am only scanning Not transmitting. A couple of hospitals and a Highway department. The are single channel DMR.

 

[buddrousa]

A Single SDR will also SCAN like a SCANNER