DMR Base/Mobile Radio

[KG5HHS]

Hello Everyone,
I am wanting to purchase a Base/Mobile VHF/UHF DMR radio for my home office. I plan on using it mostly with my hotspot and occasionally the local repeater. I don't need anything high power as I can hit the hotspot and repeater inside my home with an HT. I am looking at the TYT MD-9600 and the Connect Systems CS800D. Both of these radio's will do a low of 5-6 watts so that would be perfect. I already have a 15amp power supply so I wont be looking into purchasing one. The antenna is another thing to think about. I am looking at the Liard MBC800LBT mounted outside the office as a solution to put a dual band mobile antenna that I already have on to. Can anyone give any input or opinions on either of these radio's and antenna setup or maybe some other radio and antenna set up that might work out.

 

[eaf1956]

I own both models, the CS 800D IMO is a better radio. My MD 9600 is a first batch unit and has Vol Knob and other issues I don't like. I'd really like to be rid of the 9600 as I don't use it, basically just sits here taking up space. The other thing about the 9600 is it has Dual channel so you can monitor VHF on 1 side and UHF on the other. The CS 800 you can change the way the knobs and buttons are set up in software. So I guess I would recommend the CS 800D.

 

[popnokick]

If you can hit the repeater and the hotspot from within the house with an HT.... as you wrote.... then why not use an HT in the house? The hotspot easily covers the entire house, meaning that by simply taking the HT with you wherever you go in the house you're on the air. And you're not tied down to a specific room where the mobile radio, power supply, and antenna are located. Radio when you want it, where you want it.... not a special "place" or room you have to go to if you want to use the radio. There are some very small and convenient HTs out there. Have you seen the new Radioddity GD-73a? Radioddity GD-73A/E | DMR | UHF/PMR | USB Program & Charge | 2600mAh | SMS | Hotspot Use
BUT - get a mobile rig and put it... oddly enough... in the mobile! (I have a CS800D and have had better experience with it than some of our club members have with other DMR mobiles.)

 

[AI7PM]

If you have an HT to use on the hotspot, why would you transmit, even at a low 5 watts, from a base unit and antenna to use the hotspot? You could be throwing a signal 10-25 miles beyond coverage needed. Using base capabilities to connect inside the house is tying up a frequency well beyond distance necessary.

 

[wrath]

Hotspots generaly transmit at most 10 milliwatts ,you don't really need a mobile for that .but if you want a mobile "type radio" bigger display hand mic type thing ,have you given any consideration to internet radio ,it gives you the physical display size,and the handheld microphone ,does all the digital modes directly connected to WiFi so it does dstar,dmr,fusion ,you could still use your existing HT for RF on a local repeater,repurpose your hotspot to your vehicle , and have all your bases covered ,if you don't have a boatload of money invested in individual RF mobiles ,why get on the merry go round of expensive individual radios if you don't have to ?

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[KG5HHS]

I do agree that a mobile is over kill as far as the power needed, which is why I would only use it on low power for the hotspot. I just don't know of a mobile style radio that will transmit below 5 watts. my reason for wanting a base/mobile rig is to have something permanent. Yes, I could use my HT and I do now, but more often than not it is either being charged or left at the office. I'm also considering an mobile rig for the higher power if i ever wanted to hit repeaters further away but to be honest the chances of that would be slim to none and would only be done for a local repeater failure. so its not deal breaker to not have one

 

[KG5HHS]

I own both models, the CS 800D IMO is a better radio. My MD 9600 is a first batch unit and has Vol Knob and other issues I don't like. I'd really like to be rid of the 9600 as I don't use it, basically just sits here taking up space. The other thing about the 9600 is it has Dual channel so you can monitor VHF on 1 side and UHF on the other. The CS 800 you can change the way the knobs and buttons are set up in software. So I guess I would recommend the CS 800D.

I do like VFO knob of the MD9600 but have read these radio's have more issues than the CS800D, can you change the volume knob settings to be the channel knob and the channel buttons to be the volume buttons in CPS?

 

[KG5HHS]

Hotspots generaly transmit at most 10 milliwatts ,you don't really need a mobile for that .but if you want a mobile "type radio" bigger display hand mic type thing ,have you given any consideration to internet radio ,it gives you the physical display size,and the handheld microphone ,does all the digital modes directly connected to WiFi so it does dstar,dmr,fusion ,you could still use your existing HT for RF on a local repeater,repurpose your hotspot to your vehicle , and have all your bases covered ,if you don't have a boatload of money invested in individual RF mobiles ,why get on the merry go round of expensive individual radios if you don't have to ?

I have looked into a network radio like the Inrico TM-7 or the RadioTone RT5 for something like zello. I would most definitely consider one if I could use it for DMR. I'm just not sure how to do that. Could you shed some light on this?

 

[wrath]

I have looked into a network radio like the Inrico TM-7 or the RadioTone RT5 for something like zello. I would most definitely consider one if I could use it for DMR. I'm just not sure how to do that. Could you shed some light on this?

DVMEGA Cast Multimode IP Radio

Check this bad boy out !


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[alcahuete]

Here's my setup for my hotspot and local repeaters. I have a 1/4 wave 70cm mag mount on the top. Works great. Have it set to 1 watt for the hotspot and 5 watts for everything else.

 

[KG5HHS]

DVMEGA Cast Multimode IP Radio

Check this bad boy out !


Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

Ah, i guess i wasn’t understanding “internet radio”. Are there other ones on the market? I wouldn’t mind looking into something like this if the price was lower.

 

[KG5HHS]

Here's my setup for my hotspot and local repeaters. I have a 1/4 wave 70cm mag mount on the top. Works great. Have it set to 1 watt for the hotspot and 5 watts for everything else.

View attachment 71795

I would love to have have something like this but by the time I buy the radio, cps and cable I’d be well over budget. If it wasn’t for the cost of cps I’d jump on one, eBay has one for around $200.

 

[KG5HHS]

My fault, I didn’t include a price point from the beginning but I’d like to keep the total cost of this around or below $350ish.

 

[tunnelmot]

I personally use a Motorola 4550. The low power model will go down to 1 watt for hotspot usage. I have my local repeater and my hot spot talkgroups in the same scan list so I can monitor both local traffic and whatever crazy talkgroups that interest me through the hot spot. Works pretty seamlessly.

 

[KG5HHS]

I had the opportunity to get a 4550 but didn't move quick enough. I have decided to go with the TYT MD-9600.

 

[frenchfry]

I am waiting on the Anytone AT-578UV. It should be out this fall. I hope it is worth the wait. We will see.

 

[PrivatelyJeff]

I am waiting on the Anytone AT-578UV. It should be out this fall. I hope it is worth the wait. We will see.

Me too. I want the deluxe version with Bluetooth remote control mic

 

[jeepsandradios]

Im in the same boat. Really want a cheap basic radio to talk on the hotspot. Why cause every time i go to use the radio its dead. I charge it then pull it out and forget. I was leaving it in the charger and destroyed 2 batteries. I kinda like the TYT just wish i could do remote mount.

 

[alcahuete]

Im in the same boat. Really want a cheap basic radio to talk on the hotspot. Why cause every time i go to use the radio its dead. I charge it then pull it out and forget. I was leaving it in the charger and destroyed 2 batteries. I kinda like the TYT just wish i could do remote mount.

If you're looking to do it on the cheap and you don't specifically need a mobile rig, just get a cheap MD-380 (or 90, though the 80 was considerably cheaper last I looked), a battery eliminator, and a small 3-5 amp power supply. I have a crude setup for a Zello to Repeater link (non-ham) in that manner, and it works great. I don't think the whole thing cost more than $120 with everything. $80 or so for the radio, $30 for the power supply, and $10 or so for the battery eliminator.