DTR 650

[737mech]

I haven't used these in a long time, glad I had them on a recent trip for work. I went to San Diego and Reno ths week used the DTR650's for worker to worker comms. One thing I need to remember is to turn off the scan feature when you only want to use as one to one. That can change your experience with the DTR radios. I still think they are very cool and easy to use!!

 

[alcahuete]

DTR radios are one of the most amazing radios in existence...especially considering the price. Big fan of these. Have had amazing results.

 

[n1das]

I own several DTR650 radios and they work excellent. My wife and I and friends use them for local on-site simplex type use. We actually prefer to use them instead of using 4W UHF Part 90/95 commercial handhelds on GMRS because they work so well. We're not trying to set any range records with them but we use them for reliable on-site simplex type use. They greatly excel at that compared to plain old analog UHF handhelds. In-building coverage and penetration with the DTRs beats using 4W UHF handhelds on simplex under the same conditions.

I'm currently vacationing in FL and was able to do some range testing along the Space Coast. I beat my old record of 11 miles set 2 years ago with a pair of DLR series handhelds (DLR1060). The new DLR series hit the market in 2015. A friend of mine and I communicated 12 miles with my DTR650 handhelds from the Cocoa Beach Pier to the top of the stairs leading down to Hightower Beach in Satellite Beach FL. Some coastline gets in the way between us so it's not totally line of sight. As long as my friend was on the pier and I stayed at the top of the steps by the beach, it worked reliably. He then went down onto Cocoa Beach from the pier and walked north on the beach further away from my location. Coverage was spotty but we were able to get it to work. We did almost the same thing with the DLRs 2 years ago except I was on the beach in Cocoa Beach FL and he was on the steps at Hightower Beach in Satellite Beach FL. We got 11 miles with the DLRs because I wasn't up on the pier and was a mile closer. I didn't get to try it from the pier. We planned our DTR650 testing better this time based on our experience with the DLRs.

When we tested the DLRs 11 miles apart, we also tried communicating with a pair of 4W UHF Part 90 handhelds on GMRS. We were able to communicate but it was noisy at best and in and out. We each had to find a hot spot and stay there in order to hear each other. With the DLRs we had to find a hot spot and stay there but the audio was always crystal clear due to digital and the forward error correction. I found it easier to find a hot spot with the DLRs and they just seemed to work better overall.

I owned a pair of DLR1060 handhelds 2 years ago when we did the 11 mile test. I later picked up a bunch of DTR650 radios and sold the DLRs to a ham friend. The new DLR series uses same system as the DTRs but are set up differently. The DTRs and DLRs are compatible with each other when both are at their factory default settings. Customizing the DLRs requires using the CPS similar to the DTRs and they use the same CPS.

From range testing of DTRs vs DLRs, there is is essentially no difference. The DLRs perform as well as the DTRs. The stubby fixed antenna on the DLRs works well. The 11 mile vs 12 mile range difference is more about location, location, location than anything else.


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[n1das]

DTR650 audio test:
https://youtu.be/aaNdMWPmVZI

DTR650: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/e...g-business-radios/portable-radios/dtr650.html

DTR550: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/e...n-site-business-radios/dtr-series/dtr550.html

The longer 900MHz antenna shown on the 550 can also be used on the 650.

DTR410: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/e...n-site-business-radios/dtr-series/dtr410.html

DLR series: https://www.motorolasolutions.com/e...business-radios/dlr-series-digital-radio.html

 

[n1das]

DTR radios are one of the most amazing radios in existence...especially considering the price. Big fan of these. Have had amazing results.

Agree 100%. They work very well for their intended use. The new DLR series is a nice addition and it shows that Motorola appears to be committed to keeping these radios on the market. The DTRs have been on the market for 10 years and while some accessories have gone end of life and are NLA, the DTRs still are current product from Motorola. You can still buy factory new DTRs and batteries. I got my DTR650s in January 2017 and the radios and batteries have a November 2016 build date.

My wife loves using them with me when we are out shopping and doing other stuff. She is not a ham or a radio geek like I am but these are perfect radios for her and for what we use them for. We now prefer to use the DTRs instead of using UHF Part 90 commercial handhelds on GMRS. Our use is local on-site simplex type use and the DTRs and DLRs are perfect for this.

I agree the DTRs and DLRs are amazing radios.

 

[alcahuete]

Yep!!! 2 of mine are brand new from the factory. I was shocked to learn they were still making them. I have several off of eBay and then the 2 brand new ones. Hopefully they won't stop making them. I don't have any DLRs to test, but the 1/2 wave on the DTR I'm sure would outperform the DLR. But who knows? I understand the DLRs are amazing too. The 11-12 miles with the stubby antenna shows that.

With the 7 inchers (1/2 wave), I set my personal record a couple months ago...23 miles. Could have kept going, but I again ran out of road and out of daylight. Really wanted to keep going. I have to map out some new roads around here to get a longer test going. Ha ha! The 23 was very comfortable with only limited issues of not being able to communicate. And often if I couldn't communicate, I would simply key up again from the exact same location and it would work.

In the DFW airport, went from Terminal B to C (I believe...was definitely between 2 huge terminals, using the train) and had absolutely no coverage issues at all.

4+ Carnival ships and 3+ Norwegian ships, full ship coverage.

Several hotels in Las Vegas from top floor to bottom and just about everywhere in between.

Just amazing radios. They just keep amazing me every time I get the dog gone things out.

Hey, N1DAS, not to get off topic, but did you mention in another thread that Public Group 6 (Chan. 1) corresponds to the DLRs? I just have the 5 default public set up on my DTRs. If 6 is in the DLRs, I definitely want to get that added.

 

[n1das]

I haven't used these in a long time, glad I had them on a recent trip for work. I went to San Diego and Reno ths week used the DTR650's for worker to worker comms. One thing I need to remember is to turn off the scan feature when you only want to use as one to one. That can change your experience with the DTR radios. I still think they are very cool and easy to use!!

I use the the talkgroup scan feature on my DTRs. I am keeping my DTRs programmed close to the factory default to be able to listen for activity from other DTR and DLR users on the public talkgroups. I added a few public talkgroups and also created a private talkgroup for my DTRs. I also enabled the home group feature and made the private TG the home group. The radio will always revert back to the home group (my private group) after 30 seconds of inactivity on another group. So even if the group gets changed to another group, the radio will eventually find its way back to the private group.


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[n1das]

Public groups 1-6 in the DTRs map directly to channels 1-6 in the DLRs when both are at their factory default settings. So yes, add a public group with an ID of 6 to your DTR programming. Public groups 1-5 are enabled by default so you just need to add a public group with an ID of 6 to work with channel 6 in the DLRs. The DLRs appear to refer to channels instead of talkgroups because users will be more familiar with the concept of a channel to communicate on. (i.e., WTH is a talkgroup?)

I have used the longer antenna instead of the short 3 inch antenna and did some range testing. It was tough to tell any difference between the two. Same with the DTR vs DLR. It would be nice if the DTRs had an S-meter to see any difference in received signal strength. From a practical standpoint I think most users won't notice any significant difference in normal everyday use. I use the short antenna on my DTRs because it's more convenient and doesn't poke me as much and is more stealthy looking.

Given that the DTRs and DLRs can be used as they come out of the box, I expect casual users will simply use them as they come out of the box. GMRS/FRS bubble pack users come to mind. I purposely have public groups 1-6 enabled and talkgroup scan enabled to scan for activity.

100% agree, absolutely amazing radios.

 

[n1das]

DTR repeater: (works with DLRs too) http://www.canewirelesspro.com/drx-repeater.html

 

[Project25_MASTR]

I do love my DTRs. Found them in our parts bin void of antennas, batteries and rear covers. Took the time to track down the missing pieces (I am going to have to do a firmware update at some point potentially since I have to use an earlier CPS release) but they have accompanied me on several large MCC7500 installation jobs when running cable (8 to 10 position, 200 ft from the switch jobs) especially when testing the cabling after you get everything pulled to where it needs to go.

A lot easier than trying to use XTS2500’s on a 7TAC channel…


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[PACNWDude]

Motorola DTR series radios have been great for the purposes I have had them for. This has been for small campuses, churches, construction crews and my own use while hiking and camping. Any place where FRS congestion has been an issue. Ski resorts come to mind as well.

I am still using a set of DTR410's with the fixed antenna too. Hold up well to abuse and rattling around in a pocket.

Glad you like the 650's, they are great radios as well. The DTR series and the old Saber and Waris series radios have been some of the best "bang for the buck" I have ever experienced from Motorola.

 

[Radiobern]

I bought a pair of DTR650's back in 2012 and enjoy using them as well. I do find the longer 1/2 wave antenna does provide a slight range boost here in the SF Bay Area. They also get me nearly shipboard coverage on cruise ships too, much better than the UHF simplex radios the staff were using.

How does one enable talk group scan on these radios? Is that only enabled in the CPS?

I also bought a couple of those keyboards for the occasional text or for programming the radios. I too have the 6 public channels put in.

Most recently, my Costco switched from VHF radios to DLR's but they must not be using the 6 public channels since I can't hear them on my DTR's. My local Macy's is using default 1. One of the Ace Hardware stores in the area is also using something custom. Even the security guard at my workplace has a DTR radio but I'm not sure who he or she is talking to on that when I only see 1 guard on duty.

 

[n1das]

How does one enable talk group scan on these radios? Is that only enabled in the CPS?

Menu>Settings>Advanced>Scan>On

Public and Private groups that you want to scan need to be added to the scan list using the CPS. I am recalling this from memory so some of this might be faulty. The CPS is also needed to enable the home group feature if desired. I made my Private group the home group so my DTRs will always find their way back to my private group after 30 seconds of inactivity if the group was changed due to activity on a public group or a private contact was selected.

Most recently, my Costco switched from VHF radios to DLR's but they must not be using the 6 public channels since I can't hear them on my DTR's. My local Macy's is using default 1. One of the Ace Hardware stores in the area is also using something custom. Even the security guard at my workplace has a DTR radio but I'm not sure who he or she is talking to on that when I only see 1 guard on duty.

The DLR users might have changed the profile ID to something other than the default of 0000. The CPS is not required to change the profile ID. The profile has to be at the default (0000) in order to communicate with a DTR with the same group ID on the same hopset.

The security guard's DTR might be a member of a private group which means you're not going to be able to hear them.

The only reason I'm keeping my DTRs programmed close to the factory default settings is so I can listen for other DTR and DLR traffic.

 

[alcahuete]

Now that repeater is cool!!! Would love to put a few of those around town.

 

[n1das]

Now that repeater is cool!!! Would love to put a few of those around town.

Yes it IS cool. It is based on a pair of DTRs with custom firmware to function as a repeater. You can't simply replace those DTRs with a pair of stock DTRs. It is also not meant to be up at a mountain top site to provide wide area coverage but it would be interesting to try. The ideal location is where 2 desired coverage areas just barely overlap, say inside a high rise hotel or office building. Strategic placement is key.

The repeater is cool but as a hobbyist I can't justify the $1500 price (yet).

 

[alcahuete]

The repeater is cool but as a hobbyist I can't justify the $1500 price (yet).

Ha ha ha! Same here. Would be a fun $1500 playtoy, but sadly, that's all it would be. Don't have any real use for it.

 

[n1das]

I'm currently in Cocoa Beach FL on vacation and the hotel I'm staying at could benefit from using DTR or DLR radios. The front desk, housekeeping, and security people are using VHF analog portables and they complain about how crappy they are and don't cover the whole property. It's not a huge hotel but the complex consists of a jungle of concrete buildings.
Meanwhile, my wife and I and a friend of mine have been using my DTR650 radios with 100% flawless coverage over the entire hotel property and up to about a mile away. We're not trying to set any range records but want them for reliable local on-site type coverage and they do that VERY well.
In casual conversation with the hotel staff, they mentioned to me that they are planning to buy some new radios soon. I was thinking the DLR series radios would be perfect for them. My gut feeling is they will get new VHF portables to replace their existing VHF portables and will continue to have the same coverage problems. Can't cheat physics with new radios. Oh well, not my problem but I know what radios I would get (DLR1060) if I were managing things there.