GREAT New Firmware Update Feature !!
(FW = A8.05.06.005 / NA2 Region)
I'm sure it applies to all other regions as well...
The FW Update tool is NOT "Region Specific" and generally updates ALL models/regions
with a few exceptions here & there... like the PD362/365/375 and the PD982+G and Tetra models)
I violated my own "rules" and applied the FW the second I got it. No waiting for everything to be
"ironed out". JUST FOR A SINGLE NEW FEATURE. ("Channel Alias" modification via FPP)
Though they offer miserable factory/mfg support. (they expect you to obtain support and service from
to be handled via your "local dealer" - who never seem to be public safety or ham "friendly") There are a few dealers around who are ok, but nothing close to most people I've spoken to concerning this matter..
For a "Chinese Radio".. (Not meant in a disparaging way -- just seems to be what they are referred as for some reason ... The prices certainly are NOT "Baeofeng-Like" and the construction is really
equal to /\/\ .):
Hytera really makes a great radio (the X1P series / PD782 + PD782G / PD682 / MD782 +G / Etc)
They have kept the majority of their radios "future resistant" with the ability to flash the firmware
of almost every radio up to the current version. (My first test w/ the above new firmware version was
done with my own of my own personal radios and the FIRST PD782 I ever purchased. It's a v1 radio
that has a rubber external connector cover that just snaps into place - vs. the newer "screw" style which
actually stays in place after gently tightening the screw. I was able to update the FW in this particular
radio about 9 or 10 times to bring it from 1.x to the current 8.x.x.x .
The same applies to the mobiles & repeaters (my only experience is with the RD982 and MD782 series)
The gear is well made and has great features (with certain exceptions -- like the X1p/PD682 LIGHT PTT button press which always seems to keep our seemingly private local conversations going out over the air on a regular basis.)
AND... my other complaint of the day (having an MD782G w/remote kit and an APX7550 installed in my wife's new Tahoe this week. & The Hytera is killing us with the physical size of the interconnection cable and connector)
I'm sure glad they do make a "remote mount" kit for the mobile MD782 series, though the proprietary
cable is a bit bulky and they really should have chosen to utilize cat5/6/7 cable - shielded or unshielded -
with RJ45 standard style connectors for ease of installation and cost savings)
If you do your research first and select the right model (not all are as well constructed as the above)
THE BEST FEATURE: FPP Feature Set Feature Now Includes the Ability to
Modify the "Channel Name / Alias" in the field w/o requiring CPS.
(See Detailed Description of Feature Way Down Below)
Though Hytera has been fairly good on their options when programming in the field,
they have always lacked a method of modifying the "Channel Name / Alias".
(Times have really changed quite a bit -- There are so many detailed options and settings
that make the use of "FPP" very cumbersome to program large amounts of information, but
the ability to make small-scale modifications to a radio config in the field are fairly critical for
several scenarios....)
Just some that come to mind:
public safety agencies that cover large areas that they might only rarely respond to and
need to add /change info expediently & "HAM"/ Amateur Radio use.
I routinely program several "zones" for future "FPP" use & add 16 pre-programmed "Channels" in
that zone w/basic settings to permit in-field programming w/o requiring the addition of anything
by CPS..
(several ex: "ZN-20: FPP PS-F A/N" / "ZN-21: FPP PS-F A/W" / "ZN-30: FPP PS-LE DMR")
ZN-XX is the "Zone #" / FPP indicates the channels in this zone are not pre-programmed &
intended to be used as a field-expedient and field programmable.
PS indicates it's a public-safety zone with the "F" = Fire / "LE" = Law Enforcement / etc..
(also use --> "HAM" = Amateur Radio -- with an S for Simplex or R for Repeater)
A = Analog (conventional / non-trunked) + "N" for 12.5khz "Narrowband" channel spacing /
"W" for 25khz "Wideband" channel spacing (for T-Band systems that opted out of the 2013
FCC Narrowband Mandate once King Obama sold everyone using that valuable spectrum and
the FCC permitted current licensees to skip the "narrowbanding" process as their licenses would
soon expire... (Sorry - got off topic for a sec LOL) -- and "W" would also apply to several of the
VHF MURS freqs and the UHF GMRS freq pairs used w/repeaters etc.. AND -- of course --
"HAM" Amateur Radio use in 70cm ("UHF") and 2m ("VHF") bands.
THEN -- The Channels.
ZN XX / CH 01: FPP 01
ZN XX / CH 02: FPP 02
Continued...
AND a small set of empty forms printed on small 5x6 card stock and packaged in w/ a
"NIFOG" bound book and a "sharpie".
When programming a specific "FPP Channel" for a designated function, I would write
the full description on the form (Forms contain the following fields):
ZN (zone) / CH (channel # in particular zone) / ALIAS (channel "name") / DESCRIPTION /
TX Freq / RX Freq / TX PL or DPL / RX PL or DPL or CSQ / Etc..... (DMR digital info for those
particular channels as well)
ALL GONE !!!! NO MORE SHARPIES OR BROKEN PENCIL POINTS OR WET FORMS !
HYTERA NOW HAS AN OPTION (Enabled/Disabled in CPS under Menu Items)
FOR: "CHANNEL ALIAS". (You can now modify the "Channel Name" that appears on the radio
display while modifying the other "channel parameters" such as RX Freq / TX Freq / RX PL-DPL /
TX PL-DPL / -- and for DMR --> CC / Slot / TX Contact ID / RX Group List / Etc...)
FORGOT... THIS ONLY WORKS W/ "DISPLAY RADIOS" like the X1P / PD682 /
PD782 +G / MD782 +G / Etc... The lower tier & "covert" models really do require CPS
for any change in settings.
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Mini-Novel now complete ! (actually it was intended to be several posts, but I just copied/pasted into one to save time)
