Good cheap radios for DMR that work

[Spider255]

I would always say Motorola are the best out of the lot of them, you do still get some issues with the higher end radios like the Hytera radio's but its mostly always something to do with firmware.

Although Motorola radios are the best they are only useful if the CPS software is included.

Its always good to play around and try some of the cheap stuff as it will get you on DMR if you just want to try it out.

 

[kayn1n32008]

Although Motorola radios are the best they are only useful if the CPS software is included.

Motorola CPS is easily obtainable. There is no cost to license it.

 

[bobruzzo]

I'm wanting to build up my collection of DMR handhelds I only need a couple more just so I've got a good selection.

After buying the problematic Boafeng DR-1801UV its really put me off buying anymore DMR handhelds but I know I can't give up on my DMR dream because of one problematic radio. I guess its a question of live and learn when buying such radios.

I've been interested in the Boafeng DM1701 I know a few people have those radios but I'm just wondering if I should expect to have issues with it, when it comes to connecting it to a PC?

I'm also interested in buying the Boafeng DM32 so those are the two I want to get.

Those prolific drivers, finding the correct driver that works and finding the right cable it can be a real problem and a headache. I never have such issues with other brands like Motorola or Hytera its just the cheaper Chinese Boafeng types I get these issues with.

Does anybody have any advice for the Boafeng DM32 & the Boafeng DM 1701 such as what USB drivers to use?

I have a Baofeng 1801UV which I bought as a "beater radio" to take with me when we go to ham fests, and to use with hot spot. Honestly I hate the damn thing cause the user interface sucks. It performs well if you just leave it on ONE TG! But jumping thru the crappy menu is too frustrating. So now it sits unused on my shelf. I use an Anytone 168 HT and I like it a lot.

 

[rgchristy]

Thats how it looks in my display settings. Nothing can be changed. My time out is 400. Battery says zero percent but the radio has still been going for an hour on zero percent. I don't think the battery indicator is very accurate.

Are you still tinkering with your 1701? If so, I'll do more testing with mine to see if I can figure out what's going on with yours. It seems as though you have a bunch of radios, so I'm asking because I didn't know if you just set it aside and moved onto another radio. I have some original Baofeng DMR radios sitting in a box, and this is probably where they'll stay...

Also, and I apologize for my cultural or geographical ignorance, but compared to the US, how is amateur radio and/or two-way radios viewed in Russia? Is it no different than here, or is it more of an "underground" (for lack of a better term) thing? Our son has lived in Poland and currently lives in Hungary, and it doesn't seem to be as mainstream as it is here in the US.

 

[Spider255]

I have a Baofeng 1801UV which I bought as a "beater radio" to take with me when we go to ham fests, and to use with hot spot. Honestly I hate the damn thing cause the user interface sucks. It performs well if you just leave it on ONE TG! But jumping thru the crappy menu is too frustrating. So now it sits unused on my shelf. I use an Anytone 168 HT and I like it a lot.

What I like about the Boafeng 1801UV was its retro look and its square buttons but the radio was terrible. The first thing I noticed was the screen always stayed lit and programming it was next to impossible as it would not connect to a PC despite spending hours trying out different USB drivers and cables, in the end I gave up with it and returned it. Never again will I ever touch another 1801UV.

 

[Spider255]

Are you still tinkering with your 1701? If so, I'll do more testing with mine to see if I can figure out what's going on with yours. It seems as though you have a bunch of radios, so I'm asking because I didn't know if you just set it aside and moved onto another radio. I have some original Baofeng DMR radios sitting in a box, and this is probably where they'll stay...

Also, and I apologize for my cultural or geographical ignorance, but compared to the US, how is amateur radio and/or two-way radios viewed in Russia? Is it no different than here, or is it more of an "underground" (for lack of a better term) thing? Our son has lived in Poland and currently lives in Hungary, and it doesn't seem to be as mainstream as it is here in the US.

I've been working on quite a few DMR radio's mostly ex-commercial stuff by Motorola but I still play with the DM1701, I don't have many that do "digital VHF" other than my two AnyTone 878 radios I mostly use those for digital scanning, all my other DMR radios do UHF only.

The DM1701 has GD77 firmware on it but it would appear most of the settings do nothing whatsoever so the display is always on at full brightness with no way to turn it off. That is the main thing that bugs me. It would seem like the DM 1701 doesn't have the hardware for the GD77 settings to function. Its a cheap radio and I got it for half price. One day when the battery dies I will use it for a fun project.