I'm awaiting two MD-380s and I'd like to know how good the range on these is on analog and digital, high and low power communicating between the two radios. I'm in a urban/suburban environment with a moderate amount of buildings. Thanks in advance.
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MD-380 Simplex Range
- Thread starter rustinn
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Kb2Jpd
Member
Hi from Adam Kb2Jpd in NYC.
Range is dependent on many factors. If you are going simplex in analogue mode, the same as any UHF handheld. Digital less so.
Use a repeater it will be limited by the range of the repeater (40 to 100 watts).
If you want maximum range, use high power and alarge rattail, not usually shipped with the radio.
I live several miles from most repeaters. The factory supplied antenna simply doesn't cut the grade for me. I have large dead spots in my home. The nice thing with a extra radio is you can hear how you sound thru the repeater and correct how you modulate the radio.
In digital mode, you are in or you are out with some packet loss. My luck with the parrot function on most repeaters is they only show a mirror whenever you are full quieting into the repeater. In digital, it is either your in or you're out.
Hope I was able to address your concerns.
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Thanks, Adam. Do you think it's possible pulling off 3 miles on simplex over digital?
Also, I'm not sure if you have used this radio or not but how reliable would you say the digital is? I have a Zastone 9908 that uses a proprietary voice encoder and I'd say digital transmissions only come across roughly 80% of the time. Could you also say anything about the encryption? How "good" would you describe it's privacy capability so to speak, and would it hinder communication in any way between two radios?
Sorry for all the questions, I am brand new to DMR but things seem to make sense so far.
Kb2Jpd
Member
(null)
You haven't stated where you are from.
The rules are different for US and other countries.
If you are using it for US ham radio, encryption isn't allowed. It's different elsewhere. If you are using it for GMRS or business band, radio must be type accepted. No ham gear on business band.
Otherwise, it is dependent on location height and your terrain.
Word of the wise. Encryption of any radio transmission isn't a guarantee of secure communications. If someone has the right tools, they can snoop in without anyone the wiser.
In short, educate and use discipline in how and what you transmit over the air. Operate as if you have children in close proximity and act professionally.
Best way to hide is in a crowd. Don't stand out.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
You haven't stated where you are from.
The rules are different for US and other countries.
If you are using it for US ham radio, encryption isn't allowed. It's different elsewhere. If you are using it for GMRS or business band, radio must be type accepted. No ham gear on business band.
Otherwise, it is dependent on location height and your terrain.
Word of the wise. Encryption of any radio transmission isn't a guarantee of secure communications. If someone has the right tools, they can snoop in without anyone the wiser.
In short, educate and use discipline in how and what you transmit over the air. Operate as if you have children in close proximity and act professionally.
Best way to hide is in a crowd. Don't stand out.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So you are from US?
All else being equal, a decent digital radio will work just as far as analog. I've tested 390s in digital and analog mode, and range is essentially identical. The difference is that analog has a gradual degradation of audio quality with range, while digital generally sounds perfect right up to the point where it quits working.
The encryption is OK. It will defeat scanner users and most nosy neighbors, but it's not going to stop 3-letter government agencies from listening in if they are really interested in you. That may change if the "experimental" firmware ever gets around to implementing full AES encryption.
As to 3-mile range, if you're in a flat open area with no trees or other obstructions between you and your contact, you can go more than 3 miles. But in a typical urban/suburban context with buildings and trees everywhere, a mile is going to be about it unless one or both of you are in a tall building or on a hilltop.
K5MPH
Member
A ham friend and myself have got 2 miles out of the MD-380 using digital.
Distances of 200 miles or more are possible with the right antennas.... and one of the stations is in LEO (Low Earth Orbit) or in an aircraft.
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