Most popular digital mode?

[AK9R]

VARA is not a digital voice mode, which is what I believe the OP to be asking about.

 

[KC3ECJ]

My Yaesu FT5D has 900 memory channels and a very flexible memory bank scheme. It's sad that Yaesu can't seem to figure out how to build a mobile System Fusion radio that has memory banks.

Likewise, the Kenwood TM-D74 and TM-D75 handhelds have 1000 memory channels and memory banks.

Since there are radios marketed to amateur radio that have "large channel capacities" and "channel banks", it's easy for one to conclude that the CCR DMR radios are popular due to the low price.

Kenwood NX-5000 series does support both DMR and P25, apart from NXDN.

That's their commercial/governmental line.

 

[k9wkj]

anyone that knows me already knows my answer

AllStar the only digital voice mode youll ever need

 

[K0WBC]

Well DMR is quite popular with the Brandmeister groups that are busy, like world wide. Kansas City Wide YSF Fusion group is pretty popular with users from around the world joining every week.

 

[mmckenna]

A felow ham had a Hytera PD682 which is meant for NA region — it does have full FPP. Motorola only allows it in LA and AS region firmwares.

I'm sure he did have it.
If the radio has FCC Part 90 certification, it wouldn't/shouldn't have received it if it shipped with FPP out of the box.
If it gets activated later by the end user, that's a different thing.

Motorola allows it in North American/US markets, but it won't ship that way. Like Kenwood and others, it's something that has to be activated by the tech with the programming software. Part 90 is clear that the end user having the ability to change operating parameters of the radio isn't allowed.

I know that most of the Cheap Chinese Radio manufacturers ignore FCC requirements as a matter of principal.

 

[YL3IM]

If it gets activated later by the end user, that's a different thing.

Correct. Should be enabled in the codeplug first.

 

[k6cpo]

It's not just price, many DMR radios have channel banks and really large channel capacities.
This is quite an advantage just using FM for the radios even before considering their DMR capability.

Not to mention the major brands making some very durable radios.

I've never seen the need for a 1000 channel capacity. With the exception of my AnyTone (where I used someone else's codeplug) I don't have a radio that has more than about 100 channels programmed. And I don't use banks on the radios that have them because I can never remember which bank a particular channel is in.

My Yaesu FT5D has 900 memory channels and a very flexible memory bank scheme. It's sad that Yaesu can't seem to figure out how to build a mobile System Fusion radio that has memory banks.

Likewise, the Kenwood TM-D74 and TM-D75 handhelds have 1000 memory channels and memory banks.

Since there are radios marketed to amateur radio that have "large channel capacities" and "channel banks", it's easy for one to conclude that the CCR DMR radios are popular due to the low price.

With the FTM-500DR, Yaesu added the ability to put more than one programming file on the MicroSD card. This adds the ability to have more than one programming configuration readily available.

My FT70D does as well, and almost bought the FT5D, except I can't get over those Orange buttons ! Ick.

Funny, I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it. It's really a poor reason for not purchasing what is really a fine radio.

 

[Golay]

Interesting question. Around me, DMR is probably the most used.
What's interesting is the one with no links is the most popular. It just seems that people don't care about every talkgroup but North Fargo being linked into the repeater.

That happened with an analog machine near us. Lots of people were using it until they decided to link to the Eastern Reflector, the Dew Drop Inn, The Allstar network and Fred Flintstone's Royal Order of Buffalo's Net. Now the machine is deader than last year's birds nest when a net isn't on. All the regulars that were on during the day said "Uhhh ... Bye Bye".

I'll say again my personal advice if you're deciding what digital mode to spend money on. Plug in the repeaters you see into a plain ol' analog scanner and see which ones actually sound like they are being used. Of course you won't be able to hear anything but static, but if the machine never comes up other than 10 seconds every hour, there's your sign no one's using it.

 

[Sunshineandmonkeys]

If their DMR amateur radios have the audio quality of the Kenwood NX series, yes please, all day, everyday. As long as I don’t hear that CCR sub par audio quality on the repeaters…oh wait.

Until then, I am having fun with $100 used Motorola DMR and P25 radios, as well as some used Moto radios that are around amateur radio pricing.

NX5300 all day!

 

[littona]

I've never seen the need for a 1000 channel capacity. With the exception of my AnyTone (where I used someone else's codeplug) I don't have a radio that has more than about 100 channels programmed. And I don't use banks on the radios that have them because I can never remember which bank a particular channel is in.

With the FTM-500DR, Yaesu added the ability to put more than one programming file on the MicroSD card. This adds the ability to have more than one programming configuration readily available.

Funny, I hadn't noticed that until you mentioned it. It's really a poor reason for not purchasing what is really a fine radio.

I can understand having a large zone/channel capacity, especially if you travel a lot and use DMR. Every talkgroup requires another channel. Several channels are on every system. Some cities have many systems. If you travel, it's handy to have different zone for each city.

I don't travel too much, but I use the zones to separate what I'm listening to. Amateur systems, business systems, conventional channels, WX, work stuff, GMRS/FRS, etc.