Your codeplug was missing channel information entries that I would expect to find (or I misunderstood the data I was looking at). I didn't see a simplex frequency used by the MD-380 transceiving with the hotspot, thus my incorrect assumption of no hotspot. Nor did I see zone lists I would expect.
Actually the MD-389/390 are superheterodyne transceivers and the UV models use direct conversion.
On the MD-380, receive groups are not needed (and with hacked firmware) contact lists are not needed (of course, it's useful to have the contacts programmed, but not required). The firmware for the UV380 has features the MD-380 does not, and the hacked firmware extends the capabilities of the MD-380 with enhanced features.
Yes, I do go to
repeaterbook.com to find the talkgroups and the time slot they are on..
For example in the first code plug I sent you (the one with just two channels per repeater), if I know what talkgroup is on what time slot (from
repeaterbook.com), then I switch to the channel I have programmed for that time slot, then I can go into another menu and set the talkgroup.
If the talkgroup is a PTT talkgroup, I key down once to activate it. Key down a 2nd time and talk, then I will receive the audio from whomever is talking on that talkgroup.
If the talkgroups are always on, and not PTT, then I will receive the audio on that channel.
Now with promiscuous mode enabled (i.e. monitoring mode), then I will receive all audio from any
active talkgroup on that time slot on that particular repeater.
The second code plug I sent you is a more traditional one with the more recognizable information. I'm considering selling the radio, so in the first codeplug, I left Simples and FRS/GMRS channels and some DMR repeater channels with time slots to give it one last try.
/dtx