Voice Radio System Notes

Overview

As the fair is getting ready to upgrade it's voice radio system, here are my suggestions for cost effective alternatives to Motorola. There are several needs that we hope a new radio system will satisfy, and sometimes a less well known brand will try harder to pack more features into a product for a lower price point.

Needs:

• Cost Effective
• Legal to use
• Compatible with our Mototrbl repeater.
• Prevent stuck mics from tying up the repeater
• GPS tracking to feed into a live situational map for FC and QM.
• Tough enough to take some abuse
• Good distributor relationship for sales and service
• Extras:
  • Built in man down alarm system.
  • Bluetooth headsets for the BUMs

I believe all these needs are met by the following radios.

First Choices

AT-D878UV, BTECH DMR-6X2, and Alinco DJ-MD5TGP

These are all basically the same radio. They are part 90 certified, and used by some public safety groups.

• Comparison: http://www.miklor.com/COM/Compare-DMR.php

Quote from this review: https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/blogs/bridgecom-tx-rx-blog/anytone-at-d878uv-plus-is-a-great-radio-review-by-phil-w

They are compatible with our repeaters: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/MOTOTRBO

And here: https://smartcom.motorolasolutions.com/what-is-dmr-and-mototrbo/

Cost effective

These radios are about 2/3 the cost of our Motorola alternatives. The batteries, chargers and accessories are no more expensive, or even cheaper. So the whole system can be had for less than the Motorola system. The batteries last a very long time, sometimes several days.

Sales and Service

I've found two solid distributors for these radios. They will both give us quantity discounts and perhaps an extended warranty.

Powerwerx

• https://powerwerx.com/
• https://powerwerx.com/anytone-handheld-radios

The fair already has a good working relationship with Powerwerx. They are one of our go to stores for battery system parts. They would be happy to give us about a 10% discount for a quantity purchase.

Bridgecom

• https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/
• https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/collections/professional-handheld-radios

Bridgecom is new to us, but they have great customer service. I spoke with Daniel in sales and they would also offer us some price breaks and probably an extended warranty. I talked with one of their techs and he says very few radios come back with mic connector problems.

Other notes

Review video for the AT-D878UV:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYCO-ymtNzQ
• Jump to 2:15 for dropping, and 17:05 for audio tests.

Features:

• Part 90 Certified:
  
  • https://fccid.io/T4KD878UV/Test-Report/Test-report-4057939
  • https://fccid.io/2AGND-DMR6X2
  • https://fccid.io/PH3DJ-MD5/Test-Report/Radio-Report-I-3997517
• The first two radios use the same batteries, and have a very long life.
  • QB-44L 2100mha: https://www.ebay.com/i/302710801174
  • QB-44HL 3100mha: https://www.ebay.com/i/292440959095
• Have GPS and send via DPRS or APRS
• Dual Channel DMR, Mototrbo compatible
• Speaker mics are Kenwood compatible.
• Digital Remote Stun/Kill: Select Off or On to allow remote shut-down of a radio.
• Very rugged IP54, dropped a bunch, scratch resistant.
• FCC 47CFR90.203 requires the keypad locked in the shipping configuration. Software keypad unlocking and re-programming are available with the included USB Programming Cable.
  • From: https://powerwerx.com/anytone-atd878uv-dmr-dual-band-handheld-gps-roaming
  • https://www.bridgecomsystems.com/blogs/bridgecom-tx-rx-blog/how-to-unlock-the-anytone-keypad

Links:

• Mods: http://members.optuszoo.com.au/jason.reilly1/868mods.htm
• DMR-6X2: http://www.miklor.com/COM/Review_DMR6X2.php
• Anytone parent co is: Qixiang Electron Science & Technology
• Website: http://www.anytone.net/

Sensitivity Comparison:

• Motorola CP200D: CP200D_spec_sheet.pdf
• Anytone AT-D878UV:2878spec.html
• Manual: ATD878UV-UserManual.pdf

Addendum

Others known to be part 90

TYT MD-380 DMR, TYT MD-UV390, Ailunce Hd1 Dmr, Radioddity GD-77S DMR, TERA TR-7200 Digital DMR, TERA TR-7400 Digital DMR

These also have built in GPS.

Known not to be part 90.

Anysecu DM960 DMR, Radioddity GD-55 Plus

Interesting but unsorted radios.

• Vxd-720 Dmr, Kenwood TH-D74A

Notes

DMR repeaters in Eugene: W7OEC, KC7RJK.

-- ClifCox - 25 Feb 2020