Looking for a RD5R

[VK3KYY]

...
I did however buy one of the clones the Baofeng DM-5R (Tier II) from AliExpress for about $70 and then loaded it up with the OpenGD77 firmware.

DM-5R Tier II is the original name for the RD-5R, its the same radio with possibly a slightly different plastic case.
The radio is the same internally, i.e its not a 'clone' by another company its just that Baofeng call it by different names

That being said, I'm surprised that you could find a DM-5R Tier II, becuase AFIK they stopped all production of any radios that use the Freescale / NXP MK22FN512 CPU that is used in those radios, as the CPU became unobtainable

Also note, there is a Tier I version of the DM-5R which is a different radio entirely, and is not compatible

[W7ML]

My understand of the history is:

Baofeng released its original DM-5R but because it was a Tier 1 DMR, most repeater admins banned it (for obvious reasons).

Then Radioddity came along and repurposed most of their GD-77 electronics into the UV-5R/DM-5R case and released it as the RD-5R.

When Radioddity came to the end of the line of its production of the RD-5R, Baofeng picked up the ball again and rereleased the RD-5R as their DM-5R (Tier II).

I did not know about the CPU productions problems; but just checking AliExpress as we speak, there is a listing for $99.95:

2023 New DM-5R PLUS 5RPLUS DM5R FM Transceiver Repeater Portable Digital UV-5R Walkie Talkie CB DMR Two-way Radio U/VHF Dual Ban

and that is probably what I purchased last year. Here is a photo of both of them (I don't see how to attach a photo).

[VK3KYY]

AFIK. Baofeng released the DM-5R Tier II before the RD-5R was released by Radioddity.

Radioddity just rebrand TYT and Baofeng and other brands of radios.

I know someone who said that they bought a DM-5R before Radioddity seemed to be selling them as the RD-5R

[W7ML]

That was not my understanding back in 2016 when I purchased the Radioddity.

There was still a bitter taste in most minds about the Baofeng DM-5R Tier 1.

But I may have bad information.

In any event I have been very happy to have both now and I have ordered from China a $100 HotSpot to get involved with that technology.

I am also playing with the COTRE C001D, a $15 2 watt DMR/Analog HT with no display from China.

[VK3KYY]

That was not my understanding back in 2016 when I purchased the Radioddity.

There was still a bitter taste in most minds about the Baofeng DM-5R Tier 1.

But I may have bad information.

In any event I have been very happy to have both now and I have ordered from China a $100 HotSpot to get involved with that technology.

I am also playing with the COTRE C001D, a $15 2 watt DMR/Analog HT with no display from China.

It was quite a long time ago, and this radio had various incarnations, so its hard to know what came first

[W7ML]

It was quite a long time ago, and this radio had various incarnations, so its hard to know what came first

The chicken, of course!

Yes, other than historical significance; it really does not matter much.

But from the point of view of the OpenGD77 firmware, knowing that AliExpress is a source for DM-5Rs is a good tip for those interested in this radio; given the applicability of UV-5R accessories, especially the batteries!

Have you had any experience with the COTRE $14 DMR HTs?

[F1RMB]

Have you had any experience with the COTRE $14 DMR HTs?

That one doesn't even have a keyboard/screen, it's limited to 16 channels.
We are supporting the GD-77S because it's 100% hardware compatible with the GD-77, minus keyboard/screen.
There is no plan to support new radio, as you probably know we're currently working on the MD-2017, which is pretty interresting, despites some quirks.


Cheers.
---
Daniel

[W7ML]

Thank you for that update; I will take a look at the GD-77S and the MD-2017

[VK3KYY]

I looked on AliExpress and there seem to be some DM-5R but no mention of whether they are Tier I or Tier II

The prices for these is far more expensive than the DM-1701 so I don't see why anyone would buy them.

[W7ML]

I looked on AliExpress and there seem to be some DM-5R but no mention of whether they are Tier I or Tier II

The prices for these is far more expensive than the DM-1701 so I don't see why anyone would buy them.

I don't think that AliExpress could "get out of Dodge" if they were still selling the Tier I - that is just a bad memory for Baofeng!

Isn't it a similar problem now for the 1801; which ones can use OpenGD77 and which of the newer ones can't? (or is that the 1701?)

AliExpress prices fluctuate so I always return to their website before I purchase to make sure I get the best price. In the case of the DM-5R it was $70 and free shipping.

The advantage of the DM-5R/RD-5R is its use of UV-5R accessories, including batteries, so that I was able to use my collection of high capacity batteries, battery eliminator (12v cigarette lighter plug) and AA disposable battery pack (which I never use because I always use rechargeable batteries when available) from my UV-5R collection. I find that sometimes the cost of a radio is dwarfed by the cost of all those wonderful accessories that are offered! HiHi

It does come with its own programming cable, as interestingly enough, the cable does not need a USB chip. Apparently the USB to serial conversion is included in the circuitry of the DM-5R/RD-5R. I do not know if that is also true of the original GD-77, as I have never owned one.