TYT MD-UV390 Plus 10W

[VK3KYY]

The RT-3S was / is available with or without GPS. I have a RT-3S with GPS.
The MD-UV380 was also available with or without GPS

I've not looked recently to see whether its still possible to buy the GPS versions of either the UV380 or RT-3S which are the same radio, except with different stickers on the front.

I supect that any UV380's still for sale are likely to be old stock and the "Plus" versions are probably a replacement for the older versions.

The "Plus" versions seem to have a newer / better GPS module, and possibly a bettery GPS antenna, becuase the GPS in the UV380/RT3S is quite deaf.
The deafness seems to be caused by the low quality GPS module and bad antenna placement

I can't remember if anyone has opened their "Plus" version to look at the model number of the GPS, but it definitely works better than the older radios.

[KB8YKF]

I bought a Retevis RT3S w/GPS direct from retevis.com and it was built very recently - October 2023. I can pickup a dozen or so satellite indoors, so it seems to have the recent GPS upgrades. Maybe the same guts as the new TYT UV-390 Plus. The OP needs to decide how rugged they want, if submersible is important, and go from there down the decision tree

[VK3KYY]

I bought a Retevis RT3S w/GPS direct from retevis.com and it was built very recently - October 2023. I can pickup a dozen or so satellite indoors, so it seems to have the recent GPS upgrades. Maybe the same guts as the new TYT UV-390 Plus. The OP needs to decide how rugged they want, if submersible is important, and go from there down the decision tree

Thanks.

From what I can remember they kept the antenna in the same location and just fitted a better more modern GPS receiver module.

I can't remember if the mechanical / guts of the 2 radios is identical but they are functionally the same.

[KO6CDG]

Someone else comments on buying two of these radios from buytwowayradios.com and installing OpenGD77 without issue

My ears are burning. [I am that someone.] Sounds like the questions were answered, but if anyone else has others on the TYT MD-UV390 Plus: feel free to ping me here.

[F1RMB]

Hi,

BTW, if someone owning a 390Plus, I would like to get the secure registers, (CPS -> OpenGD77 support window), just to check if it can be detected that way. My email is on QRZ.com


Cheers.
---
Daniel

[VK3KYY]

Someone else comments on buying two of these radios from buytwowayradios.com and installing OpenGD77 without issue

My ears are burning. [I am that someone.] Sounds like the questions were answered, but if anyone else has others on the TYT MD-UV390 Plus: feel free to ping me here.

Can you confirm the power output ?

i.e is your version the "10W" version, and if so, does setting the power to 5W output 10W etc.
Please test into a dummy load on both 2m and 70cm

[KO6CDG]

if someone owning a 390Plus, I would like to get the secure registers, (CPS -> OpenGD77 support window), just to check if it can be detected that way.

I'll try to jump on a Windows machine with the OpenGD77 CPS software tomorrow. Is the "secure registers" stuff you're looking for obvious from the support window?

Can you confirm the power output?

i.e is your version the "10W" version, and if so, does setting the power to 5W output 10W etc.
Please test into a dummy load on both 2m and 70cm

I'm afraid not; I don't have a dummy load or wattmeter. (I'm still new to the hobby.) If I get some equipment I'll follow up with my findings. But to answer your other question: mine are the 5W versions.

[VK3KYY]

Can you confirm the power output?

i.e is your version the "10W" version, and if so, does setting the power to 5W output 10W etc.
Please test into a dummy load on both 2m and 70cm

I'm afraid not; I don't have a dummy load or wattmeter. (I'm still new to the hobby.) If I get some equipment I'll follow up with my findings. But to answer your other question: mine are the 5W versions.

Most local hams will have a dummy load and a power meter. These things don't need to cost a fortune. I have a "Redot" branded power meter which cost less than $50 and I bought a 15W dummy load from a hamfest for $10

[KO6CDG]

No doubt. But I'm only been licensed for about a month and don't know any local hams.

[SA0BUX]

I had some ideas to buy a MD-UV390 Plus 10W , but I try to resist as I have more OpenGD77 radios than I have use for.

I saw that some shops talks about a somewhat larger battery but I haven't found it separately when I searched.
Running 10W would suck out the battery rather quick.

I guess they have tweaked the firmware as they say:

Note: if you need software, please contact us.

Factory 100% original product, please don't to FLASH the machine privately, because the version of each machine is different.