Hardware Thread for the ebayer

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k7mhi
Posts: 28
Joined: Tue Jan 24, 2023 12:21 am

Hardware Thread for the ebayer

Post by k7mhi » Wed Feb 01, 2023 10:30 pm

This thread aims to assist the ham in finding hardware on the used market for flashing OpenGD77. the data here represents known good serial and FCC tags to look for when shopping for hardware.

Gen1 - Initial hardware limited memory and display
Original Hardware Good for HotSpotting! Still works amazing and well supported in OpenGD77 for the Blind Ham (as well as newer)
GD-77, GD-77S, DM-1801 Version 1 only, DM-1801A - Version 1 only, RD-5R,
RD-5R hardware does not support Hotspot mode

larger display and limited contact list memory
MD-UV380 ( FCC POD-MDUV380) without GPS sticker in battery area

and with full contact list memory capacity
MD-UV380 ( FCC POD-MDUV380) with GPS
RT-3S ( FCC2AAR8RETEVISRT3S) with GPS

//
MD-UV390 (not confirmed) waterproof later release hardware

Mobile / full contact list support
MD-9600 (FCC POD-DMR3) with GPS

VK3KYY
Posts: 7478
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 3:25 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Hardware Thread for the ebayer

Post by VK3KYY » Thu Feb 02, 2023 5:18 am

GD-77 and DM-1801 have several advantages over the UV380/RT-3S

They both have separate RF sections for VHF and UHF and hence have a cleaner Tx signal and also better Rx sensitivity
Also they take around 30% less current when in Rx standby. So have much better battery life than the UV380/RT3S

The DM-1801 has twice the Flash memory capacity of the GD-77 which can be useful for anyone using the DMR MARC network who has to use the DMR ID database to look up callsigns. But the Flash memory in the DM-1801 is not large enough to hold the entire DMR ID database or even all the USA Hams

Having a black and white LCD is better when used outdoors in strong light environments, as its much easier to see.

I don't think the DM-1801 will ever go back to using the version 1 design, because apart from the non-availability of the CPU / MCU used in the GD-77 and DM-1801, there would be a cost saving by changing to the new design, that uses a DMR module which uses the C7000 combined CPU and DMR chip.
Radioddity (aka TYT) may be able to produce some more GD-77 radios when the global chip shortage becomed better, but they may not bother while they can sell the UV380/RT-3S and probably make more profit

KI5PGJ
Posts: 30
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2021 1:10 pm

Re: Hardware Thread for the ebayer

Post by KI5PGJ » Tue Feb 28, 2023 1:43 am

VK3KYY wrote:
Thu Feb 02, 2023 5:18 am
GD-77 and DM-1801 have several advantages over the UV380/RT-3S

They both have separate RF sections for VHF and UHF and hence have a cleaner Tx signal and also better Rx sensitivity
Also they take around 30% less current when in Rx standby. So have much better battery life than the UV380/RT3S
SNIP
I just bought a couple RT-3S to convert to Open* firmware. I already have qty 4 GD-77, but wanted to get the RT-3S for GPS capability. Having read
your post I'm not sure I should keep the RT-3S radios.

Besides the pros you posted about the GD-77 vs RT-3S, are there any pros regarding the RT-3s over the GD-77 radios?

thanks

VK3KYY
Posts: 7478
Joined: Sat Nov 16, 2019 3:25 am
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Re: Hardware Thread for the ebayer

Post by VK3KYY » Tue Feb 28, 2023 3:07 am

KI5PGJ wrote:
Tue Feb 28, 2023 1:43 am
VK3KYY wrote:
Thu Feb 02, 2023 5:18 am
GD-77 and DM-1801 have several advantages over the UV380/RT-3S

They both have separate RF sections for VHF and UHF and hence have a cleaner Tx signal and also better Rx sensitivity
Also they take around 30% less current when in Rx standby. So have much better battery life than the UV380/RT3S
SNIP
I just bought a couple RT-3S to convert to Open* firmware. I already have qty 4 GD-77, but wanted to get the RT-3S for GPS capability. Having read
your post I'm not sure I should keep the RT-3S radios.

Besides the pros you posted about the GD-77 vs RT-3S, are there any pros regarding the RT-3s over the GD-77 radios?

thanks
The problem with the non-Genuine CPU in the new RT-3S has now been found and a work-around has been applied, so the firmware now works again for both GPS and Non-GPS versions.

I've edited the original post which still said the new radios are not comparible, and removed the subsequent posts which debated that post

People can make up their own mind about which radio would suit them, but the only compatible HT still in production at the moment is the UV380/RT-3S, and its very difficult to find second hand GD-77 or DM-1801 or RD-5R radios

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