Radioddity DB20G

[Destro]

30 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

What about two different repeaters on the same channel, but with different tones?

I would suspect you have to store that in one of the open channels. I don't remember if those channels are RX only or not. I unlocked mine right away, so I can put whatever I want in any of the channels.

[UncleYoda]

Just now, Destro said:

I don't remember if those channels are RX only or not.

31-39 are TX and RX.  31-38 can only be programmed using software.  39 can be programmed from the radio only for simplex or for repeater in software.  40 & up are RX only, and so are 8-14.

[WRYS709]

27 minutes ago, Destro said:

 I unlocked mine right away, so I can put whatever I want in any of the channels.

Me, too! This radio has stood the test of time, now especially with Chirp support!

It out performs my Yaesu FT-857d on 2 meter and 70 cm FM.

[Northcutt114]

So, let me ask this question...

As someone who is preparing to get their Technician license and is a GMRS user, as well, would the DM20G be a good radio to purchase and then unlock as it would give me access to GMRS, as well as UHF and VHF, the two bands I would have access to as a Technician? Essentially, I would be able to talk on both GMRS and HAM from the same unit?

 

[WRYS709]

6 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

Essentially, I would be able to talk on both GMRS and HAM from the same unit?

 

Yes! And if you are a stickler for FCC rules you can restore it to GMRS only. You must reload a codeplug each time

And if not, I have previously posted a codeplug for when it is unlocked that comports with FCC GMRS rules, otherwise. 

[Northcutt114]

Just now, WRYS709 said:

Yes! And if you are a stickler for FCC rules you can restore it to GMRS only. You must reload a codeplug each time

And if not, I have previously posted a codeplug for when it is unlocked that comports with FCC GMRS rules. 

Thanks for the answer. I'm looking at putting together a portable unit inside a pelican case type dealio. Currently trying to decide which radio to use. The same size of this one makes it appealing. The ultimate goal is to make it into the HF band but this would get me started in HAM. I appreciate the feedback!

 

[Destro]

9 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

So, let me ask this question...

As someone who is preparing to get their Technician license and is a GMRS user, as well, would the DM20G be a good radio to purchase and then unlock as it would give me access to GMRS, as well as UHF and VHF, the two bands I would have access to as a Technician? Essentially, I would be able to talk on both GMRS and HAM from the same unit?

 

This is exactly why I got mine. So when I get my HAM call sign, I can use it for GMRS, 2m, 70cm, and MURS. Mostly for RX, but TX if I need to.

[WRYS709]

My understanding is that the City of Malibu funded DB-20G Go-Boxes for communications during their frequent natural emergencies.

[Northcutt114]

Just now, Destro said:

This is exactly why I got mine. So when I get my HAM call sign, I can use it for GMRS, 2m, 70cm, and MURS. Mostly for RX, but TX if I need to.

Good to know, thanks. I'm also currently considering an ICOM ID-4100A, but it's going to be over double the price of the Radioddity....and it won't do GMRS. Or at least I think it won't.

 

 

[WRYS709]

2 minutes ago, Destro said:

This is exactly why I got mine. So when I get my HAM call sign, I can use it for GMRS, 2m, 70cm, and MURS. Mostly for RX, but TX if I need to.

FWIW: I also got a DB-25D which is basically the same format with DMR capabilities. 

[amaff]

23 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

would the DM20G be a good radio to purchase and then unlock as it would give me access to GMRS, as well as UHF and VHF, the two bands I would have access to as a Technician? Essentially, I would be able to talk on both GMRS and HAM from the same unit?

 

If you mean the DB20-G, then yes. Or you could pick up the Anytone or Retevis flavors, whichever is cheapest, they're the same radio (hell, my Radioddity showed AnyTone on the welcome screen haha).

Pick up whichever's cheapest and comes with the programming cable (the Radioddity at least did when I bought mine, the Retevis didn't, and I don't remember about the AT). My DB20G showed the same price at the time as the Retevis, but came with the cable.

[WRYS709]

My advice, is avoid the Retevis

[UncleYoda]

22 minutes ago, Northcutt114 said:

Good to know, thanks. I'm also currently considering an ICOM ID-4100A, but it's going to be over double the price of the Radioddity....and it won't do GMRS. Or at least I think it won't.

 

 

Icom, Yaesu, and the other top brand ham radios follow the rules.  CCRs may let you break the rules.

95.1761:

(c)  No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.

[WRYS709]

8 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Icom, Yaesu, and the other top brand ham radios follow the rules.  

 

[amaff]

6 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

 

Naa naa naa see, that's TOTALLY different. You need a screwdriver and a soldering iron to unlock MARS mod that radio! You can't do it in software!!

[wayoverthere]

1 hour ago, amaff said:

If you mean the DB20-G, then yes. Or you could pick up the Anytone or Retevis flavors, whichever is cheapest, they're the same radio (hell, my Radioddity showed AnyTone on the welcome screen haha).

Pick up whichever's cheapest and comes with the programming cable (the Radioddity at least did when I bought mine, the Retevis didn't, and I don't remember about the AT). My DB20G showed the same price at the time as the Retevis, but came with the cable.

Both of my Anytone came with the cables as well (from amazon).

AFAIK, the Anytone software and the Radioddity software are interchangeable between either brand radio.  The Retevis software doesn't play nice with my Anytones, but I can program it just fine with the Radioddity software.

[Destro]

2 hours ago, amaff said:

If you mean the DB20-G, then yes. Or you could pick up the Anytone or Retevis flavors, whichever is cheapest, they're the same radio (hell, my Radioddity showed AnyTone on the welcome screen haha).

Pick up whichever's cheapest and comes with the programming cable (the Radioddity at least did when I bought mine, the Retevis didn't, and I don't remember about the AT). My DB20G showed the same price at the time as the Retevis, but came with the cable.

The Retevis RA25 now does come with the programming cable. It didn't at first.

Also, Abbree now has one on Amazon too, but I think it's like $10 cheaper than the others. Not sure if it comes with a cable though.

[Destro]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

My advice, is avoid the Retevis

Why is that, they are all the exact same radios. I have the Retevis, and works great! No issues at all.

[hxpx]

1 hour ago, WRYS709 said:

The IC-2730 is also MARS-moddable, but doesn't support D-STAR.

[WRYS709]

3 hours ago, Destro said:

Why is that, they are all the exact same radios. I have the Retevis, and works great! No issues at all.

I posted that comment hoping I would get some feedback from a Retells Ra-25 owner.

I have never laid my eyes on the Retevis, but I once helped someone online debug their codeplug.  The problem I had was I could not open their Retevis codeplug in either my Radioddity CPS software (preferable) or even my older Anytone CPS software.

So I had to download the Retevis software to open it, modify it and save it back to send it to the user.

I notice that @wayoverthere just mentioned a similar anomaly above:

Quote

AFAIK, the Anytone software and the Radioddity software are interchangeable between either brand radio.  The Retevis software doesn't play nice with my Anytones, but I can program it just fine with the Radioddity software.

Hence my reluctance to recommend someone purchasing the Retevis over a choice of either the Radioddity unit or the Anytone unit.

[WRYS709]

8 hours ago, WSIA835 said:

Unfortunately those steps are for the Unlocked mode.  Menus for setting the offset and direction don't exist in GMRS mode.

Looks like in my absence, you got some positive suggestions to solve your problem.

If you are still running into trouble let me know some specifics and I will re-lock my radio and work them out for you!