TYT MD-380 (UHF) DMR Tranceiver - Yes I have one and I do use it!!

I have been asked on several occasions whether I ever use a radio on DMR as it would appear that all the articles I post has to do with DMR applications that runs on a cellphone or PC.  In a past article I explained that with all do respect amateur radio is not only about real radios.  I use what I have available and that will serve the purpose that I have intended for it.  In other words I use the communications medium for a specific reason and purpose.  It is definitely not a hard and fast rule.  I use old valve tech to the newest surface technology, VoIP, Digital Voice modes etc. whenever I feel like using at the time. 

I do have several radios and use them as and when the need arise.   In this article I am going to look at the TYT MD380 DMR Handheld radio which I acquired several years ago when DMR was still in its infancy in South Africa.  Now why would I write and article about this specific radio.  It is really quite simple.  The TYT MD-380 is a popular, budget-friendly DMR (Digital Mobile Radio) handheld transceiver widely used by amateur radio operators and professionals. It offers a great entry point into digital communications, providing both analog FM and digital DMR Tier II capabilities.

Key Specifications & Features

• Frequencies: Available in distinct single-band models: TYT MD-390 VHF (136 - 174 MHz) or TYT MD-380 UHF (400 - 480 MHz). (Dual-band models like the MD-UV380 are also available).
• Power Output: Selectable high (5 W) and low (1 W) power settings.
• Channels & Zones: 1,000 channels, organized into user-defined zones (16 channels per zone accessible via the rotary knob).
• Display: Full-color LCD display showing channel, zone, battery life, and signal strength.
• Battery: Typically comes with a 2000 mAh Li-ion battery, providing roughly 9 to 12 hours of active use.
• Audio: Equipped with an AMBE+2 digital vocoder for clear digital audio. 

Programming

While the MD-380 allows basic front-panel configuration for frequencies and tones, advanced digital features (like assigning DMR talkgroups and contact lists) require PC programming. 

• Software: Requires the free TYT CPS (Customer Programming Software) for Windows.
• Cable: Requires a specific TYT USB programming cable (often uses a standard Kenwood 2-pin connector on the radio end). Note that this software is not natively supported on Mac computers. 

For a complete breakdown of the radio's features, menu options, and everyday functionality:

 

1.  TYT MD-380 - Miklor   Click HERE

2.  TYT MD-380 - Miklor Review   Click HERE

3.  TYT MD-380 - Radiosification Video   Click HERE

 

So far you wrote nothing about the out of ordinary about this radio!   That how it is.  I have never seen the need to purchase a radio with all the bells and whistles that never gets used and I do not buy a radio with the intend that I might use the bells and whistles some day.  O! and I do not have anything against bells and whistles.  My motto is to purchase a practical KISS  radio that is upgrade-able if it ever becomes necessary.  Enough of this.  Let's get to the upgrading of the TYT MD-380 radio.  

 

Thanks to the ingenuity of a few fellow radio amateurs for coming up with firmware that will "revolutionize" the MD-380. There are several different firmware upgrades available.

 

WARNING:  Please use the correct firmware for your specific radio.  I used the following tutorial to upgrade my MD-380,  available HERE.  I would suggest further reading for complete documentation with graphics of the added features available HERE. [PDF]  

I installed the following firmware for my TYT MD-380:   MD-380Toolz Ver  1 April 2018 CP Ver - V 01.37. 

The software builds upon the original custom open-source firmware project for the Tytera MD-380, which was reverse-engineered and developed by Travis Goodspeed (KK4VCZ) and his counterparts in the amateur radio community. 

MD380Tools is  custom, open-source firmware and a software toolkit designed for the TYT MD-380 (and similar DMR radios). It bypasses the limitations of the factory firmware, providing you with highly requested features like Promiscuous Mode (listening to all talk groups on a timeslot), full digital contact list storage, a microphone volume meter, and customized background images. 

Key Features

• Full Database Support: Allows you to load the complete global DMR user database so the radio displays the caller's name, callsign, and location. 
• Promiscuous Mode: Bypasses Talk Group restrictions so you can monitor all traffic on your current frequency, color code, and timeslot without needing to program specific groups. 
• Custom Tweaks: Adds features like a visual microphone volume meter, screen customization, custom boot screens, and backlight timeouts. 

Requirements & Preparation

Before flashing your radio, you will need:

1. Programming Cable: The standard USB programming cable that comes with the MD-380.
2. Firmware File: The open-source patching tools, which are officially maintained via the Travis Goodspeed MD380Tools GitHub Repository.
3. Backup: Use your standard MD-380 CPS (Customer Programming Software) to read your radio and save your current codeplug (radio settings and channels) to your computer before attempting any updates.

Installation & Flashing

Note: Installing custom firmware carries a small risk. Always ensure your radio is fully charged and the USB cable is not disturbed during the flash.

Further information on upgrading the TYT MD-380 is available HERE and HERE. 

Having paid less that 1K for this radio and upgrading it with the firmware MD-380Tools resulted in a very useful DMR Radio that I use daily to excess / monitor the ZS1I DMR Repeater in Mossel Bay.  I love this radio and I am sure that many others feel the same.

 

There you have it changing a budget and fairly aged DMR into a very useful DMR Radio.  Finally I do have amateur radio radios and I use them more frequent than some might think.  No pun intended!  As said before I like to use what I have available at the time for a specific purpose.

 

Images:  Click on images for larger view.

 

 

Another way to use Digital Radio Modes if you do not have an RF Radio = VoxDMR (Part 3)

What is VoxDMR?   The short explanation is that it is a free app for Android, Windows and Linux that will allow you to get on DMR without a radio.

The longer explanation is:

VoxDMR is a free, hotspot-less Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) software client that allows licensed amateur radio operators to connect directly to DMR networks without a physical transceiver or hardware hotspot. Developed by J. Calado, the application runs on Android, Windows, and Linux platforms, transmitting digital voice directly over the internet. 

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Core Mechanics & Features

VoxDMR works similarly to older software clients like DroidStar but offers a refreshed user interface and modern protocol features. 

• Protocol Integration: It utilizes the Rewind protocol to establish direct communication links with master servers.
• Network Support: Licensed hams can communicate across multiple major networks including BrandMeister, TGIF, DMR+, and FreeSTAR.
• Audio Encoding: Uses software-based AMBE+2 vocoder technology to compress, process, and clean real-time digital voice audio.
• Hardware Compatibility: It supports dedicated Android network radios (such as the Inrico S200 and T320) by mapping physical Push-To-Talk (PTT) side buttons. 

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Step-by-Step Configuration Strategy

To activate and use VoxDMR, operators must possess a valid amateur radio license, an active DMR ID, and network access passwords. 

1. Software Installation

• Android: Download the app via the Google Play Store or obtain the official APK release from the VoxDMR GitHub Repository.
• Windows: Install using the standard installer package from the Official VoxDMR Webpage or execute the command winget install jcalado.VoxDMR in the Windows Terminal.
• Linux: Deploy the native Linux package provided on the official software main page. 

2. Vocoder Setup

Upon the first launch on your device, download and initialize the digital vocoder file inside the application menu to activate audio processing. 

3. Server Registration 

• Open the connections profile menu by tapping the three-line configuration menu icon. 
• Create a new connection profile and populate the mandatory identity fields:
  • Call Sign (e.g., ZS1I)
  • Radio ID / DMR ID
  • Hotspot / Security Password (configured beforehand in your Self-Care dashboard on BrandMeister or TGIF). 
• Select your exact target server location (e.g., BrandMeister UK, TGIF United States) from the dropdown menu and hit save. 

4. Initiating Contact

Tap the profile to connect. A green visual indicator confirms a successful connection. Once connected, input your desired Talk Group (TG) number or select a group from your favorites list to start monitoring or transmitting audio.

 

Web-site - VoxDMR = Click HERE 

Setup guide available HERE 

Here you will find everything you need to successfully install VoxDMR and also use the application.  No need for me to explain how to install and operate the software.

Images:  Click on the images for larger view. 

The ZS1I 40M WSPR Beacon is back on the air in Mossel Bay, South Africa

My previous post relating to the 40m WSPR Beacon available HERE refers.

The ZS1I 40 Meter Beacon located in Mossel Bay, South Africa is back on the air using the solar power supply.  So far the supply is running smoothly without any hick-ups.

Particulars of the ZS1I Ultimate 3S Beacon:

• Call: ZS1I
• Freq.: 7.038 600 Mhz
• Band:  40 Meters (7 Mhz)
• Grid:  KF15BT
• Power:  250 mW
• Mode: W-2  (WSPR2)
• Antenna:  EFHW (49:1 Balun)
• TX Period:  Every 10 Minutes
•  Beacon on the air from:  7 October 2025 @ 10h00 SAST
  
•  First Spotter: 10h20 ZS5SAM (Div 1)   Barrydale. (Distance 134 km)

Time to get the 6m CW Beacon on the air.  I will be working on this beacon in the coming days if "Murphy" stay out of my Shack. 

Image: ZS1I DX Report - Pedro LU7ABF  (Click on image for larger view.)  

No excuse not to tune into or connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST

The title of this article sounds like click-bait but really I believe there is no "amateur radio" reason why operators cannot tune into the weekly DMR-ZA Net on TalkGroup 655 on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST.  Let me explain!

First some background information about the DMR Net

DMR-ZA is the digital mobile radio amateur network in South Africa, built to link local repeaters and hotspots via the internet. It relies on Talk Group (TG) 655 for general South African traffic, acting as a virtual meeting place for radio amateurs across the country. 

Key Network Details

• Primary Talk Groups: Talk Group 655 is the open national calling channel. Regional channels (such as province-specific groups) and local repeater talk groups manage localized traffic. 
• Network Infrastructure: The South African portion of the radio network largely relies on the BrandMeister Wiki server, specifically brandmeister.net.za. 
• Weekly Net: The official DMR-ZA Net takes place on Tuesday evenings at 19h30, hosted on Talk Group 655. All stations are welcome to check in. 

Getting Connected

To participate in the net or use the network, you need a licensed amateur radio ID and an internet-linked DMR hotspot or local repeater. 

• Get an ID: You must register your callsign to receive a specific ID via RadioID.net
• Network Configuration: If you are setting up your own MMDVM hotspot, the server and network settings are available on the South Africa - BrandMeister Wiki page. 

The above is one way to get connected but I have a few other ways to tune-in / connect to the DMR-ZA net on a Tuesday evening.  I am talking about cross-linking and using equipment that you already have available in the Shack. 

Cross-linking digital radio modes (like DMR, D-STAR, or C4FM) to an analogue radio means translating these proprietary digital voice streams into standard analogue FM so both legacy users and digital operators can talk to each other.  

Mixed-mode operation: This function allows a digital repeater to transmit a digital signal to modern digital radios while simultaneously rebroadcasting the audio in standard analogue FM to users who have not yet upgraded

AllStarLink or Echolink VoIP Gateways:  To connect a local analogue radio to distant digital radio networks (such as DMR or D-STAR talkgroups), operators use VoIP systems like AllStarLink. 

• By connecting a simple analogue transceiver (like a Baofeng) to a PC running AllStarLink software, you create a gateway node.

• The digital network converts the data into internet packets, which are subsequently sent to the analogue node where they are broadcast over the air. 

Cross-linking digital radio modes (like DMR, D-STAR, or C4FM) to an analog radio requires external hardware or bridging software because analog FM radios cannot directly encode or decode digital transmissions. To achieve two-way communication, the digital signal must be decoded into audio and re-transmitted in analog, or routed through an internet-linked VoIP gateway. 

The most effective ways to cross-link between digital and analog radios include:

1. VoIP Gateways (Echolink or AllStarLink)

You can bridge analog radios to digital talk groups by connecting an analog "link radio" to a computer or Raspberry Pi running bridging software. 

• How it works: Software like AllStarLink or Echolink creates a node that connects your local analog transmission to a digital network (via IP).

• Hardware Needed: A USB soundcard interface (such as a SignalLink or a homebrew sound card fob connected to your radio's data or mic port. 

2. Cross-Mode Hotspots (MMDVM)

If you operate an MMDVM (Multi-Mode Digital Voice Modem) hotspot, you can cross-convert digital modes on the fly. 

• How it works: While most MMDVM units link digital to digital (e.g., DMR to D-STAR), advanced bridging configurations like MMDVM_Bridge combined with Analog_Bridge allow digital networks to talk to analog VoIP nodes.

• Transcoding: The system transcodes digital voice packets into analog audio that standard FM radios can receive. 

3. Analog-to-Digital Repeaters (Mixed Mode)

Certain local amateur or commercial repeaters are hardware-equipped for cross-mode operation. 

• How it works: Systems like Yaesu System Fusion often feature Automatic Mode Select (AMS), which automatically detects an incoming analog FM signal and converts it into a C4FM digital transmission (and vice-versa). 

Now that we know a little bit more about cross-linking / cross-mode operation let's look at how I am doing it here in Mossel Bay. I will explain how I do it but there are always other ways to do it to achieve the same result in the end.

Let's have a look at the flow-chart below in order to give you an overview of all the systems I am running, but also the networks that connects to the ZS1I Hub in Mossel Bay.

Image:  Flowchart (Click on images for larger view.)  

Herewith a list of different equipment / apps and images that cross transmit / receive the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening. (Click on images for larger view.)

1.  ZS1I 49355 AllStar Hub Network which incorporates Echolink. (ZS1I-R)

2.  DMR / DVSwitch /AllStar Bridge (TG 65522)

3.  ZS1I MMDVM Digital Repeater (TG 65522)

4.  145.550 Mhz Analogue Simplex RF Link

5.  DroidStar / VoxDMR Applications for DMR

6.  ASL3 to Mumble Bridge PC (Mumble Client) as well as Mobile Phone (Plumble Client) 

 

7.  BrandMeister - Hoseline Application (PC or Mobile Phone)

 

8.  DVSwitch Mobile Application (PC or Mobile Phone)

9.  Many Analog-Repeaters and Links are connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a daily basis. (See column on the right hand side of the flow chart above.)

Some of these analogue repeaters will be connected to the ZS1I Hub Network on a Tuesday evening and they might also be linked to other repeaters country- and world wide.  So why not link up with your local analogue repeater.  You might just be able to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST. 

 

Optional Cross-Linking to be added:

1.  SVXLink Reflector / Node

2.  AREDN Mesh Network Node

3.  ZS1I MMDVM Hotspot 

 

Finally:  There are an abundance of means illustrated above to connect to the DMR-ZA Net on a Tuesday evening at 19h30 SAST.  The DMR-ZA Net is an open net and all radio amateurs are welcome to join / connect to the net.  Brian ZS5BR is the net controller and I would like to thank him for professionally conducting the net each Tuesday evening.  Highly appreciated!!