| WB0YLE |
Rating:      |
2014-07-11 | |
| Excellent, Commercial-Quality DMR/Analog Radio |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Moving into new technologies is always a challenge; when the migration requires a step change in thinking, it's even harder for us hams, strangely enough, to let go of old new ways of doing things and try to push the envelope.
No doubt that digital modes, due to their more efficient use of spectrum space, ability to snap on new features (messaging, presence, APRS, GPS integration, etc), and flexibility adds to the confusion.
Well, I'm here to say that after making the jump to the DMR world (based on an international standard, 2 slot TDMA, supported by more than one vendor) through the installation and use of the XPR5550, and the growing population of DMR (or Mototrbo, a trademark of Motorola, used only as an identifier, etc) repeaters, it's done everything I've asked of it, and more, and is a fixture in the mobile and base setups.
Plusses:
Audio Quality: You will think the fellow on the other end of the QSO is sitting next to you. Seriously. It's that good. In both directions.
Ease of Operation: Using the licensed programming software, the radio is set up as you want it set up. YOU say what the buttons do. Not the other way around.
Specifications: on a professional (HP/Agilent) service monitor, it exceeds the published specs in terms of sensitivity, power output, distortion, and IM. It does what the paper says it does.
Physical Build: It's a commercial radio. Made by Motorola. Say no more. You want a Yugo, you pay Yugo prices. You want a radio that will stand up to ham-fisted abuse? Here's your rig. It was meant to be used by non-trained personnel. But you pay for the quality.
Flexibility: See Ease of operation above. The software needs getting used to, meant for radio shops to program fleets of them. Not for single users, so, there is a learning (and re-learning) curve if you don't do it every day.
Support: DMR-MARC (www.dmr-marc.com) is the worldwide group, there are mailing lists, and your local trbo repeater cluster.
Modes: DMR and analog, narrow band, but wideband (25KHz entitlement key is free) capable. UHF works from 403-470 MHz and meets spec across that band. So, you don't loose access to the analog systems in your area, while giving you access to the DMR network(s). 1000 channels and up to 256 zones. Multiple scan lists (mixed analog/DMR). Quick (pre-formatted) and ad-hoc text messaging. Simplex (analog and digital). Part 90 approved, so can also go on commercial (if licensed) or GMRS (ditto).
Cons:
Price: with options, DTMF mic, separation kit...it's not cheap. Again, you get what you pay for.
Programing: You need to purchase (don't ask for someone to make a copy...Motorola is retentive about going after people who pirate software...ok?) a license of the CPS for 265.00 for a three-year right to use/update service. It's not cheap. But, if you have a group, one copy can work with multiple radios, so you can spread the cost over x number of users.
If you're thinking of moving into the next internationally-supported, multiple manufacturer standard (Moto, Hytera, Harris, Connect Systems, Baofeng, etc) radio, and want the top shelf, you will not go wrong with selecting this rig.
Check out the dmr-marc site for ham-friendly dealers...and heed the advice. You will NOT be disappointed for what you get for the price you pay.
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