The TYT MD-2017 is one of the most eagerly awaited new radios of the year in the DMR community, and with good reason. It isn't just another digital radio. It's a dual band portable handheld DMR transceiver, the first of its kind.
Many hams using DMR who are fans of the popular single band TYT MD-380 are already planning to upgrade to the new dual band model. TYT manufactures both radios, so it's only natural to wonder if a code plug for the MD-380 will also work in the MD-2017, and if not, if there is a way to convert an existing MD-380 codeplug into one the MD-2017 can use.
We wondered about this as well. Sales Manager Anthony Roque from Buy Two Way Radios and the Two Way Radio Show Podcast, a ham who is active on DMR, has been working very hard with TYT for a long time now to design the MD-2017 programming software with the ability to allow our customers to take their codeplug from their MD-380 and use it in the MD-2017.
FINALLY, it is done. We just received the software this morning and Anthony is currently testing it with his radios. His initial assessment? According to Anthony, "So far so good ...as of right now it can be done." Of course, he will continue testing it throughout the day for bugs, but so far, it seems to be working. If all goes well, we plan to release it this afternoon at Buy Two Way Radios and update this article with a link to the download.
Update: The TYT MD-2017 software is now available!
There is one caveat. The software allows the MD-380 codeplug to work in the MD-2017. However, once the codeplug is uploaded to the MD-2017, it cannot be exported from the 2017 and loaded back into the MD-380.
TYT also released a new firmware update for the MD-2017 to accommodate the code plug conversion and fix a few bugs. The new firmware resolves the following:
- Resolved an audio issue in repeater mode, when the same frequency is on both A and B sides and one is on time slot 1 and the other is on time slot 2
- Under the Zone setting, the same channel can now be assigned for both A and B sides
- The MD-2017 can open and use the data from the MD-380
- In Digital Mode, the Monitor function can monitor the conversations in different group and single calls
TYT assured us the new firmware would be included with the radio when it arrives. We expect to receive the MD-2017 in our warehouse within the next two weeks.
Buy Two Way Radios is an authorized dealer for TYT in the USA.
Want to know more about the new TYT MD-2017? Check out our other resources!
TYT MD-2017 unboxing video
Two Way Radio Show Podcast #111 - The New TYT MD-2017 Dual Band DMR Digital Radio
New dual band DMR digital radio coming from TYT
A repeater that is 30km away from me, as well as a repeater that is 4km away from me when broadcasting, TYT MD 2017 cannot receive normally, I have to constantly switch the trackball between two channels to stop the flashing and crackling of the radio and to loosen the squelch. This phenomenon is very common. I have a couple of radio stations and they all accept fine.
I'm very sorry I bought a radio from TYT!
I will definitely never make such a mistake again. If even TYT ever produces the best radio in the world, and I am convinced of its exceptional qualities, even if they give it to me as a gift, I will refuse without hesitation.
Thanks
Do I have to downgrade to 1.16 or is there another process?
Thanks.
Robert
Thanks,
Jeff
Most screens in software allow import / export only (SOME) of theirs work! Next save your work every 5 minutes or less!!!! the 1.17 crashes when you go to program like clock work I'm in English and I get a Chinese crash screen. Next lets talk about TEXTING yes texting the software says TEXT message settings (BUT) it really sends out TMS messages NOT text messages like the big boys. Then the support department is really slow to respond if your lucky to get any. I asked about upgrading to the GPS firmware saw a blerb saying its just a firmware update got a what model it was in the email and what country and I'm still waiting for them to get back.. That's just my two cents Ive talked to MD-390 owners I should of bought one vhf one uhf for a few dollars more P.S. not happy with battery performance either.
I turn it off and when I turned it back on... "chaos" as the TYT instructions describe it.
I can read/write the radio data. It shows the "right" firmware -- I just can't read the display. :(
Set a new record -- 12 minutes from opening the box to having an non-functioning radio. :) :)
Anybody seen this?
and loaded it into the 2017. when I put it on a ch that is active nothing is coming in on the 2017 and it will not key up a repeater. the same codeplug is in both radios. any ideas what I am doing wrong?
thanks