General

Many two way radios have a feature called Talk Around. While not found on basic or entry level consumer radios, it is often included in higher end business, ham and even some GMRS models that can connect to repeaters. But what is it? What does it do? Most importantly, is it something you really need?

The Talk Around feature does exactly what the term implies. It allows a radio that is communicating through a repeater to bypass it and communicate directly to the radio on the other end of the connection instead, essentially "talking around" the repeater.

It's a simple concept, but to fully understand how this works, it is important to know how a repeater operates. Repeaters work by receiving a signal on one frequency and transmitting on another frequency that is spaced apart from the receiving frequency by a specified amount of bandwidth. This spacing is generally referred to as an offset. This allows the repeater to receive an incoming radio transmission and "repeat" the transmission across a broader expanse and higher power output, effectively increasing the overall range of the radios that communicate through it.

When a radio is using Talk Around, it is circumventing this communication through the repeater. Instead of transmitting and receiving these signals on two different frequencies, The Talk Around function allows the radio to both transmit and receive on the same frequency in simplex mode, bypassing the repeater entirely.

This can be very useful when the repeater is nearly out of range, is not operating, or if the radios that are communicating with one another are within range of one another and simplex comms are preferred.

TYT is a leader in DMR, particularly among the amateur radio crowd. The MD-380 has long been the go-to DMR radio for hams, the MD-390 has its niche, and the MD-9600 is an extremely popular mobile digital radio as well. A few years ago the manufacturer added dual band capability to DMR with the MD-2017, MD-UV380 and MD-UV390. Now they are adding a Plus. Introducing the new TYT MD-UV390 Plus Waterproof Dual Band DMR Digital Two Way Radio!

The new TYT MD-UV390 Plus has a lot of the same features as its predecessors, plus GPS, IP67 dust and water protection, AES-256 encryption and more. Let's learn more about each one of these.

Dual Band DMR
The original MD-390 was a single band DMR radio and was available in UHF and VHF versions. The MD-UV390 Plus GPS operates in either analog or digital mode on 136-174MHz VHF frequencies at up to 5 watts and 400-480MHz frequencies in the UHF band at up to 4 watts. Of course, as a DMR radio, it uses Time-Division Multiple-Access (TDMA) digital technology on a single 12.5kHz channel at either high or low power.

AES 256 Encryption
Digital encryption is nothing new, and is standard for other TYT DMR radios. For instance, the original MD-390 supports 128-bit encryption, and it is difficult to break with today's technology, which makes it still quite secure. The MD-UV390 Supports AES 256-bit encryption. This means that the encryption key is double the length of the 128-bit encryption key on previous models, making the UV390 Plus even more secure.

TYT MD-UV390 Plus with PTT button

IP67 Dust and Water Rating
For added protection against harsher outdoor environments, the MD-UV390 Plus is rated IP67 dust and waterproof. The rating indicates the radio is impervious to ingress from dust and is submersible in up to 1 meter of water for a duration of up to 30 minutes. This means that the MD-UV390 Plus can handle a myriad of dirty, wet and muddy conditions in the field, making it a rugged companion for use outdoors and in various emergency situations. It does not mean that it is considered intrinsically safe, which is important to keep in mind if one in considering a radio for use in potentially hazardous environments where there may be exposure to flammable or explosive materials. Such conditions require a radio with an IS certification and rating.

Also, it is important to note that The MD-UV390 Plus is dust and waterproof only when the accessory port is completely and properly covered and sealed. The radio is not fully waterproof when a headset or other accessory is connected to the audio accessory port.

GPS Capability
The MD-UV390 Plus is also equipped with GPS technology to can send and receive data between other DMR radios, including longitude, latitude and elevation. For the most part, if all of the radios are compatible with Motorola Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) Tier 2 Standard protocol, they should be able to send, receive and share this data. However, The MD-UV390 Plus does not natively support APRS.

Part 90 Type Accepted for Business
The MD-UV390 Plus is legal for amateur or business use. It is FCC type accepted for Part 90, which makes it a very economical choice for businesses, commercial operations and organizations that are moving to digital but want to avoid the expense of buying a $400-$1200 digital or analog/digital hybrid radio, or an entire fleet of them.

3000 Channels
Let's be honest here, most small businesses that use digital radios don't usually need more than 16 channels, and many of them can operate on less than four. This sort of thing is more attractive to the ham radio community. Even so, while nice to have, how many amateur operators actually need a thousand channels or more? Yet, TYT did it anyway, giving the MD-UV390 Plus no less than 3000 memory channels to store all of those frequencies for instant access as ostensibly needed.

TYT MD-UV390 Plus Display

Color LCD Display
The TYT MD-380 and MD-390 series radios that have a color display, so it comes as no surprise that the MD-UV390 Plus has one too. While not quite as rich and colorful as the Wouxun analog models, it does rival the full color LCD display of the Wouxun KG-UVN1 DMR digital radio. The image is clear and sharp, the alphanumeric characters are easy to read, and the icons are simple and clean. Plus, the screen of the MD-UV390 Plus is brighter, making it easier to read in direct sunlight than the screen of the Wouxun radios.

Features and Functionality
All the standard features of other TYT MD Series digital DMR radios are in the MD-UV390 Plus as well. These include channel scan, priority channel scan, group call, private call and all call options, repeater capability, CTCSS/DCS support, custom display messages, text messaging, talkaround and DTMF support for remote commands such as stun, kill and activate. Most full featured, higher end business radios have these or equivalent features these days, it should come as no surprise they are included with the MD-UV390 Plus, except perhaps a clock. And it has one.

TYT-MD-UV390 Plus Dimensions

Size and Weight
The MD-UV390 Plus is similar in size and weight to its predecessors, measuring 5.15 inches high, 2.4 inches wide, and 1.41 inches deep. Although not a tiny transceiver, it's ergonomically comfortable to hold, operate and carry. Weighing in at 9.1 ounces, it's not a heavy handheld, either.

Programming the MD-UV390 Plus
The MD-UV390 Plus requires the programming software provided by TYT. Although some items can be customized from the radio menu, it is highly recommended to use the programming software for full access to the radio. Every feature and function of the radio in both analog and digital modes can be configured from there.

TYT-MD-UV390 Plus Accessories

The UV390 Plus has two programmable side keys. Each key can be programmed to perform two separate functions, one on a short press, the other on a long press of the key. The list of assignable functions includes Alert Tones, Power Select, Monitor, Repeater/Talkaround, Scan, Record, Playback, VOX, Lone Worker, and more. There are more than 26 available functions on the list!

Accessories
The MD-UV390 Plus includes two removable antennas, belt clip, charger tray, AC cable, and an owner's manual. While not very comprehensive, the manual does help understand the main features and programmable options, so it's still worth a read.
The TYT MD-UV390 Plus is available from Buy Two Way Radios.
Price: $119.99.

Recently we received a question from a reader in our blog who was searching for a device that could scan an incoming radio signal to detect and identify CTCSS tones and DCS codes. Although devices do exist that will perform this task, some radios will actually do it for you. Most Wouxun radios that we carry have a built-in tone scan feature, and some even allow you to save the scanned tone or code and add it to the current channel.

This is a very handy feature to have on any radio for a couple of reasons. For instance, if your group is using the same channel and/or frequency, but one person cannot hear the others, it is usually because the receiving unit likely either has a CTSS tone or DCS code enabled and the other radios don't, or the tone or code programmed into that radio is different from the one the rest of the group is using. Either way, the communication on that channel will be filtered out unless the correct tone or code is enabled, and the only way to do that is to obtain that tone or code and program it into the radio.

Another use for the tone scan, and probably the best example of it, is to identify the proper CTCSS or DCS needed to connect a radio with a repeater. Some repeaters are completely open and do not require a tone or code to use them, but many others do, and unless you know what it is, you won't be able to access it. With the tone scan, you can identify the correct tone or code and add it to the channel on your radio that is programmed for the repeater.

Tone Scan sounds like a great feature to have on any radio, and it is! It can also be a confusing one for those who are not familiar with how it works, because it's not simply a matter of enabling it in the radio menu. It requires a little more than that.

A common misconception of the Tone Scan feature is that you enable it in the menu, and the next time you receive a signal, it just pops up the code or tone on your screen. Well, yes and no. Yes, the radio will display it, but no, not just any time. Unlike most other features in a typical Wouxun radio menu, this one is different. You can't just enable the Tone Scan menu item and forget it. You need to be in the menu and enable Tone Scan while the signal is being received. In other words, the scan is active the moment you turn it on, but only while there is a signal to scan.

The reason for this is simply because you can't scan for a tone when there is no signal.

Here's how to use Tone Scan on a typical Wouxun radio. Keep in mind that these are general instructions intended Wouxun branded radios only.

To activate the Tone Scan, press the MENU key and choose the Tone Scan item. It may be listed as TONE SCAN, TONE-SCAN, TONESCAN, or something else entirely, depending on the model. Press MENU again to choose it and the first tone or code on the list should display on the screen. It is important to stay in the menu and keep the Tone Scan menu item open during the scan. Exiting the menu at this point will prematurely end the scan.

The scan will begin when a signal is received. The scan will stop when the signal ends and resume from where it left off the next time the signal is received. This cycle will continue until it identifies the correct tone. Tip: for faster results, you can usually use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to scan in a different direction when using one of the Wouxun models listed in the chart below.

On Wouxun models that also support non-standard CTCSS, positive DCS, and negative DCS, there is usually an option to scan for some of them as well. Refer to the user manual for your specific model to read more information.

Once the tone or code is identified, all you need to do is note it and program it into the desired channel on your radio.

For added convenience, some Wouxun radios that are equipped with Tone Scan also include another feature called Tone Save. This item determines how a CTCSS tone or DCS code is saved to a channel after a CTCSS/DCS scan. On most Wouxun radios with this feature, you will have the option to either save the scanned tone to the receive CTCSS/DCS setting, the transmit setting, or both.

Note: *The models in green have separate menu items for CTCSS and DCS scan.
**The model in yellow indicates that the CTCSS/DCS Scan is only accessible directly from the keypad of the speaker microphone.

Modern agricultural operations involve frequent communication across wide tracks of land. In this clip from episode 178 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Danny and Rick discuss why radios are a key component in farming - one that Buy Two Way Radios is ready to provide!

Radios mentioned:

• Midland GXT1000VP4
• Icom F4001-03-RC (UHF)
• Icom IC-F6011-67 UHF Mobile
• Midland T71VP3
• Midland MXT115 GMRS Mobile
• Midland MXT275 GMRS MicroMobile
• Midland MXT500 GMRS Mobile
• Wouxun Farm Radio Kit
• Wouxun Radio Base Station Kit
• Wouxun Farm Radio Base Station Kit Plus
• Wouxun KG-805F/805FS
• Wouxun KG-905G
• Wouxun KG-935G Plus
• Wouxun KG-XS20G Plus
• Wouxun KG-1000G Plus
• Motorola MOTOTRBO R2

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When is the appropriate time to actually use VOX? How do you activate it on a two way radio? How do you properly configure VOX for optimal use? In this video clip from Episode 176 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Danny and Rick tackle the issue one faces when utilizing this tool.

Additional Resources:
How does VOX work on a two way radio?
The Facts about VOX
TWRS-176 - An Introduction to VOX
Radio 101 - How to set VOX mode on a Midland GXT1000
Radio 101 - Using VOX on two way radios

Want more videos about 2-way radios? Browse our video blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

In this video clip from Episode 176 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Danny and Rick explain what VOX is, how it works on a two way radio and why it may or may not be the best option for some radio applications.

Additional Resources:
The Facts about VOX
TWRS-176 - An Introduction to VOX
Radio 101 - How to set VOX mode on a Midland GXT1000
Radio 101 - Using VOX on two way radios

Want more videos about 2-way radios? Browse our video blog and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

Wouxun went into the US business radio market in the summer of 2022 with the introduction of the Wouxun KG-S84B and KG-S86B Business Two Way Radios. Both models were well received and are growing in popularity among companies and organizations that need reliable local radio communications on a small business budget. Now Wouxun is expanding their line of business two way radios with the release of two new models, the Wouxun KG-824B and KG-826B Dual Band Business Two Way Radios!

KG-824B
The Wouxun KG-824B is the base model, without a display or keypad. It's designed for simple operation by the general staff with little to no training and absolutely no fuss. It has an on/off/volume knob, channel knob, a programmable side key, a monitor key, and a PTT button. It's perfect for companies that want simple comms with no complicated keypads and menus to distract or frustrate the staff.

The 824B is a very light and compact transceiver that employees can easily carry around on the job. Yet it's also fairly rugged, with an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance to keep it operating reliably. It supports UHF and VHF business frequencies at up to 4 watts of power on UHF and up to 5 watts on VHF. It comes pre-programmed with 16 channels and can be programmed with an additional 112 channels, for a total of 128 custom channels. It also supports 50 CTCSS tones and 105 DCS codes.

The 824B is FCC type accepted for the BRS and is narrowband compliant. It is equipped with a superheterodyne receiver for quality signal sensitivity. It also features channel scan, priority channel scanning, timeout timer, low battery alert, power save mode, English voice prompts and VOX. It is also cloning capable.

In addition to these other features, the KG-824B includes a bright LED flashlight on top of the radio that can be activated from one of the side keys. This can come in quite handy for employees who work in dimly lit areas or at night in the dark.

The KG-824B comes with a 2000mAh lithium-ion battery pack, antenna, belt clip, desktop charger, AC adapter, wrist strap, and owner's manual written in plain, easy to understand English. Price- $139.99.

KG-826B
The Wouxun KG-826B is a little different. It does have a 4-key keypad and a dual channel display. It can display the channel name, channel number, or channel frequency. It can also display a signal strength indicator, battery level indicator and other icons needed for the general operation of the radio.

As with the KG-824B base model, the KG-826B can transmit and receive on both UHF and VHF business frequencies, with up to 4 watts on UHF and 5 watts on VHF at high power. It also has 16 channels pre-programmed to common business frequencies right out of the box, with the option for programming additional custom channels. The difference is that while the 824B can have up to 128 channels, the 826B can have up to 199!

The KG-826B also has many of the same features as the 824B, and adds a stopwatch timer. Most of these features can be accessed and customized through the onscreen menu. This can be handy when operating the radio in a storefront, warehouse or other location.

The Wouxun KG-826B comes with all of the same accessories included with the 824B. These accessories can be mixed and matched between both radios, so you can have one fleet with a mix of 824B radios for the employees and 826B radios for the managers and supervisors. Both models use a standard Kenwood 2-pin (K1) style audio connector, so other items such as earpieces, headsets and speaker microphones are cross-compatible as well. Price- $159.99.

Wouxun business radios are a great, and cost-effective solution for your company or organization. They work with many other brands of business class radios for greater flexibility. The following chart compares the KG-824B with the KG-826B feature for feature.

KG-284B/KG-286B Comparison Chart

DCS is an acronym for Digital Coded Squelch. It is a set of digital codes that act as filters to eliminate interference from unwanted transmissions originated by other individuals or groups who are operating on the same channel or frequency. DCS codes are also commonly known as Interference Eliminator codes, Digital Private Line (DPL) codes or Digital Quiet Talk (DQT) codes.

Some consumer and business radios that support DCS codes may assign a number to each code within the radio menu for selection and programming options. Other radios simply list the codes themselves and allow you to choose them directly.

DCS codes ending in N are positive. Negative DCS codes end in I.

As it is with CTCSS tones, there is no universal standard for DCS tones or their number assignments in a radio. Each radio manufacturer decides what codes their radios will support and how those codes will be implemented in their products. Also, some radios may only support certain codes and may not support others.

Listed below is a chart of DCS codes often used for two way radios, along with common code number assignments for radios that use them. Again, these code number assignments are only a general guide and may vary between different radios. Consult the user manual for your radio for the specific codes supported.

Common DCS Codes

Some manufacturers support an expanded list of DCS codes. Wouxun radios typically feature a set of 105 codes, and some models support both positive and negative codes for maximum flexibility.

The List below is a chart of DCS codes that Wouxun typically supports in its line of radios, along with their commonly used number assignments. Note that all the codes in the chart end with N. This designates a positive code. Some radios also support the option to use negative codes. If using a negative code, you would simply replace the N with an I.
Wouxun DCS Codes

We get questions from customers who are adding radios and other electronic devices to their emergency preparedness kits and are concerned about potential damage from electromagnetic radiation. How do you protect your radios from EMF and EMP?

In this video clip from Episode 171 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Danny and Rick introduce Faraday Defense Bags to protect your two way radios from these potential threats.

These faraday bags from Faraday Defense provide protection from Electromagnetic Field Radiation (EMF), Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), and Static Discharge.

Faraday NEST-Z EMP 7.0 mil Faraday Bag

Faraday NEST-Z Faraday Bag - 15pc Kit

Faraday NX3 Faraday / Fabric Forensic Bag

Faraday Dry Bag Backpack (Stealth Black)

Faraday Dry Duffel Bag

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Questions? comments? Feel free to leave them below!

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Among the concerns of preppers and many others who buy two way radios for emergency comms is one of EMF protection. How do you protect your radios and other sensitive electronics from Electromagnetic Field (EMF) damage and Electromagnetic Pulse, or EMP attacks? The general answer to this is to store them in a Faraday Cage. But where do you get one? After considerable research, we have a solution. Buy Two Way Radios now offers Faraday Bags for your radio gear!

These faraday bags from Faraday Defense provide protection from Electromagnetic Field Radiation (EMF), Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), and Static Discharge. Our current line includes the following products.

Faraday NEST-Z EMP 7.0 mil Faraday Bag
The Faraday NEST-Z is an EMP bag with a zip-lock closure fast and convenient storage and transport of electronic components and devices. The bag has a 7.0 mil thick moisture barrier and five layers of high temperature resistant, EMI protective materials. These include two layers of heavy-gauge, static-dissipating polyester, two layers of aluminum barrier shielding, and an inner layer of polyester for added strength. It's puncture resistant at up to 33 lbs and has a tensile strength of 11,500 psi.

The NEST-Z bags meet MIL-PFR-81705-REV.D standards for heat sealable, electrostatic protective flexible barrier materials with an EMI attenuation of >50 dB. It is RoHS compliant and lead-free.

The NEST-Z is available in four sizes, including 5x7 inches, 8x10 inches, 12x18 inches and 16x20 inches.
Price: From $7.69

Faraday NEST-Z Faraday Bag - 15pc Kit
The NEST-Z is also available in a 15 bag kit with 15 assorted sizes. These include six 5x7 inch bags, four 8x10 inch bags, two 12x18 inch bags and three 16x20 inch bags. All sizes are internal measurements. Price: $69.99

Faraday NX3 Faraday / Fabric Forensic Bag
The Faraday NX3 Faraday / Fabric Forensic Bag takes things up a notch with a bag made of metal plated fabric. It consists of three layers of what Faraday Defense calls CYBER fabric for "enterprise grade protection". CYBER is described as a specialized metal-plated fabric containing elements of nickel and copper shielding. The bag seals with a double-roll and Velcro closure. According to the manufacturer, this bag is one of the highest-rated on the market for signal blocking, cyber blocking and universal shielding.

The NX3 blocks Bluetooth, cell signals from 5G networks, GPS, RFID and Wi-Fi. It is designed for universal shielding of two way radios, laptops, and other devices. It's currently available in two sizes, 8x10 inches and 12x18 inches (interior dimension). Price: from $32.99

Faraday Dry Bag Backpack (Stealth Black)
One of the more interesting products is the Faraday Dry Bag Backpack. This is a real EMP backpack made with three layers of metal plated fabric consisting of nickel and copper shielding. It seals with a double roll and clip closure for 100% signal blocking protection. It can block communication of signals to and from the devices inside it with 85-90dB attenuation.

The Faraday Backpack features two mesh side pockets, padded straps and quick-release straps. The straps and the mesh padding on the back of the pack add a professional look and comfortable feel. The tarpaulin exterior is puncture and water resistant. With interior dimensions of 16″ H x 11″ W x 6″ D when closed, this bag has ample room for two way radios, accessories and other devices. Price: $139.99

Faraday Dry Duffel Bag
If you want to maximize protection and need to carry a lot electronic gear, the Faraday Dry Duffel Bag may be what you need. Like the backpack, the Duffel bag is designed shield multiple devices for travel or storage, and has the same puncture and water resistant tarpauline outer cover and 3-layer fabric of metal-plated, nickel and copper shielding. It seals with a double-fold closure and secure buckles to block signals with >85 attenuation (400Mhz-40Ghz). The bag has padded straps, reinforced carrying handles and an extra strap across the top for an extra secure closure.

The the large interior area of 24”x12”x12" when closed gives you plenty of room for a plethora of devices. This is the top line of portable EMP bags. Price: $247.99