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TYT

  • How to Load Encryption Keys into the TYT MD-UV390 Plus DMR Radio

    The TYT MD-UV390 Plus Waterproof Dual Band DMR Digital Two Way Radio adds a whole new level of security for businesses with its AES 256-bit encryption. It can also be a little confusing, because programing and loading encryption keys into the radio is not intuitive at all. How do you do it?

    In this quick video tutorial, Steven from our tech department at Buy Two Way Radios shows you how to load encryption keys into the MD-UV390 Plus via the TYT programming software on your computer.

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

  • How to put the MD-UV380 Plus and MD-UV390 Plus into Programming Mode

    Unlocking the TYT MD-2017
    The TYT MD-UV380 Plus and MD-UV390 Plus need to be placed into a programmable mode before the radio can be read or written with a code plug. This is achieved by holding two buttons while turning the radio on. These buttons are located both above and below the push-to-talk button. Ensure that the radio powers up until you can see the home page, where frequencies are listed. After completing this process, the radio can now be programmed.

    • Turn the radio OFF.
    • Hold down side buttons 1 and 2.
    • Turn the radio ON while holding down these buttons.
    • The radio is now in Programming Mode.

    Important Note: If you repeat this process, you will set the radio in an unprogrammable mode. Reading a radio in unprogrammable mode and then writing that code plug to another radio will lock that radio, as the code plug is not a programmable one. However, if you load your unprogrammable code plug into a radio and then set that radio into programmable mode, it will transform the code plug into a programmable one, and it should function as intended on the radio.

    Programming Software
    MD-UV380 Plus Programming Software
    MD-UV390 Plus Programming Software

    Happy programming!

  • Video Introduction to the TYT MD-UV390 Plus DMR Digital Radio

    Get ready for the next generation of affordable dual band digital radio comms for both business and amateur use! Introducing the TYT MD-UV390 Plus DMR Digital Radio!

    In this video clip from episode 181 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, Tanner and Rick discuss the primary features that make this a premium DMR radio at an amazingly low price. The MD-UV390 Plus is available at Buy Two Way Radios.

    Listen to the full Two Way Radio Show podcast and Subscribe to the show!

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

  • TWRS-181 - The TYT MD-UV390 Plus DMR Digital Radio

    Two Way Radio Show
    We tell you about a low cost dual band digital two way radio from TYT that’s a Plus. We’ll give you an overview of its features and specifications and compare it to the original version of this radio. We’ll also take some of your comments and questions from our blog and our forum.
    Intro :00
    Billboard 1:09

    The TYT MD-UV390 Plus DMR Digital Radio 1:24
    When TYT introduced the MD-380 in 2015, it set the bar for affordable digital DMR radios and brought many hams and even some small businesses into the digital age. Then came a dual band model, the MD-UV380. Now TYT is doing it again, with the introduction of a dual band digital DMR radio with GPS, IP67 dust and water protection, and 256-bit digital encryption, plus many other features, the MD-UV390 Plus.

    Questions and Answers 23:34
    Comments and questions from our blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum. Check out and join the forum! It's free!

    Wrap up and Close 28:05
    Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. If we read your comment about this episode on a future episode, we may send you a free t-shirt or some swag! Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!

    © 2023 Cricket Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved.

  • The TYT MD-UV390 Plus is now available!

    TYT MD-UV390 Plus Dual Band Digital DMR Two Way RadioTYT 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.

  • Which TYT radios are superheterodyne?

    TYT Radios

    There is one frequently asked question that, until the last year or so, was rarely asked at all. Now we hear it at least once almost every day. Is it superhet? Lately we've been asked this question in regards to radios made by TYT. This is not information that is typically provided by a manufacturer voluntarily. So, we had to ask them directly. Which TYT radios have a superheterodyne receiver? Here was their answer.

    The table below lists the TYT radios we carry and the type of receivers they use.

    TYT Radio Receiver Specifications
    Model Service Band Form Factor Analog/Digital Receiver
    TH-350 Amateur Tri-Band Handheld Analog Direct Conversion
    TH-9800 Amateur Quad Band Mobile Analog Superheterodyne
    TH-UV88 Amateur UHF/VHF Handheld Analog Direct Conversion
    MD-380 Amateur UHF/VHF Handheld Digital Superheterodyne
    MD-390 Amateur UHF/VHF Handheld Digital Superheterodyne
    MD-9600 Amateur UHF/VHF Mobile Digital Superheterodyne
    MD-UV380 Amateur UHF/VHF Handheld Digital Direct Conversion
  • Video Introduction to the TYT TH-350 Tri-Band Radio

    Dual band amateur radios are everywhere and many of them at bargain basement prices. But what if you want to take your portable handheld amateur radio beyond two bands? The TYT TH-350 is what you need!

    The video above gives you a close look at the TH-350 with a quick overview of its features and included accessories. It's available to ship from our warehouse Buy Two Way Radios.

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

  • TYT TH-UV88 Firmware Update

    A few weeks ago we were excited about the release of the TYT TH-UV88 radio. This "Baofeng killer" has taken the ham radio community by storm. With new radios, bugs are ALWAYS expected and the TH-UV88 is no different.

    A few days ago a customer pointed out that they were having trouble with scan not receiving. We tested this with several radios and were able to confirm that there was indeed a problem. We made TYT aware of this and they immediately jumped in to action and had a solution within 24 hours!

    The turnaround time was impressive, but maybe even more impressive is that a radio in this price range has upgradeable firmware!  

    A programming cable and a PC running Windows is needed for installation. The only change in this update is the scan fix, so if scan is not something you need or use, you do not need to install the update.

    Installing the Firmware

    TYT Firmware Update Tool

    1. Download the firmware update and extract the contents of the .zip file into a folder.
    2. Connect the radio to your PC using the programming cable.
    3. With the radio OFF, hold down the PTT button AND the top programmable side key (P1) while turning on the radio. Depending on your radio version the indicator light will be steady green or red to indicate the firmware is ready to update.
    4. Double-click the file named UV88_98_UpData.exe to launch the TYT firmware update tool.
    5. In the update tool, choose UV88 for the Model and 57600 for the Baud Rate. Also select the Port that corresponds to your programming cable.
    6. Click Open and select the file UV88_Eng_BQ1_25_20200430.hex, which was included in the .zip file.
    7. Be sure that you have plenty of battery life before starting the update, and do not power off the radio during the update!
    8. Click the Updata button to perform the firmware update. 
    9. If an error occurs during the update, do not turn off the radio. Instead, close and restart the software, then click the Reset! button in the software. After the reset, try the update again.

  • How to unlock and activate VFO mode on the TYT TH-UV88

    TYT has updated the TH-UV88 radios being shipped to the United States and VFO mode is now disabled out of the box. Normally, pressing the # key on the keypad switches between channel and VFO mode. On the new radios, this doesn't happen. Most likely this is TYTs way to ensure that radios being shipped into the country aren't able to be programmed to transmit outside of the amateur bands, the only frequencies for which they are authorized.

    It is understandable that TYT would want to restrict the radios to amateur frequencies, however it's not clear why they chose to accomplish this by disabling VFO mode. Fortunately there is an easy way to unlock the radios and re-enable VFO mode.

    1. Turn the TH-UV88 radio OFF.
    2. Hold down both the 1 and 7 keys.
    3. While holding down those keys, power the radio ON.
    4. After you hear the voice prompt "seven", release both keys.
    5. VFO mode is now enabled.

    This procedure does not directly switch the radio into VFO mode. It unlocks and restores the ability to switch between channel and VFO modes by pressing the # key.

    TYT TH-UV88 Unlock Sequence
  • Great alternatives to the Baofeng UV-5R

    Baofeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way RadioThere's no denying it. The Baofeng UV-5R is one of the most popular and prolific handheld two way radios in the world. It's no wonder, really. It's extremely compact, feature packed, and extremely affordable, or, to put it bluntly, it's really, really cheap. A power packed dual bander at a powerfully low price, the UV-5R is without a doubt the preferred choice of many radio operators across the globe.

    Of course, with high popularity comes high demand. With such demand comes the challenge of keeping the UV-5R in stock and available to ship same day to our customers. Usually this is not a problem, but the current worldwide pandemic has created an unusual situation for retailers in general, and it affects our warehouse operations as well.

    Due to the sudden interest in personal preparedness during the coronavirus emergency, we've experienced an uptick in demand for certain makes and models of two way radios by the general public. As such, some of our most popular radios may be in short supply or temporarily out of stock. The Baofeng UV-5R is one of those affected models.

    But there's absolutely no reason to panic, or panic buy. On the contrary, we have plenty of other radios in stock and available that fit the bill. While some may not be at the same price point as the UV-5R, they are certainly capable of powerful, reliable operation on the same bands and frequencies as the Baofeng. Not only that, these models are of equal or higher build specifications for greater ruggedness and better durability, adding greater value for the price!

    For instance, the TYT TH-UV88 is a dual band analog radio that matches the UV-5R in almost every respect, even down to the built-in LED flashlight. Some even call it a potential UV-5R killer. Sure, it costs just a little more than the UV-5R, but it has something the UV-5R doesn't, a more rugged and durable housing. It also has a real one year manufacturer warranty from TYT, something that Baofeng claims to offer, but in most cases makes it all but impossible for the end user to actually redeem.

    Then there's a great selection from Wouxun. These are powerful dual band radios with exceptional features and capabilities, some of which are not available at all on the Baofeng UV-5R. Does the UV-5R have a full color LCD display? No? Well, it's a standard feature on many Wouxun models. Can the bands be freely set in the UV-5R for VHF TX and UHF RX or UHF TX and VHF RX on the same channel? Well, you can do it on the Wouxun KG-UV6D. Does the UV-5R have cross band repeat capability? The Wouxun KG-UV8D does, and so do several other Wouxun models, including the KG-UV8E, and it's a tri-bander!

    Yes, the Baofeng UV-5R is Part 90 type accepted for business use, and some of the other models mentioned are not. But some of them are. And if you need a radio specifically for business use, why settle for a cheap little transceiver when you can get much more durability, and in turn, greater ROI with more rugged Part 90 type accepted radios specifically designed for business use? Icom, Motorola and other manufacturers offer many models that fit the bill. And, if you really need to buy on price alone, Why not consider the Olympia P324? This is a great little radio for business applications. It's Part 90 type accepted, and it's an incredibly inexpensive buy. Note: at the time this article was written, it's also on sale!

    We could go on and on, but you get the point. Why be disappointed that the UV-5R is out of stock, when there are so many other great radios to choose from that are also a bargain, and are better radios, to boot?

    So the UV-5R is out of stock? No problem. Just upgrade. Considering all this, when you upgrade your purchase from a UV-5R to another model, you aren't settling for less, you're getting something more. It's a win-win for you. And that's a smarter buy.

    Here are some great alternatives to the Baofeng UV-5R:

    Manufacturer Model Type Acceptance Bands Service
    Baofeng UV-82 Part 90 UHF/VHF Business
    Icom F4001
    F3001
    Part 90 UHF
    VHF
    Business
    Motorola VX-261 Part 90 UHF or VHF Business
    Olympia P324 Part 90 UHF Business
    TYT TH-UV88 Part 15B UHF/VHF Amateur
    Wouxun KG-UV6D Part 90 UHF/VHF Business
    KG-UV6D PRO Part 90 UHF/VHF Business
    KG-UV7D Part 90* UHF/VHF Business
    KG-UV899 Part 15 UHF Amateur
    KG-UV8D Part 15B UHF/VHF Amateur
    KG-UV8D Plus Part 15B UHF/VHF Amateur
    KG-UV8E Part 15B Tri-Band Amateur
    KG-UV9D Part 15B UHF/VHF Amateur
    KG-UV9D PLUS LE Part 15B UHF/VHF Amateur
    KG-UV9P Part 15B UHF/VHF Amateur

    *The 2M/70cm version has been approved by the FCC. Type accepted for Part 90, FCC ID WVTWOUXUN07. The 2M/1.25M and 2M/6M versions are for amateur use only.

    Want to learn more about the TYT-TH-UV88? Listen to an in-depth discussion about this powerful and inexpensive alternative to the UV-5R in Episode 149 of The Two Way Radio Show podcast!

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