Radioddity GD-55 / MD398G

[paulomartinspt]

They have a GPS and a non-GPS version. It seems like a MD390GPS with four major differences:

• man down
• 10w
• built-in recorder
• big battery

http://www.radioddity.com/us/radioddity-gd-55-uhf-waterproof-dmr-digital-radio-10w-with-2800mah-lithium-polymer-li-po-battery-1.html

Anyone tried one? Will it load the RT8/MD390 firmware? I've read somewhere that this Radioddity branded radio is made by TYT and it's in fact a MD398GPS. One of the proves, see tab label: http://www.radioddity.com/skin/frontend/base/default/download/Radioddity%20GD-55%20GPS%20Operating%20Instructions.pdf

So if this is, as it seems, in fact this guy with a few chances (lower battery for example)

https://tyt888.en.alibaba.com/product/60418744196-222728557/Tytera_MD_398_very_cheap_Mototrbo_DMR_radio_2_time_slots_IP67_waterproofed_GPS_optional_3200mAh_battery_capacity.html

what are the chances of using custom firmware on it? Bigger battery, 10w, 8h of voice recording (not that useful for hams but good for testing purposes) etc makes this a hell of a radio for this price tag.

[travisgoodspeed]

I have firmware for this model, but I've not yet unpacked it.

[paulomartinspt]

Cool 👍 Thanks for the fast reply @travisgoodspeed, as always. Do you know if it's really worth buying it? What's the catch on this radio? Because I don't understand why people are buying (at least in Portugal) the RT8/MD390 with or without GPS for the same price as the RD-55/MD398G. Why isn't this model a little bit more famous that it is? The MD380 i understand, it costs a less, has a great support team (on github) and it works very well, but the MD390? I can't get it. I don't know anyone that has the MD398G.

[travisgoodspeed]

The 398 is very new, and even the 390 has only been out for a few months. If it becomes very popular, we might add support to this project.

Keep this issue open at least until we've investigated the 398.

[paulomartinspt]

Sure, thanks again.

[xSmurf]

Howdy neighbors! I gambled and bought one of these a week or so ago (still isn't shipped :-1:) I'm glad to see you have the firmware already that's a start :)

I bought it knowing it's a gamble and thinking at worst it'll be a second radio for tests and what not. But there seems to be some major bugs/mistakes in either the CPS or the Firmware (or both) which, at the moment turns the unit into pretty much a brick. With the currently published CPS it is not possible to use TS2 at all! At the very least it appears the intern they hired didn't finish his first visual basic program in time or something. And either QC didn't see it, or Radioddity released an unfinished copy or something. Until further notice this is definitely buyers beware.

As @travisgoodspeed pointed out this radio is extremely new. There are some early references a few months back, but for the most part it was first announced around late august. With some very early adopters getting theirs around the last week of September, but without a programming cable (so essentially a brick since not even the Radio ID can be programmed in).

One thing we do know for sure: It uses a Motorola M328 or M328+ (also called M5 or M7) connector instead of the Kenwood 2 pin. We don't know which of the two either (but M328+ seems more likely).

I hope it's ok for me to use this issue/thread to keep track of more information as it comes.

[htperry]

I have one of the Radioddity GD-55, since September 26, and can't use it for lack of programming cable. They've been selling these radios for weeks without offering and delivering a programming cable. I've not been able to get any email response for the last week. I think there are other issues with the design, but the biggest barrier to using the radio as intended is inability to configure.

I tried last night to disassemble the GD-55 for pictures, but it is glued together with sealant used to insure IP67. I wasn't willing at this point to force the radio apart. It seems nicely built. I hope someone builds a firmware that makes this radio work as it should. I also hope someone will publish the schematic and necessary parts list for the programming cable.

At this point, my suggestion to anyone contemplating buying a Radioddity GD-55 is "Buyer Beware". This DMR radio is not ready for prime time.

[htperry]

Just got this directly from TYT as a reply to an inquiry from me through Alibaba. The TYT MD-398 supports only Time Slot 1, as I have seen in the firmware and CPS. Isn't the 2 time slot function part of Tier II support?

Hi HT Hi Pery, MD-398 support Tier II,but please note that MD-398 is ont time slot and it have only one time slot when work with DMR repeater. MD-398 come with 1 battery,1 adaptor and 1charger,1 antenna, but not program cable and speaker. Regards

alice

[tirititraun]

I think this is the cable and the motorola connector http://www.radioddity.com/us/radioddity-rd-202-programming-cable-for-radioddity-gd-55-dmr-digital-radio.html

[htperry]

It is and they still don't have it to ship. They are taking orders without telling buyers they aren't actually in-stock. Plus, they are selling GD-55/MD-398 radios without disclosing that it's not 100% DMR Tier II compatible due to lack of Time Slot 2 support. Radioddity isn't to be trusted. This the the same company that has been taking orders for Baofeng DM-5R DMR radios that don't support Tier II. They are now telling people to buy the Baofeng DM-5R radios in pairs for a better DMR experience.

[htperry]

[on4amh]

I'm also waiting for 14 days for my programcable I can input more then 650 contact but when I save the code plug and reloaded in to my program there are now 650 contacts but only 256 contact where is the rest ??? Also just 5 characters for call sign in contact

[on4amh]

It would be nice if we can use the hacked firmware from the md380 ( works great 😜) on the GD55 Or MD398, but no programcable😡😡😡

[htperry]

As of October 14, Radioddity says they've still not received their first batch of programming cables to start shipping. I got a 50% refund on my radio and promise of free programming cable shipped DHL. Two days ago Yako in customer support said he was being told they'd have cables in 1-3 days. They refuse to answer questions about the lack of Slot 2 support. I have $54.00 in this radio with hopes someone in the aftermarket will fix it. In the meantime, I have a MD-380 being delivered today.

[on4amh]

I have the same experience with radioddity and Yako, over 30 mails and at least still nothing no answers on my questions I hope when I get my programcable we have good news from Travis that firmware 380 works on 398 or GD55 ,

[roelandjansen]

Could we just close this one? The radios are not supported and so far it seems mediocre at best.

On Fri, Oct 14, 2016 at 8:16 PM, on4amh notifications@github.com wrote:

I have the same experience with radioddity and Yako, over 30 mails and at least still nothing no answers on my questions I hope when I get my programcable we have good news from Travis that firmware 380 works on 398 or GD55 ,

— You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/travisgoodspeed/md380tools/issues/448#issuecomment-253880719, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AJqL1i7E7TYKP_EW7PQPHAQu7weiHMU7ks5qz8cIgaJpZM4KRAJa .

[travisgoodspeed]

Let's close this after we take a quick gander at the firmware update, but not before.

-Travis

[on4amh]

Ok, thank you Travis , I'm looking forward to it

[travisgoodspeed]

To be clear, I'm just taking a look to understand how much work a port would involve. I don't expect that this project will perform a port unless the 398 stabilizes and becomes popular.

One step at a time, -Travis

[IK8JHL]

I do not know if it can be important but the software of the 398 and almost equal to Wouxon D901 which uses as the famous Prolific interface, this leads me to think that it is quite different from the MD380 .In a few days I received two copies one with GPS and one without, and I will be able 'to be more' accurate.

[IK8JHL]

Its real similar , i dont understand if Wouxon copy from TYT or else , but its very different from MD380/390

[htperry]

Does the Wouxun D-901 support Time Slot 1 and Time Slot 2?

I've written TYT and Radioddity about the lack of Time Slot 2 support. They both don't care as along as they sell radios. They say buy a MD-380/390 if I want TS2 support. I have a MD-380 ... and a Radioddity GD-55/MD-398 w/o programming cable. I have tracking information that says I have a GD-55/MD-398 programming cable in transit.

[IK8JHL]

D901 have SL1 , SL2 , and work fine , its compatible 100% on DMR ,

[on4amh]

Where can i download firmware D901, i want to try THE firmware from D901 to install on my MD398

[on4amh]

Hi IK8jhl

Did you install hacked firmware on your D901?

[IK8JHL]

Maybe there aren't Hacked firmware for D901. I say that its similar but dont equal I think thats MD398 dont have hardware for trasmitting impulse TX RX data tier II

[on4amh]

The KG D2000 has also gps , but I can't find the program software

[htperry]

Dear htperry,

dsalomon has just replied to a thread you have subscribed to entitled - I have been seeing this Tytera MD-398 radio. - in the Budget and Entry Level Transceivers forum of The RadioReference.com Forums.

This thread is located at: http://forums.radioreference.com/budget-entry-level-transceivers/336933-i-have-been-seeing-tytera-md-398-radio-new-post.html

Here is the message that has just been posted:

---

I have been in communication with both the manufacturer, Radioddity, and the main reseller, Sanatop (via Amazon). Radioddity confirms that this is a single Timeslot radio and that they have no intention of changing that, near term or long term.

A few days ago, I learned that this is NOT something that can be corrected via firmware. I'll have to go find the posts and forum where the information was conveyed. However, the bottom line is that there is a hardware component in the radio that controls the use of the bandwidth. The one in the MD-398 / GD-55 is a single Timeslot only. To change that, the component would have to be replaced and the hardware redesigned.

---

[M0IEI]

I have been told that the option "slot2" is disabled (commented) in the .xml file of the codeplug editor. Can any of the owners confirm if this stupid change is an actual change or if it is just a cosmetic thing?

[km4vig]

I have just received my programming cable today for my GD-55. Most if not all of this is VERY new to me.

and of course the "Slot-2" is missing from the software....

I found an XML file to edit .. "Comb_en-US.xml"

I added the additional "Slot-2" and it seems to be working!

I'm testing with my DV4Mini;

 I will try a few radio checks to verify it works on 3100 US wide.

IT WORKS!

[on4amh]

Where do i edit THE xml file? How does iT work to edit ?

[on4amh]

Can you send me the modified software,or a link where I can download, many thanks

[IK8JHL]

I have doing more test , 1)The radio transmit on DMR only Slot2 2)The radio receive Slot1 and Slot2 (maybe do a scan from two slot) Im confused 3)I have enable slot2 in the software but dont change nothing 4)I spoke with TYT and they told me that can not add the second slot

[boatman1069]

Wow i hope you guys can do something for us with a one eared dg-55. Please please travis sir ..mr nice man sir sir really nice man ...ill buy you a coffee...hehe😜

Thankyou

[km4vig]

The file you need to edit is .... located in either (x64 bit computer) C:\Program Files (x86)\GD-55\Comb_en-US.xml (x32 bit computer) C:\Program Files\GD-55\Comb_en-US.xml

( I recommend using Notepad++ to edit the file but Notepad might work. )

the first thing you need to do is copy that file to a different location because the file system will not let you change the file where it is.

I made a new folder on my C: drive called C:\tmp

I copied it there and made my changes then copied it back to C:\Program Files (x86)\GD-55\Comb_en-US.xml after my modifications.

there is line that has been commented out: (line# 171)

you have to remove the comment tags: "<!--" & "-->" so the line looks like this:

Then just save the file and copy it back to it's original location ... when prompted to "Copy and Replace"

here's a PROOF photo of a QSO in progress ...

if you want to use my file already modified here is a public link [(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9834004/DMR_GD-55/Comb_en-US.xml)]

( use Save Link As )

[boatman1069]

Wow if this works ok your my hero ..im just waiting for the programming cable to turn up...i just found out the charger base is exactly the same as the md-390...

[boatman1069]

So km4vig is this working now on both time slots.. please share your experience of the radio.

Thanks

[on4amh]

In the link dropbox: that is not the right file in think

[km4vig]

Well Yes, I assume it's still working on Slot1 -- I have no way to test that. However I have had several QSOs on Slot2.

I am presently monitoring 3100 US NationWide .. going out to early VOTE this morning but when I get back I'll be online for the morning....

[km4vig]

on4amh - not sure what you mean ... ??

can you explain why you think that? you do need to "RIGHT-CLICK" and Save As ... "Comb_en-US - Copy.xml"

[on4amh]

I saved the file to my USB stick , I just modify line 171, then I want to save it back to my c drive , but I get an warning when I want to save it, " entery denied "

[on4amh]

Ok no I fiend the Wright way to copy paste , and I see no "" slot 1 and slot 2"" I hope to receive my programcable next week, it's on the way ...I keep you informed Many thanks for help. 73

[km4vig]

on4amh

glad you were able to get it working ...

I was able to setup another "ZONE" for my local repeater - and confirmed that it was working with a short QSO -- worked very well!

[IK8JHL]

Its not necessary to modify software , because the firmware and hardware dont have two slot .....you can rceive slot 1 and 2 automatically , but when transmit , the radio transmit only on Slot2 . Attention because if use the radio for example on World , or Europe thats normally use slot1 you move All traffic of local repeater on slot2 and other Ham tuned on local Repeater miss a comunication. Another info; this radio dont receive during trasmission like MD-380 to check connection to repeater, You can listen a difference , listening with analogic radio : MD-380 transmit pulse carrier , MD-398 continues carrier

[km4vig]

IK8JHL .... I tried to understand what you were saying, and couldn't .... the part where you say that the firmware and hardware don't have slot 2 - doesn't make sense to me... as All I did was modify the config file that the editor uses to provide this optional value of "1" for the time slot field. Before it only provided the option of "0" for time slot 1. Now that that is available the codeplug is written to that field. And the fact that it now works with time slot 2 - would confirm to me that the firmware & hardware does in fact support "slot 2"

[IK8JHL]

You have enable SOFTWARE of Codeplug Editor not Firmware in the Radio, check in the menu' of Radio if you can change slot2...... You can do qso because the radio receive Slot1 and Slot2 automatically but when trasmit you use only Slot2 .You have try to speak with another local Ham on the same Repeater?????

[on4amh]

Thanks i Will try iT, I keep you informed

73' ON4AMH Francis

Op 25 okt. 2016 om 13:16 heeft km4vig notifications@github.com het volgende geschreven:

The file you need to edit is .... located in either (x64 bit computer) C:\Program Files (x86)\GD-55\Comb_en-US.xml (x32 bit computer) C:\Program Files\GD-55\Comb_en-US.xml

( I recommend using Notepad++ to edit the file but Notepad might work. )

the first thing you need to do is copy that file to a different location because the file system will not let you change the file where it is.

I made a new folder on my C: drive called C:\tmp

I copied it there and made my changes then copied it back to C:\Program Files (x86)\GD-55\Comb_en-US.xml after my modifications.

there is line that has been commented out: (line# 171)

you have to remove the comment tags: "" so the line looks like this: Then just save the file and copy it back to it's original location ... when prompted to "Copy and Replace"

— You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or mute the thread.

[km4vig]

IK8JHL

there is NOT a "Slot 2" in the menu of the radio. I'm still unsure of what you are trying to say? I made the change in the codeplug via the modifications to the software/editor config file, and now it works. Before that it didn't. If you are saying that what I did, didn't change anything; and that it's really transmitting on both Slot 1&2 that's why it's working???

I have NOT made a QSO with anyone on the same repeater (local W4AC) with me. However I have had a QSO with someone on US Nation Wide (3100) from my local repeater (W4AC). Most of my testing however has been trough my DV4Mini - and has been working perfectly.

[on4amh]

Op dinsdag 25 oktober 2016 heeft boatman1069 notifications@github.com het volgende geschreven:

Wow i hope you guys can do something for us with a one eared dg-55. Please please travis sir ..mr nice man sir sir really nice man ...ill buy you a coffee...hehe😜

Thankyou

— You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/travisgoodspeed/md380tools/issues/448#issuecomment-255986828, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AVyNFdk6at_HGgchDwnPo8jrYGfU4B6gks5q3c4fgaJpZM4KRAJa .

Best 73

ON4AMH

Francis

[IK8JHL]

Im sure my TYT MD-398 transmit only on SLOT2 (but i repeat in the menu' of Radio its write SLOT1 .) and automatically receives both the slot1 and the slot2 Make this test, leave a tuned another radio like MD-380 radio on a QSO thats are using a Slot 1, then transmit with the MD-398 and see if the MD-380 continues to receive on slot1 or you mast retune on slot2. With MD-398 you do not notice anything because as I said automatically receives both the slot1 that slot2 then if yours is different from mine (but I do not think) I'm happy for you

[km4vig]

I don't use slot1 for anything so I can't test that.

It works for me fine as is.

Thanks.. 73's

~TomC.

Sent by pressing a send button.

On Oct 25, 2016, at 3:42 PM, IK8JHL notifications@github.com wrote:

Im sure my TYT DM-398 transmit only on SLOT2 (but i repeat in the menu' of Radio its write SLOT1 .) and automatically receives both the slot1 and the slot2 Make this test, leave a tuned another radio like MD380 radio on a QSO thats are using a Slot 1, then transmit with the DM398 and see if the DM380 continues to receive on slot1 or you mast retune on slot2. With MD398 you do not notice anything because as I said automatically receives both the slot1 that slot2 then if yours is different from mine (but I do not think) I'm happy for you

— You are receiving this because you commented. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub, or mute the thread.