Best Budget DMR Radio? - Baofeng DM-1701 Review

Today I wanted to talk about the Baofeng DM-1701. This radio appears to be the cheapest, and most budget friendly way of getting into DMR. The radio I received came with the Open GD77 firmware. Besides the charger, I really have nothing bad to say about this radio. For $45, it's going to be hard to beat at this price range.

Link to the Radio I Bought:

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[BountifulYachtClub]

I agree, this is a solid entry into DMR. I like it, if for no other reason, because the screen is a huge upgrade to the UV5R. OpenGD77 is a massive improvement to stock menus, but the one downside that i've found is the loss of messaging. The stock firmware allows an SMS-like message feature that I find invaluable.

[KQKXA]

Thanks for giving your input on this radio cause I myself have been thinking of ordering this from aliexpress would really love to see more videos on it like setup and how to put open gd77 on it so I can get one up and going

[bradv]

I’m wanting to get into DMR, and I have also been looking at this radio. Please make a programming video on it soon!

[stephanefgpj]

Hi boy, congratulations for ur very good description 👍

[testetestando]

Hi! I bought one these because the people in Brazil is migrating of analog repeaters FM on 2m/0, 70m to DMR. But i dont like digital on internet, only digital modes on radio waves, because i became a Ham to prepare for emergencies and grid down scenario. But a cheap radio with satelite configurations, APRS and yet analog FM 2m and 0, 70 m bands... Yesterday i could listen groups from Brazil using a DMR repeater 40 kilometers from my house (you could buy or build a hotspot to do that) and i will add TG from USA, UK and Australia to training my english on talks. Yesterday i could use DM-1701 to use the ISS repeater e listen others HAMS in south America. It´s awesome, It calculate the doppler shift, etc. It´s a cheap radio to have fun. I still figuring out how use this radio on APRS, but who knows you latter explain to us, Satellites, APRS and DMR in future videos. 73 PU2PQQ!

[PaulJBrower]

Thanks for the video! I have not done any DMR either, but this radio might motivate me to give it a shot and check it out. I am interested in learning more about it for sure. Do those radios do DMR HT-to-HT in simplex?

And Commodore monitor in the background for the retro win!! 🤓

[stewartrv]

The OpenGD77 has made this and other radios brilliant when they were just "meh" before. At the end of the day getting this when it's only slightly more expensive than a standard Baofeng is a no brainer - quality is also better than the old UV5R's too. The other Radios worth checking but a bit more expensive are Retevis RT3S or Tytera UV380 or even the best MDUV390 (10W with AES and waterproof aprox $100). 73!

[calebhoyle]

Have your tried to do any encryption on gd77? I am wanting to get one of these and didn’t know if it would work with it.

[SendLead]

What software do you use to program the original firmware?

[igneous]

Curently planing what to get next after uv5r, after getting licence and getting to know ham radio options for me are quansheng, some cheap dmr like this one or maybe batter quality yaesu ft65....
thank you for good video

[marekchmura-hanik]

The receiver of DM-1701 gets blocked (looses sensitivity) by strong signals on other frequencies like in city center or close to broadcast FM stations. The only budget HT I know now immune to that is DR (not DM)-1801.

[stefancloete]

I want to buy a good budget DMR radio, so I am looking at buying this. How is the filters on this thing? Because where I live, my Baofeng UV5R picks up a lot of interference. I can't keep it on, because every 2 minutes it just cracks and it is annoying.

[RookieLock]

I have the original GD77 and the RT3S both with open gd77. I have to say, they were both pretty horrible radios but with open gd77 they are honestly some of my favorite handhelds. the scan speed makes it a great edc for me.

[zeerocooler]

Hi,
We're waiting for programming video )
Please and 73 from Ukraine!

[whitebrd]

The easiest way to "fix" the annoying blinky lights on the charging stand is to procure a spare battery and plop it in.

[WKJD]

In your room? Do you still live your mom?

[jblay]

This was a good video posted by you. I sent you an email. Thanks.