Baofeng DM-5R Buyer Beware by VE3IPS

“I have been alerted by several hundred emails about the launch of the new Baofeng DM-5R (I am the President of the Toronto Baofeng users group – TBUG) claiming a $70 us price and dual band capability. Baofeng China is not returning telephone calls or providing several evaluation units. Manuals , accessories or documentation is lacking. I have not found any FCC or IC type acceptance submissions.

If this is a real radio it well set the new standard for FRS and GMRS capabilities supporting the ETSI DMR standard. Interoperability with the DMR-MARC or Bandmeister Radio networks may be severely limited if initial research demonstrates this being a Tier 1 radio.

There is a lot of confusion about DMR and it is important to understand the various Tiers of operation.

Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) is a standard that has been developed by ETSI – one of the world’s leading standards development organizations. Founded initially to serve European needs, ETSI has grown rapidly to become highly-respected as a producer of technical standards for worldwide use….READ FULL ARTICLE

DMR Digital Radio
VHF/UHF 136-174/400-480Mhz
2000mAH High Capacity Battery
High Power/Low power
21CM Dual Band Antenna
8-Level Stepped Frequency Selection
Auto power saving function,Super-Long Standby
Compatibility Of Digital And Analog Under DMR System
Supports Individual Call, Group Call And All Call
Support DMR repeater function (DMR Tier 1)

Specification

Model	UV-5R	DM-5R	DM-380
Frequency Range	VHF: 136-174 UHF: 400-520 MHz	VHF: 136-174 UHF: 400-480 MHz	UHF: 400-520 MHz
Channel Capacity	128	128	1000
Output Power	5W	5W	5W
Using range	1KM	3KM	3KM
Battery Capacity	1350	2000	2000
High-Low Power	H:4W L:1W	H:5W L:1W	H:5W L:1W
Stepped frequency	7-Level	8-Level	2-Level
Service time	8h	14h	8h
Standby time	18h	30h	20h
Digital Moden	N	Y	Y
Emergency alert	N	Y	N
Flashlight Lighting	Y	Y	N
Restore Factory	Y	Y	N
Individual call	N	Y	Y
Group call	N	Y	Y
All call	N	Y	Y
Walkie Talkie Detection	N	Y	Y
Digital Encryption	N	Y	Y
Scanning Function	Y	Y	Y
CTCSS/DCS	Y	Y	Y
Scanning Function	Y	Y	Y
Wide/Narrow Bandwidth	Y	Y	Y
Battery Save	Y	Y	Y
Size	1105220MM	1105232MM	1316136MM