Everything from the operating manual worth keeping to hand, on a few pages. Manual revision A1.180912.
Read this first
The radio ships from the factory with the keypad locked. Press Menu then * to unlock it the first time you use it.
Before you change anything, read the codeplug out of the radio with the CPS and save it. Program on top of that saved file rather than on top of the factory defaults, or you will hit errors. Save the codeplug to the PC again before any firmware update or reset.
| Control | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| POWER / VOL | Top right | Rotary. Clockwise past the click to power on, then sets volume. |
| Channel switch | Top centre | Rotary channel selector. |
| PF3 | Top left | Emergency alarm. Press to start, press again to stop. |
| PTT | Left side, upper | Transmit. |
| PF1 | Left side, middle | Programmable. Default is main and sub band switch. |
| PF2 | Left side, lower | Programmable. Default is VFO and channel switch, and Monitor in standby. |
| Menu | Below screen, left | Enter the menu, and confirm. |
| Exit | Below screen, right | Back out, and open the talkgroup list. |
| P1, P2 | Below Menu and Exit | Programmable. |
| Up and Down | Keypad rocker | Move through lists and zones. |
Hold Menu until the screen reads "Next Please Press Dial Key", then press a number key to run the function programmed to it. These are set in the CPS under Public, Hot Key.
Two that are set up out of the box, reached the same way:
| LED | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Flashing red | Battery low |
| Constant red | Transmitting |
| Constant green | Receiving analog |
| Constant cyan | Receiving digital |
| Flashing green | Scanning |
| LED | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red, one second | Self test at power on |
| Green | No battery, or fully charged |
| Red | Charging normally, about three hours |
| Red, fast blink | Trouble: battery too warm, battery shorted, or charger shorted |
| Red, slow blink | Trickle pre-charge on a deeply discharged pack. Should stop within 30 minutes. If it does not, the pack or charger is faulty. |
A radio that is switched on will not show a correct charge state, because the radio draws current and the charger cannot read the pack voltage properly. Charge with the radio off.
| To do this | Do this |
|---|---|
| Power on | Turn POWER/VOL clockwise past the click. Beeps after about seven seconds. |
| Swap main and sub band | P1. The channel shown in bold is the main one. |
| Swap VFO and channel mode | P2 |
| Enter a VFO frequency | In VFO mode on the main band, key the frequency straight in, or turn the channel selector to step it. |
| Go to a channel by number | In channel mode, key the number. For channel 99 press 0 0 9 9, four digits. |
| Monitor a weak or unmatched signal | Press P2 in standby. Press again to leave. On analog with no signal you will hear open noise, which is how you know it is on. |
| Lock the keypad | Long press *. Unlock with Menu then *. |
| Emergency alarm | PF3 to start, again to stop. |
| Check battery voltage | Press a key programmed as Volt. |
Hold the radio vertical, 2.5 to 5 cm from your mouth. Red LED while transmitting. Incoming calls show the caller's DMR ID, name, city, state, country and call type, with the RSSI icon top left.
Blue LED on receive. When the call ends the screen shows "Call end" and you can press PTT to reply. To call back the last station heard, press a key programmed as LastCall Reply, then PTT.
Reach these from Exit > contact > Select > Option, or from Menu > Talk Group > Manual Dial with a private ID entered.
| Function | What it does |
|---|---|
| Call Alert | Makes the target radio beep or vibrate. Returns success or fail to you. |
| Remote Ranging | Keys the target radio's microphone so you can hear what is going on around it. |
| Get GPS info | Asks the target radio for a GPS fix and sends its position back to you. |
| Check Radio | Reports whether the target radio is switched on and reachable. |
| Kill | Disables the target radio: no display, no operation. |
| Wake | Brings a killed radio back to standby. |
| Ranging | With both radios GPS positioned and in range, shows distance and direction on the transmitting radio. |
Menu > Settings > Chan Set > New Chan, key the channel number, confirm, pick a zone, confirm to save. Then go into Channel Settings to fill in its parameters.
In channel mode, Menu > Settings > Chan Set > Delete Chan. The radio moves to the next channel afterwards.
A zone is a group of channels. The radio holds 250 zones, up to 160 channels each, from a total of 4000 channels.
Scan lists are built in the CPS under Public, Scan list. Up to 250 lists. Scan only works in channel mode, not VFO.
| Scan mode | Behaviour on a signal |
|---|---|
| SCM TO | Stays five seconds, then resumes. |
| SCM CO | Stays until the signal drops, then two seconds more. |
| SCM SE | Stops scanning altogether. VFO scan only. |
Searches a roaming channel list on a timer and locks to the strongest repeater. Manual roaming is a one shot action. Menu > Settings > Roaming holds Roaming On/Off, Roaming Zone, Auto Roaming, and Repeater Check.
Set on the radio at Menu > Settings > Radio Set > Key, or in the CPS under Public, Optional Setting, Key function. Assignable to PF1, PF2, PF3, P1 and P2.
| Function | What it does |
|---|---|
| Volt | Battery voltage |
| Tx Power | Steps through super high, high, middle, low |
| TalkAround | Talk around and repeater mode |
| Reverse | Frequency reverse on and off |
| Digi Encrypt | Choose the encryption group for the digital channel |
| Call | Analog: sends the DTMF, 5TONE or 2TONE encode. Analog only. |
| VOX | Set the VOX level |
| VFO / MR | VFO and memory channel |
| Sub PTT | Transmit on the sub channel. PF1, PF2 and P3 only. |
| Scan | Scan on and off |
| FM Radio | Broadcast FM receiver on and off |
| Alarm | Long press starts the alarm, short press exits |
| Record Switch | Enable or disable recording |
| Record | Start and stop recording |
| SMS | Digital: jump into messages |
| Dial | Manual dial |
| GPS Info | Current GPS position |
| Monitor | Monitor weak or unmatched signals |
| Main CH Switch | Choose channel A or channel B as main |
| Hot Key 1 to 6 | Runs hot key 1 to 6 |
| Work Alone | Work alone function on and off |
| Nuisance Delete | While scanning, skip this channel |
| Digi Monitor | Digital monitor on and off |
| Sub CH Hide | Sub channel on and off |
| Prior Zone | Jump to the priority zone |
| Program Scan | VFO scan between the start and end frequencies set in the CPS |
| Enhance Sound | Digital: normal or enhanced microphone tone |
| LastCall Reply | Digital: pull up the last caller and PTT to call back |
| Switch ChType | Analog, Digital, A+D, D+A |
| Ranging | Distance and direction to the calling station. Both radios need GPS. |
| Roaming | Search and lock to the strongest repeater |
| Channel Ranging | Automatic ranging on a single call channel |
| Max VOL Set | Enable users to set the maximum receive volume |
| Slot Set | Choose the timeslot. Repeater mode only. |
| Aprs Type | Choose the APRS type for this channel |
| Zone Select | Key the zone number and confirm |
Menu > Settings > Radio Set > PF1, PF2, PF3, P1, P2, sub menu. The detail behind each hot key is set in the CPS under Public, Hot key. A hot key can be a quick call, analog or digital, or a jump straight into Messages, Contacts, Call Log, Zone or Radio Set.
All of these live under Menu > Settings > Radio Set.
| Setting | Notes |
|---|---|
| Key Lock | Manual: long press *. Auto: locks itself after a while in standby. Unlock either with Menu then *. |
| Ch. Name | CH name: channel mode, the programmed VFO/MR key stops working. Frequency: VFO mode, and the VFO/MR key works. |
| Auto Power Off | Off, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours of inactivity. |
| TX Timer | 30 to 240 seconds, or off. Cuts the transmission at the limit. |
| Power Save | 1:1 works 30 ms and sleeps 30 ms. 2:1 works 60 ms and sleeps 30 ms. Extends battery life but you may miss the start of a message. |
| TBST Sel | Repeater wake tone. 1000, 1450, 1750 or 2100 Hz. Send it by pressing PTT and PF1 together. |
| VOX and VOX Delay | Three VOX levels. Delay 0.5 to 3 seconds, 26 steps, so you do not clip your own transmission. |
| Freq Step | 2.5, 5, 6.25, 10, 12.5, 20, 25, 30 and 50 kHz. |
| Ana SQ Level | Five squelch levels. Analog only. |
| Mic Level | 1 lowest, 5 highest. |
| DTMF Speed | 50 to 500 ms. Slow it down if the far end is missing digits. |
| Enhanced Sound | Normal is low pitch, Enhance is high pitch. |
| Man Down Alarm | Alarms if the radio falls flat. Raise it to stop. With GPS locked it sends position automatically. |
| Start Up Pwd | Password at power on. Set in the CPS under Optional Setting, Power on, Power on Password Char. |
| AuRepeater A or B | Automatic offset in VFO mode. Positive is TX = RX plus offset, negative is TX = RX minus offset. |
| SMS Format | M-SMS for Motorola radios, H-SMS for Hytera radios. |
| Time Zone and Date Time | Set the zone or the clock is wrong. GPS Check sets the clock from the satellites. |
| FM Radio Moni | On lets you still receive and transmit on the channel while the FM broadcast radio is playing. Off blocks both. |
Menu > Settings > Chan Set. The menu changes with the channel type: choose analog and the digital items hide themselves, and the other way round.
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | Analog |
| D | Digital |
| A+D TX A | Receives both, transmits analog |
| D+A TX D | Receives both, transmits digital |
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Band Width | 12.5 kHz narrow only. Digital has no wide option. |
| Radio ID | Chosen from the DMR ID list programmed in the CPS. One ID per channel, and the radio can hold several IDs. |
| Color Code | Must match the repeater. |
| Time Slot | Slot 1 or slot 2. |
| Digi Encrypt | 32 encryption slots, set in the CPS or in the menu. |
| RX Group List | The talkgroups this channel will hear. Add and remove here. |
| DMR Mode | Simplex, Repeater, or Double Slot for two slots on simplex. If you pick Double Slot you must also set Double in the slot setting. |
| Slot Suit | Receive on both slots and answer back on whichever one called. |
| CH Ranging | Automatic ranging when this private call channel is selected. |
| APRS Receive | Shows the distance and bearing of the calling station when both have GPS. |
| Work Alone | Response time, warning time and method are set in the CPS under Alarm settings. |
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| TCDT, RCDT, RTCDT | CTCSS or DCS for transmit, receive, or both. CTCSS 62.5 to 254.1 Hz, 51 groups. DCS 000N to 777I, 1024 groups. |
| Squelch mode | SQ carrier only. CDT needs matching CTCSS or DCS. TONE needs matching signalling. C&T needs both. C|T needs either. |
| Band Width | Wide or narrow. |
| Reverse | Swaps RX and TX frequency and swaps the CTCSS or DCS encode and decode with them. |
| Busy Lock | Always allows transmit. RL blocks transmit on a carrier with unmatched tone. BU blocks transmit on any matched carrier. |
| Optional Signal | DTMF, 5TONE or 2TONE encode and decode. Analog only. |
| OWN ID | The radio's DTMF ID for this channel. Set in the CPS under Analog Address Book. |
| DTMF Enc, 2Tone Enc, 5Tone Enc | The default call ID sent by PTT on this channel. The codes themselves are written in the CPS first. |
DTMF is analog only
Every DTMF function on this radio sits in the analog half of the menu. There is no menu item, no programmable key and no CPS field that will send DTMF on a digital channel. If you are trying to control a hotspot by DTMF over DMR, it cannot be done from this radio.
Turn it on at Menu > GPS > GPS On. Position at Menu > GPS > GPS Info, or on a key programmed as GPS Info. "No Fixed Position" with a grey icon means it has not locked yet: go outside or to a window and give it a few minutes. A red icon means it has a fix.
To send your position, open GPS Info, press edit, then Send or Save, and pick a contact or key an ID with # to toggle group and private.
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Upload Type | None, Sel A Aprs for analog, Sel D Aprs for DMR. |
| Ana APRS | PTT Upload off, at TX start, or at TX end. Also transmit power, frequency and the text shown on aprs.fi. |
| Digi APRS | PTT Upload off or on at TX end. Report Channel, and Upload Slot: channel slot, slot 1 or slot 2. |
| Digi APRS Info | Received APRS is stored. View it, or Delete All. |
| Upload Beacon | GPS Beacon needs a satellite lock first. Fixed Beacon transmits a position set in the CPS with no GPS needed. |
Most APRS setup is CPS only. Tick the APRS box under CPS Tools, Options, APRS to make the APRS menu appear on the radio. APRS is a registered trademark of Bob Bruninga, WB4APR.
Menu > Digi Moni. Switch: off, Single Slot for the current timeslot, Double Slot for both. Cc: any color code or same only. Id: any talkgroup or same only. Slot Hold on keeps the audio on one slot for a few seconds rather than jumping the moment the signal drops.
To answer a call from an unknown ID while monitoring, press * for "Monitor Response Setup Successfully", then PTT. Press # and the radio offers to save that new channel into a zone.
Menu > Record. Turn on with Talk Record, Record Switch. 10 hours standard, 500 hours with the optional card. Play back from Record List. Recording works on digital channels only.
Save your codeplug first
A reset wipes everything. Read the radio into the CPS and save the file before you do this.
Set the time zone or every timestamp on the radio will be wrong.
| Symptom | Check |
|---|---|
| Will not power on, or no display | Battery not seated: take it off and refit it. Or the pack is flat or worn out. |
| Battery does not last | Pack is worn out. Replace it. |
| Cannot hear or talk to your group | Same frequency and CTCSS as the others. In range. Right mode and frequency. Digital: right color code and encryption group. Digital: right receive contacts and receive group list. |
| Hearing stations you do not want | Change the CTCSS or DCS tone, on every radio in the group. |
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 136 to 174 MHz, 400 to 480 MHz |
| Channel capacity | 4000 channels, 250 zones, 160 channels per zone |
| Channel spacing | 25 kHz wide, 12.5 kHz narrow |
| PLL step | 5 kHz, 6.25 kHz |
| Operating voltage | 7.4 V DC plus or minus 20 percent, 2100 mAh |
| Frequency stability | 2.5 ppm |
| Operating temperature | minus 20 to plus 55 C |
| Size and weight | 129 x 61 x 39 mm, 282 g with pack and antenna |
| Power output | VHF 7, 5, 2.5, 1 W. UHF 6, 5, 2.5, 1 W. |
| Analog sensitivity | 0.25 uV wide, 0.35 uV narrow, 12 dB SINAD |
| Digital sensitivity | 0.3 uV at BER 5 percent, 0.7 uV at BER 1 percent |
| Audio output | 1000 mW into 16 ohms |
Several functions can only be set up in the CPS, not on the radio. Worth knowing which, so you do not hunt for a menu that does not exist.
| Set in the CPS | Where |
|---|---|
| Hot key detail | Public, Hot key |
| Programmable key assignment | Public, Optional Setting, Key function |
| Scan lists | Public, Scan list |
| Program Scan start and end | Public, Optional Setting |
| DMR ID list | Digital, DMR ID list |
| Analog DTMF, 2TONE and 5TONE codes | Analog, Analog Address Book |
| Work Alone timings | Public, Alarm settings, Work Alone |
| Power on password | Optional Setting, Power on |
| Start up picture and background | Tools, Boot Image and Standby BK Picture |
| Most APRS settings | Tools, Options, APRS |
| Roaming repeater frequencies | Roaming zone and roaming channel |
DMR ID and databases
Get a DMR ID at radioid.net. Repeaters at repeaterbook.com. Talkgroup activity at brandmeister.network. The contact database that fills in caller names imports as a comma separated file.
Condensed from the AnyTone AT-D878UV Operating Manual, revision A1.180912, Qixiang Electron Science and Technology Co., Ltd. This sheet is a summary and does not replace the manual. Check the safety section in the manual before use.