BAOFENG DM-1801 - Features, Technical Specifications, and Review

Review video on the Baofeng DM-1801 DMR, VHF/UHF, Tier I and II radio. Discussion on why you may want to consider avoiding this radio, if you could.

[@TheNoCodeTech]

Great review man. Not yet into DMR, but do very much appreciate the heads up on this.

[@rinoldix]

Very good review of the Baofeng DM-1801. I am pretty pleased with mine; it came with English language ready so I didn't have to fix it. The software is very good, as long as you don't use the one that comes in the included CD. (I downloaded mine from Abbree website). This radio cost me $51.00 brand new from Ebay, it works very nicely and its very easy to program. The CSV is perfect, no complaints on that. However my only complaint with this radio is the keypad, specifically the up and down buttons, they are way too small. Other than that its a very nice little radio for DMR and analog, it is dual band. I personally would not pay $97.99 for a GD-77, if some day I want to upgrade then I may go for the TYT MD-UV380 that retails for $103.00 and seems to be a much better HT than the Dm-1801 and the GD-77.

[@mikesey1]

I've had one for over a year. Not one single problem with it. Looks like you got a real dog!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

The second one I picked up seems to be better. Just a dud I suppose. Plus this radio with the open dm1801 firmware seems to give me a better feeling about the radio. Thanks for the comment and for checking out the video

[@k2bny]

Thanks because I have an older house and have trouble with the outlets as it is. Almost bought this one but my gut feeling is that I should keep shopping.

[@n1kkri]

Your pretty much right on this radio. I have not had the tripping of GFI breakers yet.. I have had one for just a year. I recently bought a AT-D878uv plus. It was more expensive but the difference is night and day. The mic audio on 1801 gives me reports of it being loud. I still have the original firmware. A friend has a newer one with a upgraded firmware and I noticed his transmit audio is low. The biggest complaint I have is the lack of up loading the user contact database. For the year that I have owned it I have manually entered contacts of those that I work often. If money is a issue I would at least try and get something that allows the import of the user database and make sure it supports at least 200K contacts. You won't like just looking at someone's DMR id instead of seeing their call sign and name. Ken

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Hello Ken, I just found out today that the baofeng DM 1801 now supports custom firmware and there is a mic gain feature added to it. I made a quick video showing how to upgrade the firmware, if you want to show your friend.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Also, thanks for checking out the channel!

[@rubensarraga9604]

How to memory desired frequency without using programming cable?

[@Telyron]

Hello, sorry do you happen to know which of the motorola HT is this radio a clone of? Because I have one and I would like to buy accessories. thank you

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I don't know that it is, sorry

[@johnroberts6695]

This is a very old review. Don't know what the current models are like, but if anyone has a 2024 model, I'd like to hear your views.

[@richardwright3956]

I have 4 of these radios and have yet to trip a GFI outlet in my house. My house is new so it may be the conditions of the GFI circuits. The radio itself is very reasonable starting point for DMR users. It doesn't do everything my Anytones will do but they work for their intended purpose.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

It is very possible I just have a bad radio, definitely not leaving that out of the equation.. gd-77 does not appear to cause any issues yet, and I have another new 1801 on the way to test.... I'm just going to stay away from my camera equipment when I test, just in case..LOL. thanks for the comment and for checking out my channel!

[@felipeps7oi]

olá tudo bem. gostaria de saber se tem como fazer o download ou voçê tem o arquivo open gd77 salvo?não consigo fazer o download>

[@austinmitchell1846]

You can always use a radio pouch or you can change out Radio antenna and use speaker mic You can use it as a scanner.

[@skankhunt9078]

How does the encryption work on this radio? Thanks!

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I unfortunately could not tell you. I am not able to use encryption, legally. Sorry I could not be of more assistance.

[@MrStickthrower2001]

Open 1801 is available for this radio now...changes the functionality completely.

[@N4TNA]

It is possible you are experiencing low transmit volume because by default the radio is in narrow band mode or 12.5khz bandwidth. You should check and see if that is the case change it to wideband or 25khz bandwidth and see if that makes a difference. 73 de N4TNA

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

It wasn't that, but the open dm1801 firmware has resolved the mic gain issue. Someone I spoke with stated he has seen the low transmit audio issue on a certain firmware (not at a computer at the moment), and that could be possible, as it has improved with the upgrade to open dm1801 firmware. Finally, a new radio has resolved the outlet popping issue. Thanks for the comment!

a solid copy of the Radioddity GD-77. same case design, different keypad distribution.

[@kidwiz.philippines]

:) Looks Like Baofeng came up with a nice Re-Brand :) I prefer the Baofeng 1701 instead :)

[@devel-man]

Does 1701 or 1801 have scrambler for analog mode?

[@tsakosss]

Is it the same with DM-860?

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

According to the opengd77 user manual, the dm860 is the same as the 1801, so it should work just fine. Good luck!

[@billoldham396]

Cheap as those belt clips are, I've never had one break.

[@hyder455]

How to reset this radio with out cable and PC

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

I no longer have a dm1801 with stock firmware. I did however find this: In power off mode, press and hold the Moni button under the PTT and the number button (pound key i believe or the number 1 if the # key doesn't work). the LCD should display "Memory Reset?"; press the MENU button to enter initialization and the LCD displays "Memory Reset..." the initialization should finish after 10 seconds and the radio should turn on normally. DO NOT turn off your radio during initialization.

[@hyder455]

@@HAMRADIODUDE THANKS ALOT IT WORKED GREAT

[@smartaiman]

So to buy it or no? In 2020

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

It's a nice little radio and the custom firmware is being updated more frequently, which adds more features. For example, there is now a firmware which makes the radio blind ham friendly, which I think is great.

[@smartaiman]

@@HAMRADIODUDE So its okay if I buy it, I will not have an problems with firmware and other?

[@sonyjelks4476]

Plz send me a Technical sheet + CE certificate of conformity for baofeng DM-1801a tanks

[@cw4karlschulte661]

or take it to Chinese restaurant! Actually tnx nice video. There are confusions about the cable types.

[@rayslinky]

I'd go for the GD-77 for the same price and flash it with OpenGD77.

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

Absolutely...

[@HAMRADIODUDE]

In fact, I just purchased one for 69.99 plus tax, with free shipping. I'll be excited to receive it and compare the two radios.

[@rayslinky]

Cool. I've got one; the factory firmware is just as bad as the Baofeng, but OpenGD77 makes a lot of improvements. My biggest complaint is physical: it easy to knock over... It's just not as solid as my 878.

[@detarak_oonson1119]

Does this radio have a tpt sound?

[@kens5871]

Bought it anyways for the hotspot capability with opengd77. Cheaper than buying an separate hotspot.

[@cw4karlschulte661]

change to 25 kc wide setting

[@jafarsidik180]

nice radio...

[@cw4karlschulte661]

get newer one with better spurious specs.

[@johnroberts6695]

How good are the current models like? Do they still have the audio issues mentioned in this review? And do the current ones have a backlight screen?

[@ManuelPinner]

That Why I don't buy Cheap Chinese Made Radios! I only buy Japanese Ham Radios because of the High Quality and American Ham Radios to!