MD-UV380 PLUS/MD-UV390 PLUS sold together with original ones

[OK2MOP]

Hi,
whilst looking into e-shops, I found out these two PLUS models (boasting AES256 encryption) sold together under same listing as original ones. As no firmware is available on-line I would like to caution to check which model is being ordered as the eShops reference original FCC ID of MD-UV390, which did not update since 2021.

Has anybody bought this model and if so, is still C6000+STM32 inside, or is the story of DR-1801 being repeated? I would probably not risk buying this radio yet until the internals are clear, because it coult be another one to move to C7000 solution.

[VK3KYY]

Hi,
whilst looking into e-shops, I found out these two PLUS models (boasting AES256 encryption) sold together under same listing as original ones. As no firmware is available on-line I would like to caution to check which model is being ordered as the eShops reference original FCC ID of MD-UV390, which did not update since 2021.

Has anybody bought this model and if so, is still C6000+STM32 inside, or is the story of DR-1801 being repeated? I would probably not risk buying this radio yet until the internals are clear, because it coult be another one to move to C7000 solution.

Impossible to know

Either contact the vendor to ask if they tried OpenGD77 or buy one and test it yourself

[M0JZX]

I asked a few sellers and this was the response on AliExpress.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Nq8hD ... p=drivesdk

[wewander]

Just bought one. Hope I got an original.

[wewander]

Got an original md-uv380 of eBay. opengd77 loaded just fine.

[PU2WXD]

hello folks,

Could someone tried install OpenGD77 at MD-390 Plus with GPS sold in Aliexpress?

[ZL2AWW]

Did you manage to install new firmware on your unit.
I want to give it a go on my Tyt md-uv390 (gps)
Greetings

[KB8YKF]

I found a video of someone running OpenGD77 on the new MD-UV390 Plus radio - note when he shows the battery compartment the "Plus" sticker top right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0PMK-aohx0

[KO6CDG]

To help alleviate anyone's fears of upgrading:

I have flashed two TYT MD-UV390 Plus radios (purchased directly from "Buy Two Way Radios") the process was painless and went without issue. I would just say to make sure you get the original TYT CPS software and drivers working first (downloaded from the "Buy Two Way Radios" website).

You only need the original firmware if you plan on restoring it. To flash OpenGD77 on the MD-UV390 Plus (and other radios in this category) you will use a MD9600 firmware (people refer to as a donor, as it has the DMR logic that OpenGD77 will use) along with the OpenGD77 firmware itself. (Flashing is done using the OpenGD77 CPS software.)

If you plan on restoring, you will also need:

• Radio calibration data. Read using the original TYT CPS software via a secret CTRL+T hotkey.
• Original flash memory. Read using the OpenGD77 CPS software before installing a code plug.

Note: (at the time I'm writing this) the original s119.023 firmware for the Plus model does not appear to be in the wild. So there is currently no way to go back to the original firmware. The original backup data will be useful once the original firmware appears.

The current theory is the upgrades made to the Plus model are largely software based. So when the Plus firmware appears: users with older non-Plus radios will be able to upgrade and gain AES 256 bit encryption. Having said that, it's also thought that the Plus model can load the older P18.16 firmware, abet with AES 128 bit encryption.

I don't plan on going back to the original firmware and haven't tested those theories. Do so at your own risk.

[JP7NJT]

The current theory is the upgrades made to the Plus model are largely software based. So when the Plus firmware appears: users with older non-Plus radios will be able to upgrade and gain AES 256 bit encryption.

from what a Chinese friend told me, the firmware (119.023) of the Plus doesn't work on the normal one (he tested with an RT3S but I guess it's the same as the UV380, right?)

When flashing the normal with the firmware of the Plus, the screen remains white when the normal is turned on. The friend is not allowed to send me the firmware. probably a security to be able to continue selling Plus once the firmware is widely distributed.