HYT TC2110 PMR446

HYT TC2110 PMR446 Two Way Radio

The HYT TC2110 PMR446 is manufactured in China by the Shenzhen HYT Science and technology Company as a professional - compact, licence free PMR446 radio. However, don't lets it's origins mislead you, it's not a cheaply manufactured model. This is a robust yet compact model along the lines of the tti TX-1446 PMR446 Radio. In size and weight they are very similar, with the TC2110 body being a little taller (1.5cm), a bit deeper (0.5cm) and having an antenna about 2cm longer.

Features:


• Frequency Range: 8 PMR446 channels (446.00625--446.09375MHz)


• RF Power Output: 0.5W


• Channel (Memory) Capacity: 16


• Meets MIL-STD-810 C/D/E


• CDCSS/CTCSS Signalling


• Compact and Lightweight, with an ergonomic design


• High-capacity 900 mAh NiMH Battery


• Top Mounted LCD Display, with Back light for Night time Operation


• Key lock


• Monitor (Squelch override)


• PC Programmable (extra software required)


• Wired Clonable


• Battery save mode


• Low Battery Alert


• Busy Channel Lock Out


• Time-Out Timer


• Priority scan mode

Specifications:

Out of the box

The radio comes in a large cardboard box that is well packaged and has a very clearly written (in English only) instruction manual. The radio comes with the usual items associated with a professional PMR446 radio; Radio with integral antenna, Battery (ergonomically moulded, 7.2v 900 mAh NiMH), Belt clip, Wrist Strap and Desktop charging cradle with wall wart (standard English 3 pin) AC Adaptor.

Initial operation consists of placing the radio (or just battery) in to the cradle for a slow charge (overnight). Eight to ten hours later the battery is fully charged and ready to go. Good job I'm not in a hurry!

Operating the radio is pretty straightforward, switch it on with a clockwise turn of the single rotary dial on the top. This controls ON/OFF and Volume, just the way radios are supposed to work! :D Then select an operating channel by pushing the UP/DN buttons that are recessed on the front of the radio. The channel selected appears on the very small screen mounted between the rotary ON/OFF Volume dial and the 10cm long antenna.

This is where things can get just a bit confusing, you see the radio seems to have 16 channels. These are actually 16 'memory channels', each one can be programmed with it's own frequency and CTCSS/DCS combination. So if you want, all 16 channels can be PMR446 frequency 446.00625 (PMR446 Ch.01) each with different CTCSS/DCS combinations. The radio is pretty versatile with all these options
being user programmable.

In Operation

In operation the first thing you notice is that the buttons on the front of the radio (DN - SCAN - UP) are very recessed. In one way this is a very good thing, it makes it amazingly difficult to accidentally press the buttons. On the other hand it makes it difficult to deliberately press the buttons! For a 'professional' (read: Business) user this just will not be an issue, they select one channel and tend to stick with it. For the hobbyist it makes life a bit more difficult. Accessing CTCSS/DCS options for each memory channel requires pressing the UP key while holding down the MONI key (on the side, underneath the PTT key). The strong>SCAN key now allows you to cycle through OFF > CTCSS > CDCSS > -CDCSS, using the UP and DN keys to select individual codes.. Usefully it not only displays the CTCSS, DCS (CDCSS) or negative DCS (CDCSS) number, but also the corresponding tone code frequency or DCS number. This can be useful if attempting to synchronise your CTCSS or DCS code with a user of a different make of radio. Pressing the MONI and DN key brings up the SQL option which allows you to cycle through 0 (Squelch off) <> 1 through to 9 with the UP and DN keys. As well as this, pressing and holding the MONI key allows you to defeat what ever your SQL setting is. The key lock feature is enabled by pressing the strong>SCAN key while holding the MONI key, why you will ever need this on a radio with recessed keys I don't really understand, but at least you have the option.

The audio quality of good signals is very good, there is a slight 'click' upon the audio opening with an incoming signal and with the key beep enabled the radio clicks (as well as beeps!) with each key press. The scan function is programmable with the available software, this enables you to choose which memory channels you wish to scan and what pause time you would like upon detecting a signal before it starts rescanning. There is also the option of setting a Priority channel, basically it allows you to select a memory channel that you wish to pay particular attention to while scanning. The scan can be set in two different modes (again, via software), the first is Time Operated Scan, this stops on a detected signal for a pre-set time and then scans on regardless. The second is Carrier Operated Scan, this scans until it detects a signal and then remains on that memory channel until the signal is no longer detected. The radio has a Time Out Timer setting which can be set between OFF, 30 seconds and 300 seconds in 30 second intervals, again this needs the software to change, and in standard trim it comes with the TOT switched OFF.

HT2110E Programming Software



The software is available as an accessory for the radio and if purchased from a dealer comes with the necessary interface cable. It should be noted that it states it only runs on Windows 98/NT/2000 operating systems. I haven't tried to run it on an XP PC so I can't comment, but it runs quite nicely on my Windows 98 Laptop with 192MB of ram and an ancient Intel Celeron processor!

The software is easy to use, with a help file if you get stuck. Plug the radio in, read from the radio and save the initial file as a back up and away you go! Memory channels can be programmed with any PMR446 frequency from a drop down menu (Note: There doesn't appear to be any way to program frequencies other than PMR446 frequencies. I can't find any password screen or any other work around, and I did look!) and each memory channel can have it's own CTCSS/DCS setting along with the option to use the Busy Channel Lock Out (BCLO), this stops the radio transmitting on a channel that it detects a signal on. Handy if you are setting up a group of these where you are separating different talk groups with the use of CTCSS/DCS and don't want the users transmitting over the top of each other. For hobbyist use, BCLO can be left off. Channels can also be switched of (or closed), this way you can just have a single channel radio or perhaps just the standard eight.


In conclusion

Like the tti TX-1446 and the Entel Eurowave, the HYT TC2110 makes a very good compromise between owning a professional full size PMR446 and a compact hobbyist PMR446. It's easier and lighter to carry and much more discrete. In operation the HYT TC2110 has proven a strong performer, easily matching the Alinco DJ-446 and the tti TX-1446 in the performance stakes. I like that once it is set up (with or without the software) it is very easy to use and requires no training be given to the operator. I think from a hobbyist point of view it is lacking in a couple of features. First - No CTCSS/DCS scan. It's just not needed on professional level radios. Users set up their radios in advance to the correct CTCSS/DCS settings needed or have it done for them by the person setting up the radios. Second - No native VOX setting. Also, while I'm in favour of drop in desk chargers and this one works as advertised, it doesn't indicate completed charge (the red light just indicates the charger is getting electricity) and the instruction manual warns you to remove the battery from charge after a maximum of 24 hours or risk damage to the battery. It could and should be better.

Rating

This is a very good compact professional PMR446 radio. Perhaps let down by a cheap desk top charger but I am tempted to let that pass as it does have a very useful LCD display and programmable memory channels. In comparison to the best of the best in the reviews section of this website it holds its own quite well. I think this radio deserves a very solid 8 out of 10 (or 4 stars). It only loses 2 points (or 1 star) because of the cheap desk top charger, the lack of CTCSS/DCS scan and the fact that some of the features of the radio require software to make use of properly (like programming the memory channels).

Added:  Monday, March 26, 2007
Reviewer:  Jon
Score:
Related Link:  http://www.446user.co.uk
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Language: eng