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Retevis RT3S DMR 2m/70cm DMR

This primer considers the Retevis RT3S handheld Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) and gives some tips on seting it up and connecting to local repeaters.

  1. Introduction
  2. Retevis RT3S Buttons and Controls
  3. Upgrade the RT3S Firmware
  4. Default the Radio
  5. Configuring the Radio
  6. Write Data to the Radio
  7. Saving the Codeplug
  8. Reusing the Codeplug

Last updated: 25 February 2024

1. Introduction

Retevis RT3S long range Digital Mobile Radio (DMR) sports 3000 channels, 100,000 contacts, and 250 DMR talk groups. It features a dual-band display Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen and a full Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) keyboard. Its frequency range can cover both the 2m and 70cm bands.

2. Retevis RT3S Buttons and Controls

On the top of the radio there is and antenna port and two knobs, from left to right these are:

  • The Antenna port, connect the preferred antenna here.
  • The Channel Selection knob. Select the working channel with this.
  • The Power/Volume knob. Rotate clockwise, first to turn ON the radio and further to increase volume to a comfortable level.

On the left side there are three buttons, from the top:

  • Side Button 1 - Programmable as required, see 4.6. Side Button Programming further on in this TechNote.
  • Press to Talk (PTT) switch
  • Side Button 2 / Monitor (MONI) - Used to turn off squelch. This can also be programmed.

On the right side there are two jacks, from the top:

  • Speaker (SP)
  • Microphone (MIC)
  • Bothe together are used, with the USB cable, to program the radio.

Before programming, connect the USB cable to the SP and MIC jacks and to the computer. In the 4. Default the Radio section the process of installing Retevis management software is described.

3. Upgrade the RT3S Firmware

Code site https://www.retevis.com/rt3s-dual-band-dmr-radio-built-in-gps-eu

Download the latest firmware from the Retevis site.

  • FirmwareDownloadV3.04_EN.exe
  • RT3S(CSV)-V19.26.bin # Prioritise memory for contact lists
  • RT3S(CSV)-V19.26.bin # Prioritise memory for recordings

Put radio into Download Firmware Update (DFU) mode

  • Press the PTT and up side key, turn on the radio at the same time. the LED on top starts flashing RED and GREEN.

Run the DMR Download software

  • Install the FirmwareDownloadV3.04_EN.exe, the DMR Download software
  • Run the DMR Download software
  • Click Open file upgrade and select the firmware binary RT3S(CSV)-V18.11.bin
  • Click Download file of upgrade to load the new firmware.

Confirm upgrade

  • Disconnect the radio from the computer and reboot it.
  • Select Menu >> Utilities >> RadioInfo >> Versions
    • Firmware Ver.: V019.026
    • CP-Ver.: V01.12

4. Default the Radio

To default the radio, a Default radio CodePlug must be uploaded to the radio.

Download the RT3S management software

Extract RT3S_SOFTWAREV1.2.zip

  • RT3S V1.2.exe
  • RT3S Codeplug-20200807.rdt

Install the RT3S V1.2.exe RT3S Radio Programming Software.

Upload the Default Codeplug RT3S Codeplug-20200807.rdt.

  • File >> Open >> RT3S Codeplug-20200807.rdt >> Open.
  • Program >> Write Data >> OK.
  • When Write data succ! is displayed click OK.

5. Configuring the Radio

Run the RT3S V1.2.exe RT3S Radio Programming Software.

On the left pane, select Retevis CPS RT3S >> General Setting

  • Enter your Callsign in the Radio name field.
  • In the Radio ID field enter the DMR ID that you were assigned from radioid.net

5.1. Configure a Contacts List

Go to radioid.net/generator and using the Contacts List Generator create one and download those that you want. Add the following plus those you select from the downloaded list.

Contact Name Call Type Call ID Call Receive Tone
EI4XX Private Call 2725552 Yes
Talk Group 9 Group Call 9 Yes
Ireland Call Group Call 2722 Yes
Ireland Chat Group Call 2723 Yes
YSF Ireland Group Call 2724 Yes

On the left pane, select Retevis CPS RT3S >> Digital Contact

  • Enter table information as you select.

5.2. Programme channels

On the left pane, select Retevis CPS RT3S >> Channel Information

  • Right-click and create a Channel. Each time a new channel is created with a generic name, such as Channel1.

5.2.1. Configure an Analogue Channel

Example to configure the following Analogue channel

  • Channel: RV58
  • Output Freq: 145.725 MHz
  • Input Freq: 145.125 MHz
  • Callsign: EI2REG
  • Access: CTCSS 103.5Hz on RX
  • Location: IO52KK

Digital/Analog Data Leave all the settings at default except:

  • Channel Mode: Analog
  • Bandwidth: 12.5 kHz
  • Channel Name: EI2REG-Roosk-A (I use the A at the end to indicate Analogue)
  • RX Frequency(MHz): 145.725
  • TX Frequency(MHz): 145.125
  • TOT(s): 180 (Time-Out Timer: Most network items time out after 3 minutes)

    Analog Data Leave all the settings at default except:
  • CTCSS/DCS Dec: 103.5
  • Rx Signalling System: Off

5.2.2. Configure a Digital Channel

Example to configure the following Analogue channel

  • Channel: RV58
  • Output Freq: 145.725 MHz
  • Input Freq: 145.125 MHz
  • Callsign: EI2REG
  • Access: CTCSS 103.5Hz on RX
  • Location: IO52KK

Digital/Analog Data Leave all the settings at default except:

  • Channel Mode: Digital
  • Bandwidth: 12.5 kHz
  • Channel Name: EI2REG-Roosk-D (I use the A at the end to indicate Digital)
  • RX Frequency(MHz): 145.725
  • TX Frequency(MHz): 145.125
  • TOT(s): 180 (Time-Out Timer: Most network items time out after 3 minutes)

5.3. Create Zones

On the left pane, select Retevis CPS RT3S >> Zone Information

  • Right-click and create a Zone.
  • In the box that appears change the Zone Name to one of your chosing, say MID-WEST.
  • From the list of channels move those for this zone into it.
  • Repeat the process for any other zones to be configured.

5.4. Create Scan List

On the left pane, select Retevis CPS RT3S >> Scan List

  • Right-click and create a Scan List.
  • In the box that appears change the Scan List Name to one of your chosing, say MID-WEST.
  • From the list of channels move those for this zone into it.
  • Repeat the process for any other zones to be configured.

5.5. Side Button Programming

On the left pane, select Retevis CPS RT3S >> Button Definitions

  • Program the side buttons and the DTMF keypad as required.

6. Write Data to the Radio

On the topbar, select Program >> Write data.

  • Select OK at the popup box and wait for the data to be uploaded.
  • During the upload, the software will display Writing data to radio and Write data succ! on completion, click OK.
  • The radio display will show PC Program USB Mode as the data is uploaded.

7. Saving the Codeplug

  • From the topbar, select File >> Save as.
  • Choose a filename such as 20240225-RT3S-Codeplug.rdt and click Save.

8. Reusing the Codeplug

  • From the topbar, select File >> Open.
  • Choose a file, such as 20240225-RT3S-Codeplug.rdt, and click Open.
  • Load to the radio as already shown.

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