Alinco DR-MD500 User manual

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ALINCO
DR-MD500
Operation Manual
Ver, 1.01
2020/12/08

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Contents
1.Status Indications................................................................................................................................................. 6
2.Programmed Key ................................................................................................................................................. 6
3.Combination Key Function.................................................................................................................................. 8
4.Radio Operation................................................................................................................................................... 8
4.1.Power on the Radio....................................................................................................................................... 8
4.2.Adjust Volume .............................................................................................................................................. 8
4.3.Main Band/Sub Band Switch........................................................................................................................ 8
4.4.VFO/Channel Switch.................................................................................................................................... 9
4.5.Set Up VFO Frequency................................................................................................................................. 9
4.6.Select a Channel............................................................................................................................................ 9
4.7.New channel.................................................................................................................................................. 9
4.8.Delete Channel.............................................................................................................................................. 9
4.9.Receiving and Responding to a Radio Call................................................................................................... 9
4.10.Make a Digital Call................................................................................................................................... 10
4.11.Monitor .....................................................................................................................................................10
4.12.Emergency Alarm ..................................................................................................................................... 10
4.13.Access Advanced Features for Private Call..............................................................................................10
4.14.Set Up Advanced Features for Private Call...............................................................................................10
4.14.1.Call Alert............................................................................................................................................ 10
4.14.2.Remote Monitor.................................................................................................................................10
4.14.3.Check Radio.......................................................................................................................................11
4.14.4.Kill .....................................................................................................................................................11
4.14.5.Wake...................................................................................................................................................11
4.15.Talk Group.................................................................................................................................................11
4.16.SMS...........................................................................................................................................................11
4.17.Call Log.....................................................................................................................................................11
4.18.Zone ..........................................................................................................................................................11
4.19.Scan...........................................................................................................................................................12
4.20.Roaming....................................................................................................................................................12
4.20.1.One Time Roam.................................................................................................................................12
4.20.2.Roaming Zone....................................................................................................................................12
4.20.3.Auto Roaming settings.......................................................................................................................12
4.20.4.Start Roaming ....................................................................................................................................12
4.20.5.Repeater Check ..................................................................................................................................12
4.20.6.OutRange Note................................................................................................................................... 12
4.20.7.Effect wait.......................................................................................................................................... 12
5.Radio Menu Set..................................................................................................................................................13
5.1.Beep On ...................................................................................................................................................... 13
5.2.Speaker Mode .............................................................................................................................................13

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5.3.Mic Spk Set.................................................................................................................................................13
5.4.Back Light...................................................................................................................................................13
5.5.Ch. Name ....................................................................................................................................................13
5.6.Key Lock.....................................................................................................................................................13
5.7.Auto Power Off........................................................................................................................................... 13
5.8.TX Timer.....................................................................................................................................................14
5.9.Max Vol Level ............................................................................................................................................14
5.10. Enhanced Sound (For digital mode only) ................................................................................................ 14
5.11.Fan Open...................................................................................................................................................14
5.12.Language................................................................................................................................................... 14
5.13.Menu Exit Time........................................................................................................................................14
5.14.Start Display..............................................................................................................................................14
5.15.CHG Background......................................................................................................................................14
5.16.Mic Level..................................................................................................................................................14
5.17-20.Display Color Setting ..........................................................................................................................14
5.21.Main Ch .................................................................................................................................................... 14
5.22.Sub Ch On/Off..........................................................................................................................................14
5.23.SMS Notify............................................................................................................................................... 14
5.24.Call Ring................................................................................................................................................... 14
5.25.Freq Step...................................................................................................................................................14
5.26.Ana SQ Level............................................................................................................................................ 15
5.27.TBST Sel...................................................................................................................................................15
5.28.Scan Mode.................................................................................................................................................15
5.29.Mic Level..................................................................................................................................................15
5.30.DTMF Speed.............................................................................................................................................15
5.31.FM Radio ..................................................................................................................................................15
5.32.FM Radio Moni.........................................................................................................................................15
5.33.Start Up Pwd.............................................................................................................................................15
5.34-35. AuRepeater A or B (For VFO A or B) ...............................................................................................15
5.36-57.KeyP1-P6, PA-PD............................................................................................................................... 15
5.58.Repeater (Cross-band)............................................................................................................................... 15
5.59.SMS Format..............................................................................................................................................16
5.60. CTC Ste.................................................................................................................................................... 16
5.61.No-signal Ste.............................................................................................................................................16
5.62.Time Zone.................................................................................................................................................16
5.63.Date Time..................................................................................................................................................16
6.Channel Setting.................................................................................................................................................. 16
6.1.New Channel...............................................................................................................................................17
6.2.Delete Channel............................................................................................................................................17
6.3.Channel Type ..............................................................................................................................................17

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6.4.TX Power....................................................................................................................................................17
6.5.Offset...........................................................................................................................................................17
6.6.Band Width................................................................................................................................................. 17
6.7.RX Frequency............................................................................................................................................. 17
6.8.TX Frequency .............................................................................................................................................17
6.9.Talk Around.................................................................................................................................................17
6.10.Name.........................................................................................................................................................17
6.11.TX Allow .................................................................................................................................................. 17
6.12.TX Prohibit ...............................................................................................................................................18
6.13.Radio ID.................................................................................................................................................... 18
6.14.Color Code................................................................................................................................................ 18
6.15.Time Slot...................................................................................................................................................18
6.16.Digi Encrypt..............................................................................................................................................18
6.17.Enncrypt Type........................................................................................................................................... 18
6.18.RX Group List...........................................................................................................................................18
6.19.Work Alone...............................................................................................................................................18
6.20. SMS Forbid..............................................................................................................................................18
6.21.Data ACK Forbid......................................................................................................................................18
6.22.DMR Mode............................................................................................................................................... 18
6.23.Tx Interrupt............................................................................................................................................... 19
7.Channel Setting (Available in Analog Channel only)........................................................................................ 19
7.1. New Channel.............................................................................................................................................. 19
7.2.Delete Channel............................................................................................................................................19
7.3. Channel type .............................................................................................................................................. 19
7.4.TCDT..........................................................................................................................................................19
7.5.RCDT..........................................................................................................................................................19
7.6.RTCDT .......................................................................................................................................................19
7.7.Optional Signal ...........................................................................................................................................19
7.8.TX Power....................................................................................................................................................19
7.9.Offset...........................................................................................................................................................19
7.10.Squelch mode............................................................................................................................................19
7.11.Band Width...............................................................................................................................................20
7.12.Reverse...................................................................................................................................................... 20
7.13.Compander................................................................................................................................................20
7.14.Scrambler.................................................................................................................................................. 20
7.15. RX Frequency.......................................................................................................................................... 20
7.16. TX Frequency ..........................................................................................................................................20
7.17.Talk Around.............................................................................................................................................. 20
7.18.Name.........................................................................................................................................................20
7.19.Busy Lock................................................................................................................................................. 20

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7.20.TX Prohibit ...............................................................................................................................................20
7.21.OWN ID....................................................................................................................................................20
7.22.DTMF Enc ................................................................................................................................................21
7.23-24. 2Tone Enc/Dec ...................................................................................................................................21
7.25. 5Tone Enc................................................................................................................................................ 21
7.26. Work Alone..............................................................................................................................................21
8.Device Information........................................................................................................................................ 21
8.1.Record.........................................................................................................................................................21
8.2.Record Switch............................................................................................................................................. 21
8.3.Record List.................................................................................................................................................. 21
8.4.Record Delete.............................................................................................................................................. 22
8.5.Recording Manually....................................................................................................................................22
8.6.Digital Monitor ...........................................................................................................................................22
8.6.1. DigiMoni Cc .......................................................................................................................................22
8.6.2.DigiMoni Id..........................................................................................................................................22
8.6.3.Slot Hold..............................................................................................................................................22
8.7.How to Respond and Save a call in Digital Monitor Mode........................................................................ 22
8.8.How to reset the radio.................................................................................................................................22

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OVERVIEW OPERATION
Terminology in this book.
CPS: PC software
TG:Talk Group
DMR: Digital Mobile Radio
Some Notes.
In the radio contains many work modes and it allows user can set. Therefore, depend on
the “work mode” you set, it may limit user to access to functions in radio setting menu.
Commercial mode:
VFO channel does not exist.
User cannot access to all setting functions in the radio setting menu.
Some setting functions are hidden in the radio setting but it may work by the CPS
setting when you assign a function to programmable key.
Amateur mode:
VFO channel exist.
User can access to all setting functions in the radio setting menu.
To set the frequency bands (work mode), need to use “set band” software, please
contact to your dealer to set it.
To see the frequency bands go to CPSModelModel information.
1.Status Indications
The top LED will help you to identify the current radio status.
LED Indication
Status
Constant Red
Transmitting
Constant Green
Analog Receiving
Constant Cyan
Digital Receiving
Flashes Green
Scan
2.Programmed Key
There are programmable keys and you can assign the desired functions to it by setting
on radio or by setting on CPS. On front panel [P1], [P2], [P3],[P4],[P5],[P6]. And on
speaker microphone PA, PB, PC, PD.
Method 1: In radio Menu - Settings - Radio Set - P1~P6, PA-PD.
Method 2: In CPS - Public - Optional Setting - Key function
OFF
No Function
Volt
Check the current battery capacity voltage
Tx Power
Switch the power between super high, high, middle and low power.
TalkAround
Switch between Talk Around and Repeater mode
Reverse
Turn on/off the frequency reverse function.
Digi Encrypt
Choose the digital encryption group for digital channel
Call
In Analog mode, send the DTMF/5TONE/2TONE encode. This function

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is only valid for analog channel.
VFO / MR
Switch between VFO mode and memory channel mode.
Scan
Scan on/off
FM Radio
FM radio on/off
Alarm
Long press the key to start alarm, short press again to exit the alarm.
Record Switch
Enable/disable the recording function
Record
Start/stop recording. When stop recording, the radio will remind repeat
or send the record. Radio can record both TX and RX voice during the
call.
SMS
In digital mode, press to enter into SMS messages
Dial
Start the manually dial
Monitor
Monitor the weak signal or the signal with unmatched ID.
Main CH Switch
Choose channel A or channel B as the main channel
Hot Key 1~6
Selects Hot Keys 1-6 Note: Hot key setup details on next page
Work Alone
Turn on/off the work alone function.
Nuisance Delete
During scanning, press the key to skip the unwanted channel
Digi Monitor
In DMR mode, press the key to turn on/off digital monitor
Sub CH On/Off
Turn on/ off the sub channel
Priority Zone
Switch to Priority Zone
Program Scan
"Press the key to start the scan in VFO channel scan start and end
frequency must be programmed in CPS."
Enhanced Sound
In digital channel, switch the microphone tone to normal or enhanced
mode
Last Call Reply
In digital channel, press the key to access the last call and press PTT to
call back.
Switch ChType
Switch the channel type (Analog, Digital, Ana+Dgi, Dgi+Ana)
Roaming
In standby, press the key programmed as "Roaming" to search and
lock on the repeater with strongest signal. (Note:After lock on a
repeater, the radio will return to last frequency only after channel or
frequency is changed. The repeater frequency list must pre-
programmed in CPS.)
Max VOL Set
In standby, press the key programmed as "Max Volume", will enable
users to set the maximum RX volume.
Slot Set
Choose Slot for current channel, this function is only valid in repeater
mode.
Zone Select
In standby, press the programmed "Zone Select" key, it will allow you
input the zone number and then press confirm key will switch to the
zone.
A CH Mute
Mute the main channel
B CH Mute
Mute the sub channel
Roaming Set
Enter into Roaming menu quickly
Zone Up
Switch the zone upwardly
Zone Dn
Switch the zone downwardly
Exit
Exit the menu (only for A-D short press)
Menu
Enter into the menu (only for A-D short press)
Hot Key Setting for P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, PA-PD
Enter radio Menu-Settings-Radio Set-P1-P6, PA-PD, sub menu. User can choose settings for Hot
Keys 1-6.
Hot Key function details must be setup in CPS - Public - Hot key.

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Call
Analog
Should edit the analog quick call first, then choose analog in
the hot key set.
Press the key to transmit 2Tone/5Tone/DTMF to start the
analog quick call.
Digital
It allows to select a contact from the digital contact list, press
the key to switch the channel to the contact temporary. It will
switch back to the original contact after the group/personal
call hold time.
Menu
SMS
Quick access to Messages in the menu
New Msg
Quick access to New Msg in the Menu - Messages
Hot Text
Quick access to Quick Text in the Menu - Messages
Received SMS
Quick access to Inbox in the Menu - Messages
Send SMS
Quick access to Out box in the Menu - Messages
Contact list
Quick access to Contact list in the Menu - Contacts
Manual dial
Quick access to Manual Dial in the Menu - Contacts
Call Log
Quick access to Call Log in the Menu
Dialed Calls
Quick access to Dialed Calls in the Menu - Call Log
Received Calls
Quick access to Answered Calls in the Menu - Call Log
Missed Calls
Quick access to Missed Calls in the Menu - Call Log
Zone
Quick access to Zone in the Menu
Radio set
Quick access to Radio Set in the Menu - Settings
3.Combination Key Function
[MENU] + number key operation:
Press [MENU] key and hold until the LCD display "Next Please Press Dial Key", press
the number key, it will perform the programmed function.
Combination key function shall be setup in CPS software-Public-Hot key.
4.Radio Operation
4.1.Power on the Radio
Turn on the radio by pressing the [Power] key, and the LCD displays "Booting, please wait", then it
will show a start-up message, and you will hear a beep after 7 seconds.
To power off the radio Press and hold the [Power] key in 5 seconds.
4.2.Adjust Volume
The left two knobs are separated for volume change on main channel and sub channel, the upper
one is for the upper channel on screen, the bottom one is for the bottom channel on screen.
Rotate the knob to adjust the volume. Turn clockwise to increase the volume and counterclockwise
to decrease the volume. The LCD display will show the volume status during an adjustment.
4.3.Main Band/Sub Band Switch
Press the [M/S] key on Speaker microphone or programmed [Main Channel Switch] key to any
programmable key to switch the main channel to the other channel if there is 2 channels shown on
the display. The channel with bold characters is the main channel. (Dial the channel selector to
change the main channel or frequency.

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4.4.VFO/Channel Switch
Press the programmed [VFO/MR] key to switch between VFO and memory channel display.
4.5.Set Up VFO Frequency
Turn the radio to VFO mode, then switch the channel to the main band, the VFO frequency can
only be set up when the channel is in the main "bold text" channel.
Operation 1: Input the VFO frequency directly by the keyboard.
Operation 2: Turn the channel selector to adjust the VFO frequency steps.
4.6.Select a Channel
Press the programmed [VFO/MR] key to switch the radio between VFO and Channel mode,
select Channel mode.
Operation 1: Turn the channel dial to select a channel.
Operation 2: Input the channel numbers by the keyboard. For example, if you want switch to
channel 99, input 0/ 0/ 9 /9 a total of 4 digits, and it will switch to channel 99.
A channel can either be Analog or Digital.
For the analog channels the Push-To-Talk button is always available, and on the Digital Channels
the parameters can be set up by the users / system operators by individual channel to allow talk
permit.
There are four possible settings that can be selected in the CPS channel:
(1).Always Allow: The user can transmit all the time.
(2).Channel Free: The radio can transmit only if the channel is free.
(3).Different Color Code: The radio can transmit if the channel is free, but the color code is
mismatch.
(4).Same Color Code: The radio can transmit only if the channel is free and the color code matches.
4.7.New channel
(1).Enter radio Menu-Settings-Chan Set-New Chan.
(2).Input the channel number and name.
(3).Select a zone from zone list, then Confirm to Save. The radio will start channel saving, and
saving is completed when it displays "Saved".
(4).Now select the new channel in the radio and go to Channel Settings menu to set up all the new
channel's parameters.
4.8.Delete Channel
Enter radio Menu-Settings-Chan Set-Delete Chan, it allows to delete the current channel.
4.9.Receiving and Responding to a Radio Call
When the radio is in the digital mode, it can receive and respond to a call with the incoming call
channel is set as same frequency/color code/ slot.
When radio receives a call:
•The cyan LED lights up.
•The left top corner of LCD shows the RSSI icon, and the LCD display will show DMR
ID/name/city/ state/country/call type and incoming icon based on what is in the contact list.
•When the call is ended, it will display “Call end”, and you can press [PTT] to respond the call.
Make sure to respond the call within the digital hold time, otherwise the radio will drop the

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connection after the digital hold time is expired.
4.10.Make a Digital Call
1.Talk to a preset TG/DMR ID in channel
Choose a programmed channel and press PTT to start thecall.
2.Talk to a temporary TG/DMR ID not in the channel
Method 1: Select a temporary TG/DMR ID from the Talk Group list.
(1).Choose a programmed channel.
(2).Press [EXIT] key to enter the TG List, turn the channel switch or press the UP/DOWN key
on microphone to choose a TG/DMR ID.
Method 2: Select a temporary TG/DMR ID from the keypad.
(1).Choose a programmed channel.
•Press [Menu] key to Talk Group, select Manual Dial.
•Input the ID number by keypad on microphone, press [#] key to switch group ID or Private
DMR ID. Press the [PTT] key to start the call, the red LED lights up, the receiver
ID/name/city/state/country/call type and call out icon will be display on the LCD. Release [PTT]
key to receive thereply.
» The temporary call will be dropped when the digital
4.11.Monitor
In standby, press the programmed [Monitor] key to enter Monitor. When receiving matched carrier
but the signaling / ID is unmatched or the signal is too weak, this function allows monitor the weak
signal and signal with unmatched ID. Press the key again to shut off speaker and return tostandby.
» When in analog mode, if no signal, it will emit background noise sound when press the Monitor
Key. The Rx icon is displayed when monitor is activated.
4.12.Emergency Alarm
Press the programmed [Emergency Alarm] key to turn on alarm function, then press this key again
to turn off. There are some Emergency alarm mode can be set by CPS.
4.13.Access Advanced Features for Private Call
Method 1: To Access a Private Call from Contact list
Press the [MENU] key to enter the Talk Group, select a private call ID.
Press Option to access the advanced features.
Method 2: Access from Manual Dial
1.Press the [MENU] key to enter the Talk Group, select Manual Dial.
2.Input the Private ID, press Option to access the advanced features.
4.14.Set Up Advanced Features for Private Call
4.14.1.Call Alert
Select Call Alert, it will send out a call alert, the target radio will sound a beep when receiving
the call alert, and it will return a success call or failed call message to the transmit radio.
4.14.2.Remote Monitor
Select Remote Monitor, and it will send out a signal for the target radio will turn on its microphone
and transmit when receiving the signaling, it will send back the voice to the transmit radio. With
this feature you can monitor the sound activity near the target radio remotely.
» You have to check on the function in CPS-Optional Setting-Digital Func- Remote Monitor first.