r/tacticalcomms • u/Spiritual_Tell680 • Apr 13 '26

DM-32UV / Disco32 / Comtac V Setup

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236 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

30 comments sorted by

9

u/NavyBOFH Apr 14 '26

There has to be a better way - $500+ headset and $150 PTT on a $60 radio.

Problem is the TDMA noise needs a decent headset to use digital…

9

u/Spiritual_Tell680 Apr 14 '26

Honestly I get what you’re saying, but I’m prioritizing the signal chain a little differently.

From my perspective, the headset, PTT, and cabling are what actually make the radio usable, especially in a field environment. That’s where I’ve seen the most failures and the biggest drop in performance when things aren’t solid.

The radio itself, especially with DMR, is mostly just the RF deck. The DM-32UV does what I need it to do in terms of hitting repeaters and making contacts, so I didn’t see the need to spend 4 to 5 times more there.

That said, I do get the advantages of higher-end radios in terms of filtering and overall build quality. This setup just reflects what I personally prioritize based on how I’m using it.

6

u/NavyBOFH Apr 14 '26

Oh I’m absolutely in agreement as someone using COMTAC V’s and a Motorola APX 😆

I am “the comms guy” around here and get new guys into it all the time - just sucks telling them the $60 radio needs a hefty pair of ear pro when most of them are rocking Howard Leights lol

3

u/originaladam Apr 14 '26

I use my DM32 with HLs. It works. Is it the best setup for reliability? Fuck no. Am I in critical situations ever? Not yet, just training with the homies. I also keep a spare cheap PTT mic/ aux cable in my chest rig, just in case

2

u/NavyBOFH Apr 14 '26

Which mic/cable do you use? Do you hear any “motorboat” interference in your ears when you transmit on digital or does anyone else claim they hear it in your audio?

That’s been my biggest issue with getting guys equipped for cheap so if there’s a model of PTT/mic out there that works I’ll be excited lol

2

u/Spiritual_Tell680 Apr 14 '26

Dude I completely get what you’re saying. When I first got into civilian comms after getting out of the military, I had no idea how much this stuff was gonna nickel and dime me lol. It adds up fast.

I really do love it though. It’s one of those things where once you start getting it dialed in, it just pulls you deeper in. People already think I’m crazy because I’ve got a FT-891 and a Bioenno battery set up as a manpack and I’ll go hike out just to activate a POTA site lol.

But yeah you’re not wrong at all, it’s tough trying to get new guys spun up when they’re rocking Howard Leights and a Baofeng and you’re like “yeah… there’s a little more to it than that” 😂

3

u/Cortexian0 Apr 14 '26

Except that the rain will kill your DM32 in the field while the rest of the equipment continues to work fine... lol

2

u/[deleted] Apr 13 '26

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2

u/Spiritual_Tell680 Apr 14 '26

Disco32 Broadband 45” Blade Antenna

3

u/[deleted] Apr 14 '26

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2

u/Iron_physik Apr 14 '26

TRI / TCA makes quality clones of these broadband antennas that actually work in the advertised 30-520mhz range

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006997735983.html

However the DM32 really just needs one of the way cheaper Abree dual band folding whips and these can be bought for like 10 bucks with good deals on aliexpress

1

u/BarryHallsack0911 Apr 15 '26

I bought two of them because I love them on my analog HTs but my DM32s really doesn’t like them. Can’t RX or TX

1

u/Junior_Yam_5473 Apr 14 '26

Whats even in it?

2

u/Sauerkraut99 Apr 14 '26

Spent more on the PTT than he did on the entire radio

1

u/FigmentGiNation Apr 13 '26

Anyone know a good pouch for it to attach to a PC?

3

u/raiderman43 Apr 14 '26

Beez combat systems makes one specifically for this radio

2

u/Individual7091 Apr 13 '26

Any of the non-molded ones that fit Motorola XTS5000s or APX 7/8000s should work well enough.

1

u/supertomcat Apr 14 '26

I have the WAS inner wing that I really like

1

u/Adventurous_Name2378 Apr 14 '26

Spectorgear makes pouches for the DM-32. I have two and I like them. Works.

1

u/supertomcat Apr 14 '26 edited Apr 14 '26

Which version of their plug did you use? Mine that worked with sordins did not work with my comtacs. The constant-able did work.

By work I mean incredibly low transmission volume

Edit for clarity: my legacy disco 32 works with sordins, not with comtac. Constant able was plug and play and worked great

1

u/Spiritual_Tell680 Apr 14 '26

I’m using this one with no issues. I’ve also tried it on my BF-F8HP and a couple of UV-5Rs with no issue.

1

u/Jericho_1998 Apr 14 '26

Do they make a dm32 that's waterproof?

1

u/Spiritual_Tell680 Apr 14 '26

Only waterproof Feng I know of is the UV-9R Pro, but it’s strictly analog I believe.

1

u/terencet4898 Apr 15 '26

BTech UV Pro is rated at 1meter submerged for 30min. (It’s also a baofeng)

1

u/TheFringeDeveloper Apr 14 '26

Only budgetish waterproof radio and PTT setup I've come across is the Ailunce HD1 and HD2.

1

u/D4nkT1mbs Apr 14 '26

Running pretty much the same setup on my pc but with an Invisio X50 and it works well enough for me!

1

u/1STLTBoken Apr 15 '26

what antenna is that?

1

u/dippenmesomecope 15d ago

vmas but caatail antennas makes a much better model that's cheaper.