TYT MD-9600
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| Frequency | TX: 136-174 MHz (VHF), 400-480 MHz (UHF), RX: same (FCC-locked to 150-160/420-450 but easily enableable) |
| TX power | 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 W (VHF: 50/20/10/5W. UHF: 45/20/10/5W. Four selectable levels. MD-9600 Plus: 30W VHF/25W UHF.) |
| Modes | FM (analog), DMR (Tier I and Tier II, TDMA dual time slot, Mototrbo compatible) |
| Weight | 1.04 kg (2.3 lb) - 2.3 lbs (~1043g). Dimensions: 5.51×6.89×1.95 in (~140×175×50mm). Metal chassis. |
| Connector | SO-239 |
| Year | 2017 |
| antenna | SO-239 |
| mic | RJ-45 speaker mic (IP54, included) |
| programming | Mini-USB (programming cable included) |
| dc in | DC 13.8V |
| power req | DC 13.8V. Heavy duty heatsink. Metal chassis. |
Estimated (unverified): AMATEUR radio - FCC Technician-class license required to transmit (2m/70cm); NOT GMRS, NOT license-free. MOBILE. Digital mode is DMR (Tier I + II) - NOT D-STAR, NOT C4FM - plus analog FM. Sold identically as the Retevis RT-90. Power 50W VHF / 45W UHF; also 25W. 3000 channels; up to ~100,000 DMR contacts (current firmware). Display is a 2-COLOR LCD (NOT a full-color TFT, despite some promo images). Control head built-in (NOT detachable). OpenGD77-compatible (firmware must match hardware revision). Introduced 2017. Current (MD-9600 Plus, ~$230-280).
A budget DMR mobile at roughly half the AnyTone D578 price. 50 W VHF/45 W UHF, 3000 channels, and MD-380/390/2017 codeplug compatibility (easy migration from a handheld). It has GPS and AES256 options, Part 90 commercial approval, MIL-STD 810, an IP54 mic, and a programming cable included, and it is firmware-upgradeable with front-panel programming. Reviewers note proven reliability and loud audio.
Not dual receive (one band at a time; easy toggle but not simultaneous). A monochrome LCD (dated versus the AnyTone D578's TFT). No Bluetooth. No APRS. No detachable faceplate. The CPS is Windows-only and clunky. The interface feels dated, and programming is tedious without a PC. The MD-9600 Plus has lower power (30 W/25 W). No CHIRP support.
A budget DMR mobile. The MD-9600 puts DMR Tier I/II, 3000 channels, 50 W, and Mototrbo compatibility into a mobile for $150-300, roughly half the AnyTone D578. The shared codeplug with the MD-380/MD-2017 makes migration easy. It lacks the D578's TFT, Bluetooth, and APRS, but for budget DMR mobile it works.
The TYT MD-9600 is a budget dual-band DMR mobile radio (sold in identical form as the Retevis RT-90) that helped make amateur DMR affordable in a vehicle radio. Its digital mode is DMR (Tier I and II), which is not D-STAR and not C4FM. It also does analog FM. It covers 2 meters and 70 centimeters and requires an FCC Technician-class license or higher to transmit; it is not a GMRS or license-free radio.
It puts out 50 watts on VHF and 45 on UHF, holds 3,000 channels, and can load the full worldwide DMR contact database (around 100,000 IDs) with current firmware. One marketing caveat: despite some glossy promo images, its display is a simple two-color LCD, not a full-color screen. Like the GD-77 handheld, it is supported by the open-source OpenGD77 firmware, though the firmware version must match the radio's hardware revision. The control head is built in, not detachable.
It remains obtainable (now as the MD-9600 Plus). The premium amateur DMR mobile is the AnyTone AT-D578UVIII Pro; for the open-firmware DMR handheld in the same family, the Radioddity GD-77.