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If you do not already have one, it is recommended you get a programming cable for $10.
"I have to say that the CS580 is probably the most underrated DMR HT out there or maybe it's the best kept secret". (Customer review)
This amazing DMR and Analog radio works so well, you would expect it to be priced three times what we are currently selling it for. First let me show you what some of our customers think of that radio.
Posted by Frank D
I have to say that the CS580 is probably the most underrated DMR HT out there or maybe it's the best kept secret. I am amazed at how much you can do with this radio without a computer/cable/codeplug. Within minutes of opening the box, I was quickly able to punch in a local DMR repeater via the front panel and I was on the air. I am also extremely impressed with the monitor and scan features.
Posted by Edgar
Great Radio for the price. Scan feature is great for finding local repeaters. Nice fast menu buttons and settings. Enjoy using the software for programming code plugs. Easy to get around and customize.
Posted by Sean F
This is a rock solid DMR HT. Here is a list of some of the great features: Long battery life, loud speaker, large display, good audio reports, wonderful documentation, good price and quick delivery. In summary, this DMR met my spec and I'm having fun with it.
Posted by KA6CJL
A friend of mine talks wonders about the CS580 so I had to take the leap and get me one for myself. I would say that for the money that this device cost, it is an excellent investment. So far I have been playing with it for about just couple of days, and although a very basic device, it is all you need to immerse yourself in the world of digital radio.
Why We Designed This Radio
When we designed this radio, we had three criteria.
(1) Make it so a computer is not necessary to use this radio. All the important parameters can be entered from the built in keypad.
(2) Make it so you do not have to be a rocket scientist to use it. With this radio you can put it in enhanced monitor mode, listen to all the conversations coming off the repeater, and then when you hear a conversation you want to join, just press the lock key and start talking back. You do not have to know what color code, slot number, or Tx contact is. All you need to know is the frequency. It also has a scan mode so you can find all the different frequencies being used in your area.
(3) Make it inexpensive, now priced at $140. Programming cable is $10 extra if you really want to use a computer to make a code plug.
Here is the best part. If you do not think this radio is worth what you paid for it, you can return the radio within 30 days and get a complete refund of your purchase price. If the radio breaks during the first year, we fix it for free.
With a deal like this you would think you would be dealing with a company located in Hong Kong or China. We are a United States company and have been in business since 1982.
Special Features
The most important feature of this radio is called the Enhanced Monitor Mode. In this mode, you are waiting for someone to start speaking on the channel you are monitoring. An example of the radio in this mode is shown below.
The radio now shows that user 310325 is speaking on frequency 435.325 MHz. The radio you are listening to is making a Group Call, has a Color Code of 1 and they are using slot 1. The group number is 320. You now press the lock key and you are ready to have a QSO with the person you are currently listening to.
At this point you can permanently store the contact in the radios memory so the next time you turn on the radio you already have a channel with that contact. In other radios you need a computer to make a code plug to store this information in your radio.
The next important feature is the Enhanced Parameter Mode. From the keypad, using a single screen, you can set up a complete channel without using a computer. The channel can be in the Ham bands or the Commercial bands. A picture of the Enhanced Parameter Mode is shown below.
Once you entered the appropriate data, you press the lock key and you are ready for a QSO. If you prefer, you can also permanently save the channel.
The last important feature is the Enhanced Scanning mode as show below.
From the keypad you set the parameters and then press the start key. The radio now automatically starts scaning and if a channel is found, the radio stops and allows you to lock it in for an immediate QSO or store it in the radio's memory for use at a later time. This feature is great if you are traveling and you are not familiar with the repeaters available in the area.
SPECIFICATIONS
The CS580 is one of the most exciting new products that we have designed in the past 30 years. This DMR radio is designed specifically for the amateur radio operators and offers the best value in the DMR market. The radio includes a number of unique and advanced features such as Enhanced Monitor Mode, Enhanced Scanning Mode and Enhanced Parameter Mode and is easy to operate.
Connect to any DMR network without the use of a computer. Experienced Hams who prefer to use a computer can program up to 1,024 fixed channels.
Strong, durable and tough. Meets MIL-STD-810C/D/E/F for humidity, vibration and shock and is dustproof and waterproof to IP54.
Frequency of the repeater can be entered from an easy to use screen on the radio in conjunction with a built in keypad. By pressing a single key, you can enter into monitor mode. You can join a conversation by simply pressing the lock key.
Advanced Hams can enter the frequency, slot number, color code, Tx contact number and type of call from a single easy to use screen. Just press the lock key and you are ready to initiate a call on any DMR network, including Brandmeister and DMR-MARC.
Find the frequency of local repeaters in any area by placing the radio into scan mode. Then let the radio automatically find the frequencies in use for you.
In a similar manner, communications on an analog channel is possible without a computer.
Stores up to 1024 analog and digital channels in 64 zones with up to 250 contacts. The CPS software for making the code plug is free and available for download from our website www.connectsystems.com
Optional programming cable available for $10.
If you want a single band DMR / Analog radio you have a choice between the CS580 or CS750. Comparing the two is like comparing the Rolls Royce against a Tesla. They are both great cars but the Rolls Royce won't accelerate to 60 mph is 3.9 seconds. In a like manner, the CS750 is one of the best made DMR radios made at any price but does not have a few features of the CS580. The CS580 was designed for the HAMS that want to take a radio along while traveling and not have to worry about making a code plug. It is also beneficial for the HAMS who are new to digital radio and are intimidated by the terminology and technology necessary to carry on a simple conversation.
Can You Hear Me Now?
The sensitivity of the CS580 is amazing. With a digital service monitor, we have measured the sensitivity to be less than .1 microvolt. This will allow you to pick up signals in the fringes that even the more expensive radios cannot achieve.
Voice Quality
Many HAMS have reported that the voice quality of the CS580 radio is even better than the Motorola XPR6550 costing over six times as much. Part of the reason is because the speaker is not physically mounted to the case like most other radios, rather it is mounted on a bracket inside the radio.
What is Unique About this Radio?
The are four things unique about this radio that will be described in detailed in detail below. They are:
1. No computer needed to use this radio
2. Enhanced Scanning
3. Enhanced Monitoring
4. Enhanced Parameters
No Computer
For those rocket scientists out there, it is still possible to make a code plug and program this radio using a computer. But for those HAMS who don't like computers, don't have a Windows computer, or are traveling and don't want to take their computer, this radio is perfect for you. All the necessary parameters are programmable from the keypad including your unique ID. All other entry level DMR radios require a computer.
Enhanced Scanning
If you are traveling and are not familiar with the repeaters in the neighborhood, put the radio in the Enhanced Scanning mode and the radio will find all the active repeaters between the two frequencies you set up. If you hear a conversation you want to join in, press the lock key and then your radio automatically reconfigures itself to allow you to join the conversation. As a bonus, the radio has the ability to work in an unattended mode while you are sleeping. The radio permanently store the different repeaters it finds. For those that want to listen to public safety or commercial stations, the radio can be programmed to scan in the range of 400 MHz to 480 MHz.
Enhanced Monitoring
Put the radio in the enhanced monitor mode and you will hear all the digital conversations on that repeater you are listening to. You do not have to know or set the Slot Number, Color Code, Tx Contact, or if the conversation is group or private. The radio will display all the parameters. If you want to join the conversation just press the lock key and you can join in. If you want to also store that channel, pressing the key again will allow you to permanently store the required parameters to allow you at some future date make a call to the same contact. You can either store the channel information on the channel you are on or store it in the first free available channel in the zone you are using. You never have to understand the concepts of Color Codes, Slots, or Tx Contacts while in this mode.
Enhanced Parameters
Put the radio in the enhanced parameter mode and you can change all the parameters necessary on a single screen to allow you to communicate with any Brandmeister or DMR MARC user anywhere in the world. Change the parameters, press the lock key, and now you are ready to speak. For the expert, they can preprogram the channel for everything necessary except the Tx Contact and then they only have to change the Tx Contact setting. The user can permanently store what was programmed in either the channel you are on or the first free available channel for that zone. You can use this mode to only change the frequency and then go back to the enhanced monitor mode and wait for the repeater to become active.
Display Quality
The CS580 has the sharpest and easy to read multiline color display among the HAM radios. If you want a better display you have to spend hundreds of dollars more and get a commercial radio.
Support
Have you ever tried to get support? If you know Mandarin Chinese and you have free international calling you will have no problems. If you want to speak to someone who native and only language is English, you call Connect Systems during normal business hours. We also answer e-mails after hours and holidays. Here is what some of our customers say.
"Once emailed Connect Systems in the early morning hours east coast time. Knowing they were west coast and would not be open for hours I was surprised to get an email response from Jerry personally before they were even open." (From Facebook)
"I've always has good support from Connect Systems. Chris is amazing." (From Facebook)
Special Offer
This radio is priced at $140.
43 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews
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Nice HT
Nice radio easy to use code plug, with easy cable. One thing I did not like battery to hard to slide back off after attaching the clip. Love the analog or digital channels scan, and cable very easy to use.
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On par with the Great CS-750 at half the cost but with more features
Pros: Smaller in size, ability to hunt for DMR frequencies, larger color display, half the cost of the CS-750, cool Digital Monitor Feature, faster scan speeds, RX Groups actually works, some ability to clone zones and channels. Cons: Rough CPS but better than the MD-380, no handy codeplugs, some bugs, $30 more than the MD-380, 1000 contact limit, no 3rd party codeplug software, channel sorting flaky. This is a new model so in time, bugs and software will mature. Great little radio, the first of all the non-TRBO radios that I am actively carrying and using, all other imports are sitting in the chargers and monitoring dedicated talkgroups.
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Solid Little Radio With Good Support!
This is my first dmr radio and so far it hasn't disappointed. Programming was a breeze using the software and cable. Do yourself a favor and update the firmware right out of the box - development is ongoing and bugs are being fixed. I can hit most of my local repeaters on high power from my home qth and signal reports are good on analogue and digital. The enhanced monitor mode is one of my favorite features allowing me to have contacts with people on different talkgroups not saved as tx/rx contacts. The programmable soft keys are easy access to your most used features. A bright, easy to read screen with plenty of real estate for your alphanumerics although the backlight timer could be a little longer. Good battery performance too - it can easily scan all day with limited talk time on one charge. All in all, a great little performer. I just haven't figured out if there's a vfo mode yet - maybe another question for support, they promptly answered one I had about the scan lists. A speaker /mic would make a great accessory for this. :-)
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Solid radio for the price, but, some research required
I bought this radio because I thought it would be FPP based on the description. Not so much. First, the radio is well built, good fit and finish, and has some weight. The menu is easy enough to navigate. But, for a first time dmr user, the fun stopped there. It's not as easy as pressing a few buttons and having your first conversation. I'm still struggling with the code plug to actually get on the local dmr network with my user I'd. But!!!! I'll get it figured out. Once I get on the network and stop getting disconnected codes, I think I'll be 5 stars happy!! This radio is rock solid in analog, and the CP is easy to work with, but time consuming.
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Not enough flexibility for programming frequencies.
In this area there are a number of frequency assignments that do not divide evenly into 12.5 KHz, so cannot be programmed into this radio. More effort should be spent translating the owner's manual into understandable English! I do not have any use for DMR, so what counts is flexible analog channel capacity.
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After 3 months, still really like this radio
There is a learning curve for a DMR radio, and I've gotten along with mine. Now 90 days after I bought my CS580, with experience programming and using it, I like it even more than when I first got it. It is a solid performer, more features than I need, and very flexible. Others tell me that CS tech support is great, and I have no reason to doubt that but I have never needed them. (That says two good things about the company and products.) I liked these guys and their products so much, I bought a CS800 mobile rig for the truck, and am equally happy with that. You can call me on the air to hear how this one sounds.
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cs-580
wow really works great,had it for about a week waiting for a speaker mike hi hi!
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Outstanding performance, service, and value...
I have been an amateur radio operator for about 20 years. I am new to DMR, and was a little reluctant to delve into this modality of communication, but thought I would give it a try. In order not to break the bank account, I decided to purchase a radio other than the high priced Motorola et al. brands... I am married and do not want to spend that much money and have to sleep in the chicken coop the rest of my days... The build quality of the CS-580 is outstanding. The receive sensitivity is great, and I have received very positive reports of my audio quality when transmitting. Another concern I had was being able to effectively program the radio without hiring a 7 year old computer expert. I must say that the programming was very easy, and the cable that came with the rig worked great. I also like the scanning function that allows one to search area repeaters while traveling, and provides away to lock a received channel, showing the color code, tx and rx freqs, and talk groups! Outstanding feature! Battery life is second to none. The color display is outstanding and provides a significant amount of information. The antenna that comes with the radio does very well. The option of analog and digital is very nice too. Jerry at Connect Systems was a pleasure to work with regarding some questions I had. He responded quickly and seems to be extremely well-versed in communications. I have never received this level of support from any company in the past. You cannot go wrong with Connect Systems, folks! A stellar company providing stellar service and products!
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GREAT COMPACT DMR HANDHELD
This is a great little radio. Excellent transmit and receive audio as well as excellent build quality. PTT switch very sensitive. Great display. Love how you can see which time slot you are on. Waiting for VHF Version as well as accessories
