Excera  EP-8100
 
The Excera EP-8100 is a DMR Tier 2 and Tier 3 commercial trunking radio that easily adapts to amateur radio use. It was introduced in 2015 and is no new comer to the DMR world.
 
 
In the Box
Included with the radio are the:
-  Li-Ion Battery   (7.2V 2400mAh)
-  Belt clip
-  38 page User Guide – English
-  Charger base & AC adapter
-  Antenna – 3.9" (9.8cm) `
-  Lanyard
 
 
General Description
-   VHF or UHF
-   Tier 2 DMR, Tier 3 Trunking, and Analog (WB and NB)
-   Size:  5.0 * 2.1 * 1.4"   (125*54*35mm)
-   Weight: 11oz  (320g)  w/ant & 2400mAh battery
-   136-174   400-470 MHz 
-   CTCSS/DCS  DTMF/2TONE/5TONE 
-   GPS (optional)
-   1.0w / 4.0w transmit 
-   1024 channels
-   32 Zones (up to 32 channels per zone)
-   1024 contacts 
-   Part 90 compliant - 2AE6CEP8100U1


 
 
Transmitter
 
The frequency range of the EP-8100 is either VHF 136-174 or UHF 400-470 MHz and supports both DMR and Analog (wideband and narrowband).
 
The power levels hold pretty close to the specifications with 1.0W on low power and 4.1W on high.

My audio reports were excellent using both a DMR hotspot and the local repeater. Audio levels for both the internal and external Spkr/Micr can be adjusted in .5db steps via the software. I use the mid level of 10.5db gain and the reports were excellent. Full gain (20db) was much to hot.
  
For the power levels listed below, I used a calibrated Bird Termaline wattmeter.
 

Receiver and Audio

The receiver sensitivity and selectivity is excellent on both digital and analog. The receive audio is full yet smooth and clear with the receiver 1W audio amplifier.

Both the minimum and maximum volume ranges are adjustable. For daily use, I set the minimum level to 0 and the max level to Level 8.

 
Enclosure
 
The EP-8100 case has a good solid feel and weight, and fits the hand well.  It weighs in at 11oz (320g) with the battery and antenna attached. Battery removal requires a push of the release on the bottom of the case. A smooth easy upward pull removes the battery from the radio. No battery sliding or pushing is required.
 
The radio has 3 programmable keys. Two on the side above and below the PTT button and one on the top.
 

I found the keypad buttons a bit larger than most. The keypad format is three across and four down. This puts the zero (0) at the bottom of the keypad where it should be. The PTT button requires a light pressure that doesn't tire the finger.
   
Antenna

The included UHF antenna measures 3.25" which is a fairly common size for a UHF handheld. However, when I tried to do the power level checks, I noticed something a little odd about the antenna connector. Rather than a standard SMA connector, the radio uses an RP-SMA-Male. Notice the center pin in the connector below. Finding an adapter was not difficult, but a replacement antenna might be a challenge.
      
Display
 
The radio has a basic LCD which makes perfect sense for a commercial grade radio. In an EmComm situation, the Freq, CC, TS, TG and callsign is really not necessary. What is critical is that the communications cannot fail.

Basic screen displays are shown below. Again, very basic, but gets the job done.
 
 

click to enlarge

Software
 
This is one of the radio's strong points.  If you are familiar with DMR code plugs, you know that sequencing of data can a weak point.

Deleting data not an issue, however new data is normally added to the end of the list. With the Excera software, as with many commercial models, I can easily insert new data by highlighting an existing channel and selecting Insert Above or Insert Below. After the new channel is created, I can now Copy/Paste the data from a similar channel into the new position.

Adding a new repeater or channels can be done in minutes while retaining a manageable order.
 

For Tier 3 applications, the 8100 can handle both DMR and MPT formats.
  Firmware
 
As additional features and future refinements are developed, the radio firmware can be updated.
 
 
Programming Cable
 
The EP-8100 programming cable has the UART chip inside the radio, so the cable itself is straight through, so there is no circuitry inside the cable itself. The driver loads automatically when the cable is attached.
 
The connector is design is very characteristic of radios with an IP-67 waterproof rating.
  Battery and Charger
 
The included battery is 7.2V at 2400mAh. The charger base requires a 12vdc wall wart (included). The LED is Red when charging, and Green when either fully charged or idle. The battery easily charges to full capacity with an overnight charge.
 
 
What is Tier 3
 
Tier 3 pertains to a privately licensed network system used when a standard two timeslot DMR can no longer meet the demands of a growing company or service. An example would be a Countywide 911 system where a simple Tier 2 network cannot provide the network capacity for high activity area wide simultaneous transmissions.

Tier 3 allows for multiple repeaters to be networked to pass Voice, Data (Scada), Group and Private Messaging via one or all repeaters simultaneously. These repeaters can be networked via microwave mesh networks as well as IP. 
 
 
Options
 
There are options available as modules that can expand base model. These options can be purchased separately if desired:
-  Man Down using GPS
-  Man Down using Glonass
-  Man Down using BeiDou
-  Full Duplex operation
-  Bluetooth module
-  Noise Reduction module
 
 
Conclusion
 
The Excera EP-8100 is being built primarily for the commercial market. Tier 2 works perfectly as a UHF DMR transceiver, but it's going to be a while before Tier 3 trunking becomes an amateur standard. The biggest advantage of a radio like this is its cross over capability. It can be used in US FCC Part 90 commercial service as well as in amateur radio service.

The obvious pros are the following:
-  Construction
-  Tier II / III  DMR
-  FCC Part 90 certified
-  IP-67
 
Concerns:
-  Antenna connection is RP-SMA
-  Accessories are unique to this radio

 
For more information:
     North America, Latin America, Europe:   EXCERA
     General Sales:   EXCERA 
 
 
Brochures and information available HERE

  
Note: This equipment was loaned to me by a friend. This is an unbiased review. All findings are factual based my personal experience.