Hello all,
I’m after a dual band radio for use as a mobile, At present I’m using a Yaesu FT1500m but the Rx is terrible falling apart near any radio source and responding to every bit of electrical noise in the galaxy ( at least it seems that way) I was looking at the Anytone radios are they any good or likely to be just as bad ?
In fairness I was after people who had attempted to use them on SOTA summits where there is extreme RF levels. I have only ever brought one radio new which was a Yaesu FT1500m me an my father both brought one ( the one I use now was his) Having been spoilt in the past with the quality of EXPMR gear it was a major let down with the RX collapsing at the slightest sniff of RF and it’s ability to pick up the entire universes electrical radiation ,I soon got rid of mine. I will have to see if I can pick up some commercial grade gear.
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I have an Anytone AT-D878UVII Plus, which, as far as DMR goes, is useless and overcomplicated due to programming (code plug is a nightmare) and constant software upgrades, which cause all manner of problems. If you don’t bother with upgrading the software, then the radio develops faults, for example, this radio has APRS capability after a sort, but it will stop working.
However, on FM it has performed brilliantly, 6W, change the stock antenna to a MRW210 or whatever Moonraker is selling at present. If you want APRS capability and reliability, then go for the.Yaesu FT-5DE. If you are bothered by Pager signals from masts on summits, then get yourself a Sotabeams filter Bandpass filter for 2m - SOTABEAMS
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I recall the 778UV was pretty deaf on 2m on GW/NW-043.
I don’t remember having any issues with the D878UVII Plus, but I don’t think I ever used it on that particular summit. I didn’t like how slow the squelch was, and how non sensitive it was on the lowest setting.
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I have an 878 HT and a d578 mobile in the car. They are probably the top end of Chinese radios and offer very good value for money. They both sport a hybrid front end so less prone to going deaf within 10 miles of a gnat fart like all the crapfengs.
Writing a codeplug really isn’t that complicated once you get your head around it.
Using the 878 I have activated a couple of summits on FM and even managed some contacts using DMR simplex. Once I even chased MM0UHR using DMR SMS!
At one time I imagined using the D578 as an activator radio but it has been installed in the car now.
The 878 appears complicated because it really is a swiss army knife radio. The sheer quantity of features and configurability can be bamboozling.
I should add the stock antenna on the 878 is exceptional. Of the dozen or so HT antennas I have put on a (real) VNA, it is the only one to be absolutely bang on frequency.
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Thanks for the replies everyone !
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Same experience for me, my Anytone AT-D 878 it’s almost deaf on Vhf/uhf FM.. good on DMR but not a good radio for Sota fm activation
73 And IW0HK
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I’m sold on mine. See N1CLC: Review of the AnyTone AT-868UV