Recomendations for using AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus for Sota Activations?

Activation Reports
1

Hi,
I plan to use my new AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus HT for Sota Activations. Do you have any recomendations on using it? Should I use a different anttena? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

thanks 73

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2

Program the button under PTT to open the squelch because the minimum squelch is quite high.
So you don’t miss S2S contacts.

73 Joe

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3

Thanks Joe for the recommendations. I’ll need to learn how to program that button.

4

Agree with the previous poster that you want the squelch set to zero when activating.

This is the HT I use for VHF while activating. I don’t recommend using the default abtenna. I’ve been using this cheap antenna for dramatically improved performance.

Since this is an APRS capable HT, its nice to be able to use APRS2SOTA for spotting and to see who else had spotted when outside of cell coverage.

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5

Thanks KN6KJA. I love using APRS and I didn’t know about APRS2SOTA. I just looked up the website and it looks like I have some reading to do tonight. Thanks for the antenna recommendation. I have it save in my amazon cart.

6

I think that’s good practice for any VHF activation. That’s what I do anyway, whatever handheld I use.

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7

I had one, last seen on GW/NW-023 :frowning:

The squelch was a problem, it would cut every few seconds for a split second mid qso even with an S9 signal and squelch set to the minimum value. I had to do what Joe suggests and program one of the buttons to open the squelch and hold it open when listening to the other operator.

Test out the radio before you go out to make sure it transmits on the bands you want. Mine came set for commercial DMR frequencies but it was easy to change in the programming software.

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8

I now have my second 878 and am very satisfied. I recommend using a Protective Case Cover in (heavy) rain. It is not as water resistant as described (IP-54). The image shows moisture on the inside of the screen. This was the 3rd time this happened when I used it without protection, and after this it did not work anymore

IMG-6869
IMG-68691920Ă—2560 283 KB

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9

Same issue here. Water ingress on a recent activation:

IMG_20230915_113850904_HDR
IMG_20230915_113850904_HDR1920Ă—2550 412 KB

For now i have an expensive paper-weight (until I get round to fixing it). Interestingly, the radio is still working as it’s sending out ARPS beacons. It’s just the display is toast.

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10

I agree, the RH770 is a great improvement on the stock antenna that comes with most radios. They come with SMA (M&F) and BNC connectors and work great on both 2m and 70cm. I think Peter (MW0PJE) even strapped one to the top of his mast on a recent activation (as he’d forgotten to bring his dipole) and reported it worked just as well. Beware though, there are lots of clones about on Amazon and AliExpress. Some good, some bad. They’re also very easy to stand-on and bend…

Dave

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11

Yes, that was me. I think @M5RJC has done the same.
Mine gave up the ghost recently, it was getting harder and harder to pull out and one of the springy bits also came out. I’ve bought another.

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12

Hi LA9DSA,
What protective case cover di you buy for your AnyTone?

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13

I buy mine in a Norwegian online store, here is the link, but I am absolutely sure that you will find something similar in the US https://www.christech.no/radiotilbehor/1130-anytone-csc-878.html

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14

It is very terrible,I take my old TH-22E over the Anytone any day.
Is there no way to lower it via the programming software?

15

Hello,
When on summit, you can also tune on TG-973 and keep in touch with others SOTA fellows!
Gerald F6HBI

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16

How do you program one of the keys to turn off squelch? I just spent 2 hours on Youtube and found nothing and spent time on the code plug. I tried Hot Keys and key functions under optional settings. There must be away.

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17

Good Idea, I just need to program my radio.

18

I have always found this radio decidedly “deaf” in reception with any antenna, small VHF or UHF (analog) signals that I receive for example with my Yaesu Vx-5 cannot be heard on the Anytone.

It’s perfect for local use on analogue or DMR repeater but no more in my experience…

73 And IW0HK

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19

The german YouTube Channel Funkwelle has analysed and compared various handhelds.

The summary graph is shown at minute 20:05 (Open the video and pause to see the chart)

Confirming what was stated already. Open the squelch or assign a button to force open the squelch. Otherwise you will miss S2S signals.

73 Joe

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20

@OE5JFE Thanks Joe, Opening the squelch helped.

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