@lwolfspidertoo I should have bought the nice vintage 736R I was just offered instead of this thing. I'd be talking on it instead of trying to figure out how to get it on an analog repeater, ANY analog repeater with this thing. The TH-F6 is a breeze compared to this dinky box of menus. Biggest disappointment out of the box ever because, very very very slow to get going if you're not ready with a computer that'll run their software (which you can't get off the Alinco site, but only some vendors). Going to have to buy a computer (I have three all full Linux and Wine is refusing to cooperate) to program the damn thing and I might just sell it instead.
I got this radio a couple of months ago from DX and I am loving it. Performance is great. Sound is solid, both in the radio and in the handheld mic's speaker. It is very easy to set up using the software and I have been rolling my own codeplug, adding and adjusting as needed. Use it with my pistar and a Diamond X50A for VHF/UHF and have quite a lot of fun with it! Take care with the mic gain settings or you'll have folks telling you that you are coming in hot. Haha. KO4OEH
The only thing still lacking in the display is the SFR option where it is possible to talk in digital mode on the same frequency while TS1 is on one side and TS2 on the other. Both parties should be in DMO/SIMPLEX mode. If the 500 model can't do it, the 520T model should do it without error. The next problem of that test is whether when the SFR mode is switched on, the sensitivity of the receiver weakens, and this is tested as follows: We use an interlocutor that comes with a very low signal just so we can establish a digital connection, and then we turn on the SFR and that interlocutor tries to talk to us again. If it passes through the SFR, it means that the SFR option does not suppress even small signals and does not reduce the coverage zone as it happens on Anuton devices.
Again, the radio manufacturers have lost touch with reality. The reality is that, in modern vehicles, there's very little room to mount a full size radio in most of them. When will the manufacturers get with the program and realize that their product(s) need a remote head configuration as an option? I've considered the Anytone AT578 for mobile operations but it doesn't have remote head capability. This Alinco radio is no different so many of us will have to pass on it unless we want to clutter our passenger compartment with equipment. I own a full size SUV (Jeep Grand Cherokee) and have just enough room to mount the control head for my Icom 5100A. A radio without the remote head option would be fine if I wanted to use it at home but, I don't have a home shack as I do all my ham radio operations on the road as I prefer to spend time with family when I'm at home. Here's to another negative strike against Alinco, Anytone, et al.
ONly remote head radio I have found is the Connect Systems CS800D. They have monoband and dual band radios available in the same form factor. The head also has a speaker, so a remote speaker is not required. Mine is on order, so we'll see when it arrives how it compares to the features of the others.
Beats me I've had this thing out of the box for hours and have YET to figure out how to hit my local repeater. Most complicated and weirdly menued thing I've ever tried to operate. GeEZEbus!
we exported most all our manufacturing to China because folks always want it cheepist. And now we get a lot of cheap stuff and have to sort out all the tech issues on our own. fmr.
@@SimonTemplarVK3XEM Anytone radios are made in China. Alinco their MD-5 Radios are made in Japan and looking at the front of the box this radio also made in Japan.
GREAT review and demo! Thanks Ken! 73, Mike
Great video. Can't wait for part too.
The FT-747GX one of my favourite radios. 👍👍👍
I had a 747 for years. Just sold it to get a new DMR radio.
@lwolfspidertoo I should have bought the nice vintage 736R I was just offered instead of this thing. I'd be talking on it instead of trying to figure out how to get it on an analog repeater, ANY analog repeater with this thing. The TH-F6 is a breeze compared to this dinky box of menus. Biggest disappointment out of the box ever because, very very very slow to get going if you're not ready with a computer that'll run their software (which you can't get off the Alinco site, but only some vendors). Going to have to buy a computer (I have three all full Linux and Wine is refusing to cooperate) to program the damn thing and I might just sell it instead.
I got this radio a couple of months ago from DX and I am loving it. Performance is great. Sound is solid, both in the radio and in the handheld mic's speaker. It is very easy to set up using the software and I have been rolling my own codeplug, adding and adjusting as needed. Use it with my pistar and a Diamond X50A for VHF/UHF and have quite a lot of fun with it! Take care with the mic gain settings or you'll have folks telling you that you are coming in hot. Haha. KO4OEH
Nice. This one radio does it all.
Hey DXE, can you talk about analog operation of this radio or it's successor the 520. That'd be some real jazz there.
The only thing still lacking in the display is the SFR option where it is possible to talk in digital mode on the same frequency while TS1 is on one side and TS2 on the other.
Both parties should be in DMO/SIMPLEX mode.
If the 500 model can't do it, the 520T model should do it without error.
The next problem of that test is whether when the SFR mode is switched on, the sensitivity of the receiver weakens, and this is tested as follows:
We use an interlocutor that comes with a very low signal just so we can establish a digital connection, and then we turn on the SFR and that interlocutor tries to talk to us again.
If it passes through the SFR, it means that the SFR option does not suppress even small signals and does not reduce the coverage zone as it happens on Anuton devices.
Again, the radio manufacturers have lost touch with reality. The reality is that, in modern vehicles, there's very little room to mount a full size radio in most of them. When will the manufacturers get with the program and realize that their product(s) need a remote head configuration as an option? I've considered the Anytone AT578 for mobile operations but it doesn't have remote head capability. This Alinco radio is no different so many of us will have to pass on it unless we want to clutter our passenger compartment with equipment. I own a full size SUV (Jeep Grand Cherokee) and have just enough room to mount the control head for my Icom 5100A. A radio without the remote head option would be fine if I wanted to use it at home but, I don't have a home shack as I do all my ham radio operations on the road as I prefer to spend time with family when I'm at home. Here's to another negative strike against Alinco, Anytone, et al.
ONly remote head radio I have found is the Connect Systems CS800D. They have monoband and dual band radios available in the same form factor. The head also has a speaker, so a remote speaker is not required. Mine is on order, so we'll see when it arrives how it compares to the features of the others.
Hy Ken, at 18:30min . . . did I see right, that in Roam you change the TalkGroup's with the channel knob?
I have the Alinco DJ-MD5X, like it because of it's Quality and Size,
Is it possible to use as a SFR (single frequency repeater) in DMR like anytone 578 ?
Sans computer software, my 817 is easier to program. Learning to loathe the new Alinco. Is there a support group online so I can get help?
The manual is done that way because of the firmware updates may add features and functions that are not in the manual anyways.
Also looking for part 2
part 520.
Does should be in VFO mode before the repeater function will work?
Beats me I've had this thing out of the box for hours and have YET to figure out how to hit my local repeater. Most complicated and weirdly menued thing I've ever tried to operate. GeEZEbus!
It's a challenge. I made it to the local machine now.
where is part 2??
part two might be about the 520
You mean it only works on narrowband on UHF? If so forget it!
Any review on the Alinco DR-MD520T
This appears to be pretty close. I'm wondering what has changed.
cool
Hi - curious if Part 2 is available - can't find it on this utube channel. Thanks!
There is no part two and now there's a subsequent model radio the 520. If you're not a windows person don't bother. PIA.
That's the same display as the Anytone 578 and 878. I swear that all these Chinese radios are slightly modified and resold.
we exported most all our manufacturing to China because folks always want it cheepist. And now we get a lot of cheap stuff and have to sort out all the tech issues on our own. fmr.
PA3CRL nice!!
Why can't these manufacturers build these DMR radios with a display like an Alinco DR-735T
This display is stupid small. The whole radio is about like the old 1500 Yaesu in size. plus a fan.
what's the point?
this resembles the Anytone radio...
You can read an AnyTone codeplug with the DM500 software also so Hmmm.... Who copied who?
Made by Anytone just like the handheld radio too.
@@PocketfleetDSthe DM500 is the copy. Probably made in the same factory as the AnyTone.
@@SimonTemplarVK3XEM Anytone radios are made in China. Alinco their MD-5 Radios are made in Japan and looking at the front of the box this radio also made in Japan.
Don't show me the rig, show me how to get the damn thing to talk to my computer.