So how would you say this radio stacks up against radios of the same class from Kenwwod or Yaesu?
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AnyTone AT-5888UV VHF/UHF Mobile Review
- Thread starter Moleculo
- Start date
DTMF, 2 Tone, 5 Tone, Remote Stun, Kill
This radio has several features that are in common use in business band services, including 2 Tone and 5 Tone signalling. These features are only set using the software. The manual doesn't include any information on how to use these features, but they look like fairly typical business band 2 Tone and 5 Tone settings.
The radio also has the ability to remotely STUN (temporarily disable) and KILL (permanently disable) the radio using another radio. These features might be useful to a ham operator using the radio as a remote base, but you need to be careful - you can permanently disable the radio. Apparently there is software available to Un-Kill the radio but you have to contact the distributor to obtain it.
To make use of any of these features, you need another radio that also has the same capabilities - you won't be able to enable or use them from a typical ham VHF/UHF HT or mobile radio.
This radio has several features that are in common use in business band services, including 2 Tone and 5 Tone signalling. These features are only set using the software. The manual doesn't include any information on how to use these features, but they look like fairly typical business band 2 Tone and 5 Tone settings.
The radio also has the ability to remotely STUN (temporarily disable) and KILL (permanently disable) the radio using another radio. These features might be useful to a ham operator using the radio as a remote base, but you need to be careful - you can permanently disable the radio. Apparently there is software available to Un-Kill the radio but you have to contact the distributor to obtain it.
To make use of any of these features, you need another radio that also has the same capabilities - you won't be able to enable or use them from a typical ham VHF/UHF HT or mobile radio.
Summary
These are my summary thoughts on this radio after using it extensively since I acquired it.
It's a good basic radio with a lot of nice features. The RX audio is LOUD but it does have some harshness issues that will annoy certain individuals. There is a bit of a high pitched hiss and when receiving both VFOs simultaneously, a high pitched whine is present. After using the radio for a while, I've gotten used to the harshness and it really doesn't bother me.
The rig has terrific TX audio and just about every feature you can want in a VHF/UHF rig. The built-in fan and heat sink keep it nice and cool. The included separation and programming cables provide good value for the price point, although the rig should probably cost a little less. The USB port is useless for anything but charging a phone or similar electronics. The mic is actually quite nice and the programmable buttons on it are very useful. The software is typical Chinese programming software - bare bones and void of basic features like edit, copy, paste, and insert. It lacks input for external interfaces like TNCs or computer interfaces.
If you need a full featured VHF/UHF mobile radio for under $300 that includes programming software, this radio is for you. If you can spend another $100 for a radio, the Kenwood TM-V71A is a better all-around radio without the harsh RX artifacts while including support for external interfaces like a TNC. I will likely keep this radio as an inexpensive, use-anywhere radio but would probably recommend the TM-V71A as a better buy for most people.
These are my summary thoughts on this radio after using it extensively since I acquired it.
It's a good basic radio with a lot of nice features. The RX audio is LOUD but it does have some harshness issues that will annoy certain individuals. There is a bit of a high pitched hiss and when receiving both VFOs simultaneously, a high pitched whine is present. After using the radio for a while, I've gotten used to the harshness and it really doesn't bother me.
The rig has terrific TX audio and just about every feature you can want in a VHF/UHF rig. The built-in fan and heat sink keep it nice and cool. The included separation and programming cables provide good value for the price point, although the rig should probably cost a little less. The USB port is useless for anything but charging a phone or similar electronics. The mic is actually quite nice and the programmable buttons on it are very useful. The software is typical Chinese programming software - bare bones and void of basic features like edit, copy, paste, and insert. It lacks input for external interfaces like TNCs or computer interfaces.
If you need a full featured VHF/UHF mobile radio for under $300 that includes programming software, this radio is for you. If you can spend another $100 for a radio, the Kenwood TM-V71A is a better all-around radio without the harsh RX artifacts while including support for external interfaces like a TNC. I will likely keep this radio as an inexpensive, use-anywhere radio but would probably recommend the TM-V71A as a better buy for most people.
Is this the cousin to the Anytone AT-5189 by chance?
(As a side note the 5189 is only available in EU, 4meter / 70mhz)
4 meter is not available in the USA, nor is it within ARRL/FCC Band PLANS (without proper E.STA, of course)
Supposedly 4meters acts like 6meters during good 'atmospheric' conditions, but also is quite parallel to 2meters as far as antennas go, think 3 feet when it comes to mobile, hint hint..
Anyways, back to TOPIC at hand - so any indication as far as it being a 'keeper' or a 'sleeper' since the review on this Dual Band bad-boy?
(As a side note the 5189 is only available in EU, 4meter / 70mhz)
4 meter is not available in the USA, nor is it within ARRL/FCC Band PLANS (without proper E.STA, of course)
Supposedly 4meters acts like 6meters during good 'atmospheric' conditions, but also is quite parallel to 2meters as far as antennas go, think 3 feet when it comes to mobile, hint hint..
Anyways, back to TOPIC at hand - so any indication as far as it being a 'keeper' or a 'sleeper' since the review on this Dual Band bad-boy?
Is it possible to use this as a "Range Extender" for a HT? I want to have it receive on a 440 freq and transmit that either to a 440 or a 2M freq. I will be monitoring the local repeater freq on my HT as I walk around my yard.
Looks and sounds like a solid machine..might just fit the bill.
Looks and sounds like a solid machine..might just fit the bill.
Yes, it will run as a crossband or remote repeater. 440 to 2m or 2m to 440 no problem, but it WON'T do 2m to 2m or 440 to 440...
Can you hear the repeater okay on the HT, or do you need this radio to pick up the repeater and re-send it to your HT?
It can be set up either way if you also have a dual band HT. If you're listening to a 440 repeater, you set the HT to listen to your 440 freq, but xmit on 2m. Set the Anytone to listen to that 2m freq, then re-transmit your HT's signal on 440 to the machine. That's called "remote" operation.
If you can't hear the machine on the HT, but the Anytone is on a base antenna that CAN hear it, you would set the Anytone to listen to the 440 repeater, then crossband the signal out on 2m, with your HT set to listen to and xmit on that 2m freq. You listen and talk in to the HT on 2m, and the Anytone will re-transmit the signal to the repeater on 440. For this, you would only need a 2m HT (or a 440 HT if you're talking on a 2m repeater).
If you were to post more info on the repeater you're talking through (2m or 440, if you can hear it on the HT, etc...), we could help you set it up pretty easily.
I have a 2M / 440 HT, Wouxung KG-UV3D. I can hear the repeaters fine with my HT, so I think I am looking at the "remote" aspect of the anytone. From what I understand, using the 2M in and out on the HT causes legal issues with ID squacking...
One of the repeaters people have a hard time hearing me on is 447.090, - 79.9. It is the local Catalina Repeater here in Orange County, CA
Do you know if it is possible to listen to more than 2 repeaters while away from the Anytone, or would I have to make the switches at the actual Anytone box?
Thank you for the response, you answered a primary question..now if only Ham Radio Outlet would get this device...
No, if you're in remote or crossband mode, you'll be tying up both of the radio's VFO's to work a single repeater.
If I am in remote mode though, won't I only be tying up one side of the Anytone, thus I could actually listen to two freqs from the anytone, or does it take both sides of the Anytone to crossband? I figured I could crossband with both sides of the Anytone, but I guess not when I think about it..
http://www.hamradioandmore.com/HT015.pdf
This is kind of outside of the scope of this thread, but it is possible to do what you are trying to accomplish, although it will take 2 separate radios (which dont specifically have to be Anytone) There is a company, i believe its Radiotone, which makes little repeater controller things that you hook up to 2 radios. They take the audio from one radio and trigger the push to talk it on another radio. Since it will broadcast received audio, i would assume that you could scan or dual receive with the first radio and it would broadcast anything that the radio receives as i believe that it uses the speaker output. I havent tried them but i was looking into them for a while and think that they may fit the bill as i was looking to do something very similar to what you are trying to accomplish. If anyone has any experience or knowlege with these, feel free to PM me so we dont get the thread too far off topic.
Or start a new topic. Obviously I can't afford two of these radios, and you are saying with only one radio, I can only listen to one freq at a time without changing it at the Anyton station?
Yes, if you crossband repeat with the Anytone, you can only listen to one freq at a time. Im not aware of any radio from any manufacturer that will allow you to crossband 2 freqs or scan while crossbanding.
Also in regards to that Radiotone repeater, you can get adapters to make them interface with just about any radio, mobile or portable. So if you have any old, unused radios laying around, this may be a good way to put them to use again.
Also in regards to that Radiotone repeater, you can get adapters to make them interface with just about any radio, mobile or portable. So if you have any old, unused radios laying around, this may be a good way to put them to use again.
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Sorry for the double post, but Kenwood mobile radios do have the ability to change freqs and operating parameters remotely, by using DTMF tones to remote control the radio. I never use that function so i forget about it.
Im not sure if thats what you are looking to do.
Im not sure if thats what you are looking to do.
I can't believe they only allow one band repeat..seems like an easy feature to add....oh well, maybe in the next round.
No unused radios, but I'll look into the Radiotone repeater..