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| Reviews Summary for Alinco DJ-296T |
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write your own review of the Alinco DJ-296T.
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W2MSK
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Rating: 4/5
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Feb 25, 2007 14:15
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Thanks Alinco
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Opened the box and programmed a repeater and simplex IRLP node (with PL) in about two minutes, no manual needed. Completely intuitive and well laid out keypad. Sure it is not the most comprehensive featured HT but for the price and, of course the band support, it can't be beat. I use it to access my IRLP node and the DTMF feature is great, keytones loud and clear (some rigs leave out this required feedback). The speaker distorts a bit on the higher voulme levels and the stock battery is a bit shy in capacity but given the price it's a winner. Buy one and keep this band segment firmly under Amateur control.
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W6QE
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 18, 2006 22:19
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It's worth it.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've had the little rig for a few weeks now and I'm well pleased. It would be nice to have a power out setting somewhere between 4.5 watts and .8 watts, but I knew that before I made the purchase.
Alinco fills a gap left voided by Icom, Kenwood and Yaesu. The radio is as advertised. A simple to operate, simple to program and an ease to operate 1 1/4 meter H.T.
There are some bells and whistles that it doesnt have, but then again, the radio's that have the bells and whistles cost $150 more.
I'm pleased and I reccommend the DJ-296T.
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KG6KUB
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Rating: 3/5
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Apr 22, 2006 11:25
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A solid no frills 1.25M ht
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I would like the function button to be held on longer before being activated. Many times I accidently delete memory channels by momentarily touching the function button when I'm handling the radio and notice the function display is flashing. I rate it 3 for this reason and also because it does not have either a reverse function or a tone search function.
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K2ROK
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Rating: 4/5
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Mar 3, 2006 12:52
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Nice 220 effort from Alinco
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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It's nice to see a mono-band radio for 220, a way-under utilized piece of ham radio spectrum that has plenty of room for new users. For those of us who have called the band home for many years, the lack of new equipment has been frustrating, but it seems Japan has started to change that.
First off, I debated whether to go with the Kenwood or Yaesu multi-band HTs that include 220 operations, but a cheap price on the 296 at AES could not be passed up.
What you get from Alinco is a basic mono-band effort that does the job, but lacks in a few areas. This rig is the sister to the 196 and 496 from Alinco, and looks the same. It is a hefty radio that is not too small nor too big -- seems to feel "just right." Like a previous reviewed said though, the design lacks stability when you place it on a table -- it wants to fall forward -- and the slightest bump to the table will send the rig falling flat on it's face. Points deducted for that. The other problem -- if you want to call it that -- is the battery. The stock Ni-MH takes an overnight to charge -- and is pretty weak. Probably best to upgrade that part right away -- and already you're spending money, so the price-point sorta loses it's appeal. No charging indicator on the power pack or radio? Nope! Add that to the wish list -- even cheapo cell phones have that option.
The rig is definately an improvement from Alinco's "budget-minded" HTs of the early 90s -- and deserves a good look if you want to get on 220. Audio reports are fine, reception is sensitive, there is no intermod and the rig has never had a problem. Operation is straight-forward, although the squelch and volume scheme takes some getting used to -- but it actually is kind of nice to have the volume change a series of quick and easy steps -- allows the rig to stay consistent without fear it will change as it hangs on your belt and rubs against your jacket. Although, some might find the volume scheme not to their liking -- I guess it is open for debate.
The antenna performs fine, and compliments the radio well. Performance is good -- and really starts to shine when you put an external antenna on the radio.
The bottom line is while this effort is nice from Alinco -- it would be great to see Icom, Yaesu or Kenwood offer a mono-band 220 rig. Their technology is simply ahead of Alinco in many respects...but in the meantime, thanks Alinco for giving us 220-users something to enjoy!
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KD4V
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 7, 2004 11:34
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Good basic HT
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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It's a good radio. Nothing fancy, but performs well. Stock antenna seems to do a good job. Accessories for the radio are pretty reasonably priced. It's a good size for my hands. A lot of the newer HTs seem a little small and have that awkwardness that some of today's tiny cell phones do. Wish the stock battery was a little bigger, but the 1500maH is really cheap compared to most batteries that I've bought for other radios. Unlike some of the reviews, I like the one knob that needs input to switch functions. I do have to agree with the rounded front edge that lends itself to falling over, but it's not the first HT that I've seen done that way.
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KC2GYN
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Rating: 2/5
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Sep 15, 2004 19:53
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What were they thinking?
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Volume and squelch control are a joke, the bottom front of the radio has a slight 'rounding' that causes the radio to fall forward!
Has anyone else had their NEW RADIO helplessly fall from a table top??
What were the people at Alinco thinking?
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CASPER669
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Rating: 4/5
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Jul 1, 2004 10:59
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Mono Band Mania
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I've owned this product for a little over a month now. Usually, I'll right reviews after three months, but there really isn't much to this item.
Programming is easy... I did not even open the manual to do it! Of course, I also own a 280 - which is very similar in programming to the 296. The screen is large enough to see well. Alpha-numeric name tags are a plus and fairly easy to accomplish (this did require a sneak peak at the manual, however). The stock antenna, surprisingly enough, does work better than most! I am able to hit fairly distant repeaters with little or no problems. In NYC, that can be a challenge!
Although the stock battery is only 700 mAh, It's taken me at least 3 days (constant use) before requiring a recharge.
Gripes - Well, I don't really have any. I purchased the 1500 mAh battery and that has taken 25 hours to charge. I would suggest that folks use a desktop charger from Alinco, or they should purchase the Maha 777 Plus II, which also has the ability to recondition all sorts of battery types! (plug, plug :O) The stock battery took 12 hours to charge.
All in all, I think it's a tough little HT... It would make a great start for new hams interested in 1.25 meters! As easy to use and to program as it is, it's amazing I don't see more of them around. I would definately recommend it for the new or seasoned ham! Good job, Alinco!
Chris KC2KFW
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K1VSR
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 19, 2004 12:24
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Excellent Monobander
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I love this radio! I purchased it about three months ago as my first 1.25m rig.
I only have a few complaints:
1. You have to press a function key to change the volume.
2. You can't copy memory channels.
3. The stock battery is only 700 mA. Not much juice at all.
4. Twelve hours to charge the battery in the wall is excessive. Drop-in charger cuts charge time to 1.5 hours. Sounds like Alinco did that on purpose to sell drop-in chargers. Oh well, that's capitalism.
These are all very minor complaints. The audio sounds great through the speaker and I get great audio reports from the other hams that I talk to.
The stock rubber duck seems to work better than most. I have no problem hitting any of the local repeaters and can hit quite a few distant ones as well.
I primarily use this rig in the car. I hook it up to a 1/4 wave mag-mount monoband 1.25m antenna and use the cigarette lighter cable for DC power to get a full 5 watts (you only get 4.5 with the battery). With that setup, I work just about every repeater within a 35 mile radius. Works for me.
I'd highly recommend this rig for anyone who's considering 222 MHz!
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N7BFS
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Rating: 3/5
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Jan 3, 2004 02:22
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OK basic HT, but battery too small and a few other warts
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Well, I had decided to make the 1.25M band active in our area, as there are few stations in this area I only have myself and my IRLP node to talk to ;^}
The kenwood multibander had too low tx power output for what I wanted to use the 1.25M band for, so I picked up the DJ196t as it had the higher tx output.
Programming is fairly strait forward, and I only had to open the manual once. As others have posted the volume,squelch and backlight issues are clunky, but you get used to them.
The 700mah battery is grossly under rated (should be twice this) and because of this it will only last a day or two between charges (mine does anyway), and as far as I can tell no rapid charger, so 14hrs every time you need to charge it really sucks.
The only other issue I have with the radio is the rx signal strength indicator shows full scale no matter what level signal is coming in, even if you just open the squelch it shows full scale, and after folowing the service manual to calibrate the signal strength meter made no change, I was put off by the fact that Alinco has no tech support number or email, and of course HRO is of no help on this issue (send it in if its under warranty, otherwise you are on your own)...
The receive audio frequency response is lacking on the top end and so sounds muffled but useable, in comparison my VX-5r has excellent rx audio response...
Since the price is so low I guess I shouldn't expect the radio to be perfect, but it will continue to be my "field unit" until someone else makes a better one with the same tx power out.
If you can deal with the lower power output you may want to get the kenwood multi-bander instead..
73
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KC6ZUT
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Rating: 4/5
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May 21, 2003 15:29
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Good performer
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I've had this rig for about 6 months and I enjoy it very much. I like to work the Condor Net here in California and I find I can work repeaters 80 miles away with just 4.5W (that is direct, not through the network). Mostly I use a 5/8 wave mag mount.
As much as I like the rig, there are a few negatives.
1) You cannot adjust the volume without first pushing a function key. The same goes for the squelch.
2) You must push a function key to run the display light. The light goes out after a few seconds and you must press the function key and the light key again. Some radios let you lock the light on.
3) A minor point, it does not die gracefully when the battery is weak. It puts out the most outrageous squacks, beeps and hicups when the battery dies.
In sum, a good, fun radio.
73 de KC6ZUT
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