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| Reviews Summary for Alinco DR-620 T/E |
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You can
write your own review of the Alinco DR-620 T/E.
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K2ROK
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Rating: 2/5
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Feb 23, 2005 17:41
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Early joy now gone
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Ouch! When will I learn to wait longer to write reviews of rigs -- to let them work in the "real world" of hard ham use, before I place "5s" on a rig and bestow it will positive comments?
The 620 gradually developed some serious problems since my positive review. First -- I started losing memories...a lot of work when you do it by hand and not by computer. Okay -- I could live with it since I mainly used the rig on 2 meter simplex. Then the audio started to sound worse and worse -- until finally -- it became totally muffled and eventually starting quiting altogether. Finally -- the last straw --was birdies on my fav. echolink freq.
The 620's programming quircks also have become apparent in real use - I could only put in 40 combined 2 and 440 freqs. for dual scanning -- otherwise it was an either/or (2 OR 440). That became frustrating.
The initial fun of this rig wore off quickly as problems crept up. I wanted to give Alinco a chance...but I can't again. It was too much $$ for these many probs. Sorry about the previous review. My fault for posting so early.
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K2ROK
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 12, 2004 16:31
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High quality rig that is a joy to use
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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When it comes to VHF-UHF I usually keep my purchases to either Icom or Yaesu, as Alinco always seemed like a fourth-tier effort compared to the big-three. For some reason, I wanted to give this effort from Alinco a chance, and I am glad I did!
Alinco's DR-620T/E is a dual-band radio, with dual receive, but even to my suprise the second band, or "sub" band is simply for receive, and I cannot seem to find where I can scan the memories or VFO on the sub-band -- it seems to only allow you to listen to one frequency. Before you think this is a negative (and will other 620 owners please help me here whether this is truly the case) I do not find it to take away from the radio. By programming the memories in the banks above memory channel 100, you can intermix the 2 meter and 440 bands, which allows for very easy scanning and listening. In fact, I do not use the sub band per se, but pretty much operate in the above fashion. If it sounds confusing, it makes more sense once you get the rig.
Okay, that said...I am getting outstanding compliments on my audio. That was not the case with my Kenwood G707, or Yaesu 2600. Score one for Alinco there. The mic has a nice feel and it well lit and obviously is a quality component. The cord is nice and long and has an old-school connector, unlike the telephone-type ones on most other rigs. Speaking of durability, the whole rig is solid and definately feels like a quality unit. I keep the main unit under my seat and the remote head up front thanks to the remote-mount kit from Alinco. The fan is not too loud and really moves some air. The diplay is easy to read in daylight and looks great at night, and ALL the buttons light up -- making it a joy to use at night. No guessing games -- it is simply easy to find what button you need.
The menu system is the easiest I've ever used, or let's say the most common-sense one -- kudos to Alinco's engineer's on that one. Much better than Yaesu and light-years ahead of Icom's jumbled menus.
The manual could use a little help (more detail)-- but I have yet to find a real winner except from Ten Tec in that department.
Intermod? Not a problem and I live in a haven for it here in WNY with Buffalo-Toronto and Rochester all in the neighborhood. Seems like the earlier reports of this problem are now fixed, at least with my rig -- it has none of those problems. Even on the base antenna, not a noise from intermod.
The speaker is loud and I can hear it fine even at highway speed from under the driver's seat.
Overall - I love the rig and am glad I opted for something different from my norm of Icom and Yaesu...in fact, it was a great suprise to see what a quality product Alinco offers. I may buy a second for the home station.
Paid about $339 and another $40 for the remote mount.
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PU2VGA
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 26, 2004 06:15
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Excellent Radio
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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No problems whatsoever ! and I am used to other more common brands such as Yaesu, Kenwood and Icom. This radio has excellent transmission and a very respectbable reception. Easy to operate due to the conception of commands and full of features. Recently bought the separation kit for mobile easiness and I am very happy with it. Nice look and very good performance.
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G8IKW
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Rating: 1/5
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Jun 6, 2004 19:49
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VHF Intermod BAD!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Unfortunately I have to give this radio a 1.
Since I took it on the road, VHF is unusable, I have to have the volume off! even with the squelch on maximum the reciver is cracking and poping to the local pager transmitters..even many Mhz away....
Luckily I use UHF mostly where it works ok. Alpha numeric chanel id is good too.
But unusable on VHF unless you are on top of the transmitter or use CTCSS to keep squelch shut!
No wonder they discontinued it and seems in most countries swapped it for a 605 if you complained strongly enough...which I also have and works fine.
Peter.
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KB3KSY
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 8, 2004 20:29
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Excellent Radio!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I just recieved the DR-620T. Just a great radio..
Transmit on both bands were great audio reports
I use this radio for my base station.. All features on this radio are fantastic..!!!
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