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You can
write your own review of the Alinco DJ-G7.
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KD8KXB
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Rating: 3/5
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Jun 6, 2009 05:55
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Good Radio but needs upgrades
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased this radio along with 5 others in our group in Dayton. There are a few thing I would have liked to see improved though:
-Be able to transmit on both main and sub-bands
-The auto-repeater function does not allow you to program simplex and repeater memories.
-Better manual(comming soon on the Alinco web site).
-Easier memory programming.
-I do not like the belt clip.
-Not a very accurate battery meter.
-More accessories available upon its release(case, batteries, ect.)
-Some screen issues.
On the screen issues. The first radio I bought the screen would scramble. Numbers or letters would disappear or the top half of a line would shift to the right and return to normal. I took mine back to R&L Electronic and exchanged it for another one and I have not have any problems since. I then went to the Alinco booth on Saturday and told them about it and they said they had heard of one other case and someone at Alinco was working on the problem and stay tune to the web site. They told me if I or anyone else had any problem, issues or comments with the radio to email them at :
sales@hamdistributors.com
or
mcannon@hamdisributors.com - Mike Cannon
Things I like:
+The 1.2GHz band!!!
+The speaker audio sounds good.
+Good transmit audio.
+Comes with a drop-in rapid charger
+Comfortable to hold in your hand.
The stock antenna works OK. I have purchased the Comet SH-95 2M/440/1.2 antenna with the Diamond SMA-to-BNC adapter and this antenna work great. Words of caution though, if you do use this adapter you may want to get a nylon washer to put between the grommet that holds on the speaker/mic adapter cover and the BNC adapter. doing this will take stress off the connector so you don't accidentally break it off. I found the washer at Lowes.
Overall Alinco has the base for a nice radio, it just need some upgrades done whether firmware or hardware. As one of my first radios I am fairly pleased with it. It takes some time of play with it to get the hang of programming and setting the functions and features, but once you get the hang of it work good.73
KD8KXB, Steve
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KB9BPF
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Rating: 2/5
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May 25, 2009 15:08
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Needs better firmware!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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This radio is a nice package with an awful lot of potential, but it operates like an early Beta-test that was pushed out prematurely in order to meet the Hamvention deadline. It could easily rate a 4 or 5, but the firmware has serious flaws and tends to be maddeningly counter-intuitive to use. If this radio cannot have newer, friendlier versions of firmware downloaded and flashed into it, I'm afraid there is no way any but a small minority of people with remarkable aptitude and memory for such arcane things will be able to use it without carrying around an extensive personal cheat sheet, which will have to include common functions not clearly explained in the manual and a listing the memory programming so that when one hits a wrong button and messes something up he/she will be able to fix it.
This is easily the most frustrating piece of hardware I've ever handled. Only Microsoft products have ever elicited as much 'colorful' language from me.
I purchased this radio based upon the excellent experience I've had with my old Alinco DJ-580T dual band handheld, which has always been a joy to program and use. Seldom did I ever need to consult the book. With this radio I consult the book almost every time I try to do something with it, and most of the time the explanation I seek is not adequate.
The previous reviewer stated that Alinco will be forthcoming with some programming software, which will help in the management of memories, but for someone who must rely upon the radio for use in the field, the radio must be manually programmable with reasonable ease. Even with a better manual this radio still has issues.
Here is a short list of my frustrations, taken from my personal cheat sheet. Note that these are things which must be fixed in the firmware, and even if they are explained clearly in the manual they will still be operational deficiencies:
1. Repeater reverse function should not be momentary. It needs to toggle so that one can transmit in the reverse mode if necessary.
2. Automatic repeater shift band limits are incorrect on 2M. Needs to extend down to 145.100, not 145.200. Had to manually program repeater shift below 145.200.
3. Unable to set repeater shift manually if auto-shift is enabled and the frequency is within the auto-shift band definitions, resulting in inability to 'go simplex' or transfer the memory to VFO and attempt to set up a workaround to the repeater reverse deficiency listed in item one.
3a. The "MAIN" button does not have a secondary label "SHIFT", which would be very helpful. In addition, I found the only mention of this manual shift function in the table listing button functions, not in the manual section regarding repeater shifts.
4. When programming memories with automatic repeater shift enabled, the shift is not stored in the memory and if auto-shift is subsequently disabled (since it is such a pain) the shift information in the memory is missing.
5. Transferring a memory into VFO doesn't transfer the memory's tone squelch information, requiring an unnecessary and annoying additional step to re-enter it properly.
I fervently hope that Alinco is working hard to bring the final polish to what could, with some more effort, be an awesome HT featuring smallish overall size yet built ruggedly and with reasonably big buttons, markings, and display, an excellent Li-Ion battery, and of course the 1.2GHz band.
Time to go take a couple aspirin to suppress the headache this radio has wrought in me.
73,
Brad KB9BPF
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W8ZT
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Rating: 5/5
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May 19, 2009 18:15
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Solid Radio--Priced Right
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I too just got mine at Dayton. Nice build quality. Controls are solid with very little play. Feels good in my big hands. Nice innovative belt strap instead of a flimsy clip.It also has a drop in charger that charges the 1200mah battery in around 3 hours. The manual may not be perfect but most aren't. I'll gladly download and print any updates. Alinco's free programing software is due out around July 1, 2009. A commercial version will follow in 8 to 12 weeks from CBTI. I will do a follow up as to day to day operation later. As for now it seems like a keeper.
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N8PMG
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Rating: 4/5
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May 19, 2009 17:12
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Very good except for manual
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I have only used this since getting it Saturday in Dayton, so this is a "first thoughts" review. The only problems have come due to a manual that needs some updating. Some functions have been easier to discover than to find in the print. There is a disclaimer in the manual that says an improved version will available online in the future. All of the functions work as advertised, and the setup menu is clear and useful. Initial contacts report good sound, and the receive audio is adequate. The 4 rating is due to the radio coming with an unfinished manual. Performance wise, the radio is all that I would expect at this time and is a 5.
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