Print

[WA6MJE]

I am looking to buy a high end DMR handheld such as the AnyTone AT-D878UVII Plus. BUT that radio came out around April 2021, and by today's standards is due for an upgrade.  I looked at the Radioddity GD-88 that just came out, but it is not getting great reviews compared to AnyTone.  So I am just waiting for something else. Anyone hear any rumors, or even have a good guess as to when AnyTone might be introducing the next iteration of the D878UVII Plus?

[K0UA]

A better question would be is why is Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood too stupid to jump on the DMR bandwagon and forget about their proprietary BS protocols. Or in Kenwoods case, why in "heck" don't they embrace DMR and get it over with. It doesn't make any sense to me, but I guess they are just too "invested" to make the change.  Sony a leading premier manufacture of electronic products stayed with Betamax until the bitter end. They just could not see their way to the future. It is funny how people (and companies) are like that.

[G4AON]

Don’t forget that amateur DMR is a square peg in a round hole. Basically DMR is excellent for commercial use in a factory and similar locations.

I have an AnyTone 878 MK 2, which is OK at home, but a pain to use while away from home via repeaters.

The old fashioned D-Star from Icom is much more amateur friendly, in the case of the UK, my ID-51 has all the D-Star and analogue repeaters (inc lat/long) and can find your nearest based on GPS. You don’t need to program anything else for each repeater.

I don’t know about Fusion.

73 Dave

[AI5BC]

Don’t forget that amateur DMR is a square peg in a round hole.

As all digital modes for Amateur use. Hams just do not use any of the digital mode capabilities. Usage is so low on the VHF and UHF bands the FCC should take away the amateur frequencies and give it to those who will use it. Stick with your archaic conventional FM and SSB.

[K5LXP]

A GD-77 or UV380 running the Open GD77 firmware are the best DMR handhelds you can get at any price.  Once you use radios running this firmware you will not want to use anything else.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

[KK4GMU]

I've done a bunch of research for DMR HTs over the last few days and haven't seen anything newer than the 878 on the horizon.  That Anytone gets software updates quite often from what I've read and it gets great reviews so I expect it to remain current for a long time.  I expect to receive mine off the UPS truck by the end of the week.

[W1VT]

The Japanese typically design equipment for their home market.  If it is isn't used in Japan you may have a very long wait.

[KK4GMU]

Good thing Bridgecom, through Amazon, is pretty well stocked with their Chinese stuff.

Been on nets the previous 2 nights where I asked about DMR users and discovered that there were 3 hams within a few miles of my house who have the same Anytone  AT-878UVII-Plus model I ordered. And they all offered to share their code plugs.

It would be interesting to ask Bridgecom directly if there are any new models on the horizon.

[G8FXC]

The only real shortcoming of the 878 is its rather simple minded implementation of APRS - but that seems to be slowly dying, so it would be hard to justify putting a lot of effort into improving it.

Martin G8FXC

[KK4GMU]

The only real shortcoming of the 878 is its rather simple minded implementation of APRS - but that seems to be slowly dying, so it would be hard to justify putting a lot of effort into improving it.

Martin G8FXC

Please elaborate on the shortcomings of the 878 implementation of APRS and in what ways that makes operation more difficult or less reliable.

[VE3TMT]

A GD-77 or UV380 running the Open GD77 firmware are the best DMR handhelds you can get at any price.  Once you use radios running this firmware you will not want to use anything else.

Mark K5LXP
Albuquerque, NM

I second the GD-77. Haven't owned one in years, but when I was on the DMR bandwagon, it was a great radio.