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Reviews For: Alinco DR-135TP

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Alinco DR-135TP
Reviews: 39MSRP: 320.00
Description:
2M Mobile FM Radio with built-in 1200/9600 bps TNC
Product is not in production
More Info: http://alinco.com/Products/DR-135/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00393.7
KL7FH Rating: 2001-08-01
KISS mode Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I installed this radio on our DX spotting server running CLX and also on DXspider. In both cases the radio would lose connection and it would have to be powered down and back up to get the KISS function working again. So, we went back to the old outboard TNC and radio..
73, Frank KL7FH sysop KL7G 24.237.4.235 port 599
W6SL Rating: 2001-08-01
A nightmare so far Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I owned an Alinco dualbander for about 14 years using it mainly as 2 meter DX packet rig. (I doubt whether I ever made a QSO on 440.) When the unit finally became irreparable without a huge expense I gave the little rig suitable burial and ordered a new Alinco DR-135 in hopes that because it was the same manufacturer and style I wouldn't have to make any wiring changes for DC power, speaker connections, under-table mounting rack, etc. Foolish thinking. Not only was the DC plug changed, and the speaker connections moved to the other side of the rig requiring a new line but even the mounting rack was a different size. What a hassle. But after lying under the shack table drilling new holes for the rack, stringing new DC cable and speaker cables, the new unit was ready to install.
The first couple of hours were fine. Then I noticed that when I would turn on the rig the frequency would flash on and off. Switching the power to off and then back on would fix the problem... until the next time. After five hours of use the rig would no longer respond to the power off-and-on trick and the unit would continually flash the frequency.
So for having purchased a new rig at the end of February I've had about two hours of trouble free use.
KG4GLU Rating: 2001-06-28
A good buy, but not a great one Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
For the $265 I paid (new) for the radio, it is not a bad deal, considering the internal TNC. But there are a few shortcomings. The scan rate is painfully slow, especially given the number of memory "channels." I have been given quite good reports on the audio of this radio. It is a shame that the DTMF keypad is only for DTMF. I had been expecting direct frequency entry. The lack of it makes changing freqs cumbersome.

The AM aircraft receive is "Intermod City" like I have never seen - especially since I do not reside "downtown." And the final note is that the multi-function VFO knob seems fragile enough that I would not be surprised to find it broken at some point. The internal gang switch contacts on the same knob are intermittant, sometimes requiring you to turn 2 or 3 clicks before the VFO changes frequency at all. Bummer.

After owning some mil spec 2m rigs, perhaps it isn't fair to compare this one, but I got what I paid for (barely) - a mediocre radio with a TNC (which works well.)
KB6FUP Rating: 2001-05-18
Nice Features Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I've had the Alinco DR-135TP for several months. This radio is loaded with features. The 7 place alphanumeric display is impressive as the radio scans through the 100 memories. Signal reports on audio quality are complementary.

I have it installed in my dash. After accidently leaving it on all day at work, I ordered the ignition on-off cord. Now it is truely integrated into my truck: I turn the ignition key on and the radio powers up; turn the ingnition key off and it powers down after a fraction of a second delay. Turn the radio off through it's on/off switch, and the on-off light glows when the ignition is on.

I use mine a lot of the time for APRS. The GPS plugs into the front panel, very convenient. I have it set to tracker mode and can be up and running on the APRS digital memory channel in seconds. I have also used it with a laptop running APRS-Plus through the DB9 connector (with the GPS in the front panel digital plug). The 50 watts of power when using APRS keeps my locations on the map.

If you get this radio, run the included power cord directly to the battery terminals. Some owners have complained about losing the memory configuration in the TNC. That could be because they tapped into power from another source under the dash.

8P6SH Rating: 2001-04-16
Great Performer Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'm not a big VHF buff, but I needed to put a good VHF rig in the car and bought this one second hand after playing with it for a few minutes.

This rig does everything the ads say it should and then some. First, it accesses the local repeaters very nicely on low and medium power, so it fulfills the main mission.

Secondly, it does a great job monitoring the local Aeronautical frequencies without inter-mod problems as I've experienced with other rigs.

Thirdly, because of my job, I also need to access a couple other commercial repeaters in the 160MHz range. One simple!! mod, and I was up and running in the time it took to cut a wire... so much for the soldering in of surface mount diodes etc. which I've had to do in the past.

Overall, this is one of the best 2M rigs I've owned and I plan to buy another for the base operation.

It's a little un-intuitive initially, but I guess that's the only way to put in so many features in such a small package. Also miss the ability to remote control the rig from the microphone.

This rig is outstanding bang for the buck and should make lots of hams very very happy.
N5MZ Rating: 2001-03-25
OK Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Bought it primarily because of the Digital Coded Squelch (DCS/DPL) feature. Disappointed because Alinco's DCS won't open the squelch on my Yaesu radios (Yaesu radios do open Alinco squelch, so I know the decode function works fine). Alinco mentions the "possibility" that this may happen - not just with Yaesu radios - in the owner's manual (which I read after my '135 arrived - too late to adjust my purchase choice...). Other than the DCS disappointment, the radio works just fine. The menu-driven operations still require me to think longer and harder than I feel that I should have to after owning the radio for 6 months, but once everything is programmed basic operation is easy. Memory scanning is a bit tricky, you have to hold the "up" key on the mic so long - but not TOO long, in order to start scanning. Received audio is loud and crisp, but I get reports of my audio being "sharper" than with my other (Yaesu) radios. Display is huge and plenty bright in most all lighting conditions. I do prefer its chassis-mounted antenna connector to the competion's pig-tails because it makes a sturdier connection. All in all, if you can get it on special ($165 w/o packet option), it makes a decent mobile rig, even with its quirks. I plan to use it in my ARES kit (which is an older aluminum civil defense radio box which resembles grandma's overnight suitcase) with a 7.5 Amp-hour gel cell and a quarter-wave whip mounted on the inside of the lid.
AC5AA Rating: 2000-12-20
Good radio, easy packet wiring Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I chose the DR-135T without the TNC installed because I already have a Kantronics KPC-9612. Wiring was a cinch because Alinco uses a 9-pin D-shell connector instead of those awful mini-DIN connectors. Have not tried 9600 bps, but plan to soon. The radio works very well and I'm pleased with it. Cost was only $170 without the TNC, which is a really good buy!
WA7NRP Rating: 2000-12-15
Nice Radio Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
So far I like this little radio. Small size and big features. Easy to program. Works great in scan mode. Have used it on packet and it works real good. I like the choice of 3 transmit power levels.
N3SKO Rating: 2000-11-04
Super at 9600! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This radio is a steal. It offers excellent packet performance at both 1200 and 9600 bps. It would have been nice to have a small mailbox in the TNC, though. Seems to work OK in KISS mode - I have attached it to an MSYS BBS with no difficulty.

Easy to program and the digital display is large enough for this old man to see.

All-in-all, a nice piece of work. Bravo, Alinco.