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Reviews For: Alinco DR-605TQ

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

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Review Summary For : Alinco DR-605TQ
Reviews: 62MSRP: 339.99
Description:
2 Meter/440 FM Mobile/Base Radio
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.alinco.com/usa.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00624.1
KB4TPP Rating: 2001-11-06
Great radio...not for mobile though! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased one back in October 1999 and within a month it developed a problem where it would transmit wideband on VHF (no kidding...brought up three or four repeaters simultaneously). It was replaced by HRO. All in all, the radio is an excellent performer. Good RX audio (loud and undistorted- even with the built in speaker).Good TX audio, though I turned mine down to 4.0KHz (for some reason, Alincos have overdriven sounding audio). The display is readable from multiple angles. Now the downside: only two power levels, 5W and 50/35watts- no medium power. You can't do anything from the microphone- no changing power settings, offsets, or tones, etc. This is a major disadvantage when mobile. Most functions require pressing multiple buttons on the panel that aren't clearly marked, a danger and distraction while driving. This is what makes it more suited for a base than a mobile. Another big donwer is the lack of an easy way of programming odd splits on VHF (such as for MARS/CAP). You must manually calculate and then dial in the offset value rather than store the TX frequency seperately. This is a major pain.
Crossband repeat does work well, with good recovered audio, thought the mike does stay live. It is a shame it does not have a mid power setting, would be ideal for this case. All in all, it is a decent radio for the money, with solid performance, despite it's lack of ergonomics. It is certainly worth the less than 350 dollar price for a dual-band cross-band repeat capable mobile. As a footnote, I sold mine to a friend in Florida and he has had it for almost a year and has had NO PROBLEMS with day-to-day use.
N2MDB Rating: 2001-09-29
Really nice radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've had mine for a year+ now..I really like it. A few annoying things (inability to direct enter freqs from the mic keypad) and the somewhat "rattly" speaker. But otherwise really nice. The crossband repeat is nice, as is the total dual band (can hear both the vhf and uhf at the same time).
be forwarned if you are putting this on something heat sensitive, it gets mighty warm.
KC2GOW Rating: 2001-08-31
Great........ Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Excellent radio i use it as a base rig and it performs outstandingly!.!.!
WD4FGH Rating: 2001-05-08
A Solid 5 Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is the best "basic" dual-bander on the market by a mile. Why? Features per dollar! I've had mine over 2 years. Zero problems. Very, very easy to use. Doesn't have all the stuff that adds to price. Just the basics for value.

There are lots of really good dual-band VHF/UHF radios but this is the one to buy if you don't need cross-band repeat, lighted microphones, built-in TNC, etc.

I use mine both base and mobile and the 5 watt setting is perfect for cigarette lighter operation (no moving of power cables or drilling through the firewall). Chances are if you can't hit the repeater with 5, 50 won't do much more (no substitute for a hilltop!)
KD5MAW Rating: 2001-04-16
Good value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The 605TQ is marketed as a "value" radio, and that's what it is. Short on whistles and bells and a tinny speaker as pointed out by other reviewers. But it's priced right and has been reliable and rugged so far. In a features and quality comparison to my IC-2800H, I'd rate it a 2.5, but then the Icom is considerably more bucks. You won't get screwed buying the 605TQ.
KG6CZC Rating: 2000-11-18
nice radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This radio has worked flawlessly for me. It sits in my truck to work repeaters while mobile. The tone squelch is really cool to have when doing crossband repeating. I also have a DJ-S41t HT. I use the HT and the mobile in tandem to provide truly mobile access.
The radio is much smaller than the pictures make it look like. Half of it is heatsink.
The only feature I could wish for is being able to enter in the frequency from the mic.
It perfors as advertised. That's for sure.
This was the first mobile rig I've ever owned.
W1LDD Rating: 2000-08-16
Simple Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I've owned the radio for 10 months now. First installed in my pickup and it worked flawlessly, now it's used as a base station. In my truck it took up little space as it seems smaller in size to other radios. If you're looking for a simple to use radio that doesn't have the complicated "menus" and such, this is it. A bonus for base use, the speaker fires upward, not downward which makes it easier to hear. I've only heard compliments on the clarity and strength of my audio while talking on simplex and repeaters.
KB5DOG Rating: 2000-08-16
VERY NICE RADIO FOR THE $$$$$ Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I'VE ONLY HAD THE RADIO FOR 2 WEEKS. IT IS VERY EASY TO OPERATE AND PROGRAM. IT HAS DUAL BAND RECEIVE AND XBAND REPEAT. IT EVEN HAS A FUNCTION THAT WILL FIND THE TONE FREQUENCY OF A REPEATER. I'VE BEEN VERY PLEASED WITH THIS RIG.

AS WITH MOST ALINCO MOBILES, IT ONLY HAS 2 POWER SETTINGS; 5W / 50W ON VHF AND 5W / 35W UHF. ITS MIKE IS NOT BACK LIT NOR ARE THE FUNCTION BUTTONS.

IF SOMEONE IS LOOKING FOR A NICE, INEXPENSIVE DUAL BAND RIG, THIS IS THE ONE. I DON'T THINK YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.
KC0EAO Rating: 2000-07-28
Good Value: Solid Radio without lots of expensive features. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
ADVANTAGES: The 605TQ is clearly a good value (only $330 for a dual-band transceiver w/ tone decode). I've owned my radio for a while and have not had any problems with it - seems to perform very nicely. Even though the radio is inexpensive, it does not seem like it is cheap or poorly constructed -- it seems very "solid". The backlit display is pleasant to look at (although you can't vary the brightness) and doesn't seem to "wash-out" as easily as some LCD displays at different angles. Also, I found this radio easy to "unmodify" (by soldering the blue wire back together), should you change your mind about the MARS/CAP modification.

DISADVANTAGES: The 605TQ seems to scan slower than most other radios. Unit has manual power switch and no "Auto Power-Off" feature. Unit will stop scanning upon power-down / power-up. No direct keypad entry of frequency via DTMF microphone. Unable to see button labels in the dark (not backlit). No alpha-numeric display. PC Programming is not an option. Cannot "remote mount" the head of the radio away from the unit. Only 1 speaker output jack for VHF / UHF - other brands will have separate speaker output jacks so you can run two speakers if you'd like.

OVERALL: It's a good little radio, and it gives those of us with thin pocketbooks the opportunity to purchase a dualband mobile rig without having to pay for the "bells and whistles" we wouldn't use or don't absolutely need. I use my rig daily as my base rig and am liking it more as each day passes.
KC2GFG Rating: 2000-06-29
Great Radio, good product for your $ Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
A very good radio indeed. K2LES covered most of the things I wanted to say. For me the 5/50W power setting was ok for me. I was able to hit a repeater that was about 50-55 miles away like nothing on 5W. All and all a good radio.