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Reviews For: Alinco DR-599

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

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Review Summary For : Alinco DR-599
Reviews: 2MSRP:
Description:
Twin band VHF-UHF radio
Product is not in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0024
K4PBN Rating: 2006-08-09
Good dual bander Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have had my 599 for 14 years. Have had good results all the way. The lithium back up battery lasted 12 years, fairly easy to solder a new one in place. In addition to comments in previous review I would add:

Pro: Easy to mod for wide transmit...cut one wire.

Con: Only 15 Channels per band.
PA7TWO Rating: 2006-03-04
Nice twin bander radio. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Hi Alinco users,

Bought the radio about 4 weeks ago second hand.

I have to say that after installing a new memory battery (CR2032), the radio is fully performing as expected for a cheap second hand twin bander radio.

A few down sides of the DR-599:

* - Age of the radio is at least 10 years old. The looks and overall performance are not like the new type radios.
* - RX filters are 25 kHz wide, not made for 12.5 kHz channel spacing which is used nowadays.
* - TX potentiometers had to be re-aligned for optimal output power settings.
* - Strong out of band signals make the receiver deaf.
* - TX is a bit wide for 12.5 kHz repeaters.
* - The two pigtails clamp connectors are of a not so good quality. Both coax had open end...! I cut both the coax ends and replaced the two standard fitted clamp type connectors with BNC's. This is a real down side of this radio! Type coax used is not standard RG58/u.
* - Despite the blower on the back, the whole radio gets hot while transmitting full power for normal periods of time.
* - Spare parts are problematic.

Overall a 4/5 radio.

With kind regards,

Kees van Zuilen PA7TWO M5TWO.