I think AM aircraft would be a great addition, many hams enjoy listening to that while FM broadcast is, well... boring.

It’s a great radio!

Yes thats true. I think 878 has so many features.

Matt Hill hi how are you finding your 868? I’ve got a yaesu ft3d but thinking of selling and buying an anytone

The AnyTone is a great radio for the price. If you’re going DMR... go AnyTone. It’s the best Chinese manufacturer out there for amateur radio - and I’ve used a lot.

@@K0LWC is it right that the Anytone is far more limited in frequency reception than the Yaesu FT3De? I have the latter but am thinking about downgrading. But I want to be able to listen to aircraft and air traffic control as well as all the normal amateur bands

@@chrisbee9164 It's a great DMR handheld, not had any issues with it, although I've been using my FT-70D a bit more recently, also find the FT-70D better for analogue FM.

Cool story. Classic!

Roaming just uses GPS to change what repeaters you connect to. If you don't wanna piss folks off... Well, I am still working on that myself.

People (me included) are focused on getting the question answered that they come possibly looking for and forget to hit like :)

Yes, that is nice but it’s only cosmetic.

With the ST-Link?

It’s a little slow to program, but once you learn it I don’t think it’s difficult.

Yes, I suppose I missed that.

Jimmy V did you find any mate? Would love some links if you got any

Try BridgeCom University??

yeah i noticed the same i checked the firmware and you need to enable the sms function after the new version is installed i noticed you are unaware what digi moni is for, basically its a scan function for dmr that works great, it will find tg cc and ts. hopefully i helped

Samantha Allan did you find it ?.

If you’re specifically interested in DMR, yes these are these are the best for that. However, if you’re still learning the basics of ham radio etc., I’d look at buying a cheaper analog HT radio. Check out the Yaesu FT-65R. It’s an affordable analog radio that you can use to learn the ropes of repeaters and the hobby in general. If you’re really set on digital, get the AnyTone 878. Just know DMR is much more complex to learn than analog repeaters.

@@K0LWC thank you very much

AnyTone is likely the best on the market for the features it offers ham radio operators. I highly recommend checking out AnyTone. Haven't used the Alinco, only AnyTone, Retevis and TYT.

If true, that could still be done with the firmware and bootloader changes using the same hardware.

In theory you can do it, I don't know if they sell the BT module separately.

Either one would work fine for a SHTF scenario.

Make sure you have the commercial model of the radio. You can adjust the mode in the CPS software.

you have to have an unlock password for "maintenance mode" for both the radio and CPS. They might be out in the wild, I know the CPS password is, but the radio password might not be.

Latest firmware doesn't have the ptt + 1 + "turn on radio" function. You have to use software - AT_Options.exe

It can be done. Many in our group have done it with no issues at all. It’s the same hardware.

@@K0LWC ??? REALLY??? I was told the chips in the 878 and 868 version >two< were the same, even to the part numbers. But I do have a version >oneone< was able to do it? I just want to be clear you were addressing version >one

I'd have to see your code plug to be of any help.

No, I was saying the 878 has D868V2 stamped on the hardware- just like the 868 does. It’s the same internal hardware components.

Right. It just didn't come off that way which is why I posted the clarification. That's why my comment states, "it seemed to me like he was saying." If I meant to imply that you stated otherwise, I would have worded it as "He states." Sorry for any confusion from my reply. Excellent video, BTW.

DMR can do everything a normal analog repeater can do, well actually more because a single repeater frequency can carry two voice channels.

It’s not entirely dependent on the Internet.

It is (was) more complicated like that. I started with ham radio in late 80s in former Czechoslovakia, and at the times (VHF/UHF was starting to be a thing and we started building repeaters) there really WAS something like Technician license (so called D class at the time). It was meant to make the start easier, but you know, there are in fact not many interesting things in VHF/UHF and especially repeater use. At the end, most of these people never upgraded and left the hobby. (Inaccessible HTs were a factor, too.) Mental setting in Europe is of course a lot different than in US. There aren't many hardcore brainless doomsday awaiting preppers, for example (I think many "forever technicians" consist of these folks). I am living in our capital and repeaters here are mostly dead. Main focus was, is and will be in HF. It was not D class, it was abandonment of mandatory CW exam what revived the hobby. Last year we obtained all bands all modes even for CEPT Novice class (100 W max). Well back to AM/FM. Basically most of CBs here always were AM/FM, when talking about Europe, AM was/is often limited to 1 W (don't know why). I am afraid there is no significant difference between AM and FM, the bandwidth and thus SNR is approx. the same (8-10 kHz). Subjectively, AM is often better. But yes SSB is a thing, but unfortunately it is almost impossible to get good CB SSB radio, apart of maybe 3-5 quite expensive radios. Also, SSB operation is a bit more difficult. I can agree most of CB traffic is FM, but SSB is unbelievably rare. We tried to start with some SSB specific CB activities in OM/OK but there is not enough people for it. Barrier to entry is not that high, CEPT Novice exam is not that hard, apart of a lot of memorizing here. Bandplans, why? I have always one printed on the table or PDF in my phone. Prefixes, why? OK, Q codes and abbreviations are useful. What is quite special here in Slovakia, we still have oral exam, not a test, that means it is not mechanical ticking of memorized answers, but you must prove you really understand what is going on (and on the other side, not knowing OX prefix can be pardoned :D). I would say there is another barrier. Even some CEPT countries don't have implemented CEPT Novice licenses and don't accept that license e.g. in Italy (even CB is problematic in Italy), Andorra, France, Ireland (they still have mandatory CW and their lower level exam is, I am afraid, at the HAREC level). Some other countries implemented both HAREC and CEPT Novice but still are harrasing hams with guest licenses (Albania - even HAREC licensees, ...). You can run into problems even if the country accept Novice license. E.g. in Austria, novices can use only unmodified commercial radios. By the way, in Austria you can have a problem even with non-Austrian CB (as far as I know it is a bit better now). Multi-norm CBs were a problem even if switched to Austrian standard. Now, the situation is quite humorous. We (OM) and Hungarians have all bands all modes even for novices, but in OE they still have allocation 160-80 and 15 up without WARC for novices (still better than in OK with the same allocation but 10 W max for novices), also in OK CBs have German allocation (80 bands FM, 40 AM/SSB), we have the same but limited in 41-80 range (70-80 only) so whole Austria is covered by at least OK, OM and HA "spurious emissions" :D I would say it's about a time to surrender :D In my country, the regulator (nor the police) is not proactively involving himself in both ham and CB allocations. As long as you aren't causing interferences to other services, they are not interested (they will not track you even for using too much power, as long as nobody complains, maybe except of they will find by chance an emission clearly over E class limit - 750 W - in ham band; even in the case they will come, they will first take a measurements and when they find it was accidental emission or you had some problem with your equipment, like defective PA or power meter, not being aware of, they will only tell you about it without any consequences - at the end, most hams don't have an access to expensive and precise measurement equipment). Once having a valid license (never asked to show mine here), nobody will check your equipment if it is modified or built by yourself (both perfectly legal here), again, as far as you will not cause any interferences. But in some countries, they simply must masturbate with regulations and enforcements. Regarding Austria: CEPT Novice syllabus is often criticized for being too hard especially regarding technical part. But it has a reason behind: possibility of building/modifying/maintenance of your own equipment FROM THE NOVICE LEVEL. So their regulations I can see only as a hassling. Regarding FM. I would gladly let it go. Of course SSB operation is more difficult but bandwidth is 2,5 kHz instead of 10! That means you can have safely 2-3x more channels when reconsidering allocation for such "narrow" band mode. You can use 12 W instead of 4 (1) as a bonus. OK, audio fidelity will take a hit. On the other side, with CB being basically dead, I think it will be slowly phased out...

You’ll get the background, but you would be missing roaming and APRS.

K0LWC *APRS is “transmit only” - not receive in the Anytones (878) currently - hopefully that could be a firmware update

I got a TYT MD-390 it's headed for the trash. CCR and I just won't ever get along. I am looking for something to use with a DVMega. The TYT can't even handle that task. Is the 878 the answer" Or should I hold out for Hytera or Motorola?

In my opinion, the 868/878s are the closest things to a typical emergency/police handheld radio set you can get for such a low price, in terms of ruggedness and reliability, and they've also been made with amateurs in mind (you have VFO, for example; you'll never find such a thing in a pro radio). Definitely worth the money

Both.

Just updated to the new 2.34 firmware on 868 which gives the screen of the 878 without having to open up the radio to hack. Loving the black screen and new icons. I just don't have analog APRS & roaming but i can live with that for £60 less.

Yes, you can. But it requires a hardware modification.

No hardware modifications! You can flash the FW with the ST-LINK. radioaficion.com/news/how-to-convert-an-at-d868uv-to-at-d878uv/

radioaficion.com/news/how-to-convert-an-at-d868uv-to-at-d878uv/ Software on the Wouxon site.

No, you don’t.

How do I do the conversion any help Appreciated.... Also you wouldn't happen to know where I can download the latest Anytone Programming software.. I am unable to Access Anytones Website here in the UK🙄😞😭 It Appears to be Blocked from the outside world I just get a 404 or Website Unavailable.. Great shame as it seems like a great Radio. I have just purchased the 868. 73 de Steve M0BFM Liverpool UK

Steve Jones Anytone.de has the latest 1.13 version

@@g0fvt Thanks for the Info I will have a look later. Much appreciated.

I've done it first try and no problems since.

Dwayne S can you link me to that info ?

@@chrisbee9164 github.com/geary/AnyTone-D868UV/issues/59#issuecomment-451350763 is what I had bookmarked surprised I still had it..read it and said not worth my time trying not sure if it's still valid

Do you have a courtesy tone at the begging of your transmission. This is a feature of many DMR radios. It takes about one second to key the system. When I push my PTT I’ll get a chirp, then I know to begin talking.

@@K0LWC i just got the anytone 878. Where is that setting?

Digital radio needs to establish a connection (handshake). Almost all digital is like this, not just DMR. Solution is simple, count one onethousand before start to talk.

Nope, it’s the same size.

Yes, but it requires opening up the radio. Not a small chore.

Yes, it is an Alinco EA-228. You can order one from DX Engineering for $18.99 www.dxengineering.com/parts/alo-ea-228

I put one on my 868 and it is performs really well. Especially on VHF, much better than the stock antenna, or the Nagoya 701.

Upgrading works great, but if you don’t have one the 878 is a no brainer.

Yes, the 878 has roaming.

Thanks for watching!

Did you get it unlocked? First, press and hold the Menu Key. While holding the Menu key down, press the star key. This should unlock the keyboard. The most common issue for the radio not being seen by your computer is drivers. Make sure you have up-to-date drivers that let the radio communicate with the computer.

@@K0LWC Menu & Star key does not work. The computer does see the cable. If I connect the cable alone it says USB com 3. With the radio attached the same thing. Used several different cables, none work. Also set the software to com 3. Installed several different drivers too. Do I need some kind of driver for the radio?

Don't think you wasted $200. There are two "locks" to consider... a keypad lock and a radio programming lock. Most Part 90 radios come (programming) locked out of the box until you change this in the CPS. If the computer recognizes your USB cable as a COM port without the radio connected and powered on then it sounds like you're using a cable with the serial converter chip built in. These are generally used with analog radios. Are you trying to re-use a cable you had or did this come with the radio? Most digital radios use a USB programming cable without the converter chip as the chip is built into the radio. When I plug in my Anytone cable the computer doesn't see it. Only after I connect my radio and power it up does the computer recognize the connection. I've found most digital radios are the same as I can use my TYT MD-380 cable on my Anytone and vice versa. I'll bet when you get the proper cable you'll be up and running in no time.

@@davee294 I have used several cables, none of them work. I got one that said it had no chip in it. It still did not work.

@@billhennessy5118 Not sure your background (and assuming Windows computer) so let me start with this... if you connect your "no chip" cable to the computer, connect your radio and turn it on, do you get the familiar connected sound? If so, does the COM port that shows up in Device Manager (my 868 shows up as GD32 Virtual Com Port) match what is set in the programming software?

That’s interesting, but I don’t think the tariffs are $40 worth. I’m sure that’s a factor I didn’t consider, but also a larger margin, too.

@@K0LWC MY 868 cost $169 the import tariff on Chinese electronics was 25% the last I heard so that brings it up to $211.25 so $8.75 for the new features if my info is correct. Makes the no new hardware a little easier to take. Good video by the way, I'll keep an eyey on your channel.

There are new features, like roaming. Call a motorola or hytera dealer and ask them for a radio with roaming. I dare say it will cost far more than a 878 costs.

thats not true

I would agree it’s not easy, it takes some technical ability.

It was $160 but Trump increased the prices. 😎

Yeah, well it's not a baofeng thats for sure.

I have not had an issue.

@@K0LWC nice. I saw your video about the best talk group. I'll try to hit you up in there when i get set up. I saw your qrz profile and your antenna setup. Im supprised you have the icom 7300 when you are only licenced technician. I wont buy any hf equipment until i get my extra. See you on the air - ws3ric (eric)

31088 is a great talkgroup! I do a lot of CW on 40 meters as a technician. Many operators don’t even consider CW, or realize techs have 10m privileges. Don’t wait! 😊

Because people rarely watch the entire video. That’s why.

@@K0LWC I did watch the entire thing.

Hadrien Rihn Are you a Kermit imbecile??

Crazy.