Anytone Anytone 778uv Mobile

[tadpole207]

Howdy. I am hooking this up in my Jeep as well as using it for a base until I buy a dedicated base station. Right now, when I Tx, I only get 2 bars of transmit power on 70 and it maxes out on 2...

Does anyone know how to fix this or why it’s happening? The antenna is screwed in and on correctly. It’s hot pulling any amps, and only drops about a full 2 from 13.8v.
thanks

n

 

[hill]

Do you have set for low power? Many times these output power meters don't really show the power, but just a indication of which power setting you have selected. If you select high power does the meter show full scale.

 

[popnokick]

... and in your new ham hobby you've just learned why EVERY ham needs a decent SWR / wattmeter. Get one for VHF / UHF (not CB or HF) frequencies. And rest assured you will use it over and over again with many antennas and radios. The problem you describe (or even whether it is truly a problem) cannot be diagnosed remotely. You're going to need to connect a meter.

 

[tadpole207]

Went through low med and hi and swr is between 1.3-3. I have a small digital meter I picked up but now you say that I am concerned because it doesn’t have the best feeling in the connectors.

 

[tadpole207]

To clarify when I transmit on 147.xxx it maxes out the power and stops transmitting. When I Tx on 440.xxx I get 2 bars out of 10 on power.
On 147 voltage does not drop. On 440 it drops and pull 2 amps.

 

[popnokick]

I am concerned because it doesn’t have the best feeling in the connectors.

That is because the meter you have does not have any connectors or cables designed for use with the SO-239 antenna socket that is on the back of the AnyTone AT-778 radio. DO NOT try to force any of the connectors supplied with the meter to work with the radio as you could damage either or both. This is the most likely explanation for the readings you are getting. You will need a meter that has either A) PL-259 male jumper with a male connector on both ends, or B) if the meter has "N" connectors you will need a PL-259 to N-male jumper and / or adapter. Many of the SWR / power meters do use type "N" connectors, but not all come with any cables or adapters. Since the meter must be placed inline between your antenna and the radio, you will need two sets of jumpers / adapters... one from radio to meter, the other from meter to radio.

 

[tadpole207]

Is this is decent meter? https://www.amazon.com/Astatic-302-PDC2-Field-Strength-Meter/dp/B000KEUFME/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32RYKWBXGIJ28&keywords=swr+meter&qid=1649529136&sprefix=swr+meter,aps,90&sr=8-4

and i assume i will need a better dummy load to test the radio

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JM2ZFXN/ref=sspa_dk_detail_6?psc=1p13NParams&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE2Q0hIVU5SSjJXSlcmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA0NjMxMzExMkg3OFM3Tk8xRzJIJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5MDE2MjQxTDBFNk01MjlaTTE2JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsMiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

 

[cmjonesinc]

That swr meter is for cb. You'll need a vhf / uhf one.

That dummy load is rated for 15 watts. Your radio on high power is rated at 25. If you're going to use it make sure you run on a lower power setting.

 

[tadpole207]

thanks. I looked at reviews and videos, and went with this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUZISB8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, since i cant put my antenna outside, what is a good way to ground it inside near a window? my only option at this point.

 

[popnokick]

thanks. I looked at reviews and videos, and went with this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MUZISB8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Also, since i cant put my antenna outside, what is a good way to ground it inside near a window? my only option at this point.

I have a Surecom that is slightly older than the one you linked.... and it has worked very well for me. Yes, you may want a larger capacity dummy load, like this -
https://www.amazon.com/XRDS-RF-PL259-Male-RF-Dummy/dp/B08QR9RQJ3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1RIGL33YSOA91&keywords=dummy+load&qid=1649534371&sprefix=,aps,132&sr=8-3
The Surecom has N connectors. You'll need PL259 to N adapters to connect everything.
Finally, running full power (25W) on your AT-778 with an antenna inside your car... and likely near your head... is inadvisable from an RF safety standpoint. If you must put an antenna inside the vehicle, keep the radio on lowest RF output power.

 

[tadpole207]

Sorry. Antenna is outside in the car. NMO mount.

About the base station as I use the anytone inside as well but since I can’t mount my antenna outside, I was either going to do a window mount or NMO mag mount it near the window.

any tips on the Antenna mount for in the house? I have it near a window but want to make sure I ground it properly. Any tips for the antennafor the base set up (the anytone is on my desk with power supply) and running cable to the antenna near a window. I think my issue is the antenna is not grounded properly but I can’t run the antenna outside at the moment

 

[popnokick]

There are many "poke your eye out" antennas that can be put on camera tripods, etc inside the house. But perhaps one of the simplest and best indoor performers .... when put in / near a window... is a J-pole. Our club members have had outstanding results with this one
https://grapevineamateurradio.com/products/ed-fong-j-pole-antennas-dual-band-220-and-roll-up
You want either the 144/440 roll-up J-pole that can be hung from multiple locations and comes with several connectors, or the 144/440 J-pole that fits in a PVC pipe version. If you get the PVC pipe version you can later easily mount it on your roof with a hose clamp... it is VERY lightweight. I have my PVC version next to a window, but the roll-up version will work just as well.
Here's the roof mount version in PVC (and Ed's original website) -
Ed's Antennas

 

[tadpole207]

awesome, thank you. Until that one comes in, i do have this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074C4H42R/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

what can i do with that now until the other one comes in? Can i ground it and if so, best method?

and the Ed Fong- can i drape it around the window sill?

THe main difference with the pvc version and the non pvc version- with the PVC does it need to be straight up and down or can it have bends in the PVC?

 

[popnokick]

Pie plate, cookie sheet, top of refrigerator, top of window air conditioner.

 

[tadpole207]

Like, seriously just place it on a pie sheet and then on top of something?

and the Ed Fong- can i drape it around the window sill?

THe main difference with the pvc version and the non pvc version- with the PVC does it need to be straight up and down or can it have bends in the PVC?

Quote Reply

 

[popnokick]

Metal pie plate, cookie sheet, or any of the other items I mentioned that are steel and will work with a magnet simulate a car roof and provide the RF counterpoise that type of antenna you linked needs to perform.
The J-pole antennas need to be straight and vertical... no bends or reshaping them. They're not that long so even if the ends overlap the window sill it's not a big deal. Hide it behind the drapes!

 

[tadpole207]

@popnokick Well, that solved everything- thank you very much. I would take a picture of the cookie sheet with an antenna on it, but I am a little embarrassed of my shack at the moment.

will report back SWR when meter comes tomorrow. thanks everyone

 

[tadpole207]

@popnokick SWR came in today, but it appears it has N type connections instead of 239 like advertised. I cannot find one that shows a 239 connector- they all say they are So239- if so i need connectors for the radio and antenna.

1. Do all these SWR meters like this come with N type?
2. What connector do i need to the radio coming in
3. what connector do i need for antenna?

I think i need https://www.amazon.com/Antenna-coaxial-adapter-Adapter-connector/dp/B076GXJ63N/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=30J1BA1OJ4802&keywords=uhf+female+to+n+type+male&qid=1649712846&sprefix=uhf+female+to+n+type+male,aps,84&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTkxKMExYTzZPVk5RJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjA5MDI2SkxLOVg4M0ZEWjBUJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA2MTQyODgySFBXTk81WEQ0U0hBJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

can anyone confirm?


Also, trying to plug in the back of the power supply from the radio with banana clips (the ones below). They do not make a full connection in the back of the radio- so instead of wrapping the wire around the post, there is a hole in it that it will accept some kind of plug- not sure which one.

the power supply



thanks

 

[AK9R]

Do you live somewhere near an amateur radio store? It might be less frustrating, and less costly, for you to visit a proper amateur radio store and ask the people there to help you with what you need. Even if you don't live near a store, call one on the phone, describe your problem, and see if they can help you.

 

[tadpole207]

I do but my mobility at the moment is limited. Hence my use of the forum. I will call them.