Alinco DJ-G46

[sallen07]

Alinco has released a GMRS HT, the DJ-G46. It shares the same form-factor (and battery) as the DJ-MD5 and DJ-500. Having had one for a couple weeks, I offer this mini-review. I do not have a bench full of test equipment, nor am I a GMRS power user, but hopefully this bullet list (starting with the cons) is useful.

Cons

• There is no "menu" available to make programming changes. Out of the box, you can modify the squelch tone and mode on any of the pre-programmed 22 channels, but that's it. Any other changes (adding channels, customizing key functions, etc.) must be done through the programming software.
• While the radio has a K-type accessory connector, it does NOT use a K-type programming cable. That means the Baofeng cable many folks have lying around will not work. Instead, an Alinco ERW-7 or ERW-15 cable is needed. Expect to spend at least $25 to get the correct cable. I'm also curious to hear if one of those Amazon multi-cables works since that might be a cheaper option. Fortunately for me, I already had the RT Systems equivalent cable (USB 29-A) since it is used for a number of other Alinco radios, both HT and mobile.

Pros

• Well-built radio which feels good (and not cheap) in the hand.
• Sensitivity and selectivity better than other GMRS radios that I have. My non-scientific test was to put the DJ-G46 and two other GMRS HTs in the window of my home office and have them scan the local repeaters. The DJ-G46 picked them up far better than the other two radios.
• Audio quality is very good based on the contacts I've made with it.
• Programming software is decent. There were a few spelling/grammer errors that I noticed but nothing that affected the functionality of the software. I asked RT Systems if they would be releasing a programmer for the DJ-G46 and they didn't even realize it had been released. Not sure if they will or not, but if they do I'll buy it. If they don't, the provided software seems to work just fine. Right now you have to contact Remtronix (the Alinco distributor in the US) to get the software. It should be available on their website soon.
• For some, the simple user interface may be an advantage since it's easier to hand it to a person who is not radio-savy. OOB one of the function buttons is a key lock, so you can activate and the only thing that will work is the PTT.

I did notice on oddity tonight while I was typing up this post. I **KNEW** that I'd seen a reference to the model of programming cable required but could not find that reference on-line or in the PDF of the owner's manual I downloaded. Turns out that the printed manual has an extra page at the end (that is not in the PDF) where it talks about PC programming and that's where the cable model numbers are listed!

Very nice little radio and I like it a lot. I asked my kids for an often-recommended GMRS HT for Christmas in 2022 and they bought it for me. I really wish the DJ-G46 had been available back then ... it's a much better radio IMHO.

 

[tomk62]

Is it superheterodyne or system on a chip?

 

[sallen07]

Is it superheterodyne or system on a chip?

I think it's SoC but haven't found that documented anywhere.

I wouldn't place too much weight on that, honestly. It's more about filtering. The "much recommended" GMRS HT I mentioned in my post IS superheterodyne and performs poorly compared to the Alinco.

 

[kny2xb]

I think it's SoC but haven't found that documented anywhere.

I wouldn't place too much weight on that, honestly. It's more about filtering. The "much recommended" GMRS HT I mentioned in my post IS superheterodyne and performs poorly compared to the Alinco.

Per Raj at Remtronix, the DJ-G46T is based on the DJ-A446 PMR h-t, which according to its brochure is superheterodyne

https://www.alinco.com/Products/bis/DJ-A446/DJ-A446.pdf

The brochure, manual, & software for the DJ-G46T are now on the Remtronix website

I've been enjoying mine

 

[JASII]

That might work for my wife.

 

[JASII]

...it does NOT use a K-type programming cable. That means the Baofeng cable many folks have lying around will not work. Instead, an Alinco ERW-7 or ERW-15 cable is needed. Expect to spend at least $25 to get the correct cable. I'm also curious to hear if one of those Amazon multi-cables works since that might be a cheaper option. Fortunately for me, I already had the RT Systems equivalent cable (USB 29-A) since it is used for a number of other Alinco radios, both HT and mobile...

That is interesting that ERW-7 or ERW-15 work. I wonder what the difference(s) is/are between the two of them.

At HRO ERW-7 is $44.95 and the ERW-15 is $29.95 right now. So, perhaps I should ask, other than the $15 difference in price, what are the differences between the two cables?

 

[oregontreehugger]

Quick thread bump to see if any other folks have recent experiences with the new DJ-G46...

 

[sallen07]

Not sure when it was released, but RT Systems DOES have a programmer for the DJ-G46 now. I still plan to buy it but I've been tied up with some other things and haven't been playing much radio lately.

APK-G46 Programming Software

The RT Systems cable is $30 by itself so same price as the cheaper Alinco cable. As I said it works fine with the Alinco software so that's an option even if you don't buy the RT Systems software.

 

[sallen07]

So I did get the RT Systems programmer this past Monday, taking advantage of their 10% off sale for Dayton.

Downloaded and installed it, and right away I noticed a bug. I read the programming from the radio (that I had done with the Alinco software) and the frequencies for the custom repeater channels I had programmed were totally off (578.xxx receive and 583.xxx transmit).

I contacted their tech support via email Monday night, and after I supplied a copy of my programming file via email (which was delayed because I was away from the radio and computer on Tuesday) they found and corrected the problem and issued an updated version of the software by Wednesday morning!

As I said in my initial review, this radio doesn't have a 'menu' system so the changes you can make without programming software are quite limited. The Alinco software is "ok", but I would highly recommend the RT Systems software and cable instead, not only because it is more polished but because of their excellent customer support.

I really like this radio. Hopefully it will be a success for Alinco.

 

[rf_patriot200]

So I did get the RT Systems programmer this past Monday, taking advantage of their 10% off sale for Dayton.

Downloaded and installed it, and right away I noticed a bug. I read the programming from the radio (that I had done with the Alinco software) and the frequencies for the custom repeater channels I had programmed were totally off (578.xxx receive and 583.xxx transmit).

I contacted their tech support via email Monday night, and after I supplied a copy of my programming file via email (which was delayed because I was away from the radio and computer on Tuesday) they found and corrected the problem and issued an updated version of the software by Wednesday morning!

As I said in my initial review, this radio doesn't have a 'menu' system so the changes you can make without programming software are quite limited. The Alinco software is "ok", but I would highly recommend the RT Systems software and cable instead, not only because it is more polished but because of their excellent customer support.

I really like this radio. Hopefully it will be a success for Alinco.

Maybe do a Review of it on mygmrs.com so they'll be aware of it too ?

 

[K6GBW]

So this radio has been out for a couple of months now and the price seems to be slowly coming down. HRO now has them for $99.00. Iv'e seen a few minor reviews on them and they sound decent enough. I'm wondering if they have the ability to change the PL tones from the front panel. For me, needing a computer to change them is a no-go. I frequently meet up with people for long hikes or backpacking trips and being able to change the tone on the fly is essential. Does anyone know?

 

[sallen07]

So this radio has been out for a couple of months now and the price seems to be slowly coming down. HRO now has them for $99.00. Iv'e seen a few minor reviews on them and they sound decent enough. I'm wondering if they have the ability to change the PL tones from the front panel. For me, needing a computer to change them is a no-go. I frequently meet up with people for long hikes or backpacking trips and being able to change the tone on the fly is essential. Does anyone know?

I said that in my first post.

Cons

• There is no "menu" available to make programming changes. Out of the box, you can modify the squelch tone and mode on any of the pre-programmed 22 channels, but that's it. Any other changes (adding channels, customizing key functions, etc.) must be done through the programming software.

So the answer is, "yes". I just went and grabbed the radio and verified same.

 

[K6GBW]

Excellent, thanks for the confirmation. I may pick one up for the wife.