Alinco: ALINCO DJ-MD5XLT Any good?

[brucefl56]

Hi, looking at the Alinco DJ-MD5XLT and wonder if those who have one like it? I have noticed (I think) that Alinco are made in China now? It also looks exactly like one of the Anytone models that make me suspicious. I was also looking at one of the Yaesu FT5DR which is more money. I prefer to stay with the Japanese models. The market seems to be flooded with Baofeng radios, but they look like knock offs. Kenwoods and Icoms are quite a bit more.
I was always curious to about the Baofengs that go up to 10 W that the RF would be hazardous?
Thanks, Burce

 

[sallen07]

Hi, looking at the Alinco DJ-MD5XLT and wonder if those who have one like it? I have noticed (I think) that Alinco are made in China now? It also looks exactly like one of the Anytone models that make me suspicious. I was also looking at one of the Yaesu FT5DR which is more money. I prefer to stay with the Japanese models. The market seems to be flooded with Baofeng radios, but they look like knock offs. Kenwoods and Icoms are quite a bit more.
I was always curious to about the Baofengs that go up to 10 W that the RF would be hazardous?
Thanks, Burce

The DJ-MD5 is [probably?] made in China, but it's a Japanese design. It's also a cousin to the Anytones, not a sibling. The Anytone radios are quite a big larger (the MD5 is pretty tiny). Unless there is an Anytone model I'm not familiar with, which could certainly be the case.

I have an older DJ-MD5 and it's a nice little radio. Works fine on 2m and 70cm, both analog and DMR. The only thing I find annoying is that in the menus you have to use the up and down arrows rather than rotating the channel selector knob like you do on the Alinco mobile (DR-MD500/MD520). Oh, and somewhere along the lines the cover over the speaker and mike jacks (also used for programming) decided that it didn't want to latch anymore so it's always open about 1/4 inch.

The vendor-supplied CPS is OK, but I use the RT Systems programmer instead.

I'm not much into DMR anymore but I really like how the radio supports numerous "Zones" where you can group certain memories together depending on the activity or location you are in.

Are you looking into getting into one of the digital formats? I ask because you list the MD5 and the FT-5DR which are both digital capable ... but not the same digital format. Or are you just looking for a good dual-band HT?

 

[N4KVE]

I too have the earlier one. Good radio, but I got it for $100. I have plenty of Moto DMR radios, but I figured for what I paid, it was a good gamble.

 

[K5MPH]

I have the 2nd generation of this radio if you like a small form factor of a Ht radio then the Alinco is the radio to have and a good full 5 watts love mine .........

 

[ladn]

An earlier version of the MD5 was my first venture into DMR, followed by an Anytone 878. I've found both to be decent radios. The MD5 is a smaller form factor, but I find the Anytone easier to hold.

Alinco has not kept up with the same level of firmware updates as Anytone which may, or may not, be an important consideration.

 

[brucefl56]

The DJ-MD5 is [probably?] made in China, but it's a Japanese design. It's also a cousin to the Anytones, not a sibling. The Anytone radios are quite a big larger (the MD5 is pretty tiny). Unless there is an Anytone model I'm not familiar with, which could certainly be the case.

I have an older DJ-MD5 and it's a nice little radio. Works fine on 2m and 70cm, both analog and DMR. The only thing I find annoying is that in the menus you have to use the up and down arrows rather than rotating the channel selector knob like you do on the Alinco mobile (DR-MD500/MD520). Oh, and somewhere along the lines the cover over the speaker and mike jacks (also used for programming) decided that it didn't want to latch anymore so it's always open about 1/4 inch.

The vendor-supplied CPS is OK, but I use the RT Systems programmer instead.

I'm not much into DMR anymore but I really like how the radio supports numerous "Zones" where you can group certain memories together depending on the activity or location you are in.

Are you looking into getting into one of the digital formats? I ask because you list the MD5 and the FT-5DR which are both digital capable ... but not the same digital format. Or are you just looking for a good dual-band HT?

To tell the truth I have not given it a lot of thought. I know Yaseu is a whole other deal. Not sure why the FCC didn't work with one format. Then the digital format for public service is another whole different one altogether. The biggest problem I have where I am, I am lucky to reach a analog repeater let alone digital. Ideally, I would like to put a repeater around here, and that is a whole different ball of wax. I don't want to go with one of the seemingly cheap Baofeng, I can't believe the FCC allows them 10 W, seems way too much RF near the brain. Though it probably comes down to a good dual-band HT, seeing there is so much digital out there I thought it best to get something all at once.

 

[k6cpo]

Hi, looking at the Alinco DJ-MD5XLT and wonder if those who have one like it? I have noticed (I think) that Alinco are made in China now? It also looks exactly like one of the Anytone models that make me suspicious. I was also looking at one of the Yaesu FT5DR which is more money. I prefer to stay with the Japanese models. The market seems to be flooded with Baofeng radios, but they look like knock offs. Kenwoods and Icoms are quite a bit more.
I was always curious to about the Baofengs that go up to 10 W that the RF would be hazardous?
Thanks, Burce

Don't sell a product short just because it's made or assembled in China. The Chinese are perfectly capable of producing quality products when they want to or when required by a contractor. Did you know that iPhones, iPads and Beats headphones are all made in China? The reason the Baofengs are so plentiful is that the Chinese know that most Americans will buy cheap without regard to quality.

a 10W Baofeng is nothing more than advertising hype. Eveybody thinks that more power means you can get out better but 10W into a poor antenna is no better than 5W into the same antenna. And you'd be lucky to get 8W out of any of them, much less 10W.

 

[brucefl56]

That can be true, but the price seems way off lol. Problem with the 10w especially with a poor-quality antenna is that RF could be pretty serious that close to the brain. I have 5w at times bothers my eyes though they have seen no problem so far. And basically, where I am, I am lucky to hit one repeater with the HT. Either way I am going to look at the best ant. I can find without going to big. I think I will end up with the Alinco, not sure ready to spend 700 for the Kenwood lol