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?
